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Changes: Justice League of America Vol 1 144

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| Penciler1_1 = Dick Dillin
  
| Penciler1_1 = Dick Dillin
 
| Inker1_1 = Frank McLaughlin
  
| Inker1_1 = Frank McLaughlin
−
| Colourist1_1 = Anthony Tollin
 +
| Colorist1_1 = Anthony Tollin
 
| Letterer1_1 =
 
| Letterer1_1 =
   
  +
| Quotation =Once I would have '''sold my soul''' to return home! Now, I see the '''truth'''-- The truth I should have seen '''years ago!''' The '''[[Mars (planet)|Mars]]''' I '''loved''' is '''gone!''' It is a world of '''lost causes''' and '''dead dreams! Evil triumphed''' over good there! But '''here''', on '''[[Earth]]''', the eternal struggle '''continues!''' Here one such as '''I'''-- And [[Justice League of America (New Earth)|ones such as '''yourselves''']]-- can '''still''' tip the '''balance''' the '''right way!''' I '''love''' my adopted world! It '''needs'''-- a '''Manhunter from Mars!'''
−
| Quotation =
 
−
| Speaker =
+
| Speaker = [[J'onn J'onzz (Earth-One)|Martian Manhunter]]
   
−
| StoryTitle1 = The Origin of the Justice League - Minus One!
 +
| StoryTitle1 = The Origin of the Justice League – Minus One!
−
| Synopsis1 = While he is looking through the [[Justice League of America (New Earth)|JLA]] casebook, [[Green Arrow (Oliver Queen)|Green Arrow]] discovers discrepancies in the established "origin" of the team, and asks for the true story, which [[Kal-El (Earth-One)|Superman]] and [[Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)|Green Lantern]] relate with the aid of a videotape account narrated by [[J'onn J'onzz (New Earth)|J'onn J'onzz]].
 +
| Synopsis1 = While he is looking through the [[Justice League of America (New Earth)|JLA]] casebook, [[Oliver Queen (New Earth)|Green Arrow]] discovers discrepancies in the established "origin" of the team, and asks for the true story, which [[Kal-El (Earth-One)|Superman]] and [[Hal Jordan (New Earth)|Green Lantern]] relate with the aid of a videotape account narrated by [[J'onn J'onzz (New Earth)|J'onn J'onzz]].
   
−
In February, 1959, a panic is generated by the revelation of the presence of [[Martians]] (specifically from J'onzz and his enemy [[Benn Blanx (Earth-One)|Commander Blanx]] and his followers) on Earth. Unable to cope with the situation alone, the [[Flash (Barry Allen)|Flash]], then a mere fledgling as a super-hero, summons the more experienced Superman, [[Bruce Wayne (Earth-One)|Batman]], and [[Richard Grayson (Earth-One)|Robin]] to help out.
+
In February, 1959, a panic is generated by the revelation of the presence of [[Martians]] (specifically from J'onzz and his enemy [[Benn Blanx (Earth-One)|Commander Blanx]] and his [[White Martians|followers]]) on [[Earth]]. Unable to cope with the situation alone, the [[Barry Allen (New Earth)|Flash]], then a mere fledgling as a super-hero, summons the more experienced Superman, [[Bruce Wayne (Earth-One)|Batman]], and [[Richard Grayson (Earth-One)|Robin]] to help out.
   
