History of Justice League in Timeline

The Justice League is a superhero team in DC Comics, conceived by Gardner Fox as a revival of the Justice Society of America. Unlike teams like Doom Patrol or the X-Men, Justice League members typically operate independently but unite against significant threats. The team commonly features popular heroes with solo books, such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, alongside lesser-known characters who gain exposure through the team's stories. The Justice League made its first appearance in The Brave and the Bold #28.

1940: Creation of the Justice Society of America

In 1940, editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox created the Justice Society of America, which served as the precursor to the Justice League.

March 1951: Cancellation of the Justice Society of America

Due to declining popularity of superheroes after World War II, the Justice Society of America's comic series, All-Star Comics, was cancelled in March 1951 with issue #57.

March 1960: Debut of the Justice League of America

In March 1960, the Justice League of America debuted in The Brave and the Bold #28, revitalizing the superhero team concept and quickly becoming one of DC Comics' best-selling titles.

March 1960: First Appearance of the Justice League

In March 1960, the Justice League, also known as the Justice League of America (JLA), made its debut in The Brave and the Bold #28, conceived by writer Gardner Fox as a revival of the Justice Society of America.

1960: Justice League's Initial Roster Strategy

From the Justice League's start in 1960, its roster included popular A-list characters to attract readers.

1960: Justice League Comic Books

Since 1960, the Justice League has been featured in numerous comic books published by DC Comics, including periodicals and graphic novels, forming the core of Justice League fiction.

1960: Publication of Justice League of America (vol. 1) Begins

The Justice League of America (vol. 1) comic book series started its publication run in 1960.

1961: Justice League Wins Alley Awards

In 1961, the original Justice League of America series won two Alley Awards for "Best Comic Book" and "Best Adventure-Hero Group."

August 1963: First Justice League and Justice Society Crossover

In August 1963, Justice League of America (vol. 1) #21 featured the first crossover story, bringing together the Justice League and the Justice Society of America, reviving legacy characters and becoming a recurring event.

1963: Justice League Wins More Alley Awards

In 1963, the Justice League series won Alley Awards for "Favorite Novel" (Crisis on Earth-One/Crisis on Earth-Two) and "Strip that Should Be Improved," along with a specific award for "Artist Preferred on Justice League of America," won by Murphy Anderson.

1970: Justice League Moves Headquarters to Satellite

In 1970, the Justice League moved their headquarters from a hollowed-out mountain in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island, to a satellite in space, as depicted in Justice League of America #78.

1973: Justice League Operates out of Hall of Justice

From 1973 to 1985, the Justice League operated out of the Hall of Justice in Washington, D.C., as depicted in the Super Friends cartoons.

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1983: DC Comics Purchases Charlton Comics

In 1983, DC Comics acquired Charlton Comics, leading to the integration of characters like Captain Atom and Blue Beetle into the DC Universe later on.

October 1984: Justice League Roster Revised in Annual #2

In October 1984, Justice League of America Annual #2 revised the Justice League's roster to consist entirely of more obscure characters, such as Vixen, Vibe, and Martian Manhunter.

1985: End of Hall of Justice Era

From 1973 to 1985, the Justice League operated out of the Hall of Justice in Washington, D.C., as depicted in the Super Friends cartoons.

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1986: Formation of the New Justice League International

In 1986, the company-wide crossover "Legends" concluded with the formation of a new Justice League, later known as the Justice League International (JLI), with a less American focus and recognition by the United Nations.

1987: Justice League of America (vol. 1) Ends

The Justice League of America (vol. 1) comic book series concluded its publication run in 1987.

September 1996: Launch of Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare

In September 1996, DC revamped the League with the launch of the miniseries Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Mark Waid and Fabian Nicieza, which returned to the classic cast.

1996: Cancellation of Justice League Spin-off Series

In 1996, numerous Justice League spin-off teams such as Justice League Europe, Extreme Justice, and Justice League Task Force were cancelled due to low sales.

1996: Return of A-List Members to the Justice League

In 1996, the original A-list members of the Justice League were brought back into the cast after being replaced by more obscure characters in 1984.

January 1997: Launch of New JLA Comic Book

In January 1997, DC Comics launched a new book titled JLA, written by Grant Morrison, which focused on world-threatening villains and established the Justice League as an allegory for a pantheon of gods.

1997: New Moon-Based Headquarters

From 1997 to 2006, in the JLA comic book, the Justice League's headquarters was on the Moon and called "the Watchtower".

2003: Joint Publication of JLA/Avengers

In 2003, the last crossover between DC Comics and Marvel Comics, titled JLA/Avengers, was jointly published.

April 2006: Conclusion of the JLA Monthly Run

In April 2006, the JLA ongoing series concluded its monthly run after 126 issues, having started in January 1997.

2006: End of the Moon-Based Headquarters Era

From 1997 to 2006, in the JLA comic book, the Justice League's headquarters was on the Moon and called "the Watchtower".

2006: Beginning of Justice League of America (vol. 2)

In 2006, DC began an ongoing comic series titled Justice League of America (vol. 2), continuing the trend of epic plots and strong tie-ins to company crossover events.

2011: Cyborg Joins Justice League and Justice League Dark Spin-Off

In 2011, during The New 52 era, Cyborg became a founding member of the Justice League, and DC Comics released a spin-off title called Justice League Dark, featuring magic users from the DC Universe.

2017: Dan Didio Remarks on DC/Marvel Crossovers

In 2017, Dan Didio commented that DC Comics and Marvel are very competitive and only did crossovers when their sales were low.

July 2018: Release of Justice League Dark Volume 2

In July 2018, the second volume of Justice League Dark was released, featuring Wonder Woman leading a team including John Constantine and Zatanna.

2018: Release of Justice League: No Justice

In 2018, Justice League: No Justice, a four-issue series, was released following Dark Nights: Metal.

2019: Justice League Crossover with Black Hammer

In 2019, DC Comics featured the Justice League in a crossover with Black Hammer from Dark Horse Comics.

2020: End of Justice League Odyssey

In 2020, Justice League Odyssey, a title created by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, James Tynion IV, and Francis Manapul, concluded its 25-issue run.

February 2021: End of Justice League Dark Volume 2

In February 2021, the second volume of Justice League Dark concluded after 29 issues, having started in July 2018.

May 2021: Justice League Dark Appears in Main Justice League Series

In May 2021, the Justice League Dark team began appearing as a backup feature in the mainline Justice League series, starting with issue #59, during the Dark Crisis story arc.

January 2022: Release of Justice League Incarnate

In January 2022, Justice League Incarnate, a 5-issue title tied to Dark Crises, was released, featuring pivotal members such as Superman of Earth 23 and Flashpoint Batman.

March 2022: Justice League Dark Feature Ends

In March 2022, Justice League Dark's run as a backup feature in the main Justice League series concluded with issue #71, though they made guest appearances in issues #72-74.

May 2022: End of Justice League Incarnate Series

In May 2022, the 5-issue run of Justice League Incarnate concluded, featuring a team consisting of Superman of Earth 23, Flashpoint Batman, and others.

June 2022: Conclusion of Justice League Volume 4

In June 2022, the fourth volume of the main Justice League title reached its conclusion with a total of 75 issues, continuing into the Infinite Frontier era.

2025: Justice League Featured in DC X Sonic the Hedgehog

In 2025, the Justice League is set to be featured in the five-issue miniseries DC X Sonic the Hedgehog, written by Ian Flynn, teaming up with Sonic and his friends against Darkseid.