Warning: Spoilers for Jenny Sparks #5!Even theJustice Leagueneeds to be put in check sometimes. It’s the same kind of sentiment that applies to the famous tagline of old, “Who watches the Watchmen?”. The Justice League are gods with endless power who sit at the top of DC’s hierarchy, but even they are capable of going too far. At the end of today, who stops the Justice League from going too far?
If any superhero has the authority to police the Justice League, it’s Jenny Sparks.Jenny Sparks#5 by Tom King, Jeff Spokes, and Clayton Cowles firmly establishes the former Authority leader as a JLA member. Superman and Batman recruit her with that exact intention in mind. It could be argued thatJenny Sparks should join the Justice League, but this issue confirms that Sparks is, in fact, an official member which changes DC Comics lore forever.
Jenny Sparks is Confirmed to Be in the Justice League
Specifically to Police the Superheroes
Throughout the Jenny Sparks series, the title character has been working side-by-side with the Justice League to defend the planet from aformer League member turned villain, Captain Atom. During their alliance,Jenny took down everyone from Batmanto everyone else in the JLA without consequences or even an argument. A flashback explains why as the story goes back to August 21, 2025, just a few hours after the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election was decided. It was alsothe day that Jenny Sparks was asked to join the Justice League.
Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne (disguised as Matches Malone) track Jenny Sparks down to a bar with a unique offer. As Batman explains, events in history have become more “unpredictable,” and, under these circumstances,“a role now needs to be established for these current circumstances.” Once the World’s Finest are delighted to learn Jenny Sparks is willing and able to kill them in a worst-case scenario, an offer is put on the table which Jenny accepts. They want her to “police the superheroes, including [them]” as a “one-woman Super-Internal Affairs.”
How Does Jenny Sparks' Justice League Induction Change DC Lore Forever?
It Upgrades Her Power Level and Creates a Necessary JLA Role
Every Justice League member has a role to fill, and Jenny Sparks' role instantly ranks as among the most important.
Beyond showcasing an Authority member becoming a Justice Leaguer, there are multiple reasons why her induction is huge news for the DC Universe. For starters,it establishes Jenny Sparks as far more powerful than some readers may have originally perceived her to be. She’s always had the spunk and attitude to neutralize anyone in her path, but the fact she’s been confirmed to actually been capable of killing Batman and Superman (especially the practically immortal Superman) shows how powerful she truly is.
In addition,it establishes a specific role for someone to fill within the Justice League. It’s no different fromBlack Lightning being their problem solverorthe Martian Manhunter being its peacemaker. Every Justice League member has a role to fill, and Jenny Sparks' role instantly ranks among the most important. Sparks may not always fill that role on the team (although shecould, as long as she remains immortal and a member), but this issue establishes theJustice Leagueneeds a member who reminds them of who they are when they’ve forgotten their mission before someone goes turncoat like Captain Atom.
Jenny Sparks#5 is on sale now from DC Comics
