What do you think?
Rate this book
Robinsons' The Golden Age #1-4
JSA: The Golden Age
Some of the greatest heroes of the 1940s, including the original Green Lantern, Atom, Hawkman, Starman and others return in this spectacular Elseworlds tale. The story follows their postwar adventures as they battle evil in a world they fear may no longer need them. And as their importance wanes, a new hero, Dynaman, rallies the nation behind his fascist agenda.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
31 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
James Robinson
1,238books233followersJames Dale Robinson is a British writer of American comic books and screenplays.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
August 8, 2023
Not bad.
But I think you might need to background on these Golden Age heroes to appreciate this story fully.
I wasn't familiar with a lot (most) of these characters so while it was interesting to read about them, I wasn't invested in what happened to them. However, it did make me want to go back and find out who some of these characters were.
WWII and Hitler play front and center in this, but I've been burnt out on Nazis for so long now that it wasn't a bonus for me. And that burnout probably did feed into me rolling my eyes at the ending a bit.
Mainly though, I think this was a tale of older superheroes passing the torch. The awkward phase in your life when you still feel like you have a lot to offer but you are also ready to transition to a different lifestyle. I think we all get to that point, and seeing it play out with folks who have superpowers was interesting.
Overall, I thought it was pretty neat-o to read about these guys, and it's prompted me to want to go back and read some of their original stories. Maybe after I do that I'll be able to appreciate even more of what Robinson was doing in this comic.
Recommended for fans of The Golden Age.
But I think you might need to background on these Golden Age heroes to appreciate this story fully.
I wasn't familiar with a lot (most) of these characters so while it was interesting to read about them, I wasn't invested in what happened to them. However, it did make me want to go back and find out who some of these characters were.
WWII and Hitler play front and center in this, but I've been burnt out on Nazis for so long now that it wasn't a bonus for me. And that burnout probably did feed into me rolling my eyes at the ending a bit.
Mainly though, I think this was a tale of older superheroes passing the torch. The awkward phase in your life when you still feel like you have a lot to offer but you are also ready to transition to a different lifestyle. I think we all get to that point, and seeing it play out with folks who have superpowers was interesting.
Overall, I thought it was pretty neat-o to read about these guys, and it's prompted me to want to go back and read some of their original stories. Maybe after I do that I'll be able to appreciate even more of what Robinson was doing in this comic.
Recommended for fans of The Golden Age.
October 14, 2018
In the aftermath of World War II, the mystery men have largely retired. One of them, Tex Thompson, is now a celebrity with an eye on the White House and is instrumental in the creation of America's newest super hero, Dyna-Man. But things are not as they seem. Can the former super heroes rally to stop the greatest threat to America and the world?
This one has been on my radar for years since I'm a fan of James Robinson and the Justice Society. I snapped it up at MightyCon for $5 and it was worth the wait.
The Golden Age tells the story of the end of the golden age of super heroes. The Justice Society and the All Star Squadron are mostly retired. Green Lantern Alan Scott is managing his radio stations. Johnny Quick and Liberty Bell have divorced. Ted Knight is in a sanitarium. Paul Kirk is on the run, suffering from PTSD. The Tarantula has written a book about being super hero. When Tex Thompson starts making his push and things go down a dark path, the heroes have some difficult choices to make.
The tone of this piece is perfect for the time period. When the Red Scare is in full effect and communists are allegedly hiding behind every corner, you never know who is on your side. The writing hits all the right beats for me, with the paranoid tone and the dark political climate. When Alan Scott is brought before the Senate's Unamerican Activities Committee, you know shit has gone wrong in a big way.
The Golden Age is definitely a slow burn. The villains aren't revealed until near the end and then it's the big beat down. Not everyone walks away. Starman and Green Lantern step up, and the death blow is dealt by an unexpected character. It was one hell of a satisfying read for a rainy Sunday morning.
I would give this a five but the artwork seemed over-inked and murky and the coloring didn't help matters. Also, whose bright idea was it to put the black lettering in Paul Kirk's dialogue on top of maroon so it was almost unreadable?
It's a shame this was an Elseworlds tale because it would have been a great way to end the saga of the Justice Society. Although some of it made it's way into James Robinson's Starman run so it can't be entirely out of continuity. Or wasn't before the six or seven reboots since.
JSA: The Golden Age was a fun, well-written read and a must-read for fans of the Justice Society. Four out of five stars.
This one has been on my radar for years since I'm a fan of James Robinson and the Justice Society. I snapped it up at MightyCon for $5 and it was worth the wait.
The Golden Age tells the story of the end of the golden age of super heroes. The Justice Society and the All Star Squadron are mostly retired. Green Lantern Alan Scott is managing his radio stations. Johnny Quick and Liberty Bell have divorced. Ted Knight is in a sanitarium. Paul Kirk is on the run, suffering from PTSD. The Tarantula has written a book about being super hero. When Tex Thompson starts making his push and things go down a dark path, the heroes have some difficult choices to make.
The tone of this piece is perfect for the time period. When the Red Scare is in full effect and communists are allegedly hiding behind every corner, you never know who is on your side. The writing hits all the right beats for me, with the paranoid tone and the dark political climate. When Alan Scott is brought before the Senate's Unamerican Activities Committee, you know shit has gone wrong in a big way.
