What do you think?
Rate this book
JSA (1999)
JSA, Vol. 8: Black Reign
Aided by Nemesis, Brainwave, Eclipso, Northwind and the JSAs former teammate Atom-Smasher, Black Adam brings old world justice to Kahndaq. His reasons are just, he proclaims, righting wrongs from millennia ago. The current population, though, doesnt necessarily want his help. Hawkman seizes control of the JSA and brings them to the turbulent Middle East where an epic battle, a long time in the making, is finally waged. The resolution will not be easy or pain-free, but it must be done. Fortunately, the Winged Wonder has a plan....
Collecting: JSA 56-58 & Hawkman 23-25
Collecting: JSA 56-58 & Hawkman 23-25
144 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
14 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,716 books2,410 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 5, 2022
This is like one of the best JSA stories easily and also Black Adam's!
So we see Black adam taking over Kahndaq along with his allies in Atom smasher, Brainwave, Northwind, Nemesis and Eclipso (Alex) and then we see how JSA react to it and it has some of the wildest scenes ever like the fight between them and what happens next, its bloody and brutal and some get taken down, we get to see the Savagery of Hawkman here and some good moments with Dr Fate too and I like how Johns weaves this smaller narrative beats within the larger story and an interesting status-quo for both BA and the JSA at large!
Its a dark story for sure but really does challenge the team in interesting ways and I like how Johns also gives everyone their moments here, the art is firing on all cylinders for sure and like I said new status quo, this is one of those must read stories that will really make you love the team and characters at large!
So we see Black adam taking over Kahndaq along with his allies in Atom smasher, Brainwave, Northwind, Nemesis and Eclipso (Alex) and then we see how JSA react to it and it has some of the wildest scenes ever like the fight between them and what happens next, its bloody and brutal and some get taken down, we get to see the Savagery of Hawkman here and some good moments with Dr Fate too and I like how Johns weaves this smaller narrative beats within the larger story and an interesting status-quo for both BA and the JSA at large!
Its a dark story for sure but really does challenge the team in interesting ways and I like how Johns also gives everyone their moments here, the art is firing on all cylinders for sure and like I said new status quo, this is one of those must read stories that will really make you love the team and characters at large!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2014
The Justice Society stories don’t seem to be as widely read as some of the other titles in the DC Universe, yet they often showcase important events affecting DC continuity. In this instance, the Khandaq takeover by Black Adam. The JSA stories are a bit more serious than, say, Justice League stories. Characters actually die here.
The Black Reign sequence, collected here, deals not only with the actual takeover but also with the aftermath, as his former JSA colleagues gather together to confront him.
The JSA seeks to oust Black Adam as the new ruler of Khandaq, since he took the position by force. However, by doing so he saved countless children from slave labour and liberated the country from a dictator. The masses see him as a messiah, something which countermands the JSA’s crusade. It’s a great study in ambivalence, as members of the JSA call their own motives into question. There are some great scenes with Doctor Fate and Hawkman, and this is certainly one of the better character driven arcs I have read in a while. In the end there are no real heroes and no real villains, only people and perceptions.
Black Adam is a great character. He isn’t portrayed as truly evil, but his motives and ideals aren’t compatible with contemporary notions of democracy and freedom. His idea of fighting wrong is the judge, jury and executioner approach… and he is extremely powerful, which makes him rather adept at this. If you’ve read 52 and the subsequent events with Black Adam and want to have some idea where it all started, Black Reign should be on your reading list.
The JSA series always seems to be about sacrifice and Black Reign is no exception. A mention should also go to the characterization of Atom Smasher, whose struggle to reconcile himself with his actions makes for compelling reading. This is good, solid fare and highly recommended to anybody who enjoys comics.
The Black Reign sequence, collected here, deals not only with the actual takeover but also with the aftermath, as his former JSA colleagues gather together to confront him.
The JSA seeks to oust Black Adam as the new ruler of Khandaq, since he took the position by force. However, by doing so he saved countless children from slave labour and liberated the country from a dictator. The masses see him as a messiah, something which countermands the JSA’s crusade. It’s a great study in ambivalence, as members of the JSA call their own motives into question. There are some great scenes with Doctor Fate and Hawkman, and this is certainly one of the better character driven arcs I have read in a while. In the end there are no real heroes and no real villains, only people and perceptions.
