THE ORIGINAL JUSTICE SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP TOUR

The Justice Society of America holds the distinction of being the first superhero "group" or "team" ever published in comic books.  Their first appearance was in All-Star Comics #3 (January 1941).  The team's adventures were published through the end of the DC Golden Age, with their last adventure published in February 1951.   

When DC's Silver Age began in 1956, it wasn't long before the Justice Society made a grand return!  In this tour, we will look at all the Justice Society of America members from the team's debut through the publication of DC's Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi-series, which forever altered the Society's continuity.

Before we begin with the character entries, let's have a quick breakdown of when the adventures of the Justice Society of America were published.

* All-Star Comics #3 (Dec. 1940) through All-Star Comics #57 (Feb. 1951).

The team was reintroduced to Silver Age DC readers in 1963.  They were shown to reside on an alternate Earth which was given the name Earth-Two.  Based on the popular reader response, they would team with the Justice League annually in their title.

* Once a year beginning in Justice League of America #21 (Aug. 1963) through #244 (Nov. 1985).

When the JSA was guest-starring with the League, DC gave them another shot at their own title.  All-Star Comics was revived.

* All-Star Comics #58 (Feb. 1976) through All-Star Comics #74 (Oct. 1978).

When All-Star Comics was canceled a second time, the Justice Society was given a short stint in the anthology series, Adventure Comics.

* Adventure Comics #461 (Feb. 1979) through Adventure Comics #466 (Dec. 1979).

As previously noted, after the events of the 1985 Crisis on Infinite Earths (COIE) maxi-series, the history of the Justice Society would be forever altered, erased, molded, or modified... ad nauseam.  The curse of being characters originally published during World War II trying to be relevant to readers 80 years later!

So, without any more interruptions... let's take a look at the members of the original Justice Society of America!  Each entry will feature a grid highlighting each hero's participation in the team's published tales.  

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ATOM

Real Name: Al Pratt

First Appearance: All-American Comics #19 (October 1940)

Created by: Bill O'Connor and Ben Flinton

Al Pratt was a 5' 1" college student who trained his body to peak performance. He donned a mask and cape and fought evildoers as the Atom. His solo adventures would continue being published through 1949. In 1948 he gained “atomic strength” and adopted a new costume. At the time no explanation was given for the new powers.

Atom was one of the eight founding members of the Justice Society of America. He appeared in almost every issue of their original run in All-Star Comics from 1940 to 1951. His post-Golden Age participation with the team was sporadic.

SANDMAN

Real Name: Wesley Dodds

First Appearance: New York's Worlds Fair Comics #1 (April 1939)

Created by: Gardner Fox and Bert Christman

The Sandman has no powers, but he employs a gun that emits gasses that sedate the criminals he fights. His solo adventures continued through 1946. Originally clad in a business suit, fedora, and gas mask, he would eventually don a more typical superhero costume with a color scheme of gold and purple, and he acquired a kid sidekick named Sandy.

Though he was an original member of the team, he only appeared in their first nineteen adventures, his final appearance was in All-Star Comics #21 (1944). It would be twenty years before he would be seen again as a member of the Justice Society. When he returned he was back in his original costume. His final Justice Society adventure was the JSA/JLA team-up that appears in Justice League of America (vol. 1) #113… when readers would find out the tragic fate of his former sidekick, Sandy.

SPECTRE

Real Name: Jim Corrigan

First Appearance: More Fun Comics #52 (April 1939)

Created by: Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily

The Spectre a divine entity sent to Earth to dole out vengeance on behalf of "The Presence". He resides in the body of slain detective, Jim Corrigan. His participation with the Justice Society ended around the same time his solo adventures stopped being published in More Fun Comics (1944)

He appeared in only a handful of JLA/JSA team-ups, typically featured as a deus ex machina, given that the powers at his disposal were seemingly endless.

Unlike most of his Justice Society teammates, the Spectre had a popular solo career after the Golden Age. He had a run in Adventure Comics in 1974/75, and then had two volumes of his own title. The first was published from 1987 to 1989, and the second was published from 1992 to 1998.

