Justice Society of America #1

DC Comics

Writer: Geoff Johns

Penciller: Dale Eaglesham

Inker: Art Thibert

They’re baaa-aaaack. The original hero team, the Justice Society of America, is reforming, and they have a kinder, gentler agenda. “The Justice League is a strike force. The Justice Society is a family,” says Batman in the introduction. Yessirree, if I’m a diabolical genius, nothing strikes fear in my heart like a bunch of caped heroes who always send gift baskets.

In this first issue of the series’ relaunch, the JSA is hunting down the descendants of various original members such as the son of the Golden Age Atom, the first Red Tornado’s granddaughter, and Wildcat’s son. The reason? An invitation to join the brand spanking new JSA. In all fairness, Geoff Johns does a more than adequate job balancing the recruitment storyline against an investigation subplot featuring Mr. America. Despite Johns’ technical ability and humor, however, the story takes awhile to get rolling, and a first issue should throttle you by the shoulders and demand you keep reading. To be honest, I expected a little more from the guy who brought Hal Jordan back from the dead.

Dale Eaglesham draws subtle facial expressions as well as he pencils splashy, kinetic action sequences. There’s a hilarious exchange between the Red Tornado’s granddaughter and Power Girl where two glances establish more than a page of writing could do. He also gets the enviable task of drawing JSA costumes. The JSA may not be able to take the JLA in a fight, but they do have much more interesting costumes. Excellent work on Eaglesham’s part—‘nuff said.

Worth the money? Not the four dollars it costs. Seriously, for four bucks, I expect scratch and sniff cardstock that smells like Power Girl's hair.

JSA # 87