The Justice Society of America got its debut in issue #3 of “All-Star Comics” in the winter of 1940 – 1941. Since then, the JSA has gone through several iterations. The CW series “Stargirl,” features a revival of the JSA, lead by series star Courtney Whitmore, also known as Stargirl.
Original Members of the Justice Society of America
The original JSA included Doctor Fate, Hourman, Sandman, The Spectre, Green Lantern, Flash, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Thunderbolt, Johnny Thunder, Wildcat, Star-Spangled Kid, Doctor Mid-Nite, S.T.R.I.P.E., Starman, Black Canary, Mister Terrific, Batman, Red Tornado, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Huntress. The original JSA’s last appearance was in March of 1951. However, DC Comics revamped the concept as the Justice League of America in the Silver Age of Comic Books.
Earth-Two Revival
In issue #123 of “The Flash,” in September of 1961, the JSA was re-vamped as being on Earth-Two, as the counterpart to the JLA, which existed on Earth-One. From 1963 to 1985 various comic series featured cross-dimensional team-ups between the JSA and JLA. In 1985, the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” limited series combined all of the DC alternate realities, transforming the JSA into a World War II time period group that preceded modern-day DC heroes.
The JSA in “Black Adam.”
The JSA will make a big-screen appearance in the forthcoming DC Extended Universe film “Black Adam.” This edition of the team will include Doctor Fate, Hawkman, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone.
The Justice Society on The CW
The Justice Society of America first made an appearance on The CW on the “Legends of Tomorrow” Arrowverse series. This iteration of the JSA existed during the World War II time period and consisted of Hourman, Obsidian, Commander Steel, Stargirl, Vixen, and Doctor Mid-Nite.
The Justice Society on “Stargirl”
Two different versions of the JSA make appearances on The CW show, “Stargirl,” executive produced by Geoff Johns. The original features Starman, Doctor Mid-Nite, Doctor Fate, Flash, Hawkman, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Thunderbolt, Johnny Thunder, Wildcat, and Sandman. The pilot episode of the series flashes back to ten years in the past, where the Justice Society was decimated in an attack by the Injustice Society, resulting in the death of the majority of the team.
A character by the name of Pat Dugan arrived in time to rescue Starman, who just before dying, instructed Dugan to keep the JSA alive by passing on the Cosmic Staff. Series heroine, Courtney Whitmore, discovered the Cosmic Staff in the present-day version of the universe. After becoming Stargirl, she decided to rebuild the Justice Society with Dugan as S.T.R.I.P.E. Courtney’s friends, Yolanda Montez, Ricky Tyler, and Beth Chapel would join the society as new versions of Wildcat, Hourman, and Doctor Mid-Nite. This JSA team also appeared in the Arrowverse crossover special “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”
The Justice Society of America has experienced many twists and turns over the decades, eventually becoming largely replaced by the more famously known Justice League. However, with the revived JSA appearing in popular television shows, such as “Stargirl,” and big-name movies, such as “Black Adam,” the senior league could see a revival among fans of the genre.
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