Issue Description

Join the Justice League in "The Cosmic Fun-House!" The alien Xotar has kidnapped Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Flash. Despite being distorted by fun-house mirrors, these heroes need to stop Xotar before he can take over the world!

The Justice League star in "The Cosmic Fun House!" The adventure begins with honarary member Snapper Carr and his girlfriend Midge visiting a brand new fun house on the outskirts of Happy Harbor. However, the two teenagers are about to find out that not everything is as it seems. At first the youths are enthralled by the realistic pre-historic creatures and weird aliens who seem to be sharing the fun house with them. After wandering through the fun house for a while, the pair come to a dead end, and a pre-recorded voice tells them to push the wall and they will have another out of this world experience. Excitedly the two teenagers push together - and sure enough, they are going to have an out of this world experience - literally! They find themselves transported to a strange alien world. Out of nowhere, a pre-historic monster darts towards Midge, but Snapper comes to her rescue with a well aimed rock.

Quickly realising he is out of his depth, Snapper turns to his emergency JLA signal device, calling the heroes for help. Flash, Batman, Aquaman, Green Arrow and Jonn Jonzz realise the signal is coming from outer space. Since they cannot travel the spaceways they all head for the JLA's HQ. Meanwhile, Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman follow Snapper's signal to the distant planet.

As they arrive, they find Snapper manfully fighting off all manner of ancient creatures and even the mountains in which they have taken shelter seem to be growing arms to grab at the two teenagers. Wonder Woman makes short work of a huge looking beast, using her magic lasso to toss it far away, while Superman handles a pterodactyl type bird monster. Green Lantern uses his power ring to protect Snapper and Midge from the mountain creature and the JLA returns to base having take Midge home.

Snapper tells the JLA what happened and the League decide to investigate - but in their civillian identities (at this point none of the JLAers knew each others secret ID's except Superman and Batman) so as not to arouse the suspicions of those responsible for what happened to Snapper and Midge.

While Superman takes Batman and Jonn Jonzz with him to rescue any other people who may have been transported to the world Snapper was transported to, and Aquaman (who at this time had no secret identity) stays with Snapper, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Flash head for the fairground. It is worth noting at this point, DC had made an editorial decision to have Batman and Superman play only cameo roles in the JLA as the Worlds Finest duo (it was felt) got enough exposure elsewhere in the DCU. It was customary for them to be sidelined in some way and here is how it is done this time around.

Chapter two of the "Cosmic Funn House" begins with Barry (Flash) Allen re-tracing the steps of Snapper. Like the youngster he comes to the same dead end, yet when he pushed the door, it swings around and out through it comes another Barry Allen! Swiftly becoming the Flash, the Scarlet Speedster follows "himself" until he trips a heavy gravitational beam which prevents him from moving. The pretend Barry (really an alien in disguise) knocks the Flash out with an Iciray and takes him to a secret chamber.

We then turn our attention to Hal (Green Lantern) Jordan. In his section of the fun house it seems as if the walls are closing in on him - but this is merely an illusion. Like the Flash before him, Green Lantern sees another "Hal Jordan" emerging from the doorway to the strange planet Snapper visited. Using his power ring to make himself invisible, GL follows his doppleganger - until the walls really start closing in on him! Being yellow walls (of course) GL cannot use his power ring to fight them and he also submits to the alien's Iciray.

The false Hal Jordan then uses GL's JLA signal device to call Wonder Woman and Green Arrow to the funhouse. As the duo races to the rescue, they are blinded by an overpowering light. In the confusion and alien hand reaches out, and, grabbing Wonder Woman's magic lasso, quickly uses it to ensare her and the Emerald Archer. The four captured Justice League members find themselves faced by a pair of alien beings, whilst being trapped within energy sapping spirals. The aliens explain that they are from the planet Angellax and that thousands of years ago, they lost an almighty war with a neighbouring planet. As per the terms of their surrender, they were no longer permitted to develop weapons on Angellax. Instead, they created a space probe, which would travel the universe for millenia and gather all manner of weapons with which they would one day be able to wreak their revenge.

They slept for many ages in suspended animation, and when the time came for them to awaken, they realised they had made a major miscalculation. The space probe would not return to their native planet, but would rather land on earth - at Happy Harbor. Devising their plan to redeem their probe involved creating the Cosmic Fun House and the aliens head there to collect their valuable probe. Meanwhile, the false Flash and GL are on their way to the JLA HQ in order to send the rest of the Leaguers on another wild goose chase. When the available members are reasslembled "Green Lantern" informs them that it is their old foe Xotar the Weapons Master who is responsible for what is happening. "Flash" suggests Superman takes Jonn Jonzz and Batman into the future in order to capture Xotar, whilst he and "Green Lantern" take Aquaman to join Green Arrow and Wonder Woman in guarding the fun house teleportation machine.