−
When [[Roy Raymond, Sr. (New Earth)|Roy Raymond]], telejournalist and host of the "Impossible But True" program, learns of the situation, his public disclosure of the problem instigates a gathering of heroes, including the [[Blackhawk Squadron|Blackhawks]], the [[Challengers of the Unknown (New Earth)|Challengers of the Unknown]], [[Patrick O'Brian (New Earth)|Plastic Man]], the [[Gregory Sanders (Earth-One)|Vigilante]], [[Robert Crane (New Earth)|Robotman]], [[William Glenmorgan (New Earth)|Congo Bill]] and Congorilla, [[Rex, the Wonder Dog (New Earth)|Rex the Wonder Dog]], [[Orin (New Earth)|Aquaman]], [[Diana of Paradise Island (Earth-One)|Wonder Woman]], [[Lois Lane (Earth-One)|Lois Lane]], and [[James Olsen (Earth-One)|Jimmy Olsen]]. The only prominent hero missing is Green Arrow, who is involved in a case that takes him and his sidekick [[Roy Harper (New Earth)|Speedy]] back to the [[Starfish Island|island of his origin]] <ref>{{c|Adventure Comics #256}}</ref>.
+
When [[Roy Raymond, Sr. (New Earth)|Roy Raymond]], telejournalist and host of the "Impossible But True" program, learns of the situation, his public disclosure of the problem instigates a gathering of heroes, including the [[Blackhawk Squadron (Earth-One)|Blackhawks]], the [[Challengers of the Unknown (New Earth)|Challengers of the Unknown]], [[Eel O'Brian (Earth-One)|Plastic Man]], the [[Gregory Sanders (Earth-One)|Vigilante]], [[Robert Crane (New Earth)|Robotman]], [[William Glenmorgan (New Earth)|Congo Bill]] and [[Congorilla (New Earth)|Congorilla]], [[Rex, the Wonder Dog (New Earth)|Rex the Wonder Dog]], [[Orin (New Earth)|Aquaman]], [[Diana of Paradise Island (Earth-One)|Wonder Woman]], [[Lois Lane (Earth-One)|Lois Lane]], and [[James Olsen (Earth-One)|Jimmy Olsen]]. The only prominent hero missing is Green Arrow, who is involved in a case that takes him and his sidekick [[Roy Harper (New Earth)|Speedy]] back to the [[Starfish Island|island of his origin]].<ref>{{c|Adventure Comics Vol 1 256}}</ref>
   
−
The assembled champions divide up into groups to search out further Martian activity: Plastic Man, Jimmy Olsen, and the Blackhawks accidentally run afoul of [[Ripley Hunter (Earth-One)|Rip Hunter]]'s newly invented [[Time Sphere]]. Vigilante, Robotman, Congo Bill, Congorilla, Lois Lane, and the Challengers have a near-encounter with [[Adam Strange (Earth-One)|Adam Strange]] and the [[Zeta-Beam]]
+
The assembled champions divide up into groups to search out further Martian activity: Plastic Man, Jimmy Olsen, and the Blackhawks accidentally run afoul of [[Ripley Hunter (Earth-One)|Rip Hunter]]'s newly invented [[Time Sphere]]. Vigilante, Robotman, Congo Bill, Congorilla, Lois Lane, and the Challengers have a near-encounter with [[Adam Strange (New Earth)|Adam Strange]] and the [[Zeta-Beam]].
   
 
Finally, the remaining heroes discover Blanx and his men, and rescue the captive J'onn J'onzz. The successful team, with the exceptions of Robin, Roy Raymond, and Rex, consists of the same heroes who will make an agreement to unite formally as the Justice League of America some months later; even the future Green Lantern is present, having encountered the Martians in his identity as test pilot Hal Jordan.
  
Finally, the remaining heroes discover Blanx and his men, and rescue the captive J'onn J'onzz. The successful team, with the exceptions of Robin, Roy Raymond, and Rex, consists of the same heroes who will make an agreement to unite formally as the Justice League of America some months later; even the future Green Lantern is present, having encountered the Martians in his identity as test pilot Hal Jordan.
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'''Featured Characters:'''
  
'''Featured Characters:'''
 
* {{a|[[Justice League of America (New Earth)|Justice League of America]]}} {{Origin|Justice League}}
  
* {{a|[[Justice League of America (New Earth)|Justice League of America]]}} {{Origin|Justice League}}
−
:* {{a|[[Orin (New Earth)|Aquaman]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Orin (New Earth)|Aquaman]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Bruce Wayne (Earth-One)|Batman]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Bruce Wayne (Earth-One)|Batman]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Bartholomew Allen (New Earth)|The Flash]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Barry Allen (New Earth)|The Flash]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{apn|[[Oliver Queen (New Earth)|Green Arrow]]|Green Lantern Vol 2 95|Brave and the Bold #136}}
 +
** {{a|[[Oliver Queen (New Earth)|Green Arrow]]}}
−
:* {{apn|[[Hal Jordan (New Earth)|Green Lantern]]|Green Lantern Vol 2 95|Action Comics #473}} {{Flashalso}}
 +
** {{a|[[Hal Jordan (New Earth)|Green Lantern/Hal Jordan]]}} {{Flashalso}}
−
:* {{a|[[J'onn J'onzz (New Earth)|Martian Manhunter]]}} {{Flashback}} {{Origin}}
 +
** {{a|[[J'onn J'onzz (Earth-One)|Martian Manhunter/John Jones]]}} {{Flashback}} {{Origin}}
−
:* {{apn|[[Kal-El (Earth-One)|Superman]]|World's Finest #245|Action Comics #471}} {{Flashalso}}
 +
** {{a|[[Kal-El (Earth-One)|Superman]]}} {{Flashalso}}
−
:* {{a|[[Diana of Paradise Island (Earth-One)|Wonder Woman]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Diana of Paradise Island (Earth-One)|Wonder Woman]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
'''Supporting Characters:'''
  
