JSA #1: Green Lantern's Kids Are About to Go to WAR!
Green Lantern's Superpowered Offspring: A Family Feud That Threatens the Justice Society
Get ready for some serious family drama in the DC universe! The superpowered children of the legendary Green Lantern, Alan Scott, are about to clash, with the future of the Justice Society of America (JSA) hanging in the balance. It is going to be big!
Jeff Lemire (writer) and Diego Olortegui (artist) are bringing a new take on JSA, starting with the original members mysteriously disappearing–including Alan Scott!– creating a situation where all the younger members must figure out the next step in this intense and action-packed story arc, focusing on the conflicts and issues inherent between that existing leadership and that potentially newer version.
Jade and Obsidian: A Clash of Ideologies
Jade and Obsidian (created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway back in 1983 in All Star Squadron #25) are Alan Scott's children. They're at the center of this conflict–with vastly differing views. Jeff Lemire, in an interview with David Brooke of AIPT, discusses the core tension and issues underlying this story arc:
"As our series kicks off, the original JSA members — Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Ted Grant, and others — are missing. The younger generation is left wondering where they went and how to keep the JSA going. The internal conflict among the younger heroes — one faction led by Jade wanting to preserve the legacy, while another, led by Obsidian, seeks to push the team into the modern world — sets the stage for a dynamic and emotional story."
Jade, wielding powers much like her father’s, wants to maintain the traditional JSA's approach. But her brother, Obsidian (drawing powers from the Shadowlands), pushes for change. He thinks this "modernization" could mean taking a far more proactive, assertive path (maybe even something akin to the Authority). This inherent difference makes a rift; especially since Jade's life is rather privileged and Obsidian’s has severe trauma from an abusive past. This is shown extremely clearly in that awesome introductory moment.
Origins and Conflicts: A Brother and Sister Divided
Jade and Obsidian’s shared heritage gives an important undercurrent for their present situation! They’re the kids of Green Lantern Alan Scott and Harlequin! To protect them, Jade and Obsidian were separated at a very young age and didn't meet again until their teenage years; further creating difficulties and making these contrasting ideas of the hero’s roles come about even more prominently. Jade’s life? Relative luxury. Obsidian’s? Seriously abusive. They ultimately develop contrasting viewpoints; the resulting contrasts are now shaping this JSA narrative into something entirely unique; adding further weight to the decisions made by both siblings. This situation created this internal conflict within the JSA’s family. And will this conflict define their futures?
The Justice Society's Civil War? An Impending Conflict
The missing JSA original members create this extremely high tension and uncertainty throughout JSA #1. That missing leadership pushes this confrontation and resulting schism that totally splits those younger members and generates these two major opposing ideological viewpoints!
This disagreement between Jade and Obsidian creates another massive development: a potential JSA civil war! Obsidian’s "modern" take is in direct contrast to that original JSA philosophy and could ultimately clash. This also makes this storyline into an extremely tense encounter, leading to further intrigue and uncertainty which makes that possibility extremely clear; those members originally in JSA would likely reject these changes— leading to conflict! Perhaps we see Green Lantern having to intervene against his own son!
Conclusion: JSA #1 Sets the Stage for Epic Family Drama
JSA #1 lays out a compelling, intensely emotional storyline; it does so extremely effectively! That disappearance creates this massive level of suspense, and we're presented with a confrontation where both those key characters–and that fundamental tension–really set things up nicely; providing this intense level of uncertainty, showcasing an epic conflict; a classic fight between generations and ideological extremes! Those contrasting viewpoints—those profoundly unique moments created through these specific details–makes this introductory issue absolutely worth reading. This clash within JSA's family— the clash of past versus present—creates major plot points for this exciting and high-stakes narrative. Go get it!
