Broken Frontier

In the final segment of the Justice Society All-Stars, Broken Frontier looks at the most recent recruits to the world’s first and greatest superhero team.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Mr. Terrific (Michael Holt) – A natural athlete and intellectual genius, Holt (first appearance - Spectre #54, June 1997) contemplated suicide following the accidental deaths of his wife and their unborn child. Inspired by the story of the original Mr. Terrific, Holt took up the mantle to make the world a better place. In addition to becoming a respected member of the superhero community, Holt served and extended stint as chairman on the Justice Society (He first joined JSA #11, June 2000). He recently relinquished that role in order to focus on a leadership position with the United Nations Security Council’s intelligence agency known as Checkmate.

Dr. Mid-Nite (Pieter Cross) – Blinded in an accident similar to that which struck the original Dr. Mid-Nite, Cross took up the same mantle to fight street crime in Portsmouth City (Dr. Mid-Nite #1, 1999). Not long after, he joined the JSA (JSA #11, June 2000). Although Cross his a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and carries a wide array of gadgets, he views himself as a doctor first and a superhero second. As such, he more frequently spends his time in a support role for the Justice Society and for other superheroes.

Jakeem Thunder (Jakeem Williams) – A self-reliant kid from the wrong side of the tracks, Jakeem (first appearance Flash #134, February 1998) came into possession of Johnny Thunder’s Thunderbolt genie. Although it took some time to break down the walls the young man had built around himself, Jakeem has grown into his role and responsibilities. When Johnny Thunder’s physical body died, Jakeem and the Thunderbolt conceived a plan that merged the Thunderbolt with Johnny. The new gestalt genie, Johnny Thunderbolt, and Jakeem continue to help the Justice Society on a part-time basis. Jakeem first joined the Justice Society in JSA Secret Files #2, September 2001.

Black Adam (Teth-Adam) – Born during the time of the pharaohs in the Middle Eastern country of Kahndaq, Teth-Adam’s courage in defending his homeland was rewarded by the Wizard Shazam. Adam used this amazing stamina, swiftness, strength, wisdom, power and courage for years, until a magically powered conqueror overthrew his nation and murder Adam’s wife and children. Adam became a vengeful force of nature, eventually stripped of his powers and exiled. Adam resurfaced in the 20th century, first as a rival to Shazam’s current champion, Captain Marvel, and later as an "anti-hero." Black Adam joined the Justice Society for a period in an effort to redeem himself, but was quickly frustrated by their definition of "justice." Since leaving the team, Adam has continued to straddle the line between hero and villain, and most recently waged war on the entire superhuman populace. Black Adam first appeared in The Marvel Family #1 (December 1945) and joined the Justice Society in JSA #29 (December 2001).

Captain Marvel (Billy Batson) – A teenaged boy, Billy Batson (first appearance in Whiz Comics #2, February 1940), was granted the ability to transform himself into a super-power adult whenever he spoke the magic word "SHAZAM." Marvel joined the Justice Society (officially in JSA #37, August 2002) to keep an eye on his former rival, Black Adam. Marvel left the Society after a mis-understanding regarding his relationship with Stargirl (the two had a romantic involvement. Even-though they were both teenagers, the other members who were not aware of his dual identity were concerned about this relationship).

Hourman (Rick Tyler) – The son of the first Hourman, Rick eventually developed a non-addictive form of the Miraclo pill that granted him enhanced strength. In addition to his physical abilities, Rick also possesses a limited precognitive ability that enables him to see one hour into the future. Rick first appeared in Infinity Inc. #20 (November 1985), joined the Justice Society in JSA #37 (August 2002) and continues to serve the team alongside his wife, Liberty Belle.

The JSA series came to a conclusion in late 2006, approximately coinciding with DC’s continuity re-defining Infinite Crisis (2006/2007). A new series (simply titled Justice Society of America), set following the World War III against Black Adam, picked up with a new team roster mostly set, including several new recruits;

Liberty Belle (Jesse Chambers) – The daughter of past Justice Society associates, Johnny Quick and the first Liberty Belle, Jesse (first appearance, Justice Society of America #1, August 1992) began her superhero career as Jesse Quick. Jesse’s relationship with Rick Tyler heated up towards the conclusion of JSA, and off-panel, the two were married. Jesse has also taken up her mother’s Liberty Belle identity, changed powers (it’s unclear if she still has her super-speed and flight abilities, but has gained as-of-yet untested super-strength) and joined the Justice Society (as of Justice Society of America #1, February 2007).

Obsidian (Todd Rice) – The son of the original Green Lantern and a super-villainess named Thorn, an abusive family raised Todd. Todd eventually learned not only of his parentage, but also of his twin sister. The two siblings both had superpowers and joined Infinity Inc, leading them to meet and reconcile with their father. Obsidian’s shadow powers, along with a history of mental instability, have often caused him to flirt with the dark side. Recently, following his sister’s death, Todd has returned to full-time superheroics alongside his father in the Justice Society. Obsidian debuted in All-Star Squadron #25, September 1983, and first appeared as a member of the Society in Justice Society of America #1 (February 2007).

Starman (Thom Kallor) – Towards the end of his career, Jack Knight was visited by his successor – a Starman from the near future. This Starman, Thom Kallor, claimed to have once been a superhero named Starboy (first appearance, Adventure Comics #282, March 1961), from the 31st century Legion of Superheroes. Thom claimed that at some point (in Jack’s future, but Thom’s past) that he would travel into the 21st century and take up the mantle of Starman. At the beginning of Justice Society of America #1 (February 2007), Thom is already operating as Starman, although he seems to have only fragmented recollections of his past. Thom does possess his powers of mass and gravity control, but he is haunted by voices in his head and is schizophrenic. Thom splits his time between fighting alongside the Justice Society and being voluntarily committed to a sanitarium.

Damage (Grant Emerson) – Another new recruit as of Justice Society of America #1 (February 2007), Damage (debuted in Damage #1, April 1994) is the son of the original Atom. In his short but eventful career to date, Damage has also used his explosive abilities as a member of the Teen Titans and Freedom Fighters. During Infinite Crisis, Damage was one disfigured by the super-villain, Zoom. So far, in his time with the Justice Society, the young man has been far more troubled, reckless and violent than he typically has been in the past.

Cyclone (Maxine Hunkel) – With the ability to manipulate wind and air, Maxine is the granddaughter of former Justice Society associate Ma "Red Tornado" Hunkel. Having recently developed her powers, she joined the Justice Society to learn how to safely use her abilities. Maxine joined the team with her first appearance in Justice Society of America #1 (February 2007).

Wildcat (Tom Bronson) – The illegitimate son of the original Wildcat, Tom (first appearance, Justice Society of America #1, February 2007) has the ability to transform into a humanoid "were-cat." Tom recently met his father and the two bonded quickly. Tom has reluctantly agreed to train as a superhero, sharing the "Wildcat" alias with his father. The conclusion of Justice Society of America #4 (May 2007) implied that Tom has joined the Society as a member-in-training.

Citizen Steel (Nathan Heywood) – The grandson of Golden Age hero, Commander Steel, and cousin of former Justice League member, Steel, Nathan (first appearance, Justice Society of America #2, March 2007) is a former college football player whose leg was amputated. A recent encounter with supervillians has apparently granted Nathan some sort of super-abilities, and information from DC Comics indicates that he will soon join the Justice Society under the identity of Citizen Steel.