JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA 337
Speedy), the new version of Firestorm, and Black Lightning who had once turned down
membership in the original JLA. As of this writing, the team may be splitting again
with either multiple teams or yet another reforming planned.
Th e JLA has also appeared in other media, especially animated television. Th eir
fi rst appearance was in several episodes of 1967’s Superman/Batman Hour of Adven-
ture, which primarily focused on individual heroes. While they were only occasionally
referred to as the JLA, the team starred in the various incarnations of Th e Superfriends
(1973). Th eir own self-titled cartoon Justice League began in 2001 on the Cartoon
Network and featured a team made up of Superman, Batman (with continuity from
both of their 1990s programs), Wonder Woman, the Wally West Flash, the John
Stewart Green Lantern, Th e Martian Manhunter, and Hawkwoman. In the third sea-
son the show changed to Justice League Unlimited and added dozens of heroes from
the DC universe, including various secondary characters (including members from the
“Detroit” era. Th ey also appear in the direct-to-DVD Justice League: Th e New Frontier
which adapted the comic book limited series. Th e league was also introduced in the
later seasons of the 2004 –8 series Th e Batman.
Th ere have been some attempts at a live-action Justice League, including a 1997 pilot
as well as a prototype league introduced in the latter seasons of Smallville. Th ere has also
been discussion of a feature fi lm. Th e JLA have also appeared in book form, including a
handful of original novels, as well as an “Ultimate Guide” published by DK. DK also has
a series of “JLA Readers” in which they use the various leaguers to teach subjects such
as Greek mythology (Wonder Woman), the ocean (Aquaman), and space (Superman).
No matter the title, no matter the line-up, no matter the format, the Justice League of
America will continue to be an important part of the DC universe and comics in general.
David S. Serchay
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA. Th e Justice Society of America was the fi rst super-
hero team and has appeared in comics for 60 years. Th e current team includes both
original members and those heroes descended from, or infl uenced by them, making
them a crucial part of the DC comics universe. Originally designed to give exposure
to superheroes who were not yet popular enough to carry their own titles, Th e Justice
Society of America ( JSA) fi rst appeared in All-Star Comics #3 (1940), and remained
in that title until issue #57 in 1951 (when the title became All-Star Western). Th e team
reformed in Flash #123 (1962) and for the next 13 years they appeared in various titles,
most notably Justice League of America, where they had an annual team-up with that
group every year between 1963 and 1985. In the mid 1970s, All-Star Comics was revived
(issue #58) and would run until #74. Th e team also had a short run in Adventure
Comics. During the 1980s, some of the team’s 1940s adventures were recounted in All-
Star Squadron, which also featured other heroes of that era. Of note is All-Star Squadron
Annual #3 (1984) which explained why the JSA, who, unlike other comic characters,
aged in real time, yet were still active and powerful in the 1980s. Th ey also appeared
in the present day in Infi nity Inc., a team of second-generation heroes which included
