Oh my god, it actually came out on schedule.
This week on: Geoff Johns just kinda does whatever…
You guessed it! Geoff Johns just kinda does whatever!
This issue focuses on the lost kids that are Johns’ new pet project: sidekicks to the JSA that no one remembered until just now because… time travel! The way it gets fixed is hilarious, by the way.
If I had a nickel for every time Geoff Johns wrote a speedster’s sidekick who gained their powers in a recreation of the accident that gave their speedster mentor THEIR powers, then got “forgotten” for several years, only for them to be remembered by the timeline by hugging their speedster mentor in a tearful reunion, all to fuel an event that only he really cares about… I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice, right?
Yep! It’s just “we hugged, now we’re all okay!” And suddenly everyone remembers the lost kids! They’re running around with the new JSA, stopping crimes, hanging out, visiting their family farms… you know the deal.
As for Helena, when Geoff does decide to check in on her, we learn that Bruce has set her up in New York City! Probably because she isn’t appearing in the upcoming Gotham War, which she describes to Bruce as “one hell of an argument” with Selena.
This isn’t the place for my thoughts on Gotham War as an event, but I’d say that’s putting it a little lightly.
There’s something almost kind of impressive about how little the actual JSA is doing in this series. We’re halfway through, and there’s been maybe one honest to goodness fight, no progress on the plot with Helena being stuck (?) on Earth 1, and the focus seems to be on these new kids, who also aren’t really doing anything. Helena seems intent on creating her future, but is actively interfering with the past, despite her whole stranding being CAUSED by interfering! Do we want to change the future or not? I don’t think she knows!
Was there anything good?
Sure!
The kids, as weirdly shoehorned and… there… as they are, are interesting! Some of them, particularly Salem and Cherry Bomb, are actually kinda cool! They have interesting chemistry with the new-age Society, and have cool plot hooks for their modern-day troubles! Whether that gets followed up on remains to be seen, but there’s potential!
Of course, the art is stellar as well. I find it odd that Mikel Janin isn’t here, but Marco Santucci does a wonderful job filling in! Ivan Plascencia’s colors, as always, are fantastic, and Rob Leigh’s lettering is on point! I wish there were more fun opportunities for Rob, but what can you do?
The book does a very good job of looking like the 2000s comics it’s very clearly trying to emulate, that old Johns JSA era stuff. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that there’s a visual callback to Johns’ favorite Team Building trope, the Table Full of Pictures!
Side note, when did they take these? Was there a photo shoot? I have to know.
The issue falls flat of that original run, however, even with my ever-souring opinions of Johns’ works. This isn’t new ground, nothing original is happening. It’s frankly quite boring.
Recommended if…
- You really like Geoff Johns.
- You ARE Geoff Johns.
- I’m trying here.
Overall
I was really excited to cover this book. I really was. Oops.
Score: 5/10
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DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.
