The best superhero team ever...

At least I think so; and I thought so as a child and teen as well. There was something about the Justice League Roll Call at the beginning of every issue. Would this issue have Green Arrow and Black Canary? Would the Justice Society visit from Earth-2? Everyone who was anyone in the DC universe could be in any given issue. You want Power Girl, Black Canary, and Princess Projectra - it could happen. You prefer the GA Flash, SA Green Lantern and SA Atom? OK - we can do that.

The team headquarters is in a cave, or the Hall of Justice, or the Justice League Satellite (I know I spelled that right - but it looks funny. What an odd word: satellite). The members are Batman and Superman - no, wait, those aren't original members: the members are the Flash, Wonder Woman, the Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, and Green Lantern (Hal Jordan, with white gloves - don't get me started on why white gloves are important, but they are and they should get their own journal entry another day). Hundreds of appearances later the Justice League came to an end the 1st time - issue 261; at which point the only remaining members were Vixen and Gypsy - not exacly heavy hitters.

Over the years we put up with Snapper Carr, Vibe (I can dodge bullets because I can break-dance; no really!), and Zatanna running around with a space-lobster on her forehead (bad costume idea). On the other hand we've had the big 5 or big 7 or big 9, depending on how you think about them: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, and Atom. There's been Dr. Light, Elongated Man, Plastic Man, Blue Beetle, Animal Man, Guy Gardner, John Stewart, Zatanna, Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Hawkgirl, Ice, Fire, Booster Gold, Starman (the alien one), Congorilla, Supergirl, Jesse Quick, and lord only knows who else - good characters, good storylines, countered by villians both dangerous: The Injustice League (original name idea there) and dastardly: Sinestro, Two-face, Merlin (the archer - not the magician), Black Manta and demented: the Joker.

Years and years of reading enjoyment, improved by the blurred line of who is a member and who isn't - some continuity (over rated in my opinion) from story arc to story arc, but writing and art not restricted to a specific roster of members - if you can't draw Plastic Man, don't use him. If you can't stand Guy Gardner but you need a Green Lantern, use John Stewart or Hal Jordan. Have fun; be creative - let those creative juices flow as you consider your story arc or your 1-shot.

In closing, I share with you a cropped image from the JLoA's 11th appearance: Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane #29 - with an issue date in-between issue #7 and issue #8.

Lee