JSA #18 Review

 

JSA #18 Review

Writer: Jeff Lemire

Artists: Gavin Guidry & Joey Vazquez

Colorists: Luis Guerrero & John Kalisz

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Artists: Dave Johnson; Matt Taylor; Cian Tormey & Romulo Fajardo Jr

Editors: Marquis Draper, Andrew Marino & Katie Kubert

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Release Date: April 1, 2026

 

The Ultra-Humanite has freed himself from the constraints of the body. He can move his consciousness from one vessel to another. Taking over Walter Baze gives him control of Starco Corporation. But he dreams of more than being a captain of industry. With the Third Reich rising in Europe, the Ultra-Humanite intends to impress Adolf Hitler. Once he enters the Führer's inner circle, he can take command of Nazi Germany's war machine.

 

But before the Ultra-Humanite leaves the United States behind, he’s got a parting gift for Gotham City. Just a little sweetener to impress Hitler with. Can heroes like Alan Scott and Jay Garrick prevent the destruction of Gotham? And in 2026, can these patriarchs of the Justice Society of America rebuild their struggling superhero team? Let’s leap into JSA #18 and see!

 

Year One Chapter Six: Story

Cyclotron built the bomb. But when he hesitates, Satanna detonates it. As Starco Tower falls, Alan Scott leaps to protect his fellow heroes. Johnny Thunder sends his genie to protect people in the streets as the bomb beneath Starco sets off a chain reaction through Gordon Degroot's subway extension project. And while Jay Garrick is fast, not even the Flash can race in two directions at once.

 

In the Tower of Fate, his companions advocated for a noninterventionist policy. But with so much hanging in the balance, Doctor Fate cannot stand on the sidelines in JSA #18. While the teammates split up to prevent the Ultra-Humanite from destroying Gotham, Doctor Fate flies out to help prevent the world from descending into chaos.

 

Doctor Fate introduces this final installment about the formation of the Justice Society of America. While Jeff Lemire splits the team into three directions, his story demonstrates how the teammates learn to work together. Compared with the heroes’ selflessness, Satanna, Sportsmaster, and the Ultra-Humanite show their selfishness, while Cyclotron clings to the belief that his work is more important than how he treats others. As this high-energy story winds together, reality sets in. They may have worked together once. But in JSA #18, each hero must decide if they’re ready to commit to a future together.

 

Year One Chapter Six: Art

As the heroes stand in the grayish-green labs beneath Starco, the red light of the bomb and the power it unleashes threatens to overwhelm them. After a panel shows Hippolyta, Hawkman, and Hawkgirl beholding the destruction in their red and gold costumes, a red-and-gold cloud of fire rises among the towers of Gotham City.

 

As Luis Guerrero lavishes nuanced colors on the Ultra-Humanite’s attempt to destroy Gotham, green becomes the power of protection. Green Lantern shelters the heroes beneath a green forcefield. Johnny Thunder, in his green suit, sends his genie off to protect people in the streets. And in the subway, Jim Corrigan battles his fears of being the Spectre while protecting those inside from being crushed.

 

Gavin Guidry grounds the 1940s action in rectangular panels bordered by white space. When the action grows hectic, the panels get diagonal. Dark red separates panels when the heroes confront the Ultra-Humanite, while Thunderbolt shows his solidarity by tracing a pink outline of the Spectre’s face in the darkness. While big scenes may take over half a page, JSA #18 saves the splash pages for when all the heroes come together as a team.

 

The Search for the Spectre Prelude Part Two: Story

The 1940s were exciting days for the team. But the world has changed since the JSA came together. After their recent defeat, Alan Scott and Jay Garrick wondered if the team could adapt to meet the threats facing them today. Alan believed they must tighten their ranks. He needed to be sure that the people they fought with had their backs.

 

His children argue otherwise in Jeff Lemire’s story. They’ve fought to find their place in the JSA. Despite the losses they’ve suffered, Jade and Obsidian don’t want to throw in the towel. Nor do they want to live in the fear that every new member will betray them. When Atom Smasher and Stargirl arrive, their enthusiasm for rejoining the team bolsters Jade and Obsidian’s arguments. But just as they did in the 1940s, Alan and Jay must decide if they can set aside their fears, put the past behind them, and continue to fight for justice together.

 

The Search for the Spectre Prelude Part Two: Art

While Jade looks relaxed, Obsidian stands at the ready. Atom Smash and Stargirl's swagger make Alan and Jay glow. Still, concern overtakes Jay Garrick and Alan Scott's features as they ponder Jade and Obsidian's proposal. When holographic displays appear before the wood-paneled walls, the younger generation regards them with smiles. But when Alan's frown reappears, Jade's expression echoes her father's concern.

 

As Joe Kalisz lavishes a bright palette on Joey Vazquez’s art, Jade’s skin links her with the green on Alan Scott’s uniform in JSA #18. The black in his costume links Obsidian with his father, while the blue forms a bridge with Atom Smasher and Stargirl. The younger team members exude vitality with their vibrant coloring. Still, the color of the wood-paneled walls evokes the subway tunnels where the JSA fought the Ultra-Humanite’s forces. The red-and-yellow background of the holographic display seems a reminder that, just as they faced danger head-on in the 1940s, they can do so again.

 

Lettering

Doctor Fate's wisdom appears in white narrative boxes and dialogue balloons with gold outlines. As he addresses the importance of nurturing promising individuals and fostering teamwork, the characters' black uppercase letters grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices. The Spectre’s dialogue fills green serrated balloons, emphasizing how much wielding the power hurts the wielder. Silver boxes reflect green and red, recalling the JSA’s circular tale, as Jay Garrick proudly recalls the historic events. When enlarged colorful dialogue fills panels, Steve Wands enhances the fraught battles below and above Gotham with eye-catching sound effects. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

They weren’t sure they had what it took. Nor did they all get along. But as the heroes come together to save not just Gotham City, but also their world, they wonder if they could achieve more together than individually.

 

They won’t always win. Not every teammate will prove loyal. Yet as they look toward the future, the younger generation inspires the elders who paved the way for them in JSA #18.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of JSA #18.

 

For what happened last time, see my review of JSA #17.