All-Star Squadron #123, homage to Anthem issue #2

Latest "Continuation Project" commission - issue #123, art by Bambos Georgiou, based as always on the cover of a comic written, plotted or scripted by Roy Thomas, in this case Anthem #2, original art by Jorge Santamaria Garcia.

Title: "To Die In The Arena!"

Story: With Degaton's plan to rid the world of heroes almost complete, his army of super-villains continue to track down, defeat and capture the last remaining free mystery-men. The Gadgeteer immobilises Robotman and takes him prisoner; Green Lantern falls before the magnetic power of Nuclear; Hypnota captures Phantom Lady; The Thorn defeats Dr Mid-Nite; Osira's super-science proves too much for Doctor Fate; many of the unpowered heroes are captured by Professor Hugo Strange's Monster Men; and Mala, Kizo and U-Ban (the three evil superman from Krypton) overpower the Marvel Family.

With all the heroes held in his hourglass prisons, Degaton recalls his nightmare from All-Star Squadron #14 and stages gladiatorial battles between the mystery-men, mind-controlled by several of his villainous allies. In one such encounter, Hercules, TNT, Wildfire, the Bombardier, and Merry, Girl Of A Thousand Gimmicks are pitted against Yellowjacket, Plastic Man, and overseas heroes the Squire and Fireball, with most either perishing or severely injured.

Under Degaton's rule, the outlook for the All-Star Squadron looks bleak - unless some of them can manage to escape!

Continued - next issue!

As I've said before, this Degaton story is, in part, an opportunity for me to use some of the heroes who don't appear until after the 1942 period of the main Squadron stories, such as Merry and Charlton hero Yellowjacket - and some spectacularly obscure characters like the Bombardier (who made one appearance in the Wonder Woman Spectacular in the late 1970s). Hope you enjoy them!