DCU Comic Book Reviews

JSA CLASSIFIED #13

The Fall And Rise Of Vandal Savage, Part 4

August 2006

Written by Stuart Moore

Pencils by Paul Gulacy

Inks by Jimmy Palmiotti

Cover by Paul Gulacy

Synopsis

Vandal Savage has Alan Scott (aka Green Lantern and White King of Checkmate) tied to a table.  As he takes Some of Alan’s blood, Savage explains that he will inject the clone he created from his DNA to create a duplicate of Alan Scott.  The clone will then go on a rampage of murder as a way to defile Alan Scott’s name.  Scott, however, is able to break free of the restraints and use his lantern to recharge his ring.  Despite getting free, Savage beats Scott down.  Before Savage can kill him, Scott calls to Checkmate.  Blackhawk fighter planes are dispatched and bombs Savage’s hideout.  Scott uses his ring to keep himself safe.  Weakened, he doesn’t have the time to search, so he leaves.  Later, Vandal Savage climbs out of the rubble, but realizes it will be his tomb.  The clone asks if he can anything for his “father.”  Vandal Savage realizes he will live as the flesh of his descendants sustains him....

Review

I will admit it, I liked the ending.  The solution was neat and I actually bought the resolution and thought it worked.  I may be one of the few people who like it, but, hey, that is their problem, not mine.  Seriously, I knew from the outset that DC wouldn’t kill Vandal Savage; there are certain characters that just will not die and if they do, it will be done is spectacular fashion (see:  Superboy) to ensure it means something.  So, the real question for this story arc is:  how will Vandal Savage live?  As I said, the solution was neat, especially since hints and clues had been dropped throughout the story.  His cannibalistic (and that is really what it is) tendencies were shown early in the arc to show that he truly is a savage, but the arc also showed he needed to do it to keep himself alive.  In fact, early on Savage went to his daughter, but fearful she would be needed to keep him alive, she refused to see him.  Tat scene worked on different levels:  pathos that Savage could not connect with his family and foreshadowing that he needed “family” to stay alive.

I also liked the portrayal of Alan Scott.  His mantra of adaptability and flexibility certainly seems fitting for what he has gone through since the Crisis and how well he has handled things.  He is one of the elder statesmen of the DCU and the way this book shows how he has shaken of the past and moved onward, always finding ways to make a difference, shows his commitment to do what he has done for as long as he has done it.  I liked the determined look on Alan’s battered and bloody face, right after he called for the fighter planes and Vandal Savage wants to know if that is the JSA and Alan answers, “no.”  -- MRB

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