Heroes Against Hitler

DC Special #29 (August/September 1977)

"The Untold Origin of the Justice Society"
Paul Levitz-Joe Staton/Bob Layton

Doug: We've remarked around these parts quite often of our affinity for giant-size issues. Shoot, last summer we dedicated a month of Mondays to 'em (pssst... we're thinking about doing it again this June). So, you can imagine my 11-year old brain's excitement when I spied this baby at the Convenient Food Mart one summer day. Man, I'd been loving the JSA reboot happening in All-Star Comics and was thirsting for anything to supplement that monthly. Well, here it was, right before my eyes. And a period piece at that! Oh, and the Neal Adams cover ain't too shabby, either.

Doug: First off, that's an awesome pin-up on the splash page. Yeah, I know that today's comics have that sort of hero-posturing all the time. But 34 years ago? Pages like this were a treasure! Think how cool it was in the Marvel annuals to find 3-4 pages of pin-ups. Just great stuff!

Doug: The story begins in Washington, DC, as an envoy from the British government has come to the States to request that America enter the war. With Hitler on the verge of invading the British islands, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is implored to assist his ally. Having just been re-elected on a platform of isolationism (yet secretly wanting to engage the Nazis), FDR declines the request. However, he does offer the potential of some newcomers on the stage of justice.

Doug: Cut to Gotham City, where a Bat Signal has gone up. Responding, the Dark Knight is introduced to the Flash and Green Lantern in the office of Commissioner Gordon. The three young (I loved that scribe Paul Levitz stressed that aspect of characterization -- these are guys in probably their early 20's, still wet behind the ears) heroes are then briefed by the same British agent who'd sought aid at the White House. They are flown to Scotland to interrupt Nazi control of a castle, the base they are using to plan the invasion of the UK. Easily dispatching the Nazis on hand, our heroes are surprised when confronted by a giant robot of German design. With no previous teamwork to draw on, the heroes fall almost immediately.

Doug: A brief interlude to Salem, Massachusetts reveals that Dr. Fate has seen the goings-on. Needing reinforcements, he finds Hourman and the two of them make their way to Germany, because, as we see shortly, Hitler has assembled his minions and followers for the purpose of displaying his new trophies. Unmasking the Batman, Hitler is startled to find another cowl instantly appear! That ruse is used to announce the presence of Fate and Hourman, who free their new friends. Hitler, armed with the alleged Spear of Destiny, calls on its mystical forces to open the heavens, unleashing the mythical Nordic Valkyries!

Doug: So the increasingly hopeless scenario is this: Batman, Fate, Hourman, Flash, and GL are getting the stuffing knocked out of them by the Valkyries, Hitler has given the invasion command, the British navy is waiting on word from Scotland that Batman and his mates took out the Nazis, and those same Nazis are now sailing an immense fleet across the English Channel. Sensing that this is heading south in a hurry, Fate uses his magics to send out tendrils -- tentacle-like forces that will grab four heroes with hope that they will turn things around: Sandman, Hawkman, the Atom, and a mystery man yet to be revealed.

Doug: Suddenly a million men, 1000 planes, and 100 battleships descend on the British Isles. While the Germans initially hold the upper hand, it's the British who hold the element of surprise as three colorful warriors take their side. Making their way through the initial wave of Nazis, the Americans see the beach... and the massive navy assembled offshore. It's then that the object of Fate's fourth tendril is revealed -- the Spectre has come to assist!

Doug: Quick comment on the art -- Joe Staton is really, really solid on this story. I know that for some he's an acquired taste, as he can be ever so slightly on the cartoony side. However, just a gander at the page samples here and I think you'll see that his figure work is outstanding, and he moves the story along at a nice pace. He's for the most part a keeper from the Bronze Age.
Doug: Back in Berlin, Green Lantern has sealed his new friends in a force-sphere to protect them from the onslaught of the Valkyries, and so they can plan. Fate offers to re-enter the fray, and does so with a vengeance! He drives the Valkyries back, much to the dismay of Hitler. Desperate to not lose control of the battle, Hitler orders that the long-range experimental bomber be charted for America -- specifically for the White House!

Doug: Cut back to the English Channel, where the Spectre has grown to gigantic proportions and is cutting through the German navy. Compared to Sir Francis Drake's victory over the Spanish Armada, the Spectre is indeed a force to be reckoned with. The fleet destroyed, the Spectre, Hawkman, the Atom, and Sandman are joined by their counterparts who had fought in Germany: Fate, the Batman, Flash, GL, and Hourman. Now these nine men acquaint themselves with each other, and trade information about what has happened thus far. It is the beginning of something special. Suddenly, though, the Valkyries reappear, an escort for Hitler's bomber!

Doug: A battle rages over the Atlantic, with the heroes stalemated against the Valkyries. Hours pass, and soon Washington, DC comes into view! With one last push, the heroes realize that they cannot turn the tide. But suddenly, Green Lantern shouts that aid has come, up from the press building... Superman is here! Man, when I was a kid I got goosebumps when I turned that page and saw the Big Red S cut that Nazi plane in two! What a great pay-off! You know, I often wonder about artists lay-outs. Kirby was always a master of getting a reveal following an ad page, for example. Joe Staton achieves that feeling here. And as if destroying the bomber wasn't enough, Superman pulls one last amazing feat in catching the payload dropped when the ship split in half. The day is saved! Or is it?

Doug: Despite the loss of the bomber, the Valkyries intend to finish the job. They swoop low over the White House as anti-aircraft fire tries to drive them away. Green Lantern is taken out, and with his trip to la-la land goes the platform he was using to carry the Atom, Sandman, and Hourman. Four heroes out. The Atom, however, struggles to regain consciousness and heads into the mansion. And just in time, as a woman warrior penetrated the last line of defense to take aim on FDR. At the moment the bolt was fired, the Atom leapt in front of the President, saving his life.

Doug: The last Valkyrie failing in her mission was called home, leaving the ten heroes to regroup, and to debrief in the presence of the President. FDR suggested that they remain together as a team. Hawkman suggested they form a super-battalion; Superman offered that since they were part of no army, but would instead serve the cause of justice anywhere, they should be called the Justice Society of America!

Doug: This was a really fun story. I'm a sucker for the good retcons -- this didn't really disturb anything; no, it's sort of like an "untold tale" of the JSA. Going through this again I had that sense of nostalgic silliness that I'd had as a kid. Sure, the Superman splash wasn't as cool as it was when I was 11, but just knowing that the heroes would be heroes and the bad guys would be foiled again -- it's that sort of innocence in four-color storytelling that I miss so much out of today's books. Call it quaint; I call it 30 minutes of pure escapist fun!