JSA #81 Review and Spoilers!

[Lex]

Finally after a year of lackluster stories (aside from the great 3-issue Keith Champagne arc), JSA finally gets back on track for 2006.

Spoiler space!

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I've wanted a solo Stargirl story for awhile now and this was an excellent one. It had a lot of heart with the theme of how to be a good daughter and parent.

It was cool to see Liberty Belle again and while I might not like her loss of powers at the end (if I'm understanding what happened), it was still a great, touching story with her.

And it was cool to see Shade appear as well.

I know this wasn't a flashy Infinite Crisis tie-in, but I hope I wasn't the only one to get this.

[Kid Seven]

No I got it as well, and also really enjoyed it. We seem to have the exact same thoughts on this. I also was really let down by JSA this past year, again with the exception of the past three issues.

This issue pulled back to what makes the JSA a great title. Great issue. And George Perez on next issue? Sweet! (So sweet I won't even mind IC taking over the book again).

As an aside, it seems to me like Paul Levitz is gonna be the regular writer on the book post IC. Anyone know if this is true or not? Geoff, say it ain't so!

[Lex]

Levitz is only on for six issues beginning next month. After that, no one knows.

[ultramandingo]

how long is ross on for the covers , or how many jsa'ers left to do? ( c'mon red tornado!) and have sales gone up cus of ross or not?

[Sk8maven]

how long is ross on for the covers , or how many jsa'ers left to do? ( c'mon red tornado!) and have sales gone up cus of ross or not?That was the last one. He's done with them, at least for now.

Maven

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Yeah, this was definitely one of Geoff Johns better efforts on JSA after a few fumbles. Glad to see he's back in fighting trim.

[jerrymcl89]

I believe sales have gone up. Whether it's because of Ross's covers or because people like the stories, or (most likely) the IC tie-ins, is hard to say.

[Guts/Batman]

A definite improvement since just about every issue since #75.

The storytelling was much improved and the action fit well with the dialogue. JSA has awhile to go to get back to its premiere status that it had before all of this began and this was a good starting point.

[borateen]

And it was cool to see Shade appear as well.

What was the Shade up to? I miss him after Starman, but I'm glad he isn't being used. He was such a well-written character under Robinson (weren't they all?) that I'm always a little scared someone will turn him into just another lackluster villain again.

[The Wayner]

I believe sales have gone up. Whether it's because of Ross's covers or because people like the stories, or (most likely) the IC tie-ins, is hard to say.

I'm from the "I Bought It For The Ross Covers" camp.

[DMike]

What was the Shade up to?

He saved someone from a falling statue, but when that guy thanked him, Shade said "I wasn't saving you. I was saving the statue." Then, when a second person thanked him, he reluctantly said "You're welcome." Then he saw lightning destroy Courtney's dad's apartment (with her dad in it) and went to Philadelphia to tell her.

[borateen]

I'm from the "I Bought It For The Ross Covers" camp.

That's not always a bad thing. That's the only reason I started buying Robinson's Starman, and I found out I loved the series. So I guess sometimes those gimmicks work.

[Apathy Boy]

Nice to know Geoff Johns has still got it. Terrific issue. Some really nice character development on a lot of fronts, though Libby came across as a bit of a flake. (When did she get all young and superhero-ey again?) The dialogue was sharp, too; I particularly liked Pat's "I'm starting to feel like a sidekick again." And of course you can't go wrong with an appearance by the Shade and a mention of Jack Knight.

I think killing off Courtney's biological father simplifies her character arc too much, but the payoff at the end of the issue was so perfect I can let it pass.

My one complaint is the cover. I am not a fan of Alex Ross' work, but this one was stiff and frickin' ugly even by his standards.

[Shellhead]

This issue started strong and finished strong, with some nice character development involving Stargirl and Stripesy and family. The action scene in the middle with Liberty Belle was confusing and uninteresting to me. Even so, this was the best Geoff Johns issue of JSA in quite some time. I agree that the Ross cover was not one of his better ones.

[Gingold]

I liked this issue a lot- I was a big Stars and STRIPE fan, so I enjoy seeing Pat and the rest of Courtney's family used in JSA.

I'm glad to hear that this is the last of the Ross covers- they've been boring and ugly.

[marshal99]

This issue feels like a filler issue and it is.

[Guts/Batman]

This issue feels like a filler issue and it is.

Good filler for a change...

[Kid Seven]

I've actually been really enjoying the Ross covers, with the exception of this issue which I thought was a little stiff and lacking. He does great iconic images of the iconic characters, and I liked the unified image. Makes it easy to spot on the racks. Nice branding for the book.

[Babylon23]

I'm one of the few people that has continually enjoyed JSA over the past 12 months, including Black Vengeance and the Air Wave issue.

Having said that, I agree that this is one of the best issue in recent times. One of the strengths of JSA has been the way in which Johns has focused the stories on 1 or 2 members at a time, telling bigger superhero stories by focusing on the personal effects on individual members.

Looking forward to Levitz's run.

[Andromeda_Daxamite]

The only two covers I liked in the whole stint was the Captain Marvel, and this current one. Only 'cause I like Stars and STRIPE. Too bad they didn't do a Power Girl cover. I woulda loved one of those, but oh well.

Good issue, hope more follow.

[Guts/Batman]

I'm one of the few people that has continually enjoyed JSA over the past 12 months, including Black Vengeance and the Air Wave issue.

I liked Black Vengeance. Even after falling off the IC bandwagon, I still like it.

#76 and #77 were two of the worst comics I have read since Countdown. I didn't mind Champagne's arc.

With the exception of Hector Hall going away "forever" it wasn't bad. I loved the Mordru parts.

[trickster]

Finally after a year of lackluster stories (aside from the great 3-issue Keith Champagne arc), JSA finally gets back on track for 2006.

Spoiler space!

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I know this wasn't a flashy Infinite Crisis tie-in, but I hope I wasn't the only one to get this.

No, it was a filler issue. Hope the whiners are satisfied.

Good filler for a change...

Yeah... if you're into Danielle Steel syrupy kinda stuff.

[Guts/Batman]

Yeah... if you're into Danielle Steel syrupy kinda stuff.


You mean...actual work on the character? Not just explosions and meaningless deaths? It's so...out of character for DC to make a continuity book without the phrase "Infinite Crisis Crossover" on the cover, I know.

Yes, it is much better filler than the rest of the stuff that DC is putting out now.

At least in this case we only have 1 issue of filler as opposed to some books that have 4 issues of filler.