JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA

JSA Chronology

Chronology Standards

Introduction PART 1:
Pre-War		 PART 2:
The Golden Age 		PART 3: 
All-Star Squadron		 PART 4: 
Young All-Stars		 PART 5: 
Post-War
PART 6: 
Silver Age		 PART 7: 
Infinity, Inc.		 PART 8: 
Legacies		 PART 9: 
JSA #1-66 		PART 10: 
JSA #67-present		 PART 11:
JSA All-Stars

Part 2: The Golden Age

Sequence of Events Issue (Date)
1938
SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE
Plagued by dreams, Wesley Dodds becomes the Sandman. In his first major case, he solves a series of murders committed by an unknown killer called the Tarantula. At the same time, he meets Dian Belmont. NOTES: Before the Sandman Mystery Theatre series, Secret Origins #7 (1986) established the date of the Sandman's debut as June 10, 1939. Since the Crisis on Infinite Earths, the debuts of several heroes (including the Sandman, the Flash and Hourman) have been moved earlier to fill the void left by the elimination of the Golden Age Superman and Batman. The Sandman's first published appearance was in New York World's Fair Comics #1, released April 30, 1939, although the story in Adventure #40, which was published in early June 1939, preceded it chronologically (and was probably written first). Dian Belmont's first appearance was in Adventure #47 (February 1940). The Tarantula in Sandman Mystery Theatre story bears little resemblance to the villain of Adventure #40, which was reprinted in Justice League of America #94 (1972). Adventure #40 (7.39), SMT #1-4 (8-11.93)
February 26, 1938: The Sandman investigates a series of murders in New York's Chinatown committed by The Face. NOTES: The date of this adventure is established by Dian's diary entry in Sandman Mystery Theatre #5. The villain of the SMT story resembles that of Adventure #44 in name only. Adventure #44 (11.39), SMT #5-8 (12.93-3.94)
March 12-13, 1938: Germany annexes Austria.
March 13, 1938: Baroness Paula Von Gunther's husband, Gottfried, is murdered by Nazi agents when he refuses to surrender his wealth. Two months later, Paula receives HIS ashes from the Nazis in a cigar box. Her daughter Gerta is imprisoned in a concentration camp and Paula is forced into service as a slaver and spy in America. These events drive her to insane cruelty. Wonder Woman v.1 #3 (??)
St. Patrick's Day, 1938: Sandman battles the Brute. Dian becomes involved with the United Way charity. SMT #9-12 (12.93-3.94)
While attending Midwestern University, Jay Garrick gains super speed from exposure to "heavy water" fumes. NOTES: The date of Jay's accident is somewhat uncertain. Secret Origins #9 (12.86) established that the accident took place in early 1939, a few months before his heroic debut in the fall of that year. Flash Secret Files #1 indicates that Jay gained his powers in 1938. In JSA #13 (8.00), Extant states that the accident took place on January 25, 1940, but that date is inconsistent with all other accounts and should probably be considered apocryphal. Flash v.1 #1 (1.40), Secret Origins #9 (12.86)
June 1938: EARTH-2: Clark Kent moves to Metropolis and goes to work for the Daily Star, where he meets Lois Lane. He adopts the identity of Superman. Action #1 (6.38)
Magician Giovanni Zatara and wealthy oil man Tex Thompson (Mr. America) begin fighting crime. NOTE: Tex Thompson became Mr. America in Action #33. The origin of Zatara was retold in Secret Origins #27; the origin of Tex Thompson was retold in Secret Origins #29. Action #1 (6.38), Secret Origins #27 (6.88), Secret Origins #29 (8.88)
Sandman battles the Vamp, and her sorority sisters, who are trying to avenge her rape at the hands of a fraternity. Dian and Wesley have their first sexual encounter. SMT #13-16 (4-7.94)
June 23, 1938: The Sandman pursues a mysterious mugger plaguing visitors to New York's Central Park. NOTE: One chapter of this story was drawn by Alex Ross, his first DC work. SMT Annual #1 (10.94)
Jay Garrick becomes an assistant professor at Coleman University. Shortly afterward he saves his college girlfriend, Joan Williams, and her father from Sieur Satan and the Faultless Four as The Flash. Joan shares the secret of his dual identity. NOTES: The date of Jay's debut as the Flash in current continuity is somewhat unclear. Roy Thomas established that Jay's costumed debut was in fall 1939, a few weeks after the German invasion of Poland (in All-Star Squadron and Secret Origins #9). The timelines in Zero Hour #0 (9.94) and Flash Secret Files #1 (11.97), as well as references in Sandman Mystery Theater, indicate that in post-Zero Hour continuity he debuted in 1938. Golden Age Secret Files #1 (2.01) complicates matters further by indicating that Jay gained his powers in 1938, but did not become the Flash until early 1940, although another story in that same issue has Jay active as the Flash by November 1938. Perhaps Jay had some less-publicized adventures, perhaps not in costume, between the time of his origin and the stories in Flash #2 on (which are explicitly described as taking place in early 1940). Many of those early stories described the Flash as operating in New York City, but most modern accounts show him as having always operated in Keystone City. Flash v.1 #1 (1.40)
Henry Grant's gambling addiction leads to his wife's murder. The mob fakes Henry's death, too, and his son Ted is left destitute. He's forced to drop out of college and try his hand at professional boxing. NOTE: JSA Classified #27 places Henry's actual death at 1938. It's uncertain what year his mother was killed. The origin story in Sensation #1 (1942), mentions his parents' deaths in flashback. Sensation Comics #1 (1.42), JSA Classified #26-27 (7-8.07)
College student Ted Grant is trained in boxing by a man later revealed to be Nat Milligan, the man who trained Jim Harper (the Guardian). A*SQ Annual #1 (1982)
September 29-30, 1938: Germany, Italy, France, and Britain sign an agreement in Munich that allows Germany to occupy the Sudetenland areas of Czechoslovakia without opposition beginning October 1. The Czech president is forced to accept it.
