#one step per feather with limited range and an hour to charge a feather

[skelekins]

(ノω<。)ノ))☆.。considered kelek as a jackalope monster - he gets super uncomfy when his antler are growing in

[sebeth]

All-Star Squadron #4

Warning, Spoilers Ahead…

“The Day of the Dragon King!” by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler, and Jerry Ordway.

We pick up where issue three ended.   It is the “wee small hours of the morning of December 8, 1941”, -and the assembled heroes, minus Plastic Man and Phantom Lady, are heading to Pearl Harbor to aid the U.S. Military.  Plastic Man needs to check in with the FBI and FDR, Phantom Lady wants to reassure her father that she is okay.  Danette accompanies the heroes as her brother is stationed at Pearl Harbor.

We open with a group shot: Wonder Woman is flying in her invisible jet –  no passengers allowed, Superman, Dr. Fate, Starman, the Spectre, and Green Lantern are able to fly on their own; Johnny Thunder rides on his Thunderbolt, Shining Knight and Danette are riding Winged Victory.  Green Lantern uses his ring to carry Batman and Robin.  The Spectre casts his mystical energies to carry Liberty Belle, Sandman, Doctor Mid-Nite, the Flash, Johnny Quick, and the Atom. Robotman hitches a ride by sitting on Doctor Fate!

Dr. Fate mentions he’s severely depowered due to the loss of his original power.  He must have some power left if the sheer weight of Robotman isn’t snapping his spine!

Johnny Thunder fangirls all over Wonder Woman: “She’s a fantastic lady, GL, with her magical plane and lasso…Y’know, we gotta get you into the Justice Society one of these days!”

Wonder Woman responds: “As one new to so-called man’s world, Johnny, I’m just proud to be part of the All-Star Squadron!”

For those unfamiliar with Golden Age era of DC Comics – Wonder Woman was never an official member – she was...wait for it…the secretary!  Don’t get me wrong, my love for the golden age characters of both DC and Marvel is limitless but a team whose roster consists of Doctor Mid-Nite, the Atom, Batman, and Sandman (not exactly powerhouses) along with Hourman and Hawkman (limited powerhouses) and the heavily trained Amazon is made the secretary?!  Why Diana didn’t tell the men exactly what they could do with the secretary role is beyond me!

Hawkman worries about Shiera Saunders, his fiancée, who is on “an archaeological dig in the Yucatan…and I know enough about Axis activity in Mexico from when I was down there before to be concerned.”

Editor’s note refers us to All-Star Comics #9, 1941.  Props for Roy Thomas for continuing to seamlessly blending in stories that are over forty years old into his stories.  Maybe Roy Thomas could teach modern writers and editors a thing or two.

Shiera Saunders didn’t become Hawkgirl until All-Star Comics #5 so she’s definitely a rookie thus Carter’s concern.

Johnny Quick fanboys over meeting the Flash.  Jay, always a class act, turns into a mutual admiration society.

The Atom and Robotman are having an inferiority complex contest.  I vote for the de-powered Dr. Fate.  Fate’s currently as useful as a taxi, at least the Atom knows how to throw a punch, and Robotman is made of metal.

Liberty Belle asks for Doctor Mid-Nite’s assistance in discovering the origins of her abilities.

Superman’s reminiscing over the influx of costumed heroes including Wonder Woman “whom I hope to get to know a lot better.” Down boy!

I love the small talk between the heroes.  What else is there to do during the flight over?  Especially as this is the first meeting for many of the characters – not including the fight with Per Degaton which doesn’t allow much “getting to know you” time.

Batman’s not contributing to the conversation but how is Dick Grayson not gabbing with his fellow heroes?  A silent Grayson isn’t natural!

Social time is over as we arrive at Pearl Harbor.  The United States Military is rightfully nervous of any flying objects and let loose on the heroes.  The heroes land at Hickam Airfield and the military informs them of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Atom continues his inferiority complex only to be told that now is not the time.  It’s war time and everyone has to step up – not just the people with powers.

Liberty Belle is all for storming Japan right now.  The General is all “Slow your roll, honey!” (Not his exact words, of course).  

Superman correctly points out that he could end this war in one day.  Add in the Spectre – one glimpse of the concentration camps would bring whole new levels of ‘God’s Vengeance” out to play – and we would have the shortest war – and comic series – in history.

Hawkman, JSA chairman, mentions that the group should maybe check in the President or Congress before they decide to wreak vengeance in foreign lands.  Liberty Belle’s response is “Hell, no.  Group vote for kicking ass and taking vengeance!” (Again, not an actual quote).  We get a near unanimous “aye” for kicking ass.  Hakwman, secretly wanting to kick ass and take vengeance, decide that group vote is the way to go.  Hawkman appoints Starman to watch over the United States fleet (what’s left of it) in Hawaii.  Starman also wanted to go on the vengeance mission but concedes that it’s logical for him to stay in Hawaii.  The General has this “I can’t officially approve this but they went that way!” vibe.

