The New Golden Age

2022 comic book storyline

"The New Golden Age"

Publisher| DC Comics
Publication date| November 2022 – October 2024
Genre|

* Superhero

| Title(s)

The New Golden Age #1, Stargirl: The Lost Children #1–6, Justice Society of America (vol. 4) #1–12
Main character(s)| Justice Society of America
Huntress (Helena Wayne)
Stargirl
Red Arrow
Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
Flash (Jay Garrick)
Sandman (Wesley Dodds)
Legion of Super-Heroes
Creative team
Writer(s)| Geoff Johns
Artist(s)| Various

"The New Golden Age" is a crossover event in DC Comics publications. Written by Geoff Johns, the story follows the Justice Society of America unraveling a mystery following the Golden Age heroes and villains and the untold stories that come with it. The story comprises an eponymous one-shot and the central storyline in the ongoing Justice Society of America, as well as tie-in limited series like Stargirl: The Lost Children, Alan Scott: The Green Lantern, Jay Garrick: The Flash, and Wesley Dodds: The Sandman.

The event received highly positive reviews from critics.

## Publication history

[edit]

In August 2022, DC Comics announced "The New Golden Age",[1] an event meant to reintroduce readers to the Justice Society of America and other Golden Age characters,[2] as well as explore the past, present and future of the DC multiverse.[3]

The New Golden Age was expanded to three new six-issue miniseries: Alan Scott: The Green Lantern by Tim Sheridan and Cian Tormey, Jay Garrick: The Flash by Jeremy Adams and Diego Olortegui, and Wesley Dodds: The Sandman by Robert Venditti and Riley Rossmo. The crossover event is also part of the "Dawn of DC" initiative.[4]

## Plot

[edit]

### Prelude

[edit]

In Star City, Green Arrow is training with Red Arrow as he tells her about the time when he and Speedy were transported to the Golden Age of Superheroes and joined the Seven Soldiers of Victory, consisting of Vigilante, Star-Spangled Kid, Stripesy, Shining Knight, and Crimson Avenger. The two are approached by Jill Carlyle / Crimson Avenger, who states that Lee Travis needs their help. The three battle the Clock King and learn that Travis is still alive, but he is killed when the Clock King's time machine explodes.[5]

Meanwhile, Rip Hunter is informed that the Time Masters' capsules containing various missing Golden Age superheroes (consisting of the Thaddeus Brown version of Mister Miracle, the original Aquaman who predates Arthur Curry, the Legionnaire of the Golden Age, Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher, Ladybug, Quiz Kid, Salem the Witch Girl, Cherry Bomb, Harlequin's Son, Steel's great-uncle John Henry Jr., Jay Garrick's daughter Judy Garrick, and the original Red Lantern) have shut down, returning their captives to their own time.[6]

### Main plot

[edit]

#### The New Golden Age

[edit]

In an alternate timeline, Helena Wayne becomes Huntress to avenge her father Bruce's death. Meanwhile, the Stranger kills Doctor Fate's 30th-century descendant, the present-day Khalid Nassour meets with Detective Chimp and Deadman to exorcise Nabu from his helmet, and the Justice Society search for the missing sidekicks.[7]

#### Justice Society of America

[edit]

While searching for Doctor Fate, Huntress forms a new incarnation of the Justice Society consisting of Power Girl, Solomon Grundy, Gentleman Ghost, Harlequin's son, Icicle II, Mist, and Red Lantern II. The Stranger transports Huntress to 1940, where the original Justice Society find her. However, Huntress is soon returned to the present and meets with Fate, Detective Chimp, and Deadman.[8][9][10]

Madame Xanadu informs the Society that Per Degaton made a deal with the Lords of Chaos and intends to kill the original Justice Society. However, Fate summons alternate universe variants of the Society to stop Degaton. Afterwards, Fate travels to the 31st century to assist the Legion of Substitute Heroes. After they persuade Solomon Grundy, Red Lantern II, Icicle, and Harlequin's Son to join up with them, the Society recruits Legionnaire, a young heroic version of Mordru. However, the Legion of Super-Heroes arrive to stop them, believing that Mordru will inevitably turn evil. During the fight, Eclipso bursts out of Wildcat. With help from Legionnaire, Huntress fires an enchanted arrow at Eclipos' black diamond. As Wildcat is restored to life and Legionnaire has Eclipso's black diamond locked away on Gemworld, the Legion of Super-Hook Legionnaire and Huntress up with the JSA of their time period.[11]

