The first team in comics, the Justice Society of America set the standard for what makes a good superhero group. This team of Golden Age heroes has managed to stay relevant for decades, adding new members along the way to replace those who have sadly passed on and training the next generation of heroes for whatever threats they may face.
With so many members over the years, the Justice Society has had some serious heavy hitters on the roster. Heroes who can smash through buildings, destroy planets, or even decimate entire universes have sat at the table with powerless fighters like Ma Hunkel, Wildcat, and the original Atom. Some of these titans of the DC Universe may not have been with the Justice Society for long, but they have each left their mark on the team and on comic book history.
10 Hawkman has at times shown off amazing strength beyond the abilities of a mortal man
The hero who is destined to be reborn time and time again, Hawkman has at times shown off amazing strength beyond the abilities of a mortal man, thanks in part to his use of Nth Metal.
The Winged Warrior has used his special mace to take on every threat imaginable, from common criminals to Nazis and invading aliens, and in each case, he has always come out on top. A founding member of the Justice Society, Hawkman is always welcome on the team, no matter how grumpy he may be.
9 Atom Smasher's superhero family never lost faith in him & helped him find his way back to the light
The godson of the Golden Age Atom, Atom Smasher started his career as a member of Infinity, Inc. a team made up of the children of the Justice Society. Atom Smasher would go on to join his godfather's team and better learn to use his immense size and strength to help others.
A series of personal tragedies left Atom Smasher feeling desperate, almost pushing him over the edge, which could have turned him into a villain, but his superhero family never lost faith in him and helped the super-strong hero find his way back to the light.
8 Green Lantern can use his ring to create constructs that can pack a real wallop
While other Green Lanterns are powered by the rings they receive from the Guardians, Alan Scott -- the Golden Age Green Lantern -- gets his powers from a magical force that he discovered after a horrific train accident.
The Golden Age Green Lantern was one of the most powerful heroes of the 1940s, and he continues to be a serious powerhouse well into the 21st century. Like the other Green Lanterns, Alan Scott can use his ring to create constructs that can pack a real wallop. Unlike the other Green Lanterns, Scott is not beholden to a council of beings who reside on Oa.
7 Power Girl is nearly as strong as the Man of Steel but has never quite reached that level of power
While her origins are a mass of confusion, one thing that every version of Power Girl has had is super strength. The cousin of a Superman from a different reality and a former member of Justice League Europe, Power Girl is nearly as strong as the Man of Steel but has never quite reached that level of power.
Still, with the Justice Society finally, back in the comics, there's always a chance that Power Girl will finally be given the chance to unleash her full potential. The only thing that has ever held her back is her own self-doubt.
6 Shazam has a second family that helps him learn to be an even better hero
Chosen by the Wizard Shazam to be his successor, young Billy Batson need only speak the Wizard's name to be granted unimaginable powers of Shazam. If Billy were to keep the power for himself, he would be stronger than Superman, but by sharing his abilities with his foster family, Shazam weakens himself.
The trade-off feels more than fair to Billy, an orphan who is happy to share what he has with his new family. As a member of the Justice Society, Shazam has a second family that helps him learn to be an even better hero.
5 Black Adam has kept his power for himself, giving him an edge over Shazam
Once a disciple of the Wizard Shazam, Black Adam used his power to get revenge on those who attacked his home country of Khandaq and killed his family. As the ruler of Khandaq, Black Adam has found himself standing against the Justice Society at times, but has also been a member of the team.
Like Shazam, Black Adam has also shared his powers with others, but those he chose to love were brutally murdered. Since then, Black Adam has kept his power for himself, giving him an edge over Shazam.
4 Golden Age Wonder Woman is one of the strongest heroes in the DC Universe as well as one of the best fighters
Wonder Woman's history with the Justice Society is a mixed bag, to say the least. While not a founding member, the Themysciran joined the team shortly after they came together. And while Wonder Woman was clearly one of the most powerful members of the Golden Age team, the Justice Society decided that instead of having her help them in battle, she would be the team secretary.
These days, no team would be foolish enough to leave Wonder Woman behind in a fight. The daughter of Zeus, Wonder Woman is one of the strongest heroes in the DC Universe as well as one of the best fighters.
3 Golden Age Superman is the guy the other heroes call on for help, & he's always ready to lend a hand
Made a member during the Golden Age, Superman continues to be one of the most powerful heroes in the DC Universe. As the first superhero, Superman is not just strong, he has just about any power anyone can think of.
The Man of Steel can run nearly as fast as Flash, fly faster than any jet or rocket, and let lasers or missiles bounce right off his chest. When things get really rough, the Man of Steel is the guy the other heroes call on for help, and he's always ready to lend a hand.
2 Doctor Fate is powered by the Helmet of Fate & the magical abilities of the person under it
Doctor Fate gains their power not from science, but from magic. A name that has been passed down over centuries, Doctor Fate is powered by the Helmet of Fate and the magical abilities of the person under it.
Not every person who has taken on the mantle of Doctor Fate has been a member of the Justice Society, but the ones who have -- most notably Kent Nelson and Hector Hall -- have shown themselves to be able to wield their powers in amazing ways, making them one of the strongest members of the team.
1 The Spectre is an unstoppable force that appears to have limitless power
The Spectre is not just the strongest member of the Justice Society, but one of the strongest beings in the DC Universe. The literal Spirit of Vengeance, the Spectre is an unstoppable force that appears to have limitless power.
On a number of occasions, most notably when the Justice Society was forced to defend themselves in front of the US Senate, the Spectre has threatened to destroy all of reality. If the being actually has that kind of ability remains unknown, but it isn't something any hero or villain has ever wanted to test Spectre on.