Review by Frank Plowright

The Justice League animated series straddling the millennium had a broad thematic brief reflected in the subsequent comic series, and involved magic with a greater frequency than the parent title. It means enough magical themed material to fill Hocus Pocus.

Although several JL members have powers with mystical origins, only Doctor Fate and Zatanna apply magic, yet it’s a credit to the imagination of the writers that they’re still only sparingly used. In fact Stargirl appears as often in a starring role, including the excellent first story in which her first meeting with the pompous Aquaman hardly goes well. There’s a predictability in the way she eventually redeems herself by saving the day, but Adam Beechen and Carlo Barberi telling the entire story from her viewpoint provides the transcending feature.

While all artists keep the quality high, with Barberi drawing half the collection, Beechen is by some distance the best writer. Over the first three inclusions there’s variety, and he always provides a viable superhero story, but always attaches it to a character arc for one of the cast. Stargirl’s growing confidence is followed by conflict between the angel Zauriel and the Demon as Limbo is taken over by other demons, and by Blue Devil concerned about his public perception. Beechen’s rhyming dialogue for the Demon is a treat, even audaciously co-opting a line from Shakespeare.

Jason Hall picks up on Beechen’s technique by generating an age-related argument between Crimson Avenger and Stargirl when Morgan Le Fay returns, then supplying a switcheroo straight from Freaky Friday. It’s smart, funny and has a point to make while continuing a winning streak for the collection.

The Spectre’s vengeful form of justice is the focus of Matt Wayne and Min S. Ru’s story which works as a plot while unleashing heavy emotional burdens not entirely suitable for the all-ages audience.

Ben McCool and Dario Brizuela’s closer looks good, but is the weakest inclusion for being over-written and not really transmitting the emotional issues. It’s a shame, as it starts nicely by showcasing Zatanna as a young child.

It’s testament to the overall quality of these pocket sized reissues that two-thirds of the content being well written and the art good throughout still ranks this as a weaker volume.