The Golden Age is definitely a slow burn. The villains aren't revealed until near the end and then it's the big beat down. Not everyone walks away. Starman and Green Lantern step up, and the death blow is dealt by an unexpected character. It was one hell of a satisfying read for a rainy Sunday morning.
I would give this a five but the artwork seemed over-inked and murky and the coloring didn't help matters. Also, whose bright idea was it to put the black lettering in Paul Kirk's dialogue on top of maroon so it was almost unreadable?
It's a shame this was an Elseworlds tale because it would have been a great way to end the saga of the Justice Society. Although some of it made it's way into James Robinson's Starman run so it can't be entirely out of continuity. Or wasn't before the six or seven reboots since.
JSA: The Golden Age was a fun, well-written read and a must-read for fans of the Justice Society. Four out of five stars.
December 18, 2021
To review Robinson and Smith's JSA: The Golden Age, is to view it through the lens of Moore and Gibbons' Watchmen, of which the former is heavily influenced. One can't miss superheroes being involved in politics or operating in the theater of a major war. Both even have a rekindled romance subplot. There's more, only because the latter is a seminal work.
JSA: The Golden Age isn't as good as Watchmen, but it is still an great read. It isn't as accessible as the latter, Moore created his opus from scratch using character analogues. Robinson has the luxury of using characters with reams of pre-existing backstory. Such trivial knowledge may not be necessary to enjoy this book, I'd imagine it made for a more layered and richer experience if you do.
I love the irony of the title. It may have been a golden age for superheroes in the story, but underneath all that luster was the specter of the McCarthy hearings and the violation of civil liberties. This actually mirrored what happened to the golden age of comics, which ended with the Kefauver hearings, and Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent.
JSA: The Golden Age isn't as good as Watchmen, but it is still an great read. It isn't as accessible as the latter, Moore created his opus from scratch using character analogues. Robinson has the luxury of using characters with reams of pre-existing backstory. Such trivial knowledge may not be necessary to enjoy this book, I'd imagine it made for a more layered and richer experience if you do.
I love the irony of the title. It may have been a golden age for superheroes in the story, but underneath all that luster was the specter of the McCarthy hearings and the violation of civil liberties. This actually mirrored what happened to the golden age of comics, which ended with the Kefauver hearings, and Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent.
June 23, 2024
Excellent high quality 'Elseworlds' graphic novel, focusing on the 1940s Justice Society heroes. Almost Watchmen-esque, and a great precursor to James Robinson's classic Starman series of the 90s. That in turn was the precursor to JSA from the 2000s, making this rather essential DC reading even if not technically in continuity. Really brings life to these old characters, with a legitimately shocking twist. What I've always loved about DC is the sense of history, that there's a past and the world changes instead of just always being perpetually in the present, and this book is a perfect example of that can work in the superhero genre.
November 10, 2020
This is another of those books that I totally forgot that I’d read before. That's partly due to the cover of this Deluxe Edition being different from the original paperback, and partly due to the fact that it's been close to a decade since the last time I read it.
In the end, it's not a big deal. It's definitely a story worth reading again. Robinson and Smith take the Justice Society through the post-WWII years and into the McCarthy era. It's a final hurrah for the classic Golden Age heroes and a setting of the stage for the Silver Age heroes of the 60's. The story plays out nicely, and Paul Smith’s art has never looked better. Robinson does a skillful job of giving everyone in his large cast their turn in the spotlight as he weaves comic book and real world history into a seamless whole.
Knowing something about the Justice Society going into this is probably a plus. Some of these characters are relatively obscure--the Red Bee, anyone?--and I'm not sure how this book will read to someone completely unfamiliar with them. If you're as much of a superhero fan as I am, though, it is definitely recommended!
In the end, it's not a big deal. It's definitely a story worth reading again. Robinson and Smith take the Justice Society through the post-WWII years and into the McCarthy era. It's a final hurrah for the classic Golden Age heroes and a setting of the stage for the Silver Age heroes of the 60's. The story plays out nicely, and Paul Smith’s art has never looked better. Robinson does a skillful job of giving everyone in his large cast their turn in the spotlight as he weaves comic book and real world history into a seamless whole.
Knowing something about the Justice Society going into this is probably a plus. Some of these characters are relatively obscure--the Red Bee, anyone?--and I'm not sure how this book will read to someone completely unfamiliar with them. If you're as much of a superhero fan as I am, though, it is definitely recommended!
October 28, 2022
This was a thought provoking and enjoyable read. This deals with the Golden Age superheroes in a post-World War II world. They struggle with their relevance in a world that has experienced events much bigger than themselves such as the war itself and the atom bomb. However, by the end of the story, the need for heroes is confirmed in an all-out brawl with a villain that aims to destroy American democracy.
June 4, 2017
Highly regarded early �90s series JSA: The Golden Age is back in a new deluxe edition. It’s a saga worth revisiting.