'''Supporting Characters:'''
 
* {{a|[[Blackhawk Squadron (Earth-One)|Blackhawk Squadron]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Blackhawk Squadron (Earth-One)|Blackhawk Squadron]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Andre (Earth-One)|Andre]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Andre (Earth-One)|Andre]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Bartholomew Hawk (Earth-One)|Blackhawk]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Bartholomew Hawk (Earth-One)|Blackhawk]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Wu Cheng (Earth-One)|Chop-Chop]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Wu Cheng (Earth-One)|Chop-Chop]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Charles Wilson (Earth-One)|Chuck Wilson]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Charles Wilson (Earth-One)|Chuck Wilson]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Hans Hendrickson (Earth-One)|Hans Hendrickson]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Hans Hendrickson (Earth-One)|Hans Hendrickson]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Olaf Bjornson (Earth-One)|Olaf Bjornson]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Olaf Bjornson (Earth-One)|Olaf Bjornson]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Stanislaus (Earth-One)|Stanislaus]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Stanislaus (Earth-One)|Stanislaus]]}} {{Flashback}}
⚫
* {{a|[[Captain Harding (New Earth)|Captain Harding]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
 
* {{a|[[Challengers of the Unknown (New Earth)|Challengers of the Unknown]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Challengers of the Unknown (New Earth)|Challengers of the Unknown]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Kyle Morgan (New Earth)|Ace Morgan]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Kyle Morgan (New Earth)|Ace Morgan]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Walter Haley (New Earth)|Prof Haley]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Walter Haley (New Earth)|Prof Haley]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Matthew Ryan (New Earth)|Red Ryan]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Matthew Ryan (New Earth)|Red Ryan]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Lester Davis (New Earth)|Rocky Davis]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Lester Davis (New Earth)|Rocky Davis]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[William Glenmorgan (New Earth)|Congo Bill]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[William Glenmorgan (New Earth)|Congo Bill]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[Congorilla (New Earth)|Congorilla]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Congorilla (New Earth)|Congorilla]]}} {{Flashback}}
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* {{a|[[Karen Duncan (New Earth)|Karen Duncan]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Karen Duncan (New Earth)|Karen Duncan]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[Lois Lane (Earth-One)|Lois Lane]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Lois Lane (Earth-One)|Lois Lane]]}} {{Flashback}}
  +
* {{a|[[Middleton Police Department|Middletown Police Department]]}}
  ⚫
** {{a|[[Captain Harding (New Earth)|Captain Harding]]}} {{Flashback}}
  ⚫
* {{a|[[NASA]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[Eel O'Brian (Earth-One)|Plastic Man]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Eel O'Brian (Earth-One)|Plastic Man]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[Mark Erdel (Earth-One)|Professor Erdel]]}} {{Flashback Dies}}
 
* {{a|[[Mark Erdel (Earth-One)|Professor Erdel]]}} {{Flashback Dies}}
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* {{a|[[Roy Raymond, Sr. (New Earth)|Roy Raymond]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Roy Raymond, Sr. (New Earth)|Roy Raymond]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[Gregory Sanders (Earth-One)|Vigilante]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Gregory Sanders (Earth-One)|Vigilante]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
'''Villains:'''
+
'''Antagonists:'''
 
* {{a|[[White Martians]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[White Martians]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:*{{a|[[Benn Blanx (Earth-One)|Commander Blanx]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
**{{a|[[Benn Blanx (Earth-One)|Commander Blanx]]}} {{1stChron}} {{Flashback}}
 
'''Other Characters:'''
  
'''Other Characters:'''
−
* {{a|[[Adam Strange (Earth-One)|Adam Strange]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
* {{a|[[Adam Strange (New Earth)|Adam Strange]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
* {{a|[[Alanna Strange (Earth-One)|Alanna]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
* {{a|[[Alanna (New Earth)|Alanna]]}} {{Flashback}}
⚫
* [[Carl Ferris (New Earth)|Carl Ferris]] {{Mentioned}}
  
