In this review of JSA #7, the team comes together to say their good-byes to Ted Grant. But as always, there’s more going on.
JSA #7
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by RAFAEL DE LATORRE
Main Cover: JORGE FORNÉS
Variant Covers: SWEENEY BOO, JERRY ORDWAY, TODD NAUCK
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: May 7, 2025
This review contains spoilers
It’s time to take a breath. We have the funeral for Ted and there is a nicely written speech delivered by the ever-reliable Jay Garrick. But most of the story happens during the after-party. After her rage-filled murder of a Kobra henchman, Yolanda finds herself disconsolate and unworthy of the name, Wildcat. She attempts to pass the moniker on to Ted’s son, Tommy but he doesn’t want it either so the legacy of Wildcat remains in limbo (more about Limbo later).
Next we get the culmination of the Hourman/Jesse Quick story. These two obviously love each other but neither have been handling the internal manipulation and pressure very well and despite their feelings they agree to separate for the time being. Jade and Sand, a burgeoning couple themselves, know something is wrong with their team and they both believe a traitor is in their midst (it’s Obsidian!). They come across Khalid keeping vigil over Jakeem in the medical bay. They talk him off the ledge but Khalid, without the power of the Helmet of Fate is powerless to help anyone. To make matters worse as only they can the Justice League, in the person of the Trinity come by to lend a condescending hand which the JSA politely refuse. Finally, we’re off to Limbo (or wherever), where the Hawks and Kid Eternity are still just wandering around trying to find a way home when Kid Eternity comes across Ted Grant who lets her know that she is the only hope to save the JSA.
Analysis
This is a pretty good issue to come into the JSA if you haven’t already. It gives us readers a chance to reconnoiter and get our bearings for what is sure to be some pretty eventful stuff going forward. I do like the character work in this issue, and everyone’s reactions to both their own and others actions ring true. I especially like the bit with Rick and Jesse and I hope these two young people find their way. Having said all that I’m disappointed in the way the death of Wildcat was handled.
If this really is the end of Ted Grant it should have had been handled with much more gravitas than it has been so far. This guy has literally touched, in some way or another, every street level non-powered hero in the DC Universe and to say goodbye in a short four pages, with a speech by only one colleague seems to me to be a little short shrift. I’m willing to forgive this disrespect for the time being because it looks like we may be getting a little more Wildcat – as well as some other nostalgic remember-berries – in the next few issues. We’ll see.
I’m a big fan, as I’ve stated before, of the JSA and seeing some old favorites like The Atom, Dr. Mid-Nite, Sandman, Dr. Fate and Rex Tyler’s Hourman was a nice treat. I really hope they continue to be involved in the conclusion of this story. I’m really liking the inherent conflict so far in the series but I do think it’s time to start wrapping up some of these storylines. It looks like the Hourman/Jesse Quick thread has reached a temporary end but there is still the Hawks/Kid Eternity (and now the old JSA) story as well as the Beth/Obsidian (the real one) side story that needs to be settled. We’re hitting issue eight here and the original Crisis only took twelve issues to change the whole universe! I’m only being slightly facetious.
Lastly, I do think the cover for issue seven is a beautiful homage to Wildacat; beautiful, evocative and very fitting. Great job.
Final Thoughts
Short and sweet; this issue was a good respite but now it’s nut-cutting time. This is a great story but now it’s time to start wrapping things up and getting this team back together.