This Elseworlds tale picks up shortly after World War II with many costumed heroes abandoning their masked personas for civilian life. Tex Thompson, once an unremarkable hero known as Mr. America, returns to the US a war hero. He embraces red-baiting and manipulative populism as his political fortunes rise. Tex recruits Dan Dunbar, once a teen sidekick known as Dan the Dyna-Mite, to undergo a dramatic transformation into Dyna-Man, the vanguard of a government-controlled group of heroes. Meanwhile, Johnny Chambers (Johnny Quick) struggles with divorce from Libby Lawrence (Liberty Belle) and his career as a documentarian. Alan Scott (Green Lantern) runs afoul of the McCarthy hearings because of some of the writers employed at his radio station. Ted Knight (Starman), tormented in his role in developing the A-bomb, retreats to a sanitarium, even as he envisions his greatest invention. Around the edges, Paul Kirk (Manhunter) returns from his own European war stint with fractured memories, even as a mysterious hit squad hunts him. Kirk’s memories point toward a terrible secret that threatens to detonate the community of heroes.
For many fans, The Golden Age remains some of writer James Robinson’s best work, a fitting companion to his seminal Starman. Robinson remixed the JSA tropes that fans knew well, making the heroes more fallible, more trouble-prone and altogether more human. “Heroes are screwed up� wasn’t a novel concept even in the early �90s, but Robinson infused his tale with a keen eye for characterization and was careful not to let his characters descend into grotesques. Some of them came off a bit nuttier than others (Hawkman, especially), but all told, Robinson spun a meditation on the nature of heroism and people willing to put themselves in an extreme situation for the common good. Atypical for a dark, alternate world story like this, Robinson actually allowed many of characters that rarest of �90s comic book commodities: a happy ending.
The great Paul Smith hasn’t been very visible in the comics world in a long time, which is a shame. His work on The Golden Age was near flawless. Smith carefully melded his own well-defined style with a retro ethos that met the 1940s era characters on their own terms. He gave their looks some interesting tweaks, often re-designing costumes to make them just a tad more “real world� believable, while still maintaining their colorful distinction. Smith’s approach to layouts and page composition was very thoughtful and his lovingly-rendered images were the perfect balance of modern and old school. Years later and Smith’s line work would still hold up against today’s top talent. Colorist Richard Ory performed some very precise work, giving the images a softer, more muted feel that evoked the concept of a sepia wash without losing the dynamics of tone. The deluxe printing shows off this team’s work to strong effect.
If you’re a fan of the original or have never had the opportunity to experience this tale before, JSA: The Golden Age should be on the reading list of any serious fan of the medium.
This Elseworlds tale picks up shortly after World War II with many costumed heroes abandoning their masked personas for civilian life. Tex Thompson, once an unremarkable hero known as Mr. America, returns to the US a war hero. He embraces red-baiting and manipulative populism as his political fortunes rise. Tex recruits Dan Dunbar, once a teen sidekick known as Dan the Dyna-Mite, to undergo a dramatic transformation into Dyna-Man, the vanguard of a government-controlled group of heroes. Meanwhile, Johnny Chambers (Johnny Quick) struggles with divorce from Libby Lawrence (Liberty Belle) and his career as a documentarian. Alan Scott (Green Lantern) runs afoul of the McCarthy hearings because of some of the writers employed at his radio station. Ted Knight (Starman), tormented in his role in developing the A-bomb, retreats to a sanitarium, even as he envisions his greatest invention. Around the edges, Paul Kirk (Manhunter) returns from his own European war stint with fractured memories, even as a mysterious hit squad hunts him. Kirk’s memories point toward a terrible secret that threatens to detonate the community of heroes.
For many fans, The Golden Age remains some of writer James Robinson’s best work, a fitting companion to his seminal Starman. Robinson remixed the JSA tropes that fans knew well, making the heroes more fallible, more trouble-prone and altogether more human. “Heroes are screwed up� wasn’t a novel concept even in the early �90s, but Robinson infused his tale with a keen eye for characterization and was careful not to let his characters descend into grotesques. Some of them came off a bit nuttier than others (Hawkman, especially), but all told, Robinson spun a meditation on the nature of heroism and people willing to put themselves in an extreme situation for the common good. Atypical for a dark, alternate world story like this, Robinson actually allowed many of characters that rarest of �90s comic book commodities: a happy ending.
The great Paul Smith hasn’t been very visible in the comics world in a long time, which is a shame. His work on The Golden Age was near flawless. Smith carefully melded his own well-defined style with a retro ethos that met the 1940s era characters on their own terms. He gave their looks some interesting tweaks, often re-designing costumes to make them just a tad more “real world� believable, while still maintaining their colorful distinction. Smith’s approach to layouts and page composition was very thoughtful and his lovingly-rendered images were the perfect balance of modern and old school. Years later and Smith’s line work would still hold up against today’s top talent. Colorist Richard Ory performed some very precise work, giving the images a softer, more muted feel that evoked the concept of a sepia wash without losing the dynamics of tone. The deluxe printing shows off this team’s work to strong effect.
If you’re a fan of the original or have never had the opportunity to experience this tale before, JSA: The Golden Age should be on the reading list of any serious fan of the medium.
