The DC Universe's premiere Silver Age superhero team, the Justice League is seen as the DCU's greatest gathering of heroes, be they well known icons like Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman or lesser known ones, like Black Lightning or Firestorm.
Origin
The JL has had numerous origins over the years. In the original silver age continuity, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and The Martian Manhunter joined together to battle competing alien warriors known as the Appellaxians. It was later revealed that the seven founders where actually brought together to fight white martian forces. Post-Crisis, it was changed so that Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman were no longer founding members and Black Canary was. The Trinity's place as founding members has since been reinstated.
In the new 52 reboot, the original seven (with the exception of Martian Manhunter, who was replaced by Cyborg) were brought together to battle Darksied and the forces of apokolips. The United States government later formed their own Justice League team, which consisted of the Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Steve Trevor, Katana, Stargirl, Vibe, Hawkman, Simon Baz/ Green Lantern and Catwoman (unofficially).
Members
Founding Members
- Superman- The last son of the dead planet krypton. Known as the worlds greatest and most powerful hero.
- Batman- The grim, brooding protector of Gotham City. Despite not possessing any superhuman abilities, is significant due to his intelligence and excellent detective skills.
- Wonder Woman- The pride and joy of the amazons. Blessed by the greek goddesses and an icon for women everywhere.
- The Flash/Barry Allen: The fastest man alive. A police chemist turned into a speedster superhero by a laboratory accident.
- Green Lantern/Hal Jordan: The green lantern of space sector 2814. A daring pilot known for his fearlessness and arrogance.
- Aquaman: The King of atlantis and ruler of the seven seas. Commands all that dwells in the ocean.
- Martian Manhunter: The mysterious Manhunter from Mars. Considered by many to be the heart and soul of the league.
Later Members
- Green Arrow: The emerald archer. A liberal hero of the people and the modern day Robin hood.
- Black Canary: The blonde bombshell. Known for being the daughter of a member of the JSA and her relationship with green arrow.
- Hawkman and Hawkgirl: The winged avengers. Reincarnated souls of Egyptian royalty or alien police officers, depending on the continuity.
- The Atom/Ray Palmer: The mighty mite. A physicist with shrinking abilities. Good friends with Hawkman.
- Zatanna: The mistress of Magic. Daughter of the famous zatara. the worlds most powerful sorceress.
- Elongated Man: The ductile detective. Possesses stretching abilities and detective skills that rival that of Batman.
- Red Tornado/"John Smith": The tornado champion. An android possessed by an air elemental.
- Firestorm: The nuclear man. The fusion of two people who can manipulate nuclear forces.
Others
- Moon Maiden (retcon member)
- Vixen
- Steel/Hank Heywood III
- Vibe
- Gypsy
- Green Lantern/Kyle Rayner
- The Flash/Wally West
- Aztek
- Green Arrow/Connor Hawke
- Hippolyta (Wonder Woman's mother)
- Orion
- Big Barda
- Zauriel
- Steel/John Henry Irons
- Plastic Man
- Barbera Gordon/Oracle
- Hourman (853rd Century android)
- Nightwing
- Faith
- Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders
- Supergirl
- Green Lantern/John Stewart
- Manitou Raven and Manitou Dawn
- Black Lightning
- Arsenal
- Geo-Force
- Starman/Mikaal Tomas
- Congorilla
- The Guardian
- Donna Troy
- Starfire
- Cyborg
- The Atom/Rhonda Pineda
- Element Woman
Greek Parallels
The key members of the Justice League all share a parallel with the Gods of Greek mythology:
| Justice League | Greek God | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Superman | Zeus | The Patriarch, Lord of the sky and upholder of truth and justice |
| Batman | Hades | The Guardian of the Underworld (Gotham City) |
| Wonder Woman | Hera | The Matriarch |
| Green Lantern | Apollo | The Visionary |
| Aquaman | Poseidon | King of the Sea |
| The Flash | Hermes | The Traveller |
| Martian Manhunter | Coeus | The Intellectual |
| Cyborg | Heracles | Half-man Half-legend |
| Plastic Man | Dionysus | The Wildcard |
| Steel | Hephaestus | The Craftsman |
| Orion | Ares | The Warrior |
| Huntress | Artemis | The Killer |
| Hourman | Cronus |
The Time-Keeper |
| Oracle | Athena | The Analyst |