Reviews

America vs. The Justice Society by Alfredo Alcalá, Mike Hernandez, Michael Bair, Dann Thomas, Howard Bender, Rich Buckler, Bill Collins, Roy Thomas, Rafael Kayanan

jimmypat's review

2.0

I love the Justice Society, so I wish I could give this book an endorsement. The first two chapters were fine, although rife with clunky comic-book dialogue that only exists in order to get minor characters some screen time. However, mid-way through chapter three, the device of having each JSAer recite some past adventure in a mindless, mind-numbing drone destroyed any momentum the book had. Ultimately, I walk away wondering why this thing was published in the first place. Not terrible, but not great either.

tmaluck's review

3.0

Started with a grand premise, continued into delightful congressional-hearing antics (superhero courtroom drama is my kryptonite), then the marathon recitation of JSA continuity went from weird to nearly monotonous. The ending felt sudden and pat, but the ride there was still fun, plus Helena Wayne chews out Dick Grayson for sitting on his hands moping.

Also, who in their right mind would address Wonder Woman as "Mrs. Trevor" in person?! I was waiting for a thought balloon or whispered dialog about what a discreet slap in the face that was. It comes off as so tone deaf: Wildcat, The Flash, Wesley Dodds... MISSES TREVOR.

nickpalmieri's review against another edition

3.0

I liked this one as an end to the pre-crisis JSA (well, before their actual last story in "Last Days of the Justice Society"). It has all the hallmarks of a Roy Thomas Golden Age-revisionist story, which is to say it's very long, very wordy, and offers explanations to things nobody ever questioned, yet his passion for the team and their past exploits makes it an enjoyable read nonetheless. The story is really an excuse for Thomas to re-tell, in excruciating detail, the complete history of every comic the JSA had been in up to that point. Those were the less-interesting parts to me, as I enjoyed the modern-day mystery much more. The art was decent for the time, though it is odd there were no powerhouse names on it. I'm not sure how wide the appeal for this book is, but I had fun with it.

hammard's review against another edition

3.0

This uses a senate committee hearing largely as an excuse to give some history to Earth 2. Whilst it is interesting it feels like it never elevates above people sitting in a room sketching out the last 30 years of superhero stories