Crisis on Infinite Earths Companion Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 HC
Crisis on Infinite Earths Companion Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 HC
Cover Credits
Artist: Jerry Ordway

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Title: "The End of the Beginning"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
All-Star Squadron (of Earth-2)

Writer: Roy Thomas
Plotter: Danette Thomas
Penciller: Mike Clark
Penciller: Arvell M. Jones
Inker: Vince Colletta
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: David Cody Weiss
Colorist: Carl Gafford

Reprinted From:
All-Star Squadron #60 (1986)

Feature Character(s)

Guest Star(s)

Supporting Character(s)

Villain(s)

Guest Appearance(s)

Other Character(s)

  • Admiral Higby, Annie, and her parents (no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

Comments:
As explained on page 20, Mekanique is responsible for withholding the full effects of the Crisis on Infinite Earths. When she releases that hold, history is altered including the past, present, and future. The results of this history alteration are demonstrated by a membership photo on page 22 which shows that Superman, Batman, Robin, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman no longer exist in 1942. The Freedom Fighters are also still part of the team, since Earth-X no longer exists for them to have traveled to.

Green Arrow and Speedy are present in the post-Crisis membership photo, but do not exist in this time period. The editorial decision to remove them was made after this issue was published.

This story is both the final pre-Crisis issue of All-Star Squadron and first post-Crisis appearance of the Squadron. For the purpose of this index, post-Crisis continuity begins on page 20 of this issue. Characters appearing prior to this event are considered completely separate from those appearing after, though each may have a similar history to their counterpart. For example, the Johnny Quick appearing before page 20 (designated pre-Crisis) has met the Earth-2 Superman, while the JQ appearing after page 20 (designated post-Crisis) never met Superman, since in his timeline Superman never existed.

Pages 1-7 of this story adapt pages 55-56 from All-Star Comics #13.

This story is continued from All-Star Squadron #59.

Synopsis:
The Spectre and Johnny Thunder’s Thunderbolt combine their powers to return the JSA to Earth from Hyper-Space. Then they combine forces to locate Gootsden, the Nazi engineer responsible for their exile.

Meanwhile, the All-Star Squadron faces off against Mekanique. She earns their trust by giving Green Lantern and Firebrand information to prevent a fatal car accident. They return to the Perisphere, where the Squadron and the JSA have assembled. Johnny Quick takes a photo of the full roster.

Later, Robotman questions Mekanique and learns her intentions to be evil. She has responsible for preventing the Crisis on Infinite Earths from taking effect, but now she allows it to take hold, forever altering history both past and present. Robotman is made to forget Mekanique’s intentions.

Johnny Quick, Liberty Belle and Hawkman deliver the All-Star Squadron’s photo to the president. But since, the Crisis has taken effect, Superman, Batman, Robin, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman have been replaced by the Freedom Fighters.

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They are used here for educational purposes within the "fair use" provision of US Code: Title 17, Sec. 107.
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