Category Archives: Superheroes

JUSTICE SOCIETY 25: THE LOST PSYCHO-PIRATE STORY

Wonder Woman and HawkgirlBalladeer’s Blog’s examination of the Justice Society’s World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

This blog post will cover the only “lost” Justice Society of America story to have definitive artwork and story elements recovered. It’s all in fragments since the story went unpublished so I’ll go with what is known and add my usual revisions for modern audiences.

Will of William WilsonPossible Publication Month: I’ve read anywhere from July to September 1945 so it may or may not have referred to World War Two still raging.

Title: THE WILL OF WILLIAM WILSON

Heroes: FLASH (Original), GREEN LANTERN (Original), HAWKMAN (Original), DOCTOR MIDNITE, THE ATOM (Original), JOHNNY THUNDER

Villains: PSYCHO-PIRATE AND ASSORTED THUGS

Psycho-Pirate 2Synopsis: Well the Spoiler comes right up-front since this story was apparently long known as “the lost Psycho-Pirate story.” In the original plan the fact that the Psycho-Pirate (Charles Halstead) was really the man behind the tale’s villainy was to be a surprise.

Just like when they used their superpowers to raise money for war orphans several issues ago, the Justice Society was drawn into this adventure for the sake of charity. The will of recently deceased eccentric millionaire William Wilson stated that all of his fortune would go to charities if the Justice Society of America could accomplish the seemingly impossible by securing some designated relics from around the world. Continue reading

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CAPTAIN MARVEL, NICK FURY, AVENGERS AND THANOS

Captain Marvel 31CAPTAIN MARVEL! CAROL DANVERS! THE AVENGERS! NICK FURY! THANOS! THE KREE-SKRULL WAR! RONAN THE ACCUSER! OMNI-WAVE PROJECTORS (Intergalactic Pagers)! AND EVEN MORE EXCLAMATION POINTS!!! 

Here are links to all the chapters for reader convenience.

Avengers 89I. THE ONLY GOOD ALIEN IS A DEAD ALIEN – Ronan the Accuser overthrows the Supreme Intelligence to take control of the alien Kree Empire. Meanwhile, the Avengers help the Kree officer Captain Marvel and Rick Jones stop Annihilus from escaping the Negative Zone after Mar-Vell and Rick break out. CLICK HERE 

II. JUDGMENT DAY – Ronan the Accuser comes to Earth to personally oversee Sentry 459’s attempt to kill the Avengers as well as to launch Plan Atavus, a project that will set back Earth’s evolutionary clock by millions of years. CLICK HERE  Continue reading

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 24: ALIEN INVASION

Mister TerrificBalladeer’s Blog’s examination of the Justice Society’s World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 26ALL STAR COMICS #26 (Fall 1945)

Title: MYSTERY OF THE METAL MENACE

Heroes: FLASH (Original), JOHNNY THUNDER, THE ATOM (Original), DOCTOR MIDNITE, WONDER WOMAN (Original), GREEN LANTERN (Original), HAWKMAN (Original)

Villains: THE METAL BEINGS OF JUPITER 

flashSynopsis: The Justice Society members are assembled at their Philadelphia headquarters because of the disappearance of scientist Herbert Crawford. Crawford had fallen into disrepute recently over his claims that a spaceship from Jupiter was headed for the Earth with hostile intentions.

Around the world that spacecraft is spotted as it distributes beings of living metal which proceed to run amok. The JSA battle the Metal Men as they not only devour all manner of precious metals like gold and silver but also eat iron railroad lines, copper out of telephone cables and so on.   Continue reading

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 23: THE FORGOTTEN CRIME

HawkgirlBalladeer’s Blog’s examination of the Justice Society’s World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 25ALL STAR COMICS #25 (Summer 1945)

Title: THE FORGOTTEN CRIME

Heroes: FLASH (Original), DOCTOR MIDNITE, GREEN LANTERN (Original), WONDER WOMAN (Original), JOHNNY THUNDER, THE ATOM (Original), HAWKMAN (Original)

Villains: THE HOODED MAN, BIG HUNK ADAMS AND HENGAST KIMBALL THE OIL BARON

WildcatSynopsis: At their Philadelphia headquarters the Justice Society of America encounter an amnesiac man who insists he somehow knows that Rob Victor, a man convicted of murdering wealthy Timothy Kimball years earlier, is really innocent.

The JSA members look into this and are secretly followed by a Hooded Man who often seems to be interfering with their investigation of this old crime involving one of America’s wealthiest families.

Crimelord Big Hunk Adams and his gang try to thwart the Justice Society as well. Adams’ involvement thoroughly baffles the Justice Society members. Continue reading

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 22: THIS IS OUR ENEMY!

Per DegatonBalladeer’s Blog’s examination of the Justice Society’s World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 24ALL STAR COMICS #24 (Spring 1945)

Title: THIS IS OUR ENEMY!

Heroes: MISTER TERRIFIC, WILDCAT, FLASH (Original), DOCTOR MIDNITE, GREEN LANTERN (Original), WONDER WOMAN (Original), HAWKMAN (Original), THE ATOM (Original), JOHNNY THUNDER

Villains: ASSORTED GERMAN MILITARISTS (I would revise the story to use PER DEGATON as the villain since he was the Justice Society’s most prominent Nazi foe.)

Mister TerrificSynopsis: This is the first issue to feature Mister Terrific and Wildcat as part of the Justice Society of America.

