Issue Description

President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempts to contact the Justice Society in hopes of using them to retaliate against the Axis forces for bombing Pearl Harbor. But when the team doesn't respond and appears missing, it's up to Hawkman, the Atom and Dr. Mid-Nite to form a new team in their place!

The Hawkman soars across New York City. The Hawkman arrives at Wesley Dodds' penthouse apartment, to find it empty. The Hawkman is mistakenly attacked by Plastic Man. Plastic Man informs the Hawkman that the President of the United States of America, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, has dispatched him with an urgent summons for the Justice Society of America. Plastic Man reasons that Dodds must be the civilian identity of one of the members. A radio news bulletin reports on multiple attacks, across the country, on the members of the Justice Society of America. In Los Angeles, the Flash, the Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman were abducted by Solomon Grundy.

In Gotham City, the Batman, Robin, the Boy Wonder, and Superman were abducted by Professor Zodiak. In Massachusetts, Doctor Fate, and the Spectre, were abducted by Wotan. In New York City, Johnny Thunder, the Sandman, the Starman, and the Thunderbolt, were abducted by the Sky Pirate. The Hawkman reveals that he, too, along with the Atom, and Doctor Mid-Nite, were attacked by the Monster. Upon his defeat, the Monster spoke the word "Degaton", before vanishing into thin air. The Hawkman, with Plastic Man, answer Roosevelt's summons. En route to Washington D.C., they are attacked by the King Bee, and his swarm of drones.

As each drone is defeated, like the Monster, they too fade away. The Hawkman interrogates the King Bee, but before the King Bee can provide any answers, he explodes. Harry Hopkins receives word that the Justice Society of America are still incommunicado. The Shining Knight investigates a mysterious volcanic island, off the coast of Hawaii. The Shining Knight encounters Danette Reilly, a vulcanologist, also investigating the island. The Shining Knight discovers a hidden cavern inside the volcano. The Shining Knight, and Reilly, are attacked by Professor Alchemy, and Solomon Grundy.

Though he fights valiantly, the Shining Knight is beaten into unconsciousness, by Solomon Grundy. Professor Zodiak disarms Reilly, with his universal solvent, then Solomon Grundy subdues her. The Shining Knight regains consciousness, to find himself a prisoner of Per Degaton, Professor Zodiak, the Sky Pirate, Solomon Grundy, and Wotan. The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. Reilly's brother, Rod, and his best friend, Slugger Dunn, are strafed by Japanese aircraft. The Atom, and Doctor MId-Nite, catch a football game. Doctor Mid-Nite notes that several high ranking military officers are being summoned from the stands. Doctor Mid-Nite investigates.

The Atom, and Doctor Mid-Nite, meet up with Ed Simmons, a Federal Bureau of investigation agent. The Atom, and Doctor Mid-Nite, learn of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Robot Man reveals his presence to the Atom, and Doctor Mid-Nite. The Atom, Doctor Mid-Nite, and Robotman, head for the White House. Outside the White House, Johnny Chambers, a reporter, and Tubby Watts, his cameraman, encounter Libby Lawrence, a famous radio war correspondent. Chambers is immediately impressed, and attracted to, Lawrence. Chambers, Lawrence, and Watts witness the arrival of the Atom, Doctor Mid-Nite, and Robotman, followed by the Hawkman, and Plastic Man.

Chambers, and Lawrence, decide to join the other heroes, as Johnny Quick, and Liberty Belle. The seven heroes meet with Roosevelt. The President tasks the Justice Society of America with forming an All-Star Squadron of super-heroes, costumed adventurers and mystery men, to aid the United States during wartime. Their first mission is to journey to the West Coast, to prevent a Japanese attack on United States soil. Liberty Belle calls Tom Revere, in Philadelphia, and asks him to ring the Liberty Bell, charging her powers. Off the coast of California, Per Degaton launches his own Japanese fighters to attack the American mainland.

All-Star Squadron

Publisher

DC Comics

Volume Description

"Come with us now to Earth-Two, and the awesome origin of the All-Star Squadron!"

Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler, Jerry Ordway (credited here as Jeremiah Ordway!) along with editor Len Wein, letterer John Costanza and colorist Carl Gafford begin the wartime adventures of the Golden-Age heroes of the DC Universe. Writer Roy Thomas is no stranger to World War II, or wartime comic book super-heroes having come off Marvel's WWII super-team, The Invaders.

The world of Earth -2 was at war. In a dimension not unlike that of the Justice League on Earth - 1, the greatest heroes of the 1940s had banded together to form the Justice Society of America, but even that wasn't enough to battle the Axis powers plaguing their society. So, at the behest of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a new, larger team was created to help unite the war torn country. The massive All-Star Squadron was formed, setting up their headquarters in the Perisphere at the heart of New York's World's Fair.

The creative team of writer Roy Thomas and artist Rich Buckler on "All-Star Squadron" offered readers a nostalgic glimpse back in time, albeit through the slightly distorted lens of Earth-2's history. In this popular series that ran for 67 issues, readers were treated not only to the adventures of the more familiar Justice Society, but also to every other mystery man of the time and dozens of minor heroes from DC's Golden Age, including the speedster Johnny Quick, the patriotic Liberty Belle, power houses Robotman and Commander Steel, and the 1940s versions of Batman and Robin.

With Thomas'comprehensive knowledge of the heroes and history of World War II era Americana, the All-Star Squadron was a certifiable hit, even if the Earth - 2 shattering events of DC's tumultuous "Crisis on Infinite Earths" maxi series of the mid-1980s took a toll on the book's continuity.

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