Subject Matter
Genres:
superhero
Character(s):
All-Star Squadron [Tarantula; Wonder Woman [Diana Prince]; Justice Society of America [Green Lantern [Alan Scott]; Johnny Thunder; Sandman [Wes Dodds]; Doctor Fate [Kent Nelson]; Spectre [Jim Corrigan]; Hawkman [Carter Hall]; Atom [Al Pratt]; Superman [Clark Kent; Kal-L]; Batman; Flash [Jay Garrick]; Thunderbolt]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Lois Lane; Joan Williams; Robert Cummings; Ian Karkull (main villain); Catwoman (villain); Sieur Satan (villain); Alexander the Great (villain); Lightning Master (villain); Wotan (villain); Zor (villain); Tarantula (villain); Franklin Delano Roosevelt; Harry S. Truman; Dwight Eisenhower; John F. Kennedy; Lyndon B. Johnson; Richard Nixon; Gerald Ford; Jimmy Carter; Ronald Reagan; unknown future president (death)
First Line:
Midnight in Manhattan-- Late February 1942...
Synopsis:
Tarantula and Wonder Woman use her magic sphere to view an early Justice Society case, before Wonder Woman arrived in Man's World, where the JSAers disrupted a plot of Ian Karkull's to murder the next nine future presidents and Franklin Delano Roosevelt on June 28, 1941, though neither the JSAers nor Tarantula and Wonder Woman know why Karkull targeted the men. The JSAers successfully protected seven of the men, but Green Lantern was unable to protect the eighth due to his ring's weakness against all things made of wood.
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:
Miscellaneous
Pages:
41
Notes:
Dann Thomas is credited as "researcher" in the credits, but as "co-plotter" in All-Star Companion Volume Two. It is unclear precisely which pages Bill Collins inked, but it is likely he inked at least Rick Hoberg's pages and possibly Rich Buckler's page. It is also possible that Mike Machlan, Frank Giacoia, or Joe Giella may have inked additional pages beyond those for which they are specifically credited.
The story is arranged like a Golden Age JSA tale in that the team appears together at the beginning and end, but split up as individual characters or two-member teams in intermediate chapters.
The vitality of the JSAers and their associates into their old age is explained in this story as a side effect of being bathed in the time rays of Ian Karkull's shadow energy. At the end of the story, Green Lantern resigns as chairman and becomes an honorary member to deal with his guilt over being unable to save a child and Hourman takes a leave of absence to deal with his Miraclo addiction, with Starman suggesting himself as his replacement. Dr. Fate also fears being possessed by Nabu though his helmet, foreshadowing his change to his half-helmet in More Fun Comics #72, All-Star Comics #8, and All-Star Squadron #23.
The story was thoroughly researched for historical accuracy to determine precisely where the next eight Presidents after FDR were on June 28, 1941.