Tag Archives: Golden Age Superheroes

February 27, 2019 · 7:05 pm

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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February 23, 2019 · 6:25 pm

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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February 19, 2019 · 7:56 pm

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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February 16, 2019 · 11:50 pm

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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February 11, 2019 · 9:00 pm

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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February 7, 2019 · 2:43 am

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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February 3, 2019 · 1:33 am

JUSTICE SOCIETY 16: INSECT-MEN

SpectreHere’s more of the world’s FIRST superhero team – DC’s Justice Society of America – for this superhero-crazed world. 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 18ALL STAR COMICS #18 (September 1943)

Title: INSECTS TURN TO CRIME

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

HawkgirlVillain: KING BEE & HIS INSECT-MEN

Synopsis: A supervillain called King Bee (Elmer Pane) has his biochemically-created Insect-Men use their super powers to wage a criminal reign of terror on land, at sea and in the air. He’s even captured and transformed Johnny Thunder into a Fly-Man (no loss).

The JSA sets out to fight King Bee and try to save Johnny. Continue reading →

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January 27, 2019 · 7:49 pm

JUSTICE SOCIETY 15: BRAIN WAVE RETURNS

Wonder WomanWow! Readers really cannot get enough superhero posts! I have a soft spot for superhero stories myself because reading them served as a gateway to two of my adult passions: mythology and opera. Here’s more of the world’s FIRST 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 17ALL STAR COMICS #17 (June 1943)

Title: BRAIN WAVE GOES BERSERK

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

Villain: BRAIN WAVE

green lanternSynopsis: This story presented the return of the Justice Society’s archenemy Brain Wave (Henry King). In typical supervillain fashion Brain Wave survived his seeming death at the end of his previous battle with our heroes.

He and his mental creations are back in business overseeing criminal activities ranging from robberies and blackmail to manipulation of a U.S. Senator. Continue reading →

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January 24, 2019 · 1:49 am

JUSTICE SOCIETY 14: NAZI FIFTH COLUMNISTS

superman golden ageWith comic books and their film adaptations dominating pop culture right now it’s time once again for the OLDEST superhero team in history: 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 16ALL STAR COMICS #16 (April 1943)

Title: THE JUSTICE SOCIETY FIGHTS FOR A UNITED AMERICA

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

Villains: MR FORTUNE, AGENT Z, ASSORTED AXIS FIFTH COLUMNISTS

Synopsis: The Justice Society of America steps in to thwart Nazi agents and infiltrators who are sowing discord and plotting sabotage across the U.S. The villains are especially active in industries vital to the American war effort.

StarmanThe JSA battles the Fifth Columnists and recruits a “Junior Justice Society of America” to keep alert for signs of Axis agents. Our heroes defeat Nazis at the Bolton Steel Works, the Brackus Coal Mine and a southern Defense Plant. Continue reading →

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January 19, 2019 · 3:05 am

JUSTICE SOCIETY 13: THEIR ARCHENEMY BRAIN WAVE

Red Tornado Abigail HunkelReaders demand more superhero items so once again it’s the very first superhero team in history: the 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 15ALL STAR COMICS #15 (February 1943)

Title: THE MAN WHO CREATED IMAGES

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

Villain: BRAIN WAVE

Synopsis: This was the very first appearance of the Justice Society’s archenemy Brain Wave. He would battle the JSA several times during the Golden Age and was retained as their arch-nemesis during the 1970s relaunch of All Star Comics. 

From his secret headquarters in a tower at Sharktooth Bay, the supervillain Brain Wave commands a gang of criminal hirelings and an army of mental creations conjured up by his paranormal brain. Those mental creations are solid enough to kill, pull off robberies and acts of sabotage but can then just turn invisible or disappear completely at Brain Wave’s whim. Continue reading →

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