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Still
Terrific :
JSA: Fair Play
DC
trade paperback review by : Troy
Brownfield
Writer:
Geoff
Johns
Pencils: Rags
Morales, Stephen Sadowski, Peter Snejbjerg, Javier Saltares,
Derec Aucoin
Inks:
Michael Bair, Keith Champagne, Peter
Snejbjerg, Ray Kryssing, David Meikis, Christian Alamy
Colorists: John Kalisz, Tom McGraw
Letters: Ken Lopez, Kurt Hathaway
More
Info: www.dccomics.com
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Anyone
who's familiar with the site knows that I'm predisposed to
give JSA a good review. I'm a big fan, and not just
because I have long standing affection for the titular team.
I've been happy from the start with how the various creators
have brought us a straight-forward, irony-free super-hero
team. The feel of the book is hard to describe, but it evokes
simultaneously nostalgia and excitement. Bottom line: The
people who can't make super-hero books work just aren't trying
hard enough. Fans of the JSA can tell you that the
book usually looks incredible and effortless at the same time.
All involved seem to genuinely love what they're doing.
Which
brings us to Geoff Johns. Johns usually partners with David
Goyer on this title; however, during this strech (issues 26-31
and Secret Files & Origins #2), Goyer was doing his tiny
little day-job of screenwriter and director full-time (If
you haven't heard, Goyer's supposed to write and helm Blade
III, as well as writing a new Batman film for director
Christopher Nolan). Not to worry; readers of The Flash,
Avengers, Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and more will
tell you that Johns is just fine on his own. This time around,
the major story takes an inversion of that old ploy of "villain-traps-heroes-in-gladitorial-situation"
and mixes it up with Fight Club.
Johns
plays the pop-culture juggling of the script just right. These
situations (electrified chess between Mr. Terrific and Dr.
Mid-Nite; Hawkman and Sand versus Man-Bats in the jungle)
are as much Wild Wild West (and I mean the good one
where Dr. Loveless was a midget) as Fight Club. While
it's action-packed, it also builds the characters, showing
how they use their respective strengths to avoid deathtraps.
The
other stories handle a variety of topics from electing a new
team leader to romantic entanglements in the group to an appearance
by Captain Marvel. Sand has a prophetic dream that essentially
set up the next two years of stories. Batman drops by. Star-Spangled
Kid and Jakeem Thunder face Solomon Grundy in a "Last
Laugh" crossover that deepens the young J.K.'s character.
All this, and a surprise new member joins by the end.
Every
issue collected in the volume is brilliantly rendered by some
of the best artists in comics today. Rags Morales is a particular
stand-out, showing off the chops that led to his regular Hawkman
gig. I still miss the work of Stephen Sadowski, also showcased
here. The two issues by Snejbjerg demonstrate a different
style; his use of darkness and shading is especially appropriate
to the Grundy and Batman tales.
All
told, JSA continues to be one of the shining lights
of the DC line. If you want old-school super-hero action,
you won't find a better book than JSA.
Troy Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews.
Here's hoping that Johns uses some of that "DC Exclusive"
clout to get some modern JSA figures made. You listening,
Georg? Email Troy at psikotyk@aol.com.
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