One thing that remained constant in some of the earliest JLA/JSA team-ups has to be the fact that there is a lack of new heroes. What I mean by this is that although new members are added to both the JLA and JSA teams, such as Earth-2 heroes Black Canary joining the JLA and Robin joining the JSA, there were no other superhero teams that were also part of the story. However, here is where this changes. While the first story by Mike Friedrich isn’t so unique, when writer Len Wein (creator of Swamp Thing and Wolverine) took over the Justice League of America (vol 1) title, he was given the mighty task of plotting and writing a special JLA/JSA annual team up, which started in issue 100 and ended in issue 102. For this monumental story, Wein brought back an old group of Earth-2 heroes known as the Seven Soldiers of Victory, who were created in Leading Comics 1 by Mort Weisinger and Mort Meskin, with the members being Crimson Avenger, Star-Spangled Kid, Stripesy, Vigilante, Shining Knight, Green Arrow and Speedy. Although Wein brought them back, there are secrets surrounding the team, which Wein explores in his three-part tale. Additionally, another set of heroes are added, those being the Freedom Fighters, consisting of Black Condor, Dollman, Human Bomb, Ray, Phantom Lady and most famously, Uncle Sam. Differently to the Seven Soldiers, the Freedom Fighters were from Earth-X, a world where the Second World War was won by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. For the first time, the JLA and JSA weren’t the only ones involved in these events. A multiverse was beginning to form…
In the third of a series of reviews covering every DC Crisis in the silver and bronze ages up until Crisis on Infinite Earths, I will be reviewing:
Earth - The Monster-Maker/Solomon Grundy – The One and Only --- Justice League of America (vol 1) 91-92
The Unknown Soldier of Victory/The Hand That Shook the World/And One of Us Must Die --- Justice League of America (vol 1) 100-102
Crisis on Earth-X/Thirteen Against the Earth --- Justice League of America (vol 1) 107-108
The Creature in the Velvet Cage --- Justice League of America (vol 1) 113
While Justice League of America issues 91-91 and 100-102 were published in 1971 and 1972 respectively, with the part ones and parts two being released in August and September respectively (along with the third part of the latter story being released in October), issues 107-108 and 113 were released in 1973 and 1974 respectively all on a bi-monthly schedule, with the part one (and one-off story) being released in September/October and the part two coming out in November/December. Although the first story is written by Mike Friedrich, Len Wein writes all the others, with all pencils by Dick Dillin and inks by Joe Giella and Dick Giordano. I have read these
stories in the Crisis on Multiple Earths Volume Three trade paperback.
Earth - The Monster-Maker/Solomon Grundy – The One and Only --- Written by Mike Friedrich with art by Dick Dillin and Joe Giella
THE PLOT
The JLA heroes are shocked to find Batman holding the Flash seemingly dead, a young alien named A-Rym and his alien pet named Teppy are flying in space when the two are separated and sent to Earth-1 and Earth-2 respectively. The two must reunite within a certain amount of time otherwise the two will die. As this proves to be the explanation for why the Flash is unconscious instead of dead after meeting Teppy, the Earth-2 Green Lantern meets A-Rym, who senses that the hero can help him. However, the alien then takes out Green Lantern, who is later awoken by other JSA members to help track down his attacker. Meanwhile, the JLA meet the Earth-1 Robin and end up finding a strange force that results in the meeting between the JLA and JSA. The two teams go their separate ways to find A-Rym and his pet. Although heroes both Atoms, Supermen and the Earth-2 Flash locate, trap and capture Teppy, a number of those heroes meet with the others who are looking for the alien those being the Earth-1 Green Lantern and Superman, Earth-2 Flash and both Hawkmen. However, they are all defeated by A-Rym’s unlikely ally, Solomon Grundy.