October 13, 1938: Hitler acquires the Spear of Destiny from a Vienna museum and takes it to Berlin. NOTES: In the real world, the Spear was stored in Nuremberg for the duration of the war. It was seized by Allied forces on April 30, 1945, only hours before Hitler's suicide, and later returned to the Hofsburg in Vienna.
October 31, 1938: Lee Travis, now the publisher of the New York Globe-Leader, becomes the Crimson Avenger, aided by his Chinese valet, Wing. NOTES: Some accounts, such as Golden Age Secret Files #1 (2.01), suggest that the Crimson Avenger was the first costumed hero in current continuity. However, Secret Origins #5 ties the Crimson Avenger's debut to the famous broadcast of Orson Welles' War of the Worlds on Halloween of 1938, which suggests that while the Avenger may have been the first prominently known masked avenger (thanks, perhaps, to Travis' publicity in his own newspaper), but he was actually preceded by several other heroes, including Quicksilver, the Sandman, and (probably) the Flash. The Crimson Avenger and Wing were closely based on the Green Hornet and Kato, adventurers created by Frank Striker and George W. Trendle, who debuted on WXYZ radio in 1936. Detective #20 (10.38), Secret Origins #5 (8.86)
November 9, 1938: After the assassination of Ernst von Rath, a secretary in the Germany embassy in Paris, by a young Jewish refugee, the Nazis launch a vicious anti-Jewish pogrom throughout Germany. Hundreds of homes and shops are burned and more than 20,000 Jews are arrested, many later sent to concentration camps. The date is later dubbed "Kristallnacht" (Night of Broken Glass).
The Sandman battles the Scorpion, son of a Texas farmer who was bought out of his land and then made an outcast by several wealthy businessmen. Dian begins to suspect Wesley of being the Sandman. SMT #17-20 (8-11.94)
The Sandman defeats Dr. Death. Dian Belmont learns that Wes Dodds is the Sandman. SMT #21-24 (12.94-3.95)
Rex "Tick Tock" Tyler develops Miraclo, a wonder drug that gives him super-powers for an hour at a time. He takes out an ad offering his services to those in need as "The Man of the Hour." He will later call himself Hourman. NOTES: Hourman's debut was retold in Secret Origins #16, which asserted that Rex discovered Miraclo in December 1939—after the debuts of Hawkman and the Spectre. This changed with the publication of Sandman Mystery Theatre #29-32 (see below). In his initial appearances, his name was hyphenated: Hour-Man. Adventure #48 was reprinted in Justice League of America #96 (1971). Adventure #48 (3.40), Secret Origins #16 (7.87)
November 26, 1938: The New York Globe-Leader publishes an interview between John Law (later the Tarantula) and the Crimson Avenger, which confirms the Avenger's existence and establishes him (probably incorrectly) as the first of the masked adventurers. NOTES: This story indicates that the Crimson Avenger is already using his famous gas gun. According to the 1988 Crimson Avenger mini-series, he did not acquire the gas gun until December 1938; prior to that adventure, he used conventional automatic pistols. Golden Age Secret Files #1 (2.01)
December 1938: The Crimson Avenger and Wing defeat the German bund known as the Black Cross, and the Avenger acquires his famous gas gun. Crimson Avenger #1-4 (6-9.88)
THE HOURMAN
Part 1, December 24, 1938: Wesley Dodds meets Rex Tyler at Bannermain Chemicals. SMT #29 (8.95)
Part 2: Rex Tyler's efforts to help an abused family backfire and Wes Dodds has prophetic dreams about Tyler's eventual role as Hourman. SMT #30 (9.95)
Part 3: The Sandman comes to Rex Tyler's aid when the "Man of the Hour" gets in over his head. He later leaves Rex a note dubbing him "Hourman." Rex dons a costume very similar to his later Hourman costume for a masked ball, while Wes Dodds picks a yellow-and-purple outfit similar to the one he will adopt in 1941. SMT #31 (10.95)
Part 4, December 31, 1938: Hourman discovers the Sandman's secret identity. They join forces to thwart the kidnapping of Dorothy Bannermain, the wife of Rex Tyler's boss, and Rex decides to do more research on Miraclo before continuing his heroic career. SMT #32 (11.95)
1939
Doctor Robert Oppenheimer hears about the discovery of nuclear fission, within a few minutes realizes that excess neutrons must be emitted, and that it might be possible to build an atomic bomb.
Spring 1939: The Flash exonerates Joan Williams's father, Major Williams, of espionage charges. The Major learns that the Flash is Jay Garrick. Flash v.1 #3 (3.40)
When Alan Scott is awarded a railroad contract, his rival, Dekker, bombs Alan's train. Scott survives and discovers a railroad lantern formed from the ancient mystic Starheart. At the lantern's mental direction, Alan fashions a ring from the lantern that allows him to tap the Starheart's power, adopting the identity of Green Lantern I. NOTES: Alan Scott's debut as Green Lantern took place in 1939, per the timelines in Zero Hour and Green Lantern Secret Files #1 (1998). The origin of Green Lantern was retold in Secret Origins #18. Also shown in JSA: Classified #11. All-American #16 (7.40), Secret Origins #18 (9.87), JSA: Classified #11 (6.06)
March 15, 1939: German troops move into Czechoslovakia, which is absorbed into the Third Reich without resistance.
Dr. Occult confronts Zatara and attempts to persuade him to join a new alliance of magical heroes. Golden Age Secret Files #1 (2.01)
Ted Knight himself discovers a source of near-limitless cosmic energy. NOTES: The pre-Crisis version of his origin was in All-Star Squadron #41; the post-Crisis revision appeared in Sandman Mystery Theatre #38 and Starman Secret Files #1. A*SQ #41 (1.85), SMT #38 (5.96)
April 1-7, 1939: Italy annexes Albania.