### Subplots

[edit]

#### Stargirl: The Lost Children

[edit]

While investigating the missing sidekicks, Stargirl and Red Arrow discover that they have been kidnapped by the Time Masters and Childminder, who seek to protect them from Doctor Manhattan's alterations to the timeline. Unable to return to their time, the sidekicks are instead adopted by various present-day heroes. Amidst this, Dan the Dyna-Mite crash-lands on an island in the Diablo Triangle and is mysteriously de-aged. Most of these missing sidekicks are held captive by a being called Childminder who is planning to sell them to the Hourman android. After Childminder is defeated and Wing is sent back to his own time, the Hourman android states that the Lost Children can't be returned to their own time due to paradoxical reasons causing them to be brought to Stargirl's time instead.[12]

#### Wesley Dodds: The Sandman

[edit]

In the 1940s, Sandman battles crime, guided by his prophetic dreams. He occasionally experiences nightmares, such as his father's experiences in World War I, but learns to overcome them. After investigating the theft of his anesthetic gas, Sandman encounters a mysterious evil doppelganger of himself who he dubs Fog. He then defeats him. Then he finds out that Wheeler Vanderlyle was behind what has been happening and manages to defeat him with Vanderlyle being shot by Dian Belmont. After he meets Dian's nephew Sandy Hawkins, Dodds is invited to join the Justice Society.[13]

#### Jay Garrick: The Flash

[edit]

The Flash battles Doctor Elemental while he and his wife Joan struggle with their inability to remember their daughter Judy Garrick, also known as Boom. In flashbacks to 1941, the Justice Society battle robots, Doctor Elemental, and his creation Ro-Bear in Wutach Gorge. In the present, Jay learns that Elemental is Professor Hughes, a scientist who conducted the experiments that gave him his super-speed and created the robots as part of efforts to recreate Jay's powers. Elemental attempts to activate the meta-genes of everyone on Earth before Jay stops him. While hiding in a cave after getting away, Doctor Elemental is approached by a mysterious person.[14]

#### Alan Scott: The Green Lantern

[edit]

Alan Scott is imprisoned in Arkham Asylum for being homosexual. After escaping, he is involved in a train accident that kills his friend Jimmy, encounters the Starheart, and becomes Green Lantern. He then becomes an enemy and occasional ally of Red Lantern (Vladimir Sokov), a Russian soldier who wields an artificial lantern ring.[15]

## Titles

[edit]

### Prelude issues

[edit]

Title  | Issues  | Writers  | Artists  | Debut date  | Conclusion date

|
|
|
|
|

Stargirl Spring Break Special | 1  | Geoff Johns | Todd Nauck
Bryan Hitch
Fred Hembeck | May 25, 2021[16]
Flashpoint Beyond | 0–6  | Geoff Johns
Jeremy Adams
Tim Sheridan  | Eduardo Risso
Xermánico
Mikel Janín  | April 12, 2022[17] | October 18, 2022[18]

### Main issues

[edit]

Title  | Issues  | Writers  | Artists  | Debut date  | Conclusion date

|
|
|
|
|

The New Golden Age | 1  | Geoff Johns | Diego Olortegui
J.P. Mayer
Scott Hanna
Jerry Ordway
Steve Lieber
Todd Nauck
Scott Kolins
Viktor Bogdanovic
Brandon Peterson
Gary Frank | November 7, 2022[1]
Justice Society of America (vol. 4)  | 1–12  | Geoff Johns  | Mikel Janín  | November 29, 2022[1] | October 2, 2024

### Tie-in issues

[edit]

