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Justice Society of America (2007)
Justice Society of America, Vol. 1: The Next Age
Geoff Johns, the critically acclaimed writer of INFINITE CRISIS ushers in the next generation of the world's first super-team that inspired all of the others. Determined to rebuild the Justice Society, founding members Green Lantern, Flash and Wildcat initiate an unprecedented recruitment program, tracking the bloodlines of heroes across the world to bring in new members. Just as the Society welcomes the rookie heroes into their ranks, an evil force sets out to destroy them. Discover new legacies, solve a mystery stretching into the far future, witness the return of the world's greatest hero, and watch the fall of another!
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2007
102 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,702 books2,411 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 13, 2021
7.2/10
The new team gathered around for the first time and after five minutes, a man drops from the ceiling dead on the table! who is that man? who killed him? Who is behind his death?
A good start to the series, also Starman is great.
The new team gathered around for the first time and after five minutes, a man drops from the ceiling dead on the table! who is that man? who killed him? Who is behind his death?
A good start to the series, also Starman is great.
February 7, 2021
The JSA has always been one of those strange teams that I am not that familiar with. I saw this volume had been penned by Geoff Johns and I tend to like his work, so I picked this one up.
The JSA is going on a recruiting drive for new members. As they seek to add to their ranks, there is an opposition group that is out to destroy them. Without spoilers that's the gist. It is certainly a darker tale than I thought it would be. The story had a great deal of violence and death and has a dark tone that I enjoyed. While the individual JSA members aren't as famous as their JLA counterparts, they are an interesting group. They seem more "human" than their more demi-god like counterparts in the JLA. By that's just me. As far as the plot? It's not bad, though the evil guys (The Fourth Reich) are more of a caricature than anything- still when you find out who the mastermind is, you might find it an interesting twist.
Good artwork, an interesting and dark story and unusual characters made this a solid 3 star volume. While the JSA will never be on my favorite superhero team lists, I did enjoy this volume and may look into the Geoff Johns run a bit more as I am partial to his work.
The JSA is going on a recruiting drive for new members. As they seek to add to their ranks, there is an opposition group that is out to destroy them. Without spoilers that's the gist. It is certainly a darker tale than I thought it would be. The story had a great deal of violence and death and has a dark tone that I enjoyed. While the individual JSA members aren't as famous as their JLA counterparts, they are an interesting group. They seem more "human" than their more demi-god like counterparts in the JLA. By that's just me. As far as the plot? It's not bad, though the evil guys (The Fourth Reich) are more of a caricature than anything- still when you find out who the mastermind is, you might find it an interesting twist.
Good artwork, an interesting and dark story and unusual characters made this a solid 3 star volume. While the JSA will never be on my favorite superhero team lists, I did enjoy this volume and may look into the Geoff Johns run a bit more as I am partial to his work.
October 29, 2022
This volume focuses on bringing in a new generation of the Justice Society of America while someone is targeting and killing the families of Golden Age heroes. It handles the issue of legacy well, which is something that DC has generally been good at. However, it has a problem of tone. There are some seriously bloody scenes, but heroes will make quips at the same time. So, are we supposed to be shocked at the scenes, or should we be having a fun read? From the writing, it's not clear.
December 17, 2017
This was kind of cool. The idea is that the world isn't a simple place anymore. After Infinite Crisis everything is getting darker, meaner, and Justice Society is no exception.
This was kind of a cool bridge comic. As if like saying "hey new heroes, we need you" but the thing is you might not know of any of these characters or least a few of them. It's all about getting a new crew of Justice Society members, both young and old members going together. Legacies getting passed down. New villains popping up. It's all like a rebirth in a sense, and introduces you to a very new, and bigger, Justice Society than before.
Good: The art direction is solid and some really screwed up deaths and fight scenes here. The characters all bounce from each other nice, and some of these heroes I never even heard of, remain interesting.
Bad: The story feels like you should know the background a little. Because it throws you right in, with a death, but you probably won't feel much without knowing these characters. Also, sometimes the art feels outdated even though at this time we can offer way better.
Overall this was a interesting start. I didn't love it, but it was solid enough to get me interested in checking out volume 2. A 3 out of 5.
This was kind of a cool bridge comic. As if like saying "hey new heroes, we need you" but the thing is you might not know of any of these characters or least a few of them. It's all about getting a new crew of Justice Society members, both young and old members going together. Legacies getting passed down. New villains popping up. It's all like a rebirth in a sense, and introduces you to a very new, and bigger, Justice Society than before.
