Mark D. White

I've always had a soft spot for the Freedom Fighters, stemming from their introduction to the DCU during a 1973 JLA/JSA crossover, then into their short-lived late 70s series, and on into All-Star Squadron and Young All-Stars. It hurt to see most of them wiped out during the first issue of Infinite Crisis, but soon we were given a spanking new version, courtesy of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray, that was featured in two mini-series before being awarded their own ongoing last year.

The latest series has been a thrill ride since the first issue (as were the previous two minis), with generous amounts of action, characterization, political intrigue–and grist for the philosopher's mill. A quick survey from the latest issue (#7), released February 2 (POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD):

• Black Condor discovers that the power-restraining collar around his neck (as well as the rest of the team) is psychosomatic, electronically fooling his brain into thinking his powers have been suppressed rather than actually suppressing them. Once he realizes this, he thinks, "my strength of will is greater than any machine," and easily breaks the restraints and proceeds to save himself and his team. The will, strength of will, and willpower are all contentious issues in philosophy (and psychology); I discuss them in chapter 2 of Green Lantern and Philosophy: No Evil Shall Escape this Book, "Flexing the Mental Muscle: Green Lanterns and the Nature of Willpower," but I could have used the example of Condor as well (if only he wore green).
• Our heroes save themselves from the underground prison/experimentation center just before it explodes, (presumably) killing all the inmates who were trying to kill them. Phantom Lady and Miss America (she doesn't seem to go by Miss Cosmos anymore) argue about the morality of leaving the inmates/experimentees to die. Stormy makes an argument based on personal integrity and virtue ethics: "We just let those people die! What does that make us?" and "This is about our integrity, setting an example through our actions." Joan makes a more practical argument that they could either stay there and die with the inmates, who were trying to kill them anyway, or escape from them (and the explosion). She argues that they had to save themselves in order to do more good for the country: "Innocent people are dying and will continue to die if we don't do our jobs!" Stormy sees Joan as dismissing the lives of the inmates because they're convicted criminals, but this would have little relevance to the part of Joan's argument that's based on necessity or self-defense. (At the end of their argument, Joan says, "I'm not going to debate ethics with you," but I'll forgive her that because I love her. Did I say that? Oh well… she's awesome. Shut up.)
• Let's hear it for the bad guy: In his one page (one more than last ish), the Jester tells the captive VPOTUS that "people who aren't willing to die for their ideals aren't deserving of life." I wouldn't go that far, but dedication to the principles that comprise one's character is definitely a plus in my book.
• In a test of my unconditional love, Joan uses, um, extreme measures to get Doll Man back into the field. Kind of pushing the whole "the ends don't justify the means" thing, but hell, she is awesome, after all.
• And finally, as an example of the necessity of sound judgment in the heat of… well… anyways, Black Condor says to Stormy after she jumps him: "I'm not sure this is a good idea." I'll leave that one alone.

Be sure to pick up Miss America Freedom Fighters #7 (as well as any back issues you've missed, such as #6 shown to your right, featuring who-know-who, prominently displayed on the cover–I;m just sayin'), and I'll see you next ish…