Dian Belmont leaves New York for England to sort out her feelings about her relationship with Wes Dodds. SMT #36 (3.96)
Wes Dodds travels to England and is reunited with Dian Belmont. While attending a party at the home of Magus Roderick Burgess, the Sandman meets the imprisoned Morpheus, who recognizes that "There is some of me in you." The Lord of the Dreaming strips Wesley of the memory of having met. After thwarting a blackmail plot, Wesley and Dian return to New York together. Sandman Midnight Theatre (9.95)
THE MIST
Part 1: As Wes Dodds and Dian Belmont sail back to New York from England, a "mad scientist" calling himself Jonathan Smythe sinks a German merchant ship with his experimental disintegration device. NOTE: "Smythe" later becomes Starman's enemy, the Mist; this is his first chronological appearance. His 1st app. in print was Adventure #67. SMT #37 (4.96)
Part 2: Wes Dodds meets Ted Knight, a young scientist applying for a grant to perfect the alloy needed to collect his newly discovered cosmic energy. Meanwhile, Jonathan Smythe carries out another act of sabotage. NOTE: According to Starman #20, Ted had not yet become Starman upon his first meeting with Wes. SMT #38 (5.96)
Part 3: Ted Knight helps Wes Dodds investigate Smythe's latest act of sabotage, aimed at silencing a prominent local rabbi. SMT #39 (6.96)
Part 4: Jonathan Smythe presents his disintegration device to the Army, but his gangland employers subject him to his own machine for failing them. He flees as far as Opal City before he apparently disintegrates. Ted Knight and Wes Dodds learn that "Smythe" was not his real name. NOTE: A news broadcast mentions that England has formed an alliance with Russia to stand up against further German aggression in Europe. This is not historically correct; although the Russians proposed such an alliance in the spring of 1939, no agreement was reached. SMT #40 (7.96)
April 30, 1939: The New York World's Fair opens in Queens, New York.  The event is marked by the threatening appearance of a masked killer,   the "Phantom of the Fair." His existence was not publicly known. NOTES: The super-powered Phantom was closely based on the Fantom of the Fair, a costumed hero who appeared in issues #11-24 of Centaur Publications' Amazing Mystery Funnies. Secret Origins #7 (10.86)
Alan Scott (Green Lantern) visits the World's Fair and meets radio reporter Irene Miller, who later becomes his girlfriend. All-American #18 (9.40)
THE PHANTOM OF THE FAIR
Part 1: June 1939: A mysterious masked figure calling himself "The Phantom of the Fair" terrorizes the World's Fair with a series of mutilation murders. SMT #41 (8.96)
Part 2: At the mayor's order, NYPD detective Jim Corrigan is assigned to help solve the "Phantom of the Fair" case. NOTE: Corrigan makes several remarks foreshadowing his later role as the Spectre, but his death and resurrection take place later in the year. SMT #42 (9.96)
Part 3: Wesley Dodds's friend Robert falls victim to the Phantom of the Fair and the Sandman has his first encounter with the Crimson Avenger. SMT #43 (10.96)
Part 4: While King George and Queen Elizabeth of Britain visit the World's Fair, The Sandman unmasks the Phantom of the Fair, who is killed in a car crash while attempting to escape. At a news conference, NYPD Lieutenant Anthony Burke denies the existence of the Sandman and the Crimson Avenger, suggesting that the reporter "pack up and head for Central City... go find 'the Flash!'" Wes dreams of the nightmarish Corinthian. NOTE: These events supersede the pre-Zero Hour account of the Phantom of the Fair depicted in Secret Origins #7. Burke's statement was an editorial error; the original Flash was active in Keystone City, not Central City (home of the Silver Age Flash). The Corinthian first appeared in Sandman #10 (1989). SMT #44 (11.96)
The Sandman visits the World's Fair and prevents the henchmen of Wesley Dodds's crooked business partner from stealing an experimental ray gun. NOTES: Released on April 30, 1939, this was the Sandman's first published appearance, although the story in Adventure #40, released in early June, was apparently written first. N.Y. World's Fair Comics #1 (1939)
Alan Scott once again meets Irene Miller and gets a new job working with her as a radio engineer for the Apex Broadcasting Company. All-American #20 (11.40)
The Blackhawk: Polish aviator Janos Prohaska comes to America with a flying circus, seeking funds for European resistance to the Nazis, and is framed for a series of murders. He is ultimately exonerated through the efforts of the Sandman and Dian Belmont (who dons a mask and aids Wesley as "Sandy") and returns to Poland. A few days later, Wes Dodds and Dian Belmont receive a false report that he has been shot down and killed by Nazi fighters in the Mediterranean. NOTES: Prohaska is shown flying an XF5-F Skyrocket, the signature Blackhawk aircraft, which is not historically accurate; the Grumman Skyrocket first flew on April 1, 1940. SMT #45-48 (12.96-3.97)
June 1939: Everett "Busy" Arnold enters the comic book market, forming Quality Comics. His first book is Feature Comics #21. Quality's first original hero is Doll Man, in Feature Comics #27 (December 1939).
August 23, 1939: Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin sign a German-Soviet nonaggression pact.

October 1939: Timely Comics begins publishing with Marvel Comics #1. First appearances of the original Human Torch and Sub-Mariner. The company became Atlas comics in 1951, and Marvel Comics in 1961.
World War II
September 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland.