Good: The art direction is solid and some really screwed up deaths and fight scenes here. The characters all bounce from each other nice, and some of these heroes I never even heard of, remain interesting.
Bad: The story feels like you should know the background a little. Because it throws you right in, with a death, but you probably won't feel much without knowing these characters. Also, sometimes the art feels outdated even though at this time we can offer way better.
Overall this was a interesting start. I didn't love it, but it was solid enough to get me interested in checking out volume 2. A 3 out of 5.
October 14, 2021
THIS WAS SO GOOD!
It starts with a new roster and I love the way Johns focuses on multiple viewpoints but its when Mr America a former JSA member dies and well JSA has to look into it and we see the Nazi villains like Blitzkreig targeting them and we later learn its a ploy by Savage to take down family of the JSA and we also get origins of Maxine/Cyclone and Tom, son of wildcat and something with Nate/Citizen Steel and wow I love the way Johns introduces characters while the big threat is there and its really well done.
The big story with how they defeat these new villains is awesome and the way the team expands is so awesome, one of the best starts to a comic and they already set up future threats so well and the art is just too good and clean and like so easy on the eyes. A must read.
It starts with a new roster and I love the way Johns focuses on multiple viewpoints but its when Mr America a former JSA member dies and well JSA has to look into it and we see the Nazi villains like Blitzkreig targeting them and we later learn its a ploy by Savage to take down family of the JSA and we also get origins of Maxine/Cyclone and Tom, son of wildcat and something with Nate/Citizen Steel and wow I love the way Johns introduces characters while the big threat is there and its really well done.
The big story with how they defeat these new villains is awesome and the way the team expands is so awesome, one of the best starts to a comic and they already set up future threats so well and the art is just too good and clean and like so easy on the eyes. A must read.
July 24, 2015
The story is kind of meh. It was a little flat, and the villains were kind of cartoonish. The characters seemed to be written fairly well, though. Except Cyclone, who felt... I don't know, like a caricature or something. Which seemed odd, in a book where all the other characters felt more realistic. She also seemed like she'd be really annoying in real life, and she could get kind of irritating just on the page. It wasn't actually terrible, just not for me.
February 7, 2016
I love the golden age superheroes from DC and the new JSA brings these original heroes back into the modern age along with their legacy namesakes. Well above average art and plot keep these 70 year old comic characters interesting and entertaining. Very recommended
November 2, 2016
After the previous volume of the JSA wandered off into irrelevance at the end of its run, it was good to see Johns return with this volume, offering a strong new start to the series. The decision to bring in more legacies — some new and some old — was great for a team that was always focused on legacy. Note that the we get the first part of the origin of the third Steel here, who's an influence on the Steel in the Legends of Tomorrow TV show.
As for the plot: it's typical Johnsian traumatic action, and it's carried off very well, with attacks on JSA legacy families. The result is very memorable.
As for the plot: it's typical Johnsian traumatic action, and it's carried off very well, with attacks on JSA legacy families. The result is very memorable.
November 4, 2014
Well now, looks like I might have a new favourite team here! Geoff Johns creates a well written and engaging read, accompanied by the absolutely stellar art, it's one damn fine book.
After reading the 52 series I enjoyed the parts with the JSA so much that I needed to read a title of theirs. I also happen to be a massive Johns fan so this seemed like the prime spot to kick off on, and boy was I right!
The team is made up of Green Lantern (Alan Scott), The Flash (Jay Garrick), Wildcat, Damage, Dr Mid-Night, Hourglass, Liberty Belle, Power Girl, Cyclone, Stargirl, Sandman, Mr Terrific, Starman and occasionally Hawkman. So as you can tell with the roster it's a lot to take in, but that's where the magic of Johns comes into play. Not only is this book easy to jump in on, but you don't get overwhelmed by the many characters and rich history that the JSA has. The way they all interact with each other is awesome and some characters are really catching my attention, prime example is the new Starman. I have no knowledge of the prior Starman, but this new guys a bit on the crazy side.
The big thing I noticed in this volume is that the JSA is full of legacies. Unlike the JLA and a majority of other team titles, a lot of the members of the team are donning the mantle of fallen or retired heroes previously apart of the JSA. I though this was a cool touch and it gave the book a fresh appeal.
If your looking for something fresh and new, but with a twist of the old school, then give this a go. It's fun, beautiful to look at and well written. Thank you again Geoff Johns!