The Batman, Robin, Sandman, and Flash stay in Hawaii to assist Starman.  The rest leave to pursue the Japanese Fleet.  Green Lantern realizes that the Shining Knight and Danette have disappeared from the group.

Sir Justin and Danette arrive at Wheeler Field.  Remember this is where Rod Reilly, Danette’s brother (and the original Firebrand), was stationed.  

Sir Justin warns Danette to prepare herself: “But I beg you not to expect too much…for this be war now and in any war, in King Arthur’s day or this, men die and women weep.”

Danette informs Justin tha “You don’t see me weeping…”

Sir Justin responds: Nay, Danette Reilly…you be made of stern matter, indeed.  Yet be not ashamed of tears, if they do come…for they are the stuff that healing is made of.”

Sir Justin is my favorite character is the series at this point – brave, compassionate, chivalrous, a true knight.

Sir Justin notes that Danette is very warm to the touch.  Foreshadowing!

Danette finds Slugger Dunn, Rod’s sidekick and fellow member of the Navy.  Slugger takes Danette to a comatose Rod.

Back to vengeance! The Spectre and Superman are unable to locate the Japanese fleet –  something they find very frustrating.

The Dragon King and the Japanese military are hiding on a small island near Wake.  The military men are very uncomfortable with the Dragon King’s presence.  The King reveals that he has a plan to “render the entire Japanese Empire safe from the most powerful members of America’s so-called Justice Society!” (A.K.A The reason the war didn’t end in one day).

The Dragon King reveals that the Japanese have possession of the Holy Grail along with Hitler’s ownership of the Spear of Destiny.  The Editor’s note refers us to DC Special #29, September 1977.  In the DC Special, set in November 1940, Hitler uses the Spear to summon Valkyries to attack Washington, D.C. causing the formation of the Justice Society.

Tojo and Hitler will use their respective relics to “make both Hitler’s Fortress Europa and our own greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere totally impregnable to counter-attack by America’s most powerful costumed champions!”

The Dragon King casts a spell to enslave the heroes.  The extent it affects you depends on your power level – the more powerful you are, the faster you fall.  Commence hero vs hero fight.

I take it back – Doctor Fate can, in fact, throw a punch.  Hawman responds with a mace blow to the head.

Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Spectre aren’t “mortal humans” so they are offering more resistance to the spell but can’t risk getting close to the fight.

Liberty Belle asks Doctor Mid-Nite for the “411” on the Green Lantern.  Doc mentions that pesky weakness to wood.  One driftwood headshot later and Alan is down for the count.

Libby is my second favorite character in the series.  She’s all about taking charge and kicking ass.  

Robotman, Liberty, Johnny Quick, the Atom, and Doctor Mid-Nite brawl with the Japanese soldiers.

Johnny Thunder has fallen under the spell much to the dismay of the Thunderbolt.

Dragon King muses “Dr. Fate, Green Lantern, and now Johnny Thunder have fallen prey to the power of the Grail.  Yet it is the Spectre – Superman – and to a lesser extent, Wonder Woman, who are the real keys to my plan’s success.”

1)      Johnny Thunder is not the brightest so I’m not that worried about him falling under the spell. (Sorry, Johnny, I still love you).

2)      Diana needs to step up and put an end to this disrespect.  First, she’s relegated to being a secretary and now she’s “a lesser extent”?  Come on, Diana!  Are you going to let Libby hog all of the take charge and kick ass action?

The Dragon King notes that “my colleague Dr. Daka has done his part by managing to shield our escaping fleet from their heightened senses”.  The editor’s note informs us that we’ll find out more about this in a future issue.

Doctor Fate and Hawkman end up flying out of the spell zone so Fate regains his senses.  Diana seems to fall under the spell and flies after Johnny Thunder.

Hawman tricks Green Lantern to picking up the ground heroes and pursuing him in the sky.  Johnny Thunder, Wonder Woman, Superman, and the Spectre follow the fleeing group.

Everyone regains their senses once they are out of the range of the spell.  The Squadron realizes that if they get too close they will become “servants of the Axis”.

Hawman thinks that he’s “Got to head down to the Yucatan – before anything happens to Shiera!  But first, I’ve got a bombshell of my own to drop – on both the Justice Society and the All-Star Squadron!”

Next issue: “The Feathered Serpent!”

I loved this issue. An excellent (mostly) done in one. Strong character moments and interactions.  Tight continuity.  Editor’s notes.  A plot that kept moving.  I really miss the comic style before “decompression” became all the rage.