As Aquaman races into the Fun House, "Green Lantern" and "Flash" head off to join their alien colleagues.

At the start of chapter three, we join the captive heroes contemplating their dillemma. Hardly able to move, Green Arrow flicks the tip of a Boomerang Arrow towards Wonder Woman's discarded magic lasso. Seeing what GA intends, the Flash helps the arrow reach its target, and then causes an air vacuum, thus drawing the lasso to Wonder Woman. With a skillful flick of the wrist, Wonder Woman frees Green Lantern from his spiral prison, and the Emerald Gladiator frees the others in turn.

Racing through a mysterious opening, the JLA think they have just entered a hall of mirrors - but as Aquaman arrives on the scene, he finds Green Arrow is really short and broad, Green Lantern resembles the Elongated Man, Wonder Woman looks like the worlds fattest woman and the Flash is leaden footed!

Meanwhile the aliens in their disguises as "Flash" and "Green Lantern" along with many human guises are taking their space probe in order to return with it to their native planet. Aquaman leaps into action, and spins the Flash around, giving the Scarlet Speedster the momentum to spin himself into the escaping aliens, bowling them over. The sea king then turns to Wonder Woman who is too fat to lift her own arms. Aquaman raises Wonder Woman's arms to the right angle, and the amazon princess captures the false Flash and Green Lantern with a mighty toss of her lasso. Green Arrow's arms are so short and his chest so wide that he cannot shoot his bow! Aquaman encourages him to lie flat on his back and use his feet in order to be able to fire his arrows, which he does to great effect!

Turning to Green Lantern, Aquaman finds he has lost his memory. Although he can't use GL's secret ID to jog his memory, he begins to recite his oath and GL completes it as his mind returns to normal. He then turns his ring on the aliens and sends them back to their own world (minus space probe) and at the same time sends them to sleep for another 100,000years. Finally, GL turns his ring on his fellow Leaguers, returning them to normal.

At this point Superman, Batman and Jonn return, having been on a wild goose chase, and everything is explained to them. The JLA go their seperate ways, and in order to unwind decide to spend a day at the now alien free Fun House in their secret identities, with their respective other halves.

Justice League of America (1960)

Publisher

DC Comics

Volume Description

Following three try-out adventures in Brave and Bold, the Justice League of America graduated to its own magazine. The series was to run for 261 issues. The original team consisted of Superman, Batman, Flash (Barry Allen), Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter. Many JLA fans refer to this team as the "big 7" or even the "Magnificent 7." As a reward for helping them solve their first case against Starro the Conqueror, Lucas "Snapper" Carr was made an honarary member of the team, and along with the other members had his own JLA signal device. In their early adventures, it was editorial policy to use Superman and Batman sparingly in the JLA, as editor Julius Schwartz believed that the World's Finest duo got enough exposure elsewhere in the DC line.

Author of the early JLA adventures was Gardner Fox, and along with editor Schwartz, Fox was keen to make his adventures both entertaining and educational. To this end he ensured that his tales were scattered with scientific facts. In their early adventures, the League came up against other worldly beings like Despero, Starro, Xotan the weapons master and Kanjar Ro. In issue #4, Green Arrow joined the team in an adventure suited to his particular powers. "Doom of the Star Diamond" saw the emerald archer free his colleagues from a huge diamond prism by firing an arrow at its weak spot. Over the next few issues, a number of villains were introduced into JLA folklore. Amos Fortune, Felix Faust, The Lord of Time and Dr Light all made their debuts, while in issue #9, we at last discovered the origin of the Justice League.

The Atom was the next hero to join the team in issue #14's "Menace of the Atom - Bomb". The Tiny Titan was the hero of this tale as he averted being used as a human bomb to destroy his new team mates - and again in issue #18's "Journey into the Micro - world." Issue #17 was entitled, "Triumph of the Tornado Tyrant". The Tornado Tyrant was later to become the life force of the Red Tornado.