Black Adam is a great character. He isn’t portrayed as truly evil, but his motives and ideals aren’t compatible with contemporary notions of democracy and freedom. His idea of fighting wrong is the judge, jury and executioner approach… and he is extremely powerful, which makes him rather adept at this. If you’ve read 52 and the subsequent events with Black Adam and want to have some idea where it all started, Black Reign should be on your reading list.
The JSA series always seems to be about sacrifice and Black Reign is no exception. A mention should also go to the characterization of Atom Smasher, whose struggle to reconcile himself with his actions makes for compelling reading. This is good, solid fare and highly recommended to anybody who enjoys comics.
July 5, 2016
Former JSA members are allied with Black Adam who is now against the JSA as he tries to liberate his home country, Kahndaq. Interesting ending.
Not sure why Hawkman is with the JSA and not the JLA but there's some History in there somewhere.
The overall political issue was presented better than I thought as the JSA tends to be myopic in their black and white thinking.
ARTWORK: B; STORY/PLOTTING: B to B plus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B to B plus; JSA MYTHOLOGY: B plus; ACTION SCENES: B plus; OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
Not sure why Hawkman is with the JSA and not the JLA but there's some History in there somewhere.
The overall political issue was presented better than I thought as the JSA tends to be myopic in their black and white thinking.
ARTWORK: B; STORY/PLOTTING: B to B plus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B to B plus; JSA MYTHOLOGY: B plus; ACTION SCENES: B plus; OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
November 6, 2011
This was another random pull from the library book shelves. It was a time that I'd read about in some of the other graphic novels that I'd read, a time when Black Adam brings to him some of the other heroes who were tired of being reactive instead of proactive, including Atom Smasher. Their first order of business is to take back Black Adam's home country, Kahndaq. But the JSA doesn't agree with Black Adam's methods and want to try to bring their errant friends home.
Black Adam is one of my favorite hero/villains so to read a bit more about him was enjoyable. And the more recent stories that I've read about Atom Smasher also made me want to know more about him as well. And this was a good story for both of those. The violence that happened in Kahndaq was a bit... disturbing. But I've kind of gotten used to that.
The best part of the book, however, was at the end. You get to see the future for Atom Smasher and the good things that happen to him. And that makes me feel better for how things ended. I'm really hoping that it's a future that comes to pass.
Black Adam is one of my favorite hero/villains so to read a bit more about him was enjoyable. And the more recent stories that I've read about Atom Smasher also made me want to know more about him as well. And this was a good story for both of those. The violence that happened in Kahndaq was a bit... disturbing. But I've kind of gotten used to that.
The best part of the book, however, was at the end. You get to see the future for Atom Smasher and the good things that happen to him. And that makes me feel better for how things ended. I'm really hoping that it's a future that comes to pass.
September 22, 2007
Aside from the creepy not-quite Alex Ross covers, this might be the best JSA story yet. Black Adam and his unnamed team (they do use the word justice a lot, though) take over his native Kahndaq, and the JSA, led by an angry Hawkman, fly in to stop him. The crux of the story is the moral dilemma of how far heroes should use their powers--if they can stop supervillains, why not stop tyrannical rulers? How much does might make right?
Beyond that theme, Geoff Johns adds great character and plot points, my favorite being the voice inside Atom Smasher's head telling him that maybe he shouldn't be teaming up with Black Adam.
I enjoyed Rags Morales' art (I guess I gotta start reading Hawkman). He does a great job conveying characters' emotions.
Beyond that theme, Geoff Johns adds great character and plot points, my favorite being the voice inside Atom Smasher's head telling him that maybe he shouldn't be teaming up with Black Adam.
I enjoyed Rags Morales' art (I guess I gotta start reading Hawkman). He does a great job conveying characters' emotions.
April 21, 2010
The Black Adam / Atom Smasher / Khandaq story arc excellently executes some hefty, important themes like heritage, responsibility, and idolization. And it does it in a way I think only comic books could. This arc made Atom Smasher one of my favorite characters in comics.
July 26, 2024
This was an interesting volume. It tells the tale of how Black Adam took over the rule of Khandaq.
Black Adam has taken over Khandaq. His actions have caused the JSA to get involved. The JSA must fight against Black Adam and his allies. This was a pretty good story and the artwork, though not great, is pretty damn good.
So an interesting volume that has a good story and good art.
