The Golden Age
Though there had been people with superpowers and masked heroes in the past, it had only been a few small groups and scattered individuals. The first major wave of superhumans and masked vigilantes, at the time frequently referred to as Mystery Men (and Women), occurred just before the outbreak of World War II. This wave, a period referred to as the Golden Age of heroes, would last until the early 1950s when circumstances would force most of the heroes into retirement or hiding.
1938
The first masked Mystery Man, the Crimson Avenger, appears in New York City. His appearance inspires others, notably the Sandman. Near the end of the year the super-strong Hourman makes his first appearance.
1939
The Dollman makes his first appearance, as does the Phantom Lady. Johnny Thunder begins adventuring with his magical Thunderbolt. The first Flash begins operating in Keystone City, and in Gotham City the Green Lantern debuts. Murdered police detective Jim Corrigan is the latest spirit to be bonded to the Spirit of Vengeance, becoming the Spectre. Archaeologist Carter Hall, the latest reincarnation of Prince Khufu, becomes the Hawkman. In Opal City, Starman begins fighting crime. Inured Marine Hank Heywood has mechanical steel devices implanted to restore his mobility, granting him superhuman strength that he uses as Steel.
World War II starts in Europe with the Nazi invasion of Poland, though the United States does not officially enter the conflict at this point.
1940
The Black Condor first appears. Kent Nelson becomes Doctor Fate. The summer heralds the first appearances of Liberty Belle and Doctor Mid-Nite. The Ray begins his crimefighting career, as does the first Atom. Windrunner emerges from his latest time jump and begins operating as Quicksilver and later adopts the name Max Mercury. Tex Thompson begins adventuring as Mr. America. The Flash, the Green Lantern, Doctor Fate, HourMan, the Atom, Hawkman, Sandman and the Spectre team up to thwart a secret Nazi attack on Washington, DC; afterwards they decide to form a permanent team, the Justice Society of America. At the JSA's first meeting Johnny Thunder is made an honorary member.
1941
The first Firebrand appears. Roy Lincoln becomes the Human Bomb. Boxer Ted Grant becomes Wildcat. Frozen for centuries, Sir Justin of Camelot is revived and begins adventuring as the Shining Knight. Johnny Quick makes his first appearance. Author Jonathan Law starts operating as the Tarantula. In the American Southwest country troubadour Greg Sanders adopts the identity of the Vigilante. The Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy make their first appearance. The Crimson Avenger and his sidekick Wing, archer The Spider, the Shining Knight, the Vigilante and his assistant Billy Gunn, and the Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy band together as the Seven Soldiers of Victory, also known as the Law's Legionnaires. The Sandman begins operating with sidekick Sandy, the Golden Boy. TNT and Dyna-Mite make their first appearance. Miss America thwarts a plot by Nazi saboteurs in her first adventure. Dr. Robert Crane is murdered but his brain is transplanted into a robotic body, transforming him into Robotman. The first Airwave makes his debut. Dan Richards begins adventuring as Manhunter. Uncle Sam forms the first Freedom Fighters, consisting of Red Torpedo, Invisible Justice, Neon the Unknown, Magno, Miss America and Hourman.
Japanese forces launch a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, drawing the United States into World War II. The Freedom Fighters see their first action during the Japanese attack, where Magno, Red Torpedo and Neon are killed, and Invisible Justice and Hourman are captured by Japanese forces. Uncle Sam and Miss America survive and are recovered. The Justice Society are missing, having been captured by time traveling villain Per Degaton, so President Roosevelt summons many remaining heroes to ask for their assistance, banding them together as the All-Star Squadron. The Squadron rescue the Justice Society, defeating Per Degaton's scheme. Together the All-Star Squadron and Justice Society attempt to retaliate against Imperial Japan for the attack on Pearl Harbor but are stopped by a mystical barrier. The barrier covered most territory controlled by the Axis Powers and was created by Japanese operative and mystic the Dragon King using a pair of powerful artifacts obtained by Japan and Nazi Germany. It would cause any hero sensitive to magic to fall under Axis control, which included some of the Justice Society's most powerful members like Green Lantern, Doctor Fate, and the Spectre.
The Justice Society disbands, but its members now fall under the All-Star Squadron, as will the majority of America's super heroes for the duration of the war. This includes the newly debuted second Firebrand, sister of the first.
