| For other uses of Justice League, see Justice League (disambiguation). |
| For alternate versions of the Justice League, see the Justice League' Organization Hub. |
- "This guy's probably fought hundreds of thousands of other super-beings on the other planets he's destroyed, right? And we have to assume that he's won."
"I don't care how many demons he's fought in how many hells. He's never fought us. Not us united." - ―Barry Allen and Bruce Wayne[src]
The Justice League is a strike force comprised of the world's greatest superheroes. They serve as the stalwart protectors of life, dedicated to protecting the world as the first line of defense against terrestrial, extraterrestrial, inter-dimensional and supernatural threats.
Founded by Batman and Wonder Woman following the death of Superman by the hands of the Kryptonian monstrosity Doomsday, the Justice League was formed when the New God known as Steppenwolf invaded Earth with his army of Parademons.[2]
Having lost the world's greatest protector a year prior, Batman and Diana set off to round up a team of powerful metahumans and other superpowered beings, including Aquaman, the Flash, and Cyborg to confront the invaders and save Earth, in which they emerged victorious with the aid of a resurrected Superman.
The Justice League later reunited - Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Aquaman - after being called in by Amanda Waller to aid the 11th Street Kids during their final assault on the invading extraterrestrial Butterflies at Coverdale Ranch, but arrived in the immediate aftermath of the battle too late to provide any assistance, and the quartet of heroes were promptly scolded and insulted by Peacemaker for their delayed arrival.
The League would convene once more with Batman, Wonder Woman and the Flash chasing down Al Falcone in Gotham City in order to prevent him stealing a deadly virus that could wipe out half of the city.
History[]
Team Formation[]
A Warning from the Future[]
Right after experiencing a vision from an apocalyptic future, Bruce Wayne awoke from his position atop the Batcomputer to see a traveler partially emerge from a portal. The traveller called out to Bruce giving him vague warnings about Lois Lane being central to something. The traveller then realized that he had arrived at too early a point in the timeline before then issuing another warning about a "him" that Bruce was supposedly right to fear. As the traveller was pulled back into the portal, he begged Bruce to "find us". Soon after, Bruce slid into unconsciousness before then reawakening in the Batcave once more, looking around at the papers flying around as a result of the traveler's brief visit.[2]
The Trinity Unites[]
- "Is she with you?"
"I thought she was with you." - ―Superman and Batman about Wonder Woman[src]
Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman face off against Doomsday.
After their standoff in Gotham City, Batman witnessed the birth of Doomsday in Metropolis as he flew overhead. Realizing the danger, Batman decided to lure the monster back to Gotham Port, where he'd left a Kryptonite Spear during his fight with Superman. Within his personalized combat jet, Batman provided a distraction for the creature, gaining its attention as it leaped after him in pursuit. However, when the creature disabled his aircraft, Batman was left defenseless as it prepared to attack. As the creature released a powerful blast of heat vision on him, a woman dropped in between the two, blocking the attack.
With her Bracelets of Submission, Wonder Woman released a shockwave to drive the creature back. When asked why he brought Doomsday back to the city, Batman explained that the port was abandoned, so there wouldn't be any casualties and that the only weapon that could kill it was somewhere nearby. At that moment, Superman, having recovered from the creature's assault, arrived to send the monster flying into a nearby silo. Superman asked if Batman had found the spear, to which he remarked that he'd been busy distracting the deformed Kryptonian.
When Wonder Woman noticed the monster fed on the energy of their attacks, Superman stated that it was a creature from his world. When Diana dryly remarked that she'd killed creatures from other worlds in her life, Clark asked if she was a friend of Bruce's, to which Bruce, confused, said he assumed she was with Superman.
As Doomsday prepared another attack, Superman flew directly at it, attempting to subdue it with his heat vision, but was overpowered by the behemoth's forceful energy. As Wonder Woman managed to best it in combat, the creature swatted her away, turning to face Batman. As the creature charged him, Bruce managed to fire a grapple line moments before, quickly evading the pursuit, but injuring himself on the side of a building. Attempting to attack again, Clark heard the struggling Lois Lane nearby. Abandoning the battle, Clark dug through the rubble of a building to get to Lois, who discovered the Kryptonite spear at the bottom of a pool. Diving after it, Clark, weakened by the xenomineral, struggled to compose himself as he prepared to make his final assault.