Black Adam has taken over Khandaq. His actions have caused the JSA to get involved. The JSA must fight against Black Adam and his allies. This was a pretty good story and the artwork, though not great, is pretty damn good.
So an interesting volume that has a good story and good art.
January 22, 2010
One of the better of the JSA 'stories with a message about how super heroes would operate in the real world'. Not thrilled with Black Adam lecturing the heroes, but the action scenes are good.
April 23, 2013
Another solid adventure story, with some interesting perspective on vengeance and right as well as some meaningful repercussions.
June 4, 2017
Con las ediciones de ECC de JSA me pasa una cosa curiosa, no me cuadran nunca los tomos estadounidenses con los tomos de aquí. De cualquier forma, hay algo que tengo claro. Sigue siendo una lectura absolutamente genial. El sexto tomo de JSA de Geoff Johns que publica ECC trae la novela gráfica JSA/JLA: Virtud y Vicio, números muy especiales con historias de Acción de Gracias y Navidad de la JSA y la saga Reino Oscuro, en la que se cruzaron las colecciones JSA y Hawkman, ambas en manos de Geoff Johns.
En la primera parte del tomo, nos encontramos con una reunión de la JSA y la JLA que se tuerce cuando tienen que acudir unidos a hacer frente a un ataque del Doctor Bedlam, el villano de Apokolips, que ataca a Lex Luthor, en lo que resulta ser sólo una distracción, pues pronto se ve que héroes de ambos grupos (Batman, Mister Terrific, Plastic Man, el Capitán Marvel, Power Girl, el Doctor Destino y el Green Lantern Kyle Rayner) han sido poseídos por los Siete Pecados Capitales, lo que obliga a sus compañeros a trabajar juntos para rescatar a aquellos de los suyos que han sido encerrados en el Limbo y la Torre del Destino, y luego hacer frente a un maléfico plan urdido por Johnny Sorrow y Despero, en el formato clásico del crossover de superhéroes de toda la vida.
Después de los números de Acción de Gracias y Navidad, llega el plato fuerte del tomo, y es el clímax del enfrentamiento que se estaba preparando en los últimos tomos entre la JSA y el equipo formado por Black Adam con algunos de los asociados del equipo: Rompeátomos,Némesis, Cerebro Junior, Northwind y el nuevo Eclipso, Álex Montez. Para sorpresa de todos, Black Adam y los suyos lanzan un ataque sobre Kahndaq, la nación que antaño gobernara el primero señor de los poderes de SHAZAM, acabando con el dictador y su ejército. Temiendo que Adam quiera continuar con su expansión por los cercanos Egipto e Israel, y buscando romper la tiranía del antihéroe sobre Kahndaq, la JSA, liderada eventualmente por Hawkman, se adentra en Kahndaq para hacer frente a sus antiguos amigos y aliados, en una cruda historia de política y barómetros morales torcidos, en la que se ven formas muy diferentes de entender el mundo y el heroismo.
En la primera parte del tomo, nos encontramos con una reunión de la JSA y la JLA que se tuerce cuando tienen que acudir unidos a hacer frente a un ataque del Doctor Bedlam, el villano de Apokolips, que ataca a Lex Luthor, en lo que resulta ser sólo una distracción, pues pronto se ve que héroes de ambos grupos (Batman, Mister Terrific, Plastic Man, el Capitán Marvel, Power Girl, el Doctor Destino y el Green Lantern Kyle Rayner) han sido poseídos por los Siete Pecados Capitales, lo que obliga a sus compañeros a trabajar juntos para rescatar a aquellos de los suyos que han sido encerrados en el Limbo y la Torre del Destino, y luego hacer frente a un maléfico plan urdido por Johnny Sorrow y Despero, en el formato clásico del crossover de superhéroes de toda la vida.
Después de los números de Acción de Gracias y Navidad, llega el plato fuerte del tomo, y es el clímax del enfrentamiento que se estaba preparando en los últimos tomos entre la JSA y el equipo formado por Black Adam con algunos de los asociados del equipo: Rompeátomos,Némesis, Cerebro Junior, Northwind y el nuevo Eclipso, Álex Montez. Para sorpresa de todos, Black Adam y los suyos lanzan un ataque sobre Kahndaq, la nación que antaño gobernara el primero señor de los poderes de SHAZAM, acabando con el dictador y su ejército. Temiendo que Adam quiera continuar con su expansión por los cercanos Egipto e Israel, y buscando romper la tiranía del antihéroe sobre Kahndaq, la JSA, liderada eventualmente por Hawkman, se adentra en Kahndaq para hacer frente a sus antiguos amigos y aliados, en una cruda historia de política y barómetros morales torcidos, en la que se ven formas muy diferentes de entender el mundo y el heroismo.
