Justice League of America #110
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeJustice League of America #110 is the second appearance of John Stewart and his first-ever team-up with the Justice League, marking the earliest time an African-American superhero worked alongside the JLA in that title's history. Writer Len Wein's Christmas-themed lead story — set against the backdrop of a St. Louis inner-city ghetto — gives Stewart a socially conscious spotlight that would quietly define the character's moral compass for decades, directly anticipating the role he would inherit in the early 1980s and, much later, in the Justice League animated series. The issue simultaneously launched the JLA's brief run as a 100-Page Super Spectacular and delivered the first on-cover promotion of the Super Friends animated show, embedding the book in the broader DC multimedia moment of 1974. Red Tornado's new, more colorful costume — designed and gifted by Black Canary in the epilogue — also debuts here, a look that endured as the android's definitive Bronze Age appearance.
In "The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus!", the Justice League of America tackles a rising wave of juvenile delinquency in Riversend, where kid gangs are on the rise and the heroes must find a way to stop them without resorting to force. Green Lantern digs into the root causes with a social worker, while Dr. Mid-Nite and Atom enlist the help of the JJSA and Don Brent to go undercover—only to find the gang’s true leader is someone far more dangerous than expected. Written by John Broome and illustrated by Carmine Infantino with inks by Frank Giacoia, this 1974 issue features a gripping, character-driven mystery, with Nick Cardy’s dynamic cover capturing the tension.
In "The Plight of a Nation! [Part 1]," the Justice League of America faces a puzzling mystery when the Crimson Claw Gang’s bold crimes take an unexpected turn—leading Green Lantern and Black Canary to uncover a junior gang of petty thieves, while the Flash and Hawkman stumble into a trap that leaves them seconds from electrocution.
In "The Plight of a Nation! [Part 2]," Black Canary alerts Green Lantern to a growing crisis in Riversend, where youth gangs are spiraling out of control. As Green Lantern seeks understanding from a social worker, Dr. Mid-Nite and Atom rally the JJSA to send Don Brent undercover—only for the Junior Claws to uncover his true identity and trap him on a railway track. Meanwhile, Hawkman and the Flash pursue Eddie Brent, whose actions have left a trail of danger in their wake.
In "The Plight of a Nation! [Part 3]," The Flash races to the Crimson Claw’s HQ, using Wonder Woman’s mental radio to summon the JSA while holding off the gang, as the Junior Claws cause chaos and the adult criminals strike. With the authorities drawn by an explosion, the JSA arrives in time to intervene—just as the JJSA and Julia save Don’s life and face off against the younger offenders. Wonder Woman’s intervention with the Magic Sphere offers a glimpse of the juveniles’ possible future, setting the stage for a turning point.
ComicBooks.com Value
Show all 15 grades ▾
More listings for this title
Read it digitally
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
The lead story, 'The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus!', was scripted by Len Wein with pencils by Dick Dillin and inks by Dick Giordano under editor Julius Schwartz — the same tight creative team that had kept the book stable throughout 1973. The credits page carries a notable acknowledgment: 'special thanks to Green Lantern fan Duffy Vohland,' suggesting a reader suggestion contributed to Stewart's inclusion. The issue's letter column introduces Martin Pasko as DC's first Junior Bullpen trainee, assisting Schwartz, while the cover — featuring the JSA in a scene redrawn from the cover of All-Star Comics #40 — was painted by Nick Cardy. Pencil and ink credits for the lead story are confirmed from Julius Schwartz's own editorial records.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Second appearance of John Stewart (Green Lantern), and his first appearance alongside the Justice League of America — he substitutes for an incapacitated Hal Jordan.
- First appearance of Red Tornado's new, more colorful Bronze Age costume, designed and gifted by Black Canary in the issue's epilogue.
- First issue of Justice League of America published in the 100-Page Super Spectacular format (JLA ran in this format through issue #116).
- First issue of Justice League of America to carry the 'Here Come TV's Super-Friends!' cover blurb, tying the book to the debut season of the Hanna-Barbera animated series.
- Lead story: 'The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus!' — script by Len Wein, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Dick Giordano, cover by Nick Cardy.
- Two reprint features: 'The Plight of a Nation!' from All-Star Comics #40 (1948), featuring the Justice Society of America; and 'Z — As in Zatanna — and Zero Hour!' from Justice League of America #51 (1967), which concludes Zatanna's multi-issue quest to find her father Zatara.
- The lead story's villain, the Key, is established as terminally ill from his own psycho-chemicals — a plot point that motivated his scheme to destroy the JLA before he died, though the character continued to appear as a recurring JLA foe for years afterward.
- 'The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus!' was subsequently reprinted in The Best of DC #22, Christmas with the Super-Heroes #1, Showcase Presents: Justice League of America Vol. 6, Justice League of America: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1, and Green Lantern John Stewart: A Celebration of 50 Years.
Cast · 40 characters
Full credits
Reprints
↩ Reprints All-Star Comics #40 (1948), Justice League of America #51 (1967), Justice League of America #76 (1969)
Reprinted in Comic Reader #102 (1973), Batman #770 (1975), Gigant #6/1976 (1976), Gigant #6/1976 (1976), The Super Heroes #3 (1981), The Best of DC #22 (1982), Christmas with the Super-Heroes #1 (1988), Showcase Presents: Justice League of America #6 (2013), Justice League of America: The Bronze Age Omnibus #1 (2017), Green Lantern: John Stewart - A Celebration of 50 Years #[nn] (2021), DC Christmas - 24 histoires pour attendre Noël #[nn] (2025)
Key issues in Justice League of America
Reviews
Reader reviews
No reader reviews yet.