DC; January 1982
Cover by Rich Buckler and Romeo Tanghal

Title: “Never Step on a Feathered Serpent!”
Synopsis: The Justice Society disbands; new superheroine Firebrand joins the All-Star Squadron on a mission to Mexico.

Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciler: Rich Buckler
Inker: Jerry Ordway

Review: Roy Thomas spent much of his early 1980s tenure at DC trying to replicate the various formulas of his ‘70s Marvel successes. Here, the All-Star Squadron is the writer’s Invaders analogue: A retcon exploration of a publisher’s Golden Age past, remixing classic characters with new creations while grounding the series in real world history. As with The Invaders, it’s clearly a labor of love for Thomas. But the All-Star Squadron lacks an A-lister like Captain America or a character as well-defined as Sub-Mariner. And Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway’s art, while solid, lacks the pizzaz Frank Robbins brought to The Invaders.

Grade: C+

Second opinion: “3 out of 4 stars.” – Brent Frankenhoff, Comics Buyer’s Guide #1647 (November 2008)

Cool factor: Roy Thomas loves playing with the Golden Age characters of youth…
Not-so-cool factor: …but his stories can get bogged down by fanboy details.

Notable: First appearance of the Bronze Age Firebrand. The “All-Star Comments” letters page includes an LOC from Jerry Bails, one of the founding fathers of comics fandom.

Character quotable: “I hear by declare the Justice Society of America disbanded – for the duration!” – Hawkman, JSA chairman

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