“Stargirl” is written and executive produced by Geoff Johns who spent many years as a writer with DC. He created the character of Star Girl and reinvigorated the Justice Society. At its very core the Justice Society is legacy stories. With strong characters passing their powers, wisdom, knowledge to the next generation. That theme is exactly what the show uses as its cornerstone.
The show features Courtney Whitmore who accidentally discovers the Cosmic Staff which belonged to the original Starman. The staff comes alive in her hands and after finding her stepfather’s files on the JSA decides to assume the mantle (played by Brec Bassinger). Pat Dugan is Courtney’s stepdad and was also Stripsey, Starman’s sidekick, and a friend plus an honorary member of the JSA. He becomes her reluctant member and eventual team coach using a hefty mecha suit named S.T.R.I.P.E. (played by Luke Wilson). Yolanda Montez a teen at Blue Valley with exceptional talents I’m boxing who suffered a personal social media tragedy that left her isolated. Courtney asks her for help in rebuilding the JSA and presents to her the Wildcat costume (played by Yvette Montreal). Beth Chapel is the classic brilliant nerd shunned by her peers and quite comfortable being alone. When she is approached by Courtney she is given the goggles of Doctor Midnite (played by Anjelika Washington). Rick Tyler who is the son of Rex Tyler the original Hourman. Losing his parents in a car crash he is an outsider with anger management issues. Courtney gifts him the hourglass that once imbued his father with super strength for 1 full hour once a day (played by Cameron Gellman).
As the show advances Courtney presses to learn more from her stepdad, Pat. His reluctance is obviously rooted in his concern for her safety but no one can deny the Cosmic Staff in her possession is again alive and powered. After a run-in with a former Injustice member, Brainwave, Courtney, and Pat realize that Blue Valley the town they live in is harboring more Injustice Society secrets.
The show ramps up from there as Courtney is taken to the former JSA headquarters and sees first hand the legacy of those fallen heroes. From there she, against Pat’s knowledge, ransacks the headquarters of all the costumes and begins to build her own JSA.
Geoff Johns handles the JSA with great reverence, as he did in the comics, and it is carried over onto every aspect of the show. Pat constantly expresses his respect and admiration for the members of the JSA and never loses an opportunity to speak highly of any team member who comes up in conversation. That respect is passed down through to the kids carrying their legacy forward. They each feel a tremendous amount of respect and responsibility for the mantles they bear. Especially Courtney, who believes her biological father was indeed the original Starman.
The villains on display here are the actual villains used in the comics when the JSA first debuted. Villains like Icicle, Solomon Grundy, The Wizard, Tigress, Sportsmaster to name a few. Geoff has done a great job bringing these characters from the Golden age of comics and move them closer in the timeline so they are just a generation away from Courtney and her friends. He has also made every attempt to fill episodes with fantastic Easter eggs.
Johns said, “There’s nothing that’s a throwaway mention, there’s nothing that’s a throwaway prop, there’s nothing that’s a throwaway anything. It might not be something we get to immediately, but it’s something we have plans for.”
We have seen the original Flash’s helmet, the Green Lantern’s lantern, even the pen of Johnny Thunder which houses a power fifth-dimensional imp! As a comics geek to nth degree, this show feeds you more and more tidbits to chew on in just a few episodes that some shows have in a whole season.
Sure there is superhero mayhem and yes it is mixed in with teen angst-driven drama but it’s woven together so perfectly that the characters are given a chance to develop and grow. The world is given gravitas and weight to it. The JSA is given the honor and respect they are due; all of which serve to create a full world that’s a treat to dive into once a week.
Passing on the wisdom of the older generation to the younger isn’t always well received. It’s of times one of the hardest hurdles in a societal dynamic. “Stargirl” presents it as their secret weapon. When the battles have been fought and the JSA wins it will be because of what has been passed down to them, not in spite of it.
