The Lightning Saga, JLA/JSA Crossover

[Kebab gud]

I seriously can not understand why anyone hires Michael Turner. He's the Liefeld of today.

are you compairing PG's **** to Captain america's ****?

 

[Fledermaus]

At least Captain America's **** were in the right place.

 

[The Leaguer]

Someone please explain to me how Karate Kid's neck interacts with his head.

 

[jaydawg]

are you compairing PG's **** to Captain america's ****?

I'm comparing crappy art of the 90s to the crappy art of today.

 

[Kebab gud]

COME ONE!!

imagien how he looks like from above! :P

 

[Fledermaus]

Christ on a cross that's the most god-awful thing I've seen today.

 

[yenaled]

That's ... the first time you've seen it?

 

[BrianWilly]

Everyone remembers their first time. Forever.

 

[Darthphere]

It was the summer of 69, and I had just bought my very first six string, from the five and dime.

 

[sethcohen]

It was the summer of 69, and I had just bought my very first six string, from the five and dime.

bet you played it 'til your fingers bled...

 

[Fledermaus]

That's ... the first time you've seen it?

No, but every time I see Captain America's voluptuous bossoms, my eyes bleed like it's the first time. Oh and, was the summer of 69

 

[yenaled]

I just saw the preview pages for this.

Someone tell me that one hit Batman does to Karate Kid is one lucky shot. Because if Batman beats up Karate Kid I just don't think I could ever forgive Meltzer.

Even a "just getting out of a mind-controlled coma and completely lost and confused" Karate Kid should be able to hand Batman his ass with no problem.

 

[Binker]

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #8

Writer by Brad Meltzer
Art by Ed Benes and Sandra Hope
Cover A by Michael Turner
Cover B by Phil Jimenez
Edited by Eddie Berganza

PLOT:
Beginning the long awaited, epic crossover between the new Justice League and the new Justice Society, uniting the combined writing talents of best-selling author Brad Meltzer and comics mega-star Geoff Johns for the ultimate team-up! "The Lightning Saga" 5-parter begins with the mystery of who Trident is, and how his identity crisis will change everything!

REVIEW:
If there is one thing about the top two DCU teams of the Justice League of America and the Justice Society of America is their well known team ups. Granted, one was on one earth and one was on another with both having a Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, but the stories were really cool. Then when the universes merged into one following Crisis on Infinite Earths, the team-ups changed into the current team with the old team. So a while, the JLA/JSA team ups halted and many fans wanted to see those two again. Now witht he first arcs of both JLA & JSA done, the team up was promised and we got it.

With this issue, the second part of the JLA series and in turn the JSA series begins. Its pretty obivious that both titles of this team up will be collected in one trade paperback. As a second part to both, we are treated with scenes that are directly from the first arcs of both teams. And we're revealed to two, lets say three, continuity tweeks to our post-IC DCU. Now, I read this issue after I read an article about the changes in continuity by Kurt Busiek. Something I figured out on my own, but others didn't. For one thing, Stargirl meets Wonder Woman for the first time, which would mean either she is retcon from the JLA/JSA: Vice and Virtue or that storyline nevered happened now. Secondly, Superman knows about the Legion of Superheroes (who become players with the JLA/JSA team up as five of them are in this arc) which would mean his team up(s) with them happened when he was a teen or sometime after he started his Superman carear. And third, is that most of the JLA never knew about the Legion. Now I don't know if that was actually the case anyways, but I'll list that.

At first this was going to be a small review, but another thing that was seen in this issue was a somewhat connection between Starman and future Legion of Superheroes. The Starman in JSA, from alex Ross' well known Kingdom Come, is a character of mystery but we did get something here. Starman is revealed to be a grown up version of the Legion's Star Boy. The version of Star Boy that appeared in 1961 and lasted under the 2004 Legion of Superheroes reboot. Since he is from the, or a, Kingdom Come universe, the mystery of wheather he is connected to the new Star Boy or if he is proof of a new multiverse remains to be seen.

Overall, this was still a good issue. We got a start up for the team up here, so nothing beyond the teams meeting or, again, the setup. Black Canary and Power Girl are chairwomen of their teams, somethign I missed and not included in my reviews, was a great idea as it gave Power Girl an enlarged (no pun intended) role and Black Canary a connection to her monther in the JSA. There was some jokes like Wildcat, Red Arrow and Geo-Force (who is now part of the JLA, officially or not) trying to get the flag and not get caught by Hawkgirl. I can't wait to see part 2 as even the scene where the two teams are joined gave me joy.

RATING: 3.5/5

NOTE: Starting with comics/issues that are new arcs, my rating has and will change from a 10 scale to a 5 scale. Making it easy for me. But it applies to arcs that are beginning now. Already exisiting arcs will stay with the 10 scale until they are done.

Next Issue: Part 2 occurs in JSA #5, where the teams SPLIT into teams and goes to both Arkham Asylum and the Fortress of Solitude.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

I liked the beginning of this arc--espicially how Batman defeated Karate Kid. Even in the 31st. Century, a kick to the nards can bring a man down. t:

 

[Fledermaus]

I really liked the splash page meeting. Batman talking rare books with Powergirl while sipping tea? Awesome.

 

[Fledermaus]

I really liked the splash page meeting. Batman talking rare books with Powergirl while sipping tea? Awesome. SO f#cking awesome I posted it twice.

 

[Binker]

So awesome for me to post the image?

http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jla82021wf9.jpg

 

[Assassin]

Great first issue

 

[twylight]

I just saw the preview pages for this.

Someone tell me that one hit Batman does to Karate Kid is one lucky shot. Because if Batman beats up Karate Kid I just don't think I could ever forgive Meltzer.

Even a "just getting out of a mind-controlled coma and completely lost and confused" Karate Kid should be able to hand Batman his ass with no problem.

Okay, two things of goodness in this issue...Dinah beat Hal, Dinah and Hal are stupid for not noticing Mr. T's 'trick'. *Stupid Meltzer, GAWSH!*
And Dinah and Karen tellin' ya'll what it's all about!

Yen, I do agree, as a LOSH fan it was unforgivable what Meltzer did to Val. UN-FOR-GIV-ABLE! This is the dude that could mop the floor with a Legionnaire comparable to Superman. And let's not forget his lesson of 'control' in the newest incarnation *by far the best 'own' ever done in a comic books*

FLOWER YOU MELTZER! FLOWER YOU!

 

[Kebab gud]

First off.. Batman did NOT beat Val, Black Lightning did!
Secound, Val was dazed and disoriented after beeing a starro slave, jimmy olsen could have snuck up on him and taking him out.

Third: why was Stargirl all starstruck talking to WonderWoman? i know they have met before, that whould have been PERFECT place for Cyclone :P
Fourth: Looks like the good doctor didnt get the message the first time, it was just a fling! nothing more!

Fifth! i like numbers!




ok good issue, thou for beeing people who often work together they seemed kinda, strangers :P

 

[Binker]

Anyone check the splash page I posted?

 

[Eros]

Post it again.

 

[trustyside-kick]

If I do not collect the JLA issues, will I be completely lost reading only the JSA ones? Is it like "Part 1, JLA issue, Part 2 JSA issue, etc."?

 

[Kebab gud]

If I do not collect the JLA issues, will I be completely lost reading only the JSA ones? Is it like "Part 1, JLA issue, Part 2 JSA issue, etc."?

yes.. this is part1, part2 is in JSA #5, Part3 is in JLA #9 and so on..

 

[sethcohen]

i didnt even realize that the artist wasnt benes until my second read through...