If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4643)....

 Superhero Anydays

Today we have some pinups of the lineups of Earth-2's Justice Society Of America in different periods, done by iconic artists of that time.  (I know I've posted some of these before, but who cares?)

First, we have by Jerry Oreway (a JSA artist for EVERY era) a copy of the cover of All-Star #3 in the 40s, the first apperance of the JSA together, drawn originall by Everett Hibbart. 

Clockwise from lower left: The Atom, Sandman, Spectre, The Flash, Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Green Lantern, and Hawkman. 

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This is, by Murphy Anderson, the team in the 1960s. 

- Batman, Superman

- Spectre, Hawkman, Hourman, The Flash, Wildcat, Mr. Terrific, Johnny Thunder, Starman

Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Sandman, Dr. Mid-Nite, Dr. Fate, Red Tornado I, Red Tornado II, Black Canary

- The Atom, Robin

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In the 70s, during the JSA revival, Joe Staton, drew the most issues of the team. 

-Mr. Terrific, Dr. Mid-Nite, Johnny Thunder, Superman, Johnny's Magic Thunderbolt, Batman, Red -Tornado I, Wonder Woman, Red Tornado II, Spectre

-Sandman, The Atom, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, Starman

-Dr. Fate, The Flash, Hawkman, Power Girl, Hourman, Star-Spangled Kid, Wildcat, Green Lantern, Robin

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And from the 80s, we have the team, as drawn by The Maestro George Perez.

-Johnny's Magic Thunderbotl, Robin, Hourman, Wonder Woman, Superman, 

-Star-Spangled Kid, The Atom, Hawkman, Huntress, The Flash, Dr. Fate

-Johnny Thunder, Green Lantern, Power Girl, Dr. Mid-Nite, Wildcat

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4633)....

 Superhero Anydays

Today we have a splash page panel from an All-Star Comic in the later 70s, and it shows the lineup of Earth-2's Justice Society of America at the time (minus The Atom, for some reason).

In the back, left to right we have: Batman in his Bruce Wayne persona, Power Girl, and Dr Fate.

Around the table we have: Superman, Hourman, Dr. Mid-Nite, Star-Spangled Kid, Hawkman, Starman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Robin, Wonder Woman and Wildcat

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And today we also have two cosplayers doing Batman enemies: Scarecrow and Two-Face.

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4633)...

 Superhero Anydays

Today, by the Canadian John Byrne, we have two of the most powerful members of Earth-2's Justice Society of America: Dr. Fater and Green Lantern. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4631)...

Superhero Anydays

Today we have a cover of Justice League Of America #184 redone by TJ Frias. 

This particular issue was part of a trilogy of the annual teamup between the JLA and Earth-2's JSA and in this trilogy, they joined with the New Gods to battle Darkseid and his minions.   This cover shows, clockwise from upper right: Power Girl (JSA), Dr. Fate (JSA), Orion (New Gods), Wonder Woman (JSA), Huntress (JSA), Batman (JLA), Green Lantern (JLA), Oberon (New Gods), Mister Miracle (New Gods), Big Barda (New Gods), Firestorm (JLA), Superman (JLA) all surrounding the head of Darkseid.

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Also today we have a coplayer doing one of The Flash's super-villains: Abra Kadabra. 

The cape I always thought would be difficult, but this guy pulled it off. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4626)....

 Superhero Anydays

So, today we have some panels from an early Justice League Comic book.  It's tbe first teamup back in the mid 60s where the JLA teams up with Earth-2's JSA and they take on "The Crime Champions".  Naturally, the teams split up to go to various places to battle the villains.  And then afterwards, when the villains are together gloating at their 'success', the actually undefeated heroes charge and beat them all at once. 

I never really like these panels when I read them as reprints.  IT's not the Mike Sekowsky stiff artwork (though that was something that needed overcome), it's the fact that it takes 16 heroes from both earths to beat 6 villains, villians of a not overwhelming caliber.  Just didn't seem fair.  But whatever, I digress...

