Welcome to our re-read of the first and greatest superhero team in comics ... and quite a bit more!
My plan is to re-read and discuss the Golden Age Justice Society of America, which ran from All-Star Comics #3 (Winter 1940) to All-Star Comics #57 (February-March 1951), and is currently being reprinted in DC's "DC Finest" line.
But, as ever, I am consumed by context. What events brought us to All-Star Comics #3? What characters did editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox have available from which to choose? What else was competing in the superhero space? To achieve that context, I plan to start the discussion at the publisher's beginning, when Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson launched National Allied Publications Inc. in 1935. That was the first step toward the Justice Society — and to DC Comics as we know it today.
So before we even get to the JSA, I'll re-read and open for discussion all the solo stories starring JSA members, mostly from DC's Archives and Famous First Edition series. Which is actually quite a lot! (Although not as much as I'd prefer. I want it ALL!) I'll be writing about non-JSA superheroes created by National, Detective Comics Inc. and All-American Comics Inc. too, like Crimson Avenger and Doctor Occult. I'll also be tipping my hat to some non-powered characters, principally those who managed to appear outside their parent title, like Slam Bradley and Hop Harrigan. That means no re-read for the likes of "Bart Regan, Spy" and "Speed Saunders." Sorry, fellas, but I had to draw the line somewhere — before I found myself doing a deep dive into the history of Ginger Snap.
But I will be re-reading reprints, or availing myself of online information where reprints don't exist, of 14 of the 17 Golden Age characters who launched or appeared in All-Star Comics #3-57. Those characters include:
- The Atom: All-American Comics #19-46, 48-61, 70-72; All-Star Comics #3-26, 28-35, 37-57; Big All-American Comic Book; Flash Comics #80, 82-85, 87 89-95, 97-100, 102-104; Comic Cavalcade #22-23, 28; Sensation Comics #86.
- Black Canary: All-Star Comics #38-57; Comic Cavalcade #25; Flash Comics #86-88, 90-104.
- Doctor Fate: All-Star Comics #3-12, 14-21; More Fun Comics #55-98.
- Doctor Mid-Nite: All-American Comics #25-102; All-Star Comics #6 (text story), 8-57.
- The Flash: All-Flash #1-32; All-Star Comics #1-7, 10, 24-57; Big All-American Comic Book; Comic Cavalcade #1-29; Flash Comics #1-104, Flash Comics miniature (Wheaties)
- Green Lantern: All-American Comics #16-102; All-Flash #14; All-Star Comics #2-8, 10, 24-57; Big All-American Comic Book; Comic Cavalcade #1-29; Green Lantern #1-38.
- Hawkman: All-Star Comics #1-57, Big All-American Comic Book, Flash Comics #1-104, Flash Comics miniature (Wheaties).
- Hourman: Adventure Comics #48-83, All-Star Comics #1-7, New York World's Fair Comics [#2].
- Johnny Thunder: All-Star Comics #2-4, 6-35, 37-39; Big All-American Comic Book; Flash Comics #1-91; New York World's Fair Comics [#2]; World's Best Comics #1; World's Fair Comics #2-3; Flash Comics miniature (Wheaties).
- Mister Terrific: All-Star Comics #24, Big All-American Comic Book, Sensation Comics #1-63.
- Sandman: Adventure Comics #40-102, All-Star Comics #1-21, Boy Commandos #1, Detective Comics #76, New York World's Fair Comics [#1-2], World's Finest Comics #3-7.
- The Spectre: All-Star Comics #1-23, More Fun Comics #52-101, a single panel in More Fun Comics #51.
- Starman: Adventure Comics #61-102, All-Star Comics #8-23.
- Wildcat: All-Star Comics #24, 27; Big All-American Comic Book; Comic Cavalcade #1-2; Sensation Comics #1-90.
The obvious exceptions here are Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman. Superman and Batman, called "honorary members" in the text, appeared twice in All-Star Comics, but I don't plan to re-read all their adventures from 1938 to 1951. They are peripheral at best to the Golden Age JSA, and would overwhelm the discussion through sheer volume. This problem extends to Wonder Woman as well, who appears in four titles in the Golden Age (Sensation Comics, Wonder Woman, Comic Cavalcade, All-Star Comics). I'll re-read and report on her JSA adventures, but like Batman and Superman, I'll just note her solo stories in passing with a summary that I'll grab somewhere online. That will keep the discussion abreast of any major developments, like new supervillains, in Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman stories.
