DCU Comic Book Reviews

JUSTICE SOCIETY of AMERICA #34

Merciless, Part One of Two

February 2010

Written by Bill Willingham

Pencils by Travis Moore

Inks by Dan Green

Cover by Jesus Merino

Synopsis

A disembodied spirit floats to Earth and to the former headquarter of the JLA, where the current Justice Society is setting up after the Brownstone has been destroyed.  The disembodied spirit finds a body to occupy:  Dr. Fate.  The possessed Dr. Fate encounters various members of the Justice Society, where they find him acting strange.  Elsewhere, Jay Garrick and Alan Scott attempt to interrogate Jeremy Karnes (aka Kid Karnevil) but learn very little what he had done Obsidian, Alan’s son.  Meanwhile, Mr. America attempts to show Lightning how to use a whip.  Mr. Terrific decides to walk, despite Dr. Mid-Nite’s orders that he hasn’t healed enough.  Later, Jay Garrick informs “Dr. Fate” of a league meeting.  When they get there, the team confronts Fate; they know it isn’t him.  Fate tries to deny it.  Wildcat punches him.  Fate is knocked unconscious, but it free the spirit inside:  Mordru the Merciless. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

You know what would really improve this issue?  If Mordru wasn’t in it.  Really.  I realize that the entire issue is hinged on that plot point, but the ending was a let down.  This is partly because Mordru as a JSA villain had been used so often it has become worn and tired and I am not sure Willingham can bring anything new to it.  And partly because the rest of the issue was good on its own terms without the eventual battle against Mordru.  What Willingham provided was good material and it stood on its own.  Comic books are serial stories, told over lengthy periods of time to form a complete picture in which each issue is only part of the story.  I think it is perfectly reasonable to spend an issue simply following the characters around, learning about who they are, without the need for a plot or a specific conflict.  All of the scenes in this issue, except for the beginning and end, are simple, short scenes with the characters doing normal things (for heroes) in a relaxed atmosphere.  The rapport is a delight to watch and Willingham makes things humorous, but doesn’t get too goofy.  There is a atmosphere of love and familiarity and it is great to read these characters simply interacting with each other.  I don’t think they need to interact with Mordru.  But that may be me. 

It had been some time since anyone mentioned the new age of magic. It had been a big deal right after Infinite Crisis, which included the launch of Shadowpact, which was written by Willingham.  The problem is that no one, including Willingham, ever defined the new age properly or what magic was supposed to be or whatever.  It was just this nebulous thing.  Maybe, nearly three years later, Willingham will finally explain it. 

Why is Lightning with the old guard?  She is one of the younger folks; wouldn’t it make more sense for her to go with the rest of the “kids”?  In fact, when she first joined the team she was good friends with both Stargirl and Cyclone, two kids around her age.  I hope this is explained.

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