The Justice Society of America returns to DC Comics as a series. Yet, if you’ve been watching the solicitations, you might have noticed that issue #2 and beyond indicates the potential for a limited series. If that is the case, then this is where the fan base needs to come in and help convince DC that this is a series of heroes that need their ongoing. I was lucky to get JSA when it started as a series, and it introduced me to a whole new world of legacy characters, and I feel the same joy and experience with The New Golden Age initiative here.
With that buildup of legacy about JSA and Golden Age characters, some fans might open the comic up, see the splash of Batman Family events happening, and wonder why Batman. Geoff Johns is crafting a story around the complicated and missing character of Huntress. How is she complicated and missing? When Crisis on Infinite Earths happened, DC’s continuity was broken into Pre-Crisis and Post-Crisis. That split is where the Huntress got tough as Pre-Crisis, she was Helena Wayne, the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, but Post-Crisis, she was a new character named Helena Bertinelli. Helena Wayne was missing until the New 52 continuity happened when she returned, but she didn’t transition over with the Rebirth continuity, same with the JSA until now.
Geoff Johns is going to work on the character of Helena Wayne, updating her history and crafting a story that makes you care about the character. If you read The New Golden Age #1 special, you have witnessed some of her updated origins. With this issue, we see Helena Wayne as an established hero working with the future version of the JSA on the search for Doctor Fate. I know there will be some fans polarized by the potential lineup of this future JSA, but let it play out for the story, and it helps with understanding Helena’s character.
Geoff does a fine job giving Helena Wayne a purpose for her mission and version of the JSA. As I mentioned earlier, some might have issues with this potential lineup, but the story gives the team a vital purpose and makes you care about the team once Per Degaton arrives. Mikel Janin wonderfully plays out the fight scene – there will be parts that will have you gasp at what you witness. Mikel Janin and Jordie Bellaire are a dynamic duo with the art here as Janin poses the characters boldly and Bellaire gives the colors high octane energy. The temperature is actively moving as the colors go from blues, grays, greens, and reds.
The part that left me wanting more was the lack of JSA members – I wanted more of a team from this modern continuity. For example, the way the JSA appears in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths showcased them as an inspiring team. I can see that Geoff Johns is setting up the story, but I feel his hook was a bit much, and I wanted the team to come forward since this is their book. It feels like this reads as a character issue in a longer-running story arc, which is true if you add on Doomsday Clock, Flashpoint Beyond, and The New Golden Age #1. Yet, it has a hook to want to see these characters unravel and solve this mystery to save themselves and their legacy. That connection can be an excellent gateway for new fans to check out some of DC Comics’ history and legacy, which plays to this new initiative.
Justice Society of America #1 is a great start with action, mystery, and character that will help the JSA return to their all-star status in the DCU. Johns, Janin, and Bellaire craft an entertaining story that will help you want to return to solve this mystery. What’s old is new again, but it’s deeper, bolder, and more exciting this time!
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