Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Art by JERRY ORDWAY
Cover by DARWYN COOKE
The JSA has unlocked the doors of the mysterious city underneath Monument Point - but what was hidden inside? And will Lightning and Mister Terrific return in time to help the JSA, JSA ALL-STARS and their allies protect Monument Point from being destroyed again?
Date Available: 08/24/2011
BONUS REVIEW by JOHN SCHAEFER
The last episode of the legendary JSA comes to a cataclysmic conclusion. Every page of this book demanded that you turn the page. From the first page and the mysterious coffin screamed at me to turn to the back and see who was not going to make it. But I was able to summon up enough will power not to flip to the back. With another Per Degaton prediction coming true, the real strength of this book is the characterization of Jay (the Original Flash - I turn my nose up at you 52) Garrick. Garrick has been through World War II, Crisis after Crisis. He has seen his old friends grow old and die and seen new generations of heroes fall to protect the world from evil. He has literally seen the best and worst that this or any other universe can throw at him but he always perseavers. He reminds me of my grandfather you could tell you stories about WWII but always finished wanting to know who wanted a candy bar and a soda.
With guest appearances by the Challengers of the Unknown (ironically one of the first groups of heroes to pick up the baton left by the JSA in the 1960's) and Jesse Quick's mother, Liberty Belle, the issue is a flashback to the older adventures of the team. And with the wonderful help of Jerry Ordway's pencils and Darwyn Cooke's Cover, it looks like it as well. With a lot of twists to keep you guessing who actually dies (Jesse Quick? Wildcat? Obsideon?), Marc Guggenheim's story is fast paced and doesn't get bogged down in details. (Mr. Terrific smart again? "I got better." ) Being the last issue of it's current run, I had hoped for some big double-sized blow-out issue with mini-posters and short stories but I am glad for what I was given.
Now for the spoiler. A few words should be said here at the passing of Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern. Alan was a true creation of his time. His story has roots in crime noir, mysticism, and heroic fantasy. A newspaperman (see Britt Reid's the Green Hornet and Lee Travis's Crimson Avenger) Alan Scott filled his oldlandish boots and ironicly mostly non-green costume with humor, true human emotions and a real feeling that this is what a man would do with a magic green ring. His fictional life paralled our own lives. His business empire grew but just enough. He had girl-friends, lovers, children, and in true 1940's form in his old age he returned to marry his girl friday. His children grew up before his eyes and turned into super-heroes themselves. He was one of the corner pieces of the JSA's "We need to look to the future." triangle (along with Wildcat and the Flash). He could be sad, angry, playful, and passionate. Rest well Alan Scott, you
deserve it.