Issues #21 and #22 featured the ground breaking first adventure starring both the Justice League of American and the Justice Society of America, in the classic "Crisis on Earth One and Crisis on Earth -2." DC readers had already been introduced to Jay Garrick and Earth -2 in the pages of the Flash, and this paved the way for the rest of the JSA to be introduced. Joining the JLA in these issues were; Hawkman, Green Lantern, Black Canary, Dr Fate, Atom and Hourman. The two-part story proved so popular with the readers that the JSA teamed up with the JLA on an annual basis thereafter. Up to issue #25, each issue of the JLA had featured the entire team. From that point onward it was more often than not 5 or 6 heroes as a larger team proved difficult to both write and draw.

Issues #29 and #30 featured another team up with the Justice Society as the DC Multiverse expanded even further, with an adventure entitled, "Crisis on Earth - 3." On Earth -3, the heroes of the JLA and JSA battled evil counterparts of themsleves. Hawkman joined the team in issue #31's "Riddle of the Runaway Room." Hawkgirl didn't feel shunned at all - in fact she was "pleased for her husband." You can't help but wonder how Wonder Woman felt. That was 9 (10 with Snapper) men and 1 woman in the team! The pattern of 5 or 6 heroes per issue continued and over the next dozen or so issues we were introduced to such villains as; the Key, the Star-bolt warrior and Doctor Destiny. Issue #37 was the first issue not to feature any member of the JLA on the cover. It was a team up with the Justice Society and it was the Earth -2 team who starred on the cover.

Issue #42 saw the first hero to ever turn down membership of the JLA in "Metamorpho says no!" The element man, the newest and perhaps wierdest hero in the DCU decided team membership wasn't for him. That would have been another male in the team! Talking of covers, as I was in the last paragraph, one cannot help but notice that Batman features prominently on each cover from # 43 thru #54. And then issue #55 featured the Earth-2 Robin, who just so happened to have a Batman - like costume! Talk about milking a good thing! This was, of course the time of the Batman TV series, and DC was milking it for all it was worth. The days of underplaying Superman and Batman in the JLA were long gone and one letter writer complained; " ...I'm fed up of Batman, Superman, Batman, Flash, Batman, Green Lantern, Batman, Hawkman, and oh yes, I almost forgot - Batman hogging all the action!" OUCH!

Inside the pages of said issues, we were introduced to the Royal Flush Gang #43, and the Shaggy Man #45, before Felix Faust and the Time Lord returned in issues #49 and #50 respectively. Issue #50 has Robin as a guest star, while #51 guest stars both Elongated Man and Zatanna, as the JLA helped the maid of magic find her long lost father. Issue #57 features a nice change of pace human interest story, "Man, Thy name is Brother!" Snapper Carr is feeling sorry for himself until Hawkman, Flash and Green Arrow take him around the world to see how others live.

When Denny O'Neil takes over the writing chores, he stamps his own mark on the team and the direction of the book. In issue #69, Wonder Woman resigns from the League - since she has lost her powers and is now just plain Diana Prince, the enigmatic Creeper features in #70, and in issue #71, the Martian Manhunter leaves Earth to help repair the damage caused to Mars by a civil war. Then during the annual JLA / JSA team up, Black Canary's husband - Larry Lance - sacrifices his life for the sake of his wife as the heores battle the threat of Aquarius. At the end of the tale, Black Canary decides to travel to earth -1 and in issue #75 she not only joins the JLA (one token female replacing another?) but also discovers her latent Sonic cry. In issue #77, the Joker tricks Snapper Carr into revealing the whereabouts of the JLA secret headquarters - an act which leads Snapper to resign his membership from the team.

In need of new HQ, the League teleport themselves 22,300 miles above the earth - and thus begins many people's favourite era - the Sattelite era. Issues #78 & #79 not only introduce us to the Satellite, but also feature guest star Vigilante in a tale about pollution - a theme that will return in #90 as Aquaman blows his lid about how pollution effects the sea. In the interim, #82 features the Earth -2 Batman for the first time in the SA, Black Canary and Batman share an intimate kiss #84, and in #87, "Batman - King of the World," the JLA come up against some opponents who seem to resemble the Avengers more than a little! #94 features a Deadman guest-shot as Batman becomes a target for the League of Assassins, and #96 - #98 feature the threat of Starbraker, the Cosmic Vampire, who the League eventually overcome with the help of Sargon the Sorceror.

