Because superheroes are even better when they're fighting each other.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #619865 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-01
• Released on: 2003-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Although well-done, this mega-team-up story is somewhat routine. It's natural for a publisher to let superheroes make guest appearances in one another's comics, and the idea of grouping several into a squad of superpowered do-gooders follows irresistibly. The Justice Society of America (with 1940s superheroes like Captain Marvel and Dr. Mid-Nite) was DC's first major stab at a superhero team, before superhero comics faded away in the early '50s. The Justice League of America is the present-day version, featuring some new characters and some who never disappeared (like Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman). DC decided to unite the two groups periodically. The attractions are obvious: comics fans get to see the characters pictured on the same page in dynamic interaction. During a party, Wildcat arm wrestles with Green Lantern, while Plastic Man stretches across the room to ogle Power Girl's cleavage. And there's terrific conflict. When different versions of the characters (such as Superman and Captain Marvel) are present, all sorts of power comparisons are possible. A demonic alien conqueror causes several of the heroes to be secretly possessed by the seven deadly sins, pitting one group against another (e.g., Power Girl is possessed by Lust; Batman by Anger). The writing is smooth and the scene in which Dr. Mid-Nite exorcises the demon of rage from Batman is unexpectedly moving. The art is professional and a double-page spread showing the united band of superheroes plunging forward is a rouser. Nevertheless, the story feels stale. It's been done before and will be done again.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Customer Reviews

The greatest superheroes of all time together again!
I don't care what it takes -- get David Goyer and Geoff Johns writing the regular Justice League monthly comic RIGHT NOW.

Goyer and Johns already are the regular writers on JSA -- the Justice Society of America. For superhero neophytes, here it is in a nutshell -- the JSA were the first superhero team ever. These days it is comprised of elder statesmen like the original Flash, Green Lantern and Wildcat guiding younger second-generation heroes like the new Star-Spangled Kid and Mr. Terrific. The JLA made up of the current superhero top dogs, featuring Superman, Batman, the current Flash and GL and the like. In this tale the two teams gather for what they hope will become a Thanksgiving tradition, only to have their celebration thrown into turmoil when members of the two teams are possessed by the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. (You've heard of `em, right? Sloth, Gluttony, Lust, Anger, Pride, Envy and Greed?) The possessed members dispatch their teammates and go on a rampage, leaving the others to try to free themselves, save their friends and find out who's behind this madness.

While a knowledge of DC Comics continuity helps, it is by no means a necessity to read this book. Goyer and Johns have written brilliant interpretations of the JSA for years now, and in this book they prove they can handle the JLA as well. Not only that, they can balance the two teams, giving each hero his or her moment in the sun, and utilize and develop not one, but three villains (not counting the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man) in a story worthy of the best these teams have to offer.

The artwork by Carlos Pacheco is brilliant. Superman looks strong, Captain Marvel looks innocent, every hero and heroine is perfect, and the double-page spread near the climax of the reunited heroes storming into battle is something I'd frame and hang on any wall.

This book is the best these heroes have been treated in years. Here's hoping Goyer, Johns and Pacheco grace us with another one soon.

Reviving a worthy tradition!
I'll admit that my review of this book is probably colored by the fact that I read the two volumes of "Crisis of Multiple Earths" back-to-back before reading this one. The two "Crisis" volumes collect the justly-classic JLA/JSA crossovers from 1960 to 1970 reminding younger readers about the annual events of the two groups meetings in the Silver Age. All that however, ended in 1985 with Crisis on Infinite Earths. This present volume by Geoff Johns, David Goyer, Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino attempts to revive that grand tradition.

The current members of both teams JLA and JSA decide to meet for Thanksgiving, they take down a villain together and end up in another meeting at the JSA Museum. This is where everything goes crazy! Team members started acting all weird... suffice to say, events take on a global-cataclysmic-level and the "still-normal" members of both teams are thrown all over the place (Limbo, Fate's Crossroads Tower, etc.). They then brought in all the "reserve members" like Black Canary, Green Arrow, Firestorm, Zatanna, etc. to save the day. So you can imagine the number of characters artists Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino have to draw! And boy did they do a bang-up job with the art. Detailed, yet clear. Clean-lines, realistic renderings of hair, clothing, wrinkles, etc. yet with a Byrne-like sense of cartooning fun. As for the writing, I would say that Goyer and Johns do far better-writing on their monthly JSA title than here. Sure, there are many "cool character-moments" and the threat here is big but nothing like the kind of energy you get from their monthly title. Like another reviewer mention, this story is good but not great. My advice, get it in softcover rather than hardcover. The paper quality in the softcover is very good (unlike the usually very-thin paper used in other DC collections). But GET it, nonetheless. This book marks a return to the great annual tradition of JLA/JSA meetings... and I say it's about time!

A very good DC story
During a Thanksgiving Day celebratory get-together of the JLA and the JSA, chaos erupts when seven of the superheroes launch a surprise attack on the rest. With the JLA and JSA scattered and reeling, it's up to the others to find out who or what is behind all this. It's superhero versus superhero with no holds barred!

This is a very good DC story. Admittedly, the whole "entity takes over superhero's mind" has become a bit of a cliché, but I thought that the story was well written, with lots of action and adventure, and excellent illustration work. My ten-year-old son and I both loved this book, and highly recommend it to you.