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Justice Society (collected editions)
Last Days of the Justice Society of America
Green Lantern, the Flash, Starman, the Atom, Doctor Fate, Power Girl and the rest of the JSA were once the celebrated champions of Earth-2. But then came the Crisis, a cataclysm so great that it reached across realities, destroying all parallel worlds and leaving only one Earth.
The Universe was saved, but the Justice Society was left in a world that is already filled with other heroes. But just as the team is on the cusp of disbanding, they receive a dire message from the Spectre, sending them on perhaps their greatest mission ever...
The universe is in jeopardy, and to save it the JSA must journey back in time to the heart of Hitler's Germany. If they fail, all they fought for in the Crisis could be lost once more.
LAST DAYS OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA reprints the title story from Roy Thomas (CONAN: THE BARBARIAN) and David Ross (AVENGERS WEST COAST) for the first time, as well as the SECRET ORIGINS of the Golden Age Justice Society--featuring artists Michael Bair (HAWKMAN), Mike Clark (ALL-STAR SQUADRON) and more!
After the devastation to their home dimension following the cataclysmic events of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, the world’s first super team faces their gravest challenge to date. As Ragnorak reigns down from the sky, the surviving members of the JSA must make the greatest sacrifice—one that would affect the DC Universe for decades to come. Collects THE LAST DAYS OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY SPECIAL #1, plus stories from SECRET ORIGINS #7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 25 and 31.
The Universe was saved, but the Justice Society was left in a world that is already filled with other heroes. But just as the team is on the cusp of disbanding, they receive a dire message from the Spectre, sending them on perhaps their greatest mission ever...
The universe is in jeopardy, and to save it the JSA must journey back in time to the heart of Hitler's Germany. If they fail, all they fought for in the Crisis could be lost once more.
LAST DAYS OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA reprints the title story from Roy Thomas (CONAN: THE BARBARIAN) and David Ross (AVENGERS WEST COAST) for the first time, as well as the SECRET ORIGINS of the Golden Age Justice Society--featuring artists Michael Bair (HAWKMAN), Mike Clark (ALL-STAR SQUADRON) and more!
After the devastation to their home dimension following the cataclysmic events of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, the world’s first super team faces their gravest challenge to date. As Ragnorak reigns down from the sky, the surviving members of the JSA must make the greatest sacrifice—one that would affect the DC Universe for decades to come. Collects THE LAST DAYS OF THE JUSTICE SOCIETY SPECIAL #1, plus stories from SECRET ORIGINS #7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 25 and 31.
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2017
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,592 books280 followersRoy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 13, 2017
Nice wrap up story for these Golden Age heroes from the DC universe. Good story and art. Recommended
September 12, 2019
A must read for any Justice Society of America fan. Don't take my word for it, read it yourself.
Thank you for the loan Franklin Public Library!
Thank you for the loan Franklin Public Library!
February 10, 2021
Only reviewing the main special, not the additional content added for the trade.
Short version: Read JSA: The Golden Age instead. It is a much better version of what this story is attempting.
Long version:
I was very disappointed by this. Like much of Roy Thomas's DC work, it's not so much a story as an explanation of various continuity snarls of the era. I wish this had been a much simpler epilogue to COIE, showing us the new post-Crisis fate of the JSA, but instead it is an epilogue to the pre-Crisis JSA, who for some inexplicable reason all remember their previous Earth-2 continuity. It desperately attempts to answer all the confusing continuity questions with extended exposition throughout, but it raises more questions than it answers. It could have been so much simpler if they had just committed to this book being truly post-Crisis, but instead I guess Roy Thomas wanted a depressing and lackluster finale to his long run on various Earth-2 titles.
In fact, the whole point of this story is to shove the JSA into a different world so as to rid then-current readers of all the geezer heroes, which begs the question of why they bothered folding them into New Earth to begin with! If they wanted them out of the picture, there were other options. Why didn't they simply retire, and that's the end of it (as was the case later on via some retcons)? Why this whole convoluted mess? Roy Thomas has always been one of my least favorite comic writers, and this type of thing is exactly why. He cares more about filling in what he perceives to be continuity holes than writing an actual story that resonates on a human level, and he ends up creating more continuity holes anyway. He just writes pages of soulless exposition as if he was writing an encyclopedia.
Unless you are a die-hard fan of Roy Thomas's All-Star Squadron/Infinity Inc. (may god have mercy on your soul), there is absolutely no reason to read this. The story is basically undone in later years anyway (partially with Armageddon Inferno, and fully with Infinite Crisis), so there really is no point. If you want to see the same concept done FAR better, read JSA: The Golden Age by James Robinson. It is absolutely fantastic, and will show you a much more proper ending to the Justice Society. It was originally meant to be an Elseworlds, but it was actually folded into canon.