Our heroes encounter Dick Amber (Dick Amber?), a recent draftee who doesn’t know why America is fighting Nazi Germany.

The female embodiment of The Conscience of Man shows up for her second and final appearance to help the JSA bring out the jingoism in Dick Amber (Dick Amber?) by showing him assorted atrocities and letting him help them fight back. Continue reading

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 21: THE PSYCHO-PIRATE

SpectreBalladeer’s Blog’s examination of the Justice Society’s World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 23ALL STAR COMICS #23 (Winter 1944)

Title: PLUNDER OF THE PSYCHO-PIRATE

Heroes: HAWKMAN (Original), DOCTOR MIDNITE, THE ATOM (Original), STARMAN, THE SPECTRE, JOHNNY THUNDER

Villain: THE PSYCHO-PIRATE, whose name and power to affect emotions seem to have inspired Marvel’s much-later villain Psycho-Man. 

Psycho-PirateSynopsis: The Courier newspaper has been covering the crime-spree of a supervillain calling himself the Psycho-Pirate because of his power over emotions. The Psycho-Pirate contacts the Courier to issue a challenge to the Justice Society of America to try to stop his crimes.  

The villain preys on the emotions of his victims AND our heroes as he continues his criminal activities. Continue reading

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 20: A CURE FOR THE WORLD

superman golden ageBalladeer’s Blog’s examination of the Justice Society’s World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 22ALL STAR COMICS #22 (Fall 1944)

Title: A CURE FOR THE WORLD

Heroes: DOCTOR MIDNITE, WONDER WOMAN (Original), THE SPECTRE, HAWKMAN (Original), STARMAN, THE ATOM (Original), JOHNNY THUNDER

Villains: CAVEMEN, WITCH-HUNTERS, BLUE-BLOODED OPPRESSORS, LUDDITES AND CENSORS

Wonder WomanSynopsis: A mystical female figure who embodies “The Conscience of Man” summons the Justice Society of America.

She sends them forth to battle the forces of intolerance no matter what form those forces take. Continue reading

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 19: MORE TIME TRAVEL

StarmanThis examination of the Justice Society’s World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 21ALL STAR COMICS #21 (Summer 1944)

Title: THE MAN WHO RELIVED HIS LIFE

Heroes: HAWKMAN (Original), DOCTOR FATE, SANDMAN, WONDER WOMAN (Original), STARMAN, DOCTOR MIDNITE, JOHNNY THUNDER

Villains: SAPPHIRE SLIM, BIG MIKE MCCULLUM & PANCHO VILLA

Hourman 4Synopsis: Lab assistant Joe Fitch has volunteered to be a guinea pig for experimental medicine but winds up dying. To reward the man for his selfless contribution to science the Justice Society of America is called in (talk about overkill) to act on Joe’s request to make amends for his secret criminal past.

Dr Everson (From 500 Years into the Future) uses his time-travel technology to send the heroes back in time to straighten out Fitch’s past life, apparently not caring one bit about the danger of altering history by doing this. Continue reading

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 18: THE MONSTER

green lanternThis superhero-hungry world can’t get enough of these looks at the very FIRST superhero team in history: DC Comics’ Justice Society of America. This examination of their World War Two-era stories continues. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 20ALL STAR COMICS #20 (Spring 1944)

Title: A MOVIE THAT CHANGED A MAN’S LIFE

Heroes: WONDER WOMAN (Original), DOCTOR MIDNITE, HAWKMAN (Original), STARMAN, THE ATOM (Original), THE SPECTRE, JOHNNY THUNDER

Villain: THE MONSTER

Synopsis: Jason L Rogers is a wealthy industrialist who periodically transforms – without his knowledge – into a super-powered being called the Monster. This is due to a freakish set of medical circumstances regarding him and his unborn twin brother in utero.

SandmanThe Justice Society of America is called in to stop the Monster’s crime spree. They battle the villain as he robs banks, dynamites factories, steals payrolls, muscles in on the steel industry and threatens to blow up a dam if he is not paid extortion money.

Our heroes also shut down some of the Monster’s more elaborate plans, like raiding high society get-togethers, gassing the attendees and stealing all their jewelry and cash. In addition the JSA defeats the villain’s racket of kidnapping the wealthy, having their faces surgically changed to make them hideous, then demanding money to have their faces fixed. Continue reading

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JUSTICE SOCIETY 17: THE COMPOSER

batman golden ageSuperhero fans want more JSA, so here we go with this latest look at the world’s OLDEST superhero team: DC’s Justice Society of America. FOR PART ONE CLICK HERE 

I will review the original issue and then detail how I would “script-doctor” the story for modern audiences.

All Star 19ALL STAR COMICS #19 (November 1943)

Title: CRIMES SET TO MUSIC

Heroes: WONDER WOMAN (Original), STARMAN, THE ATOM (Original), DOCTOR FATE, SANDMAN, THE SPECTRE, HAWKMAN (Original), DOCTOR MIDNITE AND JOHNNY THUNDER

Villain: THE COMPOSER

Doctor FateSynopsis: The Composer (Hector Bauer) kidnaps Hawkman and commits a series of music-related crimes. The Justice Society members try to thwart his crime spree and free their captured teammate.

Our heroes prevent the Composer from destroying a priceless Stradivarius violin, restore the voice of an opera singer after the Composer mutes him and stop the villain from cutting off the fingers of a pianist. They also save another composer from the supervillain’s attempt to inflict brain damage on him to rob him of his talent.   Continue reading

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