Justice League Of America

Pre Crisis on Infinite Earths: The Original Justice League of America

The first appearance of the Justice League of America is in the Brave and the Bold #28 with founding members Martian Manhunter, Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Superman and Batman in the original line-up. Although Superman and Batman made an appearance as members of the JLA in this issue, they were not involved in the main storyline or battle with Starro the Conqueror. The other five members of the League battled Starro seeking to free the citizens of Happy Harbor, Rhode Island from his mental influence.

The roster of the JLA maintained this membership through the 70s and early 80s until the events of a Martian invasion in Justice League of America Vol 1 #228-230. In the aftermath of repelling the invasion, the JLA Satellite became severely crippled and current members demoralized and despondent about the team's future status. Aquaman decided to take a stand that the JLA needed full-time members who did not leave to fulfill obligations in their civilian identities. The result was the departure of several members and the end of this roster. 

The members that remained were Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Elongated Man and Zatanna. In Justice League of America Annual Vol 1 #2, Aquaman reorganised the League. They enlisted new young members Steel, Vibe, Gypsy and Vixen. The team was based in a warehouse in Detroit, called the Bunker and provided for by Steel's grandfather (and namesake), Hank Heywood.

Post Crisis on Infinite Earths: First Incarnation

After the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the whole DC Universe had been retconned in various storylines. The JLA's origin was revised in the JLA: Year One limited series. Certain changes were made to explain the inconsistencies of other revised characters in the DCU. For instance Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are never founding members of the JLA due to changes made in their revised origins and history. Black Canary was added as a founding member as presented in JLA: Year One.

 
When Earth was threatened by the Appelliax alien invasion, many heroes found that they could not battle the threat alone. A team formed consisting of Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan ), Martian Manhunter, Black Canary and Aquaman. Their base of operations was a cave in Happy Harbour, RI and secretly financed by Green Arrow. The team has gone through many changes since then, with the addition and departure of many members. 
 
The team's original lineup was expanded to include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Red Tornado, Atom (Ray Palmer), Zatanna, Elongated Man, and Firestorm. They moved to a base on a satellite in orbit 22,300 miles above the Earth, this team was in existence through the mid 1980s. Many of the original members left for various personal reasons, and the team had to grow again.

Justice League International

The International League

Justice League Europe

JLA

In the aftermath of the White Martian invasion Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman decide that the world needs a powerful and well organized Justice League, and they reform the team with Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner) and Flash (Wally West). They are based in the Justice League Watchtower on Earth's moon. Like earlier incarnations of the League, their roster was not static and at times included: Steel, Plastic Man, Manitou Raven, Huntress, Faith, Major Disaster and Zauriel.

Identity Crisis

The events of Identity Crisis highlighted that something was rotten in the League's early line up. When Dr. Light threatened to kill the League's loved ones (They thought), they erased his memories and tampered with his mind. He was not the only one, they also did this to Batman when he caught them wiping Dr Light's mind. This revelation, involving current League members and their long time comrades forced the League to split when it would be needed most.

One Year Later

One Year Later

Downsizing

After the events of New Krypton Superman is forced to leave. Wonder Woman left because of complications in her own life, Wally West took time off to help The Titans and Flash family, Roy Harper chose to leave after his relationship with Hawkgirl ended. Hal Jordan left the League because of his outrage at Batman's "death"  in Final Crisis leaves the League to form his own splinter group with Green Arrow to capture supervillains. The League is disbanded by Black Canary but the heroes Vixen, Plastic Man, Dr. Light, Zatanna John Stewart, Firestorm continue after her departure.  Superman and  Wonder Woman briefly returned to help the JLA to battle Roulette. 