Short version: Read JSA: The Golden Age instead. It is a much better version of what this story is attempting.
Long version:
I was very disappointed by this. Like much of Roy Thomas's DC work, it's not so much a story as an explanation of various continuity snarls of the era. I wish this had been a much simpler epilogue to COIE, showing us the new post-Crisis fate of the JSA, but instead it is an epilogue to the pre-Crisis JSA, who for some inexplicable reason all remember their previous Earth-2 continuity. It desperately attempts to answer all the confusing continuity questions with extended exposition throughout, but it raises more questions than it answers. It could have been so much simpler if they had just committed to this book being truly post-Crisis, but instead I guess Roy Thomas wanted a depressing and lackluster finale to his long run on various Earth-2 titles.
In fact, the whole point of this story is to shove the JSA into a different world so as to rid then-current readers of all the geezer heroes, which begs the question of why they bothered folding them into New Earth to begin with! If they wanted them out of the picture, there were other options. Why didn't they simply retire, and that's the end of it (as was the case later on via some retcons)? Why this whole convoluted mess? Roy Thomas has always been one of my least favorite comic writers, and this type of thing is exactly why. He cares more about filling in what he perceives to be continuity holes than writing an actual story that resonates on a human level, and he ends up creating more continuity holes anyway. He just writes pages of soulless exposition as if he was writing an encyclopedia.
Unless you are a die-hard fan of Roy Thomas's All-Star Squadron/Infinity Inc. (may god have mercy on your soul), there is absolutely no reason to read this. The story is basically undone in later years anyway (partially with Armageddon Inferno, and fully with Infinite Crisis), so there really is no point. If you want to see the same concept done FAR better, read JSA: The Golden Age by James Robinson. It is absolutely fantastic, and will show you a much more proper ending to the Justice Society. It was originally meant to be an Elseworlds, but it was actually folded into canon.
June 11, 2025
My JSA knowledge is pretty limited but ironically this is a pretty good introduction.
Though written in the 80s, Roy Thomas knows how to capture that Golden Age feel.
Though written in the 80s, Roy Thomas knows how to capture that Golden Age feel.
January 31, 2018
Before the Justice League, The Avengers, The X-Men and other superhero groups, there was The Justice Society. The origin stories was great and enjoyable to read for this fan of The Golden Age of Comics, I couldn't stop reading this volume. My favorite origin stories are The Spectre, Golden Age Atom and Green Lantern. The Spectre is the original Spirit of Vengeance long before Ghost Rider and Spawn.
I love these old stories because they have set the bar for comic book stories that would later come. I am also reading this volume because I am looking forward to the return of The Justice Society to the DCU because they have been mentioned in the DC Rebirth special 2 years ago and a crossover with The Flash and Batman a year ago.
I am looking forward to their return and believe that they have a role in the current 12 part mini series The Doomsday Clock. If you are a fan both old and a new one of The Justice Society, this volume is highly recommended.
I love these old stories because they have set the bar for comic book stories that would later come. I am also reading this volume because I am looking forward to the return of The Justice Society to the DCU because they have been mentioned in the DC Rebirth special 2 years ago and a crossover with The Flash and Batman a year ago.
I am looking forward to their return and believe that they have a role in the current 12 part mini series The Doomsday Clock. If you are a fan both old and a new one of The Justice Society, this volume is highly recommended.
October 1, 2017
How appropriate that what was then considered the last Justice Society story was fueled by one of their founding members, the Spectre.
During the Crisis On Infinite Earths, the Spectre won a desperate battle with the Anti-Monitor at the dawn of time, but at great cost. He fell into a supernatural coma, and while he was out, his energies leaked out through time and space.
The Justice Society had gathered for a memorial service for those members lost in the Crisis- Superman, Wonder Woman (both of them and their spouses left forever for other dimensions), Robin and the Huntress (both killed in the final battle against the shadow beasts). They also remembered other fallen members: Batman and Mr. Terrific (both murdered by criminals), and even recognized Batman's wife Catwoman, who predeceased him, along with Lois Lane and Steve Trevor, forever exiled with their spouses.
They had decided that in the new combined Earth, they were no longer needed. All of them but Dr. Fate, Power Girl and Star Spangled Kid were going to retire and leave the hero work to the young, but the Spectre came to them begging for help to save the post-Crisis universe from destruction.
In 1945, Adolph Hitler tried to use the Spear of Destiny to destroy the world when his Reich was about to fall. He originally failed, but with the Spectre's energy available to augment its power, Hitler was now capable of using the Spear as he intended. The Spectre showed them a vision of what would happen if they didn't stop him, which included all of them dying before the entire universe did.
