This issue is mostly a big fight scene. But it's a good fight scene, and it's another example of why JSA is one of my favorite books of the moment. The title isn't doing anything all that radical, as far as super-hero books go, but the creators have taken good characters and are putting out a super-hero book that hits all the fundamentals and gets everything right. The addition of Leonard Kirk has turned out to be a good choice as well, and although I miss Sadowski's stylish interior pencils, Kirk has jumped in with both feet to provide an impressive epic feeling conflict.
Johns has shown an understanding throughout JSA of how important it is to have character moments, even in the middle of a big fight. The slugfests are impressive this issue, but there are also moments that show off several different characters, exploring their powers, personalities or histories. Icicle gets a nifty stunt, Power Girl some terrific lines and a demonstration of her power, and the Crimson Avenger a bit more explanation of who she is and where her powers come from. There is also some good interaction between Jakeem and the new Hourman.
While the character moments are appreciated, it doesn't mean that the creators don't know how to create a good fight scene. Kirk is called upon in this issue to tackle not only a half-dozen members of the JSA, but a veritable army of superhuman adversaries, and the results are pretty impressive. There's a sense of going all-out in the fight scene that you usually only get in these sort of nightmare worlds, where the villains and heroes aren't just interested in winning the fight, but in beating the snot out of one another. The vicious power in a pair of energy blasts or Power Girl's street fighting tactics all make the fight feel that much more desperate and important for the heroes.
"Stealing Thunder" has so far had a similar feel in each of its three issues. It's easy for new readers to get into, because although the characters have history and connections to one another, they are somewhat de-emphasized in exchange for an action-heavy storytelling style. There is a downside to this accessibility, which is that the story feels like it's marking time to some degree, and the next issue promises another big fight as well. However, since the action sequences are interspersed with solid characterization, the slow-moving plot is barely noticeable.
JSA is not a book that is going to redefine the super-hero genre. However, it is work that stands out as some of the best in the genre, and a good example of what super-hero books can be without having to be deconstructionist.
