Justice Society of America Edition
The Justice Society is the OG (Original Gangster) superhero-squad of the DC Universe. Formed in 
the 1940's, they were the WWII era heroes that literally started it all. Since its relaunch in the early 2000's by David Goyer (X-Men, The Dark Knight) and James Robinson(Starman, Superman), JSA has consistently been one of the best, and in my opinion most under-appreciated, titles DC puts out.
Now I won't explain the latest relaunch by long-time writer Geoff Johns following Infinite Crisis, because the books dynamic, overall cast, and general awesome-osity did not change one bit.
So lets get right into it.
JSA features a rich, and vast, cast of characters. There are the stoic and stalwart 40's era mainst
ays like: Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Hawkman, and Wildcat. The next generation: Power Girl, Mister Terrific, Hourman, Obsidian, Dr. Midnite, Liberty Belle , and Sand.The newest generation: Stargirl, Mister America, Damage, Jakeem Thunder, Lightning, Wildcat II (Original Wildcat's son),Magog, and Cyclone.
Finally there is Starman. I put him in his own category because he is a
hero from the future, the 30th century, who has traveled back in time to save the world, however in traveling back in time he is forced to live without medication that manages his severe schizophrenia. I realize I went to a lot of effort to explain his origin and not anyone else's. There are two reasons for this, one: he is an exception to the three categories I just described, two: it's my friggin blog and he's my favorite character.
Legacy is a major focus in JSA. Many heroes on the team have inheritated their mantle from another hero that has come before. That focus on the importance of legacy and history associated with
each hero is a major reason why I, personally, am drawn to the JSA, and DC comics as whole.
The JSA's role in the larger scale of the DCU is to teach heroes young and old what it means to be a hero. They aren't so much a team, as a community. Characters like Jay Garrick and Alan Scott mentor the newer generation of heroes and instill morals and a sense of justice in them. Moreover, they protect the legacies of the countless heroes that have died, and passed on their mantle to another.
Geoff Johns does a great job of intertwining these legacies and the rich history of the DCU into JSA, as well as juggling a large cast of characters, without bogging down the narrative.
Legacy aside, JSA is interesting because it's characters are so perfectly imperfect. Hourman is a recovering drug addict, Liberty Belle has issues with her parents, Alan Scott grieves over the death of his daughter, and even the gruff and often dismissive Ted Grant struggles with his new-found son's role in his life.
Featuring a bit more meat and drama than the JLA, but enough action and humor to keep the story interesting, JSA makes for one of, if not the, best comics published.
the 1940's, they were the WWII era heroes that literally started it all. Since its relaunch in the early 2000's by David Goyer (X-Men, The Dark Knight) and James Robinson(Starman, Superman), JSA has consistently been one of the best, and in my opinion most under-appreciated, titles DC puts out.Now I won't explain the latest relaunch by long-time writer Geoff Johns following Infinite Crisis, because the books dynamic, overall cast, and general awesome-osity did not change one bit.
So lets get right into it.
JSA features a rich, and vast, cast of characters. There are the stoic and stalwart 40's era mainst
ays like: Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Hawkman, and Wildcat. The next generation: Power Girl, Mister Terrific, Hourman, Obsidian, Dr. Midnite, Liberty Belle , and Sand.The newest generation: Stargirl, Mister America, Damage, Jakeem Thunder, Lightning, Wildcat II (Original Wildcat's son),Magog, and Cyclone.Finally there is Starman. I put him in his own category because he is a
hero from the future, the 30th century, who has traveled back in time to save the world, however in traveling back in time he is forced to live without medication that manages his severe schizophrenia. I realize I went to a lot of effort to explain his origin and not anyone else's. There are two reasons for this, one: he is an exception to the three categories I just described, two: it's my friggin blog and he's my favorite character.Legacy is a major focus in JSA. Many heroes on the team have inheritated their mantle from another hero that has come before. That focus on the importance of legacy and history associated with
each hero is a major reason why I, personally, am drawn to the JSA, and DC comics as whole.The JSA's role in the larger scale of the DCU is to teach heroes young and old what it means to be a hero. They aren't so much a team, as a community. Characters like Jay Garrick and Alan Scott mentor the newer generation of heroes and instill morals and a sense of justice in them. Moreover, they protect the legacies of the countless heroes that have died, and passed on their mantle to another.
Geoff Johns does a great job of intertwining these legacies and the rich history of the DCU into JSA, as well as juggling a large cast of characters, without bogging down the narrative.
Legacy aside, JSA is interesting because it's characters are so perfectly imperfect. Hourman is a recovering drug addict, Liberty Belle has issues with her parents, Alan Scott grieves over the death of his daughter, and even the gruff and often dismissive Ted Grant struggles with his new-found son's role in his life.
Featuring a bit more meat and drama than the JLA, but enough action and humor to keep the story interesting, JSA makes for one of, if not the, best comics published.
I HIGHLY recommend Justice Society. It is the most consistently excellent comic on the stands today.
JSA# 25 on-sale - TODAY!
JSA# 26 on-sale - April 29, 2009
Recommended Reading: JSA: The New Age
-"I'm from the FUTURE WOooEEeeoOoOoO!"
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what i need from you, friendo, is an introductory pack of comics to get me started on the current JSA bandwagon...is there any way you can provide that? subquestion, do you have any comics of mine? i can't find LL: Man of Steel, I wonder if you have it.
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