Green Lantern's Superpowered Kids Are Going to War (For the Future of the Justice Society)

Warning: may contain spoilers for JSA #1!

The superpowered children of Green Lantern, Alan Scott, are going to war, with the future of the Justice Society of America hanging in the balance. The Justice Society returns later this year, under the direction of writer Jeff Lemire and artist Diego Olortegui, and begins with the disappearance of the team’s “old guard.” As the Society’s younger members debate what to do, a schism begins to form.

Both Jade and Obsidian were created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Jerry Ordway. The twins first appeared in 1983's All Star Squadron #25.

In an interview with David Brooke of AIPT, Jeff Lemire spoke more about what fans can expect from his and Olortegui’s Justice Society of America #1. Lemire previewed what is in store for the team:

As our series kicks off, the original JSA members — Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Ted Grant, and others — are missing. The younger generation is left wondering where they went and how to keep the JSA going. The internal conflict among the younger heroes — one faction led by Jade wanting to preserve the legacy, while another, led by Obsidian, seeks to push the team into the modern world — sets the stage for a dynamic and emotional story.

DC Comics also provided AIPT with advanced art from Justice Society of America #1. The team’s younger members are discussing strategy at the Society’s famous meeting table.

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Jade and Obsidian, the children of Alan Scott, are seemingly engaged in an argument in one of the preview pages.

Jade and Obsidian's DC Comics Origins, Explained

Jade and Obsidian Could Not Be More Different

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As the Justice Society’s original members aged and progressed, they began having children, some of whom were superpowered as well. Green Lantern Alan Scott had two: Jade and Obsidian. Jade possesses powers similar to her father’s, while Obsidian draws on the Shadowlands for his abilities. Obsidian’s powers are the result of a battle his father had with the dark sorcerer Ian Karkull. The two were both members of Infinity Incorporated, a supergroup composed of the Society’s children, and Obsidian was briefly affiliated with the Justice League. Jade became a member of the Green Lantern Corps, and dated Kyle Rayner.

Obsidian and Jade would find each other again as teenagers, attempting to have a normal brother/sister relationship while coming to terms with being the children of one of Earth’s greatest heroes.

Despite being siblings, Jade and Obsidian have wildly different perspectives on life and being a hero. To protect them from harm, Alan Scott and Harlequin, the children’s mother, adopted Jade and Obsidian out, and the twins grew up not knowing the other. Jade has enjoyed a life of relative luxury and ease, while Obsidian’s adopted home turns out to be abusive. Obsidian and Jade would find each other again as teenagers, attempting to have a normal brother/sister relationship while coming to terms with being the children of one of Earth’s greatest heroes.

The Justice Society Is Heading To Their Own Civil War

Will Green Lantern Be Forced to Intervene?

Now, with their father and other members of the Justice Society missing, Jade, Obsidian and the team’s younger members must find them, but there are serious ideological differences. Lemire’s “pitch” in the interview provided an overview of Obsidian and Jade’s viewpoints, but did not elaborate further on them. Obsidian wants to take the group into the “modern world,” perhaps meaning taking a more proactive approach, similar to groups like the Authority. This would fly in the face of what the Justice Society represents, something Jade wishes to preserve. The question then becomes whether the Society can survive the split.

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The forthcoming schism in the Justice Society, represented by Jade and Obsidian, is potentially setting up another civil war down the line. If Obsidian’s ideology wins, and the team embarks in a darker direction, the Society’s older guard will most likely not approve. This sets up a conflict between Obsidian’s “modern” Justice Society and the team’s elder statesmen. Green Lantern may be called in to take down his own son before he can corrupt the legacy of the Justice Society.

Source: David Brooke, AIPT

JSA #1 is on sale November 6 from DC Comics!