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JSA: The Golden Age

JSA: The Golden Age: Characters you never really cared about have one the best fights in comic history.

 

Robotman. Mr. Terrific. Manhunter. The Atom. Starman. Hourman. Liberty Belle. What is seemingly a roster of leftover superheroes comprises the Justice Society of America. While I can safely say I never really cared for their comics, what is shown in The Golden Age is nothing short of awesome for any fan of the medium. What we get from artist Paul Smith (various X-titles) and James Robinson (Starman) is a great pulp comic story straight out of the 50's with an end fight that ranks in one of the best in comic history.

 

Dynaman: If Superman was a super-racist, a drug addict, and worshiped Satan.

Set in the aftermath of the second world war, many of the golden age heroes have retired from the super-powered lives and are still struggling with the adjustment of having a normal day-to-day. Hourman is a drug addict.  Alan Scott (the Green Lantern) is struggling with his business, Starman is going through a mental breakdown, and Mr. Terrific turned into an asshole.  However, Lex Thompson has returned from the war a hero to an adorning American public.  Having become a senator, Lex is now recruiting a new group of heroes for a seemingly new age. He even takes Dan the Dyna-Mite (yeah I know) and transforms him into Dynaman, a hero of Superman-like abilities. But all isn't as it seems with Thompson. Manhunter afflicted with a bout of amnesia, is being hunted by unknown forces. In his head lies a dark secret behind Thompson's rise to power that culminates into a showdown between the former heroes and the overpowered Dynaman.

I won't lie. The main attraction to this comic is the fight, but the buildup to it and the stories the other characters bring to the table is just as good. For those that have even a passing interest in the heroes of DC's past will probably find this take a great look in comic historical fiction. For those just wanting a good read, JSA: The Golden Age should be a title next to greats.

 

Download The Golden Age