Tag Archives: Justice Society of America

March 3, 2019 · 1:02 pm

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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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 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 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 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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January 13, 2019 · 6:19 pm

JUSTICE SOCIETY 12: FOOD FOR THE STARVING

Wonder WomanFor this world which can’t get enough superhero action 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 14 betterALL STAR COMICS #14 (December 1942)

Title: FOOD FOR STARVING PATRIOTS

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

Villains: ASSORTED NAZI MILITARY LEADERS

AtomSynopsis: The Allied Nations recruit the Justice Society of America to deal with another crisis. In this case the problem of hunger, malnutrition and even starvation among many conquered populations in the countries occupied by the Axis Powers.

In the days that follow, the JSA members smuggle food into the occupied nations AND help out underground rebel groups combating the Nazis. They also facilitate several escapes from POW camps and jails for political prisoners.

How I Would Revise It: Continue reading →

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January 6, 2019 · 2:51 am

JUSTICE SOCIETY 11: SHANGHAIED INTO SPACE

Hourman 2For this superhero-crazed world 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 13ALL STAR COMICS #13 (October 1942)

Title: SHANGHAIED INTO SPACE

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

Villains: NAZI SCIENTIST GRAF GOOTSDEN, ASSORTED HOSTILE ALIENS

Synopsis: Der Fuhrer and the Japanese Emperor are discussing their outrage over the defeats their forces have suffered at the hands of the Justice Society of America. Grasping at straws the Axis leaders okay the plan of Gootsden, a German rocket scientist. (And since this was written in 1942 it’s interesting to note that there was at least pop culture speculation about a German rocket program that early.) Continue reading →

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