How Many Justice League Members Can You Name?
- by Edward Cambro
- – on
- in The Geek Corner
The Justice League. In 1960, a group of superheroes came together to stop a single, world-ending threat that none of them could have defeated on their own. The original team didn’t even include Batman or Superman, though they did join later as the team became more popular and started selling more magazines. While not the original superhero team (that honor belongs to the Justice Society), they are the best. The comic book industry has taken many hints on writing sprawling, crazy, brilliant ensemble stories from the Justice League and its nearly sixty-year legacy.
The League has been rebooted and relaunched a number of times—this is DC Comics, after all—but the core members usually remain the same. However, that doesn’t mean that there haven’t been recruitment drives over the years. Hell, there have been enough Justice League members to qualify as an army—a fact that was turned into a great story by Dwayne McDuffie in the Justice League Unlimited animated series.
When you have a giant roster like the League, you get to tell some wild stories and introduce some amazing characters (and some crappy ones too). Especially now, with a live action film finally coming out, we thought we should test your knowledge.
So, Can You Name These Justice League Members?
If you don’t know who he is, this is going to be a long quiz
This character stands for truth, justice and the American way. His open-hearted optimism is a central point that makes people inherently trust him. A lone foreigner in a strange new land, he dealt with a culture that was suspicious of him as he struggled to understand his own place in the world. Eventually, he was embraced by others who saw him as an icon for American idealism. That’s what makes this character such an important figure: he’s an immigrant who made a new life for himself in a foreign land. His story is the story of America.
This bird of prey has an integral role in Justice League and Green Arrow
Don’t let the Arrow series fool you, this character is one of the most well-connected and well-respected superheroes in the DCU. She was involved in the creation of the Justice Society (and in some continuities) helped found the Justice League. Prior to the New 52, writer Dwayne McDuffie made her the leader of the team. Given the fact she’s one of the best martial artists in the DCU, has been fighting crime since she was in junior high, and has her ultrasonic scream that can cause dizziness, break glass, and kill if she wasn’t careful, it's no surprise.
Two characters join together and obtain fiery nuclear powers when merged
This powerful hero who is always comprised of two people combining into one. The most famous version is Ronnie Raymond (the jock) and Martin Stein (the scientist), creating a comic book equivalent of The Odd Couple (who can incidentally wipe out the entire planet with their powers). He is so powerful he can rearrange particles to act as an atomic bomb explosion and then clean the place up of radiation like he was never even there. This character was adapted into the live-action Flash show and can be seen currently on Legends of Tomorrow.
He isn’t the first Green Lantern from Earth, but he is the loudest
Originally known for being so obnoxious that Batman knocked him out with a single hit, “One Shot” is that jock friend you have that’s always responsible for getting you kicked out of the bar. Despite this, he is a complex character and loyal friend. He also never runs out of mean-spirited nicknames for the Guardians of the Universe, and he references Star Trek constantly, so he has that going for him. he has saved countless lives but has never been able to convince himself that he isn’t a failure and that his father was wrong about him.
This character currently shares a name with a music app
From 1939-2011, he was called Captain Marvel; the name change was a recent (unnecessary) addition because fans usually remember in order to use his god-like powers, this young boy must yell a phrase out. He obtained these powers from a wizard and by uttering the acronym phrase, he gains the powers of Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury. He is arguably more powerful than Superman since Supes is weak to magic, which is the source of this character’s energy. Warner Bros. is currently preparing a film adaptation which will star The Rock as his archnemesis, Black Adam.
This character’s miraculous exploits have made him a legend
This character is an escape artist raised on his hellscape planet of Apokolips where he was brutally tortured for most of his life. He is known for his daring and impossible escapes thanks to his superior cunning and from the help of his living computer called Mother Box. Oddly, he has lived up to his name in the real world too. The character has appeared in many solo titles which were all cancelled only to be tried again and again. The latest attempt at giving this underappreciated hero a solo series is coming later in 2017.
This speedster is the fastest man alive
This character is so fast that he accidentally visited another universe. His metabolism is so great he eats hundreds of pounds of food a day. Oh, and he actually ran himself to death once in order to save the universe from the Ant-Monitor. He may not be the first incarnation of this character and he may not be the fastest speedster, but he is historically perhaps DC Comics’ greatest hero when he sacrificed himself during the groundbreaking Crisis on Infinite Earths miniseries from 1985. He returned in 2009’s Final Crisis miniseries by literally outrunning death. How cool is that?
This Leaguer mimics the abilities of all the animals in the world
She is one of comics’ first African-American superheroes, and despite her name, is actually a really pleasant person. That said, she’s also a martial artist who can move as fast as a cheetah, hit with the force of an elephant’s weight and strike with the predatory capability of a lion thanks to the totem she wears around her neck. This character also an undercover expert, having infiltrated the Suicide Squad and the Checkmate and lived to tell about it. She has gained a substantially larger fan base in recent years after appearing as part of the CW’s Arrowverse.
