When it comes to its classic heroes like the JSA, from an outsider, it feels like their use has been a bit lacking. They show up with major events being key players but beyond that where they sit in DC history is a bit unclear. Justice Society of America #1 might clear some of that up? It’s kind of hard to tell with this debut from writer Geoff Johns who’s carving out his own corner of the DC Universe.

Justice Society of America #1 takes us through time kicking things off with a 57 year span of events teasing out events that have happened leading up to the current time. The death of Bruce Wayne’s parents, the birth of Helena Wayne, it all centers the story around Batman and Catwoman’s progeny, The Huntress.

In her modern time, she’s assembled a new JSA full of “reformed” villains and Wonder Girl, creating the dysfunction you’d expect. Their current focus is the disappearance of Doctor Fate, a mystery sort of answered leading up to the comics’ shocking moments that really sets things in motion.

Justice Society of America #1 is an interesting start that plays out like Johns’ recent efforts with DC. Doomsday Clock, Three Jokers, Flashpoint Beyond, they all center around a mystery and then playing with DC’s classic heroes. Johns shows he knows his DC history and has no problem with mixing things up in controversial ways and here it feels no different. Where it goes should be interesting with the muddled status the classic JSA characters have in the current DC continuity. What will change? What will be different? All of these series feel like pieces of a grander puzzle and story Johns is putting together.

The art by Mikel Janin is solid to look at delivering moments that are action packed and emotional. With Jordie Bellaire on color and Rob Leigh‘s lettering, the visuals at time really pop. It’s the rabbit hole moment later in the comic where things really stand out. The art stands out as the hits begin to come and the initial villain is revealed and dismantles the JSA in an interesting fashion. The sequence is inspired, coming out of nowhere to deliver a real surprise all around. The comic goes from 0 to 60 at this point in every way and the art stands out.

Justice Society of America #1 is an intriguing start of a comic. The latter half is excellent with a surprising sequence that sets things in motion. The first issue kicks off a mystery that has potential, but like a lot of Johns’ recent work, we’ll have to see where it takes us.

Story: Geoff Johns Art: Mikel Janin
Colors: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Rob Leigh
Guest art: Jerry Ordway, Scott Kolins, Steve Lieber, Brandon Peterson
Guest color: John Kalisz, Jordan Boyd, Brandon Peterson
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.15 Overall: 7.9 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle