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JSA: Mixed Signals by Geoff Johns, Keith Champagne and Don Kramer
01/02/2007 . Source: Geoff Willmetts 
Pub: Titan Books. 143 page graphic novel. Price: £ 8.99 (UK). ISBN: 1-84576-347-5. Buy JSA: Mixed Signals in the USA - or Buy JSA: Mixed Signals in the UK  check out website: www.titanbooks.com and www.dccomics.com
There must have been an editorial cock-up. Not mine, I hasten to add. This book, 'JSA: Mixed Signals' should have been identified as being part of the 'Infinite Crisis' cross-overs, especially as it covers the fate (excuse a pun you'll get later) of some of the magically-endowed people such as Mordru and Shazam within these pages. Mind you, with a main cover painted by Alex Ross, not to mention in the back of the book, covers from the series, maybe that was considered enough of a selling point.
The Justice Society of America's part in the proceedings ends up being split into three directions and allowing its different members to shine in different settings. The first is the return of Air Wave (Mk II version) who is receiving broadcasts across the galaxy of various invasions which ties into the Rann-Thanagor War which then deprives the team of its Green Lantern and the newer GL, Hal Jordan. The rest of the team seek out Dr. Fate only to find his human host gone and Sand plays host to Nabu for a conflict with Mordru. [If you don't read comics, sorry if you're lost. It's easy to figure out when reading the story.] A bunch of the JSAers are given access to a portal that allows them to come to the rescue of the Thunderbolt and stop his current user, who is playing host himself to something, from causing carnage there.
Believe me, it's a lot easier to follow when you read the story. If you like super-hero team-books, then this shouldn't cause you any problems. Ever since the 50s, the JSA has always played second-fiddle to the latter Justice League but as this book shows, it just needs a good hand at the wheel to let them fly. It's a shame little consideration is given to their ages, especially the original Flash and Green Lantern but I guess super-powers give vitality.
If I have to be critical about the book and remember the original was a multi-part comic, then it's the slight conflicting styles between a couple different parts of the book. Its more obvious with how the Wildcat's mask is portrayed from traditional to big cheeks and floppy-ears. I can appreciate that a single artist alone couldn't keep with the schedule but would have thought it might have made more sense to have some consistency between the styles.
As it is, there are elements crucial to the 'Infinite Crisis' series here so don't go missing on this one.
GF Willmetts
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