The Earth—Without a Justice League!

Justice League of America #37 and 38

 

August–September 1965

In a Nutshell

I’m covering two issues in this post, because they are both irrelevant for our purposes. Although this is ostensibly the third annual JLA/JSA two-part crossover, the JLA don’t actually participate in the story. Furthermore, the ending of the second part undoes the events of both issues, making the whole exercise pointless.

Earth-Two Johnny Thunder’s Earth-One counterpart is a jerk, and he manages to gain control of the mystic Thunderbolt genie. He uses this power to change history so that the JLA members’ powers are instead transferred to Johnny’s henchmen. The JSA come to Earth-One and easily defeat this lawless Alternate League.

Knowing he’s licked, Earth-One Johnny Thunder orders the Thunderbolt to reset everything to the way it was before they had met, rendering both of these issues moot.

Roll Call

The Justice League are almost entirely absent from both issues. The Flash appears briefly in issue 37, and the entire team makes a single panel cameo in issue 38, but no one makes a contribution.

Well That’s Dumb

There’s a glaring plot inconsistency in this story that is ultimately irrelevant, but is stupid enough to merit noting. Evil Johnny’s plan is to replace the Justice League by inserting his henchmen into the Leaguers’ origin stories. This is fine for the Flash, whose powers were entirely the result of a single accident. It’s problematic for characters like Batman and Green Lantern, who earned their abilities. And it’s absolute gibberish for characters like Superman and J’onn J’onzz, whose powers are entirely dependent on their species.


The Scorecard

Thanks to two issues of inactivity, there is now no Leaguer with a Contribution Rating over 78%.


Team Member


Tenure

Cover Appearances

Story Appearances

Contribution Rating

Green Lantern

41

36

88%

39

95%

32

78%

Wonder Woman

41

32

78%

39

95%

25

61%

Flash

41

37

90%

40

98%

24

59%

Martian Manhunter

41

26

63%

33

80%

24

59%

Superman

41

12

29%

36

88%

21

51%

Aquaman

41

27

66%

34

83%

18

44%

Green Arrow

35

20

57%

28

80%

15

43%

Atom

25

10

40%

21

84%

13

52%

Batman

41

15

37%

37

90%

13

32%

Snapper Carr

41

3

7%

32

78%

13

32%

Hawkman

8

5

63%

6

75%

5

63%

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