JSA #85
	Story Title: 'The Living Must Answer' (Part 3) Writer: Paul Levitz Artists: Rags Morales, Luke Ross & Dave Meikis Colorist: John Kalisz & Rob Schwager Letterer: Rob Leigh Asst. Editor: Harvey Richards Editor: Stephen Wacker Published by: DC Comics
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

This series is what Astonishing X-Men (the current run) is in Marvel for me, a sort of world unto itself….and a very good one at that. It doesn’t mean that it has the same lame late releases as Ash. X-Men, but that the story although not always high on a shock factor, is nevertheless solid, the artwork just as good, and the character development and depiction, steady and balanced. It might not have the ‘glamour’ factor of the JLA, or the ‘in your face’ of the Outsiders, or even the ‘teen-angst’ that the Teen Titans are, but nevertheless, the JSA is one of the most rounded teams (and titles) out there.

This issue comes across an ideal middle arc one, with carrying the story that has been developed over the past two issues, and while taking it further, also answering a few questions that have risen, both from this arc…and from the recent occurrences (in IC and the probably the upcoming 52). For one, the rather ‘wrong’ that we felt was shown in the last issue when Powergirl managed to land a hit on the Gentlemen Ghost. It wasn’t a mistake on the writer’s part, but a deliberate differentiation between her and her other team members….mainly Stargirl. It might have to do something with her (PGirl) originating from Earth 2…..the same one from where the GGhost comes from. As for Courtney herself, I find it difficult to think about another female character (from the same age group as her), who is as well rounded as her. Cassandra Cain (Batgirl), Cassandra Sandsmark (Wonder Girl II), Rose Wilson (Ravager), Rachel Roth (Raven), Mia Dearden (Speedy II)….none of them. It might have something to do with the exposure Courtney is getting in the way of mentors, after all, even on their worst days, Powergirl, WildCat n’ party are a million times better than Deathstroke and Tri-‘Four-Eyes’-gon.

While Powergirl and Stargirl take care of GGhost who has zoned into Courtney and her family for his next trick (and talk about a worse time than when a girl is learning how to drive), Mr. Terrific is pushing himself and his T-spheres to the limit to keep an eye on his teammates. Flash is with him, just before he rushes off to bring his wife to the JSA HQ, both for her safety and for her moral support for everyone….especially with Green Lantern almost looking to tilt over into the embrace of the never ending sleep that is death. Dr. Midnite does everything he can for Alan, and as for WildCat…well, Ma Hunkel for one is thankful that at least someone on the team still has their appetite.

That leaves Jakeem and his Thunderbolt. Having got fed up with going through records older than even Adam n’ Eve themselves, and realizing that the reason that he was given this job was probably because the others wanted to keep him safe, Jakeem ‘so cools’ himself to ‘where ghosts live’. It here that things get to what the cover hints at. When Craddock (GGhost) attacks Jakeem in the ghost realm, disturbing the balance, reinforcements are needed, and who else better than their older ‘dead’ teammates….and a certain green skinned beauty. So apart from Jade, we have Atom, Sandman (I), Mister Terrific (I) and a Ghost Batman. For those who are as surprised as Jakeem to see Batman dead, this Batman is probably the one from Earth-2. This revelation adds to the confusion as to how the dichotomy of two Batman i.e. two Bruce Waynes will be explained. Is it just that Thunderbolt (and Powergirl) who remember their existence on the other earth, or the rest of the JSA too….and for that matter, the other heroes (and villains) from that earth…and others.

The ending, although poignant, makes me wish (not for the first time) that Jade hadn’t died in the IC: R/T War Special. Although not among the A-listers, she was nevertheless a solid B-lister. Relegation to comic limbo is something I hope is not in her future.

Conclusion: While driving, be sure to follow the five step Smith System, whether you can fly or not.
 

RATING: 8.5/10