As all of the heroes have recovered after their beating from Grundy, aliens and pets from the same species of A-Rym try to locate him, but they are failing. As the heroes retreat from Grundy, the Robin from Earth-1 meets his Earth-2 counterpart, who gives the younger alternative version of himself an updated and more protective Robin suit (who the Robin of Earth-2 says it was designed and made by Neal Adams). After resting and hearing a report from both of the Robins, the heroes part ways, with both Green Lanterns going after Solomon Grundy and the others going after A-Rym. Both fights prove successful as Grundy is trapped in his swamp home and thanks to both Robins, the heroes come to the conclusion that bringing the alien and his pet together will solve the problem. This works and A-Rym and Teppy are reunited and the alien
ship detects them and picks up them, sending them home. After congratulating the two Robins, the Earth-1 version thinks about keeping his new costume and wonders where Batman is.
MY THOUGHTS
Although this is one of the sillier stories featuring both the JLA and JSA, I find this tale quite enjoyable, despite the fact I cannot take it seriously. To begin with, the plot isn’t very complex, and it doesn’t take itself seriously, which makes it a much more entertaining read. You feel emotion for the alien and his pet as they both turned up on the Earths by accident, meaning that they aren’t really villains at all. In fact, the only real villain to feature in this story is Solomon Grundy, who makes for a great surprising cliff-hanger ending for the conclusion of part one and while I think he could feature in the story more and in a major and essential way, he still works well as a villain. A unique factor and feature of this story is the conversations between the Robins from both Earths. This I think its very good and it adds some character development and some interesting scenes, which certainly come across as impactful to the character and look of the Robin from Earth-1. Not only does he get his new costume, but we get to see him grow more independent as a character. Apart from that, the ending is pretty conclusive, and it feels satisfying to what I believe is a silly story that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
However, to me this incident doesn’t feel, well, worthy of being a crossover event for the two biggest superhero teams in DC Comics. Yes, I find this story enjoyable and funny (which I think it was written to be like), but the main plot doesn’t feel that impactful or crisis-like for both teams to be involved. To me, it comes across like Friedrich couldn’t really think of anything major to occur between the two teams and due to that, we have this story, which isn’t bad as I said, but it doesn’t feel so major for this annual event. Also, what is the reason for the sudden death for both A-Rym and Teppy if they aren’t reunited in a certain amount of time? I don’t really get it. There isn’t much of an explanation for it and if that’s the case, then what happens if the pet or alien dies? Can they be saved, or should they just kill themselves just to put themselves out of their misery. Like I mentioned before, I didn’t see much of a point for Solomon Grundy to feature in the story, mainly for the reasons that it brings some much-needed action to the story and it comes as a surprise ending for the first part. He doesn’t do anything I’d call sinister or evil so in the end, he feels kind of pointless being in the story.
Like I mentioned in the previous review, I love Dick Dillin’s art as it is action packed, different, appealing and excellent. But here when he is inked by Joe Giella, it still looks good, but Giella’s inks look way too heavy and dark, which makes the art look a bit too in your face, rather than the excellent subtle tones and lines see when Dillin is inked by Dick Giordano and Sid Greene. That said, I think it still looks excellent, but I believe the inks could have been better.
Story: 6/10
Art: 9.5/10
The Unknown Soldier of Victory/The Hand That Shook the World/And One of Us Must Die --- Written by Len Wein with art by Dick Dillin, Joe Giella and Dick Giordano
THE PLOT
Meeting each other after taking out numerous tasks, the JLA meet for the 100th time
together along with other heroes like Wonder Woman and Zatanna. However, just as the heroes are about to cut the cake, the JSA (including Red Tornado) teleport in the room. After the JLA ask why they are there, Doctor Fate speaks of a giant mystical hand that may destroy Earth-2. Using the powers of Doctor Fate, Johnny Thunder’s Thunderbolt and Zatanna, the three summon an entity known as Oracle, who can give some advice to the heroes on how to deal with the hand over Earth-2. He reveals that the menace above the planet can only be stopped by the Seven Soldiers of Victory, who battled a mystical villain known as Nebula Man, who was defeated by the Earth-2 team. But this was at a sacrifice as all of the heroes from the team were sent back in time, all of them to different eras. Oracle then introduces the members of the Seven Soldiers of Victory from Earth-2, those members being the Vigilante, Star-Spangled Kid, Stripesy, Shining Knight, Crimson Avenger, Green Arrow and Speedy. Once the JLA and JSA members are told by Oracle where the members of the Seven Soldiers of Victory are. They all go off in groups to find all the heroes. Doctor Fate, Elongated Man and the Earth-1 Atom go back in time to Mexico in the Aztec period and locate the Crimson Avenger as a king. After a fight and chase from the natives, the Crimson Avenger is out of his spell of thinking he is a king and his memory is restored, the team goes back to the present day. Meanwhile, a villain who was defeated by the Seven Soldiers team known as the Iron Hand reveals himself to be the mastermind behind the hand over Earth-2.