Flying back to the battle, Superman managed to impale the monster with the spear after Wonder Woman bound him in her lasso, followed by Batman firing the last round of his Kryptonite smoke grenades into the creature's face, weakening its powers. However, as it died, Doomsday impaled Superman with a partially regenerated bone. With his last effort, Clark pierced the creature's heart, killing it moments before succumbing to his wound.[2]
Forming the League[]
- "The others like me, why did you say they'll have to fight?"
"Just a feeling." - ―Diana and Bruce Wayne[src]
Bruce and Diana at Clark's funeral.
After Superman's death at the hands of Doomsday, Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince set out to find various metahumans from the LexCorp files in hopes to combat Steppenwolf and his army. When asked by Prince about his reasons, Wayne merely commented, "Just a feeling".[2]
Assistance from Amanda Waller[]
Bruce, speaking to Amanda Waller.
- "That's the difference between us, Mr. Wayne - you believe in friendship, I believe in leverage."
- ―Amanda Waller to Batman[src]
After the events in Midway City were successfully foiled by her Task Force X, Amanda Waller met up with Bruce Wayne to request that he protect her from rumors regarding the Midway City attack, which Wayne complied to in exchange for the metahuman files Waller was reported to have collected, with the files of Arthur Curry, Victor Stone, and Barry Allen among them. He then told her to shut down the Task Force X program, stating that he and his "friends" would handle any future problems, before using the files to track down the metahumans he needed.[3]
War for Earth[]
Locating Aquaman[]
- "I believe there is a stranger. Come to this village from the sea. He comes in the winter when the people are hungry. He brings fish. He comes on the king tide. That was last night."
- ―Bruce Wayne, to Arthur Curry and the Icelandic villagers[src]
Wayne would travel to a remote fishing village in Iceland, where he's traced reports of a man who comes in during the winter to bring fish to the hungry, said to arrive during the King tide. He speaks to the village's counsel, where he deduces the stranger is among them, later revealed to be Arthur Curry.[4]
However, when Wayne states of the impending threat and offers Curry a place on the team, Curry initially wanted nothing to do with them. Advising Bruce to give up on his recruitment, Arthur reacted with hostility when Wayne continued to refuse to leave, lifting and slamming him against a wall before releasing him once Wayne further explained himself. Calmed down, the two engaged in a conversation about the impending danger, though Curry still ultimately refused to join.[4]
Locating the Flash[]
- "Hey. Anything on that kid from the liquor store?"
"Possibly."
"' '"Possibly?" If I had a dollar for every "possibly"..."
"Yeah, It would make you even more insufferable. Facial scan might have got a hit on him, our disappearing man. One Mr. Barry Allen from Central City." " - ―Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth[src]
Bruce Wayne also tracked down Barry Allen to his home in Central City, which he broke into and waited in Allen's "second favorite chair" until he returned home. He introduced himself to a dismayed and confused Allen (whom Wayne recognized as the past version of the scarlet time-traveler that appeared in his "dream"), promptly handing him a printout of the security camera footage he found on the LexCorp files. Barry instantly recognized himself in the photo and unsuccessfully tried to dismiss the person as someone who merely looked like him, was Jewish, and pointed out that the person drinks milk, claiming that he himself did not do so. Wayne ignored Barry's failed attempts at deflecting, surveying his apartment, where he noticed the speedster's scarlet suit, and informed Allen that he already knew the latter has abilities, but just needed to know what they were.[4]
Allen holding Wayne's batarang.
As Allen nervously rambled about his personal skills, including competitive ice dancing, Wayne suddenly hurled a batarang at him as hard as possible, but Allen used his speed to effortlessly dodge and catch it. Recognizing it, an awed Barry deduced that Wayne is the Batman. Wayne, in turn, responded by stating that Barry was "fast", which Barry felt was like an oversimplification. Wayne then began to tells Barry about the "team" he was putting together to face a possible threat he believed to be headed to Earth, but before he finished, Barry accepted, stating his answer for "needing friends". Momentarily confused, Wayne accepted his decision. Allen, who up until this point had been admiring the batarang, then asked Wayne if he could keep it.
