Justice League of America #8

Genre action Author Brad Meltzer Publisher DC Comics External Links Official DC Comics Website

Hey Brad Meltzer, if you're reading this, I finally see what you're doing with DC's premiere superteam - and I like it. This is a character driven book, with some requisite action thrown in. Where some might argue that character development should be relegated to one's solo book, you miss a whole slew of interaction that could only take place in a team book (Batman and Power Girl discussing antique literature written by French military strategists, for example). Now, obviously well written and cute dialogue may not be everyone's cup of tea. For those who do appreciate a good word, read on.

This issue marks the first of a four part crossover with DC's other forefront superteam, The Justice Society of America. With these two books being the hot properties that they are right now, it was only a matter of time before they came together to bridge readership. This also harkens back to the specials back in the day, where the JSA and the JLA would meet up in an annual tradition. Moreover, it seems that Brad Meltzer and Geoff Johns have an actual story to tell here, aside form the obvious cash in that it could be seen as from the surface.

The story starts out with members from both teams engaged in a game of leisure in some sort, or in the case of Batman and Black Lightening, as close to a "game" as you could get for them (they're trying to figure out where a missing member of the Legion of Superheroes came from). After a bit of the aforementioned well written character interaction and dialogue, Batman and Black Lightning's game serves as the MacGuffin, when the member suddenly awakes from unconsciousness and attacks the two.

He's swiftly taken out, and given a sedative strong enough to take out Wonder Woman. While the heroes stand around wondering what to do, Mr. Terrific mentions Starman, a strong but eccentric hero from the future who is a member of the JSA. This character has been the subject to much discussion lately, as his appearance is very similar to the Starman from the dismal future of Kingdom Come. The mentioning jogs the time traveler's mind, and a revelation is made - his name is Val Armorr, and he knows Starman's real name.

Without spoiling the ending, rest assured that the two team's come together to solve a mystery revolving around Starman, aka Thom Kalorr, and Val Armorr. The last 4 pages will make any fanboy wet their pants - good thing I'm wearing a diaper. Meltzer's penchant for dialogue is really the core of this book, and those tapping their feet waiting for some action to explode will probably be pleased in the next part that's penned by DC's poster boy Geoff Johns. While not a huge name, the pencils by Shane Davis keep the book moving in a way that's very easy on the eyes. His art is clear, not over stylized, and when it need's to be flashy it delivers.

As long as a crossover is done for the right reasons, and has a good creative team behind it, I'm with it 100%. This 4 part series definitely has heart, as well as brains in it. Anyone who is a fan of a good character story needs to pick this book up, and those who want a big action blockbuster should pick it up to - you'll find out why the word book is in comic book.