JSA Classified #11
The Fall and Rise of Vandal Savage (Part II of IV)
- "While you're planning strategies, thinking about whether to call in the reserves, and generally acting like civilized men and women - he's already slicing your throat, thinking how good your blood will taste when it spatters against his tongue."
Summary
Volume: 1
Issue: 10
Month: June
Year: 2006
Credits
Head Writer: Stuart Moore
Cover Artists: Paul Gulacy
Pencilers: Paul Gulacy
Inkers: Jimmy Palmiotti
Colourists: I.L.L.
Editors: Tom Palmer Jr and Mike Carlin
Synopsis
Cast of Characters:
- Atom (Al Pratt) (in flashback)
- Doctor Mid-Nite (Charles McNider) (in flashback)
- Flash (Jay Garrick) (in flashback)
- Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
- Johnny Thunder (John L. Thunder) (in flashback)
- Sandman (Wesley Dodds)
- Wonder Woman (Hippolyta) (in flashback)
- Brain Wave (Henry King) (cameo flashback)
- Gambler (Steven Sharpe) (cameo flashback)
- Per Degaton (cameo flashback)
- Vandal Savage
- Wizard (William Zard) (in flashback)
- Albert Dekker (in flashback)
- Beauchamp (in flashback)
- Jimmy (in flashback)
- Smithy (in flashback)
- Yalan Gur (behind the scenes in flashback)
Locations:
- Appalachian Mountains
- Gotham City
- New York City
- North Carolina Coast (in flashback)
- Western Europe (in flashback)
Items:
First Appearances: Beauchamp (a pirate); Smithy (a pirate)
Final Appearances: Beauchamp (dies in this issue); Smithy (dies in flashback in this issue)
Synopsis:
Flashback:
1947
JSA Headquarters
Green Lantern calls the Justice Society together for a meeting. They review stock footage of their adversaries, the Injustice Society of the World. Most of the team scoffs at their adversaries’ batting record, but Green Lantern warns them against dismissing Vandal Savage. Alan has dealt with Savage in the past, and is fully aware of how dangerous he truly is.
The Present:
Appalachian Mountains:
Vandal Savage is in one of his hidden laboratories in the Appalachian Mountains. He tries to salvage some of the leftover equipment in the facility, but fails. Savage grows fearful that the tumor growing inside of his brain will soon kill him. He begins reflecting on various events that have forged him into the person he is today.
Flashback:
34,782 BCE
Vandar Adg (Savage’s true name) returns to his tribe after being exposed to radiation from a meteorite that has increased his intellect and made him immortal. However, he is still a savage at heart and becomes a threat to his tribe. His tribesmen recognize that something is different about Vandar and turn against him. They beat him mercilessly and cast him out of the tribe. Vandar finds a new clan of barbarians that recognize the strength required to conquer such adversity. This new tribe becomes known as the Blood People.
The Present:
Appalachian Mountains:
Vandal Savage decides that he only has enough life left in him to get revenge upon only one of his old foes. He begins studying the history of Alan Scott.
Flashback:
1940
Arizona
Alan Scott and his fellow engineer Jimmy are on board a train inspecting the newly constructed Trestle Bridge. A rival engineer named Albert Dekker sabotages the bridge, causing the train to derail. Jimmy is killed, and Alan is thrown from the wreckage. He finds a glowing, green train lantern that begins speaking to him and bequeaths him the power of the Green Lantern. Alan uses his newfound power to forge himself a power ring and avenge Jimmy’s death.
The Present:
Appalachian Mountains:
Vandal Savage tries once again to operate his lab equipment in order to prolong his dwindling lifespan. He discovers that he now has only three days left to live.
Flashback:
1718
North Carolina Coast
Vandal Savage is a pirate captain known as Blackbeard aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge. He discovers that one of his own men, Beauchamp, has betrayed him to the naval forces of Robert Maynard. Blackbeard kills Beauchamp and prepares to take on Maynard’s fleet. Knowing that defeat is at hand, he sacrifices another mate named Smithy, and manages to escape. Smithy is decapitated and history will acknowledge him as Blackbeard the Pirate.
Flashback:
1950
Location: Unknown
Green Lantern and the Sandman discover that their old foe, the Wizard, has captured the Atom. They track the villain down and break into the Wizard’s stronghold. Green Lantern uses his Power Ring to distract the Wizard, while Sandman puts him down with a blast of sleeping gas. They free the Atom and return home.
The Present:
Gotham City
Alan Scott is resting at home, when he hears a knock at the door. At first he thinks that it may be Checkmate agents preparing to consult with him. When he opens the door however, he is astonished to discover his old friend the late Wesley (Sandman) Dodds standing before him.
Notes
- In the modern retelling of Alan Scott's origin, his friend Jimmy is African American, whereas originally he was caucasian.
- The Golden Age Sandman died in JSA Secret Files and Origins #1.
- The 1947 flashback in this issue takes place concurrently with events from All-Star Comics #37.
Trivia
- The origin of Green Lantern was originally presented in All-American Comics #16.
Recommended Readings
- JSA
Related Articles
External Links
- JSA Classified series index at the Grand Comics Database
- JSA Classified series index at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Justice Society of America article at Wikipedia
- Alan Scott article at Wikipedia
- Alan Scott article at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Vandal Savage article at Wikipedia
- Vandal Savage article at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
References
- JSA Classified cover gallery
- Atom appearances list
- Brain Wave appearances list
- Doctor Mid-Nite appearances list
- Flash appearances list
- Gambler appearances list
- Green Lantern (Alan Scott) appearances list
- Johnny Thunder appearances list
- Wonder Woman (Hippolyta) appearances list
- Per Degaton appearances list
- Sandman appearances list
- Vandal Savage appearances list
- Wizard appearances list
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