Justice League of America:The Silver Age Vol. 4 TPB
Justice League of America:The Silver Age Vol. 4 TPB
Cover Credits
Artist: Evan Shaner

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Title: "Earth -- Without a Justice League"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Justice League of America (of Earth-1)

Writer: Gardner F. Fox
Penciller: Mike Sekowsky
Inker: Bernard Sachs

Reprinted From:
Justice League of America #37 (1965)

Feature Character(s)

Guest Star(s)

Villain(s)

Cameo Appearance(s)

  • Abin Sur (behind-the-scenes in flashback inside his spaceship)
  • Dr. Mark Erdel (in flashback to J'onn J'onzz's origin)
  • Hawkman of Earth-1 (behind-the-scenes in flashback inside his ship only)

Comments:
The Justice League appears only briefly in this story.

The origins of the Flash, Superman, Green Lantern, Atom, and J'onn J'onzz are briefly retold in this story.

Batman appears chronologically during his first case. This story makes reference to the first story of Detective Comics #27, which features the Earth-2 Batman. The Earth-1 Batman's rooftop encounter with the thugs and Thunderbolt in this story must have taken place just prior to the flashback in the first story of Detective Comics #265, which is the Earth-1 Batman's first case. The rooftop encounter therefore must take place on both Earth-1 and Earth-2.

Earth-A is created in this story as an alternate from Earth-1 where the Justice League never received their powers. Earth-A is actually an alternate timeline rather than a parallel Earth such as Earth-2.

This story continues in Justice League of America #38.

Synopsis:
Johnny Thunder, the slightly wacky Justice Society member who commands a magical Thunderbolt, runs afoul of his Earth-1 counterpart, a small-time crook, who overpowers him and takes control of the genie-like servant. Realizing that the various Justice League heroes will stop his robbery schemes, the criminal has the Thunderbolt travel back in time to prevent the super-heroes' origins from occurring. Thus, he is free to commit crimes on an Earth without super-heroes - renamed Earth-A, for Alternate.

Investigating the disappearance of Johnny, the Justice Society discovers the evil Johnny's scheme, and travels to Earth-1 to stop him. They defeat his gang, but he himself escapes with the help of the Thunderbolt. Unable to restore the Justice League to existence or revive the good Johnny, the JSA members disguise themselves as JLA heroes, hoping to confuse their foe. While Flash, Green Lantern, and Atom take on the guises of their counterparts, Dr. Fate becomes Superman, Mr. Terrific takes on the role of Batman, and Hawkman (presumably unaware of the Earth-1 Hawkman's recent membership) impersonates the Martian Manhunter. The Thunderbolt battles the JSA-turned-JLA, by dividing himself into six beings, but is defeated.

Escaping again, Johnny concocts a new plan. He has the Thunderbolt travel in time again, this time replacing the Justice League heroes with six of his gang members. Transformed back to their usual identities, the Justice Society now faces a Lawless League composed of an evil Superman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Atom, and Martian Manhunter.

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