June 16, 2011
There are a ton of characters in this thing, and as someone who has never read any golden age DC stuff, it took me a little while to understand who they all were. But once I got it, I enjoyed it immensely. There are some leaps in logic here and there and a couple of utterly boneheaded mistakes by the villain that no self-respecting evil genius would have made, but the thematic and character aspects of the story more than make up for those missteps. The way Robinson uses post-WWII Communist paranoia as a self-defeating part of the American mindset is brilliant. The twists are borderline ridiculous, but presented with so much earnestness that you can't help but believe them.
February 16, 2024
Es curioso lo bien que han funcionado las historias que con los años se han ido construyendo sobre las claves creativas de "Watchmen". Recuerdo, por ejemplo, "Crisis de Identidad", de Brad Meltzer, y "Los doce", de Michael Straczynski, e incluso miniseries más modestas como "La generación perdida" de Stern y Byrne. Grosso modo, en estas historias se da una visión interna, incluso intimista, de los miembros de un grupo de superhéroes y de las relaciones entre ellos, ofreciendo una perspectiva más adulta y dramática. La narración suele desembocar en muerte y tragedia, aplicando una pátina de seriedad que el cómic de superhéroes no suele alcanzar. Debido a ello, las historias suelen conformarse sobre personajes de otros tiempos, poco explotados, puesto que hay conductas y sucesos que los dejan marcados y, por tanto, inservibles para la continuidad (Meltzer se atrevió a hacerlo con las vacas sagradas y la polémica fue de época, reseteo incluido).
La línea Elseworlds de DC es el territorio ideal para estas cosas. Desarrolla historias alternativas y ha demostrado con creces lo bien que rinden los personajes cuando les quitas el corset y los sometes a sucesos que no tienen marcha atrás. A esta línea pertenece "La edad de oro", un cómic que es un claro ejemplo de todo lo expuesto y en el que todo ello funciona a la perfección. Tanto el guión de James Robinson como el dibujo de Paul Smith son magníficos. La historia es imaginativa (trata de imaginar quién sería el peor supervillano posible y acertarás), contiene crítica política, trabaja bien a los personajes y desemboca en un enfrentamiento de alto voltaje, de esos que todo amante del subgénero quiere ver.
Se disfruta de veras este cómic, y supongo que aún más si se tiene conocimiento de los distintos personajes, a muchos de los cuales, debido a mi falta de background deceero, no he reconocido. Leído en su edición otoñal cuádruple, me hubiera gustado, eso sí, poder abrir los tebeos más, sin miedo a crujidos y desmoronamientos, pues el dibujo es realmente bueno.
La línea Elseworlds de DC es el territorio ideal para estas cosas. Desarrolla historias alternativas y ha demostrado con creces lo bien que rinden los personajes cuando les quitas el corset y los sometes a sucesos que no tienen marcha atrás. A esta línea pertenece "La edad de oro", un cómic que es un claro ejemplo de todo lo expuesto y en el que todo ello funciona a la perfección. Tanto el guión de James Robinson como el dibujo de Paul Smith son magníficos. La historia es imaginativa (trata de imaginar quién sería el peor supervillano posible y acertarás), contiene crítica política, trabaja bien a los personajes y desemboca en un enfrentamiento de alto voltaje, de esos que todo amante del subgénero quiere ver.
Se disfruta de veras este cómic, y supongo que aún más si se tiene conocimiento de los distintos personajes, a muchos de los cuales, debido a mi falta de background deceero, no he reconocido. Leído en su edición otoñal cuádruple, me hubiera gustado, eso sí, poder abrir los tebeos más, sin miedo a crujidos y desmoronamientos, pues el dibujo es realmente bueno.
April 24, 2016
James Robinson's and Paul Smith's Elseworlds tale involving JSA and the heroes of the Golden Age is a well told tale and successfully reflects the post-WWII era in a fascinating manner. Robinson is a good writer and Smith is delivering some of his finest work in this volume.
However, while I enjoyed the story, I could not help feeling, on more than one occasion, that I was somehow reading a Watchmen light. Several of the themes that seems to interest Robinson as a writer, are themes that Moore covered, and then both more eloqyently and more in-depth, in . This, by no means nullifies the qualities and values found in The Golden Age, but together with some developments towards the end that concerns the major villains of the piece and, in my opinion, borders on the rather absurd (at least in the way it's handled � which is too easily, especially for the nature of the story as a whole, and therefore also something of a cop out), this lessens the impact of the story considerable.
Still, do not get me wrong. This was an enjoyable read and I will be checking out more of Robinson's oeuvre in the future. And as stated above, it definitely showcases some of Paul Smith's finest work, which in itself makes it worthwhile.
However, while I enjoyed the story, I could not help feeling, on more than one occasion, that I was somehow reading a Watchmen light. Several of the themes that seems to interest Robinson as a writer, are themes that Moore covered, and then both more eloqyently and more in-depth, in . This, by no means nullifies the qualities and values found in The Golden Age, but together with some developments towards the end that concerns the major villains of the piece and, in my opinion, borders on the rather absurd (at least in the way it's handled � which is too easily, especially for the nature of the story as a whole, and therefore also something of a cop out), this lessens the impact of the story considerable.