Wes Dodds and Dian Belmont pick up a copy of Mystery Theatre Magazine containing a fictionalized version of the Sandman's adventures. Dian applies for a job writing for the magazine. SMT #49 (4.97)
While Dian Belmont writes her first pulp story, she and Wesley Dodds read a comic book story about the Sandman and his boy sidekick, Sandy Hawkins, who wear skin-tight yellow costumes. Afterward, Dian is nearly killed when the publishing office is fire-bombed. NOTES: This magazine could have influenced Wes' subsequent costume change — but this story was originally intended to retroactively eliminate the Sandman's adventures in the purple-and-yellow costume from continuity. Subsequent stories, however, have revealed that the Sandman did later adopt Sandy Hawkins and don his purple-and-yellow costume. SMT #50 (5.97)
September 2, 1939: Janos Prohaska's family is slain by a German fighter attack led by Wolfgang Teppel. Calling himself Blackhawk, Prohaska organizes an independent multinational squadron to fight the Nazis. NOTES: Blackhawk originally was a Quality Comics character. His real name was not revealed in his first appearance in Military #1. The name Janos Prohaska, inspired by an actor and stuntman of the sixties and seventies, was given in the Blackhawk: Blood and Iron mini-series (1988). Blackhawk's origin was reprinted in Blackhawk v.2 #7 (1990) and retold in Secret Origins #45. Military #1 (8.41), Secret Origins #45 (10.89)
While Dian Belmont lays comatose in the hospital, the Sandman has a rematch with the vicious Face. Dian recovers and learns that she is pregnant. SMT #51-52 (6-7.97)
September 3, 1939: Britain, France, Australia, and New Zealand declare war on Germany.
Trying to decide what to do about her pregnancy, Dian Belmont visits Dr. Charles McNider. NOTE: McNider still has his sight in this story; he has not yet become Dr. Mid-Nite. SMT #55 (10.97)
Fearful of her and Wes Dodds's future in a war-torn world, Dian Belmont opts for an abortion. SMT #56 (11.97)
September 8, 1939: Major James Lawrence, American military attaché in Poland and the father of Libby Lawrence (Liberty Belle) is killed in the German bombing of Warsaw. Libby later flees from Poland to Holland and then to France. A*SQ #61 (9.86)
September 17, 1939: Soviet troops invade Poland.
Thanagarian agent Paran Katar arrives on Earth and, using the name Perry Carter, befriends Carter Hall (Hawkman I). Paran Katar surreptitiously helps Carter develop his ninth metal (alternately, "Nth metal") harness, which allows him to defy gravity. NOTE: This Annual contains an essay on changing continuity by Mike Gold. Hawkworld Annual #1 (1991)
September 27-28: Poland surrenders to its invaders. Germany and the U.S.S.R. divide the nation between them.
October 6, 1939: Carter Hall, the reincarnation of Prince Khufu, encounters Shiera Sanders, the reincarnation of Khufu's lover Chay-Ara. Wearing artificial wings and a belt of ninth metal, he becomes Hawkman I, battling and apparently slaying Dr. Anton Hastor, the reincarnation of Hath-Set. NOTES:   Hawkman was the only character to appear in every Golden Age issue of All-Star and Flash Comics. His origin was retold in Secret Origins #11, which also established the date of his debut. Flash v.1 #1 (1.40), Secret Origins #11 (2.87)
October 11, 1939: President Roosevelt is presented with a letter from Albert Einstein outlining the possibilities of nuclear weapons and urging the U.S. to prevent Germany from gaining the advantage in development of the atomic bomb. Ted Knight contributes to the early research efforts. Starman v.2 #SFO 1 (4.98)
November 1939: Critically wounded by an explosion, Marine Corps Private Hank Heywood volunteers for an experimental procedure that turns him into a formidable cyborg soldier, becoming Steel, the Indestructible Man. Steel #1 (3.78)
November 20, 1939: Ted Knight seeks help from his cousin Sandra's colleague, Professor Davis, to harness cosmic energy with his "gravity rod." As Starman, he defeats Dr. Doog (1st chron. app. of both). NOTES: As described in Starman Secret Files and elsewhere, the rod was primarily Ted's invention, with some assistance from Davis. A*SQ #41 (1.85), Starman Secret Files (4.98)
Starman fights Dr. Doog. NOTES: Starman's first appearance in print. No origin accompanied this tale, which was reprinted in Justice League of America #94 (1971). Starman's origin was not told until All-Star Squadron #41 (1985). Adventure #61 (4.41)
Darrell Dane takes a serum enabling him to shrink to six inches while retaining his normal strength. He adopts the identity of Doll Man. Feature #27 (12.39), Secret Origins #8 (11.86)
With the help of a doctor named Marten, The Ultra-Humanite transfers his brain from an ape into the body of actress Dolores Winters. Marten then secretly places Dolores' brain into a dead woman's body. She is horrified that her new face is ugly and she makes Marten begin an endless series of transplants to restore her former beauty. Her brain is also eventually transferred to another body. NOTE: It is not clear whether Ultra's original form was the human first shown in Action #13 (his 1st app.), or the ape in JSA: Classified #20. The latter tale changes the spelling of her first name. Action #20 (1.40), JSA: Classified #20 (2.07)
Scientist Terry Curtis is kidnapped by the Ultra-Humanite and forced to build an atomic disintegrator for the villain. NOTE: Terry Curtis later became the villain Cyclotron. Action #21 (2.40)
1939: The Sandman battles Isabella Sforza, a romance writer who kills as the Mantis. His worldview is changed forever when he finds her garden of corpses. After this, he invents a stronger "incapacitant," but never uses it in the field. The gas induces a state from which the victim might never fully awake. Sandman Mystery Theater: Sleep of Reason #4 (5.07)
On the trail of a killer, the Sandman crosses paths with the Crimson Avenger and Hourman. Dian Belmont once again dons a mask to aid the Sandman as "Sandy." SMT #69 (1.99)
December 31, 1939: Wesley Dodds gives Dian Belmont his mother's ring and proposes marriage. Though the two never actually marry, this event signifies their lifelong commitment to one another. Together, they travel to Europe to rescue Wes's brother Gerald, who has been sending Wes letters with the help of Janos Prohaska (Blackhawk), from the Warsaw ghetto. NOTE: The ultimate fate of Gerald Dodds remains unknown. This was the last issue of Sandman Mystery Theatre. SMT #70 (2.99)
1940

February 1940: Fawcett Publications (founded in 1919) enters the comic book market with Whiz Comics #2, the first appearance of Captain Marvel.