Here are their appearances that are concurrent with All-Star's run:
- Batman: All-Star Comics # 7 (cameo), 36; Batman #1-63 (February-March 1951); Batman 3-D #1; Detective Comics #1-169 (March 1951); New York World’s Fair Comics [#2]; World’s Best Comics #1, World’s Fair Comics #2-50 (February-March 1951).
- Superman: Action Comics #1-154 (March 1951); All-Star Comics #7 (cameo), 36; New York World’s Fair [#1-2]; Superman #1-69 (March-April 1951); Superman 3-D #1; Superman at the Gilbert Hall of Science; Superman Miniature; World’s Best Comics #1; World’s Fair Comics #2-50 (February-March 1951).
- Wonder Woman: All-Star Comics #8, 11-22, 24-57; Big All-American Comic Book; Comic Cavalcade #1-29; Sensation Comics #1-102; Wonder Woman #1-46 (March-April 1951).
Fortunately, Jeff of Earth-J is already doing a re-read of the Golden Age Superman. Jeff isn't doing a re-read of all Batman books, but he is compiling "The Greatest Joker Stories Ever Told," by which he means "all of them." Recently he's begun re-reading other major Bat-villains, which he discusses in Batman vs. Penguin, Riddler — Prince of Puzzles, The Crimes of Two-Face and Catwoman: Nine Lives of a Feline Fatale.
I should note that my methodology changed over time, as realities required. For instance, I initially lumped books together by monthly cover date, but complications ensued for books without them, like quarterlies and one-shots. As the number of quarterlies and their importance increased, I ended up going by on-sale dates as the primary organizational tool. (Which aren't available for all books, but that's a lesser devil than chronologically misplacing Batman or All-Star Comics). Initially I only included mention of others strips in anthology books if they were of some importance, like Slam Bradley, but eventually I started including all of them. Here and there I would try to improve the format. And so forth. In some imaginary "someday" I'll go back through and make them all consistent.
I've tried to be comprehensive, relying on a variety of sources, from online to reprints to "companion" books. A tip of the cowl to a Luke Blanchard post in what amounts to an outline for this discussion. But I'm sure I've left out tons, especially stories I don't have or can't find, which may be at hand in your collection. I hope folks will do re-reads of stories I've left out, as well as comment on what I've written. So let's hear what I've missed Legionnaires — and what you think!
Replies
You tell that to kids today, and they just don't believe you.
'ALAN SCOTT: GREEN LANTERN' #3
February 2024
On-sale Date: Dec. 26, 2023
By Tim Sheridan and Cian Tomey (20 pages)
GCD Summary: Green Lantern wants to investigate the death of a close friend, but he doesn't want the other Justice Society members involved. Flash tells him that it's too late, as The Spectre has taken an interest in the case. Alan is uneasy around The Spectre, but he's surprised to find understanding and support from his teammate.
Alan's "close friend" is a male prostitute. I am going to not think about this.
The Flash seems to know Alan is gay, but doesn't say so. "If you have something you want to say," GL says, "say it!" But he doesn't.
The Spectre also knows Alan is gay, because he pretty much knows everything. This story makes no bones about Spectre being the Right Hand of God, and Spectre knows Him personally. He also refers to Green Lantern as "Alan Ladd-Scott," which I interpret to mean that Alan is seen as married in the eyes of God.
Spectre also indulges in a little black humor, which isn't terribly Spectre-like for the '40s. The pre-Popp Ghostly Guardian occasionally indulges in tough-guy humor, but it's of the Sam Spade variety. I haven't read the Percival Popp stories yet, but somehow I doubt Spectre gets darker as his strip gets lighter.
Spectre gives Alan a speech about how normal homosexuality is, and how punishment is being reserved for anti-gay bigots. Because that's our theme, and now the writer is speaking for God, telling us what He thinks.
The content of the speech probably doesn't offend a lot of comic book readers, who tend to be a tolerant lot. But now imagine if this was being written by a Christian fundamentalist, and Spectre announced that God hates gay people, and they're all going to burn in hell for eternity. Because that's what the writer believes, and he's assigning his beliefs to God, using our beloved funnybook characters.
Personally, I'm not offended by the content. But I AM offended that the writer is using God as a sock puppet to push his beliefs. It doesn't matter whether you believe in God or not — it's just bad writing.
But we're not through! Because then Spectre gives Alan a hug.
Insert record-scratch sound effect here.
Yes, a hug.
This story, IMHO, has been pretty preachy all along, and it has just been turned into a sermon — by The Spectre, of all people. We readers have been banged over the head about the story's main theme (gay affirmation) already, but apparently that's not enough, as The Spectre just ups and monologs it. Not only is that off topic for what most people are here for (an adventure story), explaining your theme in-story is just bad writing. Show, don't tell.
