JSA: Classified # 18
DC COMICS
WRITER: Tony Bedard
ARTISTS/COVER: Scott McDaniel, Andy Owens

Bane, the baddie who broke Batman's back in "Knightfall," seeks out the original Hourman, Rex Tyler, but runs into interference from the new Hourman, Rick Tyler. It seems there is some connection between the drug, "Venom," that gave Bane his monsterous strength, and Miraclo, the drug that gave the Hourmen their wonderous strength. There is surprisingly little action in this story as the writer swiftly concedes that in a physical struggle, even Bane wouldn't last very long against Hourman. Instead, what this comic offers is more of a detective story as Bane and Rick try to find out how the Miraclo formula could have leaked out. The story is a little lacking in flash although the mystery behind the Miraclo and the interaction between Bane and Rick is interesting. There seems to be too much of an effort to rehabilitate Bane. This guy is a mass murderer, remember? Now, he risks his life for a mere bystander. Having Rex Tyler confront Bane with just a fireplace poker is rather quaint but is also rather unrealistic considering the kind of threats that Tyler is accustomed to facing. The art boasts McDaniel's unique style that some find very exciting but which others find too quirky. This time however, the art is relatively easy to follow, helping to tell the story instead of drawing attention away from it.

JSA: Classified # 16 Review