The JSA is a DC continuity fan's wet dream. What's really impressive, though, is that it's also a fun straightforward team book for those with only a passing interest in DC continuity. Johns and Goyer balance the history and classic characters with solid characterization and strong plotting, and whether you enjoy this issue for the meeting of two Mr. Terrifics, the sight of classic villain Black Barax and classic heroes the Freedom Fighters or just a well-played ruse against a seemingly-unbeatable foe, if you're a super-hero fan, you are likely to enjoy it. Or maybe you'll just enjoy it for the well-crafted and detailed artwork by Leonard Kirk and Keith Champagne... who am I to judge you?
Time travel stories always fascinate me in theory, but usually disappoint in practice. There are exceptions, but usually the creators get too caught up in the minutia of time travel and paradox and forget to just have fun with impossible team-ups or fish-out-of-water gags. There's little of the latter here, but plenty of the former, as we get to see the usually-unflappable Mr. Terrific a bit stymied by a meeting with his predecessor. I quite enjoyed Johns and Goyers' take on Terry Sloane, as a social progressive and rapid intellect not unlike his descendant, and while I don't know how this jibes with past characterization, I found the character as he existed in this issue a fun guest star.
I'm not one of those with a particular fondness for the Freedom Fighters, so their appearance didn't really give me a great thrill or anything, but I did enjoy the work Kirk, Champagne and Kalisz did on their bright and classic costumes, and they clearly had some fun throwing an old school team up against a modern-day menace. In addition, the way in which Sloane and his allies eventually defeat Barax is clever, a nice misdirect/bluff that shows off the real powers of Terry Sloane, his quick intellect and willingness to do just about anything that's still considered "Fair Play" to win.
A big part of what makes the issue so enjoyable, though, is really how dynamic the action is. Kirk and Champagne convey the feel of golden age heroics with modern storytelling style, including some great close-ups on characters and their power use and especially the work on the brief brawl between the Terrifics, as foreshadowed on the cover. They're equally at home on the quieter moments as well, though, such as Fate's search for a key to his wife's condition, which to be honest feels like it could be moving a little quicker, given how in the background Fate has been during the series.
Whether you're a continuity geek or just a fan of super-hero teams, JSA remains one of the best buys on the stands. Classic and new characters, solid action and artwork and the notion that a heroic legacy doesn't have to mean comics written only to those who were around for the first round make it an accessible and enjoyable read.