Cry for Justice

Green Lantern and Green Arrow form their own operation to capture supervillains they discover a conspiracy guided by the villain  Prometheus. They are

Justice League: Cry For Justice #3

helped by other heroes including Congo Bill, Mikaal Tomas, Ray Palmer, Freddy Freeman, Supergirl, Batwoman, Starfire, Donna Troy, Red Arrow and Jay Garrick.   This team eventually makes up with the official Justice League and Black Canary.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

New JLA

New Era

After Cry for Justice, a new team roster forms. Mon-El, Dick Grayson as Batman, Donna Troy, Hal Jordan, Green Arrow, Ray Palmer, Cyborg, Starfire, the Guardian, Doctor Light, and Congo Bill are the new members.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The JLA of the Future

Smallville version of the Justice League

Smallville's Justice

In the tv series smallville episode "Justice" we are shown the first attempt to create the Justice League.The team is formed to combat a secret project run by Lex Luthor project 33.1.The members are Clark Kent as Boy Scout, Oliver Queen as Green Arrow, Bart Allen as Impulse, Arthur Curry as Aquaman, Victor Stone who's alias was Cyborg and Chloe Sullivan as Watchtower, A version of Oracle. Clark and Chloe decide not to join them. In Siren, Black Canary is invited by Green Arrow (Oliver Queen) and joins to smallville's "Justice League".

Justice League Animated (2001)

Justice League

Justice League was run as an animated TV show on Cartoon network from 2001 to 2004. It paid tribute to the DC characters that made up the original team. After the second season it’s name was changed to Justice League Unlimited.

After the successes of Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series animator Bruce Timm was given the job of turning the popular comic book adventure into an animated series. Timm took the series in a more contemporary direction to that of the previous incarnations like the Super Friends. Leaving the sidekicks and pets behind Timm had two main aims when he was making the series, to pay homage to the original line up of the Justice League ( Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Flash (Barry Allen) and Martian Manhunter .) and to promote cultural and racial diversity. The line up of the team was changed slightly but still both goals were achieved. The line up of the series stood as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Flash (Wally West), Hawkgirl (who replaced Aquaman in favour of a second female member) and the African American John Stewart as Green Lantern who replaced Kyle Rayner to promote racial diversity. Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner (who appeared in Superman series) were not chosen for that reason and in season two Kyle was described as a trainee Green Lantern under the tutelage of John Stewards old mentor, although both Kyle and Hal would later make appearances in Justice League Unlimited.

The show was greeted with great success somewhat due to many loyal fans who were already familiar with the incarnation of the characters but the show also introduced the characters to an entire generation. Due to the fact that most episodes were one of two parts Cartoon Network chose to run two episodes back to back. It was later learned in the DVD release of season two that the episode “Starcrossed” was expected to be the final episode of the entire series but in February 2004 Cartoon Network released the next season with a new name, Justice League Unlimited. The show premiered on July 31st 2004.

Justice League Unlimited (2004)

Justice League Unlimited

Character changes

Timm sought out to keep the continuity of the DC Animated Universe alive and so sought out Kevin Conroy to voice Batman, who he played in Batman: The Animated Series (1992) and in Batman Beyond (1999). Conroy set out to make his voice different then the two previous incarnations of Batman as Justice League/Justice League Unlimited is set after Batman: The Animated Series and before Batman Beyond. To do this Conroy made his sot harsher and more weathered than Batman: The Animated Series but softer then Batman Beyond. To also add to the development of the character Batman’s costume was changed. The spikes or ears found at the top of his mask were made more prominent then in Batman: The Animated Series , his boots were also given slight heels and red highlights replaced the blue ones found in Batman : The Animated Series.

Tim Daily was originally sought out to voice Superman as he had in the previous Superman series but was unable to. Instead George Newborn was brought in to voice the man of steel. During the first season he was deeply criticized as fans felt he lacked the authority that Daly brought to the role. Timm has stated that this was more a fault in the writing of the series then in Newborns abilities and has openly defended him every since. Many fans have been swayed by this feeling that Newborns performance has improved throughout the series and that both Daily’s and Newborn’s incarnations of the character both have merit and fault.

