What do you think?
Rate this book
JSA (1999)
JSA, Vol. 12: Ghost Stories
After learning about the clash between Batman and Superman and the mysterious Gentleman Ghost, the JSA become haunted by the spirits of departed loved ones and begin to believe that the Ghost has returned.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2007
1 person is currently reading
249 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 12, 2018
Fun, but forgettable. The JSA battle the Gentleman Ghost. There's really not a lot more to it than that. The art is lovely, the story is decent. I haven't been reading JSA, but I'm familiar enough with the characters. Looks like we have a new version of Johnny Thunder. It warmed my aging fanboy heart to see Ma Hunkle (aka The Red Tornado [the original; accept no substitutes]) playing Jarvis to the JSA's Avengers.
The Gentleman Ghost has always been a cool visual, but an annoying villain. This time around, he's a real ghost--likely has been for some time as far as I know. As I said, I haven't been following this series or any of the characters closely. It's debatable whether he was more annoying as a physical crook who used special effects trickery (because, in comics, special effects are pretty much indistinguishable from real magic), or as an actual ghost. We do get scenes from GG's origin interspersed with the present day action, which was kind of fun. Nice to learn a bit more about him. He's still bloody annoying as an opponent though. And, to be fair, still looks cool.
Anyway, this was a pretty average graphic novel. Recommended if you're a fan of the characters, but, if you are, you probably want to read this regardless of anything I have to say anyway.
The Gentleman Ghost has always been a cool visual, but an annoying villain. This time around, he's a real ghost--likely has been for some time as far as I know. As I said, I haven't been following this series or any of the characters closely. It's debatable whether he was more annoying as a physical crook who used special effects trickery (because, in comics, special effects are pretty much indistinguishable from real magic), or as an actual ghost. We do get scenes from GG's origin interspersed with the present day action, which was kind of fun. Nice to learn a bit more about him. He's still bloody annoying as an opponent though. And, to be fair, still looks cool.
Anyway, this was a pretty average graphic novel. Recommended if you're a fan of the characters, but, if you are, you probably want to read this regardless of anything I have to say anyway.
October 1, 2022
It was an odd thing to have Paul Levitz write the JSA so many years after his original run. I enjoyed the story overall, but he really did not have a good handle on Dr. Mid-Nite's character. It might have made less of an impact, but the good doctor is perhaps my favorite of the new generation. I've enjoyed him since Matt Wagner's mini-series that introduced him. The rest of the team were solid, with my favorites being Wildcat and Ma Hunkle.
A few people have complained about the Gentleman Ghost storyline being too long, but Jim Craddock wasn't necessarily the main point of the tale. The JSA was haunted by its dual past, one from the original multiverse and then the confusion of the consolidated worlds post Crisis on Infinite Earths. This was best represented by Power Girl's appearance and the Lois Lane (pre-Crisis Earth 2) subplot she brought with her.
Even as a three-star book, it's still better than much of what DC is putting these days.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
A few people have complained about the Gentleman Ghost storyline being too long, but Jim Craddock wasn't necessarily the main point of the tale. The JSA was haunted by its dual past, one from the original multiverse and then the confusion of the consolidated worlds post Crisis on Infinite Earths. This was best represented by Power Girl's appearance and the Lois Lane (pre-Crisis Earth 2) subplot she brought with her.
Even as a three-star book, it's still better than much of what DC is putting these days.
Find it! Buy it! Read it!
August 4, 2023
2.5 ✨
August 2, 2012
After years of Johns being dark and serious, it was kind of a nice break to have a story that was just a straight forward super hero romp. A couple old villains return, there are lots of ghosts and a cute twist when the heroes find a way to stop the bad guys.
Nothing great, but sometimes all you want in a super hero story is a plain, old super hero story.
Plus, it was nice seeing Paul Levitz and Jerry Ordway doing the JSA heroes again.
Nothing great, but sometimes all you want in a super hero story is a plain, old super hero story.
Plus, it was nice seeing Paul Levitz and Jerry Ordway doing the JSA heroes again.
October 28, 2020
Paul Levitz in this volume of JSA and its a sad ending. The book should have ended when Geoff Johns left. This is a meaningless tale that serves no purpose. Gentlemen Ghost, while interesting, didn't deserve a six issue arc. The "One Year Later" storyline was nothing. The art was fine but overall the book was a big miss.
