JSA

no.33

"Wish Fulfillment"

("Stealing Thunder", part 1 of 5)

Writers: Goyers and Johns

Pencillers: Giffen (Prologue), Kirk (main story)

Inkers: Milgrom (Prologue),

Champagne (main story)

        Okay.

        Goyer's back to work with Geoff Johns (hopefully part of the plan to help free Geoff up so he can do a creditable job on The Avengers half a year from now) and the series has a new artist.

        Last issue was the prologue for this story, and when we last left the heroes the Ultra Humanite had come into possession of the power of the Thunderbolt. One genie = instant wish fulfillment.

        This issue, as we soon find out (once we get through the awful Giffen/Milgrom period piece - take that term as you will - that happily turns out to just be in Sand's head) it's several months later and ol' hairy's got the whole world in his paw.

       Let's be serious about all this. It's a storyline brought into play by magic, so we know it's all going to be undone that way. Once you've seen this a few times it simply ceases to be very impressive. Sorry guys, but generally that's drama at its cheapest. A world under one mind, heroes perverted into agents of that will and its whims... eh. We know it will all have to snap back in the end and next to no one in the DC universe is going to be remembering any of it.

      We're seeing the return of some version of Hourman, and the introduction of a new Crimson Avenger, though, and if we come out of this arc with those additions intact that alone may be enough to justify this.

      The above might give you the impression I'm not enjoying this, and that wouldn't be true. I still expect to be entertained by this story - JSA's one of my favorite superteam comics, and this arc will allow them to play with many characters they normally wouldn't have access to, and do so in ways normal circumstances wouldn't allow. All of that's cool. Just don't expect me to be biting my nails over any cliffhangers, guys. Generally speaking, these world-shifting magic plots are ultimately as meaningful as a dream.

       Yeah, yeah, I'm being cranky.

      Generally speaking, the good vibe's still there despite the artist change. It looks great. And, while I think Geoff Johns was doing just fine writing on his own, Goyer appears to have returned with some energy. All in all I'm really not complaining. I'm still recommending the series.

     Comments? Drop me a line or post something for all to see on the messageboard.

                                                                                                                                          ---Mike Norton