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 having served. Having been around for over eight decades, the team have one of the richest collections of adventures in comics.
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 the company has historically placed on legacy and history, something accentuated by the older heroes’ mentorship of younger characters. Having made their presence known in some recent events, the team’s adventures are still some of the best in comics, and offer readers a blend of fantasy, sci-fi, war and action.
10 Final Justice
Begins in Hawkman #27 by Robert Venditti, Fernando Pasarin, Olclair Albert, Wade Von Grawbadger, Jeromy Cox, and Rob Leigh
During Robert Venditti’s tenure on Hawkman, he concluded Carter Hall’s adventure by sending both him and Hawkwoman back to the Golden Age. Now unable to reincarnate, the hero is frozen with fear when confronted with his Injustice Society foes, but his JSA teammates manage to save the day. Coming to terms with mortality, he and Shayera reunite with their friends, only to be confronted by Hath-Set on a train.
“Final Justice” is pure fan service to readers, taking the Hawks back to the best years of their lives and delivering readers an excellent reunion. Considering how many JSA stories are set in the present day, seeing them back in the Golden Age is a delight – even if the story is mostly focused on the Hawks.
9 The Bad Seed
Begins in 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 attempts to claim a bounty on their heads – just as they accept two new members. When the team is sabotaged, they realize they’ve been betrayed by one of their own, leading to a confrontation with the turncoat and division within the team.
In “The Bad Seed,” the heroes are attacked on their own turf, throwing the team into disarray and bringing them to the brink of defeat. Not only does the story explore the histories of several members of the JSA, dating back 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.
8 Axis of Evil
Begins in Justice Society of America #34 by Bill Willingham, Travis Moore, Dan Green, Allen Passalaqua, and Rob Leigh
The Justice Society are no strangers to tussling with Nazis, but in the story “Axis of Evil,” they are forced to contend with 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 heroism in World War II and to ensure nobody is around to defeat them. As the villains bring about totalitarian rule, it’s down to the JSA to defend freedom and topple the oppressors once again.
“Axis of Evil” brings the classic fight of the JSA against Nazis into the present, and highlights some of DC’s most despicable villains, like Captain Nazi. The story delivers a Man In the High Tower-style dystopian future for readers, following the heroes in a resistance against Nazi overlords – as Mr. Terrific infiltrates the villains from within.
7 Black Adam and Isis
Begins in Justice Society of America #23 by Geoff Johns, Jerry Ordway, Bob Wiacek, Hi-Fi, and Rob Leigh
In the aftermath of his conquest of Kahndaq during the “Black Reign” story, Black Adam starts to ponder his future role as leader and his violent past. This internal conflict comes to a head when he meets Adrianna Tomaz, 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’s killed, Adam resurrects her, leading to her return as a corrupted, 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 time overall. The story is best enjoyed in conjunction with both “Black Reign” and Adam’s story in 52, all of which form a complete saga of the antihero’s rule over Kahndaq.
6 Princes of Darkness
Begins with JSA #46 by David S. Goyer, Geoff Johns, Sal Velluto, Bob Almond, John Kalisz, Heroic Age, and Ken Lopez
“Princes of Darkness” follows the JSA as Mordru escapes his imprisonment, 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’re forced to split into two teams, each one confronting the two supervillains, climaxing in an epic battle.
“Princes 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, delivering one of the best magic-themed stories in modern DC history.
5 JSA/JSA
Begins in JSA #68 by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, John Kalisz, and Ken Lopez
“JSA/JSA” follows several of the younger Justice Society team members as they’re transported back in time to 1951, following their suspicions that the timeline is being altered. There, they encounter the original team in its prime, albeit 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 genie, 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 Vengeance
Begins in JSA #73 by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, John Kalisz, and Rob Leigh
“Black Vengeance” serves as a direct sequel to the “Black Reign” arc and focuses on two key character journeys. Atom Smasher is on a quest for redemption and forgiveness from his JSA allies for having sided with Black Adam. The Spectre, now without a human host, is meanwhile driven only by his need to punish the wicked, leading him to target Adam in Kahndaq. At the climax of the story, both of these arcs intersect in a poignant reminder of the difference between justice and vengeance.
“Black Vengeance” stands as both a brilliant sequel and a fun standalone story, one that casts the Spectre as the unlikely villain of the story. For readers who enjoy the tensions between the JSA and Black Adam and want to better understand their competing philosophies, this stands as a great story – as well as Atom Smasher’s finest hour.
3 Crisis on Earth-X
Justice League of America #107 by Len Wein, 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 Nazi overlords are resisted 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.
“Crisis on Earth-X” stands out as one of the best crossovers of the Bronze Age, casting the JSA and JLA as liberators of a fascistic dystopia. Not only did the story pave the way for decades of Freedom Fighters adventures, but it also focused on heroes of lower power levels, exploring their courage in a world rife with danger.
2 Stealing Thunder
Begins in 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-Humanite 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 up with the resistance and plan a fight for freedom.
While it does require some prior reading, “Stealing Thunder” stands out as arguably the greatest JSA story of all time, showing the heroes at their very best. Not only does the story give each of the team’s members a moment in the sun, it also shows the Ultra-Humanite to be the genuine threat that he is.
1 Black Reign
Begins in JSA #56 by Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, Keith Champagne, John Kalisz, Hi-Fi, and Bill Oakley
“Black Reign” sees the JSA divided as Black Adam turns against his old team due to wanting a stronger, more interventionist approach to fighting threats. This rift leads to the formation of the antihero’s own team, the Black Reign, who promptly stage a coup in Kahndaq, which they establish as their base of operations. However, this approach incurs the wrath of the main team.
“Black Reign” has 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 within the DCU and showcasing the villain’s motives, the story remains a modern classic for the Justice Society of America.
