DCU Comic Book Reviews

JSA #58

Black Reign, Part 5

April 2004

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Don Kramer

Inks by Keith Champagne

Cover by John Watson

Synopsis

[Continued from Hawkman #24]

In Khandaq, Atom Smasher grabs Stargirl and returns her to the palace while the rest of the JSA continue to battle not only Black Adam’s group, but the Nabu-controlled Dr. Fate.  Inside Nabu’s realm, Hector Hall finds other former hosts of Dr. Fate; together, they decide to take care of Nabu.  Along with Hawkgirl, Rex Tyler joins in the battle against Black Adam’s group.  He is able to wound Alexander Montez (aka Eclipso), cutting the shoulder and the tattoo that bound Eclipso to its host.  Free of Alex, Eclipso kills Nemesis and then sends Alex to his death by jumping off the building.  Meanwhile, Atom Smasher deposits Stargirl at the palace.  At that moment, the Atom reveals himself as the “inner voice.”  Atom was sent by Hawkman to determine why the others were following Black Adam.  Atom realizes it is something besides Black Adam; it is Brainwave.  Elsewhere, Mr. Terrific, Dr. Mid-Nite, and Wildcat are being held prisoner by the outraged citizens of Khandaq.  They are able to escape their bindings, but are attacked by the citizens.  Dr. Mid-Nite asks Wildcat to run interference as he guides Atom through a psychosurgical procedure to lobotomize Brainwave.  However, when Atom reaches the temporal lobe he finds he is not alone! [Story continues in Hawkman #25]

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This was one hell of an action packed issue full of great action and even greater surprises, but I think the two best moments of the issue are the two quietest moments.  The first was the leap by Alex as Eclipso exerts his control to free himself.  The panels of Alex coming closer and closer towards us, the look in his eyes spoke volumes about his predicament and his realization at what he had done.  Plus, the visual of Eclipso celebrating within the diamond was the topper on the proverbial cake.  The other moment is near the end when Flash tears off Hawkman’s headpiece to see Carter silently mourning the deaths of Eclipso and Nemesis.  The look on Jay’s face followed by their brief exchange shows how much they both come to an understanding of each other and the situation.  The brilliance of both of these scenes lie at the hands of Kramer and Champagne, artists who have done terrific work on this series. 

For whatever reason, and I am not sure why, I always get a kick out of Atom hitching a ride inside somebody.  It was made even better by the fact that he was talking to Atom Smasher as his voice of conscience.  And, of course, topped off by the fact they share the Atom name. 

Amazingly, Johns is able to keep the debate of morality and good and evil in this issue amongst all of the action goodness on display.  The dramatic tension between Adam and Billy and the whispers of Atom to Atom Smasher fit well within the story and did not, at any point, slow down the narrative.  The fact that these small tidbits were kept to a minimum but still managed to pack a wallop is a testament to Johns writing skills.  He manages to sell his story within the framework of all that action and he did not slow down the issue at all. 

Whoever said crossovers suck?  If they do, point them at this six-part story.  Good stuff.  I am eager to see how this all ends.

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