JSA Year One Brings DC Back to Its Massive Golden Age Roots
The JSA has been enjoying a bit of a renaissance lately, thanks to Jeff Lemire’s current run. Now, DC is doubling down on that nostalgia with JSA Year One, a new story arc that promises to turn back the clock and give us the untold origin story we never knew we needed.
JSA Year One – What’s the Big Deal?
DC is dusting off its Golden Age heroes once again, proving that you can, in fact, teach an old dog new tricks—or at least give it a shiny new JSA Year One title. When you think of DC’s super-teams, your mind probably jumps to the Justice League or maybe the Titans. But before them all, there was the Justice Society of America, a team that feels less like a corporate-sponsored hero squad and more like a slightly dysfunctional family reunion where everyone has superpowers.
Jeff Lemire, the mastermind behind the current JSA series, dropped the news on his Substack, announcing that starting with JSA #13, we’re getting a Year One arc. This six-issue storyline of JSA Year One will explore the “untold formative adventure” of the heroes who would eventually become the Justice Society of America. Think of it as a superhero prequel, but hopefully without any cringeworthy dialogue about hating sand.
Joining Lemire is artist Gavin Guidry, who previously lent his talents to a backup story in JSA #8. If you’ve been following Lemire’s work, you know he has a knack for adding depth and a touch of melancholy to even the most outlandish characters. Giving him the keys to JSA Year One origins feels like a perfect fit. The first issue of this blast from the past is slated to hit shelves on November 5th, so mark your calendars.
With JSA Year One, Lemire and Guidry have the chance to add to this rich history. Origin stories can be a bit of a gamble—for every Batman: Year One, there are a dozen forgettable rehashes. But with a team as foundational as the JSA and a writer like Lemire at the helm, there’s a genuine reason to be excited.
Who Are The JSA, Anyway?
If you’re wondering who the JSA are, don’t worry, you’re not alone. They’re the original superhero squad, first appearing way back in 1950 in All-Star Comics #3. This was the first time a bunch of super-powered individuals decided to team up in comic book history. The founding members are a who’s who of Golden Age greatness: Doctor Fate, Hourman, The Spectre, Sandman, Atom, the original Flash (Jay Garrick), the first Green Lantern (Alan Scott), and Hawkman.
They originally hung out on Earth-Two, a simpler place before DC decided to smash all its universes together in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Since then, they’ve been rebooted, retconned, and revived more times than you can count. You’ve probably seen them pop up in other media, too. They’ve made appearances in animated shows like Justice League and Young Justice, and have shown up in live-action series like Smallville, Legends of Tomorrow, and, most notably, Stargirl, where they played a central role.
Why JSA Year One Could Finally Restore DC’s Forgotten Golden Age Heroes
Let’s be brutally honest here: while everyone’s been fawning over the Justice League and their constant world-ending crises, the JSA has been languishing in relative obscurity. Sure, they’ve had moments in the sun—Geoff Johns’ run was fantastic, and they’ve popped up in various TV shows and animated series—but they’ve never quite reclaimed their rightful place as DC’s premier superhero team. JSA Year One could be the story that changes that.
The Golden Age of comics wasn’t just charming in a quaint, “look how innocent everything was back then” way. These stories dealt with real issues—fascism, corruption, social justice—wrapped up in four-color adventures that somehow managed to be both entertaining and meaningful. The JSA fought alongside soldiers in World War II, dealt with domestic threats, and tackled social problems that unfortunately still resonate today.
Final Thoughts
What made the original JSA special was that balance between idealism and genuine heroism, something that feels almost revolutionary in our current cynical climate. Something about JSA Year One feels different. Maybe it’s Lemire’s track record, maybe it’s the genuine love for these characters that comes through in the announcement, or maybe fans genuinely want superhero comics that remember what the “hero” part actually means.
