Justice Society of America #31
Written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges
Art by Jesus Merino
In most comic arcs that are read issue to issue, instead of in trade form, the third chapter is usually the weakest one. This month’s issue of Justice Society of America is no different. It’s not a bad issue…it’s just that not much happens within it aside from some important plot points and a shocking ending that will no doubt be rectified once the arc comes to a close.
The issue starts with Magog and the elder Wildcat coming to blows over a disagreement over how the group should be run. Meanwhile, Dr. Mid-Nite is frantically trying to save the life of Mr. Terrific, with the help of Alan Scott and Dr. Fate. Jay Garrick finds the surveillance tape of the attack on Mr. Terrific, and the JSA finds out that the assailant is one of their own members. This leads to even more bickering within the team, as Magog claims that the Society’s “open door policy” toward its members left them vulnerable and that they need to improve their security. We then get a few more clues as to who hired the group of villains from issue #29, though we are not told who it is or why they didn’t want Stargirl harmed.
This was a very dialogue-heavy issue, with not much action aside from the brief fight between Magog and Wildcat and an even shorter tussle between some of the villains who weren’t taken prisoner by the Society. The splintering of the JSA is obviously going to be the result of this arc, and Willingham and Sturges continue to do a great job of advancing the plot to this end. Jesus Merino’s art is as solid as ever. The issue is so plot-heavy that it isn’t as strong of a read as the first two issues of the arc, but it works within the confines of the arc and will no doubt read better in the trade. The book gets 3.5 out of 5 Ram’s Head Helmets.
Agreed, this issue wasn’t bad, just slow. Personally, I found the villain stuff more interesting than the Society’s squabbles. Still keeping my fingers crossed that the Big Bad turns out to be Johnny Sorrow.
I still hope that ending is a fakeout of some kind I don’t want him to be dead
I’d give it at least a 4 out of 5. I got a real kick out of the mutiny that is happening, and thickening, from both “Societies”. Can’t wait for the reveal of both. With Icicle, I’m really leaning towards Johnny Sorrow like the rest of you. Although, it could be red-herring. I mean, I don’t remember Johnny being a over-wealthy man, etc. May be an old JSA foe that is coming out of the woodwork. …?
If it isn’t J.S., then I would like to guess, since others are busy with Vandal Savage, The Gambler, Steven Sharp V, son of the original, with help from Brainwave, Jr. (causeing All-American Kid to do what he did.) and taking control of The Thinker (The latest A.I. version for Checkmate, created by Holt, and that is why the systems didn’t help during the attack.). Given, this is wild speculation, but who knows. And, Hazard, the daughter of the original and sister to the current, could’ve helped things along with her hex powers.
WAIT! …Per Degaton? It could be! That’s the reason Stargirl wasn’t to be touched. …maybe. Hrm.