And then the hug. Ugh. That's not something any version of The Spectre would do. But sure, let's write people out of character to make the theme work.
Given how much I love The Spectre, that's a deal-breaker for me. And this story — already on the bubble for bad retcons, modern sensibilities and proselytizing — has just been banished from my head canon.
We will be moving much more quickly now.
'ALAN SCOTT: GREEN LANTERN' #4
March 2024
On-sale Date: Jan. 30, 2024
"Resurrection"
By Tim Sheridan, Cian Tormey, Jordi Tarragona, Raúl Fernández and John Livesay (20 pages)
GCD Summary: After capturing Green Lantern, the Red Lantern reveals that he is Alan's former boyfriend Johnny Ladd, and that their relationship was all part of a Soviet espionage operation to gain information on the Crimson Flame.
Takeaways
'ALAN SCOTT: GREEN LANTERN' #5
May 2024
On-sale Date: March 26, 2024
By Tim Sheridan and Cian Tomey (20 pages)
GCD Summary: The Lanterns battle, and Vlad temporarily gains the upper hand. Unconscious, Alan learns from his ring more about the Emerald Flame that empowers him and the Crimson Flame that the Soviets have been using against the United States. Once conscious, he tries to warn Red Lantern, but they are both attacked by a squad of Soviet supervillains also empowered by the Crimson Flame. The Lanterns are temporarily outnumbered, until the Justice Society arrives.
Takeaway: The Justice Society consists of Atom, Doctor Fate, Hawkman, Hourman, Spectre and Sandman, so this story should take place no later than All-Star Comics #6. Except that it's a rewrite, so nothing I've learned in the last 50 years counts. He said bitterly.
'ALAN SCOTT: GREEN LANTERN' #6
June 2024
On-sale date: March 21, 2024
"All That May Become a Man"
By Tim Sheridan and Cian Tomey (20 pages)
GCD Summary: Alan and the Justice Society battle against the Soviet super group Crimson Host to protect Red Lantern. After the battle, Alan comes to terms with his relationship with Vlad (Johnny), and with his place in the world.
Takeaways
Alan Scott, who has the greatest will power in the world, gains self-confidence. It takes six issues to get what he already has.
Six JSA members and six Soviet agents with Crimson Flame power battle one on one, and every battle is an even match. Which makes my head hurt. The Spectre, who has been established as the Right Hand of God, has as much trouble with ONE of the Soviet agents as Sandman does. Obviously, Spectre should be able to wipe out the whole Soviet team with a wave of his hand, just as the Soviets should be able to snuff out Atom, Hourman, Hawkman and Sandman in a single panel.
Alan tells Todd that, despite marrying Molly Mayne and Rose Canton, and still loving them both, and having two children by one of them, that he isn't bisexual or heterofluid or experimental or any of that jazz. He is super-gay and ONLY gay and is (in case you missed it) gay, gay, gay. He was just "confused" when he dated women. This is weak tea to keep the writer's hobby horse on track. I'm no expert on sexual identity, but just from the evidence of 80 years of stories, Alan is, at the very least, bisexual.
After the flashback ends, we learn that in the present Green Lantern has mastered time travel, and has gone back in time to watch his children grow up. He then goes back in time to leave his 1941 self a note. Which seems to me like it would cause some time discrepancies, not to mention changing the very story we just read. But that's how it ends. Where, probably, it should have begun, with 1941 Alan Scott finding the letter from 2024 Alan Scott naming his children-to-be. Because, whoa, what happens next? It should mean that a second version of Alan Scott is going to "sneak around and watch them grow up" in addition to the older version already established by this series? This negates the established narrative of Alan Scott not finding out about his children until Infinity Inc. Not only does that swerve get stomped on — wait, was he just pretending to be surprised? — but it kinda makes Alan look like a deadbeat dad.
Final Thoughts
Initially, I was intrigued by the idea of exploring Alan Scott's closeted life in the 1940s. He would have more than the usual secret-identity issues, and how he navigated that would be fascinating. Especially if it was written without changing anything we know, explaining how all those issues of All-American Comics could be read as heterosexual.
Further, who would know, and when would they know it? Who would Alan choose to let in his inner circle, and why? Would all of the JSA know, or just a select few? How would the presumed right-wingers, like Wildcat, respond? Could Alan's homosexuality explain why Mr. Terrific came and went in one issue? Does this put a different slant on who sits at what table in "Scenes from the Class Struggle at JSA Mansion"? Did Irene Miller know? If she didn't, did she ever find out? How about a few issues exploring Alan's relationships with Molly Mayne and Rose Canton?
