“Yesterday’s” Comic> Justice League Of America #216

Okay, even I know they did this on purpose!

Justice League Of America Vol. 24 #216

DC Comics (July, 1983)

Not having the previous issues of this storyline from what I can tell members of the Justice League traveled into micro-universe to rescue the Atom. (Roll Call: Batman, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Hawkman, and the Red Tornado in addition to the Atom.)

In this issue, the League have joined forces with the rightful ruler, Krystal Kaa (aka The Wanderer) and she’s willing to kill the Atom, controlled by her usurper, which puts her and the Siren Sisterhood at odds with the League. As the two groups plan their separate attacks, they end up both joining forces and battling each other until Mother Moon uses her healing power to awaken the Atom. Kaa retakes her throne and apologizes for her extreme actions, declaring that she will not let ambition guide her like that again and sending the heroes back to the full-sized universe where Ray reunites with his wife. (A moment ruined by Infinite Crisis, so nice job guys.)

What they got right: I’m not familiar with the Siren Sisterhood and this is the only issue in the arc I have so while I could follow what was going on, I don’t know how well it works as a whole. That said, this reminds me why I enjoy comics. There appears to be some good ideas regarding the Sisterhood. It’s tough to get into without a superhuge review, but I don’t feel right doing that without the other issue(s) of the arc. The art was good and Batman isn’t all broody and loner like his current incarnation.

What they got wrong: Did Hawkman do anything in the rest of the story? Because he pretty much does nothing this issue. He doesn’t even appear during the final fight and he led the charge. Kind of pointless.

Recommendation: I can’t vouch for the rest of the arc, but there are some good things here for people nostalgic for the more relaxed Batman or seeing Ray Palmer’s wife not murdering people. It’s still worth checking out but it’s not one of the major stories and I don’t know what, if any, impact it had on the DC Universe of the time. The biggest significance is that it was the end of Conway’s run on Justice League Of America, and I think he ended on a fairly decent finale.