Justice League of America

What exactly is the Starheart, and could this mean the return of Alan Scott? 
 

The Good

James Robinson successfully meshes the Justice League characters with members of the Justice Society in this issue. The two teams are well represented and interact well with one another. Robinson draws on elements such as the " Starheart" and incorporates them into the storyline virtually effortlessly. I found myself thinking that the writer must have had new readers in mind when he wrote this considering how organized the issue is laid out. Alan Scott is well represented in this issue, and readers are given a brief introduction to his character as well as the significance of the "Starheart." If you haven't been reading up on the series, this issue is a good place to start since it acts as a prelude to a new story arc that will feature Alan Scott. However, is this the Alan Scott we know and love?
 
While he appeared rather briefly, I really enjoyed the portrayal of Mr. Terrific's character in this issue. I thought his dialogue was, well, terrific. Yeah, I went there. Often times in major team books I feel certain characters are neglected, but Robinson really brings Mr. Terrific's character to the forefront as the representative of the JSA.
 
While I have never been much of a fan of Jade's character, I really enjoyed her portrayal here. Prior to this issue, I always felt that Jade was simply Kyle Rayner's ex girlfriend, and I really felt that Robinson tried to define her character here. In this issue, Robinson delves considerably into Jade's character by addressing her present situation- in fact, at times it seems she is almost psychoanalyzing herself. Robinson is defining her character by giving her a personality while simultaneously setting up for a major event that is sure to impact her tremendously.
 
Mark Bagley not only draws some stunning pictures, but he captures the full momentum and emotion of all of the characters in this issue. The two side by side pages of Alan Scott and Jade two pages into the issue really stood out to me and it felt almost like a foreshadowing of things to come.
 

The Bad

My only real complaint was that Power Girl seems to get lost in this issue. One minute she is there, the next she is gone. However, so much happened in this book that explaining what had happened to PG might have just cramped the story and is something I assume will be addressed in the following issue.
 

The Verdict - 5/5

Action packed! James Robinson's Justice League of America is one of the best superhero team books out right now, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite DC titles. This coming from a reader who struggles with team books. Robinson has a grasp and understanding of his characters and it shows.  

  

Story 
This issue starts where we left off from last week's issue. The JSA is really unsure of whether Alan is alive or dead. Jade is very angry upon her return in the starheart. The JSA is taking Alan somewhere until their plane is destroyed by Powergirl flying beyond super speed. They land right where the JLA is and Powergirl is headed towards them ready to fight, but when Supergirl arrives there is a massive show down between Powergirl and Supergirl. Bill called Supergirl over because he knew something was going to happen and that they could use the help. The fight goes on until Jade hits Powergirl with some of her green energy. Powergirl's mind was under some kind of hypnotic spell. Jade tells about Alan's origin. Felix prediction of the world ending is near correct when areas of the world are being troubled. Finally Alan wakes up, but something isn't right. He is wearing this robot suit and says that he wants the world to end. 
 
Writing: I thought this issue was very well written. I loved Jade's reaction when she wakes up. I also like how she handled how her father woke up. The fight between Powergirl and Supergirl was awesome. 
 
Characters: I love how James Robinson writes his characters. Batman still knows everything and Donna is a big team player. I love Bill's part in this issue. I feel like he is really apart of the team now. 
 
Dialogue: The dialogue was okay. It was anything special. 
 
Art 
I liked the art in this issue. 
 
Cover: The cover I thought was excellent. I loved seeing the Powergirl and Supergirl fight on the cover because it got me even more excited to see how it would play out. 
  
Penciling: I think the penciling is very good and detailed. To me it doesn't come out as sketchy. 
 
Coloring: I love the coloring of the characters, but the background blends in way too much with the sky. 
 
Favorite Pages and Why. 
Pages 2 and 3 just looked awesome. 8 and 9 was really cool because I am a major fan of Powergirl. 12 and 13 were so cool because that is when they were just starting to fight. 20 because we saw what Jade's powers are really capable of. Page 30 was crazy because I didn't expect it.

 
Reasons to and not to pick it up. 
Reasons to pick it up: The story was great and it was an amazing cross over between the JLA and the JSA. This issue had an amazing fight scene. 
Reasons not to pick it up: Just some coloring issues and I don't feel like the JLA's reaction in this issue to Jade being back was handled properly. 
Overall: Pick it up! 
 Rating: 4 out of 5.

I always liked Jade of Infinity Inc., but she was never one of my top favorites DC characters. I did, however, enjoy the romantic  triangle between my favorite heroine, Donna Troy, favorite Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, and herself. Eventually I grew to love the idea of Kyle and Jade (Jennifer-Lynne Hayden) as a couple, but tragically Jenni-Lynne was killed in the Infinite Crisis. But Jade has returned and whats' more, her return to Earth has sparked another reunion between the Justice League and  Justice Society  of America! 
 
James Robinson is definite DC Universe history buff and as this issue's current writer, he's absolutely putting his knowledge to use with well over a dozen characters composed for this tale. Backed by the once-again dynamic pencils of Mark Bagley and inkers Rob Hunter and Norm Rapmund, this issue was faced paced with only a few important interludes. I'm a little unsure how I feel about Supergirl's appearance and I'm somewhat hopeful the rumors of her induction to the League are untrue, but I'll give Robinson a chance to win me over (he has with Congorilla). My one question, that I think I posed last review, what is the exact line up of the JLA? We seem to have four full-time members, but what of Cyborg and Dr. Light? Surely their powers, skills, and expertise would be beneficial on an adventure like this. Here's hoping Donna or Batman call in reinforcements and soon! 
 
~ Hype

Story:Alan Scott goes to Jade and we understand what is the Starheart and what is going on.
The Good:In the story of the Starheart and the origin story of Alan Scott we also get what actually happened with Atlas and there are readings that are showing us that other heroes are affected too,even Power Girl.
With the return of Jade we also get Supergirl in the JLA team fighting herself but from another world,Power Girl.The fight is really well illustrated by Mark Bagley and the story is really thrilling and exciting.
The look of Alan Scott in the end of the issue was really much like the costume of Hal Jordan when he was Parallax and that is interesting for me.
The Bad:Nothing bad and that is amazing because from the begining of the run of Robinson there were always bad things.
Overall:James Robinson makes a good start for an arc.
5/5