The All-Star Companion

Reviewer's Bookwatch, Nov, 2004 by Rick Mohr

The All-Star Companion

Edited by Roy Thomas

Twomorrows Publishing

10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC USA 27614

www.twomorrows.com

ISBN# 1893905055 $21.95 207 pgs

In the 1940's America as well as most of the world was at war. Patriotism was running high, and among those leading the charge were the comic book companies. All-American Comics, later to be owned by DC Comics was a company on the forefront of that charge, with their many super-heroes, or as they were called by many, mystery men, battling the many spies and saboteurs which tried to undermine the US and thwart the war effort.

But as great as their four-color adventures were individually, so much more so were they when they teamed up as The Justice Society of America, the first, and to many fans (including myself), the greatest gathering of heroes ever assembled.

And what a gathering it was: Hawkman, the reincarnation of an Egyptian prince who flew using the wonderfully mysteriously named nth-metal. Armed with ancient weapons, this fierce protector of the skies served many times as the chairman of the group. The Atom, although short in stature, this powerful pint sized hero made up in courage and fortitude what he lacked in height. The Flash--Jay Garrick became the fastest man alive after inhaling the vapors from 'hard water' (I don't know what that means either, I don't think anyone does). Dr. Mid-Night, a brilliant surgeon who lost his sight due to the act of criminals, yet able to see in darkness and with the use of special goggles to see during the day, now fights crime with the help of his ever-present owl, Hooty. Green Lantern, he who wears the mystical ring of power whose green flame takes the shape of anything he can create with his mind, vulnerable only to objects made from wood. Dr. Fate was a master sorcerer, earths' protector against all things mystical. Black Canary, a female martial arts master in a pair of fishnet stockings. Hourman--who gained super-human abilities for one hour thanks to his creation of his miraclo pill. Johnny Thunder said the magic word "cei-u' (pronounced 'say you') and a magic pink genie like thunderbolt would appear to do his bidding. The Sandman, wielder of powerful knock out gas that would place criminals sound asleep. Mr. Terrific was such a champion of fair play that he even had the words emblazoned across his chest like an insignia. Wonder Woman, the Amazon Princess who came to Man's World willing to fight to show the way to peace. Starman, the creator of what he called his gravity rod, allowing him to do things lesser men could only dream of. The Spectre, endowed by the Almighty to reap vengeance against the souls who would do humanity harm. The Red Tornado, a woman with more heart than ability, yet always ready to join in to help, and Wildcat, former world champion boxer, now using his fists to give criminals the 'old one-two' Later they were joined by the last son of Krypton, Superman, and the Dark Knight Detective, Batman. As I said, truly a collection of the mightiest heroes that era had to offer.

Their original adventures ran in issues of All-Star Comics from 1940 thru 1951, sometimes bimonthly, sometimes quarterly, yet always filed with action and adventure crafted by some of the biggest and best creators the era had. Boys and girls knew that when the put down their ten cents, they were in for excitement second to none. Even today, the team, now referred on the cover of their best selling monthly comic as simply JSA, features the cream of the crop with art and story other titles only wish they had.

Editor Roy Thomas, whose love for those characters and that time in comics' history has, with the creation of The All-Star Companion, created a veritable encyclopedia of information on the premier super team. The history of the team, the characters, the companies that published them and the creators themselves, all showcased with obvious respect for their history and the pop culture importance their creation encompassed. Filled with interviews and overviews, as well as beautiful art in scrumptious black and white interspersed throughout the pages, this is the perfect book not only for fans of comics' history but for fans of popular culture in general as in perfectly captures the moods of the times.

The All-Star Companion has earned a valuable place on my shelf, not only as a reference tool, but also for the enjoyable reading it contains. You should make a place for it on your shelf as well