10 Best Justice Society Stories in DC History

by

I believe the Justice Society of America is the most important team in comic book history. They essentially created the idea of the superteam as we know it, and their stories paved the way for iconic events like Crisis on Infinite Earths and countless other groundbreaking DC narratives about the multiverse. But they’re not just historically significant – the Justice Society continues to deliver fantastic, modern-day superhero adventures that truly bring the original team to life.

As a huge comic book fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the Justice Society. They’ve definitely been affected by all the changes DC has made to its universe over the years, but surprisingly, those shifts have also helped them! So many legendary writers and artists have worked on this team – you’ll probably recognize a few names – and they’ve created some truly unique stories. I’ve put together what I think are the ten best Justice Society tales ever told, the ones that have kept fans hooked for almost a century now.

10) DC Special #29

While the Justice Society has a rich history, one story stands out as truly definitive: DC Special #29, created by Paul Levitz and Joe Staton. This extra-long issue revealed the origins of the preCrisis Justice Society on Earth-Two. The story centers around Hitler obtaining the Spear of Destiny and using it – along with an army of Valkyries he controls – to attack Washington D.C. The heroes of America unite to fight a final, epic battle at the White House. It’s a fantastic example of classic preCrisis DC storytelling from two of the best creators of that era. It can be difficult to find, but it’s well worth the effort.

9) JSA (Vol. 2) #1-12

This comic actually tells two connected stories. JSA (Volume 2) began with a thrilling twelve-issue arc featuring an all-out battle between the Justice Society and the Injustice Society. Written by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Diego Olortegui, Joey Vazquez, Rafael De Latorre, and Gavin Guidry, the story divides the team. The veteran members are trapped in a nightmarish dimension within Fate’s Tower, while the younger heroes fight amongst themselves on Earth, unknowingly manipulated by a hidden foe. This storyline was a fantastic way to reintroduce the team, offering readers powerful emotional moments and exciting action.

8) Justice Society of America (Vol. 4) #1-12

The event series Flashpoint dramatically altered the DC Universe, and fans mourned the loss of their beloved Justice Society team. It wasn’t until 2023 that the team returned in Justice Society of America (Vol. 4) #1-12, a run for the ages crafted by Geoff Johns, Mikel Janin, Jerry Ordway, and Marco Santucci. The story begins with Huntress, the future daughter of Batman and Catwoman, traveling back in time to rescue the Justice League from the time-traveling villain Per Degaton. She also attempts to bring the team forward to her time, all while confronting classic enemies and resolving some long-standing continuity issues with the Legion of Superheroes. Johns is considered the definitive Justice Society writer, and this series exemplifies his skill. While the story was partially motivated by introducing Helena Wayne Huntress into the DC Universe, it’s a brilliant narrative, and the final issue stands out as one of the best comics of the 21st century.

7) “JSA/JSA”

The Justice Society of America boasts a long and impressive legacy, filled with iconic Golden Age heroes, and the team has continued to evolve over time. One exciting possibility with a group like the JSA is exploring interactions between different eras, which is exactly what writer Geoff Johns and artist Don Kramer delivered in “JSA/JSA.” The story centers around Per Degaton’s recurring plan to eliminate past versions of the team, preventing the modern JSA from ever existing. To counter this, a group of current JSA members travel back in time to aid the original team in surviving Degaton’s assault. It’s a compelling story that doesn’t shy away from the complexities of the past, featuring fantastic action sequences and strong character dynamics. Don Kramer’s artwork is often overlooked, but this story showcases some of his best work on the series.

6) “Stealing Thunder”

The Justice Society of America (JSA) was a huge hit in the 2000s, and the story arc “Stealing Thunder” is a prime example of why. Penned by a team including Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer, and illustrated by Peter Snejberg, Keith Giffen, Leonard Kirk, and Stephen Sadowski, the story (featured in JSA issues #32-37) centers around Johnny Thunder. After years in a nursing home battling Alzheimer’s, Johnny mysteriously recovers. The JSA happily welcomes him back, but reclaiming his magical power, the Thunderbolt, from Jakeem leads to disaster. He quickly gains control of the world, and a determined, but small, JSA team must uncover the truth and stop him. It’s a fantastic story that both honors classic heroes and delivers a thrilling experience for readers – truly epic enough to have been a major JSA event.

5) Last Days of the Justice Society of America

Roy Thomas, a comic writer mentored by Stan Lee and a lifelong fan of classic comics, eventually moved from Marvel to DC. There, he began working on titles like All-Star Comics and Infinity, Inc. When the Crisis event ended the multiverse, the Justice Society of America was essentially sidelined. This led to Last Days of the Justice Society of America, a story by Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas, and David Ross, where the team faces a desperate battle against Surtur and his fire demons to save the world. This story is a key part of the modern Justice Society’s history, and it’s also a really enjoyable, classic-style comic book.

4) “Black Reign”

“Black Reign” is a standout DC story from the mid-2000s that really cemented Black Adam as a major character. Written by Geoff Johns with art by Don Kramer and Rags Morales, the story unfolded across the JSA and Hawkman comics. It centers on Black Adam and Atom-Smasher gathering former JSA members – Brainwave II, Northwind, Nemesis, and Alex Montez – to overthrow the government of Khandaq. This leads to a six-issue showdown as Hawkman and the rest of the Justice Society attempt to stop them, in a conflict that’s packed with action. Many fans consider this the definitive Black Adam story, perfectly showcasing what makes him such a compelling anti-hero. It remains a thrilling and well-regarded story even today, over two decades later.

3) “They Kingdom Come”

The third volume of Justice Society of America offered a fresh start for the team after the Infinite Crisis, delivering a truly memorable story arc. “Thy Kingdom Come,” created by Geoff Johns and a team of artists, spanned issues #9-21 of Justice Society of America, plus a special annual and three Kingdom Come specials. The story kicks off when the Superman from the alternate Earth featured in Kingdom Come unexpectedly arrives, leading to chaos, new team members, and the return of a well-known villain with world-altering intentions. While this storyline is no longer considered official canon following Mark Waid’s continuation of Kingdom Come in World’s Finest, it remains a thrilling and captivating read.

2) “Princes of Darkness”

The JSA comic series was exceptional, and its best story arc was arguably “Princes of Darkness,” created by Geoff Johns, David S. Goyer, Sal Velluto, and Leonard Kirk. The story revolves around Mordru’s attempt to seize the Helmet of Fate, aided by two of the Justice Society’s foes. When Mordru succeeds, he joins forces with Eclipso and Obsidian, throwing the world into chaos. This leads to a massive superhero battle led by the Justice Society. Like another great JSA story, “Stealing Thunder,” this arc felt large enough to encompass the entire DC universe, and it truly represented the series at its absolute best.

1) The Golden Age

James Robinson and Paul Smith’s The Golden Age, published in 1993 as part of the Elseworlds line, is a fantastic return to the era of classic DC heroes. Set after World War II, the story follows these heroes as they try to rebuild their lives, while facing lingering enemies and a shocking betrayal. A dangerous plan emerges to resurrect a powerful villain, threatening everything they’ve worked for. This story is a standout, and many believe it sparked DC’s renewed focus on its Golden Age characters in the mid-90s, inspiring titles like Robinson’s Starman, Hourman, and Stars and STRIPES. It’s truly exceptional and ranks among the best DC comics of the decade. If you’re a DC fan, this is a must-read.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-greatest-dc-stories-of-the-2020s/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-02 18:16