If we may borrow a phrase, comics are weird. The Justice League has been around for a really long time, 55 years to be exact, and it contains some of the biggest names in the history of comic books. However, any organization that’s been around as long as the League has is also going to have it’s share of lesser known members. We’re pretty sure you can’t name them all. DC Entertainment has released a montage video which lists every member the Justice League has ever had from Superman and Batman, to Captain Cold and Power Ring.
The O.G. Justice League is all there as to be expected: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), and Martian Manhunter. This was the team that formed the Justice League in 1960. Interestingly the next two heroes to join are well known to fans of DC’s television properties, Green Arrow and Atom.
You get the distinct impression that Justice League admittance policies were much stricter prior to 1987. Only a handful of heroes made the cut prior to that date and while we’re all for Captain Marvel and Blue Beetle getting in, when you start letting Blue Jay and Animal Man into the club it just starts feeling less exclusive.
At the same time some of the more interesting trivia you can learn by going through the list are that many heroes really had to wait their turn to get their membership card. Dick Grayson has been Nightwing since 1984 but he didn’t get to join until 2002. Also, interestingly, while Batman has been a member since day one, no Robin has apparently ever been an official member. Obviously the JLA has a prejudice against sidekicks. Plastic Man gets to be in the Justice League, Robin, not so much.
If you’re looking for a seat at the really big table, it’s best to pick up the mantle of an existing hero. The Flash has joined the League three separate times but even he is out done by five different Green Lanterns who have been members. There’s even more if you include some of the ancillary characters who have green power rings.
With over 100 members since 1960 this is an extensive, and entertaining list of comic book super heroes. It also means that DC has a near infinite list of characters to bring into their Justice League movies over time when they need to refresh the characters. Although it’s hard to say people will be standing in line to see Major Disaster or Lightray.