Still, do not get me wrong. This was an enjoyable read and I will be checking out more of Robinson's oeuvre in the future. And as stated above, it definitely showcases some of Paul Smith's finest work, which in itself makes it worthwhile.
February 12, 2016
A fantastic alternate reality of the rise of the Golden Age DC superheroes. One of the best of the Elseworld series. Excellent storyline and art. Highly recommended for comic fans
August 10, 2017
A good graphic novel that could have been better. It's excellent as a period piece - "Watchmen meets post-WWII Americana" - but it's marred by a multitude of unsympathetic point of view characters and way too much "head-hopping" between them. As a result the narrative through-line in the first half of the book is really weak. The reveal of the villain(s) is a nice, satisfying a-ha moment to anyone versed in Golden Age lore, and the final battle is a gripping slam-fest in the best comic book fashion.
The biggest red mark against the book is an odd decision about coloring. Each character has narrative "thought" boxes in different colors. This works fine, except in the case of Manhunter. His narrative boxes are crucial to the overall story, and yet they're depicted in black ink on a dark maroon background. I literally had to shine a flashlight on his pages to read the text. How did no one notice this in the production process?
The biggest red mark against the book is an odd decision about coloring. Each character has narrative "thought" boxes in different colors. This works fine, except in the case of Manhunter. His narrative boxes are crucial to the overall story, and yet they're depicted in black ink on a dark maroon background. I literally had to shine a flashlight on his pages to read the text. How did no one notice this in the production process?
October 16, 2011
wow. musch better the second time around. especially when you think it's going to get all preachy about social problems and history, and then the supervillians are unmasked and the battle royale kicks in!
this is an "Elseworlds" title, so don't expect everyone you know to show, or history to unfold as it should. nevertheless, I found it quite exciting -- stayed up and read it by flashlight, like I was 12 again!
this is an "Elseworlds" title, so don't expect everyone you know to show, or history to unfold as it should. nevertheless, I found it quite exciting -- stayed up and read it by flashlight, like I was 12 again!
February 2, 2025
I can't believe it took me as long as it did to read this amazing comic. Much of it reminds me of what Alan Moore did in with showing the flawed humanity underneath the glossy exteriors of superheroes. This is exposed for the members of the Justice Society of America after World War II, when victory brings with it a loss of purpose � as one character reflects, beating up hoodlums seems small after fighting in a war. Adrift, the members of the JSA find themselves buffeted by the postwar currents, with only one of them, the former "Americommando" Tex Thompson, thriving in postwar America. While the sinister motivations are hinted at from the start, James Robertson manages to surprise nevertheless, saving the last of them for a epic battle at the end. His plot effectively uses the backstories and characterizations of the heroes from the original comics, while the story strikes a nice balance between the earnestness of the 1940s and the more cynical tone of modern times. That balance not only enhanced my enjoyment of the tale, but inspired me to seek out more JSA comics. While the creators may be hard pressed to live up to Robertson storytelling and Paul Smith's art, I look forward to seeing what else could be accomplished with this underappreciated team.
January 10, 2021
One for long-term enthusiasts. If you're not familiar with the original source material - the DC heroes of the 1940s - then this loving tribute will require a bit more concentration than normal...
Like Watchmen, it considers the position of outdated superheroes in a changing world where old values and previously lauded behaviour appear to be irrelevant - or even faintly ridiculous. Like Watchmen, it treats the men behind the masks as real people, full of flaws and anxiety and unresolved issues. And it has a cracking plot, too.
Unlike Watchmen, The Golden Age reinterprets existing characters and it doesn't have the elbow room to explain who-what-why-when from each individual's back story. Hence the reader is required to interpret much from between the lines.
That doesn't detract from the story, nor the clever commentary on American social history; HUAC, the rising Cold War, nuclear armament and such. Best of all, the author sneakily subverts one of comicdom's favourite plot devices (the weakling upgraded to super-dude through super-science) in splendid style.
So not the easiest standalone to get in to, but thoroughly enjoyable when you do get to grips with its characters and complexity.
8/10
Like Watchmen, it considers the position of outdated superheroes in a changing world where old values and previously lauded behaviour appear to be irrelevant - or even faintly ridiculous. Like Watchmen, it treats the men behind the masks as real people, full of flaws and anxiety and unresolved issues. And it has a cracking plot, too.
Unlike Watchmen, The Golden Age reinterprets existing characters and it doesn't have the elbow room to explain who-what-why-when from each individual's back story. Hence the reader is required to interpret much from between the lines.
That doesn't detract from the story, nor the clever commentary on American social history; HUAC, the rising Cold War, nuclear armament and such. Best of all, the author sneakily subverts one of comicdom's favourite plot devices (the weakling upgraded to super-dude through super-science) in splendid style.
So not the easiest standalone to get in to, but thoroughly enjoyable when you do get to grips with its characters and complexity.
