JSA #27
"Thunderstruck"
Neutral (3/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Rags Morales
Inks: Michael Bair
Colors: John Kalisz & Heroic Age
Letters: Ken Lopez
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
Despite the unwieldy amount of super-hero continuity Geoff Johns and former co-writer David Goyer had to juggle in this title, it's been a solid read for quite some time now. Sadly, that trend is broken with this issue, as we get what might be the weakest issue of the series thus far. My interest in the title and the characters remains high, though, as Johns's track record makes it clear that this is an exception rather than a rule.
Captain Marvel has come to JSA headquarters to vouch for Black Adam's dominant, heroic persona (Teth Adam), but also to warn that his other side -- Theo Adam -- is ruthless and must be kept in check. Unfortunately, Atom-Smasher's short fuse turns the meeting from friendly into fiesty. Meanwhile, Hawkman stews over the kiss he saw Hawkgirl and Sand share, and the team elects a new chairman.
Morales's art pales in comparison to the more realistic style of former (he's left the title, right?) regular penciller, Stephen Sadowski. He tells the story clearly, mind you, but his art doesn't really make an impression. The few times it did click with were those in which Bair's style really shone through.
It seems clear that Johns's intent in this issue is to clarify how Black Adam -- traditionally viewed as a villain -- could come to join a team of heroes. Johns makes his point clearly... over and over and over again. Two personalities. Got it. Far too much time is spent on this one minor point, and not enough on the subplots that are really the meat and potatoes of the series.
By introducing Hawkman's jealousy and a wild card like Black Adam into the team, Johns has wisely added a darker and more tense tone to this series. Often, the JSA views itself as something of a family, but the distrust here has shifted that tone, making for a refreshing change of pace.
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