In "When We First Met", we spotlight the various characters, phrases, objects or events that eventually became notable parts of comic lore, like the first time someone said, "Avengers Assemble!" or the first appearance of Batman's giant penny or the first appearance of Alfred Pennyworth or the first time Spider-Man's face was shown half-Spidey/half-Peter. Stuff like that.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article about when the original Avengers discovered each other's secret identities. A whole bunch of you folks wrote in to say, "How about the same article, but with the Justice League instead?" Never let it be said that I don't give the people what they want! Or...okay, never let it be said that I don't give the people what they want during those times that I decide to give the people what they want. I'm not perfect!

Anyhow, here ya go!

The most famous reveal of secret identities is likely the one that occurred in Superman #76 (by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan, John Fischetti and Stan Kaye). You see, despite sharing World's Finest Comics for years, Superman and Batman didn't actually cross over in that series. It took a long time before they actually began to team-up in that series and first they had to have a REAL first team-up (they had appeared in a couple of Justice Society issues in the 1940s).

That was 1952's Superman #76, when they shared a room and, well, things went weird...

Two years later, Batman and Superman began teaming up in World's Finest.

Meanwhile, Flash and Green Lantern (who were both written mostly by John Broome) had a few team-ups with each other but finally, in Green Lantern #13 (by John Broome, Gil Kane and Joe Giella), they learned each other's secret identity. It began when Hal was under the control of some aliens when he was hanging out with Barry Allen (yes, they somehow became friends in their secret identities, as well, without knowing their true identities)...

At the end of the story, since Barry had learned Hal's identity, he decided to let Hal know his, as well...

So those were the two big ones right there. Clark and Bruce. Hal and Barry.

The Justice League of America started around this time, as well, but they pointedly did NOT know each other's identity.

In fact, Justice League of America #7 (by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs), had a story that revolved around the fact that they DIDN'T know each other's identities...

In Justice League of America #19 (by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs), the team are attacked by dream versions of themselves, to the point where the League actually agrees to leave Earth to protect it from themselves...

Then they figure out the plot and as part of it, they agree to reveal their identities to each other...

They fight each other's alternate selves in their civilian identities...

In the end, though, they all agree to wipe the information out of their minds...

So when did it happen for real?

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In Justice League of America #122 (by Martin Pasko, Dick Dillin and Frank McLaughlin), Doctor Light uses that same amnesium to wipe the League's secret identities and then put it back into their minds all scrambled up...

Now, had they all known each other's secret identities, this would have been solved easily, right? That's what the Leaguers realize in the end, so they all agree to let each other know each other's secret identities!

If anyone else has a suggestion for a future When We First Met, drop me a line at brianc@cbr.com!