TITLE: JLA/JSA – Virtue and Vice TPB
YEAR: October 1, 2003
COMPANY: DC Comics
Writers: David S. Goyer & Geoff Johns
Penciller: Carlos Pacheco
Inker: Jesus Merino
Letterer: Keo Lopez
Colorist: Guy Major
Cover Penciler: Carlos Pacheco
Cover Inker: Jesus Merino
Cover Colorist: Guy Major
Presidet & Editor-in-Chief: Jenette Khan
As I continue my foray into newer comic book stories from 2000 and on and also wanting to see how much comics books storylines have changed since my years of reading comic books, I recently read the DC Comics crossover, “JLA/JSA – Virtue & Vice”.
For anyone who has followed the Justice League of America back in the day, one always look forward to the crossovers with the Justice Society of America and sometimes you would see another team, the All Star Squadron.
The book begins with Superman and Sentinel (Alan Scott- Green Lantern) talking about their numerous Thanksgiving meetups.
But trouble breaks loos as Apokolips attacks President Lex Luthor and Vixen and as the fight is quickly diffused, problems escalate when for some reason the JLA and JSA start to turn on each other and others start behaving strangely.
And as things start to spiral out of control, the Martian Manhunter manages to send an emergency message to Zatanna and the JLA reserves, Firestorm, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Sand and Hourman and the members try to figure out who is responsible for the problems that are occurring.
Having read many JLA/JSA storylines, I suppose I had my hopes set too high.
One of the major positives is that there are so many superheroes featured in one book. But at the same time, this also works out as a negative.
Too many characters could make or break a story depending on how they are utilized and in this book, certain characters were featured but underutilized.
Back in the day, these collaborations would be featured in a giant-sized issue or multiple issues, while 94-pages may seem like a lot and the writers ended the book with your typical happy ending, seeing superheroes not behaving themselves and bickering among each other started to get old.
For artwork, I will give major props to penciller Carlos Pacheco, who did a very good job for this booklet. And inker, Jesus Merino and colorist Guy Major also did a solid job.
While I found the conclusion to end satisfyingly well, I can’t help but feel that I’ve read much better JLA/JSA storylines, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns’ “JLA/JSA Virtue and Vice” was OK.