After reading the 52 series I enjoyed the parts with the JSA so much that I needed to read a title of theirs. I also happen to be a massive Johns fan so this seemed like the prime spot to kick off on, and boy was I right!
The team is made up of Green Lantern (Alan Scott), The Flash (Jay Garrick), Wildcat, Damage, Dr Mid-Night, Hourglass, Liberty Belle, Power Girl, Cyclone, Stargirl, Sandman, Mr Terrific, Starman and occasionally Hawkman. So as you can tell with the roster it's a lot to take in, but that's where the magic of Johns comes into play. Not only is this book easy to jump in on, but you don't get overwhelmed by the many characters and rich history that the JSA has. The way they all interact with each other is awesome and some characters are really catching my attention, prime example is the new Starman. I have no knowledge of the prior Starman, but this new guys a bit on the crazy side.
The big thing I noticed in this volume is that the JSA is full of legacies. Unlike the JLA and a majority of other team titles, a lot of the members of the team are donning the mantle of fallen or retired heroes previously apart of the JSA. I though this was a cool touch and it gave the book a fresh appeal.
If your looking for something fresh and new, but with a twist of the old school, then give this a go. It's fun, beautiful to look at and well written. Thank you again Geoff Johns!
November 26, 2013
Longer review possibly coming.
ARTISTIC PRESENTATION: B to B plus; STORY/PLOTTING/PANELS: B minus to B;
CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B minus to B; ACTION SCENES: B minus to B; JSA FOCUSES/MYTHOLOGY: B to B plus; WHEN READ: end of November 2013; OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
ARTISTIC PRESENTATION: B to B plus; STORY/PLOTTING/PANELS: B minus to B;
CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B minus to B; ACTION SCENES: B minus to B; JSA FOCUSES/MYTHOLOGY: B to B plus; WHEN READ: end of November 2013; OVERALL GRADE: B to B plus.
May 18, 2025
Upping the stars for reread because I enjoyed this way more this time around.
January 15, 2012
This books series just keeps getting better and better.
January 4, 2020
Si en la mayoría del Universo DC Crisis Infinita había supuesto una serie de cambios radicales a nivel de equipos creativos y líneas argumentales, este no fue el caso de la JSA, donde la trayectoria de Geoff Johns había sido tan espectacular que, con gran acierto, se decidió renumerar y relanzar la serie pero manteniendo al guionista al frente, y con una alineación sin apenas cambios respecto a lo que había sido en los tiempos previos a la Crisis. En paralelo a la refundación de Liga de la Justicia que habíamos visto en La Senda del Tornado, Superman, Batman y Wonder Woman acuden a Wildcat, Alan Scott y Jay Garrick para reivindicar el papel de la Sociedad como tutores de las nuevas generaciones de héroes, papel que estos aceptan encantados, y a lo largo de La Próxima Era, asistimos a esta reestructuración de la JSA bajo el liderazgo de Power Girl. Junto a ella, además de los tres miembros fundadores, estarán Hourman, Liberty Belle, Mister Terrific y el Doctor Medianoche ejerciendo de puente entre las dos generaciones, y los jóvenes héroes, Stargirl, Damage, Ciclón y el nuevo Wildcat. Y lo hacen justo a tiempo, porque al mismo tiempo que la Sociedad replantea su función como guía de las nuevas generaciones, alguien comienza a atacar a los familiares de antiguos héroes y compañeros, como Mister América, la familia Heywood o los propios familiares de Liberty Belle y Stargirl...
Geoff Johns, acompañado del efectivo Dale Eaglesham, realiza un trabajo de nueva presentación del equipo absolutamente magistral, perfecta como continuación de su historia anterior o como punto de enganche para los recién llegados, y que convierte a JSA en parte de una de las etapas más longevas y de calidad de la historia del cómic contemporáneo.
Geoff Johns, acompañado del efectivo Dale Eaglesham, realiza un trabajo de nueva presentación del equipo absolutamente magistral, perfecta como continuación de su historia anterior o como punto de enganche para los recién llegados, y que convierte a JSA en parte de una de las etapas más longevas y de calidad de la historia del cómic contemporáneo.
February 22, 2023
[3.75/5]
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book. I know almost nothing about the JSA besides their roster. But that doesn't matter as I found this book quite accessible to someone that wasn't a fan of the JSA. I like how dark this story is but at the same time, keeping it hopeful. I can't think of anything that I didn't like about this book. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series when I can.
