Justice Society of America

The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a team of fictional superheroes whose adventures have been published by DC Comics. They're the first such superhero team in comic book history.

The Golden Age

The JSA first appeared in All-Star Comics #3 (Winter 1940), during what is now called the Golden Age, and was essentially a sales gimmick, featuring several characters from various DC Comics publications in order to increase their exposure. There was a rule for the first few years of the group's history that whenever a member received his own title, he would leave the book. Thus, The Flash left after #6 (August-September 1941), Green Lantern after #7 (October-November 1941), and so forth. Superman and Batman were never full members, but were "honorary" members and appeared in a handful of issues.

Related Topics:
All-Star Comics - 1940 - Golden Age - The Flash - 1941 - Green Lantern - Superman - Batman

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All-Star Comics is also notable for featuring the first appearance of Wonder Woman, in #8 (December 1941-January 1942). Unlike the other characters who had their own titles, she was allowed to appear in the book, but only as the JSA's secretary, and did not actively take part in most adventures until much later in the series (a fact sometimes seen as chauvinistic today by those unfamiliar with the restriction on characters who have their own titles).

Related Topics:
Wonder Woman - 1942 - Chauvinistic

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The early JSA adventures were written by Gardner F. Fox and illustrated by a legion of artists including Sheldon Moldoff, Jack Burnley, Jack Kirby and Joe Kubert. The first JSA story featured the team's first meeting, a framing sequence for each member telling a story of an individual exploit. In the next issue, the team worked together on a common case, but each story from there on still featured the members individually on a mission involving part of the case, and then banding together in the end to wrap things up.

Related Topics:
Gardner F. Fox - Sheldon Moldoff - Jack Burnley - Jack Kirby - Joe Kubert

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By All-Star Comics #24 (Spring 1945), a real-world schism between DC Comics and its affiliate, All-American Comics, occurred so that no DC heroes would appear for a time. As a result, Flash and Green Lantern rejoined, and other heroes departed. The two companies would eventually merge, but the JSA roster would remain mostly the same for the rest of the series.

Related Topics:
1945 - All-American Comics

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All-Star Comics and the Golden Age adventures of the JSA ended with #57 (February-March 1951), the title becoming All-Star Western and not featuring any superheroes. While Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman continued to have their own adventures, most of the characters lay dormant for several years during the slump in comic book popularity in the 1950s.

Related Topics:
1951 - 1950s

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Golden Age Members

In order of appearance, and including issues of All-Star Comics in which each member appeared.

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• Flash (#3-7, 10, 24-57)
• Green Lantern (#3-7, 10, 24-57)
• Hawkman (#3-57)
• Sandman (#3-21)
• Spectre (#3-23)
• Doctor Fate (#3-12, 14-21)
• Hourman (#3-7)
• Atom (#3-26, 28-35, 37-57)
• Johnny Thunder and his Thunderbolt (#3-4, 6-35, 37-39)
• Superman (#7, 36)
• Batman (#7, 36)
• Doctor Mid-Nite (#8-57)
• Starman (#8-23)
• Wonder Woman (#11-22, 24-57; plus non-JSA origin story in #8)
• Mister Terrific (#24)
• Wildcat (#24, 27)
• Black Canary (#38-57)

The Red Tornado (#3) - although sometimes depicted as a member, was never granted official membership.

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