Someone didn’t listen to Captain PSA’s warning on taking powers from strangers.
Justice League Adventures #19
DC Comics (July, 2003)
“What’s In A Hero?”
WRITER: Michael Bernard
PENCILER: John Delaney
INKER: Rick Burchett
COLORIST: John Kalisz
SEPARATIONS: Heroic Age
LETTERER: Bill Oakley
EDITOR: Steve Wacker
A good part of the city John Stewart calls home (I forget what it is) is attacked by a supervillain seeking revenge on the city. One of the damaged buildings has people inside, including a single mother and her son. The mother survives but the son wants revenge and has some wrong views on what a hero is. To prove there’s more to a hero than having powers and looking cool, John takes off the ring and helps with rescuing and rebuilding. This convinces him to get the message and he decides to be the hero he can without powers and gadgets.
What they got right: I love stories that show there’s more to being a superhero than superpowers, that a hero is about helping others and doing good, not being a “god”. It’s a good message for the target audience of the comic. And he trusts his teammates enough to nab the villain so that he can focus on the rescue effort.
What they got wrong: The kid’s mom is still in the hospital. Did John really leave him in the middle of the damaged city without supervision just to escort the baddie to jail with Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl? From the looks of him (kind of neutral on not having a supervillain name) I don’t think they need the help. Take the kid someplace he can stay until his mom is ready to go home.
Recommendation: A good story that shows what a superhero and a hero in general really is. Worth looking into.
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