September 17, 2023
Ich kann verstehen, dass für die deutsche Veröffentlichung im Kontext des Black-Adam-Films er auf das Cover genommen wurde, inkl. seinem Namen, weil er im Mittelpunkt der Geschichte steht. Tatsächlich aber wurde die Story „Finstere Herrschaft“ in den US-Ausgaben der JSA 56-58 und Hawkman 23-25 erzählt. Und da ich gerade den 1999 gestarteten JSA-Run von Star-Autor Geoff Johns lese, habe ich also auch das hier aus den Tiefen meiner Schränke gesucht, erneut gelesen und hier als gelesen vermerkt. Es ist erstaunlich, wie ich jetzt (mit 41) Comics lese. Worauf ich achte, Wert lege und was mir weniger wichtig ist. Johns auf jeden Fall ist ein Autor, der seit Mitte der 90er vermutlich jeder kleinen und großen DC-Figur seinen Stempel aufgedrückt hat. Er sitzt heute in der Führungsetage von DC, kennt die Historie der Figuren, liebt sie offenbar alle - aber am meisten die zeitlosen Helden der Justice Society of America. Johns hat damals unfassbar gute Geschichten geschrieben, mit Tiefgang, echten Bedrohungen, zwischenmenschlichen Kämpfen und einem Gespür für Timing, das echt selten ist. Ich liebe das alles, etwas spät. Obwohl ich viele Geschichten schon seit 20 Jahren kenne. Sie alle lese ich nun mit dem Blick eines Erwachsenen & viele unbekannte Geschichten aus der Zeit und Feder dieses Mannes kaufe ich mir nach, weil ich Johns echt bewundere. Jedes mal, wenn ich eine seiner mehrteiligen Geschichten fertiggelesen habe, fühle mich mich richtig wohl. Nicht nur gut unterhalten, sondern so, als würde ich seine Begeisterung spüren , die er beim Arbeiten mit diesen Figuren hatte. Es ist einfach ein schönes, jung haltendes Gefühl. Besser als jede Hautcreme.
October 31, 2022
Read because this is the closest source material for the “Black Adam” film. Yes, the titular character protecting his home land is in it, but go luck unraveling the plot in a story populated by the most D-list DC characters you could find.
November 20, 2022
Good arc, if a bit quick. I see why it has influence on the film, and I see why people give it a hard time as John's dragged the JSA into a darker angle. Basically one long ongoing fight once it started, it still held up. Not stellar, but solid
January 18, 2025
Wow…
This is one of the greatest comics I’ve ever read.
It’s thought provoking, with rich characters and well written dialogue. The artwork packs a punch, as does the action. Man, the fights in this book are just everything you could ask for. What a read.
I wish the Black Adam movie was this epic.
This is one of the greatest comics I’ve ever read.
It’s thought provoking, with rich characters and well written dialogue. The artwork packs a punch, as does the action. Man, the fights in this book are just everything you could ask for. What a read.
I wish the Black Adam movie was this epic.
January 17, 2023
"Much ado about nothing"
September 22, 2023
Part of the Black Adam box set. Great moments here but it is kind of forgettable. The fights here are why it was included in the set.
February 4, 2025
Libro de historietas con ISBN propio. Colección DC Pocket.
November 26, 2022
Una lectura bastante funcional para quien desee leer algo de este personaje ya debutante en el audiovisual con la apariencia del mismísimo The Rock. Incluso se discierne bastante inspiración de estas páginas para el guion de la película del DCEU. Además, hay que tener en cuenta que realmente esto es un arco argumental dentro de las cabeceras de la JSA guionizada por Geoff Johns a principios de los dosmil y de la de Hawkman de aquella época también. Pero realmente está bien traído el venderlo como una historia de Black Adam (ahora hasta en formato DC Pocket), pues la acción arranca con el brutal derrocamiento del dictatorial gobierno actual de la querida Khandaq del Campeón Caído del Mago Shazam por su propio puño... y acompañado por un grupo de miembros disidentes de la JSA. Esto hace que los miembros restantes del supergrupo generacional busquen tomar cartas en el asunto iniciando su propia "Civil War" al adentrarse en territorio Khandaques y poniendo a prueba el genio de Adam en su misión de volver a salvar y proteger su patria a toda costa.
