Issue Description

Trapped in the inter-dimensional space between Earth-2 and Earth-X, the Spectre helplessly watches, as the Japanese invade California. The Freedom Fighters, trapped behind an aura provided by the Spectre, bear witness to the Japanese attack, on an oilfield in Goleta. The Spectre's aura protects the Freedom Fighters from immediately being killed by the Japanese. As the aura finally fades away, the Freedom Fighters engage the Japanese military. After repelling the Japanese ground forces, the Freedom Fighters take the fight out into the Pacific Ocean.

The Spectre is barred, by a higher power, from interfering. The Spectre is allowed to bear witness, as events unfold, simultaneously, on Earth-2. The Starman carries the Firebrand, Johnny Quick, and Liberty Belle to Santa Barbara, California. En route, Johnny Quick bickers with Liberty Belle. Liberty Belle reveals that their contact, in Santa Barbara, is a man she has romantic feelings for, Captain Rick Cannon. At the rendezvous point, in Goleta, the All-Star Squadron find signs of a struggle. The All-Star Squadron splits up, into two teams of two, to investigate Cannon's disappearance.

The Firebrand reveals, to Johnny Quick, her newfound ability to fly. The Firebrand, and Johnny Quick, investigate a houseboat, adrift near the refinery. Neptune Perkins confronts the Firebrand, and Johnny Quick. Spying a periscope breaking the ocean's surface, the Firebrand, Johnny Quick, and Neptune Perkins investigate. Liberty Belle, and the Starman, follow Cannon's trail to a warehouse, in the Japanese section of Santa Barbara. There, they find a group of Issei, and Nisei, citizens meeting with a shadowy figure.

None of the assembled Issei, nor Nisei, have any interest in switching their loyalty to Imperial Japan. The shadowy figure reveals herself to be Tsunami. The Issei, and Nisei, refuse Tsunami's recruitment drive. Cannon orders them to take Tsunami into custody. Tsunami attacks Cannon. Liberty Belle sends a signal, to Tom Revere, to ring the Liberty Bell, in Philadelphia. The ringing of the LIberty Bell enhances Liberty Belle's physical prowess. Liberty Belle, and the Starman, storm the warehouse. The Starman rescues Cannon, while LIberty Belle engages Tsunami.

The Starman is disarmed, giving the advantage to Tsunami. An elderly man leaps in the way of Tsunami's attack. Horrified at her actions, Tsunami flees. The elderly man reveals that Tsunami is his daughter. The Spectre attempts to return to Earth-2. In doing so, he inadvertently draws Earth-X towards Earth-2's dimensional space. The Specte fights to keep the two worlds from colliding. The Freedom Fighters attack the Japanese fleet. Baron Blitzkrieg orders the Freedom Fighters to surrender, or else he will give the order to execute the Hour Man.

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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