FLASH

Real Name: Jay Garrett

First Appearance: Flash Comics #1 (January 1940)

Created by: Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert

DC's original super-speedster is one of the eight founding members of the Justice Society. Flash would be mostly absent from JSA stories printed in 1942 through 1944. After this absence, he would serve as a full-time member through 1951 when All-Star Comics was initially cancelled.

In the 1961 Gardner Fox penned tale, "The Flash of Two Worlds", readers discover that this original Flash (along with his JSA pals) exists on a second parallel Earth (The Flash #123). With this tale, the DC multiverse is born! Before long, Jay and several other members of the Justice Society turned up in Justice League of America #21 (August 1961). This pairing of super-teams proved so popular that it continued annually for decades.

Though Jay would not headline his own title again, he was given a much deserved high profile supporting role beginning in 1993 in the second volume of The Flash, which featured Wally West taking over the role of Flash.

HAWKMAN

Real Name: Carter Hall

First Appearance: Flash Comics #1 (January 1940)

Created by: Gardner Fox and Dennis Neville

Hawkman can fly, thanks to the employment of a special "Nth Metal" and his costume wings. This original Hawkman was the reincarnated Prince Khafu of Egypt. He would be one of the first superheroes to have a female counterpart. His girlfriend Shiera Sanders (the reincarnated consort of Prince Khafu, Chay-Ara) donned a costume and began operating as Hawkgirl in All-Star Comics #5 (1941).

Hawkman was the only member of the Justice Society to appear in every issue of the JSA's original run of stories in All-Star Comics (#3 through #57). He was also a very active JSA member in the JLA/JSA team-ups, and he appeared in all but one issue of All-Star Comics' second iteration (#58 through #74) in the latter 1970s.

DR. FATE

Real Name: Kent Nelson

First Appearance: More Fun Comics #55 (May 1940)

Created by: Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman

Dr. Fate is a sorcerer trained by Nabu, a Lord of Order. Mystical artifacts he employs in his sorcery include his helmet, amulet, and cloak. His solo adventures continued through More Fun Comics #98 (1944). Dr. Fate was included in the original roster for the Justice Society of America. His tenure in the group would last as long as his solo adventures, which concluded in 1944.

Dr. Fate was a popular character in the annual JLA/JSA team-ups. The character has had several mini-series and runs as a backup feature at various times since the COIE. In more recent years various people, other than Kent Nelson, have taken over the role of Dr. Fate.

GREEN LANTERN

Real Name: Alan Scott

First Appearance: All-American Comics #16 (July 1940)

Created by: Martin Nodell and Bill Finger

Green Lantern possesses an ancient ring that allows him to create seemingly limitless formations that originate within his imagination. The ring's green formations have one weakness, they can't affect wood. Green Lantern was a founding member of the team. Oddly, he was noted as being the team's second chairman in All-Star Comics #7, and then would only appear in 3 of the next 16 issues! Beginning in All-Star Comics #24 he began appearing in every issue through the title's cancellation.

The Golden Age Green Lantern proved popular enough with readers to be rewarded his own title. The first volume of Green Lantern enjoyed a 38-issue run from 1941 through 1949. He would also continue to headline All-American Comics through 1948 (#98), and appear in JSA adventures in All-Star Comics through 1951 (#57).

This Green Lantern appeared in many of the JLA/JSA annual crossover events and appeared in every issue of All-Star Comics during its 1970s revival.

HOURMAN Real Name: Rex Tyler First Appearance: Adventure Comics #48 (March 1940) Created by: Ken Fitch and Barnard Baily

Hourman rounds out the original membership from the Justice Society's first story. Rex Tyler was a scientist who created a pill he called "miraclo". This pill would grant him superhuman strength and increased speed for an hour. As Hourman, he would keep the pills in a small hourglass that hung around his neck. Hourman's tenure with the Justice Society was short-lived, lasting just 5 issues. While his tenure with the JSA ended in 1941, the publication of his solo adventures in Adventure Comics would continue through 1943.

Even though his golden age JSA membership was only 5 issues long, Hourman would be a popular JSA character in the annual JLA/JSA crossover events that commenced in 1963.