SO MANY COOL POSSIBILITIES!
There's plenty of room between Golden Age issues, and plenty of ways to re-interpret them. It would be an adventure to see these old stories re-invented with this new premise. Alan Moore showed how to do this with "Anatomy Lesson," and I'd love to see it done with Alan Scott.
Instead we got a writer riding his hobby horse. I don't read comics for political screeds. I don't care what the politics are — if it's a one-sided argument, it's boring. And nobody likes being bored, or worse, shouted at for six issues.
You know, I wan't thrilled when I realized that "Year One" in the current JSA title was essentially a new origin. But if it means I can start ignoring Alan Scott: The Green Lantern right away, I'm all for it.
Maybe somebody will do a good retcon on Alan Scott someday. I will be there with bells on. But I can't recommend this series to anybody. Unfortunately, the current Red Lantern (Ruby Sokov) means that some or all of this series will be with us for a while.
'ACTION COMICS' #39
Cover date: August 1941
On-sale date: June 20, 1941
Cover: Superman by Fred Ray
Superman
Untitled is by Jerry Siegel and Leo Nowak (12 pages).
Where I read it: Superman: The Action Comics Archives Vol. 3 (2001).
GCD: “A disaster at Chalmers Laboratories involving radium kills Brett Bryson. His bosses are tried for negligence but acquitted. A hooded figure later robs a jewelry store, leaving a watchman dead of radium burns. Superman is implicated, and he must clear his name before Sgt. Casey arrests him.”
See Jeff of Earth-J's Superman from the Beginning.
Continuing: Pep Morgan, Black Pirate, Three Aces, Mr. America, Congo Bill, Zatara.
But we're not through! Because then Spectre gives Alan a hug.
Do you have any conception of how happy you are making me that I dropped this series after reading the first issue?
But then I made you endure it by proxy!
I take it that you assume (as do I) that the "Ladd" surname is a reference to Alan Ladd, right, Captain?
As I remember Jim Steranko's "History of Comics" Vol. 1 discussing Alan Scott, his appearance was based on Ladd's. There was even a mention of 1949's "The Adventures of Alan Ladd", also published by DC.
I take it that you assume (as do I) that the "Ladd" surname is a reference to Alan Ladd, right, Captain?
Here's what I said back on Page 103:
No doubt "Ladd" was chosen for Alan's paramour, so that "Alan Ladd-Scott" could be a thing. Because "Alan Ladd" was considered for the character's name instead of Alan Scott when he was launched in 1940. In the Golden Age Green Lantern Archives Vol. 1, Marty Nodell wrote that he came up with the name Alan Ladd for Green Lantern ("like Aladdin") from the phone book. But editor Shelly Mayer told him the name was in use by the actor, and they changed it to Alan Scott. However, in Golden Age Green Lantern Archives Vol. 2, Jerry Bails says Bill Finger told him it was Finger who came up with Alan Ladd before the actor became famous, and changed it because it was "too obvious" a reference to Aladdin's lamp. Which story is true I'll never know, but "Alan Ladd-Scott" is obviously a nod to these anecdotes.
Oops. My mistake. Sorry.
No problem. I write a lot of words!
But then I made you endure it by proxy!
...and yet, I'm about to do you a favor. I suggest you read "Guardian," the "Batman Black & White" back-up from Gotham Knights #10 ASAP... not for this discussion, but to help remove the residue of the steaming pile of crap that is the Alan Scott: Green Lantern mini-series from your brain. "Guardian" is a period piece set early in the the Batman's career in which Gotham's new guardian meets its former one for the first time. It is by Alan Brennert and Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and has been reprinted in Tales of the Batman - Alan Brennert as well as the Batman Black & White Compendium (if either of those is easier to lay your hands on).
1001 Uses for a Green Lantern: Can determine time of death of a corpse (among other things).
Just (re-) read it. Since it's December 2000, I would not only have read it before, but it would be up in the Comics Cave somewhere. I probably didn't like this one because GL used time travel to un-do death. It's not something even The Spectre does, and that kind of power means nothing matters -- GL can fix it with a wish. I realize that's a point the story is making, but it opens too many doors for narrative viability. I prefer to think that even Green Lantern has some limits.
Otherwise, though, the story itself is very enjoyable. Everyone's in character, I love stories when Batman is more urban myth than known quantity. And what can you say about Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez art, except "give me more?"
Make this an Elseworlds (the un-doing of death just can't work in an ongoing universe) and it's an Alan Moore-level story.
-
104
-
105
-
106
-
107
-
108
of 110 Next