*This article contains spoilers for Justice Society of America #2*
DC Comics once again struggles against its greatest weakness: the ability to maintain a steady release schedule. Geoff John’s new Justice Society of America run is seemingly suffering the same fate as his Doomsday Clock—a 12-issue maxi-series which took over 2 years to release, though it should have only taken 12 months.
Of course, JSA fans are crestfallen and disappointed at DC Comics, with some taking to social media discussing how “inexcusable” this practice has become. It makes it difficult for bloggers to maintain their schedule as well, when solicited books cannot be reviewed, and thus a week without a blog post. But for now, we will endure and enjoy the snippets of story as they come!
Huntress has fallen through time! Having been the leader of a murdered Justice Society in her own time, Helena Wayne now finds herself among the original founding members of the JSA—Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Kent Nelson, etc. And in this confusion, the JSA attempts to verify Helena’s story.
When Doctor Fate peers into her future, he is transported one year into his own future, realizing someone is trying to hide Helena’s future from him. While in his vision of the future, Doctor Fate meets his future sidekick, a girl named “Salem”, who has also made an appearance in Stargirl: The Lost Children. Clearly, the stories are linked together. Johns’ is creating a new legacy within the JSA—this feels like the first time we’ve gotten new characters outside of a major event, such as Dark Nights: Metal—the difference is these characters feel like they will stick.
The rest of the issue jumps around different time periods. Catwoman faces the grand antagonist—a man called “Degaton”, who needs to kill the JSA by his own hands. For what reason, we have yet to discover. And Helena Wayne also gets thrown through time once again.
In the end, Helena gets thrown through 4 panels, each representing a different time period. The first, where Dr. Fate meets Mister Miracle and Salem. The second, when Catwoman dawns her cowl. The third, the JSA vs. Extant—possibly a hint at Zero Hour? The final one being Khalid Nassour becoming the new Doctor Fate. In fact, it might be smart to familiarize yourself with the journey of Khalid before the coming storm!
This issue has a lot of jumping around. For the editors at DC, who know exactly what is going on, the story is clear and concise. To the reader, we’re getting tossed like a shell in the ocean.
Though the release schedule is shaky and unclear, we will be getting more JSA issues, that part is not in question. But this scheduling is taking a toll on the readers; our love for stories being put to the test by publishers and dealers. It is exhausting. Quite frankly, DC needs to restore its readers’ faith. At least Stargirl: The Lost Children is coming out, or we would be completely lacking in JSA content.
Rating: ⅘ Stars. This story has a long way to go. As mentioned, as a reader, it feels like I am a shell in the ocean—tossed and twisted in every direction. However, the writing is good and everything we’re learning about the JSA is expanding on the lore in a natural feeling way. For that, I give 4 out of 5 stars.
Suggested reading: Khalid Nassour seems to be showing up in multiple issues. Because of this, I’d say look up his 2015 Doctor Fate run! It was a great origin story for the new Doctor Fate. Highly recommend.
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