DCU Comic Book Reviews

JSA CLASSIFIED #10

The Fall And Rise Of Vandal Savage, Part 1

May 2006

Written by Stuart Moore

Pencils by Paul Gulacy

Inks by Jimmy Palmiotti

Cover by Paul Gulacy

Synopsis

One year later…Vandal Save returns to Earth after experiencing one of his worst years ever.  He recalls the first time he ever killed a man and he recalls the time he killed the man who invented the wheel.   In Oregon, Vandal finds his organ bank (the spare parts he uses to live) has been vandalized and destroyed.  Vandal recalls the time he fought against Constantine and lost.  In South Dakota, Vandal calls a former associated looking for help, but the associate turns down the offer.  In the Northern Appalachian Mountains, Vandal performs a scan of his body and learns he has 11 days live.  He decides to visit his daughter Scandal for reconciliation, but she thinks all he cares about are her body parts and wants nothing to do with him.  So, Vandal Savage decides all he has left is revenge against...Alan Scott (aka Green Lantern). 

Review

I enjoyed what is essentially an origin story about Vandal Savage.  He was always one of those characters who hovers around a lot of different comics but has never had the spotlight shone on him, so this was nice.  I liked the admission that he is not truly immortal, but simply able to live longer through various nefarious means.  I am not sure how he was able to harvest body parts or DNA before the 20th century, but it is compelling enough to consider:  better living through relative’s organs.

I am not quite sure why Vandal Savage considers Alan Scott his biggest adversary.  I hope this is addressed in the next issue.  I also question the wisdom of putting Alan Scott on the cover since he only appears in one panel at the very end.  I surmise this was done to connect the JSA to what is going on in the issue, but it ruins the ending.

A glance through the art of this issue shows a lot of green, especially in the flashbacks.  From the green of the roller, to the green on the servant’s outfit and the green sword of his opponent and to the green shackles.  I really liked this small touch, the little hints before Vandal decides to go after Green Lantern. But, there is also yellow from the building behind Vandal when he walks inside to the armor during the battle and the yellow hair of the slave master.  I wonder if there is a connection or not.  I suppose we shall find out.-- MRB

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