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The Justice League of America, sometimes just called Justice League or JLA, was likely the most famous superhero team on Earth.

They had fought supervillains and alien invaders and saved the Earth from total annihilation.

Under the name 'SuperFriends' the Justice League endeavored to train young superheroes in the art of crime-fighting. They established a training facility on earth which also operated as a pseudo-headquarters for the Justice League.

Together they protected the Interplanetary Federation as well as the entire universe.

Although they had been called many things over the years, such as the Superfriends, Super Friends, with two words, and even the Super Powers Team, one thing was certain about them: they were dedicated "to fight injustice, to right that which is wrong, and to serve all mankind."

The Justice League of America[]

The Justice League is the world's most powerful and premier superhero team. A strike force comprised of the world's mightiest heroes. They act as stalwart protectors of sentient life; Earth's first line of defense against terrestrial, extra-terrestrial, inter-dimensional and supernatural threats.

Justice League of America (FOUNDERS)

The Founding Members -- the 'original' seven![1]

Much of the back-story concerning the formation of the Justice League of America is the same as in the parallel universe of Earth-One;[2] with the exception of the date of formation. Instead of the date being early 1962, it was 1973.

Originally, these heroes operated solely within their own respective territories. With the exception of their super-powered adversaries, they rarely interacted with other heroes.[3][4][5]

In the parallel-universe of Earth-One, in February, 1959 (1971 in the Earth-1A universe), a panic is generated by the revelation of the presence of Martians on Earth. A few years before this, in 1955 (1967 in the Earth-1A universe), Professor Erdel's robot brain transported a Manhunter named J'onn J'onzz from Mars to Earth. Erdel died before he could reprogram the robot brain to send the Martian Manhunter back to Mars, stranding him on Earth. To blend in with humanity, J'onn J'onzz used his shapeshifting power to assume the identity of John Jones, a Middleton police detective. In the weeks that followed the Martian Manhunter, as Jones, observed the citizens of Middleton, finding them to be prone to paranoia. Fast forward four years and we see that J'onn J'onzz had been living successfully as a human policeman, while also operating in secret as the Martian Manhunter. As it turns out, Commander Blanx, and a small squadron of White Martians have been scouring the universe looking for the Manhunter. They eventually find him on Earth. The Manhunter confronted Blanx, and the White Martians. Their brief, but public battle was interrupted by Barry Allen a young and inexperienced Flash. He and the Manhunter partner up, but realize that the terrified civilians, upon seeing the aliens began to panic.

The Flash did his best to assure the citizens of Middleton that he would protect them from the Martians but only came under suspicion himself. As paranoia began to spread through Middleton, the Flash addressed the citizenry, at city hall, offering to bring in Superman.

As the Flash races to Metropolis, the Manhunter is captured by Commander Blanx. Upon his arrival, the Flash makes contact Superman, Batman and Robin. It is not long before our heroes are back in Middleton. As they arrive the Middleton police headquarters, they are informed that Detective John Jones (aka the Martian Manhunter) has been captured. As they discuss their plans, major news organizations begin to arrive. As morning approaches, several champions begin to gather, claiming they had heard of the alien invasion. These heroes include: the Blackhawks, the Challengers of the Unknown, Plastic Man, the Vigilante, Robotman, Congo Bill with his amazing Congorilla, Rex, the Wonder Dog, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen. The only other active and prominent hero at the time missing is Green Arrow, who is involved in a case that takes him and his sidekick Speedy (Roy Harper) back to the island of his origin, Starfish Island. They had heard Professor Hagen had been lost in the area during a storm. As they search for the professor, they are attacked by a lost tribe of Indians. In the attack, the Arrowplane is damaged and they are captured. Using his wit, he is able to offset any future harm and leave unscathed with the professor.[6]

Meanwhile, our assembled heroes separate into three groups. The first group, which consisted of Plastic Man, Jimmy Olsen, and the Blackhawks accidentally run afoul of Rip Hunter's newly invented Time Sphere.[7] The second group of heroes, Robotman, the Vigilante, Congo Bill, Congorilla, Lois Lane, the Challengers have a near-encounter with Adam Strange and his Zeta-Beam. While our third group, Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman, Rex the Wonder Dog are summoned by an unnamed military General who has received intel from the famous TV detective/journalist Roy Raymond. Roy introduces Hal Jordan, a pilot for Ferris Aircraft to the group. The young pilot explains that Ferris Aircraft will launching new booster rocket at tomorrow's launch for the 'Explorer Project.' He explains that just a half an hour ago, as patrolled the Canaveral, he was shot or more specifically grazed by a ray-gun in an ambush. Intrigued, out heroes converge on the launch pad at Ferris Aircraft. They soon discover a plot to kill the Manhunter, Flash had spoken about. He was strapped to the top of the booster rocket. Just then, Blanx strikes. In the battle that ensued, our heroes defeat Blanx and his men, and rescue the captive J'onn J'onzz.

