JSA #20 review

It’s weird, I’m often moaning about quick reads, but at other times a breezy book really hits the spot. JSA #20 is certainly a quick read, it’s not trying to reinvent the wheel… there’s no need because the wheel is working very well.

You may remember that in DC’s All In Special the Spectre was untethered from host Jim Corrigan (I don’t, heck, it was a year and a half ago!). Well, I don’t know what the delay was but he’s now in New York with no link to humanity, nothing to stop his more malevolent urges. It’s no longer the worst of the worst who feel his finger of judgment, it’s… everyone.

Thank God (?) the Justice Society is on hand to save lives.

Believing someone has to offer themselves up as a host to ameliorate the wrath of the Spectre, Green Lantern Alan Scott flies forth… but someone else reaches the Grim Ghost first and intercepts his eldritch energies.

While various JSAers play Pass the Poltergeist, the younger members – Stargirl, Kid Eternity, Jakeem Thunder and Dr Fate – go looking for Corrigan, the only person known to be able to control the spirit. Dr Fate reckons a good place to start would be the House of Mystery. And look who’s making herself at home.

Madame Xanadu does a great job recapping how Jim Corrigan bonded with the Spectre, but sadly, doesn’t know where he is right now. She does, though, spark a memory that brings the ghostly Kid Eternity closer to remembering who she was in life.

Hmm, could it be that like the Golden Age Kid Eternity the new girl died alongside a grandparent in the Second World War, this time at Hiroshima or Nagasaki?

Another question, since when could the Spectre meld with living people, even for a short time?

And how come Stargirl is such a fan of Madame Xanadu. Random? I like it.

Whatever the case, as I said at the top, I really enjoyed this issue. Writer Jeff Loebs isn’t trying to do too much, as in the earliest issues in which we had characters scattered across three or four battle fronts; here it’s New York and the House of Mystery, with the stakes clear and a little character moment for almost everyone.

Hopefully Jim Corrigan and the Spectre will be reunited soon because whenever there’s another host I simply find myself waiting for the inevitable return of Corrigan. May as well get on with it, eh?

Meanwhile, a guest star shows up on the final page, not one of my favourite characters, but Lemire gets points for the surprise.

Actually, looking again, the eyes and skintone look different to usual, the body younger… probably they’ve recently taken over the role; it happens a lot.

Or it could be artist Diego Olortegui and colourist Luis Guerrero putting their own spin on a classic design. Once again the team produce a great-looking issue, with some fabulous compositions, from that first shot of the massive Spectre looming over a skyscraper to the last page visitor. And the Spectre-ised Hourman and, especially, Flash look amazing. The only negative criticism I have is that the younger JSA members seem a tiny bit stumpy… but would you look at Madame Xanadu! Sublime.

And like everyone else in the book, the tarot reader benefits from the neon tones of Guerrero, and the way he sets colours alongside one another. The artful letters of Steve Wands likewise add to the sharp look of this series.

Pete Woods steps in with a beautiful cover, I especially like the energies dripping from phantom fingers. And it’s fun to see the Eighties Spectre logo again.

JSA #20 is a treat and next issue promises the scope of the story will get even bigger. Bring it on!