As the two prepared to leave in Bruce's car, Barry asked what Bruce's superpowers were, to which Bruce jokingly stated that his power was his wealth.[4]
Locating Cyborg[]
- "We need you. And maybe you need us."
- ―Diana Prince to Victor Stone[src]
With Bruce Wayne having taken charge of recruiting Barry Allen and Arthur Curry, Diana Prince took the lead on recruiting Victor Stone, with her approach being less direct and blunt than Bruce was with the others, as Stone's recruitment was a more delicate matter, likely due to the seeming loss of his humanity upon his transformation. Meeting with Victor in an abandoned alleyway, Diana attempted to convince Victor that the team needed him and that he in some way also needed them; however, Victor, still not wanting to be a part of the group, flew away.[4]
Skirmish under Gotham Harbor[]
The League have a meeting with James Gordon.
During their investigation into the kidnappings of S.T.A.R. Labs scientists, the Flash, Batman, and Wonder Woman met with Commissioner James Gordon in Gotham, where they were soon joined by Victor, who decided to join the team in order to rescue his father Silas Stone, who was one of the many scientists recently kidnapped by the Parademons. Tracking them down to Gotham Harbor, the group arrived just in time to save the remaining scientists, including Silas Stone. As the group battled Steppenwolf, he caused a flood in the tunnel of Gotham Harbor. However, before they could be drowned, Arthur came to their aid and managed to hold the flood off long enough to allow the others to get to higher ground.[4]
Stone retrieved the last Mother Box, which he had hidden, for the group to analyze. Stone revealed that his father used the Mother Box to rebuild Stone's body after an accident almost cost him his life. Wayne decided to use the Mother Box to resurrect Superman, not only to help them fight off Steppenwolf's army, but also to restore hope to mankind. Prince and Curry were hesitant about the idea, but Wayne formed a secret contingency plan in the case Superman returns as a threat instead of an ally.[4]
Resurrection of Superman[]
Clark vs the Justice League.
Clark's body was exhumed and the League placed it in the amniotic fluid of the Genesis Chamber in the Kryptonian Scout Ship alongside the Mother Box, which, in turn, activated and successfully resurrected Superman. However, Superman's memories had not returned, and he attacked the group after Stone’s armor’s auto-defense system launched a projectile at him. On the verge of being killed by Superman, Batman enacted his contingency plan: Lois Lane. Superman calmed down and left with Lois to his family home in Smallville, where he reflected and tried to recover his memories. With the final Mother Box unguarded, Steppenwolf retrieved it with ease.[4]
Battle of Pozharnov[]
The Justice League vs Parademons.
Back at the Batcave, the team planned their next move without the assistance of Superman following his retreat with Lois Lane. Discovering that Steppenwolf planned on combining the Mother Boxes near a village located in Russia, the five heroes went to stop him.
Arriving, the Justice League fought their way through the Parademons to reach Steppenwolf, though they were unable to distract him enough for Cyborg to separate the boxes. Superman, fortunately, arrived and assisted the League in battling Steppenwolf. Unfortunately, the arrival of Darkseid and his elite caused the destruction of the world, forcing the Flash to run back in time to save it, before Superman and Cyborg pulled the Mother Boxes apart, and Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and Superman together sent the defeated Steppenwolf back to Apokolips.
The Justice League after defeating Steppenwolf.
In the aftermath, the heroes watched in awe as life now returned to the decrepit landscape upon the retreat of alien threat.
Public Heroes[]
Hailed as Heroes[]
Billy Batson and Freddy Freeman amongst the Justice League promotion.
Immediately following the heroes' victory, Lois Lane wrote an article detailing their efforts in stopping the forces of Apokolips from destroying the Earth. Her article title christened them by the name 'Justice League'.[5] Later, various merchandise was created in their honor. The bedroom of Freddy Freeman contained a Superman hat, while Batman and Wonder Woman action figures were seen on display. Taped to the bedroom wall is a page from the newspaper heralding Superman's return, while another byline stated Batman and Wonder Woman helped combat the plans of Lex Luthor, which he showed to his new foster brother Billy Batson.[6]
Project Butterfly[]
- "You're late, you fuckin' dickheads!"
- ―Peacemaker[src]
The Justice League meeting the 11th Street Kids.
