For a long while, I’ve been interested in getting into JSA, but there was always a fear of the unknown that kept me away. After all, while I knew of, and liked characters like Alan Scott, Jay Garrick, and the mildly unsettling cleavage factor known as Power Girl, I simply didn’t know them that well. As a college student on a budget, those trade paperbacks, despite their allure, just didn’t seem feasible. Responsible spending kept winning out.

Luckily, responsibility took a day off eventually, and hey, it’s not like I need food to live. Or so they tell me…

In any case, it was cash well spent. I’ve absolutely adored what Geoff Johns has been doing, exploring the second and third tier of the DC universe without just pulling them out of a hat for some some showy display. Each addition brings their own distinct character and perspective, and I’ve really grown to care about their various histories.

And so, here we are with Johns’ first JSA Annual. Power Girl’s been sent to Earth-2 by the well-meaning-but-hopelessly-creepy Gog, so Helena Wayne and oddly wrinkled Robin are in for a treat. After some confusion over how she got there, Kara eventually comes to realize how much she’s missed her old friends, and for a spell, things seem to settle. Unfortunately, ti doesn’t last. Something odd (and possibly even sinister!) is afoot here.

Speaking of odd (though perhaps not sinister), the art here seems a little rushed, standing out starkly from the usually very consistent main series. Still, it’s not too distracting, as this is easily one of my favorite books from the week. We’re in for quite a ride. And in classic Johns style, you can bet it’s going to be continuity-heavy in the best way possible. I, for one, cannot wait.