While Wonder Woman stays behind and tells JSA members that weren’t present during Oracle’s speech about the giant hand over Earth-2, she also tells heroes like Robin, Green Lantern and Mister Terrific to go and help in disasters caused by the hand. Metamorpho, Sandman and Earth-1 Superman find that the Shining Knight has become a friend and ally of Genghis Khan. The heroes are imprisoned and are forced to fight the Shining Knight, Genghis Khan and his army on horses. The fight ends with the Shining Knight’s memory being restored and they all go back to the present. Meanwhile, the Earth-1 Hawkman, Earth-2 Wonder Woman and Doctor Mid-Nite find a large of group of archers and break into a castle, where they locate Green Arrow (Earth-2). All the heroes then disappear and go back to present day. While the Iron Hand is laughing to himself, thinking about how he cannot be defeated, Hourman, Starman and Earth-1 Batman find themselves in Ancient Egypt and locate Stripesy, who has been captured by the natives. The heroes manage to rescue him, and they all go back to the present as they have been called by Oracle. However, back in the present, unknown to her, Wonder Woman is about to be attacked from behind by the Iron Hand.
After arguing and searching, Johnny Thunder, Black Canary and the Earth-1 Green Arrow locate the Vigilante about to be burned at the stake. Although the three heroes are knocked out by Native Americans, they wake up and with the help of Johnny Thunder’s Thunderbolt, the Vigilante is rescued, and the heroes return to the present. Meanwhile, Aquaman, Wildcat and the Earth-2 Green Lantern are in the prehistoric era where they locate the Star-Spangled Kid and a group of angry cavemen. Although a huge flood occurs when the heroes are in a cave, they all manage to survive, and they all return to the present. Lastly, Red Tornado, Zatanna and the Earth-2 Flash locate Speedy being controlled by Circe (a Wonder Woman villain). But, using their powers, Circe is defeated, and all seven members of the Seven Soldiers of Victory are reunited. This makes Johnny Thunder question a grave known to the JLA and JSA that signifies that the unknown soldier is buried there. This is when the Crimson Avenger speaks up and reveals that there was an eighth member of the team, who was his sidekick Wing, who died at the hands of Nebula Man. However, to everyone’s shock, Wonder Woman appears in the room in the custody of the Iron Hand, but she manages to easily break away from him and take him out. After the Iron Hand reveals that even he cannot reverse the huge hand over Earth-2, the heroes from the Seven Soldiers of Victory have the idea of recreating the original device which they used to defeat Nebula Man. Once the destructive device is created, nobody has the power to fire the device into the mystical hand as it would kill anybody who would fire it close to the target and it is a magical construct, meaning that both Supermen are weak to it. This is when they find that the device has gone missing and Red Tornado has flown up into the atmosphere with it and sent himself and the device towards the large hand, which explodes, destroying the hand while killing Red Tornado. In the end, the heroes mourn both Red Tornado and Wing.