 
* {{a|[[Jeffrey Smith (Earth-One)|Jeff Smith]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Jeffrey Smith (Earth-One)|Jeff Smith]]}} {{Flashback}}
  ⚫
* {{a|[[Ripley Hunter (Earth-One)|Rip Hunter]]}} {{Flashback}}
  +
* {{WP|David Brinkley}} {{Flashback}} {{TV}} {{Unnamed}}
  ⚫
* {{WP|Chet Huntley}} {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[Ferris Aircraft]] {{Mentioned}}
  ⚫
** [[Carl Ferris (New Earth)|Carl Ferris]] {{Mentioned}}
 
* [[Alexis Luthor (Earth-One)|Lex Luthor]] {{Mentioned}}
  
* [[Alexis Luthor (Earth-One)|Lex Luthor]] {{Mentioned}}
−
* {{a|[[Ripley Hunter (Earth-One)|Rip Hunter]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
* [[Samuel Scudder (New Earth)|Mirror Master]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[Orson Welles (New Earth)|Orson Welles]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[Richard Nixon (New Earth)|Richard Nixon]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[Santa Claus]] {{Mentioned}}
 
* [[Roy Harper (New Earth)|Speedy]] {{Mentioned}}
  
* [[Roy Harper (New Earth)|Speedy]] {{Mentioned}}
 
'''Locations:'''
  
'''Locations:'''
−
* {{a|[[Earth]]}}
 +
* {{a|[[1955]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Central City]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** {{a|[[Middleton|Middletown]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
:* {{a|[[Metropolis]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
** [[Georgia]] {{Mentioned}}
−
:* {{a|[[Middleton]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
* {{a|[[1959|February, 1959]]}} {{Flashback}}
  +
** {{a|[[Earth]]}}
⚫
:* [[Starfish Island]] {{Mentioned}}
  
  +
*** {{a|[[Atlantic Ocean]]}} {{Flashback}}
⚫
* {{a|[[Justice League Satellite I|JLA Satellite]]}}
  
−
* [[Mars (Planet)|Mars]] {{Mentioned}}
 +
*** {{a|[[Central City]]}} {{Flashback}}
−
* {{a|[[Rann]]}} {{Flashback}}
 +
*** {{a|[[Florida]]}} {{Flashback}}
  +
**** {{a|[[Cape Canaveral]]}} {{Flashback}}
  +
*** {{a|[[Metropolis]]}} {{Flashback}}
  +
**** Metro Building {{Flashback}}
  +
**** [[Daily Planet]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
**** Metropolis Park {{Mentioned}}
  +
**** [[Galaxy Communications|WGBS]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
*** [[Middleton|Middletown]] {{Flashback}}
  +
*** {{WP|South Seas}} {{Mentioned}}
  +
**** [[Starfish Island]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
** {{a|[[Rann]]}} {{Flashback}}
  +
** [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* {{a|[[1977]]}}
  +
** [[Earth]]
  +
*** {{a|[[Africa]]}}
  ⚫
** {{a|[[Justice League Satellite|JLA Satellite]]}}
  +
* [[1964]] {{Mentioned}}
  +
* [[American Civil War]] {{Mentioned}}
 
'''Items:'''
  
'''Items:'''
  +
* {{a|[[Bracelets of Submission|Amazon Bracelets]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[Utility Belt|Batman's Utility Belt]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Utility Belt|Batman's Utility Belt]]}} {{Flashback}}
  +
* {{a|[[Batrope]]}}
⚫
* {{a|[[Bracelets of Submission|Amazon Bracelets]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
  +
* Erdel's Robot-Brain {{Flashback}} {{Destroyed}}
  +
* {{a|[[Lasso of Truth|Golden Lasso]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[Kawolo's Magic Ring]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Kawolo's Magic Ring]]}} {{Flashback}}
⚫
* {{a|[[Lasso of Truth|Golden Lasso]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
 
* {{a|[[Wonder Woman's Tiara]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Wonder Woman's Tiara]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[Zeta-Beam]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Zeta-Beam]]}} {{Flashback}}
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* {{a|[[Grumman XF5F Skyrocket|Blackhawk Plane]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Grumman XF5F Skyrocket|Blackhawk Plane]]}} {{Flashback}}
 