Hawkman (JSA), The Atom (JSA), Green Lantern (JLA) defeat The Fiddler (Earth-2)

Dr. Fate (JSA), Batman (JLA), The Flash (JLA) defeat Felix Faust (Earth-1)

Black Canary (JSA), Martian Manhunter (JLA) defeat Chonoes (Earth-1)

The Atom (JLA), Hourman (JSA), Green Arrow (JLA) vs Icicle (Earth-2)

Aquaman (JLA), Wonder Woman (JLA) The Flash (JSA) vs The Wizard (Earth-2)

Green Lantern (JSA), Superman (JLA) vs Dr. Alchemy (Earth-1)

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4623)......

 Superhero Anydays

Don't know the artist, but it's a rather beaufitul rendition of some JSA members. 

In back and above: The Flash, Green Lantern, Wildcat

Dr. Fate, Obsidian, Stargirl, Jakeem Thunder, The Magic Thunderbolt, Hawkgirl, Sand, Jade, Huntress, Power Girl, Captain Marvel, Mr. Terrific, Wonder Woman

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And today we also have a cosplayer doing the 'original' Captain American Isaiah Bradley.

POLT

Appreciate, then you can, ring my bell (Part 102)....

 Perez Appreciation Post

The Maestro George Perez took over the artist duties of the Justice League of America when it's longtime artist, Dick Dillon, died suddenly of a heart attack.  And he kept that duty until he moved on a few years later to become artist and cocreator of the New Teen Titans.  But he still found time over the next couple years to do the covers for the JLA.   This is one such cover JLA #207 from 1982.

This is one of the annual crossovers between Earth-1's JLA and Earth-2's Justice Society Of America.  This time around, it includes a team-up from Earth-2's World War II era team The All-Star Squadon.  And they're all going against the reverse-Earth, Earth-3's supers, the Crime Syndicate of America. 

So this Perez cover shows, on the left, headshots of the JLA team: Aquaman, Firestorm, Hawkman, Superman and Zatanna.  On the left we have headshorts of the JSA team: Dr. Fate, Green Lantern, Huntress, Power Girl and Starman.  And acorss the bottle we have the All-Star team headshots: Firebrand, Johnny Quick, Liberty Belle, Robotman, and Steel. 

And in the center panel, we have the Crime Syndicate rushing out of the cube used to move between Earth-1 and Earth-2 to attack the JLA!

Top to bottom: Emerald Ring, Johnny Quick, Ultraman, Owlman, and Superwoman.

Despite the amazing covers by The Maestro, and a pretty good storyline, the interior art was by the horrid Don Heck.  His art was always blocky and stiff and just...ugly to me. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4615)....

 Superhero Anydays

Don't know the artist, but their work is pretty damn good.   This is the original 8 founders of the Justice Society Of America first joined together in All-Star Comics #3 in November 1940.

Clockwise from bottom: The Flash, The Atom, Hourman, Dr. Fate, Hawkman, The Spectre, Sandman and Green Lantern in the middle. 

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And today we also have a cosplayer doing The Joker from the first Batman movie in 1989. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4609).....

 Superhero Anydays

Today, by the Always Amazing Alex Ross we have his painting of a bunch of DC heroes, past, present and future. 

In front we have the JSA of Earth-2's WWII era: Hourman, Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Johnny Thunder, The Flash, Spectre and Green Lantern

in the middle we have the modern JLA of Earth-1: Aquaman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, The Flash and Green Lantern

And in he Time Bubble above them all, we have the three founders the Legion of Super-Heroes from the 30th Century: Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy

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And today we also have a double-flexing Wonder Man cosplayer. 

POLT

I would not sell my collection, for if I did, I would cry (Part 128)....

 Today In The History Of Polt's Comic Book Collection

Today, we travel back 40 years to July of 1986 and DC Comics' special one-shot The Last Days Of The  Justice Society Of America.

