Everything You Need To Know About Justice League

Membership

The Justice League of America had seven original members when it launched in 1960: Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman. These characters were joined by Atom, Hawkman and Green Arrow by 1965. From its first issue, the team also had the supporting character of Lucas “Snapper” Carr – a finger-clicking, ‘hip-talking’ teen whose uncle was associated with Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, and who facilitated the provision of their first secret headquarters in Rhode Island.

Membership has continually shifted and rotated over the years that have followed – not least with the regular introduction of spinoff Justice League titles. Wonder Woman was initially removed by writers in issue #69 of the first, main run, while Martian Manhunter was removed in issue #71 – both to return later. In issue #73, history was made again when Black Canary (first seen in Flash Comics #86) became the second female member of the team.

While the team, and all its variations, has always been dominated by male characters, the Justice League brand has done better than most similar ventures that followed, in addressing diversity. Across nine Justice League titles, around 24 female superheroes have rotated through a Justice League tenure – including Vixen, Catwoman, Big Barda, Huntress, Oracle, Fire, Ice, Katana, Doctor Light, Godiva, Madame Xanadu and Supergirl.

In the giant DC reboot of 2011 – called The New 52 – every DC title was cancelled and a universal re-launch was undertaken. During this, the DC flagship superhero team was re-introduced as, simply, Justice League – written by Geoff Johns with artwork by Jim Lee. The core members of this iteration were a slightly different seven: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg. These characters were soon joined by Firestorm, Atomica and Element Woman.