DC Kills Off JSA’s Beloved Wildcat I in Shocking Turn!

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The New Golden Era revitalized DC’s heroes from their Golden Age, emphasizing once more the superiority of the Justice Society of America over their formidable rivals. The ongoing saga of this esteemed group, titled JSA, is progressing, leading to a division within the team. At Doctor Fate’s Tower, the older members – Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Wildcat I, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Khalid (the current Doctor Fate) – engage in battles against demons and supervillains. Meanwhile, the younger members, who were previously part of Infinity Inc., confront their own treacherous issues. Both storylines are being orchestrated by the Injustice Society, with JSA #6, penned by Jeff Lemire and Diego Orlotegui, concluding this initial epic tale in a heart-wrenching fashion, claiming the life of one of the dearest members of the team.

As a devoted movie-goer who’s always been captivated by the Justice Society of America (JSA), it’s hard not to feel a personal connection with its long-standing members like Garrick, Scott, Wildcat I, and Hawkman. These heroes have been an integral part of the team since its glory days during the Golden Age, creating a strong bond that has resonated deeply with fans, myself included.

Reading about their thrilling adventures in the comics from the 00s – the JSA/Justice Society of America series – has only intensified my admiration for these characters. The thought of losing one of them was always a dreadful prospect, and sadly, that day has arrived. Ted Grant, also known as Wildcat I, is no longer with us. This loss strikes close to home for any fan who’s followed the JSA’s journey.

Nine Lives Run Out Eventually

In this issue, the author seems to hint at the possible demise of Wildcat I subtly. The narrative begins with a flashback to a time when he attempted to teach Khalid boxing, but the young hero refused him. This refusal sets the stage for the events in this issue, where Wildcat I decides to engage in combat against several members of the Injustice Society – Red Lantern, Doctor Elemental, Wheeler Vanderlyle, and Kobra – allowing Khalid to focus on his magic instead of fighting. Throughout history, Wildcat I has been known as the tough, bare-knuckled fighter within the Justice Society, having joined the team during World War II after a successful boxing career. Among several characters who initially lacked powers and later gained them, Wildcat I was one such character, eventually receiving a form of extended life span, to some extent. During a fight between King Inferno and Zatara, he was granted nine lives, enabling him to return from death, as well as slowing down his aging process, much like other long-lived members of the Justice Society since the Golden Age, and even their spouses.

Over the years, there has been much debate about how Wildcat’s power functioned. Unlike other cats who seem to have only nine lives, Wildcat has died on numerous occasions. One of the most notable incidents occurred in JSA (Vol. 1) #52 and #53, where the new Crimson Avenger was tricked by a deceased criminal’s ghost into pursuing him. The ruse resulted in Wildcat killing the criminal multiple times within a single night. This suggested that his resurrection power might not be as limited as it initially appeared. However, all of this changed in JSA #6. Despite managing to fend off several members of the Injustice Society for some time, Wildcat ultimately succumbed due to sheer numbers. In the end, he was able to resist his adversaries for a while before Vanderlyle shot him with a gas gun, paving the way for Kobra to stab him from behind.

They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To

As a die-hard comics fan, I never expected Wildcat’s demise to strike such a chord. Among the surviving legends of the Golden Age, he was hardly the star of the show. Despite the emergence of two subsequent Wildcats – Yolanda Montez and his son Tommy – he always seemed to play second fiddle to the big names. His absence from the limelight during the New Golden Age, with no miniseries to call his own, was a clear testament to this fact.

Yet, beneath this unassuming exterior, Wildcat proved himself an invaluable mentor to numerous heroes. The likes of Batman, Catwoman, Zatanna, Stargirl, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Black Canary were all under his tutelage at some point. However, he lacked the aura of invincibility that many of his contemporaries exuded.

What left me stunned was the unexpected turn of events. Given DC’s recent track record, I had assumed they wouldn’t dare to touch any more of the Golden Age heroes. It seems that I, along with many other fans, underestimated the impact Wildcat could have on us.

The demise of Wildcat I came as an unexpected jolt to the JSA’s operational dynamics. Despite his gruff exterior, he was undeniably the most hardened grandfather in comics. Although he didn’t often grab headlines like other team members, from the seasoned veterans to the new recruits, he was always a cherished member. The Justice Society will undoubtedly undergo significant changes in the upcoming years without him. Although there’s still hope for resurrection, the fate of Golden Age heroes tends to be more irreversible when they fall.

JSA #6 is on sale now.

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2025-04-03 06:11