Title  | Issues  | Writers  | Artists  | Debut date  | Conclusion date

|
|
|
|
|

Stargirl: The Lost Children | 1–6  | Geoff Johns | Todd Nauck | November 15, 2022[1] | May 9, 2023[19]
Wesley Dodds: The Sandman | Robert Venditti | Riley Rossmo | October 10, 2023[20] | March 12, 2024
Jay Garrick: The Flash | Jeremy Adams  | Diego Olortegui  | October 17, 2023[20] | April 16, 2024
Alan Scott: The Green Lantern | Tim Sheridan  | Cian Tormey  | October 23, 2023[20] | May 21, 2024

## Critical reception

[edit]

On Comicbook Roundup, The New Golden Age #1 received an average review of 8.1 out of 10 based on 13 reviews,[21] the main The New Golden Age story received an average rating of 7.8 out of 10 based on 76 reviews,[22] and Stargirl: The Lost Children received an average rating of 8.6 based on 59 reviews.[23]

## See also

[edit]

* Golden Age of Comic Books

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "DC Announces The New Golden Age With New JSA, Stargirl Series from Geoff Johns". DC. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
2. ^ McGuire, Liam (2022-11-08). "Geoff Johns Interview - The JSA And The New Golden Age #1". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
3. ^ "Geoff Johns paints DC's New Golden Age line as a great murder mystery bridging the past, present, and future of DC Omniverse". Popverse. 2022-11-11. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
4. ^ "The New Golden Age Adds Three New Series". DC. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
5. ^ Stargirl Spring Break Special #1. DC Comics.
6. ^ Flashpoint Beyond #6. DC Comics.
7. ^ The New Golden Age #1. DC Comics.
8. ^ Justice Society of America Vol. 4 #1. DC Comics.
9. ^ Justice Society of America Vol. 4 #2. DC Comics.
10. ^ Justice Society of America Vol. 4 #3. DC Comics.
11. ^ Justice Society of America Vol. 4 #4 - #12. DC Comics.
12. ^ Stargirl: The Lost Children #1 - #6. DC Comics.
13. ^ Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1 - #6. DC Comics.
14. ^ Jay Garrick: The Flash #1 - #6. DC Comics.
15. ^ Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #1 - #6. DC Comics.
16. ^ "STARGIRL SPRING BREAK SPECIAL #1". DC. 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
17. ^ "FLASHPOINT BEYOND #0". DC. 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
18. ^ Newsarama StaffContributions from Michael Doran (2022-07-22). "All of DC's October 2022 comics and covers revealed". gamesradar. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
19. ^ Mears, Hayden (2023-05-09). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
20. ^ a b c "The New Golden Age Adds Three New Series". DC. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
21. ^ "The New Golden Age (2022) Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
22. ^ "Justice Society of America (2022) Reviews". ComicBookRoundup.com. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
23. ^ "Stargirl: The Lost Children". ComicBookRoundup. Retrieved 15 October 2024.

* v
* t
* e

DC Comics crossover event publication history

1980s|

* "Crisis on Infinite Earths" (April 1985)
* "Legends" (November 1986)
* "Millennium" (January 1988)
* "Invasion!" (January 1989)
* "The Janus Directive" (May 1989)

1990s|

* "Armageddon 2001" (May 1991)
* "War of the Gods" (September 1991)
* "Eclipso: The Darkness Within" (July 1992)
* "The Death of Superman" (October 1992)
* "Bloodlines" (1993)
* "The Children's Crusade" (December 1993)
* "Worlds Collide" (July 1994)
* "End of an Era" (August 1994)
* "Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!" (September 1994)
* "Underworld Unleashed" (November 1995)
* "DC vs. Marvel" (April 1996)
* "The Final Night" (November 1996)
* "Genesis" (October 1997)
* "DC One Million" (November 1998)
* "Day of Judgment" (November 1999)
* "JLApe: Gorilla Warfare!" (1999)

2000s|

* "Our Worlds at War" (August 2001)
* "Joker: Last Laugh" (December 2001)
* "JLA/Avengers" (September 2003)
* "Identity Crisis" (June 2004)
* "Infinite Crisis" (December 2005)
* "Amazons Attack!" (March 2007)
* "Sinestro Corps War" (August 2007)
* "Final Crisis" (July 2008)
* "Blackest Night" (June 2009)

