Review by Robert Tacopina

Catch a Falling Star part 1 Constellations

Writer: Matthew Sturges
Art & Cover: Freddie Williams II
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Colors: Richard & Tonya Horie
Associate Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Mike Carlin
Published by DC Comics

With an ever expanding roster the Justice Society of America has been split into two factions, the main JSA and this new team of All-Stars. This new title features some fan favorites like Power Girl, Magog and Stargirl. However, at this particular moment it is hard to determine what the mission statement is for this title.  One can only assume that its goal is to add an additional layer to the fabled Justice Society by allowing all the members an ample and equal opportunity to develop as characters.

Writer Matthew Sturges opens this book with an insightful look into Power Girl by use of inner monologue.  She contemplates her life and after finally finding a home and family in the JSA she wonders if she has somehow sabotaged it all. In this issue the team is also trying to find an abducted Stargirl. This leads to a run in with the Injustice Society before Stargirl finally frees herself in one of the more enjoyable moments of the issue and Courtney also provides some nice comic relief. The ending of the story shows the Injustice Society’s Johnny Sorrow summoning a freaky looking creature called the King of Tears who will surely spell trouble for our heroes next month.

I got a kick out of the Injustice Society, especially Icicle as he obviously reminds me of my favorite comic hero Iceman, albeit evil. The battle between the two squads was nicely done and had some cool moments. The introduction of Roxy, the AI creation of Rex added some extra chuckles to coincide with Courtney’s aforementioned scenes. Since I have not yet read the first issue I was a bit in the dark as to the how’s and why’s of not only what was going on but as to why the JSA had split up. I can say with authority that I will be reading this book for the first arc at the very least as I am intrigued by my initial introduction to the book.

There was quite a lot to like in this book from the Sturges story to the Freddie Williams art. But one of the highlights is the fact that despite the $4 price tag DC Comics provides a back-up story featuring Liberty Belle and Hourman. They could have copped out and just had three pages of Dan Didio talking to he fans with another 5 pages of a debriefing log recapping the events of what transpired but they didn’t.

Liberty Belle & Hourman: “The Inheritance” part 1 - Staff of Legends

Writer: Jen Van Meter
Pencils: Travis Moore
Inker: Dan Green
Colors: David Baron
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Associate Editor: Rachel Gluckstern
Editor: Mike Carlin

Liberty Belle and Hourman venture to Istanbul in the hopes of procuring an18th century journal. Coincidentally they run into Icicle and Tigress of the Injustice Society. Both squads were apparently offered the mysterious book but it has vanished before either could retrieve it. It was a neat little tale that will continue next month and actually has some meat behind it instead of some pointless filler.

Overall Rating: 7 out of 10 (Above Average)