Letters to Justice Society of America #3

Glad you thought so, l1701e! This issue actually posted on time--- it was scheduled five weeks out because I knew it was going to be extra-sized, and I'd need the extra time!

Though this does seem like a good time to announce #4 may be delayed due to my cover artist being out of commission for a while. I promise that this issue will see the light of day ASAP, but I won't put it out unless it is good enough for my peeps!

But how about that last-minute save from Riz!?! Could I have gotten any luckier, or a more awesome picture? Huge props to Riz for coming to our rescue with a first-class image.

And thanks, also, to catsmeow, who sent me an image I'd love to share with everyone--- if I only had a photobucket account to post it! Unfortunately, the image is out-of-continuity as it shows Power Girl, who is not on the team (or in this issue), in the fight (to be fair to catsmeow, she did not have the issues to read when she agreed to take the assignment at the last minute). Still, she deserves special recognition as a fast (and quality) artist, a real team player!



It was pretty fun to write, too!



LOL! Genius! How come I didn't have the Wizard doing Gilbert and Sullivan...?!



It's the Teen Titans meets the JSA!



Could be worse: they could be cleaning out Hawkman's cage... ;D

(Hey, this is fun!)



Issue #4 is already written, and it's more favorite issue so far. I hope you will all agree !

Thanks for reading, l1701e, and, as always, for the awesome feedback! I do appreciate your support!

Thank you, Riz! And it was made possible by your last-minute rescue, for which I am extremely grateful!



This is a big overarcing storyline beginning here, and one that will take the JSA to places I can honestly say they've never been before...! I'm going to have to really work to get them there, but I think the pay-off will be worth it!



My thoughts excatly! This couldn't work in the regular DCU, but once I figured out that Tigress is Wildcat's daughter, it just seemed natural.

And you have no idea how bad I want to call Artemis Huntress...! If I didn't think it would cause too much confusion with the New Outsiders character, I would so go for it...!

Thanks for reading, Riz, and for the feedback!

You should be! He and Inza are in big trouble.



Corrigan is another kettle of fish altogether. That guy has handled power on a divine scale, he's an old pro!

But he's gonna be in for it, too!



Too true! The extent of what it takes to be a hero is going to be explored with these two, and it might get a little rough...

Thanks for reading, Jay, and for the feedback!

Isn't that always the way? One doesn't just take on a powerful magical artifact like the Helm of Nabu and expect to be able to use and abuse it without earning it...? And, like anything else, there are consequences to failure.

But this comment got me thinking: how did the various members of the Injustice Society fare after this issue? Glad you asked! Here's a rundown:

the Monocle: dead
the Wizard: mental hospital
Black Adam: imprisoned at the Rock
Ragdoll: imprisoned
the Fiddler: imprisoned
the Shade: escaped
Gentleman Ghost: escaped
Solomon Grundy: missing
Tigress: conscripted into the JSA
the Icicle: conscripted into the JSA


Not great job security, that team! But, to paraphrase Hawkman, that's what happens when you come after the JSA...!



This is definately an element of Hourman that cannot be ignored, Brian. To paraphrase Stan Lee, now, with great power comes great consequence.

And the same can be said about certain other young JSAers, as well.




Ha! That was my favorite scene to write this issue. Contrary to my opnions on the Batman family, the JSA really is a family, and I like showing that. As far as Rex is concerned, he did his thing, and he's proud to pass the torch to his son. It's Rick's turn to be the Man of the Hour.



Davbid Knight is a little like an original character here, as we never did get to see much of his career as Starman. I am interested in him precisely because he does have doubts. He wasn't meant to be a hero--- Jack was. It'll be fun to see that play out.

Although, it should be noted that David Knight is the Starman of Gotterdammerung, some 20+ years in the future, so...




LOL! Thank you, sir! I didn't want to dwell on the battle too much in this issue as just plain brawling can be kinda boring. The trick is to do little character moments, and move the story along as much as possible. Hope I did that!



I'm on the fence about it myself, but all the cool cats are doing it, so I thought I'd give it a try... What do you think? Does it make the issue more or less manageable? Does it look better, aesthetically?



Corrigan's quest, the Spectre and the missing Dr. Fate... This is all part of the longest storyarc I'm doing with this title, and, I hope, a grand, epic adventure! That story will be a crucible from which the JSA may not escape unscathed.

In other words, they will be scathed.

