While many readers consider the Justice League the flagship superhero team of DC Comics, that spot was once held by the Justice Society of America. As the first superhero team in comic book history, the JSA has played host to some of the greatest heroes in the company’s roster, with Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman all serving. After eight decades, the team has one of the richest collections of comics adventures.
The Justice Society may not have the attention or fame in the mainstream as the Justice League, but their place in the DC Universe is beyond question. The team represents the value that the company has historically placed on legacy and history, something accentuated by the senior heroes’ mentorship of younger characters. The adventures of the team are still prominent in several recent events, and they offer readers a blend of fantasy, sci-fi, war and action.
10
Final justice
Begins Hawkman #27 by Robert Venditti, Fernando Pasarin, Olclair Albert, Wade Von Grawbadger, Jeromy Cox and Rob Leigh
During the tenure of Robert Venditti HawkmanHe ends Carter Hall’s adventure by sending both him and Hawwoman back to the Golden Age. Now unable to reincarnate, the hero is frozen in fear when confronted by his enemies from the Injustice Society, but his JSA teammates manage to save the day. In terms of mortality, he and Shayera reunite with their friends, only to be confronted by Hat-Set on a train.
“Final Justice” is pure fan service to readers, taking the Hawks back to the best years of their lives and providing readers with an excellent reunion. Considering how many JSA stories are set in the present day, seeing them back in the Golden Age is a treat – even if the story is mostly focused on the Hawks.
9
The bad seed
Begins Justice Society of America #29 by Bill Willingham, Lilah Sturges, Jesús Merino, Allen Passalaqua and Rob Leigh
“The Bad Seed” follows the JSA locked in an all-out war as a team of villains tries to claim a bounty on their heads – just as they accept two new members. When the team is sabotaged, they realize they have been betrayed by one of their own, leading to a confrontation with the turncoat and division within the team.
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In “The Bad Seed,” the heroes are attacked on their own turf, throwing the team into disaster and bringing them to the brink of defeat. The story not only explores the history of some members of the JSA, who returned to their World War II activities, it also expands their ranks. For readers looking for an action-packed adventure, this story is a great place to start.
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Axis of evil
Begins Justice Society of America #34 by Bill Willingham, Travis Moore, Dan Green, Allen Passalaqua and Rob Lei
The Justice Society is no stranger to messing with Nazis, but in the story “Axis of Evil,” they are forced to fight a team of fascist supervillains, the Fourth Reich, who attempt to implement absolute Nazi rule. They target the JSA as an act of revenge for their bravery in World War II and to ensure that no one is around to defeat them. When the villains bring about totalitarian rule, it’s up to the JSA to defend freedom and overthrow the oppressors once again.
“Axis of Evil” brings the JSA’s classic fight against Nazis into the present, and highlights some of DC’s most despicable villains, like Captain Nazi. The story gives a Man in the High Tower-style dystopian future for readers, follow the heroes in a resistance against Nazi overlords – as Mr. Terrific infiltrates the villains from within.
7
Black Adam and Isis
Begins Justice Society of America #23 by Geoff Johns, Jerry Ordway, Bob Wiacek, Hi-Fi and Rob Lei
In the aftermath of his conquest of Kahndak during the “Black Reign” story, Black Adam begins to ponder his future role as leader and his violent past. The internal conflict comes to a head when he meets Adrianna Tomas, a courageous citizen whose kindness affects him. In response, he invokes the powers of the Egyptian gods, who turn Adrianna into the modern incarnation of Isis. However, when she is killed, Adam resurrects her, which leads to her returning as a corrupt, evil version of herself – prompting JSA intervention.
Although Teth-Adam steals the show, “Black Adam and Isis” quickly garnered a reputation as one of the best-written JSA stories of the 2000s — and one of DC’s most enjoyable arcs of the season overall. This story is best enjoyed in conjunction with both “Black Rain” and Adam’s story in 52All form a whole saga of the anti-hero’s rule over Kahandak.
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Princess of Darkness
Start with JSA #46 by David S. Goyer, Geoff Johns, Sal Velluto, Bob Almond, John Kalisz, Heroic Age, and Ken Lopez
“Princess of Darkness” follows the JSA as Mordru escapes his prison, allying with Eclipso in his bid to conquer the world. Threatening the end of life as they know it, the heroes come together in a bid to repel the overwhelming power of two of DC’s most powerful magicians. In order to save the world, they are forced to split into two teams, each confronting the two supervillains, climaxing in an epic battle.
