Warning: Spoilers for JSA #2
With theJustice Society of Americarebuilding itself for DC’s All In era, it’s only fitting that their villains make a long-awaited comeback as well. The Injustice Society has reformed with a more powerful roster than ever, as enemies from throughout the JSA’s history - including a presumed ally - join forces to take down DC’s original super-team once and for all.
JSA#2 by Jeff Lemire, Diego Olortegui, Luis Guerrero, and Steve Wands takes place prior to the events of the series' first issue, with a flashback that explains how theJustice Society’s emotional conflictsbegan. The heroes argue among themselves over how to deal with the threat of Kobra, but before they can settle things, Solomon Grundy bursts in with a group of surprising villains in tow.
Grundy is one of many familiar faces who’s joined the roster of the newly reformed Injustice Society, and this iteration of the team features major heavy-hitters who are already giving the Justice Society a run for their money.
The Injustice Society Debuts an All-New Lineup to Take Down the JSA
The Enemies of the Justice Society Are Stronger Than Ever Before
The Injustice Society are the longtime arch-enemies of the Justice Society of America, having consisted of variousDC villainsover the years, so they’ve had practice at learning how to get the upper hand over the heroes. Here, they divide the team with distractions at different locations, all to ensure that the Justice Society’s base of operations is as unguarded as possible. Then, just as Obsidian and Wildcat are butting heads, Grundy leads the charge against the team’s veterans and catches them off guard. Meanwhile, other villains target Doctor Fate in pursuit of his mystical helmet.
The Justice Society Officially Has a New Leader (Is She the Right Choice?)
A next-generation hero has stepped up to lead the Justice Society, but her leadership may not be enough to unite the fractured team in dark times.
The Injustice Societyappears to require the power of Doctor Fate’s helmet, as Wotan - a longtime foe of Fate - specifically prioritizes seizing it above all else. With some quick-thinking, Khalid transports his remaining allies to the Tower of Fate to flee their adversaries' onslaught, though it isn’t long before the ISA catches up to resume their showdown. DC’s classic supervillain team is back in action, facing off against the heroes in an epic battle of good versus evil.For anyone who doesn’t recognize every villain in the Injustice Society’s new formation, here’s a rundown of each member and their powers.
Classic Justice Society Villains Return to DC’s Original Supervillain Team
Solomon Grundy, Johnny Sorrow, and More Iconic Foes Are Finally Back
A few fan-favorite Justice Society enemies are present in the renovated roster, includingSolomon Grundy. AsDC’s answer to the Hulk, Grundy is a reanimated corpse with brute-like strength who prefers smashing opponents to seeking peaceful resolution. Operating alongside him isJohnny Sorrow, aniconic JSA villainwho can kill people with just one look at his face, hence the mask he wears. He tries to kill Doctor Fate in this manner, but theWotanstops him. This evil sorcerer instead uses his magic to interfere with Khalid’s powers and trap the JSA in the Tower of Fate.
The very first iteration of the Injustice Society was formed in 1947’sAll Star Comics#37 by Robert Kanigher, Joe Kubert, Alex Toth, Irwin Hasen, and Carmine Infantino.
Beyond the usual suspects of the Injustice Society, the team has also incorporated lesser-known foes. Two of Hawkman’s enemies, Gentleman Ghost and Shadow Thief, make appearances on the roster.Gentleman Ghostpossesses invisibility and mind control, whereasShadow Thiefcan shift into a shadowy state and attack using dark tendrils in a relatively similar manner toGreen Lantern’s son Obsidian. Another inclusion on the team isScandal Savage, the daughter of Injustice Society co-founderVandal Savage. She shares her father’s superhuman durability, as well as advanced combat skills that can keep even the JSA’s fighters on their toes.
The Injustice Society Recruits More Recent Additions to DC Lore
Villains from DC’s New Golden Age Return to Exact Their Revenge
In addition to classic crooks from DC’s Golden Age, the Injustice Society has also welcomed newer villains to its extensive lineup. During the recent Dawn of DC era, threeGolden Age heroes- Jay Garrick’s Flash, Alan Scott’s Green Lantern, and Wesley Dodd’s Sandman - all seized the spotlight in their first solo series in decades, and two of the villains from those series are making a return. Namely, Doctor Elemental and the Fog, the nemeses of the Flash and Sandman respectively, have made their Injustice Society debut in order to exact their revenge against the heroes.
To relive the good old days with DC Comics’New Golden Ageline, be sure to check out these miniseries, all of which are now available digitally and in collected formats:Alan Scott: Green Lanternby Tim Sheridan and Cian Tormey,Jay Garrick: The Flashby Jeremy Adams and Diego Olortegui, andWesley Dodds: The Sandmanby Robert Venditti and Riley Rossmo.
Doctor Elemental, formerly known as Professor Hughes, debuted inJay Garrick: The Flashas an adversary for DC’s first Flash. In this miniseries, it’s revealed thatHughes orchestrated Jay’s origin as a speedster, only to succumb to villainy when he couldn’t replicate that result. He wears armor that lets him control elements, hence his villain name. Then there’sthe Fog, appearing inWesley Dodds: The Sandman, who steals a dangerous gas that Sandman accidentally created and repurposes it as a weapon. Wielding a deadly twist on the hero’s signature gear, theFog is a dangerous villain for Sandmanand - by extension - the whole Justice Society.
Red Lantern Ruby Betrays Green Lantern in a Shocking Twist
While the other members of the Injustice Society have historically leaned towards villainy, one character’s inclusion comes as a true surprise: Ruby, thedaughter of the original Red Lantern. First appearing inJustice Society of America#1 by Geoff Johns and Mikel Janín, Ruby is aRed Lanternfueled by the Crimson Flame who will stop at nothing to track her father down, even if it means harming innocents. Green Lantern Alan Scott, driven by hiscomplicated romance with Vladimir, attempts to help Ruby channel her rage towards heroism. However, her newfound allegiance to the Injustice Society indicates that she’s taken a dark turn.
With Red Lanterns, zombies, magicians, and more on their side, this new Injustice Society has the potential to be the team’s greatest roster in DC history.
Ruby’s path doesn’t seem to be leading her to the Justice Society anymore, as she betrays Green Lantern and heeds the Injustice Society’s call. Enemies old and new are conspiring to drive a wedge between theJSA’s heroes, as seen in the series' debut issue when Johnny Sorrowdisguises himself as Obsidianto sow discord. With Red Lanterns, zombies, magicians, and more on their side, this new Injustice Society has the potential to be the team’s greatest roster in DC history. TheJustice Society of Americahas a serious fight ahead of them if they want to defeat this dastardly new lineup of foes.
JSA#2is available now from DC Comics.
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America is a DC Comics superhero team initially conceived during the 1940s and featured a mix of various heroes throughout DC Comics' continuity. Throughout the decades and via modern relaunches of the JSA, new members have been cycled in and out of the team, with heroes such as Stargirl, Cyclone, Wildcat, and Atom Smasher joining the ranks.