The third Flash, Barry Allen’s nephew, is the true fastest man alive
The third Flash is the soul of the DCU. A kind, lighthearted guy who is loyal and incredibly smart, this character came from an abusive family but never let it stop him from being a good person. His personality was so popular that editors gave it to Barry Allen to make him seem less dull. As Flash, he discovered the Speed Force and eventually became the fastest speedster in the entire Flash-family. When DC realized the New 52 was a mistake, they brought Wally back as an acknowledgment of what was lost: the sense of legacy and humor that he embodied.
For the last time, he does more than talk to fish!
Like Rodney Dangerfield, this character gets no respect. But he should. He’s the ruler of the ocean kingdoms and still finds time to save the world alongside the Justice League. Just don’t bring up Black Manta to him. There’s some personal stuff there that hasn’t been worked out. His hard skin makes him difficult to kill and he’s strong enough to lift a fire truck. The coolest part? He can control killer whales and sharks to attack his enemies and he has a Dothraki badass playing him on film. This Justice League founder is totally awesome (just ignore his costume).
He is a school principal by day and superhero by night
Somehow, this character manages to be a superhero on an educator’s salary. This is the most unrealistic thing in comic book history. Regardless, he is the kind of person a hero should be. He devotes his days to making the rundown neighborhood he grew up in a better place to live and his nights he risks his life as a superhero. He even worked as the Secretary of Education for a while, attempting to make people’s lives better at the national level. He’s also a parent to two daughters who have his powers. It’s likely that he hasn’t slept in a very long time.
This giantess is a big problem for her enemies
Based (lovingly) on creator Jack Kirby’s wife Roz, Big Barda is a former member of Darkseid’s Female Furies. An incredibly dangerous warrior who has given Wonder Woman a run for her money, the statuesque Barda is often the protector for her her husband Mr. Miracle, who, while a talented escape artist, does have a tendency for trouble. Even though she betrayed her evil master, the other Female Furies respect and even like Barda, but that could also be because she could wipe them out without much effort. Despite her acumen as a warrior, she would prefer nothing more than to retire to a happy life.
When you look like Phantom Stranger but you’re crazier than Batman, you can only be…
The Question, Vic Sage, is a reporter who has had enough. And he possibly also had a nervous breakdown. Obsessed with obtaining the truth behind everything, the Question (depending on the writer) is either a conspiracy theorist or a crimefighter who wants to make Opal City less awful. Either way, he’s an incredibly gifted detective who uses a binary gas he developed to create a sheer plastic that opaques his facial features when he has to go out and fight crime. Hardly the most powerful (or sane) Justice League member, Vic Sage makes up for in brains what he lacks in physicality.
Some superheroes like it hot
Despite her name being Fire, Beatriz da Costa has more than just arson as a superpower. Thanks to the mystical origins of her powers, she can also fly, morph her clothes at will and create hallucinations. She can also change her physical structure to be entirely comprised of green fire as a defensive mechanism (like Emma Frost turning into a diamond). A former model, secret agent and Wayne Enterprises branch president, she is also a member of several other superhero groups, making her one of the most well-connected characters in the DCU.
He’s like Dog the Bounty Hunter, but from Mars…and without the mullet
This alien character has a tragic backstory. His family—along with the entire Martian species—was wiped out, leaving him as (nearly) the sole survivor. A solitary figure, he has dedicated himself to protecting Earth the way he couldn’t protect Mars. His powers include shapeshifting, telepathy and super strength; he’s so powerful that Superman even commented that this character is one of the few people he’s actually afraid to fight. However, he has one major weakness—fire—and it’s come back to bite him many, many times.
This hero is harder than metal and was adapted in a movie we all want to forget about
This character was inspired by Superman’s heroic sacrifice and decided to dedicate his life to helping people as a superhero. Luckily, he had peak physical conditional and the IQ of two Albert Einsteins. Developing an advanced mech-suit, this character fought his corrupt former employer AmerTek Industries and inner-city crime in Metropolis. He was so popular with fans that a live-action film was fast-tracked and released in 1997 starring Shaquille O’Neal. Warner Bros. should have taken their time with it. Recently, he has upgraded his armor to something more sleek and is in a relationship with Lana Lang.