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book. I know almost nothing about the JSA besides their roster. But that doesn't matter as I found this book quite accessible to someone that wasn't a fan of the JSA. I like how dark this story is but at the same time, keeping it hopeful. I can't think of anything that I didn't like about this book. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series when I can.
December 26, 2025
What a really cool read. I love the JSA I’m pretty sure they’re my favorite superhero team so reading this was so fun for me. All the wildcat stuff was great. I loved every new member and all the old members. It’s a little hard to just jump in not knowing everything but I got the gist after one issue. Highly recommend.
December 25, 2019
Issues #1-6, cover dated Feb07-Jul07.
December 5, 2010
Not bad. This is the first 4 issues of the JSA reboot. A few new characters. Nothing pretty ground breaking. The whole super hero group dynamic is fun to read though the villains are pretty laughable even though the level of violence is quite high with many non-powered characters being pretty much eviscerated in-panel. You shouldn't really be able to find bad guys and Nazis so one-dimensionally evil like this outside of wartime propaganda. Too slim a volume not to drop a star and the cliche driven plot and silly villains drop another. No such losses for the art though - the costumes are great.
April 13, 2019
Aqui, o trabalho de pesquisa e de evolução dos personagens aliado à questão da passagem dos legados é espetacular. É o Geoff Johns antes de perder a mão na coisa da era de prataaaarrrgh, sabendo trazer elementos clássicos mas olharcpra frente. Alex Ross e Johns brincam com uma aproximação da realidade de Reino do Amanhã muito legal, com uma influência pesada do Ross nisso. Vale a leitura, e a edição é muito boa. Carece de extras, tem só as capas originais e poucos rascunhos, mas é muito bem cuidada.
O próximo arco da SJA é Reino do Amanhã, mas antes cronologicamente tem Lightining Saga, Cross com a Liga e participação da Legião dos Super Heróis. Vamos a ele.
O próximo arco da SJA é Reino do Amanhã, mas antes cronologicamente tem Lightining Saga, Cross com a Liga e participação da Legião dos Super Heróis. Vamos a ele.
October 9, 2009
Way too big a cast is introduced and most of them don't get to do anything, a bunch of people get brutally killed just for shock value and there are nazis with a really feeble, evil plan.
What the hell happened to Geoff Johns?
His previous JSA series was pretty brilliant, but this was painfully bad.
I wouldn't have minded his adding so many new heroes to the team, but they take over and most of them aren't that interesting. Liked Hourman/ Liberty Belle, but hated the bit about Wildcat's son.
What the hell happened to Geoff Johns?
His previous JSA series was pretty brilliant, but this was painfully bad.
I wouldn't have minded his adding so many new heroes to the team, but they take over and most of them aren't that interesting. Liked Hourman/ Liberty Belle, but hated the bit about Wildcat's son.
December 2, 2017
The art is good but I didn't think Johns lived up to his usual story telling in this one. The conflict is almost incidental to the reforming of the group and that leads to, I think, a weaker overall story. Also, he tells the story in pieces which makes it more difficult to follow as a coherent whole. It's an okay read, but I tend to expect more from Geoff Johns. The art is what redeems this one.
September 22, 2021
Recruitment drives issues/arcs are always enjoyable no matter the team. Here, the JSA decides to get back together but to do so with the help of some younger generational heroes. There is some interesting mystery here and there but there is also a lot of cliched moments. The book needed more time especially with larger things to come (Lightning Sage, Thy Kingdom Come). The art by Dale Eaglesham was really nice. Overall, a decent beginning that already seems hampered by the bigger picture.
September 2, 2021
The Flash, Wildcat and Green Lantern are tracking down the descendants of former JSA members, to invite them onto the team, but Nazi supervillains are doing the same, to wipe them out. Surprisingly brutal, but most enjoyable, and the new Starman was intriguing. Very nice art too.
June 30, 2014
After reading so many of those New 52 books, it's makes you forget that DC Comics used to create some really amazing well written stories. And this was absolutely fantastic.
September 6, 2024
Once again, Johns PROVES he cannot write a superhero story without killing at LEAST one or two characters. Pathetic.
