The art in the second part of the book was also a highlight, showing the original JSA members in action. However, we're still left wondering where they are and how this ties into the main storyline. Read Full Review

Lemire's comics are usually slow-burns, but this is anything but we're off to a big start with a ton of potential here. Read Full Review

JSA #1 is the fresh start the Justice Society needed, as Jeff Lemire and Diego Orlotegui pushes the team in a new era. If DC were to pick books that serve as a representation of its "All-In" era, this would be at the top of the list. Read Full Review

The new era of the JSA is hit with an ethical onslaught in this debut chapter. Lemires writing poses a rift in the ideals of heroics for the classic team. Olortegui and Guerrero construct the vintage feel associated with the legendary team. Readers will want to make a point to see how things play out from here. Read Full Review

Overall, JSA #1 is a fantastic start to a new era for the team. Lemire's writing and Jann's art bring the classic heroes to life, making this a must-read for fans of the Justice Society and DC Comics in general. Read Full Review

The issue ends with a solid cliffhanger as Lemire immediately dives into a staple of any extended JSA run. This title has some promise. Hopefully it can continuing delivering on it going forward. Read Full Review

It's a shakier start than many past returns of the Justice Society, but JSA #1 is promising enough that I'll stick around and see what happens next! Read Full Review

If not thrilled with the coloring, or the possible face/heel turn hidden inside, but this is a real return of the JSA, avoiding the pitfalls of the previous series with seeming ease, and making me want more of Lemire's Justice Society Read Full Review

JSA #1 is an ambitious first issue that wastes no time getting into the thick of it. Jeff Lemire does an excellent job of blending eighty years of history with the current state of the DC Universe without losing the reader. This feels like a modern series that is attempting to answer the questions that arose after Absolute Power. Read Full Review

JSA #1 isn't a bad start but it's also not inviting to new readers. I generally have no idea who these characters are let alone the conflicts they have with each other leaving me generally in the dark for personal one-on-one scenes that rely heavily on all of that. The comic feels like a continuation of what's come before instead of using what has come before as something it can tease, wink, and nod to, while still being a welcoming read for those that are new. JSA #1 is for the hardcore fans only at this point. Read Full Review

JSA #1brings the Justice Society back to the forefront in a big way as they tackle conflict from within and without. Jeff Lemire gives multiple characters we haven't seen in a while a moment to shine, and the mysteries plaguing the group are interesting. That said, Lemire pushes the bicker button a little too hard, and Ortegui's art looks rushed in spots. Read Full Review

JSA #1 is mixed bag. I want to love it, but half the issue focuses on inner conflict that seems to come from nowhere and isn't set up effectively if it is all part of the villain plot. Olortegui does a nice job with the storytelling and Lemire references a whole lot of history. It's not hard to see the multiple specific eras he is referencing. I hope this issue can be reassessed as this first arc unfolds. Read Full Review

Ah yes, the critics that don't understand the Lemire slow build.

As a person who did not collect any of Absolute Power, I am a little lost. However, I did watch the Stargirl series on the CW and I did find some overlap with that. I am a huge Jade fan and I was glad to see her back. That was the main reason I picked this up. I think there are far too many characters and I hope they dwindle these down as the 1st arc wraps up.

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Very solid debut issue that mines some different characters than Johns’ recently concluded series. However, there seemed to be a lot of unearned conflict taking place, along with several expository gaps that need to be filled in so we understand what’s going on in the Tower of Fate.

another strong debut issue so far. Art grew on me.

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TJMB3891 - Nov 6, 2024

It's the same artist from the Jeremy Adams Jay Garrick Flash book. He's did a great job on that too.

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Jeff Lemire's debut on the Justice Society of America marks a new chapter for the team, but unfortunately, it stumbles out of the gate. Picking up after DC’s Absolute Power event, Lemire dives headfirst into the team’s internal conflicts. While Lemire's intentions are clear, the conflict feels manufactured, lacking organic tension unless you have an encyclopedic memory.

The debut issue’s biggest misstep is its inaccessibility to new readers. Without prior knowledge of the large cast of characters and their relationships, the dramatic scenes fall flat. Lemire's writing assumes a level of familiarity that may not exist for many readers. The reliance on prior storylines from Absolute Power and its tie-ins, as well as the JSA’s decades-long history, creates a barrier for the average reader. Editor's notes would have made navigating the multitude of interpersonal relationships that drive the issue’s drama a lot easier.

Diego Olortegui's artwork, paired with Luis Guerrero's colors and Steve Wands' lettering, yields mixed results. Some panels shine, while others feel average. Character designs and action sequences are decent, but the overall visual tone was underwhelming. more