The original Robin flew the coup and became this new hero
This character is more than just Batman-light; Batman writer Tom King has claimed he is a better fighter than Bruce Wayne. He is the most beloved and well-respected hero by his peers in the Justice League. Able to cope with tragedy and improvise out of trouble, Nightwing is a superhero not because he has to be but because he wants to be. He has taken down secret spy organizations armed with god-technology, he’s fought and outsmarted Deathstroke and almost married Starfire. Despite their differences, even Batman acknowledged this character's skill, admitting that he was training the kid not to be a member of the Justice League—but to lead it.
This brash pilot is considered the greatest Green Lantern of them all
With his bomber jacket, perpetually well-coiffed hair and his mountain of daddy issues, there’s no mistaking Hal Jordan. At once representing “the system” and bucking authority, Hal Jordan is known as the Greatest Green Lantern. Mind you, this is even after he was possessed by Parallax, who made him kill several thousand Green Lanterns, so maybe the bar is just set low. Thanks to Jordan’s leadership, the Corps rebounded, and with Hal at the helm, he went on to save Coast City, planet Earth, the galaxy, and then all life itself.
This bizarre character has a fixation on nature and juice boxes
This character is a strange one, to say the least. Like Metamorpho she can alter her body into a chemical or elemental compound; she can effect molecules, metals, and can create virtually anything out of thin air. Also, according to Shade’s M-Vest, she’s completely insane. But she won’t let that get her down. She is very optimistic and friendly and just wants to help, which is why she joined the Justice League. This character often provides juice boxes to the people around her in case they get thirsty. She offered Black Lightning one during a battle; timing isn’t her thing.
This time traveler is the greatest hero you’ve never heard of
Booster Gold is a genius. He decided to market the fact that he’s a superhero, selling his likeness (and ad space on his costume) to make money while also fighting crime. Even though he outgrew this and became an honest hero, he learns that no one in the future will ever know of his heroic feats. In the present, he has to continue to be an obnoxious sellout even though he’s grown out of it just to keep up appearances while he works behind the scenes to protect time itself from unraveling.
Doctor Manhattan is based on this Charlton original
Created by comics luminary Steve Ditko, this character is the most powerful hero in DC Comics. His body consists of pure atomic energy; he can also create and manipulate atoms at his will. He can create and destroy with unlimited potential on a whim. Usually depicted a gung-ho Air Force pilot, he is even more of a boy scout than Superman or Captain Marvel, though, if he wanted, he could melt them both into pudding. Despite his longevity, he has had difficulties building a large fanbase, though DC is currently publishing a miniseries that reboots the character yet again.
This semi-robotic character will make his live-action debut in Justice League
Despite only debuting in 1980, this character was so popular that DC made him a founding member of the Justice League following their 2011 reboot. What makes him such an appealing character is his basic humanity; he's worried about losing his body and soul to the machinery that saved his life. Very little of his body is still flesh and blood. He worries about losing sensation and his emotions to the complicated systems that grow and adapt to interface with the technology around him. What makes him an interesting isn’t his villains or his powers, it’s the emotional story of someone trying to hold on to who they used to be.
Ironically, this character’s best friend is Fire
When Elsa fails, call in her. Strangely enough, this character and Elsa from Frozen have similar backstories. Both are princesses from a magic-wielding tribe of reclusive Norsemen. Both also had to come to terms with their powers, though for her it came at a price; she accidentally murdered her father when her abilities were still new and not under her control. She formed an unlikely friendship with Fire; she was sweet and almost naïve while Fire was more of a world-weary city slicker. As a member of several teams—the JLA, the JLI and the Global Guardians—she is a respected superhero among her peers and friends.
This character can control the earth and he still isn’t cool
Well, there had to be a dud somewhere. Despite many attempts over the years, DC Comics has never been able to make Vibe cool. Originally, DC wanted Cisco Ramon to be edgy and have street cred, which they defined as wearing sunglasses, growing a mullet and breakdancing. Obviously, it murdered his cool-factor, which is unfortunate since those seismic powers are actually useful. Thankfully, on The Flash TV series, Cisco found some success (even if the name Vibe doesn’t really make sense anymore). He’s the comic relief who wears cool shirts and explains the plot. Hey, it’s a living.
The only Green Lantern who can wield all colors of the emotional spectrum is…
It’s been a strange life for this Green Lantern, whose career began when he found a green ring outside a bar. Despite being one of the youngest GLs, this character is easily one of the most powerful. He’s played host to the entity known as Ion—the living embodiment of willpower—and is the only one in the universe to be able to wield all the colors of the emotional spectrum. He’s used his powers to defeat Parallax and cure the sick; he’s essentially Space Jesus. His girlfriend, Alex, was also murdered and stuffed into a refrigerator.
This legacy character is the smartest man in DC Comics
When Batman needs help on a case, he calls this character. That’s all you need to know. He has developed nano-technology to assist him in his needs and has the brain capacity to register and assimilate all the data they provide him without driving him insane. What makes him a riveting character is the fact that despite all of his intelligence and crime-fighting ability, He still has to deal with the emotional fallout from the deaths of his brother, wife and son and his complicated feelings toward religion.
His parents are dead
This character is the Swiss Army Knife of superheroes. As a hero—with his smarts, training, willpower and money—he can accomplish anything. Outside of comics, he’s considered to be an overpowered character, despite having no actual powers, which is a complement of the highest order. He literally became a god after stealing the Mobius chair, brought his son back from the dead and made Darkseid blink in a game of chicken. Darkseid! In recent years, he’s survived the US Army-led Colony from destroying him, stopped a secret society obsessed with Owls from taking over Gotham and led the Suicide Squad. This character couldn’t be stopped if he wanted to.
Supergirl’s alternate-reality counterpart is…
This is Supergirl all grown up (and displaced from another dimension; you’d be surprised how often that happens). She’s a more mature version of Supergirl; more experienced and careful, and more accustomed to her powers. This character’s popularity has remained strong because she, like many of her teenage fans, doesn’t quite feel like she fits in. At the same time, she’s also fairly optimistic and realistic character who manages to solve her own problems. For her younger audience, she’s a role model. For the rest of us, she helped reform the Justice Society.
This legacy character casts spells by saying words backward
Okay, that’s not the most fun way of doing magic, but she is one of the best magicians in the DCU. Also, like Booster Gold, she realized she could make a lot of money out of it. Unlike Booster, this character isn’t obnoxious. She is well-versed in all types of magic and spirituality—ranging from Tantra to divination. At her most powerful she’s wiped people’s memories and use her own blood to write out a spell to save her life. Even without magic, she is adept in self-defense and is a capable escape artist, which she learned from her father.
She is the Princess of Themyscira and the Queen of DC Comics
This character is a unique character in DC Comics and comics in general. She is an icon with a history that’s as complicated as her worldview; she is both an arbiter of peace and a fearsome warrior. She has to deal with her family—the Greek gods—often, and if you know anything about the Greek gods, you know that they’re often unpleasant. This is a real problem, considering that when she isn’t being a well-trained diplomat, she’s usually kicking people’s heads off. She is one of the most complicated characters in comics, and that’s why she has the massive following she does.
This is the one true GL the eyes of many '90s kids
A former soldier and architect, he is the Green Lantern that has to make the tough choices and live with them. From having to kill fellow GLs Mogo and Kirrt Kallak to save others, to being put on trial, This Green Lantern is the consummate war general. He makes command decisions and lives with the scars of them more than any lantern. As bad as the things Hal Jordan did were, he at least has the excuse of being possessed. This character's world is a moral gray area. He navigates it, and he doesn’t complain. He endures.
This female speedster has been a member of the JLA, the JSA and the Titans
Unlike Barry Allen or Wally West, this speedster derives her speed powers from a formula—3X2(9YZ)4A—which she recites when she needs to unlock her abilities. Her parents were the Golden Age heroes Liberty Belle and Johnny Quick. She received the formula from her father and increased strength from her mother, making her an incredibly powerful and unique hero within the DCU. The formula allows her connection to the Speed Force and the two of them together allows her to be so fast that Wally West suggested she slow down for her own safety. How cool is that?
This fallen angel is one of the JLA’s strangest members
Well, the Justice League can officially say they have God on their side. This character is a former guardian angel who forsook his allegiance to heaven in order to be with his one true love. Needless to say, that didn’t work out. Now unable to return to Heaven, he joined the Justice League to protect the innocent. Given that his strength is faith-based, he is potentially incredibly powerful especially in proximity to the devout. Despite all the good he’s done, he burned his bridges in Heaven and is forbidden from returning. Angels sure know how to hold a grudge.
When you’re stretchier and crazier than anyone in comics, you can only be…
This character is a love letter to crazy. Despite being one of the first characters to incorporate (and still use) humor as a major character trait, he doesn’t get the mainstream attention he deserves. He is capable of completely changing his shape down to size, mass, and structure, and is virtually immortal. While you can say that of plenty of characters, his unpredictability and adult humor make him a rarity in comics and a much-needed breath of fresh air to the sometimes-homogenized Justice League.
We’re as surprised he’s on the list as you are
One of DC Comics’ greatest villains recently joined the Justice League. After playing a pivotal role in defeating the Crime Syndicate, this lovable megalomaniac was beloved by the entire world and decided that he was suddenly a member of the Justice League. Willing to give him a chance, he quickly deduced Bruce Wayne was Batman, redesigned the security features in the Justice League Watchtower, and made himself the League’s public face. To his credit, he has been a (relatively) good guy for a while now, proving the only thing he needs to succeed is an opportunity and a moment to think.