CBR: Guggenheim Builds a New "Society"

**CBR News** · 12-10-2010, 05:50 AM

New "Justice Society of America" writer Marc Guggenheim spoke with CBR News about his plans for the DCU's veteran heroes, villains old and new and taking the term "society" to brand new levels.

Full article here.

**the4thpip** · 12-10-2010, 05:54 AM

That book is on a horribly wrong path.

I cannot wait for Guggenheim to find a new project, and Justice Society to find its way again.

Tearing down the JSA is exactly what Guggenheim plans on doing.

... and sales along with the team, I am sure.

**FunkyGreenJerusalem** · 12-10-2010, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by the4thpip

That book is on a horribly wrong path.

Why?
A city full of superheroes sounds awesome!

I thought it was hilarious that he thought there was a lot of reaction to the Mr Terrific plot line - he obviously doesn't check out this message board!

**SUPERECWFAN1** · 12-10-2010, 05:58 AM

Holy crap....he's gonna use Blue Devil ? Hell yes...finally someone is actually gonna make Blue Devil join a team again.

**the4thpip** · 12-10-2010, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by FunkyGreenJerusalem

Why?
A city full of superheroes sounds awesome!

One of the positive responses I found to his run (on Martin Gray's blog) was that he focuses on a smaller team. Now he talks about making it even bigger than Johns ever did.

There already is a team in the DC Universe that has as its concept that they have a legion of members. The Justice Society is not that team.

Also, they tried something similar wit the League in the 90s, when everybody and their mother-in-law got a JLA communicator. It also sucked.

**JohnnyHorror92182** · 12-10-2010, 06:20 AM

I wasn't sure what to think about of Guggenheims' first issue of JSA, but his second issue I enjoyed and I want to see what happens.

**lead sharp** · 12-10-2010, 06:22 AM

Well it's been a good two issues, I'm genuinely curious about what he's going to do.

Status Qoe is after all very dull.

The JSA needed a rocket up the arse after the last writer.

**the4thpip** · 12-10-2010, 06:32 AM

When is the last time the JSA had a stable Status Quo?

They've been split into two teams (twice, if you count the Gog storyline), had their headquarters blown up and spent an entire storyline in an alternate future run by Nazis.

**The Cool Thatguy** · 12-10-2010, 07:08 AM

"I'm not going to be able to compete with [the other writers] on the legacy hero stories or the World War II stories or the Nazi villains that have traditionally been the fodder for JSA stories in the past. Number one, it was time for a change,"

Yet, the first villain he uses was a nazi super weapon. Real change there...

"we'll establish the 'Justice Society of America' as a book where anyone can appear and anyone can be a part of the book."

Because having a defined membership doesn't give a book an identity at all.

Is DC trying to kill the JSA, or what?

**protege** · 12-10-2010, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by SUPERECWFAN1

Holy crap....he's gonna use Blue Devil ? Hell yes...finally someone is actually gonna make Blue Devil join a team again.

I'm more interested in Manhunter signing on.

**titanfan** · 12-10-2010, 07:35 AM

Wait a minute! Didn't we split into two books because the roster was too big and people weren't getting enough panel time?

In any case, I'm not too concerned about the roster. The first two books have been flat out AWFUL. (2nd issue slightly better than the first)

I think Guggenheim might want to work on his (comic book) storytelling/pacing a little bit. There's just zero dramatic build in his storyline, it often seems jarring--things jump around from scene to scene, and his plots are totally predictable (and non-sensical) I don't know if he's planning a really really slow build or what, but it's not working for me after two issues.

On the plus side, I actually do like his dialogue. He has a reasonable handle on the characters he's writing so far. It's certainly possible he could get better with time, although right now I wish he'd go back to writing Flash or a title I don't currently read....

**Quasar's Bands** · 12-10-2010, 08:24 AM

I've continuously collected JSA since it first began with Robinson oh-so-long ago. I've loved it and often counted it among my favorites. I really didn't like the last couple of issues, and may drop this title if it continues to fail to impress over the next few months. That saddens me - but this treatment of Jay and Alan really frustrated me -- these characters aren't old guys to be thrown aside so new folks can come in. This is EXACTLY how it is starting to read. Also, JSA is not supposed to be "anyone can get in." It's supposed to tie to LEGACY and FAMILY - it is distinguished by 50 years of history. I agree with the guy who posted that this looks like it's on the way to a 90s Justice League International. Ugh. I'd rather see lesser- known folks like Airwave or Willpower return and made into "real" heroes. Manhunter IS a good start, but Blue Devil? Not JSA material. Not even close.

**Free-Man** · 12-10-2010, 08:54 AM

I have mixed feelings on the first two issues, but the prospect of Manhunter joining up has me interested.

Though I echo 4thpip's sentiment about not wanting a repeat of the 90's era bloated JLA franchise. No "JSA: Task Force" please.

**Jaded Devil** · 12-10-2010, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by Quasar's Bands

Manhunter IS a good start, but Blue Devil? Not JSA material. Not even close.

That's crap. Blue Devil's been around for over twenty years and has been a member of the JLA and Shadowpact, as well as his own critically-acclaimed book. He brings a unique personality to the mix. Manhunter's been around a fifth of the time, is using a recycled ID, and is really little more than a female Matt Murdock. Oh, wait, she kills people. So she's a female Matt Murdock in the Shadowland mini-series. Yeah, SO much more deserving.