Calvin University student Al Pratt meets former boxing champion Joe Morgan, who begins training Pratt in boxing and weightlifting. He is unaware that Morgan, suffering from multiple-personality disorder, also trained Jim Harper (the Guardian) and Ted Grant (Wildcat) under different names. NOTE: Al Pratt did not actually become the Atom until All-American #20, which took place months later. The Atom's origin was retold in Secret Origins #25, which established that Al met Joe Morgan early in 1940. Joe Morgan's strange secret was revealed in All-Star Squadron Annual #1 (1982). All-American #19 (10.40), Secret Origins #25 (4.88)
After being scarred by acid, a Prussian nobleman undergoes an experimental treatment to unlock the full powers of his mind and body. As Baron Blitzkrieg, he becomes Nazi Germany's principal metahuman agent. World's Finest #246 (9.77)
February 3, 1940: Jim Corrigan and his fiancee, Clarice Winston, are kidnapped by gangster Gat Benson. Corrigan is murdered, but returned to Earth as the Spectre I. NOTE: Corrigan was murdered in More Fun #52, but did not actually become the Spectre until #53. The Spectre's origin is reprinted in Secret Origins, v.1 #7 (1974) and retold in Secret Origins #15 (1987). Date from JSA #62. More Fun #52-53 (2-3.40), Secret Origins #15 (6.87)
February 1940: Steel parachutes into Germany on a daring mission to capture Adolf Hitler, but is captured and sent to a concentration camp. He is brainwashed and left subject to the mental influence of Baron Blitzkrieg. NOTES: This story was originally written for Steel #6, but was published only in Canceled Comics Cavalcade #2 (1978). It later was reformatted, inked by Jerry Ordway, and incorporated into All-Star Squadron #8 and #9 (1982). A*SQ #8-9 (4-5.82)
The Flash and Green Lantern capture an alien pilot who crashes outside of Gotham City. They turn him over to the Army, but, disturbed by the Army's arrogant attitude, they chose not to turn over the alien's ship, burying it outside Gotham City. Green Lantern/Flash: Faster Friends #1 (1997)
April 9-10, 1940: German troops invade Denmark and Norway.
Richard Grey, Jr., raised in Mongolia by wild condors and granted the power of flight by a mysterious meteorite, adopts the identity of murdered Senator Thomas Wright and fights crime as the Black Condor. Also the 1st app. the Spider, the Clock, the Red Torpedo, and the infamous Madame Fatal. NOTES: These heroes were originally published by Quality Comics. The Shade #3? revealed the Spider as a villain — a member of the Ludlow family and mortal enemy of the Shade. Black Condor's origin was retold in Secret Origins #21. Crack #1 (5.40), Secret Origins #21 (12.87)
April 21, 1940: The first combat between German troops and the British Expeditionary Force takes place north of Hamar, Norway. The British troops are badly routed and forced to retreat.
12 year-old Kent Nelson encounters Nabu and is magically aged to a physical age of 20 before becoming Dr. Fate. Secret Origins #24 (3.88)
Dr. Fate (1st app. in print) battles Wotan and meets Inza Cramer, his future wife. The Spectre clashes with the magician, Zor. More Fun #55 (5.40), A*SQ #47 (7.85)
May 10-14, 1940: Germany invades Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, then moves into France. Winston Churchill becomes the Prime Minister of Great Britain.
May 27-June 4, 1940: At Dunkirk, the besieged remains of the British expeditionary forces carry out a massive evacuation of more than 335,000 British and French soldiers. During the evacuation, Libby Lawrence makes headlines when she swims across the English Channel, escaping to Dover. She subsequently becomes an internationally famous columnist and radio reporter. A*SQ #61 (9.86)
Latter 1940: German germ warfare scientist Helmut Krieger moves his laboratory to Auxille, France, in an old section of the Maginot Line. The abandoned lab is discovered in 1944. NOTE: It is unclear if Helmut Krieger is related to Albrecht Krieger (Captain Nazi) or his brother Wolf. Robin v.1 #3 (3.91)
June 14, 1940: German troops occupy Paris. Eight days later, France's Vichy government signs an armistice with Germany.
1940: Uncle Sam manifests for the third time, bonding with Samuel Wilson. NOTE: Origin retold in Secret Origins #19. The original tale only gave the man's name as "Samuel." The last name was added in The Spectre v.2 #49 (1.97). National #1 (7.40), Secret Origins #19 (10.87); The Spectre v.3 #38 (2.96)
June 20, 1940: Japanese troops occupy French Indochina.
The Flash is officially deputized by Keystone City's police commissioner. ALL-STAR #1 (Sum .40)
July 10-August 25, 1940. The Battle of Britain: The Royal Air Force clashes with the German Luftwaffe.
Shortly after his 23rd birthday, Johnny Thunder gains the power to make his wishes come true (courtesy of a magical Bahdnisian Thunderbolt) for an hour after saying the magic word "Cei-U" ("Say You"), and begins a bumbling crimefighting career. NOTES: Johnny's origin was retold in Secret Origins #13. Johnny initially was unaware that his power derived from the Thunderbolt or that "Say You" was the magic word. The Thunderbolt was revealed as a 5th-dimensional djinn named Yz in JLA #29. Flash v.1 #1 (1.40), Secret Origins #13 (4.87)
Johnny Thunder meets his girlfriend, Daisy Darling. NOTE: Peachy Pet, his adopted daughter, 1st appears in Flash #21. Flash v.1 #2 (2.40)
Hourman is aided by a group of local kids calling themselves the Minutemen of America. Adventure #53 (8.40)
Dian Belmont disguises herself as the Sandman to rescue Wesley Dodds from kidnappers. Adventure #56 (10.40)
September 7, 1940. The Blitz: The German Luftwaffe begins nightly raids on England in preparation for Operation Sea Lion, a planned invasion of England.
September 16, 1940: President Roosevelt signs the Selective Service Act, beginning draft registration in America; by October 16, 16,000,000 men have registered.
September 27, 1940: Japan signs the Tripartite pact and the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis. The Axis powers are officially formed.
