JSA #56

Part one of "Black Reign" arrives with a painted cover by John Watson that assembles a striking cast of villains and morally ambiguous figures — a snarling hawk-creature looming in the background, a purple-costumed speedster front and center, a blue-masked figure in a red atomic-symbol shirt, a grinning young man in red-lensed goggles, and two more enigmatic figures completing the unsettling lineup. Geoff Johns, Don Kramer, and Keith Champagne bring this 2004 storyline to the JSA's world, and the cover's dark, brooding atmosphere makes clear that something dangerous is taking hold. If you've been following this run, this is one to have on your shelf.