DC; January 1978
Cover by Rich Buckler and Jack Abel
Title: “The Key – or Not the Key”
Synopsis: The entire might of the JLA combines to stop a plot by their one-time sidekick and the villainous Key.
Writer: Steve Englehart
Penciler: Dick Dillin
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Review: This reviewer would often pick up Justice League of America as a kid, drawn in by its impressive collection of heroes and the consistently solid art of Dick Dillin. But the villains on this series were often a letdown, a problem that plagues this issue. The Star-Tsar? Really? And a guy in a giant key helmet? Wait, what? He’s the Key? But, of course! And the secret villain who gives one of the longest explanatory monologues in comics’ history? Someone should just punch him already. In fact, more punching would generally help this issue.
Grade: B-
Cool factor: DC’s 48-page “Giant” format (though not nearly as cool as DC’s 100-page “Super Spectacular” format, of course).
Not-so-cool factor: Once again: Dude has a key for a head.
Notable: Jimmy Carter cameo.
Character quotable: “I’m grown up now, and man enough to take the rap for my decisions!” – Snapper Carr, as Star-Tsar
Copyright ©2017 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl offers up a Bronze Age Minute. For more, check out Wahl’s website, SequentialReaction.com.