Dr. Fate meets the Spectre. Together, they stop a military project aimed at using demons as weapons. Spectre v.3 Annual #1 (1995)
The Spectre defeats Xnon with the Ring of Life, which greatly increases his powers. More Fun #60 (10.40)
Former 98-pound weakling Al Pratt dons a costume and dubs himself the Atom to save his girlfriend, Mary James, from kidnappers. Shopkeeper Ma Hunkel dons red long-johns and a helmet made from a soup pot to become the crime-busting Red Tornado. NOTES: Al Pratt first appeared in All-American #19, but did not become the Atom until #20. His origin was retold in Secret Origins #25. Ma Hunkel was a character in the "Scribbly" strip beginning in All-American #1. She did not become the Red Tornado until issue #20. She was DC's first costumed heroine. The Red Tornado appeared briefly at the Justice Society's first meeting in All-Star #3, but never was an official member of the JSA. All-American #20 (11.40), Secret Origins #25 (4.88)
Hawkman battles the evil Aztec priestess Nyola and the Spectre defeats Kulak with the Ring of Life. ALL-STAR #2 (Fall 40)
November 5, 1940: Franklin Roosevelt is reelected to a 3rd term as President.
November 9, 1940: At the behest of British Intelligence, President Roosevelt sends the Flash, and Green Lantern on a mission to Scotland to investigate rumors of a planned Nazi invasion of Great Britain. The heroes are captured by Major Helmut Streicher (1st chron. app.) and taken to Berlin, where Hitler nearly executes them with the Spear of Destiny before they are rescued by the arrival of Dr. Fate and Hourman. Hitler uses the power of the Spear to summon Valkyries to destroy the heroes and orders attacks on England and Washington, D.C. With the help of the Spectre, who single-handedly destroys the German invasion fleet in the English Channel. One of Hitler's Valkyries succeeds in killing Roosevelt, but the Spectre travels to the afterworld and persuades "the Voice" to resurrect him. At FDR's suggestion, they form a team, using a name suggested by the Spectre: the Justice Society of America (1st chron. app.). NOTES: Some time after this story, Hitler uses the Spear to erect the "Sphere of Influence," which brings any metahuman under Hitler's mental control if they enter Axis territory. The post-Crisis version appeared in Secret Origins #31. Helmut Streicher's first appearance in print, as the Red Panzer, was in Wonder Woman #228 (1976). 1st app. (unnamed) of the Valkyrie, Gudra. DC Special #29 (9.77), Secret Origins #31 (11.88)
ALL-STAR COMICS
November 22, 1940: The Justice Society of America (1st app. in print) holds its first official meeting in Gotham City. Members present are the Atom, Dr. Fate, the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Hourman, the Sandman, and the Spectre. Johnny Thunder and the Red Tornado make brief appearances, although the Tornado flees after accidentally tearing out the seat of her pants. NOTES: Until the end of the war the unofficial real-world rule for JSA membership was that any character with his or her own title left the team to become an honorary member. Superman and Batman were honorary members from the outset because they already had their own books and because most of the characters in All-Star were published by All-American Comics, a separate company owned by DC. Although All-American books carried the DC logo, they were produced through separate editorial offices until the two companies fully merged in 1945. This story was reprinted in Famous First Editions F-7 (1975) and in a DC Millennium Edition (1999). ALL-STAR #3 (Win 40)
Johnny Thunder learns that his mysterious power comes from his magical Thunderbolt. Flash v.1 #11 (11.40)
Late 1940: The President sends the JSA on a special mission against a Fifth Column group led by Fritz Klaver. NOTE: This story was retold in the final issue of All-Star Squadron. ALL-STAR #4 (3-4.41), A*SQ #67 (3.87)
1941
1941: In London, while fighting alongside Captain X for England, the hero, the Shade is accidentally merged with the villainous Simon Culp. Believed to have died, Culp instead becomes the "dark side " of the Shade. Over the years, Culp occasionally possesses their shared body and is the force behind some of the Shade's more heinous crimes. Starman v.2 #66 (6.00)
March 1, 1941: German extermination camps begin full operation, eventually leading to the murders of some 6,000,000 Jews and 3,000,000 Communists, gypsies, and other dissidents.
Blinded by a gangster's attack, crusading physician Charles McNider discovers that he is blind in daylight, but can see in the dark. He becomes Dr. Mid-Nite, fighting crime with the aid of his pet owl, Hooty, and the unwitting aid of his nurse, Myra Mason. NOTES: Dr. Mid-Nite's origin was reprinted in Justice League of America #95 (1971) and retold in Secret Origins #20. All-American #25 (4.41), Secret Origins #20 (11.87)
April 6, 1941: Germany invades Yugoslavia and Greece. Yugoslavia surrenders on April 17, Greece on April 21.
