JSA issue #17 is published by DC Comics with writing credits attributed to Jeff Lemire, art by Gavin Guidry, colors by Luis Guerrero, and letters by Steve Wands.
Back To The Past: The Story So Far
JSA #17 picks up directly following the events of the previous issue, in which the Ultra-Humanite revealed themselves to Alan Scott, the Green Lantern, first attempting to kill him and take over his body. We also learn more about the conspiracy surrounding the subways, as each sub-team uncovers a piece of the greater truth that gradually comes together—which, as the “Year One” subtitle suggests, is how the Justice Society of America is formed.
That’s Kind of Evil, Sir: Reviewing The Plot
We begin this issue following the Green Lantern’s confrontation with the Ultra-Humanite, in which he revealed his evil plan—blowing up the subway system beneath Gotham and then seeking validation from Adolf Hitler. I had a lot of fun with this villain's dialogue, introduction, and motivation; it really reminded me of the classic Golden Age comics that the Year One storyline is both set during and inspired by. I feel that Jeff Lemire has done a fantastic job of capturing the tone of the Golden Age of comic books, from writing characters with the classic peppy “Oh shucks” and “Golly” to crafting an over-the-top Nazi plot with a villain whose simple goal is world domination, much like a typical Bond villain. All of these elements blend extremely well, in my opinion, creating a refreshing and nostalgic story that stands out from the typical comics on the shelves today.
The tone of the entire Year One storyline feels distinctly different and old-school, which has made each issue stick in my memory more. Since I read quite a few new comic books each week, it can be difficult to prevent them from blending together. It’s also refreshing to have a comic set within the larger DC continuity that doesn’t require knowledge of years’ worth of storytelling or familiar characters to enjoy. This storyline largely avoids that, focusing instead on the core, classic Justice Society of America before the days of Superman and Batman. I think this makes it an excellent introduction for someone relatively new to comic books, as the story is largely self-contained and focused.
I also found the interactions between the Justice Society cast quite fun, as well as the kind of fan service I enjoy in a comic book. As I’ve mentioned in my previous reviews of this series, it’s quite clear that Jeff Lemire is a fan of the characters—and likely of Golden Age comics—given the respect he shows them and the way he plays with their dynamics, almost as if he were arranging action figures of his favorite toys. This enthusiasm really comes through to the reader and elevates the story. I would much rather read a comic by a writer who wants to be there than one by a writer who is merely doing a job.
Much of this issue is devoted to the revelation of the Ultra-Humanite, with all the pieces finally coming together. As a result, there aren’t many individual moments in the issue to discuss. However, as I’ve mentioned, I find the grand reveal of the big bad and his plan really fun, without feeling outright offensive, even though it involves the Nazis to some extent. When you see that Nazis will play a part in a story, it can initially feel concerning and risk being in poor taste or tone-deaf. But, much to Jeff Lemire's credit, the Nazis don’t feature heavily—they are largely spoken about and reduced to cartoonish villains, somewhat reminiscent of the Indiana Jones films. The comic doesn’t downplay the Nazis, but instead casts them as classic Golden Age-style bad guys, which I find neither offensive nor in poor taste.
As I’ve also noted in the past, I really appreciate how Jeff Lemire characterizes the JSA, with each member feeling truly unique in their own way. This is a major positive for me, as in many comics, characters often end up sharing a single, indistinct voice.
That Classic Silver Age Look: Reviewing The Art
The art of this issue and the series as a whole remains excellent, feeling very old-school and classic, particularly in how the characters are depicted. The designs actually remind me a lot of classic Curt Swan art, who illustrated Superman and many other iconic characters during the Silver Age.
The way Guidry pays homage to the classic characters is also excellent, approaching the Silver Age designs without over-modernizing them—avoiding the typical need to update classic outfits to fit 21st-century superhero aesthetics. I particularly like that Hawkman and Hawkgirl’s costumes clearly look like cloth and tights, as many superhero suits of the time did. It’s charming and adds to the nostalgic feel!
The Final Verdict
In conclusion, JSA #17 is another strong installment in the Year One storyline that Jeff Lemire has been building over the past four issues, with the plot beats suggesting the story may be approaching its apex.
JSA #17 delivers a fun throwback homage to the Golden Age of comics, featuring a Bond villain–esque supervillain alongside a group of classic, beloved superheroes.