Desde luego, Johns propone un conflicto fascinante con unas líneas argumentales igualmente dignas de explorar, pues ya he comentado que la JSA es un supergrupo que abarca décadas y miembros que han establecido relaciones puramente familiares. De hecho, en el bando de Black Adam nos topamos con el actual Rompe Átomos, que se convierte en eje temático con su conflicto de intereses en la aplicación de la justicia. Esta línea temática debería haber sido mejor representada y abarcada a más personajes. Pero lo cierto es que El Reinado Oscuro creo que no deja de ser hija de su tiempo, y todo no deja de ser una excusa para generar el contenido superheroíco más convencional y comercial de aquellos años (totalmente representante con el estilo tosco pero efectista del dibujante). Si bien es cierto que aún tenemos algún pasaje o diálogo relevante, puede que el hecho de ser una historia totalmente reminiscente con los conflictos bélicos en Oriente Medio de aquel entonces, limitase al autor y la editorial a la hora de explorar y representar totalmente las posibilidades de esta historia. Por lo menos, en lo que respecta al personaje de Black Adam, sigue siendo una digna lectura. El tratamiento de antihéroe de aquellos años fue totalmente beneficioso para el personaje, y esta historia debió de ser parte esencial de esta reinvención que ha llegado a representarse en la gran pantalla.
Desde luego, Johns propone un conflicto fascinante con unas líneas argumentales igualmente dignas de explorar, pues ya he comentado que la JSA es un supergrupo que abarca décadas y miembros que han establecido relaciones puramente familiares. De hecho, en el bando de Black Adam nos topamos con el actual Rompe Átomos, que se convierte en eje temático con su conflicto de intereses en la aplicación de la justicia. Esta línea temática debería haber sido mejor representada y abarcada a más personajes. Pero lo cierto es que El Reinado Oscuro creo que no deja de ser hija de su tiempo, y todo no deja de ser una excusa para generar el contenido superheroíco más convencional y comercial de aquellos años (totalmente representante con el estilo tosco pero efectista del dibujante). Si bien es cierto que aún tenemos algún pasaje o diálogo relevante, puede que el hecho de ser una historia totalmente reminiscente con los conflictos bélicos en Oriente Medio de aquel entonces, limitase al autor y la editorial a la hora de explorar y representar totalmente las posibilidades de esta historia. Por lo menos, en lo que respecta al personaje de Black Adam, sigue siendo una digna lectura. El tratamiento de antihéroe de aquellos años fue totalmente beneficioso para el personaje, y esta historia debió de ser parte esencial de esta reinvención que ha llegado a representarse en la gran pantalla.
September 5, 2015
The basic premise is that Black Adam and his cadre of not-quite-heroes-connected to the JSA unilaterally attack the nation of Ir... er, KAHNDaq and liberate it from its despotic ruler. Hawkman takes over the JSA to go in and convince Adam to stand down, but unsurprisingly, a super-powered fight erupts.
The analogies here are painfully obvious, but they present the issues with nuance. In the end, it doesn't seem like anyone is quite right or wrong. Is Black Adam wrong to want to free his homeland? Is Hawkman wrong to lead the JSA charging in to deal with it? Are the people of Kahndaq wrong to attack the JSA as invaders when they want to help them? They're ideas that make you think.
In the end, as another reviewer said, there's no real resolution for the characters... but the story is satisfying anyway. It helps to have read the previous collections JSA, Vol. 3: The Return of Hawkman and JSA, Vol. 6: Savage Times, but they're not necessary to enjoy this. Highly recommended.
The analogies here are painfully obvious, but they present the issues with nuance. In the end, it doesn't seem like anyone is quite right or wrong. Is Black Adam wrong to want to free his homeland? Is Hawkman wrong to lead the JSA charging in to deal with it? Are the people of Kahndaq wrong to attack the JSA as invaders when they want to help them? They're ideas that make you think.
In the end, as another reviewer said, there's no real resolution for the characters... but the story is satisfying anyway. It helps to have read the previous collections JSA, Vol. 3: The Return of Hawkman and JSA, Vol. 6: Savage Times, but they're not necessary to enjoy this. Highly recommended.