In Nazi-occupied Greece, Helena Kosmatos becomes the Fury when is endowed with superhuman strength, speed, and a suit of magical armor by Tisiphone, the Blood Avenger, of the ancient Greek Eumenides (Furies). When enraged, Helena transforms into Tisiphone and kills her brother Michael, a Nazi collaborator, causing a massive explosion in an Aegean harbor. She is rescued from the sea by newsreel reporter Johnny Chambers (Johnny Quick), who takes her back to America to live with her aunt and uncle in Florida. NOTES: The Fury was not a Golden Age character; she was created to take the place of the Earth-2 Wonder Woman in post-Crisis continuity. This is her first chronological appearance; her first appearance in print was an image in Infinity, Inc. #35 (1987). Secret Origins #12 (3.87)
Green Lantern meets cab driver Doiby Dickles, who becomes his "right-hand man." All-American #27 (6.41)
Dr. Fate reveals his true identity to Inza Cramer. NOTES: This is the first Dr. Fate story to establish that Fate had a human identity, rather than being a purely supernatural entity. (Curiously, he also tells Inza that "there are no such things" as vampires or ghouls, calling them "hypnotically induced suggestions"!) More Fun #66 (4.41)
The members of the JSA are attacked by the mysterious Mister X. The Spectre discovers that one of Mister X's henchmen is armed with the Ring of Life. Hawkman builds a second Nth metal belt and wings for Shiera Sanders, who becomes Hawkgirl. NOTES: Shiera is not actually called Hawkgirl in this story. Her first appearance as Hawkgirl in the Hawkman strip was in Flash #24 (1941). The magic ring worn by the Spectre's foe is not specifically identified as the Ring of Life in this story; it was so described in the recap of this story in All-Star Squadron #28 (1983). ALL-STAR #5 (6-7.41)
Dr. Fate battles the sinister Ian Karkull, trapping him in shadow form. More Fun #69 (7.41)
Ted Knight's cousin Sandra Knight becomes the Phantom Lady, the first costumed heroine. Petty crook Eel O'Brian gains the power to stretch his body and change his shape after being doused with acid. Renouncing his life of crime, he becomes Plastic Man. Chemist Roy Lincoln invents explosive QRX-27 and transforms himself into the Human Bomb. NOTE: Starman v.2 #44 (7.98) describes Phantom Lady as the first heroine, so this goes before Military #1. After some uncertain retconning, current continuity does again affirm that Plastic Man debuted in the forties; his unique physiology keeps him from aging. These heroes were originally published by Quality Comics. Police Comics #1 (8.41)
Late Spring, 1941: On Liberty Island, reporter Joan Dale has a dream that the Statue of Liberty comes to life and grants her the power to alter the nature of matter. Creating a colorful costume, she becomes Miss America. Unbeknownst to her, her powers actually are the result of a secret experiment carried out by the top secret Project M. NOTES: Miss America was part of the Quality Comics lineup. Originally, her origin was not a dream; the expanded version of her origin involving Project M appeared in Secret Origins #26, which also established the date of her debut. Military Comics #1 (8.41), Secret Origins #26 (5.88)
Ian Karkull allies himself with Wotan to avenge himself on Dr. Fate, but Fate seemingly destroys both villains. More Fun #70 (8.41)
"The Justice Society Initiates Johnny Thunder" Johnny Thunder joins the JSA, replacing the Flash. The Flash becomes an honorary member. NOTE: The change in the Flash's membership coincided with the debut of the All-Flash series. ALL-STAR #6 (8-9.41)
June 22, 1941: German troops carry out Operation Barbarossa, an invasion of Soviet-occupied Poland, breaking Hitler's nonaggression pact with Stalin and embroiling Germany in a two-front war.
Green Lantern is elected chairman of the JSA, which pledges to raise $1,000,000 for war orphans. When Johnny Thunder is unable to raise his share, the Thunderbolt summons honorary member, the Flash to make up the difference. NOTE: The original story was the first time in print that Superman and Batman appeared together in the same story. The end of the story announces that Green Lantern is now an honorary member (coinciding with the debut of Green Lantern Comics) and Hourman is granted "a leave of absence" (marking the end of his strip in Adventure). They are replaced by Dr. Mid-Nite and Starman. ALL-STAR #7 (10-11.41)
Shortly after raising a million dollars for war orphans, the JSA is attacked by Extant. The villain is defeated by the time-traveling Impulse, and all those present lose their memories of the attack. Impulse: Bart Saves the Universe (4.99)
June 28, 1941:Ian Karkull, now a living shadow, returns from the Dark Dimension and gathers a group of super-villains (Dr. Doog, Sieur Satan, Alexander the Great, Wotan, Zor, Lightning Master & the Tarantula) to help him assassinate eight future U.S. presidents. The JSA, joined by their honorary members and Starman, thwarts all but the last murder. Dr. Fate & Nabu destroy Karkull, releasing a burst of "temporal energy" that enhances the longevity of everyone present (Atom, Dr. Fate, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Hourman, Johnny Thunder, Sandman, Spectre, Starman and non-members Hawkgirl and Joan Williams). Dr. Fate realizes that Nabu is taking control of him whenever he dons the Helm of Nabu. Hourman leaves the JSA to refine his Miraclo pill, replaced by Starman. Green Lantern, shaken by his failure against Wotan, opts for honorary membership, naming Hawkman the new chairman. NOTES: This story explains the departure of Green Lantern and Hourman and the arrival of Dr. Mid-Nite and Starman, as mentioned in the final page of All-Star #7. George Pérez drew the Hourman chapter. 1ST APPS: Dr. Doog, Adventure #61; Catwoman, Batman #1; Sieur Satan, Flash #1; Alexander the Great, Flash #?; Wotan, More Fun #55; Zor, More Fun #55; Lightning Master, xx #??; & the Tarantula, Adventure #40. A*SQ Annual #3 (1984)
June 30, 1941: By distributing year 2000 technology in 1941, T.O. Morrow attempts to conquer Earth. The JLA travel back in time to recollect the items, but are captured by the Spectre and a suspicious JSA. 1st app. Spider & Fly. NOTE: Though not active members, Flash, Green Lantern, Hourman, Hawkgirl and Dr. Mid-Nite take part in this case; Johnny Thunder does not appear. DC 2000 #1 (2000)
