Ten Favorite Members of Justice Society of America

 Before Batman took over I discussed my favorite members of the Legion of Superheroes. I decides that it was time to do the same with the grandaddy of all superhero teams. That's right...

It was editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox who conceived the idea all the wya back in 1940 (hey, that makes them 80 years old!) as a way to get all the golden age heroes together in one book. The team faded after World War II only be revived as existing on Earth 2, and appearing in several crossover's with the JLA. After Crisis the team was retired, then brought back, then trimmed down and finally got a great new series in the 90's. A series I never read, though I have heard great things. While I never loved the team or members, I always did have a fascination for them. In universe they were united by FDR at the height of World War II to fight Hitler! 

So let's run down my favorite members, and no we will not discuss the All Star Squadron here, just JSA. the All Stars are another story entirely! Though since this team isn't quite as huge, I will include modern day members as well as the original one's. Like the Legion article these are no particular order.

Flash

Jay Garrick is an awesome character, and even though his uniform was a little silly he was still a great hero. Jay was the first Flash and inspired all after him. True, I know mostly his more modern appearances but you can't deny what this character started. His orign was kind of silly involving hard water of all things. 

Green Lantern

Alan Scott had one of the first more interesting origins. Since he came first of course the origin had no connection the space cops. However, as time passed creators did retcon some loose connections. He was the father of Infinity Inc members Jade and Obsidian. 

Spectre

It feels really wrong to have this hero here. Not only was the character seriously neutered during his JSA days (thanks to the stupid comics code) but he has since gone on to have a legacy removed from the JSA. It's like referring to Demi Moore as a member of the Brat Pack, it doesn't feel right somehow. 

Doctor Fate

Again I always preferred the modern era version. And like Spectre he was a bit neutered in the old. Kent Nelson was another archaeologist who came across the golden helmet of Nabu. The helmet contained the soul of the Lord of Order, and when he wore the helmet he became Fate.

Atom

Al Pratt had no special powers or abilities. He was basically a tough guy who got tired of people picking on him. 

Power Girl

Man I don't have the time or strength to explain this one in detail. Put simply Kara was a member of the JSA in the later days when the JLA and JSA would team up. After that..well it's a long story but let's just say would become a member again in the 90's run.

Hourman

The famous pill popper was Rex Tyler, a biochemist who created a pill which could give him super powers for an hour. As you can imagine he had to deal with addiction issues over the years. 

Dr Mid-Nite

I love how this was a legit doctor, and used his skills to help his team with medical needs. After a grenade is thrown into his room, Charles McNider discovers he can only see in pitch dark. So he creates a special kind of glasses so he can operate in the daylight as a hero. He also had some blackout bombs which made it dark for his victims, while of course he could see fine. 

Black Canary

This one is almost as bad as Power Girl. With retcons on tope of retcoms. But for awhile, Black Canary was Dinah Drake and worked with the JSA. Later she would move to Earth 1 but then it was discovered she was another Black Canary, the one who worked with the JSA was her mother who was dead. Then post Crisis they were alive and then post New 52 these two versions became on and...I'm not getting into that! 

Hawkman & Hawkgirl

While I always preferred the space cop version, there is nothing wrong with this one. This is the version that is the reincarnation of Egyptian Pharaoh Prince Khufu. Carter Hall was a charter member and eventually would become the permanent chairman. It was he who announced that rather than reveal their identities to the House Un American Activities Committee, the team would disappear. Which they did. Hawkman's history is convoluted and I'm not going to get into it here,

Plenty missing like founding member Sandman (who I never liked), Johnny Thunder (who I hated), Starman (who I have nothing to say about) and of course Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman who I have discussed enough elsewhere.