After their success, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash and the Manhunter discuss forming a club or a society to uphold Justice in the World. Batman says he’s not much of a joiner and the rest discuss the panic that was involved in this Martian excursion and the fear that coming together as a team with a Martian might foster. So they decide to wait until the time is right. Hal Jordan and the gathered reporters present also offer their oath of silence believing that global panic would not be good.[8]

As fate would have it, aliens from the planet Appellax had come to Earth seeking to conquer it. This naturally gains the attention of Earth’s most well-known heroes: the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, the Martian Manhunter and later by Superman and Batman. Individually, they fell to the Appellaxian Wood King, only by combining their strengths and gifts, would the heroes overcome their foe. Defeating this final foe and saving Superman, the assembled group of heroes then decide to work again in the future, and thus the Justice League of America was born![9]

JL3

From Left to Right: Aquaman, Flash, Superman, Atom, Hawkman and Green Lantern, from the TV Series

JLA Super Powers commercial

Justice League of America[10]

And the rest is history…

The initial Justice League lineup then, was also the same as the Earth-One universe. It included seven of the Leagues most prominent members: Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman.

Over the next two years Hawkman, Green Arrow, Zatanna, the Atom, Black Canary and several others were added to the roster.[11]

At that time, the Justice League operated from a secret cave, located outside of the small town of Happy Harbor, Rhode Island.

Within a few years of being a team, the JLA entered a volunteering program to help train young people to become superheroes. Teenager Snapper Carr was the first teenage member or more specifically he was the first unnofficial Junior SuperFriends Member.

In 1975, the Martian Manhunter had left Earth when Mars became desolate to help his people search for a new world.[12]


The SuperFriends were founded in order:

"To fight injustice, to right that which is wrong, and to serve all mankind."
— 'SuperFriends (opening theme), Narrator'


In late 1975, shortly after the Martian Manhunter had left Earth,[14] the Justice League, believed that (as Superman stated), "the best way for us to combat crime and be prepared for world-wide emergencies is to work together. From now on, we'll be the SuperFriends."[15]

The heroes on hand for this historic occasion were Aquaman, Batman, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Black Vulcan and Samurai.[16]

This arrangement was spear-headed by Superman, Batman (and Robin), Aquaman and Wonder Woman (the core-five) and included the training of young people (or Junior Super Friends) for law enforcement at the Hall of Justice. Marvin White and Wendy Harris, and later Zan and Jayna of the Wonder Twins are the first of the trainees.[17]

Soon after they organized their earth-bound HQ, they worked closely with Colonel Wilcox, a U.S. Army government liaison during global emergencies.

This is another significant departure from the parallel universe of Earth-One.

In 1985, they changed their name again and went by the name "The Super Powers Team."[18]

Outside of the Hall (SuperFriends, 01)

The JL Training Facility for young heroes!

Main Article: Jr. SuperFriends

The Junior SuperFriends were young heroes that the Justice League would train to be crime-fighting, superheroes. This training organization was called the SuperFriends and primarily led by Aquaman, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.

Their training HQ, was the Hall of Justice, located in Gotham City.

Although Robin is seen training the Wonder Twins on occasion, he is still considered a junior member.[19]


Known Leaguers[]


Gallery[]

Original JL Lineup
JLA team
Super Friends (Alternate Timeline)
Expanded Justice League Lineup.
Picture is from the SF Comic Book
Limited Collectors' Edition #C-41 (Jan. 76').
Artwork by Alex Toth:
Hawkman, Robin, Atom, Batman,
Captain Marvel, Black Canary, Flash and Green Lantern.[20]
The Super Friends of an alternate timeline meet Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk. In this timeline, the Wonder Twins and Marvin White and Wendy Harris were on the team at the same time. This reality was destroyed by Mr. Mxyzptlk.


The SF (07x02b - Two Gleeks Are Deadlier Than One)

The SuperFriends in the Hall of Justice.

(03x04b - The Time Trap) (23)

Headquarters[]

Hall of Justice5

Initially their headquarters was the Secret Sanctuary located in the caverns of Mount Justice in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island.

Soon, However, this location was compromised by the Joker.[21] In response, the JLA built a geosynchronous (22,300 miles above the equator) space station "satellite headquarters."[22]

The Justice League also made use of an earth-base, 'Hall of Justice', located in Gotham City, but later relocated to Metropolis.[23] The Hall was primarily the training academy for young people, but was also equipped with an advanced communications network and "Trouble Alert" system through which important government officials such as Colonel Wilcox, often alerted the Super Friends to various global threats, including alien invasions. The Justice League Satellite continued on as the League's official headquarters.[24] Over time though, the Hall becomes their main headquarters.[25]

"Gathered together from the cosmic reaches of the universe – here in this great Hall of Justice - are the most powerful forces of good ever assembled."
— ' SuperFriends, Narrator'


Branches[]


Equipment[]


Vehicles[]


Miscellaneous Facilities[]


Notes[]

  • Having successfully re-introduced a number of their Golden Age superhero characters (Flash, Green Lantern, etc.) during the late 1950s, DC Comics asked writer Gardner Fox to re-introduce the Justice Society of America.[26] Fox, influenced by the popularity of the National Football League and Major League Baseball, decided to change the name of the team from Justice Society to Justice League.[27]
  • The Justice League of America first appeared in The Brave and the Bold vol. 1, #28 (1960)[28]
  • Sometime in the late 60s or early 70s, Gardner Fox wanted to showcase an even more child-friendly version of the Justice League, hence the SuperFriends were born. The reason that the show was called Superfriends, rather than the Justice League of America was due to the fact that the show was coming out during the Post-Vienam War and a name like Justice League of America seemed to patriotic. Nevertheless the team is still referred to as the JLA, even though it didn't make the title.[?]
  • The SuperFriends turned out to be the longest-running version of the Justice League, which ran in various incarnations from 1973 to 1985.


External Links[]


Appearances in Other Media[]


References[]

  1. As seen in Issue # 200 of the Justice League of America comic book.
  2. Since E. Nelson Bridwell did his best to tie in the SuperFriends universe with Earth-One, it became necessary to find this continuity.
  3. As depicted in the Filmation series: The New Adventures of Superman (1966-1970)
  4. As depicted in the Filmation series: The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure (1967-1968)
  5. As depicted in the Filmation series: The Batman/Superman Hour (1968-1969)
  6. This adventure involving Green Arrow and Speedy is revealed in Adventure Comics, #256 (January, 1959 ).
  7. Rip Hunter's first recorded time-adventure takes place in Showcase, #20, (June, 1959).
  8. The above adventure is revealed in Justice League of America, #144 (July, 1977).
  9. As revealed in Justice League of America, #9 (February, 1962).
  10. As seen in a Super Powers commercial.
  11. As seen in the Filmation series: The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure (1967-1968). For a complete list of original line-up, see roster of superheroes in the SuperFriends Comic Book, Limited Collectors' Edition #C-41 (January 1976).
  12. As revealed in Justice League of America, #71 (May, 1969).
  13. The purpose of the formation of the Justice League was told by Superman in History of Doom.
  14. Revealed in the SuperFriends Comic Book (1976-1981) issue: Limited Collectors' Edition #C-41 (December 1975 / January 1976).
  15. As quoted in the Season 3 episode: History of Doom.
  16. The formation of team and members depicted in History of Doom.
  17. In November 1976, in the first issue of the SuperFriends comic book, E. Nelson Bridwell makes it very clear that the SuperFriends are sort of a volunteer organization, under the umbrella of the Justice League of America.
  18. As revealed in the Season 9 (1985) episode, The Seeds of Doom.
  19. Both he and Firestorm were considered Jr. Super heroes in The Case of the Shrinking Superfriends.
  20. Drawn by Alex Toth during the early production of the Superfriends live action specials.
  21. As revealed in Justice League of America, #77 (December, 1969).
  22. As revealed in "Justice League of America, #78" (February, 1970) and confirmed to be the JLA HQ in the pages of the SuperFriends Comic Book, issue #3.
  23. As established in Super Friends # 1. The All-New Super Friends Hour episode The Brain Machine then establishes the location as being Metropolis, implying their was a move.
  24. This was stated in Super Friends # 1. Robin states that the Hall of Justice is not the headquarters of the Justice League, and the Justice League Satellite is. The Hall's purpose at this time is primarily for training purposes.
  25. This is established both in episodes of the animated series and later issues of the comic book. This may mean that the comics are supposed to be set between Season 1 and Season 2.
  26. Go to the DC Database for more on the Justice Society of America
  27. "League was a stronger word, one that the readers could identify with because of baseball leagues"
  28. Go to the DC Database for more on The Brave and the Bold vol. 1, #28 (March, 1960).
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