Superman’s over all look was redesigned so as to show him looking slightly older then in his previous animated series. To do this he was given a slight squint in his eyes and a slightly greying streak to his hair. He was also made to look broader in the series to suggest greater physical strength. Fans did not react well to the changes made and so at the beginning of season two the creators toned down the streak in his hair (to the point of almost disappearing) and took the squint away all together. As an inside joke to this failure the facial templates for the original Superman were used for Jor-el in the episode “For the Man who has Everything”.

Most other characters were left close enough to their comic book counterparts although some notable changes were made. Wonder Women’s (voiced by Susan Eisenberg) back story completely changed from that of her competing against her Amazonian sisters to her being an ambassador to the outside world. This is seen in the episode “Secret Origins” She has also been referred to as a Rookie hero and several episodes touch on how hard she is finding it to adjust to the new life she now leads.

Also the Flash (voiced by Michael Rosenbaum (who plays the villain Lex Luthor ion Smallville) was given attributes that made him appear slightly younger and less mature then in his comic book incarnation. It has also been noted that he was given several traits to that of Plastic Man who usually provides the comic relief for the team in the comic book series. In this incarnation of the team Flash was found to be the funny one.

Much like the changes put under Wonder Women, John Stewart’s (voiced by Phil LaMar) back story was also significantly changed. The original comic story was that of a civilian architect but was changed to him being a hardened ex-marine for the series.

One character that was entirely changed was Aquaman. He was dropped completely from the team in place of Hawkgirl. Maria Canals was cast to voice the part of Hawkgirl because of her Hispanic accent. The creators thought that as Hawkgirl was not from Earth it would make her stand out as a more foreign character within the team. Her back story was set so that she had been transported to earth by criminals using a Zeta beam. Hawkgirl and Green Lantern John Stewart began a romantic relationship. Later in the series it was revealed that she was actually a scout for the Thanagarian invasion force. Obviously the League felt betrayed by this, especially when the entire Thanagarian force arrived ready to over throw earth. To make matters worse Hawkgirl went to their aid. Eventually the Thanagarians left but Hawkgirl remained on earth. She fled from the League in shame and chose to stay with DR. Fate and his wife in their stronghold to find piece of mind and a new direction in life. She was eventually brought back to kill her possessed friend Solomon Grundy. After this she chose to rejoin the league and was warmly excepted back into it. She decide to leave her Thangarain military dress for more conventional attire. Although her and Johns relationship would never be the same again.

Another romantic relationship was that of Batman and Wonder Woman. The creators of the show did not seem to like the fans insistence of Wonder Woman being paired with Superman. Although no relationship actually blossomed it was the intent of Wonder Woman but Batman on several occasions turned her down saying that if they knew about them they could use her to get to him. Although Batman kissed, danced and sang to save Wonder Woman, one knows what he really wanted!!!

Martian Manhunter also went under change. In his comic books he is found to have a power called Martian Vision usually shown as a beam of light, an extension off his telekinesis, but which also works very like Superman’s heat vision. This power was dropped in his animated form in favor of his shape shifting and phasing abilities. Martian Manhunter's alias was also only used once in the series when Wonder Woman greets him as J’onn.

The Batman

In an episode of the series The Batman, Martian Manhunter appeared and the two stopped an alien invasion. This appearance then led to the revelation that Martian Manhunter appeared in the series to recruit him with his group of heroes that included Green Arrow, Flash, Hawkman (Kator Hol) , Green Lantern (Hal Jordan). Batman himself recruited Superman. Throughout the last season Batman teamed up with a member until the two part series finale where the entire group teamed up with Batgirl and Robin to stop Hugo Strange. Their appearances in the series payed homage to other animated interpertations as Superman was voiced by George Newbern from the Justice League series, Flash was voiced by actor Charlie Shatler, Martian Manhunter greatly resembled his appearance in the Justice League series and the Watchtower resembled the Hall of Justice from the Superfriends series.

Justice League: The New Frontier (2008)

Justice League: The New Frontier

Justice League Crisis on Two Earths