Late June 1941: Dian Belmont shows a new Sandman costume design to mystery writer Jonathan Law, which he dons to become the Tarantula. Shortly afterwards, Dian is apparently killed while wearing Sandman's original costume. NOTES: Star-Spangled #1 was the Tarantula's 1st app. in print. The source of the two characters' very similar costumes, the motivation for Sandman's costume change, and the death of Dian Belmont were first revealed in All-Star Squadron #18. Star-Spangled #1 (10.41), A*SQ #18 (12.82)
Grief-stricken, Wesley Dodds also dons the costume Dian had designed for him. Around the same time, he adopts Dian's nephew, Sanderson Hawkins, who becomes his crimefighting partner, Sandy the Golden Boy. Sometime after this, Dian is discovered not to have died. NOTES: The new costumes were designed by Jack Kirby and were featured in all of the Sandman's subsequent Golden Age appearances. Dian did not appear in Adventure after the changeover. In light of Sandman Mystery Theatre, where Dian was portrayed as an only child, her relation to Sandy remains unexplained. The circumstances of Sandman's adoption of Sandy Hawkins, and Dian's return have not yet been revealed. Adventure #69 (12.41)
July 1, 1941: The JSA are shown what future T.O. Morrow hopes to build. Finding it more horrific than the the JLA's future, they release the JLA and defeat Morrow. When the JLA return to the future, the JSA lose all memory of the event. DC 2000 #2 (2000)
Realizing that the Helm of Nabu allows Nabu to control him, Dr. Fate replaces it with a half-helmet instead. The change costs him most of his magical power, but he retains super-strength, invulnerability and flight. NOTES: More Fun #72 is Fate's 1st app. in the half helmet; no explanation was provided until All-Star Squadron #23. More Fun #72 (10.41), A*SQ #23 (7.83)
Dr. Mid-Nite joins the JSA, which battles Professor Elba. During the course of the adventure, Shiera Sanders once again aids Hawkman as Hawkgirl. NOTES: Dr. Mid-Nite went on to appear in every subsequent Golden Age issue of All-Star. This was Dr. Fate's first JSA case with his new helmet. The JSA, including honorary members Superman, Batman, Flash and Green Lantern, also appear in the one-page Hop Harrigan text story in this issue. ALL-STAR #8 (12.40-1.41)
After their encounter with Professor Elba, the JSA encounters the Brain Wave, who gives them a posthypnotic suggestion that later enables him to capture them. A*SQ #20 (4.83)
After being framed for the murder of his mentor Ted Grant, inspired by a Green Lantern comic book, becomes Wildcat. Former child prodigy Terry Sloane, bored and frustrated with life, adopts the guise of Mr. Terrific to seek new challenges. Sensation #1 (1.42)
Ted Grant becomes heavyweight boxing champion. Sensation #2 (2.42)
Doiby Dickles learns Green Lantern's secret identity. All-American #35 (2.42)
The director of the FBI enlists the JSA's help in battling fascist incursions in Central and South America, from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego. ALL-STAR #9 (2-3.42)
July 4, 1941: Wealthy teenager Sylvester Pemberton and his chauffeur, former boxer Pat Dugan, become the Star-Spangled Kid and Stripsey. NOTE: The Star-Spangled Kid's origin was retold in Secret Origins #9. Action #40 (9.41), Secret Origins #9 (12.86)
Wildcat meets bumbling private detective Stretch Skinner, who becomes his frequent partner and ally. Sensation #4 (4.42)
July 26, 1941: FDR freezes Japanese assets in the U.S., suspends trade with Japan, and orders an embargo on the sale of oil and gasoline to Japan and its territories.
Newsreel photographer Johnny Chambers discovers the speed formula "3X2(9YZ)4A" and becomes Johnny Quick. More Fun #71 (9.41), A*SQ #65 (12.86)
Sir Justin, a knight of King Arthur's court, is revived after spending hundreds of years frozen in an ice floe. Armed with enchanted armor and a magic sword, he resumes his adventures as the Shining Knight. NOTE: The Shining Knight's origin was retold in All-Star Squadron #62. Adventure #66 (9.41), A*SQ #62 (9.86)
Libby Lawrence becomes Liberty Belle. NOTE: Liberty Belle's origin was retold in All-Star Squadron #61. Boy Commandos #1 (Win 42-43), A*SQ #61 (9.86)
October 2, 1941: German troops advance towards Moscow, but are stymied by the harsh Russian winter.
Starman battles the Mist (1st app. in print). Adventure #67 (10.41)
Johnny Thunder learns that "Say You" is the magic word that summons his Thunderbolt, although he more commonly says it by accident. Flash v.1 #20 (8.41)
Johnny Thunder adopts a young girl named Peachy Pet. Flash v.1 #21 (9.41)
October 26, 1941: Japanese Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoye is replaced by General Hideki Tojo.
October 31, 1941: After scientist Bob Crane is mortally wounded by gangsters, his assistant, Chuck Grayson, transfers Crane's still-living brain into a powerful robot body, transforming him into Robotman. NOTE: Robotman's origin was retold in All-Star Squadron #63, which also established the date of his transformation. Star-Spangled #7 (4.42), A*SQ #63 (11.86)
After a singing career as the Prairie Troubadour, Greg Saunders becomes the Vigilante to avenge the murder of his father. NOTES: In pre-Crisis continuity, there was a Vigilante on Earth-1 as well as Earth-2. The Earth-1 Vigilante had a similar early history, but was not a member of the Seven Soldiers of Victory; his 1st app. (identified as the Earth-1 character) was in Justice League of America #78 (1970) and his 1st chronological app. was in Justice League of America #144 (1977). Action #42 (11.41)
The Spectre meets the bumbling Officer Percival Poplaski, also known as Percival Popp, the Super-Cop, who becomes his frequent partner. More Fun #74 (12.41)
November 1941: Joined by honorary members Flash and Green Lantern, the JSA travels 500 years into the future to help the Time Trust (Prof. Damon Everson, Prof. Malachi Zee, Dr. James Swanley, Dr. Wilfred Doome) develop an indestructible force field (the "bomb defense formula"). NOTES: The story takes place before Pearl Harbor. The Time Trust scientists originally were not named; the scientists appeared in subsequent All-Star stories and later were identified as the unnamed Time Trust members. This was the Sandman's first JSA case in his new costume. ALL-STAR #10 (4-5.42)
The Crimson Avenger, the Spider, the Shining Knight, the Star-Spangled Kid, Stripsey, Vigilante and Billy Gunn join forces as the Seven Soldiers of Victory (a.k.a. the Law's Legionnaires). The Crimson Avenger's partner, Wing, is an unofficial members.   NOTES: Wing first appeared in Detective #20 (1938), Billy Gunn in Action #42 (1941), and Stuff in Action #45 (1942). Leading #1 (Win 41), Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E. #9 (4.00)

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