In this comic book review of JSA #21, The Spectre’s origins are revealed, and Aztar keeps bouncing between potential hosts.
JSA #21
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by DIEGO OLORTEGUI
Main Cover: PETE WOODS
Variant Cover: MATT TAYLOR
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 7/1/26
This review contains spoilers
JSA #21 starts with a creation story. Namely one that involves Aztar’s origins. He was initially an angel, but had joined in with Lucifer’s rebellion. He’d begged for God’s forgiveness, but would have to earn it by becoming God’s Wrath. Throughout history, he’d been used to keep balance. And just as they’re getting to Corrigan’s part of the timeline…
Metron decides they need to fast forward to the end.
In New York City, there’s total darkness, and Jade’s trying to find anyone else. Sand reunites with her first, then Alan, and when they shed some light on the situation, Obsidian is still possessed by Aztar. He attacks Alan first, then Jade. When Jade offers herself as Aztar’s vessel, he happily agrees to the deal.
Metron, meanwhile, takes the group to Darkseid’s, where he’s got Corrigan and is demanding that Aztar bond with him, instead. A number of this world’s heroes, particularly the Justice League, show up to fight him. Khalid, as it turns out, had also been at that battle. During the fight, the bond between Corrigan and Spectre/Aztar is broken, leaving this vengeance entity without balance.
They realize they need to get him a new bond before he utterly destroys humanity.
Alan, meanwhile, offers himself up to Aztar. But that bond between Aztar/Spectre and Jade’s already broken. So where is he now? He’s taken up residence inside of Yolanda, and the pair are on their way to Belle Reve.
Metron soon takes the group to 1940, back to Corrigan’s start.
I think some of my favorite visuals for JSA #21 may have to be the beginning of the parts in NYC. That starts with darkness, before slowly but surely revealing what all’s going on. It’s well-paced, building up a bit of suspense before the reveal in a very classic horror movie sort of way.
Some very troubling implications come up when Spectre bonds with Yolanda. I’m not sure if she has a specific target inside of Belle Reve or if the plan is to visit horrific vengeance upon everyone inside of that facility. Either way, the previous Wildcat would be horrified at her for taking the deal. It was one thing when she got a bit carried away and killed a guy before, sending her into a brief retirement. He understood that and it was a defensive measure. But this would be a step too far.
Aztar’s origins were pretty cool to see. That establishes him as something incredibly ancient, almost as old as humanity itself. Well, okay, probably older if we count those pre-rebellion days. He’s ancient, incredibly powerful (being God’s Wrath itself will do that to a guy), and needs a mortal host to channel that raw power.
We’ve already seen what he’s like without that human aspect to help make reasonable choices, and everyone’s concerns are well founded. With the bond with Yolanda, Spectre/Aztar’ll probably be at least slightly more discriminatory when doling out punishments. But it’s still a great “Oh, crap!” level development that makes me curious as to how the next installment will go.
I wonder, though, did Corrigan survive after his separation from Spectre? It was established that when first they bonded, Corrigan had been shot, and I’m pretty sure it was fatal. Did any healing from their bond-time stick, then?
For the story itself, the developments revealed, between Aztar’s history and his new residency, are interesting. It keeps things going pretty well, I think.
Final Thoughts
JSA #21 gives us Aztar’s origin story, and moves the story along at a nice pace. It was done well, gave us some handy new information, and set up a couple of intriguing cliffhangers.