MY THOUGHTS
For this special story that celebrates the 100th issue of the title, it is clear that Wein wanted to do something different and we clearly see that in this story. For the first time, other than the Crisis on Earth-3/The Most Dangerous Earth of All story, we see the JLA and JSA meet a new team of superpowered characters, specifically the Seven Soldiers of Victory. This not only makes the story different, but it introduces an interesting and brilliant secret about the team which is about their eighth member. Before getting onto that, the main plot is very similar to other JLA/JSA crossovers, meaning that all the heroes split into teams to accomplish their task, in this case the recovery of all members of the Seven Soldiers. Although this method is quite tiresome at this point, it is interesting to see each of the characters of the returning Earth-2 team to get their own sections of the story, which introduces them to new readers. This is good as it makes us all familiar with the characters. This is also helped by the backstory we hear about the heroes and how they defeated Nebula Man. This new history created by Wein is excellent and it works perfectly in terms of this story. While the character of Oracle doesn’t feature too much, he is an interesting character and it is kind of surprising that we hadn’t see him before, particularly in previous issues of the title when Doctor Fate is around. But, the main menace of the story, that being the Iron Hand and his huge hand that threatens to destroy Earth-2 feels strong and it does feel like a genuine threat, making the intensity of the tale higher. However, the main revelation of the story, that being that the eighth member of the Seven Soldiers of Victory is actually Wing, the sidekick of the Crimson Avenger, works well and it certainly makes for interesting reading. His death is also impactful, despite the fact that he doesn’t feature in the story at all. This is because it is new history and it feels fresh, making the story feel separate from the original adventures of the Seven Soldiers of Victory in the 1940s. Lastly, the ending with the death of Red Tornado is good and it makes for an interesting end. Even though this isn’t the end of the Red Tornado and he does return, his death works well as it comes across as a sacrifice to (continues after image)
both the JLA and JSA.
That all being said, my main issue with the story has to be the villain, the Iron Hand. My problem with him has to be that he is just dull. His character is too generic, and he doesn’t really feel unique. Also, surely there are better ways to destroy the planet rather than having a massive hand above it. It just comes across as uninventive and a bit too obvious. Surely it would be better to try out a method that doesn’t attract the attention of the JSA and then the JLA. Also, he is taken out so easily near the end of part three, making the build-up kind of pointless. I think a fight was probably needed in order to make his presence as a villain more noticeable and impactful. Also, another problem that I don’t understand is why the heroes from the Seven Soldiers of Victory are all sent back in time in different places. For starters, why do they go back in time and why all in random places. I’m sure there some pseudo-science explanation, but it just doesn’t make too much sense for why it happens. Although I do like the sections of the stories that are set in the past as they are funny and quite imaginative, they do go on for a bit too long and the often slow the story down. In fact, a big problem with this story has to be its length. I think this story could easily be told in two issues. I mean, all of issue two is this getting some of the heroes. Other than that, nothing else really goes on. Overall though, I think this is a good story, but I think that it feels a bit slow and it goes too long, particularly in the second part and the lack of a strong villain bring it down to me.
Although most of the inks are by Joe Giella, there are some by Dick Giordano, which makes the art in the story look a bit better. However, Giordano probably only inks a small section of the story and it is a shame. If he did the whole issue or even the whole story, I think this would have looked like a masterpiece, as opposed to great.
Story: 8/10
Art: 9.5/10
Crisis on Earth-X/Thirteen Against the Earth --- Written by Len Wein with art by Dick Dillin and Dick Giordano
THE PLOT
As both the JLA and JSA are testing their new method of transporting between Earth-1 and Earth-2 known as a transmatter machine, Earth-1 heroes in their machine (those being Batman, Green Arrow and Elongated Man) and Earth-2 heroes in their machine (those being Superman, Doctor Fate and Sandman) both disappear and don’t end up on either Earths. The heroes from both Earths meet together in a mysterious place, where they find Red Tornado, who has stowed away in the transmatter machine, resulting in its failure. However, their conversation is cut short when Nazi war tanks race at the heroes. However, a group of heroes known as the Freedom Fighters intervene and defeat the Nazis. After the Earth-1 and Earth-2 heroes meet with Uncle Sam, Human Bomb, Doll Man, Ray, Black Condor and Phantom Lady, the heroes discover that they are on Earth-X, a world where the Nazis won World War Two and most of the Earth is under their control. After discovering that the Nazis have been using mind control projectors to control people in their mission, Doctor Fate finds three transmitters and all the heroes from Earths 1, 2 and X split to take them out, leaving Red Tornado behind at the headquarters of the Freedom Fighters. Batman, Doctor Fate, The Ray and Human Bomb teleport to the Eiffel Tower, where they battle numerous Nazi guards along with a computer that spawn’s demons to fight the heroes. Although the heroes become controlled by the Nazi machine, the heroes manage to defy its command and destroy the transmitter, leaving two left. While this is still going on, the JLA and JSA members from both Earths are still worrying about the whereabouts of their missing heroes, thinking they may be dead.
