JSA All-Stars #8 - DC

Now that we've moved past Magog . . at least for the time being, we can get on to some real stories here. This issue the All-Stars are helping out the police of Los Angeles with some violent gang activity. But what they find is that the Paradorans seem to be trying to take over all gang activity in LA. They're killing everybody in very ritualistic fashion. They're also spreading a drug out on the street that seems to convert everyone it comes into contact with into their way of thinking . . their religion. Supposedly, when they take the drug, it's the ultimate high . . because they see God. Although I'm sure it's the Paradorans God. Anyways, as the teams looking into it, Roxy, their AI computer, has put together some correlation's between this recent activity and what's been going on in the actual country of Paradoran. So . . part of the team heads off there to investigate. What I thought was the interesting part of this story is all the similarities and interest that has come up in the amount of these members that used to belong to Infinity Inc. Karen asks Al about how he feels about Jade's return. And this whole Paradoran gang thing is very similar to a case the Infinitors worked shortly before Eclipso to over the country . . way back when. Anyways, the real link comes when we find out what's actually going on in Paradora. Well . . actually, what's going on isn't as important as who's involved. They don't come right out and tell us but it seems that Henry King Jr, Hank . . also known as Brainwave Jr, another former member of Infinity Inc . . Hank is involved. But I don't get the feeling that it's by his own choosing. And he seems to be there more to keep a lid on things than anything else. The bad things seem to be stemming from a little boy. Now that I think about it, I wonder if Brainwave Jr doesn't have a Jr of his own. Maybe the power was passed down, much in the way his was from his father. But, we'll have to wait until next issue to find out more about that. There also seems to be a bit of a relationship forming between Cyclone and Chimera. As well as just the tiniest bit of information about him. He appears to have lost a love . . Namita. Also, Anna Fortune continues to be a bit of an enigma. The issue ends looking like Cyclone has had her guts torn out by one of these leopards. Overall, I thought it was a good book. I think Matthew Sturges is doing a good job with the stories. And I love the look and feel of Freddie Williams II's pencils. It really gives the book a good feel. I'm not thrilled with the Hourman / Liberty Belle story, but . . it is what it is. I'm sure it'll all be connected . . somehow . . sooner or later. It's by Jan Van Meter and Travis Moore. Personally, I think this book gets better with every issue.