In our review of JSA #22, Spectre jumps hosts a bit more. But will he finally find The One?
JSA #22
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art by DIEGO OLORTEGUI
Main Cover: PETE WOODS
Variant Cover: RAFAEL DE LATORRE
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 8/5/26
This review contains spoilers
At Belle Reve, SpectreYolanda stalks along, looking for a specific target: Queen Kobra, who killed the previous Wildcat. Before she can exact her revenge, the JSA members not in 1940 arrive to intervene.
As for the members of the JSA currently in 1940, Fate quickly disguises the group in period-approrpriate attire. From there, they try to find Corrigan, when Jakeem has an idea: consult Johnny Thunder, since he was there in the 40s.
With Thunder’s help, they go to the point where Corrigan is murdered…before being knocked to their starting point, learning they’re in a time loop.
The JSA tries talking Spectre down, and Todd gets through to Yolanda as the Spectre jumps ship…into Queen Kobra.
After going to a different point in the timeline, the 1940s gang finds Corrigan. He’s not surprised to have been found, nor is he overly pleased. He’d wanted this loop so he could have some control over his life again. The Spectre needs to exist, he knows…but with a different host. Someone else that wants to make things right. Which gives Kid Eternity an idea…
Thinking they failed, and with Kid Eternity conspicuously absent, they return to the present to find that Queen Kobra/Spectre is ready to kill Yolanda. And speaking of Kid Eternity, she’s meeting with the deceased again, dropping a major hint about the solution…
She soon joins the others again, with the original Wildcat’s spirit in tow. He becomes the new Spectre, and the problem is finally solved. Kid Eternity is offered a chance to move to the afterlife, but turns it down in favor of forging a new heroic future for herself as part of the JSA.
And so ends the Spectre story arc. But Kid Eternity’s tale just seems to be beginning. And the original Wildcat/Ted gets another go at being part of the JSA to deal with his unfinished business. It’s a great solution to the problem of what to do with Aztar himself.
Setting him up with a living human (or even just humanoid) hasn’t been shown to be a good idea. He keeps moving from host to host, and while they may be willing…He’s still interfering in their lives. With someone that died prematurely, it’s not a disruption at all. Instead, it’s a way for them to come back and continue with their lives, even if it does mean a brand new purpose to it all.
Also, with the scene of the group in 1940, they probably would have gotten a few odd glances, even with the more 40s-appropriate clothing. Jakeem gets a dirty look from some random guy in the period. The man doesn’t say anything to him, but the time period indicates that it was likely a racism stare, as he’s the darkest-skinned of the group. It’s a small moment that speaks volumes, without it detracting from the main story.
There are some great visuals happening in this one, as well. The panel where Spectre leaves Yolanda is really quite pretty, with the tendrils of glowing blue-green coming off of her as he leaves her. Also, a lot of the facial expressions, like Courtney’s slight incredulity at the time loop.
Story-wise, I love how it’s Todd that gets through to Yolanda. He knows just how awful it feels to be pushed toward vengeance when one’s not naturally inclined toward such feelings. Not only that, but he’s felt this awfulness quite recently.
While I’m certainly curious about Kid Eternity’s memories, her choice to forego the afterlife in favor of joining the JSA intrigues me. I look forward to seeing what the next arc brings.
Final Thoughts
The Spectre finally finds his brand new Forever Host, and it’s just a joy to read it. It’s a good, fitting conclusion to the Search For The Spectre arc.