Superman, Green Arrow, Doll Man and the Phantom Lady manage to locate another transmitter in a volcano in Japan, not before being attacked by Nazi enforcers. However, the machine attempts to plunge Japan into the sea, but thanks to Superman and the Phantom Lady and their powers, it is prevented, resulting in just one transmitter left. Meanwhile, Black Condor, Uncle Sam, Elongated Man and the Sandman locate their transmitter at the Mount Rushmore memorial, guarded by Nazi guards. After taking out the third and final transmitter, the heroes all reunite, but the JLA and JSA heroes accuse the Freedom Fighters of betraying America. A large fight ensues, during which Red Tornado discovers that in the Nazi Space Satellite, Adolf Hitler is there watching the world. Red Tornado furiously punches him and discovers that not only is he an android, but he is also acting as the fourth transmitter. Luckily, using his powers, Red Tornado sends the Satellite down to Earth-X, where it crashes into the sea and explodes, destroying the transmitter and making the world free. After going back to all of the heroes (who are no longer being controlled), Red Tornado reveals that he stole a piece of technology from the mind control machine which would allow for the JLA and JSA heroes to get back to both Earth-1 and Earth-2. The JLA and JSA heroes leave Earth-X as the Freedom Fighters thank them for their service.
MY THOUGHTS
Even though the previous story is the first to feature a different team that isn’t the JLA or JSA, this is a much better story for a variety of reasons. For starters, I think the Freedom Fighters and the whole concept of Earth-X is brilliant. This isn’t only due to
the different uses of history that makes the story and the world feel different and impactful, but it is because of the unique characters that feature in the new team. That said, most (if not all) members of the team are old characters that have been united together in a team. This feels much fresher than the Seven Soldiers team, which isn’t a bad thing, but it does make for some incredibly unique heroes and characters. Specifically, I think that Uncle Sam is a great character and you can’t hate the Human Bomb (just because of his awesome power… to explode). In fact, I think all of the Earth-X heroes are pretty good and they all feel unique in their own ways. The main plot is a bit formulaic, but it does feel different and unique in a variety of areas. For instance, the story seems to be normal, until the JLA/JSA heroes fight the Freedom Fighters, which was unexpected for me (especially as I’m reading this story in a collected edition, rather than the original issue, which shows the JLA/JSA about to fight the Freedom Fighters). Uniquely, the appearance of Adolf Hitler, who is an android and the real fourth transmitter, makes for an unexpected ending. Furthermore, it is great to see the Red Tornado return and we also get to see more of him feel sorry for himself, which is great. Seriously though, this aspect of the character works well as he is a robot and the other heroes don’t really treat him well and while it may get tiresome sometimes, it does make sense and it adds to his character.
My only real issue with this story has to be how the heroes arrive on Earth-X. I don’t really see how the Red Tornado could have caused it. Yes, I understand its pseudo-science and it is far from realism and most of the time I accept it, but here it just feels a bit too disconnected and I don’t see a link between the Red Tornado (who has no connection to Earth-X) and a machine that is meant for heroes to transport themselves between Earth-1 and Earth-2. Although I mentioned before that I felt the story was very formulaic most of the time (which is something that most DC Comics had at the time), this story overall is excellent and is by far the best JLA/JSA crossover story in a while.
Also, on a high note, the art is top notch and excellent here. Dillin is inked by the great Dick Giordano, who can make most if not all pencillers looks great, interesting and dynamic. The art here is clearly benefitted by the inks as we see some great designs, lighting and fight scenes which look utterly fantastic and appealing. Overall, I think it is safe to say that Dick Giordano, a great inker, works perfectly with Dick Dillin, a great penciller.
