In this review of JSA #14, there’s something fairly insidious going on, both in Starco’s labs and Gotham’s subway.
JSA #14
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by GAVIN GUIDRY
Main Cover: DAVE JOHNSON
Variant Cover: DAVID TALASKI
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 12/3/25
This review contains spoilers
JSA #14 kicks off this time around with The Flash chasing down a vehicle loaded with materials to make explosives. After he catches up to them, they’re revealed to have Nazi ties.
In Gotham, Alan is still at his friend’s apartment, waiting for the cops to show up. Detective Corrigan asks a few questions, before he and Alan take a trip to the subway tunnels below Gotham.
As they’re exploring the tunnels, Hourman and Sandman are still investigating Starco Labs. There’re vats lining the walls—one of which contains a human—and a table with another guy strapped to it. As the pair are wondering what in the blue hell they’ve just walked into, they’re intercepted by Cyclotron, who warns them that they never should have come.
Atom, back in Gotham, is monitoring the Nazi rally, when he’s joined by Hippolyta. She brings up the idea of working together, but he’s not up for it. Though she’s sure he’ll change his mind.
In Peru, Satanna is ready to shoot Shiera, but Shiera’s almost amused. By the time Carter catches up to her, she’s resolved the most pressing issue. But then there’s a second one to worry about: who sent her and Sportsmaster in the first place? And so, she and Carter go looking for some answers.
Alan and Corrigan, meanwhile, notice something a bit off in the subway tunnels. The metal braces aren’t exactly up to code, and seem like they’re meant to fail. Flash reaches them soon enough, and after some brief fanboying about meeting Green Lantern, informs them of the truckload of explosives-creating material he’d stopped. It doesn’t take long at all for a few pieces to connect.
They’re being watched, though; Dr. Occult is keeping an eye on them, and working with Dr. Fate, who’s a bit concerned about the return of The Spectre.
The artwork for JSA #14 was well done, I’d say. The color work in particular really grabbed my attention. Mostly in the scenes both underground and in the labs. Both of those have a green tone to them (for different reasons, of course), but that lime green glow is very eye-catching, and it definitely helps to set an ominous tone for both scenes. With those scenes happening one right after the other, it also makes for a nice visual connection between the two scenes..
And some of the expressions in JSA #14 are rather fun, as well. A favorite of mine would have to be the look on Shiera’s face when the narrative catches up to her and Carter again. Just the sheer amount of “unfazed” in her expression, followed by her managing to get free before her husband catches up, was kind of a joy to see.
Narrative-wise, some pieces are coming together by the end of JSA #14. The components to make explosives, the apparently deliberately weakened metal braces are both easy enough dots to connect. I’d also be VERY shocked if it turned out that Starco Labs hasn’t been involved in Nazi-approved human experimentation deep in their inner workings. In a setting like this, the possibility of this lab doubling as a eugenics factory feels quite plausible and unnerving.
As a whole, I’d say this experience is a good one. We get just enough to start piecing things together, without answering everything just two issues into the storyline. The artwork looks great, and the character interactions work well.
Final Thoughts
JSA #14 continues to provide us with a solidly-written, well-drawn puzzle. Fans of this team should find much to enjoy about this rendition of the Justice Society’s origins. The mystery thickens, and it’s keeping my interest effectively.
