Johnny Sorrow’s Shocking WWII Connection Revealed in Latest JSA Issue!

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As a die-hard DC fan, I can hardly contain my excitement as JSA makes its triumphant return! The Justice Society of America has always been one of my favorite teams in the DC universe, and their latest series is no exception. This time around, we see the team facing off against their arch-nemesis, the Injustice Society, in a multi-generational battle that’s truly epic.

The JSA has had its fair share of hardships – powerful members trapped in Fate’s Tower in Surtur’s Realm and our beloved Wildcat making the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield. But even with these losses, the remaining members press on, grappling with a traitor problem that continues to slow them down.

In issue #8 of JSA, we get a fascinating flashback tied into the current storyline. The team is summoned to Germany at the end of WWII, believing they’re there to retrieve the Spear of Destiny. Little do they know, they’ll soon find themselves up against another formidable foe – Johnny Sorrow! It promises to be a rollercoaster ride of action and suspense that I can hardly wait to read!

It’s not surprising that the Justice Society faced supervillains during WWII years since the Injustice Society also existed then. However, it’s unusual for Johnny Sorrow, who debuted in the 2000s JSA series, to show up in a comic from back then, specifically in JSA #8. This appearance sets Johnny Sorrow apart due to his historical significance as one of the Justice Society’s top enemies. This latest appearance adds an exciting chapter to his storyline.

Johnny Sorrow’s History Is More Interesting than It Seems

Initially introduced in “Secret Origin of Super-Villains 80 Page Giant” issue #1, Johnny Sorrow was a silent film actor who found himself out of work with the rise of “talkies.” He acquired a device capable of teleportation and engaged in battles against the Justice Society. However, this device had links to the mysterious Subtle Realms, and when Sandy the Golden Boy (Sandman I’s sidekick) fired at his backpack, it detonated, transporting Sorrow there. The Subtle Realms, inhabited by Lovecraftian creatures, transformed him into their ideal servant. While he wore his mask, he became completely intangible; removing it made him solid and deadly with a mere gaze. In more recent times, Sorrow resurfaced, joining forces with the Injustice Society, only to later align with Despero in an attempt to seize the Rock of Eternity and free the Seven Deadly Sins. The Justice League and Justice Society united to confront these villains, ultimately defeating them. Sorrow reappeared to battle the Justice Society once more before meeting his end in “JSA All-Stars” issue #6 in 2010.

In the aftermath of The New 52, Sorrow transitioned to Earth-2, where he became a central figure in stories revolving around characters from the Justice Society. During DC Rebirth’s Justice League vs. Suicide Squad crossover, he reappeared, but his origin remained a mystery since the Justice Society wasn’t part of continuity yet due to it being the New 52 DC Multiverse with some post-Crisis additions. However, it was disclosed that he was previously imprisoned by the Suicide Squad. His abilities underwent changes; he gained teleportation powers, snake hair that could be summoned, invincibility, energy manipulation, and illusion casting. Prior to his return in JSA, Sorrow antagonized Power Girl in Action Comics’ 2023 shorts, attempting to shatter the Earth-Two Kryptonian. Unlike many JSA villains, Johnny Sorrow is a contemporary creation and has proven to be one of the team’s deadliest adversaries. In most of his assaults on the JSA, he sought to summon the King of Tears, a dark deity who granted him his powers, as depicted in JSA #8 dating back to WWII. Additionally, his history was slightly altered since the Justice Society never fought Johnny Sorrow in his current form during their early days.

Johnny Sorrow’s an A-Lister in the Making

In issue #8 of JSA, Johnny Sorrow made an appearance as he attempted to conjure the King of Tears during World War II, with Wotan by his side. Interestingly, they were successful in summoning the dark deities back then, but their actions were thwarted by Wildcat and Doctor Fate. This event is significant because it resulted in Wildcat’s demise in the present as he battled Wotan. Since Wildcat has passed away and Doctor Fate’s helmet now belongs to the Injustice Society, it seems challenging for the Justice Society to prevent any current calamities.

As a movie enthusiast, diving back into the World War II era with the Justice Society’s Sorrow was quite a shift from my usual encounters with him in the modern day. It’s not often we see contemporary JSA adversaries pop up during WWII. The new tale unfolding for Sorrow promises to bring about an intriguing change for this remarkable villain. Here’s hoping he soars to greatness in this story arc!

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2025-06-09 03:10