Rating:  - A world without Superman just sucks
JLA: THE NAIL is a 1998 Elseworlds offering. For those not in the know, DC's Elseworlds line, much like Marvel Comics' What If series, takes superheroes out of their mainstream continuity and tweaks them into a new context and into an alternative history. This allows comic book writers and artists the freedom to dream up dynamic (even disturbing) twists that the corporate high muck-a-mucks normally wouldn't condone with their established cash cow titles. JLA: THE NAIL tells of what the DC universe would be like if it had no Man of Steel in it.
JLA: THE NAIL posits that, on that fateful day Jonathan and Martha Kent would've chanced upon an alien infant in a rocketship, they instead suffer a flat tire, which forces them to stay home at their farm. Thus, there is no Clark Kent and no Superman. Cut to many years later now, and the Justice League of America is active in their superheroics. But this isn't a League looked on with favor and admiration by the average bloke, and even the League members tend to sharply bicker amongst themselves. Without Superman's inspirational impact on his fellow crimefighters and, especially, on the general public, metahumans are perceived as untrustworthy and dangerous. There's even a rumor floating around that metahumans are actually alien invaders in disguise.
Then a fatal incident involving Batman enflames the public's xenophobia to a boiling point, and the capes find themselves struggling for their very liberty and lives. Acting on the gnawing suspicion that someone is manipulating events and triggering the fear and unrest amongst the populace, the Justice League desperately investigate. But there are serious losses and repercussions to be shouldered. And when the shadowy culprit is at last unmasked, it turns out that the League seriously lacks the might and wherewithal to even put up a credible resistance.
It's gotten to the point now that every time I see the names of Alan Davis and his longtime inker Mark Farmer on a title, I just shell out the money. Davis's track record has been exemplary, going back to his Captain Britain and Marvelman days. With Farmer, he produced amazing illustrations on EXCALIBUR and, most recently, on Fantastic Four: The End. So, yes, I'm sold on these two not only as artists but as storytellers. JLA: THE NAIL, compiling the 3 issue limited series in one trade paperback, showcases this team's reliably polished, jawdropping art, as well as one hell of an interesting story.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that the world is a far better place with a Superman watching over it. In Superman's absence Alan Davis unveils a grimmer, more cynical, more perilous world, with the lunatics that much closer to running the asylum. Speaking of nutjobs, Joker plays an instrumental part in making things take a turn for the worse for our heroes. In this darker reality, Luthor has amassed massive political influence and receives full support from Perry White and Jimmy Olsen.
I would've said that Alan Davis goes wild with this concept, if I haven't already read his sequel Justice League of America: Another Nail (Elseworlds) (in which Davis gets cosmic and goes really ballistic). As it is, with this one, he throws a lot of stuff at you but keeps it from getting too confusing. The pace is relentless, with several story arcs going on simultaneously. The current JLA lineup comprises of the Martian Manhunter, the Atom, the Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), the Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Hawkwoman. These superfolks are exquisitely visually rendered, with Alan Davis indulging in spectacular splash pages for each JLA member. Character-wise, Davis doesn't try to do anything revolutionary, doesn't stray too far from the mold, although Green Arrow is now more bitter and Batman more tortured and driven (there are extenuating circumstances). We also see an angry Hawkwoman more in line with the JLA animated series version. Sorry to say I find Aquaman, the Atom, and Hal Jordan to be still somewhat boring characters. However, the Flash versus Amazo sequence is sure to elicit cheers from the Flash supporters.
But Davis doesn't stop with the JLA. He introduces plenty of guest stars, other superhero groups and various supernatural and near-immortal entities. On the more mortal side, Catwoman and the Kents (sans Clark) also have prominent supporting roles. The main villain was quite a surprise (I'm still not sure if I'm disappointed or not). On the other hand, I did have a glimmer of how the day was probably gonna be saved. Overall, JLA: THE NAIL is a ridiculously satisfying comic book read, and, if you know your DC history, there's even a pretty interesting 7-paged afterword by Alan Davis. Davis and Mark Farmer once again demonstrate that they make a formidable storytelling team. So if you happen to see their names on some title you've never heard of, just go ahead and shell out the money. It'll be the best bunch of dollars you'll spend that month.
Rating:  - Excellent what-if.
An alternative history of long-standing superhero team the Justice League of America. Bits of rather stilted dialogue notwithstanding, you should enjoy the story and art in this volume.
Rating: - Graphic SF Reader
This is an Elseworlds story about the Justice League of America, it looks at what would have happened when a car tyre puncture stops the Kent family from finding the baby Superman.
Without Superman around the environment the heroes have to operate in is a lot tougher on them politically.
Rating: - way to go
I just read The Nail and Iwas extremely happy that I bought it. THe silver age is my favorite era of comics and Alan not only wrote them believably well but drew them well too. the last time I saw work this good was mhis work on batman and the outsiders
Rating: - A Disturbing Look At The Justice League
This DC Comics/Elseworlds graphic novel is a thorough tale of the JLI without Superman. Alan Davis did a excellent work making the established DC characters in their altered forms, like Green Arrow severely crippled, Hawkwoman(in a truly cool Hawk costume)now a widow, Robin and Batgirl murdered by the Joker in front of The Batman and Jimmy Olsen(Superman's Pal in the Current DCU)as the main villain. The Nail is beyond a shadow of a doubt the best JLI graphic novel I ever read in a while.
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