All Star Archives

(DC, 1991-2005)
™ and © DC Comics

In the foreword to the latest installment of Archives of the original super-hero team, Roy Thomas calls these stories the “crème de la crème,” the best of the best of the Golden Age of comics. It’s not hard to see why.

These archives include some of the best-remembered stories from The Justice Society’s too-short original run. Starting off the latest volume is “The Wiles of The Wizard,” introducing one of The JSA’s greatest foes — great enough that The Wizard was practically able to defeat the team single-handedly. All-Star was famous for its time-travel stories, and one of the best is here. In #35’s “The Day That Dropped out of Time,” Per Degaton (whom Thomas would use when he introduced The All-Star Squadron in the 1980s) makes his first appearance, showing up again two issues later as a charter member of The Injustice Society, also reprinted here. And #38 rounds out the set, as The JSA faces off against Genghis Khan, Captain Kidd, Nero, and more in the aptly titled “History’s Crime Wave.”

But the best story of all in this volume, and perhaps in the entire series, is #36’s simply titled “5 Drowned Men.” It’s a chilling (and slightly improbable) tale of revenge but it’s noteworthy because it marks the first time that honorary members Superman and Batman make full-fledged guest appearances (instead of mere cameos).

Many of the Archives seem to suffer in the “reconstruction” process — comparing some Archives stories with their Golden Age originals, it’s amazing how poor the pages look in such a high-quality (and high-priced) format. But the most recent volume is a welcome change. Young Joe Kubert’s Hawkman looks fantastic; Carmine Infantino’s Flash in #37 hints at the Silver Age greatness to come. For once, the format is a credit to them and all the other great artists represented here.

— Stephen C. George

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