VOICE FROM THE LONGBOX

I'm asked regularly what comics I would want to have with me if I were stranded on a deserted island. My answer is always the same: Hustler Comix (or Penthouse Comix). Hey, you did say it was a DESERTED island, right? However, if you want to know what current superhero title is my favorite, I'd have to answer JLA. I'd also answer JSA. At any given point for the last few years, these two team books, both published by DC Comics, have held the top spot on my reading stack. JLA stands for the "Justice League of America" and is the Cadillac of superhero team books. The JLA is made up of DC's "Big Seven" (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter) plus Plastic Man. It's the comic you can buy in place of all those other comics. The characters themselves are larger than life. The adventures they have are usually on a galactic scale, and the best lines are almost always delivered by Plastic Man. Now, JSA stands for the "Justice Society of America." If the JLA is a Caddy, then the JSA is a sleek Mercedes-Benz. The JSA is actually the world's first superhero team. They were brought together in the 1940's during what is now known as the "Golden Age of Comics." The precursors to modern day icons, the JSA featured the original Flash and the original Green Lantern (and if you didn't realize there have been multiple versions of these heroes, you haven't been doing your four-color homework.) Along with Hawkman, The Atom, Sandman, Spectre, Hourman and Dr. Fate, these guys created the concept of a super-team. Imagine a comic book with 60 years of history to draw upon. The current lineup in JSA is made up of second and third-generation superheros trying to live up to an incredible legacy. And, yes, a few of the originals are still there. And, yes, they are now 80+ years old, showing the "new kids" how to kick ass. There you have it. JSA and JLA: the history of comics and the future of comics. Encompassing ensemble casts and unimaginable power. These two groups have enjoyed literally hundreds of epic adventures. It's time for you to join them. So, what comics would I buy if I had to give up all the others? The same comics I've bought since I was seven. The ones filled with heroes.