The 100th issue of the JLA not only features the JSA, but sets off a 3 part adventure in which the heroes search for the missing 7 Soldiers of Victory. The adventure concludes with the Red Tornado sacrificing himself for the sake of the Earth. Issue #103 saw the Phantom Stranger join the team, but he rarely appeared thereafter, the Elongated Man joined in #105, and a reconstructed Red Tornado joined in #106. Hawkman resigned from the JLA briefly #109, but he was back by #117. In issue #121, the League were witnesses to the wedding of their long - time friend, Adam Strange and his sweetheart, Alanna. Wonder Woman rejoined the League in #128, and the female roster grew even further with the addition of Supergirl in #133.

In issue #137, Superman encounters Captain Marvel; #138 has a guest appearance by Adam strange and then in #147, the JLA and JSA are confronted by a "Crisis in the 30th Century" as they team up with the Legion of Super-Heroes. Ultraa infiltrates the JLA in #153, but ultimately he is exposed as a traitor, before the team meet the forgotten heroes in #159 - Jonah Hex, Viking Prince, Enemy Ace among them. In Issue #161 Zatanna (in a short lived and less visually attractive costume) joins the team. Issue #167 features a prelude to the "Identity Crisis" series, before the JLA and JSA suffer the death of Mr. Terrific in #171. Black Lightning guest stars in # 173, Hawkgirl appears in # 176, while Jonn Jonzz features in #178's clash with Despero and Firestorm joins the JLA in #179. Clearly things were getting too crowded for Green Arrow, and he left the team in #181. Issues #183 - #185 saw the JLA and JSA star in the "Crisis on New Genesis" as the teams met the New Gods and Battled Darkseid and his minnions.

Subsequent issues then featured a number of returning Super Villains: Shaggy Man #186, Starro #189 / #190, Amazo #191, and the Secret Society of Super Villains in #195, before Ultraa returned in #200. The Royal flush Gang resurfaced in #203 and the Demons 3 returned in #206. The JLA and JSA then Joined the All-Star Squadron to overcome the "Crisis on Earth Prime, #207 - #209. Big changes were afoot at the end of issue #232, as Aquaman bemoaned the team members' lack of availability and took it upon himself to disband the League and form a new team. This team was far weaker than its predecessor, with a line up of ; Aquaman, Elongated Man, Zatanna, Jonn Jonzz, Vixen, Steel, Vibe and Gypsy. Long time JLA fans were critical of the Detroit based team, and did not approve of what author Gerry Conway was trying to do. Many saw this as the beginning of the end of the title, and names like "Justa Lotta Amatuers" and Juvenile League of Adolescents" were somewhat cruelly banded about.

Clearly DC themselves were not convinced, as issue #237 and then #240 had "untold" tales of the JLA and issue #250 announced, "The return of the Justice League", featuring a more familiar line up. From that issue onward, Batman returned to the team. Despite the Caped Crusaders presence, the book's demise continued, and following the deaths of Vibe, Gypsy and Steel in the company wide Legends story line, the book was cancelled with issue #261.

Although the final line up was far from the "World's Greatest Super-Heroes", readers has 232 issues they could look back on with pleasure. It is worth remembering that the early success of the JLA led Marty Goodman to encourage Stan Lee to form his own Super team. Stan came up with the Fantastic Four and the SA was up and running. However, without the JLA, it is doubtful whether things would have developed as they did.

A couple of additions to supplement the wonderful information previously written. Issue 9 was an origin issue and issue 97 saw the JLA revisit their origin as motivation after being defeated by the Starbreaker. In issue 144 Superman and Green Lantern disclose the JLA's first case when Green Arrow confronts them that the Origin Story couldn't be the correct beginning to the JLA. Batman and Black Canary kissed again in issue 88. Issue 122 dealt with Secret Identities from a story from the JLA Casebook. Dr. Light confused the identity of GA, Batman, GL, Flash, and The Atom. Aquaman was the star of the issue and in the end the JLA decided to reveal their identities to one another. In issue 129, with Nekron's fear gas disabling the JLA, Red Tornado sacrificed himself for a 2nd time, saving Mid-Way City. The Atom is married at the end of issue 157 as Supergirl and Solovar guest star. Zatara and Sindella (Zatanna's) parents are in the Storyline of issues 163-165 with ends with Sindella's death in order to save her daughter. It was mentioned above that Green Arrow quit after issues 181-182 but the seeds were planted when Black Lightning turned down membership in issue 173 because he wanted to focus on day to day crises with people in his city. (Thus striking a nerve and a point that GA tried to convince the JLA of many times.) For GA fans, he still made appearances in issues 186, 194 and 195 before -rejoining in 200. Snapper Carr made appearances in issues 100, 114, 149 (as the Star-Tsar), 150, 181 and 200. Issue 200 was a 72 page Spectacular that had guest appearances by Phantom Stranger, Adam Strange and Alanna, Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter, who turns down membership but admits that the team is stronger than ever. A new Royal Flush Gang was formed in issue 203 with Ace being revealed as a robot and Hector Hammond revealed as the brains behind the operation. The dormant persona of Firestorm, Professor Martin Stein, had a major role in issue 205 defeating Hector Hammond. Issue 217 stars Aquaman, brings back Arion's brother Garn Danuuth and ancient Atlantis. Professor Ivo returns in 218 and Elongated gets to strut his detective ability. Issue 219-220 was a major Crossover event with the JSA as we see the Earth 1 Johnny Thunder as a villain controlling Thunderbolt and the T-Bolt Dimension. When Black Canary and Starman travel to the T-Bolt dimension, it is revealed that Black Canary and Larry Lance are in glass coffin cases. Issue 220 reveals the origin of B.C. She didn't cross over from Earth 2 in issue 75 but it was her mother. She was cursed by the Wizard with a sonic cry and was taken to the T-Bolt dimension for safety living in a state of suspended animation. The original BC asked Superman and the Spectre if she could take her daughters place and they made it happen. They kept it from Dinal Laurel Lance in an effort to protect her, but admitted that was a mistake.

