The latest installment of Justice Society of America picks up momentum, with just a two-month gap since the previous issue. In this chapter, writer Geoff Johns and artist Marco Santucci offer readers a refreshing change of pace by delivering some long-awaited character resolutions. Rather than treading water, this issue allows key players to advance their storylines, adding a sense of closure as the series nears its conclusion. With Santucci joining Johns for the final stretch, how well does this creative team manage to balance closure with excitement? Let’s find out.
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I’m going to start with the cover by Mikel Janin. As seen in our preview, there is quite a spread of heroes vs. heroes. I haven’t been much of a fan of the Legion of Superheroes, but seeing this cover piqued my interest in seeing which member of the Legion was fighting which member of the Justice Society. Honestly, there was the tease of a Mister Terrific vs Brainiac 5 fight, and I would love to see that expanded upon somewhere else, as that is a great match-up. Interior artist Marco Santucci gets some panels that explore more battles from the cover. Still, sadly, the battles come off static and are sidelined quickly in favor of advancing the story.
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I appreciate how Geoff Johns ties in Mordru from the Legion and the earlier JSA series, as it makes him more attractive as a character while exploring his past and future. However, it does remind me of Kang and Iron Lad. I can’t see being too invested, as I don’t know if the next creative team will be as invested in Mordru as Johns was. By the way, check out this announcement for the new upcoming JSA series. Not to sound like I’m thrashing the issue, but Johns does find a way to tie up story points about Yolanda Montez (Wildcat), Helena Wayne (Huntress), and Mordru that tie in very nicely with his opening “future plot points” from earlier in this series.
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The wrap-up for those characters is fun and hopeful, which helps to encourage the idea that the JSA is not just about the Golden Age of Comics but also about a “New Golden Age” for characters and growth. With those emotional beats from the script, Marco Santucci shows off his skills by bringing a new element of danger in the bonus villain in this issue and the emotional roller coaster from danger to closure. Colorist Ivan Plascencia backs up Santucci perfectly as he darkens the moments to pop them out from the overall story. This issue felt like a conclusion, which was excellent, allowing for more space as the last issue looms soon.
Justice Society of America #11 teases a big brawl between the Legion and the JSA, which opens up the imagination to see those two teams taking each other on. Johns and Santucci provide an excellent adventure that offers much-needed closure while creating curiosity about what comes next for these characters. Luckily, the gap between issues got tighter, and this issue sparked my hope in how this team is being used.
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