Jeff Remia and Diego Orotegui begin the story “Götterdämmerung” in JSA #9. Picking up “Ragnarök” in JSA #6 where “Ragnarök” was suspended, JSA #9 has finally begun to provide some answers to the biggest burning questions of previous ARC.
Where did Jakem Thunder and the Obsidian end? Why did they end up in the same place as both despite the different circumstances that induce their comas? When will the JSA know that the JSA is permeating Johnny Soround? Why did Scandal Savage join the fraud association? These are all questions at the forefront of JSA #9 as the Villainous team’s plans finally began to take shape.
DC Comics
One thing that works really well in JSA #9 is that each character shines through the moment, as each storyline is evenly divided in the form of a “chapter.” Beth Chapel and Scandal Savage engage in the fight about legacy, Jake and Obsukiko work together to figure out what dimension they ended, and Alan Scott has a heartfelt heart about her daughter Jade and leadership. This format helps to maintain the character-centricity of the storyline without losing the sense of plot.
This plot is another well-structured throughout JSA#9. Not only has Lemire continued to build on the threads he has established since JSA #1, but individual story arcs are finally beginning to converge at that point. More specifically, all individual team members ultimately touch on the conspiracy of an injustice in society. This helps raise interests as the Justice Society begins to realize that they are being played in a rather insidious way by their greatest enemy.
DC Comics
Another thing that really works well is how the plot of Industice Society, which is based on events from the standalone story featured in JSA #8, is revealed. It not only connects the two storylines more strongly, but also shows the effective use of “flashback episodes”. In this case, the standalone narrative set in the past of the Justice Society helps to contextualize the larger goals of the Injustice Society.
Instead of planning to overthrow the Judicial Society, as former ISA members who the Judicial Society tried to do in Jeff Johns and Mikel Janin’s recent JSA run, actually planned an invasion. They also expect these otherworldly invaders to eliminate their enemies for their enemies, allowing them to move on to the next part of their plan. This is based on the use of other dimensions by Lemia to challenge Judicial Society heroes in new and exciting ways.
DC Comics
JSA #9 has many solid character moments that fans find attractive, but the development that stands out as a strange choice is why it was established for the scandal Savage joining the fraudulent association. This is mainly due to the fact that her motivation does not coincide with the history and development of the character from her secret six days under Gail Simone. Lemire appears to be built from a miniature arc in Gotham War, a 2023 Batman event, but her role in that event was also contradictory where her character left off in Simone’s new 52 Secret Six Run.
When fans saw the scandal in Secret 6, she was living happily with her two wives and was hoping for a baby. Since then, there has been no follow-up on what her life was before the Gotham War to explain her sudden heel turn. Another development that has been struck by the strangeness of the JSA #9 scandal is that she is angry that she is “defined” by the legacy of her father, Vandal Savage. The father’s problem is not the driving force behind the previous storyline of the scandal, at least beyond acknowledging her father. This is mainly due to the fact that the secret 6 was found by all accounts and purposes, her family.
The OOC characteristics of scandals raise more questions than answers, but JSA #9 is mostly a solid read. This is mainly because the injustice storyline is gaining momentum, and because Lemia finds a way to give each major JSA hero a spotlight moment. Another thing that makes JSA #9 a very attractive read is the artwork of Diego Oroltegui. His panel layout also helps guide the eyes in a way that gives the story a natural flow. Overall, JSA continues to be a must-see comic on everyone’s DC pull list.
“JSA” #9 finally unleashes unfair society
JSA #9
The Injustice Society ultimately reveals its ominous plan to the Judicial Society, but the unexpected heels turn from the former secret six members.
Jeff Lemia gives each JSA hero a fascinating arc as part of the bigger story.
The subplot for the Industice Society begins to take shape.
Diego Ortegui’s art continues to be energetic and fascinating.
The characterization of Scandal Savage is contradictory with her past character development.