8/10
February 25, 2019
Quando eu li pela primeira vez esta minissérie pela editora Tudo em Quadrinhos, eu li com as revistas com os cadernos, ou a ordem das páginas, trocadas na gráfica. E ainda assim eu gostei. Lendo desta vez, no formato correto, eu adorei. É uma bela homenagem aos heróis da Era de Ouro, que hoje pertencem à DC Comics, embora originariamente muitos deles pertenceram a outras editoras. Ele aborda heróis mais conhecidos e mais desconhecidos e nos transporta para uma época em que a paranoia ainda não era a ordem do dia, mas que começava a se fazer presente. Em A Era de Ouro, um arquiinimigo se instala entre os super-heróis fazendo o possível para que o nazismo renasça nos Estados Unidos. Ao mesmo tempo, aos poucos, os heróis se tornam conscientes desses movimentos e vão produzindo um contra-ataque para a ascensão nazista no coração do governo estadunidense. A Era de Ouro não é só uma homenagem à história dos quadrinhos de super-heróis, mas uma homenagem à própria história dos Estados Unidos, seja nos textos de James Robinson, seja na arte do prodígio Paul Smith, que emula a estética da época. Um belo trabalho que todo leitor interessado pela história dos comics deveria ler.
June 19, 2024
This plays out more like a 1950s pulpy noir film than a typical superhero story, and it's incredible. Robinson understands the characters so well, and Paul Smith's art is unique and intense. I absolutely loved the Manhunter side plot, and the many twists and turns of the story hit so hard.
October 2, 2018
The best Coda to WW2 Superheroes
Robinson Paul Smith and company created the most realistic take on what Happens to the World’s greatest heroes when they don’t need them anymore. How do you fit in the next Era? As the tears go by it’s harder to identify the new faces of Evil. A brilliant story that bridges the gap between the 40s and 60s DC heroes
Robinson Paul Smith and company created the most realistic take on what Happens to the World’s greatest heroes when they don’t need them anymore. How do you fit in the next Era? As the tears go by it’s harder to identify the new faces of Evil. A brilliant story that bridges the gap between the 40s and 60s DC heroes
August 13, 2020
Part of Zavvi’s Threads box for July.
JSA The Golden Age is a great one off self contained story. The main story itself is set in the 50’s and deals with the fallout of World War 2 and what the DC superheroes of that era were up to during the war. It evolves relatively quickly to revolve around Cold War paranoia. It doesn’t go into the typical end of the world affair, it’s a more grounded and realistic take on the genre.
I didn’t recognise many of the characters, but doesn’t seem to be a problem here. They are all introduced in their own way and how they tie into the story. No prior reading is needed.
Refreshing for a graphic novel, this is actually very heavy on the text. Rather than being like most modern graphic novels and being sparse, there is plenty of text to read and get your teeth into.
The main downside for me comes down to some font choices in particular sections. A font style is chosen that I personally found difficult to read. It isn’t helped by cropping up multiple times and normal for a couple pages worth of text. Not a deal breaker, but it did lessen my enjoyment of the story.
The art style is consistent throughout and aims for a classic pop style but with more detail on the characters and locations.
There is also a bonus story that has no impact on the main Golden Age story. We get a crossover between the Justice Society and the Justice League. It’s refreshing to see a crossover event that isn’t about the end of the universe but is instead just there for some fun.
Decent DC graphic novel that I would recommend if you want a different set of characters to follow, plus a time period I personally haven’t seen used much in comics.
JSA The Golden Age is a great one off self contained story. The main story itself is set in the 50’s and deals with the fallout of World War 2 and what the DC superheroes of that era were up to during the war. It evolves relatively quickly to revolve around Cold War paranoia. It doesn’t go into the typical end of the world affair, it’s a more grounded and realistic take on the genre.
I didn’t recognise many of the characters, but doesn’t seem to be a problem here. They are all introduced in their own way and how they tie into the story. No prior reading is needed.
Refreshing for a graphic novel, this is actually very heavy on the text. Rather than being like most modern graphic novels and being sparse, there is plenty of text to read and get your teeth into.
The main downside for me comes down to some font choices in particular sections. A font style is chosen that I personally found difficult to read. It isn’t helped by cropping up multiple times and normal for a couple pages worth of text. Not a deal breaker, but it did lessen my enjoyment of the story.
The art style is consistent throughout and aims for a classic pop style but with more detail on the characters and locations.
There is also a bonus story that has no impact on the main Golden Age story. We get a crossover between the Justice Society and the Justice League. It’s refreshing to see a crossover event that isn’t about the end of the universe but is instead just there for some fun.
Decent DC graphic novel that I would recommend if you want a different set of characters to follow, plus a time period I personally haven’t seen used much in comics.
May 4, 2011
Hitler's brain?
Recycled plot, which isn't necessarily a bad thing since so much of comics (and fiction) is about recycling, re-envisioning, re-presenting - but ultimately this graphic novel is boring and mired in the liberal promise of post-War America that pretends to be a critique of the fascistic undertones of the American superhero genre and the anti-communist fervor of the 1950s, but ends up just reinforcing an over-simplistic ideological vision of "the American spirit."
Recycled plot, which isn't necessarily a bad thing since so much of comics (and fiction) is about recycling, re-envisioning, re-presenting - but ultimately this graphic novel is boring and mired in the liberal promise of post-War America that pretends to be a critique of the fascistic undertones of the American superhero genre and the anti-communist fervor of the 1950s, but ends up just reinforcing an over-simplistic ideological vision of "the American spirit."