A lil backstory:  in the 1940s, DC Comics published the JSA.  By 1953 or so, the only heroes still being published were Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, all the others were canceled, including the JSA title.  IN the very late 50s, they became publishing renewed heroes (in addition to the big three) with new powers, secret identities, etc.   In the very early 60s, some of them banded together, like the JSA, but known as the Justice League of America. 

The heroes met, but it was decided the new heroes (JLA) would be on Earth-1 and the older ones would be on Earth-2.  Basically the same civilization, but in a different parallel universe and with minor diffences.  But it didn't stop there.  Over the years DC added Earth-3, Earth-4, Earth-5, Earth-S, Earth-X, Earth-C, among many many others. 

Twenty years later, in the early 80s, the powers that be at DC decided it was all too much and too confusing (which while being incorrect was also just stupid).   Their "solution" was the 12 issue maxi-series: Crisis On Infinite Earths.   At the end of it, all the paralle universes were wiped out, except for 5 of them: 1, 2, 4, S & X.  But this meant than now, there were 2 Supermans, Batmans, Wonder Womans (Green Arrows, Aquamans, etc, etc, etc) one from the Erath-2 of 40s and one more modern from Earth-1.   And there were the older members of the JSA, now into their 60s or 70s and the powers the be (again, erroneriously and stupidily) decided those old heroes wouldn't appeal to the fans, so they needed to go away.  Thus, the Last Days Of The JSA. 

It wasn't a great story.  Through magic the JSA (except for a couple members who DC had plans with) were sent to fight Surtur and his allies in the Norse apocolype Ragnarok.  And then they died, they were reborn to fight on and die and be reborn and fight on...forever.  Should the battle ever end, they were told, then Ragnarok would end and the entire world would die in flame.

Dumb stupid idea, dumb stupid story. 

And that's what this issue is about.  

Thankfully, a few years later, DC found a way to undo this (I don't remember how, I like to forget the entire crap done to the JSA at this time) and the heroes returned.  For a while.  Less then 10 years later, DC tried got rid of most of the JSA again, through 'actual' death this time in Zero Hour.  But that's another story. 

This issue which I own was a low point in JSA history, and frankly, a low point in DC Comcis history for making it happen in the first place. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4602)....

 Superhero Anydays

When The Maestro George Perez had passed, a bunch of artists got together ad did works that were put together into a tribute.   This is the contribution of Jerry Ordway, the master of Earth-2 art.  And it shows a batch of members from the Justice Society of America in the WWII era Golden Age.

Sprawled in front is The Atom

Standing: Wonder Woman, Hourman, Hawkman, Wildcat, The Flash, Green Lantern, Superman, Starman, Dr. Mid-Nite, the Star-Spangled Kid, and Dr. Fater

The Spectre hovers above them all. 

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And today we also have a Hawkeye cosplayer. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4599)....

 Superhero Anydays

Today by Mel Ford we have a bunch of JSAers, possibly on a promotional poster.

Top: Green Lantern, Mr. Terrific, Starman

Middle: Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Spectre

Bottom: Hourman, Dr. Fate, Stargirl

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And today we also have  a cute gender bent Jubilee cosplayer. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4598)....

 Superhero Anydays

Today we have a panel, drawn by Dick Dillon, from a JLA comic book, during one of their annual team-ups with Earth-2's JSA and the Legion of Super-Heroes from the 30th Century. 

In front we have Superman (JLA), Batman (JLA), Black Canary (JLA), Green Arrow (JLA), The Flash (JSA), Shadow Lass (Legion), Princess Projectra (Legion), Green Lantern (JSA), Power Girl, (JSA), Green Lantern (JLA), and Wildfire (Legion)

In back: Chameleon Boy (Legion), Hawkman (JSA), Ultra Boy (Legion), Lightning Lad (Legion), Dr. Fate (JSA). 

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Today we also have an internet celeb (who's name I cannot currently recall) cosplaying as a gender bent Storm!

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4594).....

