Baita exposição de um período da história dos quadrinhos através de um viés político. ( )

I made it about halfway through this, and it is pretty much unreadable. The writing is just so bad, and the story is just, I don't know, it's just stupid. The illustrations are ok, not great. Flipping through the last half, it looks like it might get a bit better, but I'm not going to waste my time. ( )

While this was once considered an "Elseworlds" book, it's now almost entirely accepted as canon in the JSA continuity.

A well-told tale providing new insights into many older characters, and a rare look at superheroes in the years between WWII and the Silver Age. ( )

Silly and boring. ( )

Despite the fact that this story is labeled "Elseworlds," I'm not sure why it wouldn't work as a prequel to the DC universe as seen in Robinson's Starman series; in fact, it has a number of elements in common with it. This follows DC's World War II superheroes as they adapt back to life post-war, in a world that seems to be leaving them behind. Like the best of superhero stories, it thus becomes universal, telling a story about how anyone would adjust to life in what the 1950s brought. With a sprawling cast that's sometimes hard to keep straight, it feels big, and the conspiracy at the story's heart unravels audaciously.

Paul Martin Smith's artwork is good, but Richard Ory's colors bring them to life; this book wouldn't be half so good without the additional subtleties and tones they deliver.