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Another amazing issue as Gog attacks.  Justice Society of America should be DC’s flagship title.

Once again, Geoff Johns proves that he can write action as well as characters.  Justice Society of America #14 balances both concepts with expert precision as “Thy Kingdom Come” kicks into high gear.

To recap, the Superman from the Kingdom Come Earth has arrived on New Earth and joined the Justice Society.  In addition, the Justice Society has nearly doubled in size as several legacy characters (including Amazing Man, Wildcat, Cyclone, Judomaster, Lightning, Mr. America Citizen Steel and Lance Corporal David Reid) have joined the team.  Then, Gog appears.

Gog is a character created by Mark Waid several years back during the New Year’s Evil and The Kingdom events.  Chuck Austin, eventually brought Gog into mainstream continuity as a major villain for Superman. Magog was finally defeated in Action Comics 777.  Now, Gog has shown up again.  This time as the “Heartbreak Slayer”, a villain with a mission to destroy all the false gods in the DC Universe. (This issue has him facing off against Infinity-Man from Jack Kirby’s fourth world Forever People.) 

On his own, Gog presents a major threat and is a formidable villain for the Justice Society.  However, it is his connection to the elder Superman that makes him more interesting.  Gog is the predecessor to Magog, the anti-hero responsible for Superman’s downfall during Kingdom Come.  Last issue, the Society decided to stop Gog, which leads to this issue.  Gog decides he doesn’t want wait for the Justice Society to find them and attacks their brownstone.

This issue, written by Ross and Johns has some great moments.  The gravity of the Gog threat is apparent when Starman seriously discusses the threat of Gog.  That threat becomes more evident when Gog arrives and attacks the team. More amazing, is how John’s is able to continue the theme of legacy as the primary driver of the series.  However, now it is the negative side of legacy represented by the threat Magog.  The only problem I had is that Judomaster can’t speak English despite the fact that she was fully conversant in Birds of Prey 100—a minor quibble.  Dale Eaglesham’s art is beautiful, as always as he returns to the series.  He is able to place details in panels (such as Starman knocking over Superman’s coffee and the loving looks between Hourman and Liberty Belle) that develop as much character as the dialogue.

The last panel makes next issue a can’t miss.

Justice Society of America #14
“Gog”
Writer: Geoff Johns & Alex Ross
Pencils: Dale Eaglesham
Inks: Prentis Rollins
Colorist: Alex Sinclaire
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover: Alex Ross
Variant Cover: Eaglesham and Florea
$2.99

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