He left his final energy with Dr. Fate, who used it to take the fight to Hitler on the supernatural plane. The JSA (including Hawkgirl and Sandy the Golden Boy) found themselves helping the Norse gods fight Ragnarok, created by the Spear. Their power tipped the scales back where they belonged, and all but Dr. Fate, Power Girl and Star Spangled Kid found themselves trapped there to fight the same battle forever: living, dying, living again and ultimately defeating the forces of evil each time.
I enjoyed it mainly because they weren't all killed off in ways that nobody could return from- this way, I knew they would be back at some point :-).
My only disappointment was their failure to mention the original Black Canary, Dinah Drake Lance, who died of cancer not long before this story came out.
During the Crisis On Infinite Earths, the Spectre won a desperate battle with the Anti-Monitor at the dawn of time, but at great cost. He fell into a supernatural coma, and while he was out, his energies leaked out through time and space.
The Justice Society had gathered for a memorial service for those members lost in the Crisis- Superman, Wonder Woman (both of them and their spouses left forever for other dimensions), Robin and the Huntress (both killed in the final battle against the shadow beasts). They also remembered other fallen members: Batman and Mr. Terrific (both murdered by criminals), and even recognized Batman's wife Catwoman, who predeceased him, along with Lois Lane and Steve Trevor, forever exiled with their spouses.
They had decided that in the new combined Earth, they were no longer needed. All of them but Dr. Fate, Power Girl and Star Spangled Kid were going to retire and leave the hero work to the young, but the Spectre came to them begging for help to save the post-Crisis universe from destruction.
In 1945, Adolph Hitler tried to use the Spear of Destiny to destroy the world when his Reich was about to fall. He originally failed, but with the Spectre's energy available to augment its power, Hitler was now capable of using the Spear as he intended. The Spectre showed them a vision of what would happen if they didn't stop him, which included all of them dying before the entire universe did.
He left his final energy with Dr. Fate, who used it to take the fight to Hitler on the supernatural plane. The JSA (including Hawkgirl and Sandy the Golden Boy) found themselves helping the Norse gods fight Ragnarok, created by the Spear. Their power tipped the scales back where they belonged, and all but Dr. Fate, Power Girl and Star Spangled Kid found themselves trapped there to fight the same battle forever: living, dying, living again and ultimately defeating the forces of evil each time.
I enjoyed it mainly because they weren't all killed off in ways that nobody could return from- this way, I knew they would be back at some point :-).
My only disappointment was their failure to mention the original Black Canary, Dinah Drake Lance, who died of cancer not long before this story came out.
February 27, 2024
Finally!
It feels like forever ago that I started this collection.
For me, the Justice Society has always been one of those things that would be alluded to but rarely the centre focus of a story.
This was good in that it really was completely focused on the JSA and its members.
I liked how there was the intention that the JSA would kind of end how they began. Which was told through the Special and Secret Origins issues.
As Roy Thomas said, I wish there was a bit more of a focus on the individual in the Special. But what helps is that each member’s origin is told, though even then it was more about their actions and powers and less about them as people.
Overall, this is great for what it is. A collection of stories about the first superhero team and its members.
Links to individual status updates:
Special #1│Secret Origins #7│Secret Origins #9a│Secret Origins #9b│Secret Origins #11│Secret Origins #13│Secret Origins #15│Secret Origins #16│Secret Origins #18│Secret Origins #20│Secret Origins #24│Secret Origins #25│Secret Origins #31
It feels like forever ago that I started this collection.
For me, the Justice Society has always been one of those things that would be alluded to but rarely the centre focus of a story.
This was good in that it really was completely focused on the JSA and its members.
I liked how there was the intention that the JSA would kind of end how they began. Which was told through the Special and Secret Origins issues.
As Roy Thomas said, I wish there was a bit more of a focus on the individual in the Special. But what helps is that each member’s origin is told, though even then it was more about their actions and powers and less about them as people.
Overall, this is great for what it is. A collection of stories about the first superhero team and its members.
Links to individual status updates:
Special #1│Secret Origins #7│Secret Origins #9a│Secret Origins #9b│Secret Origins #11│Secret Origins #13│Secret Origins #15│Secret Origins #16│Secret Origins #18│Secret Origins #20│Secret Origins #24│Secret Origins #25│Secret Origins #31
Read
June 17, 2019A decent end to pre-crisis JSA. I read the main story years ago and it's MUCH more effective now that I've read 1) some other JSA stuff from before this, 2) other Roy Thomas books, and 3) other books that use Norse mythology (hi Thor!). As a story on its own, it's fine. The real significance is in what it did for the characters, and the behind-the-scenes forces that made it necessary (namely, Crisis putting every hero in one universe and supposedly making the JSA irrelevant).
I've only read a few of the many origin stories which take up the rest of the book (and, interestingly, were published after the Last Days special). They're the superior material here, if not exactly classics themselves. I can't take too much Roy Thomas at once, though, so I'll save them for another time. No rush since they're all origin retellings.