Story: 9.5/10
Art: 10/10
The Creature in the Velvet Cage --- Written by Len Wein with art by Dick Dillin and Dick Giordano
THE PLOT
Just as the JLA and JSA meet up together on Earth-2, the two fight together against a legion of sand creatures. After the fight, the Sandman quickly drives off in his car worried. The heroes then follow the Sandman, who they find in his home in front of a smashed glass cage. The Sandman reveals to the heroes that he and his old sidekick, Sandy, once tested out a sand-based weapon, which exploded and caused Sandy to become a giant sand monster of sorts. This resulted in the Sandman keeping Sandy locked in a glass cage and it also made the Sandman destroy his old costume (a skintight yellow and purple one) and revert back to his original look (a green suit with long purple cape, hat and gasmask). After this revelation, the heroes are happy to help the Sandman and they go off in search of Sandy. Although the heroes find him at a wedding and a baseball game, he disintegrates himself into sand and appears elsewhere. When the heroes find him for the third time, they are all defeated, apart from the Sandman, who tries to speak to Sandy, but he is cut short when Hourman manages to knock Sandy down. Suddenly, tremors occur, but they are all prevented by Sandy, who has woken up and he can now talk. He tells the heroes that he was awoken by a tremor that destroyed his cage and he went around to different places to try and prevent any further damage from the tremors. In the end, the Sandman seeks forgiveness from Sandy, but the Sandman walks away ashamed of himself as Wonder Woman looks at him feeling sorry for him.
MY THOUGHTS
Even though this is the only JLA/JSA crossover that is a one-parter, it is actually very good and is a fantastic character piece for the Sandman and his sidekick, Sandy. What we learn in this story is definitely shocking and for the first time, we see a superhero actually come across as a villain, even if they didn’t intend to be one. What I mean by this is that we learn that the Sandman had locked up his sidekick Sandy after he had been caught in the blast of a new sand weapon device, which turned him into some form of sand monster. Due to this, the Sandman locks up and ignores his sidekick (continues after image)
cruelly to force himself to forget about Sandy. This feels incredibly unique and quite honestly, it feels so different and excellent that this story, despite its short length, is excellent. Apart from that, there really isn’t much else to say. We do get some reasoning for why the Sandman abandoned his old costume and the ending with Sandy’s explanation and the Sandman walking away in shame is great writing and character development, showing how unique and character-based Wein’s writing can be.
However, my only main problem with this story has to be why Sandy couldn’t have just broken out of his cell beforehand. I know he is asleep, but why can’t he just wake up and punch the damn glass in and escape. Also, at the start of the story, the JLA and JSA battle numerous “Sand People (I guess), which causes Sandman to freak out and run away. These “Sand People” look like real people as they are tied up together at the end and in that case, who are they and why don’t they appear again? Why would they be dressing like that unless they were hired by Sandy to attack the heroes, which doesn’t make any sense anyway.
Like the previous story, the art is excellent. Dillin and Giordano show how excellent the action and dialogue scenes can be when they are told dramatically and in such a way that makes them interesting and visually pleasing. To the surprise of no one, no complaints for the artwork here.
Story: 9/10
Art: 10/10
VERDICT
Overall, I think that these four JLA/JSA crossovers are pretty good and interesting. While the Friedrich story is pretty silly but enjoyable, I find all of the Wein stories excellent due to their great characters and interesting plots, with the exception of the Seven Soldiers of Victory story, which I think goes on for too long, but is still a classic. The art here is also excellent with Dillin showing how great an artist he can be along with the inkers that work with him, especially Dick Giordano.
Stories: 8.5/10
Art: 9.5/10
Highlighted Character: The Sandman (Wesley Dodds) (or Red Tornado or Uncle Sam or many more due to the great selection of characters.
Next Review: Crisis on Multiple Earths Team Up Tales Part One (The Flash 123, 129, 137, 151, Showcase 55-56, Green Lantern (vol 2) 40, The Brave and the Bold 61, a story from The Spectre (vol 1) 7). Written by Gardner Fox and John Broome with art by Carmine Infantino, Joe Giella, Murphy Anderson, Gil Kane, Sid Greene and Dick Dillin. Expected to be published by 24/11/2019.
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