II .  T h e  G o l d e n  A g e  o f  H e r o e s

Timeline Overview | 1938-1941 | 1942-1945 | 1946-1951

Introduction

In this section, more than any other, events listed are likely to have unchanging, reliable dates that correspond to their original publication—yet paradoxically, everything that we know to be canonical for the current DCU must again (as in the preceding section) have been established by flashbacks. Thus, I’ve made a particular effort to provide accurate historical citations in this section. The roots of comics history run deep in the World War II era, and they deserve our respect, even if many of those original stories have now been significantly retconned.

In the end, despite the reliance on flashbacks, the result contains a suprising level of detail. A brief overview of the highlights, then, as an aid to comprehension, would look as follows:

1938

• Winter
The Sandman debuts

• Autumn
The Crimson Avenger debuts
The Flash gains his powers

1939

• Winter
Green Lantern debuts

• Sep
World War II begins

• Autumn
Hawkman debuts, followed by the Spectre, Phantom Lady, and Starman

1940

Many more heroes appear, including Dr. Fate and the Atom

• Nov
The Justice Society of America forms

1941

• Autumn
The Seven Soldiers of Victory form

• Dec
The U.S. enters WW II
The All-Star Squadron is formed

1942

• Feb
The Freedom Fighters form

• Apr
The Young All-Stars are created

• July
Wonder Woman III appears from the future and joins the JSA

1943

Vandal Savage debuts as a villain
The Blackhawks save New York

• Sep
Allied forces reconquer Italy

1944

• Jun
The Allies invade German-held France
Solomon Grundy first appears

1945

• Feb
The JSA confronts the Stalker and his agents

• May
The war in Europe ends

• Aug
The war in the Pacific ends

1947

Black Canary debuts
The Injustice Society forms

1948

The second Injustice Society forms; Black Canary joins the JSA

• Oct
The SSoV is lost in time

1950

• Jun
The Korean War begins
Wonder Woman returns to the future

1951

• Autumn
The JSA is forced to disband.

As for the details that give it life… read on!…

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Last updated 12/17/2005.