1942
Big game hunter Paul Kirk begins operating as the second Manhunter. Olympic athlete Will Everett gains superhuman powers and joins the All-Star Squadron as Amazing Man. The All-Star Squadron holds its first formal meeting in its new headquarters, built from the Trylon and the Perisphere that were part of the 1939 New York World's Fair. It is the only time the (near) full roster of the Squadron would be gathered together at the same time. Uncle Sam forms the second Freedom Fighters with Black Condor, Doll Man, Human Bomb, Phantom Lady, the Ray, and the Red Bee; later joined by part-time members Plastic Man and Quicksilver. TNT is killed by Axis Amerika and in the aftermath his partner Dyna-Mite joins with other young heroes Fury, Flying Fox, "Iron" Munro, Neptune Perkins, Tigress and Sandy the Golden Boy as the Young All-Stars. Tsunami, originally the Japanese representative in Axis Amerika, defects and joins Young All-Stars. Amazon Queen Hippolyta, mother of the present-day Wonder Woman, time travels from the future and joins the Justice Society, paradoxically becoming her daughter's predecessor as the Golden Age Wonder Woman.
The Axis Barrier prevents most American superheroes from directly participating in the war, beyond some special operatives like Steel, now going by Commander Steel, and Mr. America, who operates behind enemy lines in Europe as the Americommando. This leaves the fighting to the conventional Armed Forces, including notable soldiers and other groups like Sgt. Rock and Easy Company, the so-called Haunted Tank, the Losers, the Unknown Soldier, the Viking Commando, the Blackhawks, the Boy Commandos, the Creature Commandos, G.I. Robot, the Ghost Patrol, Gravedigger, and the latest Mademoiselle Marie.
1943
In Fawcett City, Spy Smasher, Bulletman and Bulletgirl, and Minute-Man form the Squadron of Justice, also called the Crime Crusaders Club. After operating for the early part of America's involvement in the war as the Justice Battalion, the Justice Society revert back to their regular name. The Blackhawks stop an atomic attack on New York City by Nazi agents; Blackhawk member Stanislaus Drozdowski is killed and Natalie Reed joins as Lady Blackhawk.
1944
Paul Kirk abandons his Manhunter identity and becomes an OSS operative working undercover behind enemy lines. Vigilante's partner Daniel Leong, aka Stuff, the Chinatown Kid, is killed; with his brother Victor taking his place shortly afterward. Doctor Fate and Sandman both leave the Justice Society and enter semi-retirement.
1945
President Roosevelt dies; the Justice Society acts as an honor guard at his funeral. The Seven Soldiers of Victory disband. World War II comes to an end when Nazi Germany surrenders in May, ending the war in Europe, and Japan surrenders in August, ending the war in the Pacific. With the war over, the All-Star Squadron is disbanded.
1946
Paul Kirk, having returned to big game hunting in Africa, suffers a near-fatal injury. A secretive organization called the Council finds him and places him in suspended animation. An accident transforms Sandy the Golden Boy into a silicon creature; the Sandman retires to work on finding a cure.
1947
The Black Canary begins adventuring, initially posing as a jewel thief before revealing herself as a crimefighter. The Tigress attacks Wildcat, beginning her criminal career as the Huntress.
1948
Stripesy retires; the Star-Spangled Kid's adopted sister becomes his new partner as Merry, Girl of 1000 Gimmicks. Max Mercury launches on another time jump. The Atom develops superhuman strength, an aftereffect of radiation exposure from an earlier adventure; and he adopts a new costume.
1949
The Seven Soldiers of Victory reunite to battle the Nebula Man. Crimson Avenger's sidekick Wing is killed and the rest of the Soldiers are lost in time. The Justice Society relocates their headquarters to Civic City.
1950
The Blackhawks break off relations with the U.S. government and begin independent operations. Manunter (Dan Richards) retires.
1951
In February the Justice Society is called before Congress who demand the heroes prove their loyalty to the United States by revealing their secret identities. The heroes refuse and instead choose to disappear, teleporting away from the hearing. Most members of the Justice Society choose to retire, though some continue to operate covertly; and Queen Hippolyta returns to her proper time. These events mark the end of the Golden Age.
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