Jeff Lemire’s return to DC Comics is an exciting moment for fans as he takes on the Justice Society of America (JSA) for DC’s “All In” initiative. He brings a deep love for DC’s historical roots —something he’s eager to infuse into this new series. In a recent conversation with AIPT Comics, Lemire shared his insights on what makes the JSA special, how this project came to life, and what readers can expect from the upcoming storyline.
Lemire begins by reflecting on his time at DC Comics during the New 52 era when the JSA’s legacy had been sidelined.
“The DC Universe was very different from what it is right now,” Lemire recalls. “When I was growing up, DC was all about legacy and history, with the JSA being a big part of that… It’s really fun to be back and to be the one writing it.”
The timing is especially significant, as Lemire believes the JSA is a critical piece of DC’s larger puzzle. While the Justice League typically grabs the spotlight, the JSA brings something unique — a multigenerational team with deep ties to the past.
“What made me fall in love with DC was the scope and history of the universe,” Lemire notes. “The JSA, being from the 1940s, literally has some of the first superheroes ever created in comics. Seeing them carry on through the decades made that legacy stand out in a way Marvel never fully replicated.”
While the Justice League operates as a tactical team, Lemire describes the JSA as more of a family, where multiple generations of heroes live, work, and learn from one another. As he puts it, “When DC was at its best, the JSA and JLA were both running concurrently — and that’s something I’m thrilled to be part of again.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
Lemire’s upcoming JSA series taps into that same sense of legacy. Fans can expect a story that feels familiar yet fresh.
“For me, it was about taking everything I love from past runs — whether it’s Infinity Inc., All-Star Squadron, or Geoff Johns’ era — and making it important again while keeping it accessible and modern,” he explains. The challenge, then, is making the JSA resonate with today’s readers while honoring its long history.
Reflecting on his own growth as a writer, Lemire acknowledged that his early attempts at team books during his first DC stint were less successful compared to his solo character work. Drawing from his experience on The Terrifics and his creator-owned Black Hammer series, Lemire has developed a knack for balancing these robust groups.
“I stopped thinking of them as superhero team books and started thinking of them more as ensemble dramas,” he explained, focusing on developing characters over time rather than trying to feature everyone in every issue.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
“It’s like writing two books,” he added, laughing. “But I love all those characters so much, and I want them each to have their moment.”
When asked to give a non-spoiler pitch for the first arc, Lemire offers an intriguing premise.
“As our series kicks off, the original JSA members — Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Ted Grant, and others — are missing. The younger generation is left wondering where they went and how to keep the JSA going.”
The internal conflict among the younger heroes — one faction led by Jade wanting to preserve the legacy, while another, led by Obsidian, seeks to push the team into the modern world — sets the stage for a dynamic and emotional story.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
For fans wondering what sets the JSA apart from the Justice League, Lemire offers a clear answer: it’s all about legacy and generational storytelling.
The JSA is unique in that its members span multiple generations, giving the team a rich sense of history that other superhero groups lack. For Lemire, the heart of the JSA lies in two characters: Jay Garrick and Alan Scott. Jay, the original Flash, serves as the team’s heart, while Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern, acts as its head and leader.
The art is a big function of this book’s balancing act. Lemire is hugely excited about Diego Olortegui’s work, praising his ability to balance action with intimate character moments.
“Diego’s work really surprised me in a great way,” Lemire explains. “It’s freed me up to tell the story I want to tell, balancing big action with character drama.”
It’s a dynamic found in Lemire’s favorite JSA stories (with some solid deep cuts mentioned).
“James Robinson’s Golden Age is brilliant and underrated,” he says, also giving a nod to Geoff Johns’ iconic run. But it’s clear Lemire’s love for the JSA goes beyond any single arc — his passion for the characters drives his vision for this new series.
Lemire promises a story packed with heart, history, and high-stakes action. Whether you’re a longtime JSA enthusiast or new to the team, this series aims to capture the essence of what makes the Justice Society of America a cornerstone of the DC Universe.
As Lemire himself says, if he’s done his job right, this will feel like a “classic JSA comic”— but with a fresh, modern twist.
Fans can find JSA #1 in comic shops on November 6, wherever comics are sold. Make sure to tune into the AIPT Comics podcast in November, as we’ll be running this entire interview,unedited!
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