November 21, 2022
I had to read it again because of the film and that Black Adam has always been a interesting character to read. Thanks to Geoff Johns, the character is no longer a joke and very complex. Like Shazam (The Original Captain Marvel), he has his abilities, not his morals. By reading this volume, you can understand why he has become ruthless and no nonsense and why he has earned the name Black Adam.
I would suggest to people who haven't seen the film yet to read this book and the volumes related to it in order to understand the film. This story arc was originally written as a part of a crossover between the JSA and Hawkman books. What I love about this story is that it takes place in the Middle East although it's a fictional nation and how the Western nations view the Middle East.
It's also a good way to be introduced to the ongoing 12 part mini series featuring Black Adam by Christopher Priest. Love antiheroes? This is a must read for you.
I would suggest to people who haven't seen the film yet to read this book and the volumes related to it in order to understand the film. This story arc was originally written as a part of a crossover between the JSA and Hawkman books. What I love about this story is that it takes place in the Middle East although it's a fictional nation and how the Western nations view the Middle East.
It's also a good way to be introduced to the ongoing 12 part mini series featuring Black Adam by Christopher Priest. Love antiheroes? This is a must read for you.
December 30, 2024
Contains JSA 56-58, Hawkman 23-25, and JSA: Black Reign
I’ve said before that Black Adam is perhaps my favorite character to see evolve over the course of JSA. He wants to do what’s right, but his absolutist sense of morality puts him at distinct odds with the modern world. This volume shows his violent takeover of Kahndaq, his ancestral homeland, which he seeks to rid of corruption and outside influence.
Hawkman spearheads the JSA assault on Black Adam, which doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. People die, and at the end of the day, Adam is still in the proverbial throne. Atom Smasher is the most high profile of Adam’s allies, and his arc here, torn between Adam and the JSA, is going to continue to play out for the remainder of the series, as is Black Adam’s attempt to create a better world at any cost.
Yet another high point in a series with many of them.
I’ve said before that Black Adam is perhaps my favorite character to see evolve over the course of JSA. He wants to do what’s right, but his absolutist sense of morality puts him at distinct odds with the modern world. This volume shows his violent takeover of Kahndaq, his ancestral homeland, which he seeks to rid of corruption and outside influence.
Hawkman spearheads the JSA assault on Black Adam, which doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. People die, and at the end of the day, Adam is still in the proverbial throne. Atom Smasher is the most high profile of Adam’s allies, and his arc here, torn between Adam and the JSA, is going to continue to play out for the remainder of the series, as is Black Adam’s attempt to create a better world at any cost.
Yet another high point in a series with many of them.
May 24, 2016
The story of Black Reign was good, but it's conclusion was a bit abrupt. The art in this one was somewhat hit or miss. Some pages looked beautiful, while others looked utterly abysmal. That is just an unfortunate downside on an otherwise great book. However, the JSA is great to read and this one is no different. There's love, heartache, loss, confusion, and triumph. There's a lot to take in here, and it is certainly worth a read.
February 12, 2014
It's not the first time the whole "why don't superheroes go rogue & use their powers to crush evil regimes?" question has been asked... but this particular take on that storyline is well-written and manages to have a few surprises to the twists & turns of the plot.
November 24, 2021
A stunning tale of the difference between rulers and heroes, and vengeance and justice. Highly recommended.
This is supposed to be one of the storylines adapted by the upcoming Black Adam movie. A must read for fans of film, Dwayne Johnson, or the JSA.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
This is supposed to be one of the storylines adapted by the upcoming Black Adam movie. A must read for fans of film, Dwayne Johnson, or the JSA.
Find it! Buy it! READ IT!
February 10, 2016
I love the golden age superheroes from DC and the new JSA brings these original heroes back into the modern age along with their legacy namesakes. Well above average art and plot keep these 70 year old comic characters interesting and entertaining. Very recommended
November 30, 2008
mainly interesting because the character of black adam is interesting.
January 27, 2012
good little read, my first insight of the JSA must invest in more.
September 11, 2016
Interesting storyline. Good condition. $4.
March 21, 2014
Cool story, made me appreciate Black Adam as a character more.
July 29, 2015
What a very good JSA story.
History plus background information.
Stargirl like two boys.
Black Adam
This guy must have been some kind of hero in his day.
History plus background information.
Stargirl like two boys.
Black Adam
This guy must have been some kind of hero in his day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews