In 1941, DC Comics introduced the world to theJustice Society of America, the first superhero team in the history of the genre. Originally made up of Hourman, Sandman, Hawkman, Spectre, Doctor Fate, Atom, Jay Garrick, and Alan Scott, the team has expanded its membership many times. While some of these additions were temporary and far from mainstay JSA members, those who have stuck around on the team have defined it for generations.
The Justice Society of America didn’t just give DC its first team, it also housed some of the most enduring legacies in the company’s history — namely the Flash, Green Lantern, and the Atom. Though the team may not be the powerhouse that the Justice League is often depicted as, it does play a core role in the universe, both as mentors and heroes of the past and present. From their activities during World War II to the role they’ve played in recent events, theJSA continues to show it boasts some of the most powerful charactersin comics.
The JSA returns to the forefront of the DC Universe in a revamped series by Jeff Lemire and Diego Olortegui that’s a key part of DC’s All In initiative.JSA#1 is available November 6th, 2024 from DC Comics.
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10Hourman
Created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily inAdventure Comics#48 (1940)
Rex Tyler, also known as Hourman, is a scientist who uses his signature creation, the Miraclo serum, toacquire superhuman strength for an hour at a time. With this upgrade, the crime-fighter is able to take on dozens of villains at once, making him an even more formidable vigilante than Batman. When combined with his intelligence, the hero stands out as one of the JSA’s most resourceful heroes, and his serum gives him abilities on par with Captain America.
Hourman may not be as strong as the likes of Supermanor Shazam but, as far as Golden Age heroes go, he’s firmly in the upper tier of DC characters. It’s worth noting that the hero actually hasan android counterpart from the futuremade up of a colony of nanites that can repair any damage to the body.
9Atom-Smasher
Created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway inAll-Star Squadron#25 (1983)
Originally taking the moniker of Nuklon,Atom-Smasher emergedas one of the JSA’s modern legacy heroes, bringing readers a fun, Deadpool-style design. The son of a Bronze Age supervillain,Albert Rothstein took on the mantle as a way of honoring his godfather, the Golden Age Atom, Al Pratt. Though it took some work for him to be accepted into the team, he’s been a mainstay member since the early 2000s.
Atom Smasher is among the JSA’s strongest members, and his ability to alter his size allows him to take on some of DC’s most imposing foes. As he grows, his strength and density increases, giving himenough strength to tussle with Kryptonians and even defeat the rest of his team, as was shown during the “Black Reign” story by Geoff Johns, Rags Morales, and more.
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8Stargirl
Created by Geoff Johns and Lee Moder inStars and S.T.R.I.P.E.#0 (1999)
Created by Geoff Johns and Lee Moder, Stargirl is the fourth hero of the Starman legacy, after Ted, David, and Jack Knight, the latter of whom passed the mantle to her. Aided by the technology developed by Ted Knight, she quickly becamea fan-favorite hero of the 2000s, bringing youth and dynamism to her role. Alongside the JSA, she has fought some of the DCU’s toughest villains.
Stargirl recently played a major role in revamping JSA history, introducing a number of “lost” sidekicks inStargirl: The Lost Childrenby Johns, Todd Nauck, Matt Herms, and Rob Leigh, available now both digitally and in a collected edition from DC Comics.
Stargirl’s possession of theCosmic Staff and Cosmic Converter Belt enhance her strength, speed and endurance, not to mention giving her the ability to fly. Though not quite as powerful as a Kryptonian, she is one of the strongest and most capable heroes on the team - so long as she has the Knight technology.
7Thunderbolt
Created by John B. Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier inFlash Comics#1 (1940)
Thunderbolt is the Justice Society of America’s resident genie, one whorequires a host, such as Johnny or Jakeem Thunder, to grant wishes. With the signature power of a genie to alter reality - a power that has grown and diminished over time - the being hails from the Fifth Dimension, bringing with him abilities similar to those of Mister Mxyzptlk.
Thunderbolt’s abilities range from the power to cure ailments, conjure up items needed by the heroes, and alsooffer the host protection against magic. The hero’s abilities are more limited than some beings from the Fifth Dimension, though they have proven key during JSA stories like “Stealing Thunder” by Johns, David Goyer, Leonard Kirk, and more.
6Jay Garrick, the Flash
Created by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert inFlash Comics#1 (1940)
Asthe first speedster in comic book history,Jay Garrick maintains one of the proudest legaciesin print. He made his debut all the way back in 1940, when he demonstrated speeds as high as the Golden Age Superman, with both men being faster than a speeding bullet. This made the hero practically invincible as far as his tussles with ordinary criminals went, and allowed him to save countless lives.
Alongside his “new” daughter, Judy Garrick, Jay recently starred in his own solo title in many decade:Jay Garrick: The Flashby Jeremy Adams and Olortegui, available now from DC Comics.
Jay Garrick isn’t quite as fast as Barry Allen or Wally West,but his access to the Speed Force gives him a major edge over the vast majority of supervillains. As a member of the JSA, his powers have proved indispensable against foes like the Ultra-Humanite and Degaton, proving that every super-team needs a speedster.
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5Alan Scott, the Green Lantern
Created by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger inAll-American Comics#16 (1940)
Alan Scott made his debut as an engineer who, after having survived a train crash, discovered a mysterious lantern and power ring. Placing the ring on his finger, the hero discovered thatthe lantern gave him a multitude of abilities, such as flight, mastery over a green flame-like energy, and the ability to phasethrough solid matter.
Check out Alan’s revamped powers and contemporary character history inAlan Scott: The Green Lanternby Tim Sheridan and Cian Tormey, available now from DC Comics.
Alan Scott’s abilities have changedthroughout the years, with some stories showing thathis ring can even allow him to travel through time. When fully unleashed, the Golden Age Green Lantern’s powers can alter time and reality, with the potential to be a force of almost unparalleled destruction. That said, he does possess one of the publisher’s strangest vulnerabilities: wood.
4Shazam (and Black Adam)
Created by C.C. Beck and Bill Parker inWhiz Comics#2 (1940)
ThoughShazam was in and outof DC continuity between the 1970s and ’80s, by the time the Johns-written JSA series debuted in the ’00s, he was a full-fledged member of the DCU. Despite him initially serving in Batman’s Justice League during the 1980s,the hero later became a mainstay JSA member, aiding the Golden Age team in stories like “Crisis Times Five” and “Prince of Darkness.”
Shazam serves as theJSA’s magical counterpart to Superman, ensuring they have a being suited to their adventures, especially with mystical villains like Mordru and Wotan. Empowered by gods like Atlas, Zeus and Hercules, the character has an assortment of abilities, from super speed and wisdom to strength and flight.
3Power Girl
Created by Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada and Wally Wood inAll-Star Comics#58 (1976)
Revealed to be a survivor from the original Earth-Two’s Krypton,Power Girl crossed overinto Earth-Prime during the Bronze Age. Since then, she has becomepart of the Superman Family, though her team allegiances placed her on the JSA for much of the 2000s. With her on the team, the Society had their very own Kryptonian.
Kara Zor-L has proven to be one of the strongest and most capable members of her team.
Power Girl’s abilities largely mirror those of Superman - though sometimes they’re closer to Golden Age levels - with the added benefit of beingone of the JSA’s most intelligent characters. From heat vision and flight to super strength and cold breath, Kara Zor-L has proven to be one of the strongest and most capable members of her team.
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2Doctor Fate
Created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman inMore Fun Comics#55 (1940)
Kent Nelson started out as the son of an archaeologist who,after mistakenly awaking the Lord of Order Nabu, was selected to become the hero Doctor Fate. In possession of the Helmet of Nabu, the character becomes a master magician, charged with safeguarding the world and maintaining order in the magical world. While Nelson himself can use spells to great effect, most of the power stems from his connection to Nabu.
Doctor Fate’s powers include matter manipulation, master sorcery, teleportation, focused energy blasts and a limited ability to distort reality, casting elaborate illusions onto his enemies. With such a strong connection to magic,the hero is a potential threat to the likes of Superman, and the overwhelming influence of Nabu is strong enough to threaten even the strongest of magicians.
1The Spectre
Created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily inMore Fun Comics#52 (1940)
Although he’s best known today for being a solitary being in the cosmos, the Spectre’s Golden Age stories were far more humble and grounded. In his earlier adventures, the character was more in touch with his human side, Jim Corrigan, and his powers were considerably more subdued. As the years have progressed, he hasgone from being the average supernatural hero to the Right Hand of God.
The Spectre isn’t just the JSA’s most powerful being - and it isn’t even close - but stands out as one of the most powerful figures in the DC cosmos, rivaled by only a handful of gods and demons. His abilities range warping time and reality without breaking a sweat to intangibility, possession, matter manipulation and more. At the height of his potential, thisJustice Society of Americahero is borderline omnipotent.
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America is a DC Comics superhero team initially conceived during the 1940s and featured a mix of various heroes throughout DC Comics' continuity. Throughout the decades and via modern relaunches of the JSA, new members have been cycled in and out of the team, with heroes such as Stargirl, Cyclone, Wildcat, and Atom Smasher joining the ranks.
