By Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky & Bernard Sachs (DC Comics)
ISBN13: 978-1-56389-540-1
JLA #31 finally saw the induction of Hawkman into ‘The World’s Greatest Superheroes’ – and not before time. In this ancient world of Boy’s Clubs and willing segregation his dutiful wife Shayera would have to wait for more than a decade before she herself was invited to join as Hawkgirl. Hawkman would be the last successful inductee until Black Canary joined the team in #75.
‘Riddle of the Runaway Room’ found an alien wish-granting machine in the hands of a second-rate thug, who nonetheless made life pretty tough for the team before their eventual victory. The visually impressive Hawkman must have been popular with the creators, if not the fans, as he was prominently featured in all but one of next half-dozen adventures. Issue #32 ‘Attack of the Star-Bolt Warrior!’ introduced the uncanny villain Brain Storm who attacked the League to avenge his brother who had been murdered by one of their number!
The entire universe was once again at stake in the time-travelling thriller ‘Enemy from the Timeless World’ and a persistent old foe had yet another go in #34’s ‘The Deadly Dreams of Doctor Destiny!’, a thriller packed with an army of guest-villains. The team were attacked by their own clothes in issue #35’s supernatural adventure ‘Battle Against the Bodiless Uniforms’, a fall-back plan by the demons Abnegazar, Rath and Ghast, which had been slowly percolating since the end of JLA #11 (Justice League Of America Archive Edition volume 2 ISBN: 1-56389-119-0).
Issue #36’s ‘The Case of the Disabled Justice League’ saw the team raise the morale of despondent kids with disabilities by overcoming physical handicaps to defeat the returning Brain Storm. This tale was in fact inspired by ‘A Place in the World’, a Justice Society adventure from 1945’s All Star Comics #27, produced at a time when returning servicemen, maimed and disfigured in combat, were becoming an increasingly common sight on the streets of America.
The third annual JLA/JSA team-up follows, a largely forgotten and rather experimental tale wherein the Johnny Thunder of Earth-1 wrested control of the genie-like Thunderbolt from his Justice Society counterpart and used its magic to alter the events that led to the creation of all Earth-1’s superheroes. Then it’s JSA to the rescue in a gripping battle of wits in #37’s ‘Earth – Without a Justice League’ and the concluding ‘Crisis on Earth-A!’
Issue #39 was an Eighty-Page Giant reprinting Brave and the Bold #28 and #30 and Justice League of America #5, so this volume concludes with issue #40 and the ‘Indestructible Creatures of Nightmare Island’ a challenging mystery wherein an astral scientist’s machine to suppress Man’s basest instincts almost causes the end of humanity, an action packed psycho-thriller stuffed with villainous guest-stars.
These classic tales are as irresistible now as they ever were and absolutely shine in these deluxe hardback collections. Suitable for readers of all ages they are the absolute epitome of great superhero storytelling. I can’t believe you haven’t got a complete set yet!
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