I've only read a few of the many origin stories which take up the rest of the book (and, interestingly, were published after the Last Days special). They're the superior material here, if not exactly classics themselves. I can't take too much Roy Thomas at once, though, so I'll save them for another time. No rush since they're all origin retellings.
January 24, 2026
Eu tinha muita curiosidade em ler Os Últimos Dias da Sociedade da Justiça. Primeiro, porque gosto muito dessa equipe de super-heróis. Depois, porque sempre quis ler a história com a mística Lança do Destino que Adolf Hitler teria usado para afugentar a Sociedade da Justiça e os demais super-heróis da Europa. Saber que esse encadernado também traria as "Origens Secretas" dos principais membros da Sociedade da Justiça também foi um chamariz para a compra. Mas, ah, a frustração. As histórias são chatíssimas pra dedéu, enroladas e prolixas, além de trazer um roteiro datado. Propositalmente ou não, parece que estamos lendo quadrinhos feitos nos anos 1940, e isso se reflete muito bem na arte usada e na forma como as histórias são narradas visualmente. Ou seja, a arte também é datada. Cansativo. Um porre. E caro.
May 28, 2020
This collection of stories from the 1980's takes us from the "end" of the Justice Society post-Crisis on Infinite Earths back to their beginnings in stories from "Secret Origins"
Roy Thomas is the driving force behind these tales which are illustrated by a bevy of artists with a variety of styles though most fit in with the general DC "house style" of the time.
The "Last Days" special is well done though because of its task of taking the JSA off the board it will never be my favourite even though it did make sense at the time. I do like the Secret Origins stories as that series is one of my favourites and it allowed me learn a lot about the Golden Age of comics without having to spend an arm and a leg.
Roy Thomas is the driving force behind these tales which are illustrated by a bevy of artists with a variety of styles though most fit in with the general DC "house style" of the time.
The "Last Days" special is well done though because of its task of taking the JSA off the board it will never be my favourite even though it did make sense at the time. I do like the Secret Origins stories as that series is one of my favourites and it allowed me learn a lot about the Golden Age of comics without having to spend an arm and a leg.
October 20, 2017
Public library copy.
For me, the often bad. amateurish art killed any enjoyment of this mixed bad group of tales. I could probably count on one hand the good work contained in his rather large collection of tales featuring different members of the JSA.
For me, the often bad. amateurish art killed any enjoyment of this mixed bad group of tales. I could probably count on one hand the good work contained in his rather large collection of tales featuring different members of the JSA.
January 28, 2018
Probably would have enjoyed it more if I had known more of the context around the 1980s JSA.
August 1, 2021
Probably not the best starting place getting into for JSA but I am curious about how weird these comics get
July 31, 2018
This is a collection of post-‘Crisis Of Infinite Earth’ JSA stories... including the ‘Ragnarok’ tale which shuffled them out of circulation for years, an origin story, and short stories from ‘Secret Origins.’
While there is some great art, and the JSA origin story is good, this isn’t a great collection. The Ragnarok story is clunky, the ‘Secret Origins’ stories neither illuminating nor great art.
If you can get it from a library, borrow it. If you are a completist... buy it. But there is better modern JSA material out there to read.
While there is some great art, and the JSA origin story is good, this isn’t a great collection. The Ragnarok story is clunky, the ‘Secret Origins’ stories neither illuminating nor great art.
If you can get it from a library, borrow it. If you are a completist... buy it. But there is better modern JSA material out there to read.
May 26, 2026
The main story is just okay. After Crisis on Infinite Earths, the JSA are summoned by the Spectre to go back in time to stop Hitler from causing Ragnarok. This could have been a heartfelt, nuanced send-off to the Golden Age JSA, but any emotion is smothered by big, stupid fighting. In the end, it feels like mandated editorial shifting more than anything else. Especially since the only members who survive are Power Girl and the Star-Spangled Kid, who were conveniently appearing in Infinity, Inc. at the time.
I was more intrigued by the 12 Secret Origin specials that make up the bulk of the book. Some of the origins, like Sandman and Dr. Mid-Nite, I wasn’t familiar with, so it was nice getting them here. Unfortunately, the art across these issues is so-so and the writing is frequently poor. I’m realizing that most DC comics from the immediate post-Crisis era are pretty bad.
A drag of a collection, really. For JSA completists only.
I was more intrigued by the 12 Secret Origin specials that make up the bulk of the book. Some of the origins, like Sandman and Dr. Mid-Nite, I wasn’t familiar with, so it was nice getting them here. Unfortunately, the art across these issues is so-so and the writing is frequently poor. I’m realizing that most DC comics from the immediate post-Crisis era are pretty bad.
A drag of a collection, really. For JSA completists only.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews