The Best Superhero Team Debuted On This Day 66 Years Ago (And We Could Use More of Their Adventures)

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Superheroes often work alone, but team-ups are just as important to comics. These teams deliver some of the most exciting stories and large-scale adventures, bringing together heroes with different abilities to overcome challenges. It’s difficult to picture the comic book world without iconic groups like the Avengers and the X-Men, and the Justice League is certainly among the best – today, we’re celebrating 66 years since they first appeared.

The Justice League first appeared in The Brave and the Bold #28, though it was released in December 1959 despite having a March 1960 cover date—comics were often released before the date printed on the cover back then. This issue introduced the original team—Aquaman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Superman, and Wonder Woman—and pitted them against Starro the Conqueror, a giant alien starfish determined to take over the world. The comic’s cover featuring the team battling Starro has become a classic.

The Justice League’s First Adventure Remains a Classic

Aquaman learns about the alien Starro from a surprising source: a puffer fish named Peter (who only appears in this story!). Peter warns him that Starro is transforming starfish into huge, monstrous versions of himself. Worried, Aquaman immediately contacts the Justice League using a special signal on his belt. Wonder Woman drops everything to answer the call, while Superman is unreachable in space and Batman is tied down in Gotham. Green Lantern and Flash deal with existing problems before heading to help, and Martian Manhunter also joins the team. Aquaman briefs the heroes on the situation, and they devise a plan to stop Starro – don’t worry, Batman and Superman eventually arrive to assist. However, Starro proves to be a far greater danger than anticipated, even launching an atomic missile at one point.

The battle against Starro takes place in several locations and shows that he can control people’s minds. The heroes eventually discover one person unaffected by his control: a man named Snapper Carr. Surprisingly, Snapper holds the key to defeating Starro, thanks to the lime he uses on his lawn. The heroes ultimately win, and Snapper is even made an honorary team member. It’s a fun, slightly over-the-top story – the simple way Starro is defeated is a bit silly, but in a good way – and it really showcases the team’s chemistry while hinting at future adventures. While DC has revisited Starro’s origins a few times, including during the New 52 and most recently in The New History of the DC Universe #2, this original story remains a classic.

We Need More Justice League Stories

The Justice League has evolved significantly since it first appeared, with its lineup changing many times to include heroes like Green Arrow, the Atom, and Hawkman. Over the years, the team has operated from various headquarters, from Detroit to its iconic satellite base, and even spawned spin-off teams like Justice League Europe and Justice League International. There’s almost always a Justice League comic or story available for fans, and with DC’s current focus on expanding its universe, there’s plenty of room for even more. While the original battle against Starro the Conqueror remains a classic, it’s always exciting to see DC’s greatest heroes unite for new adventures and stories.

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2025-12-29 19:13