As the alien species known as Butterflies grew in numbers and prepared to attack Earth, Leota Adebayo suggested her mother that they should call in the Justice League due to most of her team being injured. With the exceptions of Cyborg and Batman, the League eventually did arrive at Coverdale Ranch, intending to assist the 11th Street Kids. By the time they arrived, however, the battle was already over, and the heroes were scolded and humiliated by Peacemaker for their late arrival, much to their discomfort.[7]
Attack on the Wayne Science and Technology Conference[]
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Flash and Aquaman discuss about the Meta-Bomb.
The League were called once again when the Aquamarines attacked the conference. Wonder Woman, Aquaman and the Flash arrived to stop them.
Chase of Al Falcone[]
When Al Falcone and his crew robbed Gotham City General Hospital and stole a deadly chemical weapon, Batman asked Alfred to assemble the Justice League. Finding Superman unavailable due to the recent volcanic eruption in Guatemala, Alfred instead contacted Barry Allen in Central City, who promptly arrived at Gotham. As Batman gave chase, the Flash saved the civilians at the hospital.
Wonder Woman, Batman and Flash in Gotham
Later, when Batman finally caught up to Falcone, he was left dangling over a bridge with both the criminal and the weapon in tow, nearly dropping him before Wonder Woman saved them with the Lasso of Truth. The Flash arrived and the three exchanged words before the Amazonian departed, citing it was "always a pleasure".
When Bruce later met up with Barry to discuss what he saw in the Chronobowl, the events of Pozharnov and the previous instance of time travel were mentioned.[8]
Flashpoint[]
After Barry Allen traveled back in time to save his mother, he accidentally changed the timeline, resulting in the Justice League as he knew it no longer existing. Its various members either were unborn, were changed, or lacked the abilities of their primary counterparts.
The group later inspired Allen to create his own version of the team to fight Dru-Zod and his Kryptonian invasion.[8]
Members[]
Current[]
(founder and leader)
(co-founder)
Relationships[]
Allies[]
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Enemies[]
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Trivia[]
- In the comics, the original seven Justice League members were Aquaman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Superman and Wonder Woman.
- The Justice League in the DC Extended Universe is the third live-action incarnation of the Justice League as well as the first to appear in live-action film, after the versions seen in the failed 1997 TV pilot and Smallville.
- In Zack Snyder's Justice League, the team does indeed take the team name of "Justice League" for themselves, as evidenced by their destroyed headquarters shown in the Knightmare future. However, the theatrical version of the film never mentions the name, or any name for the team.
- The first known instance of the League being referred to as "Justice League" in-universe, is shown in the tie-in book Shazam!: Freddy's Guide to Super Hero-ing, which includes the newspaper article that showcases Lois Lane's final words from the film Justice League, bearing the article title: 'Justice League: Heroes Among Us'.
- The first live-action instance of the team being referred to as the "Justice League" is heard in the Peacemaker episode It's Cow or Never.
- Unlike most versions of the Justice League, this roster is only made up of six members.
- This was likely done intentionally to mirror the number of members seen the Marvel Cinematic Universe film The Avengers.
- Ironically, the promotional art of Aquaman for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice read "Unite the Seven", leading fans to speculate there would be seven members. However, the promo art was referring to the Seven Kingdoms of Atlantis.
- Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Cyborg are the only members of the Justice League known to have any surviving parents. The Flash only lost his mother, but his father has been imprisoned since his childhood, and Batman's parents were murdered when he was 9. Aquaman is a notable exception, as both his parents turn out to be alive and well despite one of them being presumed dead for some time. Superman is also an odd exception, as he's lost both his biological parents, though he was adopted by the Kents.
- This represents an ongoing trope with DC Comics, in that their character roster is largely comprised of orphaned heroes.
- The correct members of the Justice League can be counted as the modern version of the original unity that was formed to fight Darkseid in the Invasion of Earth: Diana represents both the Amazons and the Old Gods, Bruce, Barry and Victor represent the different tribes of men, Arthur represents the Atlanteans, and Clark represents the aid from other worlds.
References[]
External Links[]
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| Justice League | |
| Members | Batman (leader) | Wonder Woman | Cyborg | Flash | Superman | Aquaman |
|---|---|
| Associates | Alfred Pennyworth |