Earth 2 and JSA - which versions (expanded)

[Goggindowner]

I voted for the 1999 to 2006 era, since that was when I really grew to love the characters. That stretch of JSA is what made Alan, Jay and Power Girl my three favorite DC characters. I also really loved the legacy aspect to the book, something that has been completely flushed with the New 52 version.

[Ultradav]

The JSA went into limbo (literally) shortly after COIE, so it was pretty lean between then and Zero Hour. However, that made their infrequent appearances that much more exciting for me, as a young reader. The mini-series and then the 10 issue ongoing were great fun. I don't think they knew what to do with the JSA after COIE until the late 90s when thankfully a handful of imaginative creators breathed new life into them. Zero Hour was an abomination for any true JSA fan--especially to see six characters just summarily wiped out like that. Thankfully much of that was undone, with Hourman coming back, Kent Nelson sort of coming back, Hawkman coming back, and Hawkgirl sort of coming back (alas poor Dr. Mid-Nite & Atom really got the shaft).

Anyway, the Golden Age stuff was what set precedents that would be enormously influential, and so can't be overlooked. Roy Thomas' ability to interweave within that was incredible as well.

[stingo]

It seems interesting to me that of the 21 votes so far, all the votes have been for only three of the six possibilities.

I'd also be curious as to how many people voted for a period of time other than when they first started reading about the JSA.

Good question, Major Hoy...Even though I voted for the Silver Age period I have always loved the actual late 1930s-early 1950s comics from which these characters sprung. The very thing about comics which I love and appreciate today - a strong sense of history and continuity with a character(s) - was very absent for the most part in those wonderful issues of All Star Comics, Sensation Comics, All Flash, Green Lantern, Crack Comics, ect. that I also enjoy and celebrate as a lover of comics. The above were just plain old fun escapism! It's nice to take a breather from the modern world and slip back into the days of yore with a simpler style of storytelling. Would I want that Golden Age style of storytelling with these characters today? In small quantities, sure. The very charm of Jay, Alan, Ted, Charles, Rex, Johnny, Al, and all of the other great characters of the Society is that they always seemed to have one foot steeped into the More Fun (pardon the bad pun!) days of the 40s. I always thought Roy Thomas balanced the old with the new quite well in his writings of these characters.

[Ultradav]

The JSA went into limbo (literally) shortly after COIE, so it was pretty lean between then and Zero Hour. However, that made their infrequent appearances that much more exciting for me, as a young reader. The mini-series and then the 10 issue ongoing were great fun. I don't think they knew what to do with the JSA after COIE until the late 90s when thankfully a handful of imaginative creators breathed new life into them. Zero Hour was an abomination for any true JSA fan--especially to see six characters just summarily wiped out like that. Thankfully much of that was undone, with Hourman coming back, Kent Nelson sort of coming back, Hawkman coming back, and Hawkgirl sort of coming back (alas poor Dr. Mid-Nite & Atom really got the shaft).

Anyway, the Golden Age stuff was what set precedents that would be enormously influential, and so can't be overlooked. Roy Thomas' ability to interweave within that was incredible as well.

All that said, I voted for the era up until COIE. Great stuff. Closely followed by the 1999 series.

[Volkditty]

As a finished product, the 99-06 JSA was my favorite run. That said, I really love the current Earth 2 and would rather read the continuing adventures of these characters than go back to the old continuity.

[MajorHoy]

As a finished product, the 99-06 JSA was my favorite run. That said, I really love the current Earth 2 and would rather read the continuing adventures of these characters than go back to the old continuity.

That is an interesting point . . . Earth 2 is an ongoing, evolving book, but we (unfortunately) won't ever be likely to see new past tales of the pre-Flashpoint versions.

[Bo-Man]

Silver Age Earth Two JSA for me. I loved The Earth 2 /Golden Age Batman, Superman, Robin, Huntress, Power Girl and loved Infinity, Inc.( one of the best DC superhero teams in my opinion) and the rest of the JSA with the All-Star Squadron.

[Ood Omega]

Loved the Silverage and Bronze age stuff! My fav is All-Star Squadron. The early 90s Justice Society runs are good too. Also a worthy mention are all the fun golden age titles like the All-Star Comics, Sensational Mystery Comics, early Comic Cavalcade and All Flash Quarterly.

[Kurosawa]

Silver/Bronze Age, although to be honest, all of the Pre-Crisis JSA is the same team and the same continuity. And that's the one they should be using now instead of this new Earth-2 nonsense where it's just an alternate of the current DCU Earth without any history or anything to make it really stand out. If any series should be for the more dedicated and historically interested reader, it should be the JSA.

[Drumanespic]

I voted for the silver/bronze age, pre-crisis, original version.
Of course, these were the 'first' stories I read.

I agree, particularly chronogically, it's a very broad category.
I discovered them in 1977, in All-Star Comics #68. Looking back, a fantastic jumping-on point.

Roy Thomas' work really was special & I still regret DC throwing these properties aside, post '85.

I soon withdrew from the world of comics until 1999 & the 'JSA' re-launch, which is a fine body of work. What's Stephen Sadowski doing these days?

The post 'OYL' run was fine, but not as accomplished, although Dale Eaglesham's work was excellent. Oddly, I really didn't like the portayal of the 'original' Earth 2 'JSA Infinity' team. Rather twee.

I really did not enjoy Marc Guggenheim's effort. At. All.

Enjoying current Earth-2. A multitude of possibilities for great stories going forward. Could be a source of great long-term success, IF DC Editorial curtail their meddling instincts & don't interfere. What are the odds?

On reflection, the combination of the 70's All-Star/Adventure run, followed by All-Star Squadron & Infinity Inc., peppered with annual JLA team-ups, make this era 'my golden age' & I'm happy with my vote.

[MonteMike72]

When I think of the JSA and Earth 2 I think of Silver Age to CoIE JSA (1961 - 1985).

[Moriarty]

i voted for the 1999-2006 era. it was this run that opened a lot of doors into the DC universe for me. i read Starman as a result, and loved it. the All Star Squadron era is a very close second. i love that book.