JOHNNY THUNDER AND THUNDERBOLT Real Name: Johnny Thunder and Yz First Appearance: Flash Comics #1 (March 1940) Created by: John Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier

Johnny Thunder and Thunderbolt were first introduced in Flash Comics #1 in 1940. Later that year they also began appearing in All-Star Comics as a backup feature, independent of the Justice Society adventures in the same title. Because of the luck associated with his date of birth (there were a lot of 7s in the dates and time!), Johnny is granted possession of a lightning-shaped genie from whom Johnny can request magical assistance. Johnny was a more light-hearted character than the members of the Justice Society. Though he was a guest at the first gathering of the Society in All-Star Comics #3, it wasn't until All-Star Comics #6 that the JSA put Johnny Thunder through an initiation that resulted in his formal membership on the team.

Johnny and Thunderbolt's solo adventures in Flash Comics and his adventures with the JSA would continue through early 1948.

DOCTOR MID-NITE Real Name: Charles McNider First Appearance: All-American Comics #25 (April 1941) Created by: John Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier

Dr. Mid-Nite joined the Justice Society in All-Star Comics #8 (January 1942). Dr. Charles McNider was a surgeon who was exposed to a grenade blast. Following that incident, Charles was only able to see in complete darkness. He created special goggles that allowed him to continue to see in the daylight. He became Dr. Mid-Nite, a hero able to use the dark of night along with the help of special blackout bombs to turn his blindness into an asset in fighting crime. In many of his adventures, he was accompanied by a sidekick owl named Hooty (or Hootie).
Dr. Mid-Nite's arrival on the team followed Hourman's departure. Dr. Mid-Nite remained with the team through the end of their original run in All-Star Comics and on to many of their crossover adventures with the JLA.

STARMAN

Real Name: Ted Knight First Appearance: Adventure Comics #61 (April 1941) Created by: Gardner Fox and Jack Burnley

Ted Knight developed the "cosmic rod" (originally called a gravity rod), that gave him the ability to fly and manipulate energy. Debuting in 1941, his solo adventures continued in Adventure Comics through #102 in 1946.

Ted's membership in the Justice Society begins in All-Star Comics #8. He joins alongside Dr. Mid-Nite, but unlike Mid-Nite, his tenure would last only 16 issues. Starman's time in the Justice Society coincided with the 16 issues when Flash was temporarily bumped to honorary status and did not appear. When Flash returned in All-Star Comics #24, Starman was no longer featured on the team.

Starman would pop up again when the JSA began their yearly team-ups with the JLA.

WONDER WOMAN

Real Name: Princess Diana / Diana Prince First Appearance: All-Star Comics #8 (January 1942) Created by: William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter

Wonder Woman made her debut in 1941 (cover-dated 1942) and in January of 1942 she began headlining Sensation Comics and by July 1942 she would also be awarded her own ongoing self-titled series. Wonder Woman was Princess Diana of Paradise Island, a hidden island where only female Amazons resided. All the Amazons trained to achieve super strength, speed, and agility. Diana left the island and began a career as the superhero, Wonder Woman, in the United States.

The Justice Society had originally been intended by DC Comics to feature characters who did not have their own titles. This is why Batman and Superman were only honorary members of the team and why they rarely appeared. With Wonder Woman, an exception was made. Even though she appeared in two other titles, she was given membership and regular appearances in the JSA stories in All-Star Comics. This would begin in All-Star Comics #11 (June 1942). However, her role with the group was originally relegated to only being the team's "secretary", recording the adventures of the male members. An extremely misogynist compromise by today's standards. Within a few years, she would begin actively participating in the team's adventures and be an active member of the Justice Society.

This Golden Age Wonder Woman had a resurgence with the team and she was featured heavily in JLA/JSA crossover adventures during the late 1960s and early 1970s when the Silver Age Wonder Woman lost her powers and resigned from the Justice League.

