Secret Origins #31, p. 8 (Justice Society of America)
Artists: Michael Bair (Penciller) , Bob Downs (Inker) , Jean Simek (Letterer)
20 Comments - 353 Views - 14 Likes
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DescriptionCover dated October 1988.Even before I started collecting DC comic books in 1989, I knew the characters of Green Lantern and the Flash from the Challenge of the Superfriends cartoon that I’d watch in reruns after school. Once I dove into the world of DC, I was confused by the blonde guy in the red shirt going by the name Green Lantern and the maskless guy in a metal hat claiming to be the Flash. I didn’t really know anything about DC’s Golden Age characters being completely different from their Silver Age counterparts, but I was eager to learn more. One of the first back issues that I bought that served to educate me on DC’s Golden Age was Secret Origins #31 containing the origin of the Justice Society of America. It knocked my socks off! Michael Bair did a phenomenal job pencilling the retelling of the JSA’s origin story, which was a pretty faithful adaptation of 1977’s DC Special #29 that told the origin for the first time. The main difference between the 1977 version and the 1989 version was accounting for the lack of the Golden Age incarnations of Superman and Batman following Crisis on Infinite Earths, but I didn’t know anything about DC Special #29 or Crisis when I first read this comic book. I did know after reading Secret Origins #31 that I wanted to read more stories featuring the JSA, but DC as of 1989 had consigned the team to limbo and there wasn’t anything for me to read other than All-Star Squadron and Infinity, Inc. back issues. If I had to pick my two favorite founding members of the JSA, I would have to go with Green Lantern and the Flash, which is why I’m thrilled to have this page featuring the both of them fighting Nazis. To quote Indiana Jones, “Nazis. I hate these guys.” Social/Sharing |
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James Dornoff 
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 9/7/2023
Lots of fun action, even comes with a ZOT and a CRASH! Fun find!
John C
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 9/7/2023
Wha? That's the murder machine. I thought it was the thigh master.
Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 9/8/2023
John C wrote:
Wha? That's the murder machine. I thought it was the thigh master.
The Murder Machine and the thigh master are interchangeable.
Mel C. and B. Carter
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/7/2023
One of my absolute favorite issues growing up. I read the cover off of this thing. The art just fit the 40s vibe so well. Congrats!
Mark V
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 9/7/2023
One of my favorite issues from the Secret Origins series, with a well-thought out script by Thomas and terrific art by Bair and Downs. Although I was familiar with the JSA for a while, I was disappointed by their removal from the DC universe following Crisis and wondered at the time why DC even bothered to recount their origin. This issue showed why they still mattered.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 9/7/2023
"Good Lord!" is right! Take it to him, GL!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWcASV2sey0
Great page, MM. I ike how panels 1, 2, and 5 are like splashes all their own!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/7/2023
We started reading, Mike Bair put us into a groove
As soon as Flash started to move.
The comic played while two buddies displayed through the dance,
Nostalgic art page for romance.
Origin was clear, Downs inking they would share,
This Secret just between ourselves.
But when Herr Major changed, Green Lantern re-arranged
He took a chance with someone else.
He said gut morgen and love Mordmaschine is so cruel
And now he's in steel body new - we would love to smoke that fool
Love said:
Let the Justice play, he won't get away,
Just keep Flash moves and then he'll run back to you again, let it play.
Let the comics play, Herr won't get away,
This move he can't ignore, we will fight forevermore, go, go, go.
Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 9/8/2023
Marcus Wai wrote:
We started reading, Mike Bair put us into a groove
As soon as Flash started to move.
The comic played while two buddies displayed through the dance,
Nostalgic art page for romance.
Origin was clear, Downs inking they would share,
This Secret just between ourselves.
But when Herr Major changed, Green Lantern re-arranged
He took a chance with someone else.
He said gut morgen and love Mordmaschine is so cruel
And now he's in steel body new - we would love to smoke that fool
Love said:
Let the Justice play, he won't get away,
Just keep Flash moves and then he'll run back to you again, let it play.
Let the comics play, Herr won't get away,
This move he can't ignore, we will fight forevermore, go, go, go.
"Let the Music Play" was one of those songs that played at every roller rink birthday party that I attended in the 1980s. Maybe if the lyrics had been about superheroes in the 1940s, I'd have enjoyed those parties.
Derek Crabbe
Member Since 2020
2 - Posted on 9/7/2023
Is it me, or does the Murder Machine's head look like he should be in Weird Science asking "Why are we wearing bras on our heads?"
Michael McIsaac
Member Since 2020
1 - Posted on 9/8/2023
Derek Crabbe wrote:
Is it me, or does the Murder Machine's head look like he should be in Weird Science asking "Why are we wearing bras on our heads?"
It's not just you. This is one of those instances where the colored page actually improves things.
F M
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 9/8/2023
Bair would get (much) better but he was already super solid during his DC period.
Ian Saint
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 9/9/2023
Awesome looking piece and I can totally agree with the hating Nazi feeling. The Golden Age outfits are so cool. Very dynamic piece.
Steve N. Comic/Fantasy Art
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 9/13/2023
Holy crappola there's a lot going on here, dynamism in motion!
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 9/18/2023
The blonde guy calling himself confused me as well and I resented him at first as he wasn't the GL I grew up on with SF - but it also caused me to read up on his wonderful story and the world of the golden age of comics. Excellent addition to your already excellent collention that keeps getting more excellent! Party on!
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 9/27/2023
An EXCELLENT page featuring the Golden Age Green Lantern battling those Nazi fucks! So cool to see early Bair art again, too! Secret Origins was a fabulous way to learn more about the DC characters I was familiar with but knew little or nothing about. Congrats on a great acquisition!
Lloyd White
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 4/4/2025
This is outstanding--love the layout and the inks!
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