(Now imagine me saying the above in a George Bush accent and chuckle, and it will seem funnier)



He's becomming one of my faves, too. I see him and Jade as two sides of the Starheart, and as such, potentially a being with powers on a cosmic scale.

On a side note, check out the latest issue of Goeff Johns' JSA for a freakin' cool GL/Obie moment!



Thanks, Brian! we appreciate the feedback!

There were just too many cool things this issue that reminded me why I admire you as a writer David. There is a parallel to your style that I find in all top notch writers of character fiction. The only way I can think to describe it is to compare you to a manager or coach of a team. You know the ultimate goal is to win but you do it by focusing on one play at a time.

You set the story up as a big epic battle that moves the story along at an incredible pace but thats only the surface of the story. It's what you do a few layers down that makes the story magical. What really drives the story home is what you do with the characters in between (or during) the major battle sequences. Each character shines when you give the reader a glimpses of who they are or what they are about. A few examples:

David Knight panicking in battle but then turning around and in total awe of the Flash.

Jay taking off his mask to comfort Deanna.

Carter not being able to switch off battle mode too quickly but showing genuine concern when Wildcat was 'missing' ...but not too much.

Rex Tyler witnessing his son 'carry on' for him.

Not to mention Tigress and Icicle taking a different path even if it was reluntantly.


In the end the JSA saved the day and the Injustice Society was defeated but there remained a few lingering questions:

Where are the Kent's? Where is the Spectre if not with Jim Corrigan? But more importantly when are Rick Tyler and Jesse Quick gonna hook up?

As always another great issue all around. It goes without saying (but I will anyway) that Riz kicked out a killer cover in Jim's absence too.

Eagerly awaiting the next installment....

You know, usually I try to respond in the lettercols with a certain tongue-in-cheek insouciance, but to this I can only say with all sincerity: Thank you. Feedback like that is not only appreciated, but cockle-warming (okay, so maybe some insouciance snuck in there ).



Those are the questions, indeed!

You might get the answer to one of them next issue, though...



I really appreciate you supporting this title, John; thanks humbly for the feedback!

Thanks for checking out the backissues, Jamie! One of the great things about a site like this is that all the backissues are available (no hunting them down on eBay!) and folks can pick up a title at any point--- the beginning if they want--- and just jump in!



"Wordmaster", huh? Do I get a +3 Pen of Enchantment with that, or a Keyboard of Ultimate Charm?

(I don't know why I couldn't refrain from some bad D&D humor there... Flashing back to the 80s, I guess!)



Why, thank you, sir! Fight scenes have the potential to be the most boring section of a fan fic. They're tricky suckers to write, and if it isn't about character or plot, you're going to lose the reader.



Nice comparison, actually. There is a big difference between Rick and David, or maybe they're two sides of the same coin: David is a thinker, and Rick is a doer.



Funny you should mention that... I always have to be careful not to favor Hawkman (along with Superman, my favorite DC superhero), so maybe his character arc is a bit subtle--- but look for clues to his angst in JSA #4, and it comes to a head at the end of #6.



Exactly what I was going for. There are going to be casualties when going up against folks like the Inhustice Society--- and especially the brutal Black Adam! Bulleteer is lucky to be alive, and this is a lesson the younger members are going to have to learn.



Wildcat is a lot more fun to write than I ever imagined. He's quickly becomming a favorite. BTW, that whole nine lives thing is sort of a one-trick pony--- I'm glad I was able to get away with it once, but (as Ted mentions in JSA #7), he doesn't have that to fall back on anymore.

On the same track, my All-Star Comics #13 reveals that, with the death of Hath-Set and the breaking of the curse, Hawkman (and Hawkwoman's) cycle of reincarnation has ended as well. It's one of the reasons Carter is greiving so much--- with the death of Shiera, he believes his immortal beloved is gone for good.

Not sure if many people caught that.



Yeah, I thought that was a pretty fun concept--- but I have to give credit where it's due: I got the idea from Grant Morrison's Klarion the Witch-Boy Seven Soldiers mini.



Starman is one of those guys who is always sensitive, super-nice, and will go to great lengths for his friends (in short, he's Brian Burchette), and will indeed develop a closer relationship with Todd--- but if you really want to find out who he ends up with, you can always check out my Gotterdammerung series, chronicling the dark future of the DC2 (three issues posted, currently on hiatus).

Thanks very much for reading, Jamie! I appreciate the feedback!