In this review of JSA #19, Kid Eternity contends with the Spectre.
JSA #19
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and Main Cover: DIEGO OLORTEGUI
Variant Cover: MATT TAYLOR
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 5/6/26
This review contains spoilers
JSA #19 starts off with Jay contemplating the JSA’s place in the modern day, with Alan offering his assurance that they’ll always be needed.
Meanwhile, Kid Eternity is struggling with the Spectre as he tries to use her as a vessel. She’s called a perfect vessel for him, pointed out as empty enough for him. The spirits of the deceased JSA members are ready to help however they can.
At the JSA Brownstone, Mr. Terrific gives an update about where Kid Eternity is: he’s not sure. But Detective Chimp chimes in with how there’s something major going on of some sort of interest. It feels like it could be linked to Kid Eternity, but feels too powerful…and so, he concludes that the Spectre’s coming back.
In the gym, Sand and Hourman are in the midst of a sparring session, and they get to talking about Sand’s relationships. They also go into Hourman wondering what his life would be like if he weren’t living the superhero life. They’re soon joined by Yolanda, who’s more than ready to spar.
Back with Kid Eternity, the spirits are fully aware that they’re no real match for the Spectre and that the best they can do is keep him distracted so that Kid Eternity can make a break for it. Thanks to their distraction, she’s able to break away from Spectre, and is given an instruction on the way out: find Jim Corrigan.
In the game room, Jakeem and Khalid are playing, with Khalid playfully accusing Jakeem of cheating. Courtney walks in, and the guys are overjoyed to see that Stargirl is back on the team (especially Jakeem).
But then, Khalid can sense something coming. He tells the others, dons the Helmet of Fate, and that’s when Kid Eternity is flung from the portal. She says that she was followed.
As they try to figure out who or what followed her, everyone rushes to see what’s going on. And that is when we see the Spectre/Aztor, God of Vengeance looming over the city.
So, I get two very different vibes from the plots in JSA #19. We’ve got the calm before the storm with the JSA, with them trying to find Kid Eternity, some friendly sparring and some actual downtime. And on Kid Eternity’s side of things is the storm, as she tries to keep from being entirely taken over by a god of vengeance.
Even with her being pointed out as a relatively hollow vessel, she does have enough of a sense of self to not want anything to do with this entity trying to possess her body. That’s the sort of thing that’s rather horrifying to think about, especially when considering that she’s young enough to have “Kid” as part of her moniker and Spectre’s ancient as could be, what with the god of vengeance aspect.
It was good to see a few aspects of this pre-battle calm with the JSA themselves. Yolanda had stepped away in the last modern day arc, and had come back with that newfound reassurance from her predecessor. Here, it’s clear that it’s stuck with her, and she enters that sparring ring with immense confidence that Hourman is going to need a dose or two of that Miraclo to keep up with her. Love to see that, and the artwork brings that confidence through beautifully.
Another favorite artistic moment, here, is when Courtney reunites with Khalid and Jakeem. The way Jakeem rushes forward to hug her, and the somewhat flattered/awkward expression she gives in response was fun to see.
Of course, that calm wasn’t going to last for long. Not for a team of superheroes, definitely. The last panel, where Spectre is seen looming over the city, helps set us up for what’s coming.
Final Thoughts
JSA #19 is the calm before the impending storm and setting us up for what’s sure to be a harrowing arc that is the battle with Spectre. I look forward to that.
