Down but not out
Wow! This book is back on the MAP for me! I have kept this book on my pull list post Johns because I am a fan of Willingham and I have to say with these last 2 issues I think he is hitting his stride. JSA vs Nazi's is a good classic JSA story that is hard to beat!
We start this issue with the flash forward 20 years with Mr. Terrific continuing his memoirs. The final requirement before execution by his forth Reich captors. Through his narration we flash back to the present and the fight, the one they lose that will cause the future world to be ruled by the American, soon to be World Reich, that is taking place. We go thru some good action/fight scenes seeing the invaders being defeated one after the other. I particularly love it when Dr Mid-Nite punches the insane lights out of Kid Karnevil. The action was well scripted and characterization was dead on. Even the fight scene between Wildcat and Hunter when he is going off about how the villain smells. I laughed out loud at this! We end back in the future with a gathering of heroes who have been de-powered by the Darkness Engine. I would say with all the high points of the book up to this point, this part really knocked this issue out of the park for me. A Superman with a missing eye, Batman, Ollie, Blue Beetle (Jamie, not Ted) etc. These guys all show wear from the battle they fought and are still fighting! There was some foreshadowing of how this will all be corrected/reversed. Well written story.
Jesus Merino's art is solid here. The addition of Jesse Delperdang as his inker takes a little away from Merino inking his own stuff but if this helps him to complete the book on time and every month I will trade some of his flair for it. No real stand out panels but that cover is beautiful!
This book is once again in top notch form. I knew that Willingham could do it and he did not let me down! This is a big "go buy it recommendation" from me.