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“Princess of Darkness” stands out as one of the team’s most epic adventures in history, with the heroes venturing into the Shadowlands, a land of living nightmares. The story also makes Shazam a key member of the team, and delivers one of the best magic-themed stories in modern DC history.
5
JSA/JSA
Begins JSA #68 by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, John Kalisz and Ken Lopez
“JSA/JSA” follows some of the Junior Justice Society team members as they are transported back in time to 1951, following their suspicions that the timeline has been altered. There, they meet the original team in its prime, although facing the threat of being disbanded by the government in an era where McCarthyism runs rampant. When Degaton is revealed as the culprit, it comes down to Johnny Thunder and his genius, Thunderbolt, to set things right.
“JSA/JSA” is a great exploration of the team’s past, exploring the JSA during the tumultuous 1950s while under investigation and uniting two generations of the team. Using elements of political drama blended with a time travel caper, the story delivers some brilliant fan service by having the modern members fight alongside the team’s founders in their heyday.
4
Black revenge
Begins JSA #73 by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, John Kalisz and Rob Lei
“Black Vengeance” serves as a direct sequel to the “Black Rain” arc and focuses on two key character journeys. Atom Smasher is on a quest for redemption and forgiveness from his JSA allies for siding with Black Adam. The Spectre, now without a human host, is meanwhile only driven by his need to punish the wicked, which leads him to target Adam in Kahndak. At the climax of the story, both of ​​these arcs intersect in a poignant reminder of the difference between justice and revenge.
“Black Vengeance” stands as a brilliant sequel and a fun standalone story, one that casts the Specter as the story’s unlikely villain. For the readers who enjoy the tensions between the J.S.A. and Black Adam and want to better understand their competing philosophies, this stands as a great story – as well as the finest hour of Atom Smasher.
3
Crisis on Earth-X
Justice League of America #107 by Len Wayne, Dick Dillin and Dick Giordano
“Crisis on Earth-X” is one of the many annual crossovers between the JLA and JSA from the Silver and Bronze Ages, one that follows the heroes to an Earth where the Nazis won World War II. There, the Nazis are opposed by Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters, JSA-inspired heroes who fight fascist metahumans. In this issue, the Germans manage to incapacitate heroes from Earth-0 and Earth-2, leaving Batman and a handful of heroes to team up with Uncle Sam.
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“Crisis on Earth-X” stands out as one of the best crossovers of the Bronze Age, casting the JSA and JLA as liberators from a fascist dystopia. Not only did the story pave the way for decades of freedom fighter adventures, but it also focused on heroes of lower power levels, exploring their courage in a world rife with danger.
2
Stealing Thunder
Begins JSA #32 by David S. Goyer, Geoff Johns, Peter Snejbjerg, John Kalisz, Heroic Age, and Ken Lopez
When it comes to stories that represent the appeal of the Justice Society of America, few adventures come as close as “Stealing Thunder.” The story arc follows the heroes as they travel to a timeline where the ultra-human now dominates the planet, even controlling the minds of Justice League heroes like Superman. With Wildcat and Alan Scott planning an escape from captivity, Hourman, Shazam and the others meet the resistance and plan a fight for freedom.
Although it requires some prior reading, “Stealing Thunder” stands out as arguably the greatest JSA story of all time, and shows the heroes at their best. Not only does the story give each of the team members a moment in the sun, it also shows that the ultra-human is the genuine threat that he is.
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Black rule
Begins JSA #56 by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, John Kalisz, Hi-Fi and Bill Oakley
“Black Rain” sees the JSA divided as Black Adam turns against his old team due to wanting a stronger, more interventionist approach to fighting threats. The split leads to the formation of the antihero’s own team, the Black Rule, who immediately stage a coup in Kahndak, which they establish as their base of operations. However, this approach increases the anger of the main team.
“Black Reign” proved to be such an iconic and influential story that it served as the primary basis for the DCEU Black Adam movie. From pitting Hawkman against the fallen champion of Shazam to delving into geopolitics in the DCU and showcasing the villain’s motives, the story remains a modern classic for the Justice Society of America.