Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures / DC Studios
In the reality of DC Comics, the Justice Society of America were the first superhero team. That team was built on a foundation of legacies, which have extended through several generations of superheroes. While not as famous as the Justice League in popular culture, the JSA has been adapted into the Arrowverse and also the DCEU. Now, two beloved team members best known for their live-action adaptations are returning to the Justice Society in the comics.
The homecoming occurred in a short story in JSA #17 by Jeff Lemire and Joey Vazquez. The interlude found Jay Garrick, the first Flash, and Alan Scott, the first Green Lantern, reflecting on the history of the Justice Society. More specifically, they were thinking of the friends they lost and if it was time for them to retire and the team to disband.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Joey Vazquez)
This idea was firmly rejected by Alan’s children, Jade and Obsidian. They agreed that recent events had changed the team’s dynamic. However, despite several members resigning for personal reasons, the young heroes felt there was still a place for the Justice Society in a modern world. To that end, they had reached out to two former members who were eager to rejoin their ranks.
What two JSA mainstays are returning to the team?
The final page revealed the retuning heroes as Courtney “Stargirl” Whitmore and Al “Atom Smasher” Rothstein. Both heroes were inducted into the JSA during their now-legendary 1999 series. Both heroes had also taken a leave of absence from the Justice Society, but were ready to return.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Joey Vazquez)
Stargirl is best known to general audiences from her television series. The show starred Brec Bassinger as Courtney Whitmore; a spirited gymnast who discovered her stepfather was a former superhero sidekick. Originally produced for the short-lived DC Universe streaming service, Stargirl was picked up by The CW. It ran for three seasons in total and introduced the Justice Society to a new generation of superhero fans.
Contrastingly, Atom Smasher is best known as part of the Justice Society of the DCEU. He appeared in the Black Adam movie, played by Noah Centineo. The movie was also meant to include Stargirl, but her character rights were tied up in the television series. All in all, it will be interesting to see what Atom Smasher and Stargirl do as part of the new JSA.
JSA #17 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
