All-Star Squadron #122, homage to Marvel Super Action issue #17

Latest "Continuation Project" commission - issue #122, art by Stephen Baskerville, based as always on the cover of a comic written, plotted or scripted by Roy Thomas, in this case Marvel Super Action #17, original art by Don Heck, Werner Roth, and Vince Colletta, repurposed from a splash page in Avengers Annual #2.

Title: "The Final Victory Of Per Degaton!"

Story: In issue #120, Degaton changed the course of history and the mystery-men were outlawed in late 1940. Recruiting an army of villains from across the 1940s and early 1950s (a time storm prevents him from travelling further into the future), Degaton sets his minions to the defeat and capture all the heroes, many of whom remain active despite having to work covertly.

The Spectre and the Guardian - and other heroes - were captured in issue #121. This time, they're joined in defeat by many of their fellows - Diana The Huntress is captured by Dr Psycho and The Shade; Doll Girl and Doll Man are beaten by the Monocle; the Penguin, the Cheetah and Lightning Bug join forces to overwhelm Hawkman; Toyman traps Little Boy Blue; the four Allies (Kuei, Phantasmo, the Squire and Fireball) fall before the team of the Villain From Valhalla and Star Sapphire; Deadshot outguns Captain X Of The RAF; and Sandman is captured early in his career by the Mist.

Elsewhere, the Gentleman Ghost defeats Dr Occult; Mr Mxyztplk overcomes Sargon, Zatara, Doctor Fate, Tor, Merlin and Margo The Magician; the Thinker is victorious in battle with Amazing Man; the Cavalier captures the Vigilante; and the Shining Knight falls before the mind-bending music of the Fiddler.

Across the decade, the villains ambush and overcome almost all the heroes - and Degaton imprisons his captives in hourglass-shaped cells which dampen the powers of those heroes who have special abilities, and are too strong for the merely-mortal to escape from. Although a few heroes remain free, Degaton's dream of absolute victory is almost complete!

To be continued - next issue!

As usual, Stephen excelled himself with this cover, handling a vast array of characters ranging from the well-known to the obscure. His work is always fantastic, and I'm incredibly grateful to him (he's now done more of these than any other artist).

Enjoy!