March 23, 2014
I'd give this more than 1 star, but less than 2. It's ripping off Watchmen HARD. Also like a bad version of Darwyn Cooke's JLA New Frontier books. Oh and the reveal near the end is like they just gave up and jumped the shark into ridiculous. Too bad, since the characters are all interesting enough when done properly, but this just fails on many levels. Avoid unless you like derivative work with far-fetched (even for comics) ideas.
August 18, 2009
A good 'Elseworlds' storyline - juxtaposing the transition from WWII to the Post-War/Cold War 50's with the passing of the golden age of comic heroes.
February 20, 2024
Я� ми знаємо в актуальному контінюті DC під час Другої світової війни була сформована команда героїв під назвою Товариство Справедливості Америки. Героїзм цих загадкових людей, як їх тоді називали, послужив натхненням для різних людей та поколінь, щоб стати героями� однак що було б якби історія склалася інакше? Що якби після Другої світової більшість героїв просто перестали б ними бути? Лімітка "Golden Age", яку пізніше перейменували в "JSA: Golden Age" як раз про це.
На дворі 1945 рік, війна тільки що завершилася й Америка святкує, а бум на загадкових людей в трико потихеньку зникає. Більшість героїв зникає з тих чи інших причин, хтось вирішує зосередитися на власному бізнесі, хтось вирішує одружитися, когось мучать жахіття через допомогу в створенні ядерної бомби, хтось починає усвідомлювати, що через війну прийняли необдумані рішення, ну а хтось повертається додому психічно нестабільним через те, що він побачив на війні. Однак для декого повернення на батьківщину призводить до того, що його зустрічають з величезними почестями. Текс Томпсон, який до того як потрапити на війну був дрібним віджиланте, стає всенародним героєм, оскільки саме він став тим хто проник в німецьке оточення та вбив Гітлера і його надлюдей.
В основному все зосереджується на таких персонажах як Джонні Квік, Алан Скотт (Зелений Ліхтар), Пол Кірк (Менгантер) та Тексі показуючи як він стає все більш впливовим політиком та вербує деяких героїв, щоб вони допомогли йому здійснити усі його плани. Плюс інколи нам ще показують як склалося життя деяких інших персонажів, однак на них йде менший фокус.
Взагалі деяких персонажів я знаю й було приємно побачити, що автор вирішив їх показати, все-таки нехай я і не сильно знайомий з пригодами персонажів Золотої Доби, однак в тих рідких моментах коли я з ними перемікався вони все-таки запали мені в душу. Однак для людей які взагалі не знайомі й не чули про цих героїв то може зайняти трохи часу, щоб зрозуміти хто є ким.
Щодо мінусів то в деяких моментах автор, Джеймс Робінсон, не дотиснув та недорозкрив деяких персонажів, говорю я тут про суперлиходія Спортмайстра, який з'являється в одній сцені на початку історії й під кінець ми дізнаємося його долю, і те, що з ним стається в кінці трохи не в'яжеться з тим, що він робить у кінці, як на мене, треба було додати, ще одну сцену яка б підвела до цього, те саме можу сказати про Джонні Тандера. І я розумію, що каст персонажів тут величенький і всіх неумістиш, але мені лімітка все-таки дуже сподобалася і видно, що вона могла б бути ще кращою.
Тим не менш, я з величезним задоволенням читав цей комікс. Сценарист Джеймс Робінсон та художник Пол Сміт створили історію за якою хотілося спостерігати і я все більше й більше хотів дізнатися, що ж буде далі (незважаючи на те, що я випадково зловив головний спойлер коли поліз відмічати цю серію на ґудрідс як "в процесі читання"). Загалом дуже раджу прочитати, як на мене, цілком вартий уваги комікс.
На дворі 1945 рік, війна тільки що завершилася й Америка святкує, а бум на загадкових людей в трико потихеньку зникає. Більшість героїв зникає з тих чи інших причин, хтось вирішує зосередитися на власному бізнесі, хтось вирішує одружитися, когось мучать жахіття через допомогу в створенні ядерної бомби, хтось починає усвідомлювати, що через війну прийняли необдумані рішення, ну а хтось повертається додому психічно нестабільним через те, що він побачив на війні. Однак для декого повернення на батьківщину призводить до того, що його зустрічають з величезними почестями. Текс Томпсон, який до того як потрапити на війну був дрібним віджиланте, стає всенародним героєм, оскільки саме він став тим хто проник в німецьке оточення та вбив Гітлера і його надлюдей.
В основному все зосереджується на таких персонажах як Джонні Квік, Алан Скотт (Зелений Ліхтар), Пол Кірк (Менгантер) та Тексі показуючи як він стає все більш впливовим політиком та вербує деяких героїв, щоб вони допомогли йому здійснити усі його плани. Плюс інколи нам ще показують як склалося життя деяких інших персонажів, однак на них йде менший фокус.
