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.