 Superhero Anydays

Don't know the artist, can't read his signature, but here's most of the members of Earth-2's Justice Society Of America. 

Front; Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman

Second row: The Atom, Green Lantern, The Flash, Wildcat

Third row: Starman, Sandman, Johnny Thunder, Hourman, Dr. Fate

Back Row: Dr. Mid-Nite, Johnny Thunder's Magic Thunderbolt, Hawkman, Hawkgirl

And Spectre over them all in back.

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And today we also have a cosplayer doing a gender bent Rogue, when the X-Men were trapped in the Savage Land. 

POLT

Appreciate, then you can, ring my bell (Part 99).....

 Perez Appreciation Post

Today, by the Maestro George Perez, we have this closeup of  cover of a Justice League comic book, #197 if I recall correctly.   It was one of annual teamups between the JLA of Earth-1 and the JSA of Earth-2.  This was the third of a trilogy of issues dealing with this teamup.  And here, we have Perez's version of the ten heroes involved from both Earths.  (I know I posted something like this before, but not a closeup like this).

Clockwise from upper left: Firestorm (JLA), Hawkman (JSA), Johnny Thunder and his Magic Thunderbolt (JSA), Batman (JLA), Wonder Woman (JLA), The Atom (JLA), Superman (JSA), Black Canary (JLA), Hourman (JSA), The Flash (JSA).

Blow this pic up and check out the details: the different faces, the wings of Hawkman, The powers around Firestorm's hands, etc.   Just an incredibly gifted artist, taken too soon. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4573).....

 Superhero Anydays

Today, in black and white by Jerry Ordway, we have a bunch of Earth-2's World War II era heroes, some in the JSA, some in the All-Star Squadron, some in both. 

In the air: Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Green Lantern, Dr. Fate, Starman

On the ground: Hourman, Wildcat, Johnny Quick, Dr. Mid-Nite, The Flash, The Atom, Black Canary, and Mr. Terrific.

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And today we also have two gender bent X-Men cosplayers!

Phoenix (how does he walk in those heels???) and Storm.

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4571)......

 Superhero Anydays

So again, by Neverknew Lane, we have something I might have posted already, but it's worth posting again.  It's a batch of Justice Society members charging off to the left towards something. 

In the air: Dr. Fate, Green Lentern, Power Girl, Star-Spangled Kid, Huntress

On the ground: The Atom, Wildcat, The Flash, Sandman

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And today we also have a Green Arrow cosplayer. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4570)....

 Superhero Anydays

Today, by a Golden Age artist Sheldon Moldoff, we have some members of Earth-2's Justice Society Of America (and an uninvited guest).

In front: The Flash and Green Lantern

In middle: Hourman, Dr. Mid-Nite (and his 'sidekick' Hooty), Wonder Woman, Starman, Sandman, Dr. Fate, Hawkman, The Arom, and Black Canary

In the back: The Spectre

Up above: Batman, Superman and Bat-Mite (a lil extradimensional imp who bothered Batman)

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Also, we have a Cyclops cosplayer who's barely in even IN a Cyclops costume. 

Looks pretty damn good though.....

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4566).....

 Superhero Anydays

This by Stephen Sadowski and it's the final page of the new JSA comic from 1999.  It shows several generations of the Justice Society Of America (the founders from the 40s, their 'kids' from the 70s and the their 'kids' from the 90s). 

Up top: Hourman III, Atomsmasher, Green Lantern I

Middle: Black Canary II, The Flash I, Hawkgirl II, Wildcat I

In front: Starman VIII, Stargirl, Sandy

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And today we also have a cosplayer doing Wonder Woman. 

POLT

If I were a hero, I'd be Martin Luther (Part 4565)....

 Superhero Anydays

This black and white drawing by someone named Bret Booth shows six members of the later Justice Society Of America (later as in circa 1980).

Clockwise from bottom left: Robin, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Power Girl, Huntress and The Flash. 

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And today we also have a cosplayer doing Batman's enemy Killer Croc. 

POLT