JSA 9 was published with a cover date of April 2000. The issue introduced Killer Wasp (created by Geoff Johns, David S Goyer, and Stephen Sadowski) and saw the death of James Rice. ("Black Planet", JSA 9, DC Comic Event)
This was a half-and-half read for me, in that I really loved the ending, but I also had points where I struggled to find any momentum to keep me reading. The plot and it's presentation were good, however - I particularly enjoyed the embedded police transcripts that subtly hinted at what was to happen but didn't reveal anything too prematurely. That being said, there was a lot of confusion bumbling around before you reached the end, with too little resolution of questions that made it less mysterious and more boggling.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
That ending was not what I saw coming, but it proved perfect and even better than anything I could have imagined. With the transcripts and the direction the book was going, you knew something big had happened and it was likely related to Graham's mental health struggles. But the poignant, harrowing ending that Rice came up with put a whole new spin on things and sent the reader reeling. I guess sometimes the more dramatic way out is with a whimper than with a bang!
A warning for the book:
Sometimes there are long and drawn-out parts to the book that feel tedious and can be a struggle to read through. The ending kind of makes it worth finishing the book, though, and the periodic police transcripts can be a good way to find momentum again...
Recommended for fans of:
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
- The Color of Bee Larkham's Murder by Sarah J. Harris