MR. TERRIFIC

Real Name: Terry Sloan First Appearance: Sensation Comics #1 (January 1942) Created by: William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter

Mr. Terrific, the Man of 1,000 Talents, was a master of martial arts, an Olympic-level athlete, possessed a photographic memory, and was independently wealthy. He chose to wear a costume and fight crime as Mr. Terrific. His solo adventures continued through 1947. In addition to being a masked hero, he created the Fair Play Club to reduce juvenile delinquency.

Mr. Terrific appeared in only one adventure with the Justice Society during their initial run in All-Star Comics, yet he turned up several times during the annual JLA/JSA crossovers. Mr. Terrific was killed by his nemesis, the Spirit King, in Justice League of America #171 (1979).

WILDCAT

Real Name: Ted Grant First Appearance: Sensation Comics #1 (January 1942) Created by: Bill Finger and Irwin Hasen

Ted Grant was a heavyweight boxing champion framed for a murder. He disguised himself as Wildcat while working to clear his name. Once he accomplished that, he decided to continue fighting injustice as Wildcat. He mastered many additional forms of physical combat and later helped train other up-and-coming costumed heroes. His solo adventures in Sensation Comics continued through 1949.

Wildcat appeared in only two issues of the team's Golden Age run in All-Star Comics. He was substantially more active when the JSA/JLA cross-overs began and in later iterations of the team. His gruff and chauvinistic nature was often at odds with many of the team's newer and more progressive members.

BLACK CANARY

Real Name: Dinah Drake First Appearance: Flash Comics #86 (August 1947) Created by: Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino

Black Canary started out as a supporting character in Johnny Thunder's solo tales. She proved to be popular enough to earn her own solo tales in Flash Comics which ran from 1947 through 1949 when the title was canceled. She is a non-powered crime fighter who excels in hand-to-hand combat.

She teamed with the JSA in All-Star Comics #38 through #40 but was not formally inducted into the team until All-Star Comics #41 (1948). She would be the final hero to join the team during its Golden Age publications.

Black Canary participated in many of the early JLA/JSA crossover adventures. She moved from Earth-Two to Earth-One in 1969 and joined the Justice League of America (replacing Wonder Woman who had lost her powers). Subsequent storylines would reveal that the Black Canary who moved to Earth-One was really the (hitherto unknown) daughter of the Golden Age Black Canary. This will be covered in a future Eggman Tour!

ROBIN

Real Name: Dick Grayson First Appearance: Detective Comics #38 (April 1940) Created by: Bob Kane and Bill Finger

After Black Canary, it would be 19 years before a new member would be added to the Justice Society of America. In Justice League of America #55, Robin, the former Boy Wonder, is admitted to the team. He is the first member admitted to the Justice Society since their return in the DC Silver Age.

During the Golden Age, Robin had a long string of solo adventures in Star Spangled Comics, beginning in #65 (1947) through #130 (1952). He also regularly appeared in Detective Comics, Batman, and World's Finest Comics. In the first Justice Society gathering (1940) Atom references Robin, so it is obvious that Earth-Two had a Robin. But, because there was no definitive split between the Golden Age and Silver Age Robins, many comic historians consider Justice League of America #55 as the first appearance of Robin of Earth-Two.

RED TORNADO

Real Name: John Smith First Appearance: Justice League of America #64 (August 1968) Created by: Gardner Fox and Dick Dillin

The android version of Red Tornado is created and programmed to believe he is the original Red Tornado (Ma Hunkel) who debuted in All-American Comics #3 in 1939. (This was a bit odd given that the android indentified itself as male, while the original Red Tornado was female!) Red Tornado can create air currents and cyclone winds using various parts of his body, typically from the waist down or projected from his arms. His abilities also enable him to fly.

By the end of his debut story, this new Red Tornado is offered full membership to the Justice Society. He holds the distinction of participating in the smallest number of adventures with the team. After his 4th outing with them, he is believed to have been blown up defeating an Earth-Two threat created by the Nebula Man. It was eventually revealed that he had been transported to Earth-One. He chose to stay there and he joined the Justice League of America.

