All-Star Squadron #124, homage to Secret Origins issue #12

Latest "Continuation Project" commission - All-Star Squadron #124, art by Mike DeCarlo, based as always on the cover of a comic written, plotted or scripted by Roy Thomas, in this case Secret Origins #12 (in which Roy wrote the origin of the Golden Age Fury), original art by Paris Cullins and Karl Kesel.

Mike may not be a name that many people associate with the All-Star Squadron, but he inked issue #13 and some pages of #38, so he adds to my list of commissions done by people who actually worked with Roy on the book, and I'm delighted to have been able to get something from him - and I think he did a great job!

Title: "The Great Escape!"

Story: Degaton's conquest is complete, as the last of the free mystery-men fall before his army of villains - the Flash's speed is no match for the electrical bolts generated by the weapons of the Lightning Master; Hawkgirl is defeated in an aerial duel by the Yellow Wasp; even Hourman's Miraclo-induced strength won't let him stand against the Marvel Family's nemesis King Kull; and the Harlequin, the Fool, the Prankster and TNT's foe the Crime Clown decide to show the Joker how it's done, combining their forces to capture the Batman!

With every All-Star held captive in Degaton's hourglass-shaped prisons - and more dying each day in the brutal gladiatorial games in which mind-controlled heroes are pitted against each other - things look bleak. But when Liberty Belle overheads a guard let slip that Degaton has engineered events by changing the past with a time machine, there's a ray of hope, if only they can exploit that knowledge.

As several heroes are returned from the arena, Amazing Man is able to use his powers to take on the strength of one of the metal parts even as he is re-sealed into his hourglass prison, and break out, overpowering the lone guard assigned to watch over the captives. Before an alarm can be sounded, he also frees Liberty Belle, Johnny Quick, Tarantula, Firebrand and Robotman, although the six have to flee before they can aid any more of their fellow heroes.

Chased by guards, and several of the villains, the escaping heroes search for the location of the time machine - but before they can locate it, some of their number fall! Tarantula is brought down by the King Bee; the Icicle snuffs out Firebrand's flame, and her life; and Johnny Quick's speed can't save him from a fatal beating at the hands of Black Adam. With only three heroes still free, can they locate Degaton's time machine before it's too late?

Concluded - next issue!