Взагалі деяких персонажів я знаю й було приємно побачити, що автор вирішив їх показати, все-таки нехай я і не сильно знайомий з пригодами персонажів Золотої Доби, однак в тих рідких моментах коли я з ними перемікався вони все-таки запали мені в душу. Однак для людей які взагалі не знайомі й не чули про цих героїв то може зайняти трохи часу, щоб зрозуміти хто є ким.
Щодо мінусів то в деяких моментах автор, Джеймс Робінсон, не дотиснув та недорозкрив деяких персонажів, говорю я тут про суперлиходія Спортмайстра, який з'являється в одній сцені на початку історії й під кінець ми дізнаємося його долю, і те, що з ним стається в кінці трохи не в'яжеться з тим, що він робить у кінці, як на мене, треба було додати, ще одну сцену яка б підвела до цього, те саме можу сказати про Джонні Тандера. І я розумію, що каст персонажів тут величенький і всіх неумістиш, але мені лімітка все-таки дуже сподобалася і видно, що вона могла б бути ще кращою.
Тим не менш, я з величезним задоволенням читав цей комікс. Сценарист Джеймс Робінсон та художник Пол Сміт створили історію за якою хотілося спостерігати і я все більше й більше хотів дізнатися, що ж буде далі (незважаючи на те, що я випадково зловив головний спойлер коли поліз відмічати цю серію на ґудрідс як "в процесі читання"). Загалом дуже раджу прочитати, як на мене, цілком вартий уваги комікс.
February 4, 2020
Robinson & Smith's Golden Age was a bombshell on the DC lineup when it came out, and rereading it it's easy to understand why. It absolutely feels like a a new and different form of storytelling for DC, more naturalistic in its conversations and daring in its use of time, characters and crosscutting between points of view.
My only complaint about it is like many great elseworlds stories it generated so much interest that people chased that right into the regular DC universe, with generally negative effects. But this book is well worth your time. (And Paul Smith remains one of my top 10 comics artists.)
My only complaint about it is like many great elseworlds stories it generated so much interest that people chased that right into the regular DC universe, with generally negative effects. But this book is well worth your time. (And Paul Smith remains one of my top 10 comics artists.)
February 12, 2020
La transdencia de Watchmen en la historia de los tebeos es indiscutible. En 1993 James Robinson y Paul Smith quisieron hacer su propia historia de Superhombres caídos en desgracia y sus actividades durante la Guerra Fría.
Una historia de pesimismo , de la nostalgia de la gloria pasada, pero también una historia de esperanza, de honor y de exaltación del patriotismo y los valores americanos. La defensa de la libertad, la valentía y el compromiso de hacer una nación grande.
Una joya de la cuál se habla mucho menos de lo que merece.
Una historia de pesimismo , de la nostalgia de la gloria pasada, pero también una historia de esperanza, de honor y de exaltación del patriotismo y los valores americanos. La defensa de la libertad, la valentía y el compromiso de hacer una nación grande.
Una joya de la cuál se habla mucho menos de lo que merece.
October 15, 2023
James Robinson dan fiksi sejarah berbasis dunia DC adalah jodoh. Membahas paranoia anti komunis di tahun-tahun pasca Perang Dunia II dengan mitologi para superhero dunia DC, judul ini secara realistis membahas kehidupan para anggota JSA setelah perang berakhir. Ada yang menikah, bercerai, jadi ODGJ, dan tentu saja...jadi politikus!
Di sinilah kekuatan James Robinson, sejarah riil bisa dikawinkan dengan kisah heroik nan tragis para jagoan veteran dunia DC era golden age yang mungkin tidak banyak dikenal para fans modern, terlebih yang cuma kenal dunia DC dari produk Hollywood.
Di sinilah kekuatan James Robinson, sejarah riil bisa dikawinkan dengan kisah heroik nan tragis para jagoan veteran dunia DC era golden age yang mungkin tidak banyak dikenal para fans modern, terlebih yang cuma kenal dunia DC dari produk Hollywood.
December 25, 2018
Baita exposição de um período da história dos quadrinhos através de um viés político.
April 20, 2019
První polovina je skvělá. Sledujeme úpadek supráků po válce a jejich (ne)vyrovnávání se s novou společností. V závěru to bohužel nabírá úplně jiný směr, ale přesto tohle DCKK stojí za to.
October 14, 2023
what a great comic. loved it.
August 5, 2016
A very good story about what happened to the Golden Age heroes after the end of WWII. As an Elseworld's story, Robinson is allowed a bit more play with backstory and outcome. Overlaid with the story is the socio/political climate of the time, with the beginning of the Red Scare.
Given that I am less familiar with the JSA characters, I found I had less emotional involvement in the story than I had with New Frontier, which visits similar themes. This gave the book less of an impact for me and, overall, made it less memorable.
P.S. There is a mistake. Johnny Thunder misnamed Black Canary, calling her Diana instead of Dinah.
Given that I am less familiar with the JSA characters, I found I had less emotional involvement in the story than I had with New Frontier, which visits similar themes. This gave the book less of an impact for me and, overall, made it less memorable.
P.S. There is a mistake. Johnny Thunder misnamed Black Canary, calling her Diana instead of Dinah.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.