September 16, 2015
A really good story. Every member was used. Even Jakeem.
These are the stories that make the JSA different from the Justice League. They are much more personal.
The Gentleman Ghost is not a regular villain. He is special. Fighting ghost was not easy, yet somehow.
Well you have to read it...
These are the stories that make the JSA different from the Justice League. They are much more personal.
The Gentleman Ghost is not a regular villain. He is special. Fighting ghost was not easy, yet somehow.
Well you have to read it...
December 5, 2020
A good ending to a good series
September 29, 2022
awesome story line. great art by Perez
June 17, 2013
A Crisis is occurring, and Power Girl finds herself caught in the middle of it as someone who doesn’t belong in either world. One year after the Crisis, the JSA is still struggling with the events. The Justice Society of America’s old enemy the Gentleman Ghost reappears, and the JSA must set out to stop him by finding someone with royal blood. With danger on all sides, the JSA could be changed forever.
Written by Paul Levitz and features art from Luke Ross, George Perez, Rags Morales, and Jerry Ordway, JSA 12: Ghost Stories follows JSA 11: Mixed Signals. The collection represents the last issues of the JSA title before its relaunch as Justice Society of America. The series collects the JSA’s crossover with the cross-company title Infinite Crisis and the post-Infinite Crisis “One Year Later” storyline.
I enjoy the JSA, but JSA 12: Ghost Stories represents a hodgepodge of stories that don’t feel very complete. I like the whole Power Girl is Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earth storyline, but it was much better developed in the actual Infinite Crisis series. The second storyline involving the Gentleman Ghost is almost unreadable.
The problem with the Gentleman Ghost storyline is that it feels just like filler. The story might have been too rushed or compressed to prepare for the already planned relaunch of title. Gentleman Ghost seems like a rather interesting character (and a real throwback to the older comics), but the story just seems wasted and garbled.
The art for the comic is good, but also a collection. It is another sign that DC had given up on this title. The story has art by a lot of different artists…some artists switching mid-story. I hate it when the artist is pulled off a story when it isn’t complete…of course, that is the problem with the book at this point…inconsistency.
JSA 12: Ghost Stories is only for completists who want to read the whole JSA title. I loved the JSA, so I guess I fall under that. I wish that JSA had gone out stronger, but Ghost Stories is what you get. JSA 12: Ghost Stories was followed by the JSA relaunch title Justice Society of America 1: The Next Age.
Written by Paul Levitz and features art from Luke Ross, George Perez, Rags Morales, and Jerry Ordway, JSA 12: Ghost Stories follows JSA 11: Mixed Signals. The collection represents the last issues of the JSA title before its relaunch as Justice Society of America. The series collects the JSA’s crossover with the cross-company title Infinite Crisis and the post-Infinite Crisis “One Year Later” storyline.
I enjoy the JSA, but JSA 12: Ghost Stories represents a hodgepodge of stories that don’t feel very complete. I like the whole Power Girl is Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earth storyline, but it was much better developed in the actual Infinite Crisis series. The second storyline involving the Gentleman Ghost is almost unreadable.
The problem with the Gentleman Ghost storyline is that it feels just like filler. The story might have been too rushed or compressed to prepare for the already planned relaunch of title. Gentleman Ghost seems like a rather interesting character (and a real throwback to the older comics), but the story just seems wasted and garbled.
The art for the comic is good, but also a collection. It is another sign that DC had given up on this title. The story has art by a lot of different artists…some artists switching mid-story. I hate it when the artist is pulled off a story when it isn’t complete…of course, that is the problem with the book at this point…inconsistency.
JSA 12: Ghost Stories is only for completists who want to read the whole JSA title. I loved the JSA, so I guess I fall under that. I wish that JSA had gone out stronger, but Ghost Stories is what you get. JSA 12: Ghost Stories was followed by the JSA relaunch title Justice Society of America 1: The Next Age.
February 10, 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 12, 2008
Why the random lynching imagery and the virginity stuff?
March 18, 2015
Un epílogo torpe e innecesario a una colección que cambió la forma de encarar las cabeceras grupales.
Read
November 25, 2009One Year Later
December 20, 2013
Good fun superhero story, great artwork. 4 stars. :D
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews