DCU Comic Book Reviews

JSA #57

Black Reign, Part 3

late March 2004

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Don Kramer

Inks by Keith Champagne

Cover by John Watson

Synopsis

[Continued from Hawkman #23]

In Khandaq, the people applaud Black Adam and his group of heroes who have disposed of former leader Asim Muhunnad.  In New York City, Hawkman takes over leadership of the JSA.  In Shiruta, Atom Smasher is awoken by a voice telling him he is not a hero.  Elsewhere, Brainwave tells Black Adam that they are coming.  On the plane, Nabu tells Hector Hall that his support of Hawkman is frowned upon.  As they pass into Khandaq airspace, the JSA receive a warning from Brainwave.  Hawkman ignores the warning.  Black Adam then flies right through the plane, causing the JSA to fall into the sky.  Hourman falls to the ground below, but the others remain in flight.  Moments later, Northwind and his people attack the JSA.  Meanwhile, Mr. Terrific and Dr. Mid-Nite try to pilot the plane safely to the ground.  They are caught by Atom Smasher who takes them into custody.  He tells them:  “In Khandaq, we’re the good guys.” [Story continues in Hawkman #24]

Review

Although this is the middle portion of the storyline and as such there is really no impact moment for one of the characters or significant change in the plot, this was a very good issue.  For the first time we get some decent action while some of the political and moral questions are still being raised.  Plus, we are seeing dissension not only in the JSA but also among Black Adam’s group.  Black Adam has noble intentions, regardless of his methods, but it is becoming clear that those that follow him do not necessarily see themselves as heroes.  On the opposite end, there are some in the JSA that think Hawkman’s methods are extremely un-hero like.  It will be interesting to see how Nabu plays into all of this. 

The only mis-step in this issue was the oblique reference to Infinity, Inc., a former super hero team in which several JSA members were once a part of.  Not everyone (and certainly not me) has read that series and as a result the brief moment with Power Girl and Hourman will go over their heads. 

At this point I am guessing that Atom Smasher will be the moral compass for the story.  Black Adam and Hawkman are essentially shown to be different sides of the coin.  Both use violence to achieve their ends and they both take the law into their own hands.  The biggest difference is that Hawkman would never kill anyone and he would allow the criminal to be tried by the justice system while Black Adam will declare who thinks guilty to be guilty and then kill them for their crimes.  Atom Smasher is caught in the middle in that he thinks what Black Adam is doing is the right thing, but he knows in his heart that it really is wrong.  At some point in the story, Atom Smasher is going to change his mind and help the JSA while at the same time providing the moral of the story to all of the characters (and the reader, too).  -- Review by MRB

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