Writer: Brad Meltzer
Artist: Rags Morales
Cover: Michael Turner
Publisher: DC
First off, a Spoiler Warning. I’m giving Identity Crisis away right off the bat. If you want to remain in the dark as to who is killed off in issue one, go no further. Stop. I’m revealing it now.
I liked Sue Dibny. I’ve known Sue Dibny since Detective Comics #426, published way back in 1972. I was with her when her husband Ralph, The Elongated Man, was inducted into the Justice League of America. I was with her when she spent time with Justice League Europe. I was with her when she and Ralph made a comeback in the pages of Starman. And I was with her the moment she died. The pain on Ralph’s face at that moment is devastating, and I feel it.
Yes, I love Identity Crisis. I’ve read it five times since its release on June 9, and I intend to read it again when I stop writing this. But I am disturbed and heartbroken at the murder of Sue Dibny. I feel badly for Ralph. I kind of wish it had been Snapper Carr. Actually, that’s not true. I wasn’t looking forward to anyone in the League or close to the JLA dying. Back when I started collecting comics the only character killed was Red Tornado, and he would come back to be killed again. And then he’d come back. Anyone else would either resign or take a leave of absence. Those were my good old days with the League.
Those were the satellite years, 1969-1984, from issues 78 to around 230. When I started collecting in 1972 the League was comprised of Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Hawkman, Atom and Aquaman. The Elongated Man came on board in 1973, followed by Red Tornado, the reinstatement of Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Zatanna, and Firestorm. (The Phantom Stranger was also inducted in 1972, but he didn’t appear much.) Their adventures were chronicled by Denny O’Neil, Mike Friedrich, Len Wein, Elliot S. Maggin, Cary Bates, Martin Pasko, E. Nelson Bridwell, Steve Englehart, and Gerry Conway. Dick Dillin, George Perez, Don Heck, and Chuck Patton provided the art. This is the League writer Brad Meltzer’s Identity Crisis harkens back to. To many of us long-time fan boys, it is the quintessential League line-up.
There is a big secret regarding this League, so secret that not even us long-time readers are privy to it. This secret appears to involve Dr. Light, and it also appears that not all the League members at that time were in on it. The secret will be revealed soon, possibly in issue two. I can’t even begin to guess what it is. Part of me doesn’t even want to know. The other part can’t wait.
I highly anticipated this series, and, like I stated above, I’ve enjoyed reading it several times. It’s a thoroughly now script featuring characters I grew up with and haven’t seen together as ‘the League’ in almost two decades. It’s good to see them. I do not like the circumstances that brought them together. I don’t like the idea of some deep, dark secret coming to light. To Light? Hmm.
I’m going to miss Sue Dibny. She didn’t deserve this. I love seeing my League back in action. I hope justice is served. And I’ve got to give Meltzer all the credit in the world, because he has made me realize just how much I cared, and still care, about the Justice League of America.
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