* {{a|[[Vig-Cycle]]}} {{Flashback}}
  
* {{a|[[Vig-Cycle]]}} {{Flashback}}
  +
'''Concepts:'''
−
<br/>
  
  +
* [[Time Travel]] {{Mentioned}}
   
 
| Notes =
 
| Notes =
−
* The flashback events from this issue take place before {{c|Justice League of America Vol 1 9}}.
 +
* The flashback events from this issue take place before {{c|Justice League of America Vol 1 9}} and are exclusive to the [[Pre-Crisis]] history of the [[Justice League of America (New Earth)|Justice League of America]].
  +
* An anchorman (implicitly {{WP|David Brinkley}}) makes reference to a standoff between [[Kal-El (Earth-One)|Superman]] and [[Alexis Luthor (Earth-One)|Lex Luthor]] as the [[Kryptonite Man]] in Metropolis Park. This event took place in {{c|Action Comics Vol 1 249}}.
−  
  +
* The [[J'onn J'onzz (Earth-One)|Martian Manhunter]] makes reference to an incident where he was forced to neutralize [[Martian]] weapons on Earth. This event took place in {{c|Detective Comics Vol 1 264}}. This issue's events [[retcon]] the story of that issue so that [[Benn Blanx (Earth-One)|Commander Blanx]] was covertly behind the release of the weapons and their destructive havoc.
−
| Trivia = * Note the use of an actual date ([[1959]]) in the narrative. That would place the events 18 years in the past (from the publishing date). An editor's note this is comic book time and that characters have their own ways to stop the clock on aging.
  
  +
* The [[Barry Allen (New Earth)|Flash]] makes reference to having first used the tactic of sweeping an entire battleground area for an invisible enemy against the [[Samuel Scudder (New Earth)|Mirror Master]]. This event took place in {{c|The Flash Vol 1 105}}, which the Flash states happened "last week".
  +
* [[Ripley Hunter (Earth-One)|Rip Hunter]] and [[Jeffrey Smith (Earth-One)|Jeff Smith]] open fire on the [[Blackhawk Squadron (Earth-One)|Blackhawk Squadron]], [[Eel O'Brian (Earth-One)|Plastic Man]], and [[James Olsen (Earth-One)|Jimmy Olsen]] during their search for the [[White Martians]], believing them to be intruders intent on stealing their experimental [[Time Sphere]]. This event takes place prior to Rip Hunter's first sojourn through time in {{c|Showcase Vol 1 20}}. The Blackhawks broke into Rip's lab to confront their assailant, but Rip and Jeff escaped with the secret of time-travel technology before they could be identified and thus remained a mystery at the time.
  +
* The explanation for why [[Oliver Queen (New Earth)|Green Arrow]] and [[Roy Harper (New Earth)|Speedy]] weren't present for the "secret first mission of the Justice League" was because they were busy vacationing on [[Starfish Island]] at the time of the events. At first, GA and Speedy had returned to the island to search it for anything that could reveal their secret identities. These events took place in {{c|Adventure Comics Vol 1 256}}.
  +
| Trivia = * Note the use of an actual date ([[1959]]) in the narrative. That would place the events 18 years in the past (from the publishing date). An editor's note this is comic book time and that characters have their own ways to stop the clock on aging. However, this is inconsistent with other methods of tracking the [[Pre-Crisis]] DCU chronology that was contemporary with the publication of this issue. For instance, [[Kal-El (Earth-One)|Superboy]]'s non-[[Legion of Super-Heroes (Pre-Zero Hour)|Legion]] adventures had been said to take place in [[Smallville]] during the 1950s by the time the 1970s came around<ref>{{c|Superboy Vol 1 202}}</ref><ref>{{c|Superboy Vol 1 208}}</ref>, making the idea that the adult Superman or any of the other JLA heroes would have canonically been around in 1959 highly dubious by [[1977]] standards. {{c|Superman: The Secret Years Vol 1|Superman: The Secret Years}}, published in [[1985]], has the adventures surrounding the transition from Superboy to Superman in [[Metropolis]] take place in the 1970s, shifting the timeline ahead further. The editorial decision that Superman and [[Bruce Wayne (Earth-One)|Batman]] should be made perpetually 29 years old also conflicts with the notion that the extended flashback in this issue should be taken to have taken place 18 years behind the part of the story depicted as "contemporary." In other words, the use of dates, time scales, and topical references should not be taken seriously for the purposes of establishing the canonical place of this issue within the Pre-Crisis DCU chronology.
 
| Recommended = {{JLA RR}}
  
| Recommended = {{JLA RR}}
−
| Links = {{JLA Links}}
 +
| Links =
 
}}
  
}}
 
{{Justice League Origins}}
  
{{Justice League Origins}}

Latest revision as of 23:10, 9 August 2023

"The Origin of the Justice League – Minus One!": While he is looking through the JLA casebook, Green Arrow discovers discrepancies in the established "origin" of the team, and asks for the true story, which [[Kal-El (Earth-On

