This month, the Irredeemable Shag FINALLY agreed to be on DC SpecialCast! Paul and Shag discuss the first super team – the Justice Society of America! Thrill to the first telling of how the team got together, as told in DC Special #29 from 1977!
And we have the next installment of The Monthly Planet, as Paul and Shawn dissect the Daily Planet house ads from the Bicentennial year of July 1976!
This month’s instocktrades.com selections:
https://www.instocktrades.com/comingsoon/apr2670222/jsa-(2024)-tp-vol-03-year-one
Visit the Daily Planet:
https://www.mikesamazingworld.com/F231EB71A50CE9/features/gallery.php?page=planet
Learn more about Joe Staton:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Staton
https://twomorrows.com/comicbookartist/articles/12staton.html
https://www.mikesamazingworld.com/F231EB71A50CE9/features/creator.php?creatorid=92
Have a question or comment? Have a specific issue you love and want to talk to us about it? Have a favorite issue and want to be a guest?
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“Cloud Dancer ” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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Excellent show, Paul & Shag!
I had this issue back in the day, and like you guys I just loved it – the story, the art, the buxom Valkyries, everything. By the way, since it’s even featured on the cover, I should note that the Spear of Destiny actually exists, although it’s better known as the Holy Lance – there are in fact four artifacts, one held in Vienna, another in Rome (and I forget where the other two are), which are purportedly the weapon used to pierce Christ’s heart. To my knowledge, though, none have exhibited any supernatural power.
Anyway, I appreciated the spotlight on Joe Staton, as he has always been a personal favorite of mine – although I think you could have put a little more emphasis on E-man, which is one of the most brilliant characters created in the 1970s (also, just a note, the surname of E-man’s other co-creator, Nicola Cuti, is pronounced like ‘Cutty’, i.e., it rhymes with Buddy – don’t feel bad about not knowing that, because until I heard it pronounced correctly, I read it as ‘Cootie’ in my head). And yes, Shag is right: Showcase #100 is an absolutely standout, and I’d argue that it’s the best 100th issue of any series ever.
And in conclusion, I have to respond to a comment you made in the Monthly Planet feature about Swamp Thing going to Portland for some craft beer; as someone who grew up about 30 miles south of the city, I can tell you unequivocally that back in the late ’70s that would have been highly unlikely – the best Swampy could have gotten was a bottle of Henry Weinhard’s, the premium beer produced by the local Blitz brewery. Portland only began to become a haven for hipsters with a penchant for craft beers, etc. at the very tail end of the 1980s.
Love this book, I know I got this signed by Joe Staton but I think it was as a ‘top secret project’. Maybe I sent it to Chris Franklin??
Anyways, the Spectre ripping up boats and Superman bashing through planes and the Atom saving FDR all live rent-free in my mind. And the buxom valkyries live there too!
As for Shag being upset about FDR creating all the teams, I will remind him that Roy Thomas co-created FDR and can do what he wants with the character.
Sadly, I wasn’t the recipient of the signed DC Special #29, so the search continues!
Sorry, Paul, but you’re 100 years off the mark. The “sesquicentennial” was the 150th anniversary. This year was the “semiquincentennial” for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.
I really enjoyed this episode guys! One quick note on Joe Staton: I’ve been a big Dick Tracy fan since I was a kid. Several years ago when Joe was still drawing the comic strip, he attended a comic convention in my area. He was signing lots of superhero comics & I think surprised him by asking him to autograph a Dick Tracy poster. He jumped up and asked if he could take my photograph! I’m guessing not many Tracy fans went to conventions.
His work on Dick Tracy was fantastic & won several awards. I hope it gets collected!
Great episode about a GREAT COMIC! One of my absolute all time favorite comics. I also have my signed by both Levitz and Staton, also at Baltimore Comic Con. (2014 I believe).
Does the book treat our heroes like chumps? Sure! They kinda were chumps! They were still rookies in the winter of 1940. Some of them hadn’t had time to even drip coffee on their costumes, and they were going up against battle hardened troops that had been sweeping through Europe! It’s not to hard to accept they’d get their clocks cleaned in the beginning.
I kind of agree with Shagg that Batman and Superman should probably have been left out of the story. Especially since they weren’t part of the early JSA adventures. However, this book was a big celebration ofDC’s Golden Age heroes. It would have been a shame to leave them out.
This comic is pure magic. I love it. Every page, every panel.
Kind of funny to hear Shag talking about the JSA on a podcast that he doesn’t host. I might have had the digest version of this story, but I’m not sure. I’ll definitely be looking for it now. That Superman splash page alone would be worth the price.
I have had the opportunity to meet Joe Staton a few times at Heroes Con. He and his wife could not be nicer people. I got a photo of myself with him and All-Star Comics #72, which was my first JSA comic. He kindly signed it as well as my Showcase #100 and his issue of the DC Challenge.