2010s|

* "Brightest Day" (May 2010)
* "Reign of Doomsday" (January 2011)
* "Flashpoint" (May 2011)
* "The Culling" (November 2011)
* "Batman: Night of the Owls" (April 2012)
* "Death of the Family" (October 2012)
* "H'El on Earth" (October 2012)
* "Throne of Atlantis" (November 2012)
* "Wrath of the First Lantern" (February 2013)
* "Batman: Zero Year" (June 2013)
* "Trinity War" (July 2013)
* "Forever Evil" (September 2013)
* "Forever Evil: Blight" (October 2013)
* "The New 52: Futures End" (September 2014)
* "Convergence" (April 2015)
* "Darkseid War" (June 2015)
* "The Button" (April 2017)
* "Dark Nights: Metal" (June 2017)
* "The Lazarus Contract" (July 2017)
* "Doomsday Clock" (November 2017)
* "Milk Wars" (March 2018)
* "Heroes in Crisis" (September 2018)
* "The Terminus Agenda" (March 2019)
* "Year of the Villain" (May 2019)

2020s|

* "Dark Nights: Death Metal" (June 2020)
* "Joker War" (September 2020)
* "Generations" (September 2020)
* "Endless Winter" (December 2020)
* "Future State" (January 2021)
* "Infinite Frontier" (June 2021)
* "Fear State" (August 2021)
* "War for Earth-3" (March 2022)
* "Shadow War" (April 2022)
* "Dark Crisis" (May 2022)
* "The New Golden Age" (November 2022)
* "Lazarus Planet" (January 2023)
* "Knight Terrors" (July 2023)
* "Gotham War" (August 2023)
* "Titans: Beast World" (November 2023)
* "House of Brainiac" (April 2024)
* "Absolute Power" (July 2024)

Launch lines|

| DC Universe|

* DC Explosion/DC Implosion (1978)
* The New 52 (2011–2016)
* DC Rebirth (2016–2017)
* The New Age of DC Heroes (2018–2020)
* New Justice (2018–2021)
* The Sandman Universe (2018–2024)
* Infinite Frontier (2021–2023)
* The New Golden Age (2022–2024)
* Dawn of DC (2023–2024)
* DC All In (2024–)

|

Other continuities|

* Hanna-Barbera Beyond (2016–2019)
* Murphyverse (2017–2023)
* Milestone Returns (2020–2025)
* Absolute Universe (2024–)

* v
* t
* e

Justice Society of America

* Gardner Fox
* Sheldon Mayer

Initial members|

* Atom (Al Pratt)
* Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson)
* Flash (Jay Garrick)
* Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
* Hawkman (Carter Hall)
* Hourman (Rex Tyler)
* Sandman (Wesley Dodds)
* Spectre
* Johnny Thunder and Thunderbolt

Other members|

* Amazing-Man (Markus Clay)
* Atom Smasher
* Batman
* Black Adam
* Black Canary
* Dinah Drake
* Dinah Laurel Lance
* Captain Marvel
* Citizen Steel
* Crimson Avenger
* Cyclone
* Damage
* Doctor Fate (Hector Hall • Kent V. Nelson • Khalid Nassour)
* Doctor Mid-Nite
* Charles McNider
* Beth Chapel
* Pieter Cross
* Dyna-Mite
* Hawkgirl
* Kendra Saunders
* Shiera Sanders Hall
* Hourman
* Matthew Tyler
* Rick Tyler
* Huntress (Helena Wayne)
* Jade
* Jakeem Thunder
* Jesse Quick/Liberty Belle
* Judomaster (Sonia Sato)
* King Chimera
* Liberty Belle
* Lightning
* Magog
* Manhunter (Kate Spencer)
* Miss America
* Mister America (Jeffrey Graves)
* Mister Terrific
* Michael Holt
* Terry Sloane
* Obsidian
* Power Girl
* Red Tornado
* John Smith
* Ma Hunkel
* Robin
* Sandman (Sandy Hawkins)
* Star-Spangled Kid (Sylvester Pemberton)
* Stargirl
* Starman
* Jack Knight
* Ted Knight
* Thom Kallor
* S.T.R.I.P.E.
* Superman
* Kal-El of Earth-22
* Kal-L of Earth-2
* Wildcat
* Ted Grant
* Yolanda Montez
* Tom Bronson
* Wonder Woman
* Diana of Earth-2
* Hippolyta

