How was the JSA separated? Where is the Tower of Fate? And what’s the squabble between Jade and Obsidian? Your Major Spoilers review of JSA #2 from DC Comics awaits!
JSA #2
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Diego Olortegui
Colorist: Luis Guerrero
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editor: Katie Kubert
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Previously in JSA: Flashback to the events leading into the previous issue as the JSA investigates a break-in at the observatory of Ted Knight, the original Starman. How was the JSA separated, and where is the Tower of Fate? What caused the rift between Jade and Obsidian after the disappearance of their father, Green Lantern Alan Scott?
And what is the Injustice Society of America plotting?
WHAT WE MISSED LAST TIME AROUND
The last issue opened with the younger members of the Justice Society trying to track down their elders, who have gone missing. This time, we find out the truth of their disappearance as the team fends off multiple attacks on Opal City, including a direct attack on Ted Knight’s observatory, in which his Starman gear was seemingly taken. The whole thing turns out to be a trap by the Injustice Society, which springs with great efficiency, save for one small complication: The Helm of Nabu! Doctor Fate manages to teleport himself, Green Lantern, The Flash, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and the elder Wildcat to the Tower of Fate and safety. What he can’t do, unfortunately, is understand the way home, leading to a race against time. While Jay Garrick races to investigate every door in the nigh-infinite liminal space, Hawkman and Hawkgirl deal with the zombies laying siege to the place.
The arrival of the ISA leads to a shocking final page, in which a JSA member is brutally killed!
THE GOLDEN AGE PROBLEM
I’m not sure what Olortegui and Lemire have in store for the JSA, but so far, it’s a really big change from the circular, self-indulgent logic of the previous series. This issue has some surprises, but I’m still puzzled as to why Scandal (of the Secret Six) and Ruby (the Red Lantern’s daughter) are part of the Injustice Society at all. Ruby’s dialogue indicates that something is up, but there are so many characters to deal with. The promised focus on the clash between Green Lantern’s twin children doesn’t actually get any panel time at all. The art is a lot of fun throughout the issue, though, especially when it comes to the sudden end of Flash’s search and the fight sequence involving The Hawks. For my money, the first two issues of JSA would have benefitted from being presented as a single unit, giving us two perspectives on the start of the new JSA/ISA rivalry, as well as both halves of the enormous Justice Society membership in play in the same issue.
BOTTOM LINE: STILL DEVELOPING
Despite that complaint, JSA #2 is a strong follow-up to a strong first issue, giving us a new adventure and what feels like the impetus for a whole new Society once this arc is over, with stylized, but mostly attractive art and a story full of interesting hooks, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. Now, if somebody can explain how so much of the cast came back from the dead before issue #1, I’ll be satisfied.
Dear Spoilerite,
At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.
JSA #2
We see the disappearance of the JSA veterans, but more questions are raised than answered, but it's all still an engaging read.
-
Writing7
-
Art7
-
Coloring6
Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.