Long before the Justice League or the Avengers, there was the Justice Society of America - the world's first superhero team. Teaming up for the first time in 1940, the JSA consisted of some of the greatest heroes of the Golden Age of Comics, and they kicked off a legacy that continues to this day.
Related: 'Black Adam' Director Believes Film Will Disrupt How Superhero Movies Are Made
With the JSA set to make their big-screen debut opposite Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam, it's only natural to wonder what members of the team's expansive roster will make an appearance. While Dr. Fate, Hawkman, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone already confirmed, it's likely that at least a few more heroes will make an appearance.
Black Canary - Like Mother, Like Daughter
Yes, we've already seen a version of this character in Birds of Prey (2020), and Jurnee Smollett is set to reprise her role in an upcoming solo film. However, there have been multiple Canaries in the comics, with the original being Dinah Drake, who was a member of the JSA.
There is a bit of complicated history with the Canaries, but the simplified version is that Drake's daughter, Dinah Laurel Lance was the second heroine to take up the mantle. Since this is the version of the character that Smollett is playing, it would be a treat to see her mother or even grandmother appear as a member of the JSA, rocking the character's signature look.
Wildcat - A Brawler With a Heart Of Gold
Ted Grant is a heavyweight boxing champ who dons a costume to become the vigilante known as Wildcat. He's your typical everyman, except for his magical set of nine lives, which give him accelerated healing and even the ability to return from the dead. However, his biggest claim to fame comes from the fact that he's trained several superheroes in the art of boxing, most notably Black Canary.
It would be interesting to see this veteran heavyweight make an appearance opposite Black Adam, perhaps setting him up as a teacher for Dinah Lance in that Black Canary solo movie.
Hawkwoman - The Nth Metal-Wielding Warrior
With Aldis Hodge set to be playing Hawkman in the film, it would make perfect sense for his eternal partner in love and crime-fighting to also appear. The Hawks have some of the most complicated backstories in the world of comics, but they're usually either reincarnated Egyptian lovers, alien cops, or a combination of both.
Related: 10 X-Men Villains We Want to See in the Animated Series Reboot
Hawkwoman is a powerful and popular character in her own right, often surpassing her beloved and endearing herself to a whole generation of fans thanks to the Justice League animated series. She's even become a core member of the league in their most-recent comic book run, so it's high time for her to spread her wings on the big screen.
Johnny Thunder - The Accidental Superhero
He may have started as a bit of a joke character, but Johnny Thunder can pack some serious punch. Kidnapped as a child, he was given control of an all-powerful genie-like entity called the Thunderbolt to help the fictional nation of Badhnesia take over the world. However, Johnny managed to escape back to America, where he used the Thunderbolt to accidentally get into all sorts of trouble, including joining the JSA.
With his unique origin story and comedic potential, he would be different from your typical movie superhero. Plus, the reality-warping nature of the Thunderbolt would make him a tough but unique opponent for Black Adam.
The Flash/Jay Garrick - Flashing Back To The First Flash
Yes, there is already a Flash in the DCEU, but Barry Allen isn't the only Flash in the DC Universe. Jay Garrick was the first to hold that mantle, all the way back in 1940 before becoming a founding member of the JSA.
It was a meeting between him and Barry that first introduced the idea of the DC multiverse back in the '50s. It would be a real treat to see the veteran speedster introduced into the world of film, and even potentially meet his younger counterpart. After all, it's been done to great success on the CW's Flash TV show.
Red Tornado/"Ma" Hunkel - Not Your Typical Hero
With it already being confirmed that Quintessa Swindell will be portraying Cyclone in Black Adam, it would make sense for her grandmother, the original Red Tornado, to make an appearance. This version of Red Tornado was Abigail "Ma" Hunkel, an older woman who took to the streets in a homemade costume (complete with a cooking pot on her head) to fight crime in her neighborhood.
Although she was originally a parody character, over the years she became firmly linked with the JSA, either as an honorary member or as the caretaker of their headquarters. It would be nice to see her show up to demonstrate that there's no age limit to being a hero.
The Atom/Al Pratt - The Little Guy Who Packs a Big Punch
The original hero to take on the Atom name, Al Pratt was a diminutive young man who trained himself to become a conditioned fighter to compensate for his small stature. In later years he also developed powers, including super strength and agility, as well as a radioactive punch.
In the comics, Pratt is the godfather of Albert Rothstein, a.k.a. Atom Smasher, who's already been confirmed for the Black Adam movie, played by Noah Centineo. Since legacy and intergenerational relationships are big themes in modern JSA stories, it would be nice to see Pratt appear as a veteran hero, guiding his godson on his heroic journey.
Hourman - The Man Of The Hour
Rex Tyler was a gifted chemist who developed a drug called Miraclo, which could gift him super strength and speed for one hour. Administering this drug via an hourglass he wore around his neck, Tyler became Hourman, one of the founding members of the JSA.
Related: Every DC Movie Villain Ever, Ranked
The time-sensitive nature of his powers could offer some great opportunities for suspense in a big-screen appearance. Plus, an Hourman solo film is reportedly in development, so an appearance in Black Adam could be a great way to introduce the character to audiences, before his first solo outing.
The Spectre - The Original Spirit of Vengeance
A spirit of vengeance and the embodiment of God's wrath, the Spectre is one of the most powerful supernatural forces in the DC Universe. The original and most well-known version of the character is Jim Corrigan, a Gotham City cop who was killed by criminals, only for his soul to be sent back to Earth to pass judgment on humanity's most vile offenders.
He was a founding member of the JSA and over the years has taken part in many significant events, such as the landmark story, Crisis on Infinite Earths. With the likes of Dr. Fate and Black Adam himself being powerful magic-users, having the Spectre show up as well would take things to a whole new level.
Green Lantern/Alan Scott - Lord Of The Ring
For those only familiar with the 2011 Green Lantern film starring Ryan Reynolds or one of the character's many animated appearances, you might be surprised to know that the original Green Lantern was a little different. That character, Alan Scott, wasn't a space cop like Hal Jordan and the other members of the Green Lantern Corps. Rather his ring's power came from a magical force called the Starheart.
Donning a red and green costume, including a cape, Scott became a crime-fighter and a founding member of the JSA. With actor Jeremy Irvine rumored to be playing Scott in the upcoming Green Lantern HBO Max series, it would be nice to see him make a surprise appearance here alongside his JSA comrades.
Keep Reading: 15 Most Powerful DC Characters Ranked
