Jeff Lemire’s return to DC Comics and taking on the Justice Society of America (JSA) for DC’s “All In” initiative is an exciting moment for fans. He brings a deep love of DC’s historical roots and is eager to inject that into this new series. In a recent conversation with AIPT Comics, Lemire shared insight into what makes JSA special, how this project came to fruition, and what readers can expect from future storylines. I did.
Lemire begins by reflecting on his time at DC Comics during the New 52 era, when the JSA’s legacy was sidelined.
“The DC Universe was very different than it is now,” Lemire recalls. “When I was a kid, DC was all about legacy and history, and the JSA was a big part of that…It’s really fun to come back and be in a position to write about it.”
The timing is especially important because Lemire believes the JSA is a critical piece of DC’s larger puzzle. While the Justice League usually gets the spotlight, the JSA brings something unique: a multi-generational team with deep ties to the past.
“What attracted me to DC was the scope and history of the universe,” Lemire says. “The JSA was founded in the 1940s and literally has some of the first superheroes born in comics. Watching them continue to carry on over the decades makes me think Marvel will never fully replicate them. It highlighted that legacy in a way it never had before.”
Although the Justice League operates as a tactical team, Lemire explains that the JSA is like a family, with multiple generations of heroes living, working, and learning from each other. He said: “When DC was at its best, the JSA and JLA both operated in parallel, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it again.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
Lemire’s upcoming JSA series taps into that same sense of tradition. Fans can expect a familiar yet fresh story.
“For me, it’s about taking everything I love from past runs, like the Infinity Corporation, All-Star Squadron, and Geoff Johns era, and making it relevant again while making it accessible and modern. “I did,” he explains. The challenge, then, is to respect JSA’s long history while also making it resonate with today’s readers.
Reflecting on his growth as a writer, Lemire admitted that his early attempts at team books during his first stint at DC were less successful than his solo character work. Lemire has developed a knack for balancing these powerful groups, drawing on his experience with The Terrifics and the creator-owned Black Hammer series.
“I stopped thinking of these as superhero team books and started thinking of them as group dramas,” he explains, growing the characters over time rather than trying to feature them all each issue. I focused on making it happen.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
“It’s like writing two books,” he adds with a laugh. “But I love all of the characters so much that I want them to have their own moments.”
When asked to give a spoiler-free pitch for the first arc, Lemire offers an interesting premise.
“As our series begins, original JSA members such as Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, and Ted Grant are missing. The younger generation wonders where they went and how they left the JSA. I am wondering if it will continue to exist.”
The internal conflict between the young heroes – one faction led by Jade seeks to leave a legacy, while another led by Obsidian seeks to force the team into the modern world – sets the stage for a dynamic and emotional story. Arrange.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
For fans wondering what the difference is between the JSA and the Justice League, Lemire provides a clear answer. It’s all about legacy and intergenerational storytelling.
The JSA is unique in that its members span multiple generations, giving the team a rich sense of history not found in other superhero groups. For Lemire, the heart of the JSA lies in two people: Jay Garrick and Alan Scott. Jay, the original Flash, serves as the core of the team, and Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern, serves as the leader and leader of the team.
Art plays an important role in balancing this book. Lemire is very excited about Diego Olortegui’s work, praising his ability to balance action with intimate character moments.
“Diego’s work really surprised me in a really great way,” Lemire explains. “I can now tell the stories I want to tell while balancing big-scale action with character drama.”
Provided by: DC Comics
Provided by: DC Comics
This is the dynamic we see in Lemire’s favorite JSA stories (with some solid deep cuts mentioned as well).
“James Robinson’s golden era is great and underrated,” he says, also paying tribute to Geoff Johns’ iconic run. But it’s clear that Lemire’s love for the JSA extends beyond a single arc. His passion for the character is driving his vision for this new series.
Lemire promises a story packed with heart, history, and high-stakes action. Whether you’re a longtime JSA fan or a newcomer to the team, this series aims to capture the essence of what makes the Justice Society of America a cornerstone of the DC Universe.
As Lemire himself says, if he does his job right, this will feel like a “classic JSA comic,” but with a fresh, modern twist.