Quote1 Once I would have sold my soul to return home! Now, I see the truth-- The truth I should have seen years ago! The Mars I loved is gone! It is a world of lost causes and dead dreams! Evil triumphed over good there! But here, on Earth, the eternal struggle continues! Here one such as I-- And ones such as yourselves-- can still tip the balance the right way! I love my adopted world! It needs-- a Manhunter from Mars! Quote2
— Martian Manhunter

Justice League of America #144 is an issue of the series Justice League of America (Volume 1) with a cover date of July, 1977. It was published on April 7, 1977.

Synopsis for "The Origin of the Justice League – Minus One!"

While he is looking through the JLA casebook, Green Arrow discovers discrepancies in the established "origin" of the team, and asks for the true story, which Superman and Green Lantern relate with the aid of a videotape account narrated by J'onn J'onzz.

In February, 1959, a panic is generated by the revelation of the presence of Martians (specifically from J'onzz and his enemy Commander Blanx and his followers) on Earth. Unable to cope with the situation alone, the Flash, then a mere fledgling as a super-hero, summons the more experienced Superman, Batman, and Robin to help out.

When Roy Raymond, telejournalist and host of the "Impossible But True" program, learns of the situation, his public disclosure of the problem instigates a gathering of heroes, including the Blackhawks, the Challengers of the Unknown, Plastic Man, the Vigilante, Robotman, Congo Bill and Congorilla, Rex the Wonder Dog, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen. The only prominent hero missing is Green Arrow, who is involved in a case that takes him and his sidekick Speedy back to the island of his origin.[1]

The assembled champions divide up into groups to search out further Martian activity: Plastic Man, Jimmy Olsen, and the Blackhawks accidentally run afoul of Rip Hunter's newly invented Time Sphere. Vigilante, Robotman, Congo Bill, Congorilla, Lois Lane, and the Challengers have a near-encounter with Adam Strange and the Zeta-Beam.

Finally, the remaining heroes discover Blanx and his men, and rescue the captive J'onn J'onzz. The successful team, with the exceptions of Robin, Roy Raymond, and Rex, consists of the same heroes who will make an agreement to unite formally as the Justice League of America some months later; even the future Green Lantern is present, having encountered the Martians in his identity as test pilot Hal Jordan.

Appearing in "The Origin of the Justice League – Minus One!"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

Other Characters:

Locations:

Items:

Vehicles:

Concepts:

Notes

Trivia

  • Note the use of an actual date (1959) in the narrative. That would place the events 18 years in the past (from the publishing date). An editor's note this is comic book time and that characters have their own ways to stop the clock on aging. However, this is inconsistent with other methods of tracking the Pre-Crisis DCU chronology that was contemporary with the publication of this issue. For instance, Superboy's non-Legion adventures had been said to take place in Smallville during the 1950s by the time the 1970s came around[2][3], making the idea that the adult Superman or any of the other JLA heroes would have canonically been around in 1959 highly dubious by 1977 standards. Superman: The Secret Years, published in 1985, has the adventures surrounding the transition from Superboy to Superman in Metropolis take place in the 1970s, shifting the timeline ahead further. The editorial decision that Superman and Batman should be made perpetually 29 years old also conflicts with the notion that the extended flashback in this issue should be taken to have taken place 18 years behind the part of the story depicted as "contemporary." In other words, the use of dates, time scales, and topical references should not be taken seriously for the purposes of establishing the canonical place of this issue within the Pre-Crisis DCU chronology.


See Also

Recommended Reading

Links and References

  1. ↑ Adventure Comics #256
  2. ↑ Superboy #202
  3. ↑ Superboy #208
The Brave and the Bold 28
Justice League Origins
DC Rebirth Logo

Origin stories for how the Justice League of America came together have had multiple retellings over the years. Although numerous attempts have been made at writing a definitive origin story, the true history of the team has spanned many decades and many changes.

Key Issues
Justice League of America #9 · Justice League of America #144 · Secret Origins (Volume 2) #32 · Justice League Task Force #16 · Superman: The Man of Steel Annual #4 · JLA: Year One (Volume 1) · JLA Incarnations #1 · Justice League of America (Volume 2) #0 · 52 #51 · Justice League of America (Volume 2) #12 · DC Universe Legacies #3 · Justice League (Volume 2) #1 –#6
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