Justice Society of America #27 Review

Justice Society Of America v3 #27 Front Cover

The latest issue if JSA, interestingly titled “Ghost in the Darkness” was, for me, an enjoyable read. Although the story is nothing too spectacular I went along happily with the ride, mainly due to interspersion of comic book history. For those of you who have yet to read this issue….SPOILERS ON!!!!

We start with a splash page of the original Infinity Inc (not the bizarre failed recent version) as Atom Smasher and Mr (now Director) Bones reminisce in a bar. A funny cameo by Bibbo involves him flinging insults at Atom Smasher before he is saved by being summoned outside by Cyclone and Stargirl.

As an aside, as they leave Mr Bones is muttering to himself about the GPA – Global Peace Agency. Obviously reporting to someone, it appears that Final Crisis has had another impact on the DCU. As far as I’m aware, this is the first mention of GPA outside of the Final Crisis titles.

The reason for the summoning is to ask Atom Smasher to talk Obsidian into releasing the JSA headquarters from the cloak of darkness he has created, locking some members inside and keeping others out. He has done this based on one of Hourman’s future predictions of an ominous threat of mystical nature.

What follows is a body-jumping ghost’s progress as he tries to invade the headquarters, taking over Stargirl and through this gaining access to the headquarters. The ghost manages to kidnap Hourman, Flash, Green Lantern, Liberty Belle and Wildcat, then reveals himself as Kung, a WWII Japanese assassin, last seen in the Wonder Woman Annual.

In what will be controversial to many readers he has teleported them to 1945 Japan, placing them in the middle of an apparent atomic blast. Moving from one cliffhanger to another we then are faced with the Spectre looming through the roof of the headquarters, calling for judgment on the JSA to save the lives of those missing.

With this the first issue since Geoff John’s departure there are bound to be some detractors. I have, myself, seen many people on various message boards claiming they will not be reading this issue, having dropped the title due to Johns’ departure. To be honest, how someone can do that when the current issue is written and penciled by none other than Jerry Ordway is beyond me. As always, Jerry’s pencils and plotting are enjoyable and I don’t see how anyone could be disappointed. I’m looking forward to the next issue. With the nostalgia of Infinity Inc and All-Star Squadron references, the Global Peace Agency tease, the long-awaited appearance of the Spectre and the attempt to focus on a small group of characters you should stick around for the next one too.

My rating: 7.5/10

What did you think about the issue? Comments section is below…..

Oh, and one more thing………..It seems the editors had something up their sleeve. In the DC Nation column at the back of this issue a new ongoing series is announced: Magog, which has since been revealed as written by Keith Giffen.

Newsarama has an interview with Keith Giffen about the new series.

Check back later in the week for the first part of “History of the JSA”

Thanks for reading!

All artwork from Justice Society of America (v3 issue 27), by Jerry Ordway and Bob Wiacek. Out now from DC Comics.