July 2, 2024
This was a fun little read. I have always wanted to read more of Geoff Johns JSA because I think he really hit it out of the ballpark writing for this book. This volume is no exception. His strengths are his ability to respect the history of the characters, weave in new characters he created, give everyone distinct personalities even with such a large cast, avoid the "bickering between teammates" that lesser writers mistake for "character development" when it is in actuality annoying, instead builds friendships and has his heroes act like heroes (I know! what a concept!) and balances the dramatic moments that makes us care about the characters with the action that is the fun entertainment.
This is a short story but fun. I actually appreciate it is short and sweet and not drawn out for 15 issues. The art by Dale Eaglesham is truly a wonder to behold. He is equally great at the action sequences and the more still character moments. Very rare in an artist.
My reasons for "4 stars" are - for 125 page book I hate that 20 pages are "extra filler" at the end. I do get tired of Vandal Savage being the go to villain time and time again, and the new character of Cyclone was a big miss for me. Especially her costume - yuck. She is being introduced but we don't really see her powers and she doesn't get a hero moment to show off her powers. The son of Wildcat - much better. The new Steel - pretty good (his powers weren't there yet but his character moments worked well).
Overall - JSA is what Geoff Johns was born to write. His love of the team + his writing ability make this team everything I wished it had been when it was revived in the 70's.
This is a short story but fun. I actually appreciate it is short and sweet and not drawn out for 15 issues. The art by Dale Eaglesham is truly a wonder to behold. He is equally great at the action sequences and the more still character moments. Very rare in an artist.
My reasons for "4 stars" are - for 125 page book I hate that 20 pages are "extra filler" at the end. I do get tired of Vandal Savage being the go to villain time and time again, and the new character of Cyclone was a big miss for me. Especially her costume - yuck. She is being introduced but we don't really see her powers and she doesn't get a hero moment to show off her powers. The son of Wildcat - much better. The new Steel - pretty good (his powers weren't there yet but his character moments worked well).
Overall - JSA is what Geoff Johns was born to write. His love of the team + his writing ability make this team everything I wished it had been when it was revived in the 70's.
August 29, 2023
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, the founding members of the justice society decide it’s time to reform the group with some new blood to continue their legacy… yeah yeah we’ve seen this before, many times now by John’s himself at this point..but boy is this series just so good!! It’s fun from start to finish and the concepts of legacy is so strong it can make a life long comic book reader like me shed a tear. Geoff John’s has such an impeccable track record with his treatment of the DC comics universe and yet no one talks about how wonderfully he brings these OGs back!! The new incarnations of old and new heroes is great. I love watching Stargirl and Power Girl take on more responsibilities. He doesn’t just stop here as he uses starman to link the multiverse and the legion of superheros!! It’s so great and Alex Ross’s covers for each issue are just phenomenal. Eaglesham’s art is also wonderful!!
June 12, 2023
Justice Society of America Vol. 1: The Next Age
In the aftermath of World War III, Superman and Batman convince the JSA to rebuild and recruit to make the good guys better. However, they are not the only group tracking bloodlines and the families of the JSA are at risk.
Bright, fun and optimistic, this is a great look at some of the often neglected Mystery Men from the DC catalogue. The story is a good opener, with the founders feeling their age and some of the inductees being a little too much act first and think later.
In the aftermath of World War III, Superman and Batman convince the JSA to rebuild and recruit to make the good guys better. However, they are not the only group tracking bloodlines and the families of the JSA are at risk.
Bright, fun and optimistic, this is a great look at some of the often neglected Mystery Men from the DC catalogue. The story is a good opener, with the founders feeling their age and some of the inductees being a little too much act first and think later.
August 5, 2020
Great start to the series, was a good way of breathing new life into the society. It handled the legacy of the characters very well, with enough about each character as not to confuse new readers whilst also appealing to long time readers too. Geoff Johns does his best work with lesser known and lower tier characters and this is a great example of that. Only issue I had was that the story perhaps wound down too soon, otherwise a great read.
December 9, 2018
I've discovered that some of my favorite superhero graphic novels are the ones that don't bother with Superman, Batman, and all other the other well-known heroes. Learning more about the lesser-known characters is way more fun and many of them actually have significantly more interesting backstories than the more famous heroes.
December 7, 2022
good read : spoilers
I was objecting to the fascist on fascist fighting. But, their a smart team! I like the mix of the old and the new! It was a _little_ lame though. Vandal Savage? Surely his age would make him less malevolent? Smarter?
I was objecting to the fascist on fascist fighting. But, their a smart team! I like the mix of the old and the new! It was a _little_ lame though. Vandal Savage? Surely his age would make him less malevolent? Smarter?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews