This is it, the big finale. The final JSA trade with Geoff Johns and Dave Eaglesham as creative team. JSA has been one of the best titles for DC for the past couple of years. They gave us, along with Alex Ross, the epic ‘Gog’ storyline that took over most of the run. This trade sees the final two stories by the team with Jerry Ordway helping out for the self titled tale. Is this a perfect end to an almost perfect series?

Short answer: No.

Long Answer: No and by god is this the saddest way to end a great series.

I feel bad typing this out, but let it be known that most of this isn’t Geoff Johns. Sure he is credited as writer, but I have a very good feeling most of this is Ordway’s writing. You’d think that having Black Adam and the Marvel family would be a good thing right? Nope, this is just a shoddy attempt at trying to mix Final Crisis and 52 into a ‘conclusion’. I say conclusion in quotes because Didio has stated this isn’t the end but the beginning for the Marvel family. Still, this entire run just feels off. The characters don’t feel the same and the Marvel family are just so off putting. Mary Marvel is still being controlled by Dessad and man oh man is it tough to read her word balloons. Then you got this whole two issue break with Ordway before the new creative team comes in….and it’s just awful as well to read.

Then you got the art by Ordway! Ugh! Never before have I seen a whole team off model constantly. Faces are distorted and everyone is apparently double jointed. Look I know Ordway is a legend and his previous work shows how great of an artist he used to be. But if I’m judging by this trade alone, then his work is shoddy at best at this point. Also, a ton of coloring issues where sometimes skin and fabric mix together. Or just some of the panels look unfinished. It’s a shame that the JSA had to go out like this, it really is. I mean we have the Geoff Johns finale in the middle of this….But it’s not enough.

That last issue for Johns and Eaglesham is in this. That is a perfect send off for those two and it’s just a heartwarming ending. Sadly I can’t recommend this trade for just one issue. Go find issue #26 and cherish it because you’ll miss the good old days with Geoff Johns. With this Ordway mess with the Marvel family, this is just sour grapes all around.