JSA: Savage Times (Vol. 6)

Rating:
Summary: Travelling Through Time with the JSA
Review: *Please note, this review is based on individual issues, not the TPB. As per DC Comics (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=2376) this TPB is comprised of issues #39-45, so that's what I'm basing this review on.

This collection starts off with a single issue story dedicated to Power Girl. The issue is mostly played for laughs as a bombastic (in more ways than one) villain tries to draw Power Girl's attention. The ensuing fight is enjoyable, if a bit "light" and the issue really tries hard to portray Kara as a self-reliant super heroine. The highlight of the issue is Kara's speech at the end to the JSA's two youngest female heroes as to why she acts the way she does.

The next story appears to be dedicated to Dr. Mid-nite, but Captain Marvel really steals the show, which is a shame. Pieter Cross is one of the more interesting alter-egos out there and while in recent issues Geoff Johns has done a good job of fleshing him out, this issue is really more of a focus on his surgical skills. The issue does start hinting at a Captain Marvel/Stargirl relationship, but it's not fully developed. I kind of felt this issue was more filler than anything else. Once again, the ending of the issue saves it, as it sets the stage for "Black Reign."

Next up is the main storyline in this collection, the 4-Part storyline "JSA, BC."

The first issue features a rather generic fight against an unknown entity, first foreshadowed by Sand a few issues back. Black Barax isn't really fleshed out here and the majority of the issue is spent building up to the battle. While Barax does pull off some interesting moves, especially against Captain Marvel and Black Adam.

All of which leads into the following issue's Mr. Terrific/Mr. Terrific team-up, which is actually quite enjoyable. The concept of a hero who fights for "Fair Play" does seem cheesy, but it plays out rather nicely, as the plan to defeat Barax has one of the Mr. T's playing not so fairly. Another nice bit in this issue is the appearance by the Freedom Fighters, who are among DC's often forgotten Golden Age Past.

The next two issues are the highlight of this storyline, where Mr. Terrific and Hawkgirl travel back to Ancient Egypt to find Captain Marvel. There they find not only the villainous Vandal Savage and his "monster," a precursor to the former Justice Leaguer and Outsider, Metamorpho, but also Nabu, the originator of Dr. Fate, Black Adam (as he was in this time period) and Prince Khufu and Princess Chay-Era, who are fated to be reincarnated as Hawkman and Hawkgirl.

The scenes with Captain Marvel and Black Adam are really nice, as Marvel must confront an earlier, heroic version of the man who will become his most dangerous foe and also uneasy ally in the JSA.

I did feel that they could have done more with Kendra (Hawkgirl) meeting her previous self, especially given the fact that Kendra is in denial about her previous lives.

At the same time, these issues also foreshadow the next arc "Princes of Darkness," with Dr. Fate making a mistake that will unleash one of the JSA's deadliest foes.

Issue #45 sets up "Princes of Darkness" and brings together several previous plot lines that will converge in that arc. I'm kind of surprised that DC added it to this collection and I have to wonder if it was an error on DC's solicitations to note this issue as a part of the "Savage Times" collection.

I'd say buy this TPB for the "Justice Society, B.C." story and make your own decisions on the solo issues featuring Power Girl and Dr. Mid-Nite.

As always, Geoff Johns (joined in this collection by co-writer David Goyer) weaves multiple threads through each story and little of previous stories is "wasted" or forgotten.

The art in these issues (save for the Power Girl one) is by Leonard Kirk, who is tied with Steven Sadowski as my favorite JSA artist. It's clean artwork that's easy to follow and the action is easy to follow.

If you're a current fan of JSA collecting the series through TPBs, I'd say this is a "must have." If you're new to JSA, I'd say your best bet is to start with "JSA: Justice Be Done" and work your way through the series.

Rating:
Summary: Solid and consistent!
Review: JSA is a great underated title. Better than all books with "X" in the title and is great month to month and even better in the trade format. Check it out, you won't be disapointed!

Rating:
Summary: bad stuff
Review: really boring, in between steps here.. the art work is okay, no where near as detailed as sadowski. DC seems to give up on its titles after a while, ala JLA. JSA is headed in that direction.