SUPERMAN

Real Name: Kal-L / Clark Kent First Appearance: Action Comics #61 (June 1938) Created by: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Superman was an honorary member of the Justice Society from its inception. His honorary status was confirmed with two appearances with the team in their initial All-Star Comics adventures in issues #7 and #36. Superman is a baby named Kal-L from the planet Krypton. He was rocketed to Earth as an infant. He was raised by an Earthborn couple and was named Clark Kent. After growing up, he got a job as a reporter at the Daily Star newspaper. He possesses super strength, speed, and agility. He also has invulnerability and can fly.

When the JSA began their yearly team-ups with the JLA in 1963, Superman eventually served as an active member of the team. He participated in many cross-over events and on into the revival of the All-Star Comics title in the 1970s.

BATMAN

Real Name: Bruce Wayne First Appearance: Detective Comics #27 (May 1939) Created by: Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Like Superman, Batman was originally only an honorary member of the JSA, appearing just twice in the team's original Golden Age tales in All-Star Comics.

Batman is the world's greatest detective and has trained his body to Olympic-level performance. He's a master at most forms of hand-to-hand combat. He fights crime using his physical prowess, wits, and an array of custom gadgets.

When the JSA began their yearly team-ups with the JLA, Batman was said to be in semi-retirement as a hero, but his membership in the team was confirmed in Justice League of America #82 (1970). He had only one major role in any crossover adventure. It was in Justice League of America #135 - 137 (1976).

As Bruce Wayne, he later became the Commissioner of the Gotham City Police. He continued to appear when the All-Star Comics was briefly revived in the 1970s. He was murdered in Adventure Comics #462 (1979).

STAR-SPANGLED KID

Real Name: Sylvester Pemberton First Appearance: Star-Spangled Comics #1 (October 1941) Created by: Jerry Siegel and Hal Sherman

Star-Spangled Kid was a unique superhero because he was a kid with an adult sidekick (Stripesy). Originally he had no superpowers, but was skilled at hand-to-hand combat and was a well-trained athlete. His adventures with Stripesy were published regularly from 1941 through 1948. He and Stripesy were also members of a team of heroes known as The Seven Soldiers of Victory. Their adventures appeared in Leading Comics from 1941 through 1945.

Star-Spangled Kid's first interaction with the Justice Society was during the JSA/JLA crossover in Justice League of America #100 through #102 (1972). He would officially join the Justice Society in All-Star Comics #58 in 1976. When he joined the team he had been bequeathed Starman's cosmic rod. He converted it into a cosmic belt. This enabled him to fly, shoot energy blasts, and create objects of solid light.

POWER GIRL

Real Name: Kara Zor-L / Karen Starr First Appearance: All-Star Comics #58 (February 1976) Created by: Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada, and Wally Wood

Power Girl is the Kryptonian cousin of the Earth-Two Superman. Her rocket left the Krypton-Two at the same time as her cousin, but it went off course. She grew up in suspended animation, arriving on Earth (Two) as an adult. Like her cousin, under a yellow sun she gains super-enhanced speed, strength, and agility. She is invulnerable and can fly. She is depicted as being older than her Earth-One counterpart, Supergirl. Power Girl became a fan-favorite character and remained with the Justice Society up to the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths.

HUNTRESS

Real Name: Helena Wayne First Appearance: Star-Spangled Comics #1 (October 1941) Created by: Jerry Siegel and Hal Sherman

The Huntress debuted simultaneously in All-Star Comics #69 and in DC Super Stars #17 (the latter providing her origin). Helena Wayne was the daughter of Earth-2 Batman and Earth-2 Catwoman.

She was the second character to use the name Huntress. The original Huntress was Paula Brooks, a villainess and a member of the Injustice Society of America. She first appeared in 1947. Her name was later retroactively changed to Tigress.

Huntress served as a member of the Justice Society through the end of their original incarnation.

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Well, there you have it! The twenty-two superheroes who had the honor of being members of the very first superhero team in history. Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, many of the Earth-Two heroes would be given revised histories or new code names. The Justice Society would go to have several revised incarnations. Certainly worthy of another tour on another day!

The Justice Society of America and all related characters, names, and elements and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of DC Comics, Inc.