Enemies|

| Golden Age|

* Black Dragon Society
* Evil Star
* Injustice Society of the World
* Brain Wave
* Fiddler
* Gambler
* Harlequin
* Huntress
* Icicle
* Per Degaton
* Shade
* Solomon Grundy
* Sportsmaster
* Thinker
* Vandal Savage
* Wizard
* Psycho-Pirate
* Ultra-Humanite
* Wotan

|

Silver and Bronze Ages|

* Baron Blitzkrieg
* Darkseid
* Crime Syndicate of America
* Epoch
* Eclipso
* King Kull
* Kobra
* Kung
* Mordru
* Nebula Man
* Secret Society of Super Villains
* Spirit King
* Stalker
* T. O. Morrow

Modern Age|

* Anti-Monitor
* Atomic Skull
* Axis Amerika
* Black Adam
* Blackbriar Thorn
* Cheetah
* Crime Doctor
* Doctor Destiny
* Doctor Polaris
* Extant
* Felix Faust
* General Wade Eiling
* Gentleman Ghost
* Gog
* Hugo Danner
* Isis
* Kulak
* Major Force
* Mammoth
* Mekanique
* Mirror Master
* Roulette
* Sabbac
* Zoom

Related teams|

* All-Star Squadron
* Freedom Fighters
* Infinity, Inc.
* Justice League
* Seven Soldiers of Victory
* Squadron of Justice
* Young All-Stars

Storylines|

* America vs. the Justice Society
* The Justice Society Returns
* The Lightning Saga
* Brightest Day

Publications|

* All Star Comics
* America vs. the Justice Society
* Last Days of the Justice Society of America
* DC Comics Two Thousand
* Earth 2
* The New Golden Age

Related articles|

* Earth-Two
* List of Justice Society titles

In other media|

* Justice League: The New Frontier
* Smallville
* Absolute Justice
* Young Justice
* Legends of Tomorrow
* Stargirl
* Justice Society: World War II
* Black Adam

* v
* t
* e

Stargirl

Creators|

* Geoff Johns
* Lee Moder
* David S. Goyer

Supporting characters|

* Justice Society of America
* Shining Knight
* Starman
* S.T.R.I.P.E.

Enemies|

* Black Adam
* Brainwave
* Dragon King
* Dummy
* Harlequin
* Icicle
* Injustice Society
* Johnny Sorrow
* Klarion
* Kobra
* Nebula Man
* Royal Flush Gang
* Shadow Thief
* Solomon Grundy
* Spider
* Tigress

Publications|

* Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.
* The New Golden Age

In other media|

* Justice League Action
* Justice League Unlimited
* Stargirl
* characters

* v
* t
* e

Watchmen

Created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

Comics|

* Watchmen
* Before Watchmen
* Doomsday Clock ("The Button")
* Dark Nights: Death Metal
* Rorschach
* Flashpoint Beyond

Characters|

* Comedian
* Doctor Manhattan
* Nite Owl
* Rorschach
* Silk Spectre
* Adrian Veidt
* Doomsday Clock characters

Adaptations|

| Films|

* Watchmen (2009)
* production
* soundtrack
* score
* Watchmen (2024)

|

TV series|

* Watchmen (2019)
* "It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice"
* "Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship"
* "She Was Killed by Space Junk"
* "If You Don't Like My Story, Write Your Own"
* "Little Fear of Lightning"
* "This Extraordinary Being"
* "An Almost Religious Awe"
* "A God Walks into Abar"
* "See How They Fly"
* soundtrack

Other media|

* Who Watches the Watchmen? (1987)
* Watchmen: Motion Comic (2008–2009)
* Watchmen: The End Is Nigh (2009)

Parodies|

* Saturday Morning Watchmen
* Watchmensch

See also|

* Charlton Comics
* Blue Beetle
* Captain Atom
* Mr. A
* Nightshade
* Peacemaker
* Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt
* Punch and Jewelee
* Question
* DC Rebirth
* The New Golden Age

* Category

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