JSA #23 — Jeff Lemire and Teddy Kristiansen Take the Justice Society Cold War Spying

The heroes hung up their capes in the fifties, but the world still needed saving. Jeff Lemire and Teddy Kristiansen turn back the clock to the sixties for a secret JSA mission that feels like a vintage spy thriller with superpowers.

You know the premise: the Justice Society of America retired. After the dust settled in the 1950s, these legends traded their capes for civilian lives, keeping their identities hidden away from the public eye. But the world didn't stop spinning, and neither did the need for help. JSA #23 pulls the curtain back on that quiet era, taking us to the 1960s where the team is still out there, just operating in the shadows.

This isn't the loud, blockbuster team-up you might expect. Instead, we get a time-displaced spy thriller. The JSA is working a secret mission, navigating the tense, paranoid atmosphere of the Cold War era. It’s a fascinating shift in tone for these characters, moving away from classic superhero brawls and into the realm of intrigue, secrets, and hidden agendas.

The creative team here is doing some serious heavy lifting. Jeff Lemire brings his signature grounded character work to the mix, treating these icons with a sense of history and weight that only he can deliver. Pair that with Teddy Kristiansen’s artwork—someone who understands texture, mood, and subtle expression—and you get a book that feels less like a comic and more like a period piece. It’s atmospheric, intelligent, and quietly compelling.

If you’ve ever wondered what the Justice Society was doing while the rest of the DC universe was busy rebooting and resetting, this is your answer. It’s a look at legacy not as a burden, but as a lived-in reality. These heroes are older, wiser, and still fighting, just in a different way.

I’d also keep an eye on the cover by Diego Olortegui. It captures that specific vintage spy aesthetic perfectly, and it’s the first thing you’ll see when you reach for this issue. It’s a small detail, but it sets the mood before you even open the first page. Trust me on this one — it’s a vibe you’ll want to live in for a bit.