Joshua, John :: Golden Age Gallery

Justice Society Of America, circa 1942 - from an unused back cover design for DC 2000

Artist: Val Semieks (All)

4 Comments - 926 Views - 7 Likes

Justice Society Of America, circa 1942 - from an unused back cover design for DC 2000 Comic Art

Additional Images:

Original (c.1999/2000) layout, from Val's sketchbook

Thumbnail, with added characters

Rough (!) pencils

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Artwork Details

Title:	Justice Society Of America, circa 1942 - from an unused back cover design for DC 2000
Artist:	Val Semieks (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Commission
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	926
Likes on CAF:	7 8
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	4
Added to Site:	4/18/2022
Comic Art Archive:

Description

A new commission - from artist Val Semeiks - and there's a bit of a back-story to this one.

In February this year I spotted that Val had posted some material from his sketchbook on his website, including some character sketches from the DC 2000 series - as well as a proposed layout for the back cover design, which unfortunately went unused. This gave me an idea, so I dropped Val a line to see if he'd be happy to revisit it - and luckily he was.

The orginal layout had a couple of placeholder figures, so I asked Val to add in the Golden Age Wonder Woman and Johnny Thunder, neither of whom appear in DC 2000, but who are the logical "missing" JSA members for a story set in 1942. Val was also kind enough to take my "if there's a way to fit Johnny's Thunderbolt in as well, that'd be great" request on board - and I think that Johnny and his T-Bolt are probably my favourite part of this!

(Just to forestall any nitpicking - yes, I *know* Hawkgirl wasn't strictly a part of the JSA in 1942, but she played a role in the DC 2000 series, so I wanted to keep her in, and she gave a nice balance to the Wonder Woman figure at top right. And no, I didn't "forget" Wildcat, Mr Terrific or Black Canary - or honorary members Batman and Superman - I made a conscious decision to use these specific characters.)

It's rare I get commissions which aren't full covers, including logos etc, and/or aren't adapted from existing published covers - but I think this one has come out superbly. Hope you agree!

PS: I think I owe Brian Philbin a hat-tip, as I'm fairly sure that the central logo is his work - the eagle-and-shield are from All-Star Comics #4, and the JSA wording is from the Strazewski/Parobeck series, but I think it was Brian who digitally combined them - and when I found it online it seemed to be the perfect centrepiece for this commission.

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About the Owner

	John Joshua
Joined:	May 2015
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED KINGDOM
On CAF:	John's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 4/18/2022

A fantastic image that commemorates the JSA and the greatness of all their members for all time.

Bill C
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 4/18/2022

Stunning!

Van C
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 4/18/2022

Brilliant!!!

Arthur Chertowsky
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 5/14/2022

Great story behind the creation of the art. The art itself is a wonder to behold! Johnny Thunder and Thunderbolt are indeed a highlight of the piece.

All
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	Mike Humphrey 9/6/2025 7:22:00 PM
	Chris Johnson 9/6/2025 7:02:00 PM
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