There is a whole class of items called the arma Christi or “weapons of Christ” that are associated with his Passion. The Spear of Destiny/Holy Lance, as Edo Bosnar mentions above, is one of them along with the Holy Grail, the Crown of Thorns, and other relics.
And just wanted to say that I also love the Daily Planet feature and have been making my way through all the back episodes of Batman Family Reunion. This show continues that tradition of excellence!
I was able to set aside my festering jealousy that Shag got to cover this comic, always one of my all time favorites.
I first read this story in Best of DC Digest #21, and the simple, clear penciling of Joe Staton combined with Bob Layton’s super smooth, clean ink lines really reduced down well. I wish they had been paired together more, they really compliment each other.
I have always had an affinity for 30s and 40s America. That probably comes from a couple of different sources, but one of them undoubtedly is stories like this, with all the period flavor and FDR being such a total bad ass–he creates the JSA for pete’s sake!
Re: The Monthly Planet–the Welcome Back Kotter treasury is all new material, made up of issues commissioned for the regular book which got cancelled before they ran. I wish DC had used the treasuries for more of that kind of material. The DC Implosion alone could have gifted us half a dozen more All New Collectors’ Editions!
Impressive podcast most impressive. Cool cover. Look. Don Trump on the cover with a spear in hand..: oh wait… that’s hitter sorry hard to tell them apart. Anyway Supes And crew look cool in the cover. And it is well put together drawing your eye to the title of the book. Next.
Descent enough splash page of the whole JSA. Power Girl being one of my favorites. Descent story and of course Bats is the first one recruited.
Flash and GL fighting the giant nazi robot was cool. And after their captured hitler or is that Trump? Anyway holding the spear and using it makes a cool story beat and something for the heroes to overcome. And help stop the worst bad guys in history . The Valkyrie’s are cool and I swear that’s not me and one of my girlfriends Donielle flying in lols close enough. lol I wish.
Spector showing up was great and worked well. Wait did Supes go giant? Cause he lolls real big next to the plane I know Golden Age Supes got a ton of what ever the story needs powered like shooting rain bows and mini gums from his hands, but this is new .
Still col him and Doc Fate teaming up. Any ware here comes the Valkyries. Atom to the rescue. Not a bad save and Supes stoping the Valkyrie. Though yeah being held by Supes like that not the worst thing to happen to a girl. Lol. Anyway over all a good story.
Awsome a Shawn segment. Cool cool. Was cool hearing you and Shagg , but it’s always cool hearing ya team up with Shawn. Anyway can’t wait till the next episode.
Still making my way through the episode, but wanted to comment on the DC Special #29 portion first. Like others here, I first encountered this story in Best of DC Digest #21. I will forever remember that issue, because I got in trouble at school, but my mom didn’t know it, and brought that book home. When I told her, rather than take it away from me, she told me to remember what I did every time I look at that book…and I still do! Despite all this, I LOVE this comic, and I think it’s a perfect origin for the JSA. The Superman splash helped cement my love for the Earth-Two verison of the character, which is one reason I’m doing the Mr. and Mrs. Superman series over on JS Presents! There are some oddities like Sandman throwing sand, and not using his gas gun, but minor niggles aside, it’s a stone-cold classic, and you guys gave it it’s due.
The spotlight on Joe Staton was fantastic, and as others have said, he couldn’t be a nicer fellow to meet at cons! What a fantastic body of work he’s produced. So glad he got some love from last year’s Superman movie, very well deserved. His giant bat symbol (a favorite of many) helped to influence Alex Ross’ take on Batman’s costume, so his legacy runs deep.
Aside from Shag’s slight diss on Earth-Two Robin’s “goofy” costume (have you seen his earlier Batman-esque number?), this was a fantastic episode gents! Now onto the Monthly Planet!
Such a blast recording this! Thanks again for having me on the show, Paul!
Since recording this episode, I’ve had the opportunity to return to HeroesCon and chat again with Joe Staton! I bought an original Dr Fate head sketch from him this time, and he and his wife shared with me tales of their love for… Doctor Who!!?! Joe Staton is a fan of Doctor Who, and had funny stories of meeting two of the actors who have played The Doctor!!!! Doctor Who and Joe Staton… Two of my favorite things!!!
Shag, I did notice Joe at Heroes Con this year wearing a TARDIS baseball cap. Glad to know he’s a fan. Just another reason to appreciate him.
And it’s another splendid episode, thanks Paul and Shagg. I remember being so excited when this issue came out, I mean, it’s the never-before-revealed origin of the JSA. Did you notice that both the Justice League and the Justice Society had origins that were untold until they were told in double-sized issues? And both of ‘em in Summer 1977.
I wonder why the colon was added after ‘DC Special’ on the cover. Yeah, I’m a bit of a stickler for grammar and stuff, but even I think that’s unnecessary.
This is a classic cover from Neal Adams, but it’s a bit too cluttered, I’d have at least taken off the side swastika from the rocket and maybe the odd Valkyrie
Isn’t it typical that on the final page pin-up when the group has got together Superman and Batman are so prominent and they were never regular members.
