Justice League of America #108
Published and © by DC, November-December 1973
Title: “Thirteen Against the Earth!”
Synopsis: As the heroes of three worlds come to blows, Red Tornado tries to free Earth-X from Nazi control.
Writer: Len Wein
Penciler: Dick Dillin
Inker: Dick Giordano
Review: Much as with part one of this JLA/JSA/Freedom Fighters crossover (see review of JLA #107), writer Len Wein’s story is saddled with too many characters to do any of these heroes justice. His script is also chockablock with conceptual potential, but he’s only able to give Earth-X the barest hint of world-building. Because of these issues, the liberation of a world from Hitler’s fascist control lacks any real emotional resonance. Still, it’s good fun seeing the Golden Age Quality heroes again; they’re a welcome addition to the Bronze Age DCU.
Grade: B-
Second opinion: Included on Alan Brightmore’s “Individual Comics That You Should Not Be Without” list, from “A Consumer’s Guide to D.C. Comics, Part 2,” Comics Unlimited #51, October-November 1979. … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003. … “The first time I found out about the Quality heroes.” – James Robinson, talking about his favorite JLA stories, Wizard #207 Gold, January 2009
Cool factor: Earth-X is loaded with potential …
Not-so-cool factor: … little of which is explored here.
Notable: “The JLA Mail Room” letters page includes an LoC from future DC comics writer Mike W. Barr.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “You have one second to deactivate your mind-control mechanisms – before I deactivate you!” – Red Tornado, with some tough talk for Mein Führer
Editor’s note: This review was written Aug. 13, 2023.
