JSA #22 Review

 

JSA #22 Review

Writer: Jeff Lemire

Artist: Diego Olortegui

Colorist: Luis Guerrero

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Artist: Pete Woods

Variant Cover Artists: Cian Tormey & Matt Herms

Editors: Marquis Draper, Andrew Marino & Katie Kubert

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $3.99/$4.99 Card Stock

Release Date: August 5, 2026

 

After Jim Corrigan died, he bonded with the Spectre. The two had a long career fighting crime and righting wrongs together. But when Darkseid tried to command this aspect of the Presence, he broke that bond. Now, as Metron guides four young heroes in search of the former police detective, the Spectre bonds with another of Alan Scott and Jay Garrick's young heroes. Will Wildcat form a lasting bond with the Spectre? And how wisely will she wield the Vengeance of God? Let’s leap into JSA #22 and see!

 

Story

The Spectre was tearing New York apart. Whenever it bonded with a Human host, it set out to judge anyone within reach. Yet in Yolanda Montez, aka Wildcat, the Spectre finds a more willing partner. Unlike her JSA teammates, the Spectre doesn’t overpower her. Instead, Yolanda uses the Spectre’s abilities to leave New York behind and travel to Belle Reve Prison.

 

As JSA #22 follows Yolanda's search for vengeance, Metron transports Stargirl, Jakeem Thunder, Dr Fate, and Kid Eternity to Gotham City. While Yolanda walks past the cells, searching for her first victim, Dr Fate and his friends search for Jim Corrigan in the moments before his death. Yet all is not as it appears in 1940. Nor is acting as judge, jury, and executioner a simple thing.

 

As members of the JSA search for missing teammates in the past and present, Dr Fate and his friends confront the reality of who the Spectre is, and what bonding with it involves. But the clock is ticking. While the kids deduce clues and search Gotham for Jim Corrigan, the Spectre continues its quest for a partner. And if it cannot find a hero to bond with, it'll choose someone else driven to wield its power in JSA #22.

 

Art

When Yolanda walks down empty halls lined with iron bars, Ruby Sokov watches her pass. Yolanda's costume betrays her fusion with the Spectre. When she reaches the cell of a woman she believes deserves her anger, Yolanda incinerates the metal bars between them. Then, she raises Queen Kobra by the neck with one hand. Jade, Obsidian, Hourman, Sandy, Jay Garrick, and Alan Scott follow Yolanda inside the cell. All of them have struggled with loss in the JSA. Yet Alan, who brought Ruby Sokov into the team, stands directly behind Yolanda.

 

While Luis Guerrero adorns Diego Olortegui’s art with a vibrant palette, the green Spectre’s determination clashes with the orange-suited inmates who sought more than they had. In 1940’s Gotham, Jakeem Thunder’s green clothes and Dr Fate’s gold find echoes in the street behind them. When Dr Fate summons a yellow light, the young heroes’ appearances change in JSA #22. Violet brings happiness and helpfulness, while the blue glow around Kid Eternity links her with Obsidian. Yet despite her hope of recovering her memories, the red lenses of her glasses link Kid Eternity with the red wine of someone who has lost everything that once defined them.

 

Black uppercase words in white balloons grow bold for intonation and swell with volume, while Kid Eternity speaks blue words. The Spectre’s words fill green balloons with serrated edges. Sound effects accompany moments of sorrow, reunion, and transformation. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

The Justice Society of America has a long and prestigious history. Most of its members have strong reasons to be there. While many have joined because of family, friendships, or mentors, others have walked away because those relationships no longer met their needs. Yet one member is an outsider. Kid Eternity joined the JSA without any sense of who she was or where she came from. Her search for Jim Corrigan has unearthed one remnant of her past. But to learn more, she must leave her new friends in JSA #22.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my JSA #22 Preview. 

 

For what happened last time, see my review of JSA #21. 

For what happened before that, see my preview of JSA #20.

For what happened even before that, see my review of JSA #19. 

For how the Spectre helped Jay Garrick and Alan Scott in 1940, see my review of JSA #18. 

For Darkseid's attack on the Spectre, see my preview of DC All In Special #1.