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    Justice League of America #173

    Justice League of America » Justice League of America #173 - Testing of a Hero! released by DC Comics on December 1979.

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    The Justice League of America surreptitiously observes Black Lightning, to determine if he is worthy of membership in the League. Black Lightning apprehends four pawn shop burglars. The Green Arrow contends that Black Lightning is exactly the kind of member the League needs, on account of his being black. The Flash balks at adding a member based on skin color, rightfully calling it tokenism.

    The Flash and the Green Arrow, nearly come to blows. Superman suggests an initiation test for Black Lightning, to see if the street hero has what it takes to become a member of the League. The Regulator prepares to make his debut. While thankful for Black Lightning's assistance, Inspector Henderson warns Black Lightning that vigilantism is frowned upon.

    Black Lightning is attacked by Primak and the Human Starburst, as he departs police headquarters. Black Lightning defeats Primak, and the Human Starburst. One of Hederson's officers notes something strange about Primak. An army of rodents take down a security guard, then break into a S.T.A.R. Labs facility, heralding the arrival of the Regulator. Black Lightning is attacked by the Trans-Visible Man.

    The assault of the Trans-Visible Man pushes Black Lightning to the edge of rage. The Swashbuckler attacks Black Lightning. Black Lightning mercilessly beats the Swashbuckler, but stops short of killing him. The Swashbuckler is revealed to be the Green Arrow. The Justice League of America confront Black Lightning. After reveling their initiation test, the Justice League of America offer Black Lightning a place on their roster. Black Lightning declines membership in the Justice League of America.

    Notes:

    • "The DC Feature Page" 1 page text piece featuring "It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's the Answer Man!" by Bob Rozakis and "DC Profiles Number 52: Todd Klein" a highlight of letterer Todd Klein.
    • This issue contains the Hostess Superhero Ad, Wonder Woman in "Wonder Woman Saves the Astronauts".
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    2.0 stars

    Average score of 2 user reviews

    This issue is a jive bunch of turkeys, not the JLA 0

    To be honest when reading this I didn't know that Black Lightning used to talk like Shaft in order to hide his mild mannered occupation as a teacher.  Which left me shaking my head for the first few panels until I figured that out (but of course that in turn made the cover make a lot less sense.)  The concept behind the issue is kind of weird.  The JLA is debating whether they should take on Black Lightning as a member and so they decide to test him, and so they set up a series of challenges for...

    6 out of 8 found this review helpful.

    Out of character 0

    Another weak issue in a run of weaker issues in what was the height of the Justice League of America's power and popularity in the early 1980s. With already two straight issue dealing with a lame murder mystery, this issue does not rebound by throwing in some great adversary or even a compelling action sequence. Instead it runs threw the motions with a Black Lightning story that mostly is out of character for everyone involved. There is even some bickering within the team that seems out of c...

    1 out of 1 found this review helpful.
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