It’s so weird that Showcase #100 has never been reprinted in English. Could we do some FW Podcasts manifesting?
Loved the Joe Staton profile, what a prolific creator. Do you think the two Red Tornado heads on the splash were apparently so carelessly placed because neither deserved to be there? I mean, Ma Hunkel was delusional and Reddy was brainwashed into thinking he was a member.
Shagg, are you burying the lede, you were at the Oscars?
As ever, an excellent edition of the Monthly Planet. I’d forgotten that early on Bob Rozakis used to write the featured previews as if it was an actual newspaper, with witnesses to super-incidents et cetera. I’m glad they dropped that, it’s too cheesy.
The reason you don’t remember what Hawkman was doing in Portland, Paul, is that Swamp Thing #25 was never published because the comic was cancelled. Pages from the story were printed in Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age #2. And if you ask Google Gemini it hallucinates that ‘A fully finished and completed version of the issue was released as part of the Swamp Thing: Dark Genesis Omnibus collection.’
Thank you so much for the call-out – as if I am always correcting you, Paul!
Hey Paul, surely you’re wrong on who cancelled Warlord, it wouldn’t be Julie Schwartz, it would be publisher Carmine Infantino (or maybe Gianni Infantino – hey, I did a sports reference!).
That Black Canary story with the Calculator referencing the old song ‘It’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight’ has been referenced so many times by comic book writers – do any of us even know this song?
Wonder Woman 226 and 227 were my favourite issues of the Bronze Age, as well as the usual ace art from Jose Delbo it has a touching script from Marty Pasko – two words, Shawn… ‘Judy Garland’.
We never got Welcome Back Kotter in the UK, but I liked the comic well enough.
Those Daily Planet quizzes were always so disappointingly simple – we should make up our own. Heck, I’ve dreamed of a FW Podcasts trivia quiz show!
As a long time JSA fan, this issue is one of my long-time favorites.
I run hot and cold on Joe Staton. I remember his work on “The Six Million Dollar Man” comic for Charlton, and loved his work when paired with Bob Layton. Sometimes his cartoony style doesn’t seem like it always fits a certain story or character, but when it does it’s great.
I’m also a history buff and a fan of alternative histories. This episode’s story summary collided with that part of me and got me to wondering —
FDR had just been reelected to his 3rd term in early November 1940. The VP at that time, John Nance Garner, had challenged FDR for the nomination and was subsequently replaced on the ticket by Henry Wallace, the Secretary of Agriculture. This story is still about a month away from the electors meeting to cast their votes, and two months away from Congress certifying the results, and FDR and Wallace being sworn in on January 20, 1941.
If the Valkyrie had killed FDR, then Garner would have become President. The big “what if” is, what happens to FDR’s electoral college voters? Do they vote for Wallace? Does Garner make an argument for himself? He’s been VP for 8 years, was a former House Speaker, and is now the incumbent President. If the Democratic votes split and it goes to the House, who does the House select?
Crap, just what I need, a new rabbit hole in my head pulling me in.
This was a fantastic episode of DC SpecialCast (as usual) and I’m not just saying that because I started and, I think, finished the comment section. This is a fun show because of the variety of “Specials” that Paul picks, how much work he puts into each episode with his “creator spotlight” info, because of what his guests bring to the table, and because of the Monthly Planet. I sometimes forget that it’s coming up and I think to myself, “Wow, the comment sections must be huge this month since there’s still 50 minutes to go” (or whatever.) I read every one of those Daily Planet pages back in the day and I wished I could find some of those comics on the “spinner rack” of the local small town pharmacies where I bought comics. I never even saw books like Warlord or Kamandi and probably wouldn’t have had enough money to buy them, if I did. But it was so cool to see all the other things that DC was publishing. I also agree with Martin (above) that the trivia was way too simple even for me back then. Thanks again for another entertaining show, Paul and Shag!
Zoinks !!!
I Almost forgot to leave comment I’ve bin on vacation sorry .
But any ways .
This story looks cool . Weirdly I have read some comics set during ww2 but I always seem to find marvel stuff like the invaders or all winders squad .
I have both collections of JSA the dc finest ones but I’ve only read volume one .
Sorry for rumbling. Any ways here’s my secret question for every one who is your favorite member of the JSA team or sub team .
I’ll say it as I probably will be the only one who
Will Johnny and his thunder bolt .
And also are We sure Johnny is secretly Jimmy Olsens long lost uncle.
Great show, Paul and other guy. I first read this JSA origin in a digest, and it’ll always been one of those stories that stuck with me. Such a cool way to handle a large array of super-heroes. Everyone had their moment, more or less.
Regarding Sandman not being visible on the cover: While most of the heroes went high to take on the Valkyries, we’ve learned from Sandman Mystery Theatre that Wes’s specialty was going low.
Is that rude?
I think that’s rude.
A bit