Issues 221-223 featured Maximus Rex and the Ani-men against the JLA. In 224 Paragon battled the JLA and we saw a night out with Hal Jordan, Clark Kent and Oliver Queen. The Atom (after being away since issue 216) returned for the story arc of issues 225-227. The Earth/Mars War occurred in issues 228-230 where MM remained on Earth and led Aquaman to disband the JLA in JLA Annual 2 before reforming with JLA Detroit later in the Issue. Issues 231-232 was a crossover with the JSA and explains where Superman, Flash and Wonder Woman were during the Earth/Mars War. When they returned to Earth-1 (caught in some sort of time flux) they see that the Satellite is destroyed and that there is a new JLA which they give their blessings to in issue 239. Aquaman who realizes that Mera left in JLA Annual 2 searches for her in the JLA/Amazo storyline of 241-243. They reunite and Aquaman resigns from the team in issue 243. MM takes over but with issue 250 (which guest stars Batman, Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Superman) the Dark Knight takes over as leader. John Stewart (Earth's alternate GL) was a guest in issue 110 and JLA annual 1 which included a guest by Sandman and an offer of membership. Issues 244-245 were Crisis Crossovers and 244 guest starred Infinity Inc and the JSA plus a Showdown between Commander Steel and his grandson, Steel. The Third Annual, also a Crisis Crossover, guest starred Batman and the Outsider, Superman, Firestorm, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and revolved around the future of the Red Tornado, who is an elemental and as the wind wants to reform the Earth. He leaves telling the JLA to defeat the Anti-Monitor if they can but promises a reckoning. Issues 258-261 is the final story arc "The End of the Justice League" which were all crossovers with the Epic LEGENDS event. This story arc saw the deaths of Vibe and Steel and the Reuniting of Gypsy and her family. This version of the Justice League was officially disbanded in light of the Presidential Order.

Collected EditionsJustice League of America Archives Vol. 1 (#1-6)Justice League of America Omnibus Vol. 1 (#1-30)Justice League of America: The Silver Age Volume One (#1-18)Justice League of America Archives Vol. 2 (#7-14)Justice League of America Archives Vol. 3 (#15-22)Justice League of America Archives Vol. 4 (#23-30)Justice League of America Archives Vol. 5 (#31-38 & 40)Justice League of America Archives Vol. 6 (#41-47 & 49-50)Justice League of America Archives Vol. 7 (#51-57 & 59-60)Justice League of America Archives Vol. 8 (#61-66 & 68-70)Justice League of America Archives Vol. 9 (#71-75 & 77-80)Justice League of America Archives Vol. 10 (#81-93)Justice League of America: George Perez Vol. 1 (#184-186 & 192-194)Justice League of America: George Perez Vol. 2 (#195-197 & 200)Justice League of America Omnibus Vol.1 (#1-30)Showcase EditionsShowcase Presents: Justice League of America vol. 1 (#1-16)Showcase Presents: Justice League of America vol. 2 (#17-36)Showcase Presents: Justice League of America vol. 3 (#37-60)Showcase Presents: Justice League of America vol. 4 (#61-83)Showcase Presents: Justice League of America vol. 5 (#84-106)Showcase Presents: Justice League of America vol. 6 (#107-132)

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