Forged in the fires of World War II, eight mystery men appeared to halt the invasion of Adolph Hitler and the Nazi regime. Under the advisement of President Roosevelt, these eight champions united to form the very first super team in order to battle injustice wherever they could find it. Now, decades later, after a lengthy retirement they have reunited to lead the second generation of heroes. They are The Justice Society of America! Hawkman and Hawkgirl --Winged Warriors! Dr. Mid-night -- Blind Adventurer! Sentinel -- Original Emerald Guardian of Justice! Wildcat -- Second-generation champion! Captain Atom -- Atomic Powerhouse! Hour Man -- Man of the Hour! Dr. Fate -- Mystic Supreme!
JSA Volume 1 Issue 1 �The more things change�the more they stay the same�
By
The Brimstone Gotham City
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It has been many years since this luxurious mansion has served as the headquarters of the Justice Society of America and in that time many people have come to visit this old relic to reminisce about the days of the Second World War when the JSA fought bravely to protect the American people from the Nazi�s and their evil forces. Today the mansion has reopened most of its private wings that were once used by the JSA for the new team that Carter Hall has proposed to his long time teammates. In the main conference room of the mansion, the founding members discuss the possibility of the Justice Society coming out of retirement. At the head of this discussion is Rex Tyler the hero known as Hourman, �I�m telling ya it�s a different times now with criminals and terrorists being far worse then they were before. The people nowadays are even more afraid to go out now then they were during the war. We have all kinds of troubles now then we did back then. America needs us guys and I�m with Carter in putting the JSA back into active status.�
The Atom Al Pratt just leaned back in his chair and shook his head for he knew the dangers that were now out their today yet, �I don�t have it in me anymore guys I am afraid if your going through with this then you can count me out.� Next to him Ted Knight, the amazing Starman shared his comrade�s point of view, �We are not young any more guys we can�t possibly deal with the new crises that arrive each day nor can we keep up with the youngster�s who are popping up each day with powers that rival or surpass are own. Like Al I�m afraid I will step down too.� Ted Knight replied and walked out with Al following him.
�What say you Charles and Jay?� Carter said as his directs his attention towards them.
Charles thought about it for a moment and then pulled his mask over his head to cover his short graying blond hair. �I may not be as young as I use to be, but the effects of Ian still keep me as fit as most men in their prime condition (1). So I guess I am saying I will join you guys and vote for the JSA to back into active duty.�
The three men then turned their attention to Jay who picked up his silver hat with its gold tipped wings and smiled, �You get my vote because retirement never suited me none any ways, but I think I will act only as a reserve member now since theirs been some problems in Keystone and Central City (2). If you guys need me you know how you reach me.� With his business now completed the fastest boots of the golden age disappears in a blur of speed back to his hometown to help a new hero settle in (3).
The three proud heroes now wait for the final member to give his say on the matter for the man they wait for is one of the most powerful beings in the universe yet his power pales in comparison to what it once was. His name is Alan Scott the recently recharged Green Lantern. Alan contemplates his answer as he keeps the one major event in his mind that helped him rediscover himself and rechristen himself Sentinel. It was about twenty years ago or less when he observed a miracle that could shape the very destiny of this planet and often he has wondered where this star child is now and how powerful the boy has become. He then comes to the conclusion that if he is to make sure this star child whoever he is fulfils the destiny before him then the JSA will have to hold the fort until the boy is ready to take that step. Keeping these reasons to himself Alan stands up with a smug look on his face,� Well you old timers didn�t plan on doing this by yourself did ya? I�m in for the long haul and hopefully we can prevent the deaths that we were not able to during the war.�
�I agree with that.� Carter said
�Amen to that!� Rex chimed in
�Just one problem guys there are only four of us we need a little more muscle and experience to deal with the threats of today.� Charles interrupted
Carter nodded his head in agreement, �Doctor Mid-nite is right with Ted, and Al gone plus Jay on reserve we are certainly shorthanded. We could definitely use some fresh blood to bolster our ranks.�
Alan slammed his fist down on the desk as an idea popped into his head, �Hell I know of the perfect person to help fill up our roster his name is Nathaniel Adam, but the media calls him Captain Atom he has just the experience we need plus the connections to help us reestablish ourselves.�
�Great thinking Alan though I am curious as to how you met Captain Atom?� Hawkman said questioningly
Alan looked a little apprehensive about talking about his chance meeting with Nathaniel so Carter decided not to push him right now, as he knew that it is close to the anniversary of when Alan�s family died (4).
Rex changed the subject as he brought in a familiar female into the room, �Look who was snooping in on our meeting guys.�
�Yolanda what are you doing here? I thought you were going to help Jake watch over Ted?� Charles said as he placed his hand on her shoulder
Yolanda turned to him with a pleading look on her face, �I want to fight with you guys, I want to join the Justice Society of America and help you in your struggles.�
Carter shook his head in disbelief, �I know you have some special powers that make you unique from other women your age Yolanda, but this kind of life is too dangerous for you. We cannot chaperon you when we go out to save the world or country from some wack job with a ridiculous scheme to take over the world or to turn the people of the world into mindless slaves. I mean we will definitely be dealing with grade a wackos that will not hold back on a rookie who isn�t prepared for this kind of work.�
The look on Yolanda�s face turned from a gentle one to stern one as she let her feelings known to her elders, �I may not be as experienced as the four of you, but I have the benefits of youth which you guys lack. I mean how do you guys expect to deal with a crisis that would involve undercover work?�
Alan scratched his head as he found himself agreeing with her,� I think she has us guys we are not exactly as hip as we used to be plus her natural agility would allow her to sneak into places where brute force would prove useless.�
�Oh for the love of god she is only what? Seventeen years old and she has a birthday coming up soon. How can we even consider this?� Rex remarked
�Well I have to agree with Alan Rex they both have a point now it�s up to Carter to decide.� Dr. Mid-Nite chimed in
The four figures turned their attentions to Hawkman who had an absolutely serious look on his face,� Fine you are in, but stay close to Shiera so she can show you the ropes. If you make one slip up on her watch your out understand?�
�I understand Mister Hall.� Yolanda replied she then put on the mask that she brought with her that matched her costume. �From now on you can call me Wildcat in memory of my Godfather Ted Grant.� Yolanda said as she extended her claws.
Later the next morning
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Alan made a call through the number that Nathaniel had given and told him that they needed to talk to him in a hurry so he rushed over as fast as he could yet he did not expect the bomb that they would drop on him.
�Me? You want me to join your prestigious ranks as a full fledged member of the Justice Society?� Nathaniel said as he stood their somewhat surprised by the offer.
�Yep we could you use your experience with the current affairs of things and from what Alan told me you�re almost as powerful as he was when his power was at its peak.� Hawkman said as he stood in front of the group addressing the atomic champion.
�Well hot damn this is great the President was looking for some people to help me with crisis that has gone beyond our control. It would be an honor to have the famous Justice Society fight by my side.�
�What is this crisis you speak of Nate?� Dr. Mid-nite said as he adjusted the lens in his mask
�Well according to our sources one of your old foes is back in action and he is not exactly in a good mood. Does the name Ultra-Humanite ring a bell?�
�Ah hell not him again I thought we pulled his plug for good last time (5). Doesn�t he ever know when to give up and just die already?� Rex wondered
�Well it seems he evaded your last ditch effort to stop him and now he plans on doing some serious damage with a machine that is designed to emit a ultrasonic frequency strong enough to kill every man, woman, and child on earth.� Nathaniel replied
Dr. Mid-nite rubbed his chin as he took in what Captain Atom said, �That sounds a little out of character for the Humanite usually he wants to take over mankind by any means necessary. I wonder if there is more to this then we think. I suggest that we proceed with caution guys this could be some kind of elaborate trap.�
�Yeah Humanite always likes to prove his intellect is superior then every one else�s. Hopefully we will be ready for whatever he has up his sleeve.� Hawkman said,� I think we best make some preparations to leave for D.C. so we can get the whole scoop from the president himself.�
The six champions then went six different directions to get ready for perhaps the most dangerous mission they have ever encountered.
To Be Continued
Next Month� The Chinese Connection Part 1: The Javelin Toss�Epilogue Part 1: San Francisco, California days later
The departing members of infinity inc. say their last goodbyes as they each prepare to go their separate way.
�So where are you headed Al?� Jenny said as she walked to up to her teammate who was as close to her as a brother was
Al looked down at the beautiful emerald woman who had grown up some since their beginning days with the team and sighed, �I am thinking about heading out to Gotham to try out for the Justice Society again since my godfather has retired from the group, but I won�t go as Nuklon the fresh faced youth no their will only be Atom Smasher in his place.�
Jenny smiled though she knew that like him, she had the same dream, but now they are two different people then they once were. She no longer has the same desires that she had before when she petitioned for membership of the Justice Society of America. For now, she has been asked to join a team that is being put together by the new Mr. Terrific in order to help keep in line the new generation of what the media has dubbed metahumans. She hopes that with this new hero she has aligned herself with that they can truly make a difference in the world and help metahumans like her be accepted.
�I wish you luck Al and I hope that your dream comes true.� Jen said and then hugged Al before she flew off to New York.
�I will Jenny�I will and I swear I will become a member of the Justice Society or die trying.� Al said as he watched her fading form disappear in the distance
Epilogue II: Brooklyn, New York
Twelve hundred and seventy three feet below street level a lone figure waits for the four members that he hopes will join him in his crusade when the doors to the main conference room open up to reveal a blue skinned woman who has guided him through this effort.
�Well they agreed to meet like you predicted and now it looks like every thing is going as you said. I just hope you�re on the up and up about this Miss�� Mr. Terrific said as he looked at his mysterious ally
�You may call me Indigo and I assure that everything I have told you is the truth. If we do not act now the world could be in great danger. Only the six of us stand a chance against the impending apocalypse that could ruin your future my present.�
�I still don�t see how the six of us can deal with whatever this crisis is that you�re talking about. I mean you have not even told me all of the details yet.�
�I am afraid that I must keep you in the dark until the others arrive and then I will reveal what I know, but until then we might as well get to know each other better.� She said as she sat next to him
�I�m afraid that since my wife died I am not interested in talking much.� Mr. Terrific said as he walked away from her
Indigo looked at Mr. Terrific apathetically and said, �I understand that you have lost much Michael, but the world could lose more if we do not work together to stop the oncoming apocalypse from happening. Already I have seen the changes that are happening in my time and I can tell you that if we do nothing then their will be no future for this world.�
Michael Holt the man who adopted the identity of Mr. Terrific from his predecessor looks at Indigo with some signs of determination,� All right I�m still in this hell that�s why I have taken the concept of fair play to New York.�
The two heroes then wait for their four remaining members to show up.
(1) Happened in All-Star comics 23-25
(2) Check out the Silver Age piece by Firstborn
(3) See above
(4) Alan�s first wife and family were killed pre-crisis his only living relatives are Jade, Obsidian, and his second wife Molly.
(5) The Justice Society faced The Ultra Humanite while he was in the body of an actress named Dolores Winters in All Star Squadron #23-25
