15 Comic Book 'Firsts' You Didn't Know
13. Justice Society Of America - The First Superhero Team
The Justice League may be the most popular superteam in DC Comics but the Justice Society of America predates them by a full two decades. The JSA debuted as the first superteam in All Star Comics #3 in 1940. The original group was composed of the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Sandman, Spectre, Doctor Fate, Hourman, and the Atom.
In their first appearance together, the eight superheroes had a meeting to chat about their most exciting adventures. After their discussion, the gang realised they would be more efficient at stopping crime if they joined forces. (In a retconned story, it is stated that the Justice Society was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to serve as a beacon of hope during World War II.)
The heroes invite Superman and Batman to the meeting but they were too busy patrolling. It's kind of weird how Batman and Superman are DC's most famous superheroes and yet, they are not founding members of the Justice Society or the Justice League.
The team was created by Gardner Fox and Sheldon Mayer. Gardner Fox also created the concept of the DC Multiverse, which popularised the parallel universe concept in story-telling.