So if everyone's happy, why are other nations (including the U.S.) so anxious to condemn what is arguably an internal Kahndaqi matter? Is it because of Adam's history with villainy, and in spite of his Justice Society tenure? Is it because instead of an army of regular men, he fought with a handful of costumed metahumans?
Well, Yes, I think that it's precisely because of these factors, and I think that's pretty good writing. How can the common man help but feel distrustful of those who have the power to rule the world, but say they don't want to? So when a group of super-powered individuals -- led by one who has, in fact, been a hugely dangerous threat -- takes over a nation and kills its leader, I think it's to be expected that national governments around the world -- knowing, as they do, that they govern, in the end, at the sufferance of metahumans -- would be outraged.
Except that's not how the objections are framed in the story itself.
No one seems to consider it a coup; the news and the JSA always call it an "invasion." If it's concern over metahumans that's at issue (and I agree that's understandable; it's that same fear that's driving two of the IC mini-series right now), no one ever mentions that as part of an objection. That it could have been the reason for the outrage is just speculation on our part.
Instead, it's just "How dare Black Adam overthrow the government of his own country!" It doesn't seem to have mattered that Adam's forces were metahuman, or that he was, but rather just that a government got overthrown at all. And it all culminates in Atom Smasher getting charged with war crimes for his part.
I think the "problem" is that it is playing to the fear that the nations must have of metahumans. Even if they see Superman as a great hero, there is always that nagging question, "What happens if he decides to take over?"
Now, there have been any number of supervillains over the years trying to take over this spit of land or another, but that's not the same, because the heros came and fought against them. This is different, this is a group of people who are supposed to be heros. This is playing into the primal fear, wondering if the JLA or someone like that would eventually decide that they should take over.
They see Black Adam's actions as a unilateral attack upon a nation, without UN Sanction (as opposed to Wonder Woman's intervention in another Mid East nation a couple of years ago).
It is a gut reaction, a viceral reaction, and one that is impossible to entirely say is wrong.
Well, the followup at least, I'd categorize under "Post Identity Crisis shitty writing all around," though even the original was a tad bit too forced ( though way, way, way better than the strawman that is "Whats So Funny About Truth Justice and the American Way?" ).
Champing at the bit. Not "chomping". Ask any horseman.
There are several specific laws against Americans acting as Atom Smasher did without government sanction.
Throw another wrench into the machinery--isn't Black Adam still technically Theo Adam, former archaeology partner to the Batsons, as well as their murderer? Unless things have changed, somewhere beneath Teth-Adam's personality and powers is convict Theo Adam, an American.
So, let's say that not everyone knows (or buys) the "Black Adam is really the reincarnated original ruler of Khandaq" angle. If enough of the world's nations still believe he's an American, one with super-powers, and a criminal (and metacriminal) record, and possibly insane, then they could easily see the Khandaq rebellion as an invasion.
I think it's a matter of perspectives. The Khandaqi government likely considers this a coup, the world community sees it as an invasion, and Adam sees it as justice.
All of this is really quite fascinating but these inferences don't affect at all the fact that the story is somewhat biased against Black Adam's probably justified attacks within his own nations.
Frankly I still like Black Adam better as a villain, but the Black Reign story doesn't make him a villain in my eyes.
1) How many analogues for Iraq does DC currently have? How many have they used so far?
How many countries did they use as analogues for Iraq that started out as analogues for something else or some place else?
2) How many times have they used that cover in JSA? I didn't think it was that good the first time they did it and every time they make a pastiche of it I find it creepy which character is chosen to take the place of Star-Spangled girl.
Brainwave is a good stand-in for a sixteen-year-old girl. So is Icicle. I hope not.
There is only one reason that the U.S. ever gets upset over a foreign coup: the new regime is expected to be less friendly to U.S. corporate profits. The character of the new gov't (tyranny, human rights violators) never makes a difference.
While this hasn't been an issue in this storyline so far, Black Adam probably fits as anti-corporate. So, even if not put into the dialogue itself, it can be read into the current U.S. gov't's motivations so far.
Commenting by HaloScan
