The appearance of Cyclone in Black Adam, a fairly obscure character with a short publishing history, got me to wondering just how many JSA characters have actually made it to live action. So, in the Baron Bizarre tradition, I assembled a list.
Tell me what I missed, Legionnaires!
GOLDEN AGE TEAM
The Atom (Al Pratt)
- The Golden Age Atom appears in a painting on Smallville, and in flashback, played by Glenn Hoffman.
Batman (Bruce Wayne)
- The Golden Age Batman appears in the 1943 Batman serial (played by Lewis Wilson).
- The Golden Age Batman appears in the 1949 Batman and Robin serial (played by Robert Lowery).
Black Canary (Dinah Drake)
- The Golden Age Black Canary appears in a painting on Smallville.
- A character named Dinah Drake/Black Canary played by Juliana Harkavy appears on Arrow, but she is the Golden Age version in name only.
- Black Canary II (Dinah Lance, played by Jurnee Smollett) mentions her mother, what we think of as the Golden Age Black Canary, in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).
Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson)
- The Golden Age Doctor Fate appears in a painting on Smallville, then in live action, played by Brent Stait.
- The Helmet of Nabu appears on Constantine, the TV show.
- The Golden Age Doctor Fate appears in a photo on Stargirl.
- A Doctor Fate named Kent Nelson appears in Black Adam, played by Pierce Brosnan.
On Smallville, this painting of the Justice Society shows on screen. When compared to the famous cover of All-Star Comics #3, we see that Star-Spangled Kid, Wildcat, Hawkgirl, Dr. Mid-NIte, Black Canary and Mr. Terrific have been added. All of the added characters eventually became members of the JSA in the Golden Age, except for Star-Spangled Kid, who joined in 1976, and the Shiera Sanders Hawkgirl, who was retroactively added to the Golden Age roster post-Crisis. The Kendra Saunders Hawkgirl became a member in 1999. Most of these characters did not appear on Smallville.
Dr. Mid-Nite (Charles McNider)
- Appears in a painting on Smallville.
- The Golden Age Dr. Mid-Nite appears in a photo on Stargirl and later joins the cast, played by Alex Collins.
- The Golden Age Dr. Mid-Nite appears on Legends of Tomorrow, played by Kwesi Ameyaw.
The Flash (Jay Garrick)
- Appears in a painting on Smallville.
- Appears in a photo on Stargirl, helmet appears in first episode of Stargirl (indicating death), later appears in flashback, played by John Wesley Shipp.
- Appears on The Flash TV show as the Flash of Earth-3, played by John Wesley Shipp.
Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
- Appears in a painting on Smallville.
- Appears in a photo on Stargirl.
- No actor has played him in live action.
Hawkman (Carter Hall)
Since all Hawkmen are Prince Khufu reincarnated, any appearance counts, right?
- A Hawman appears on Legends of the Superheroes (1979), played by Bill Nuckols. It is likely the Katar Hol version.
- A Hawkman named Carter Hall appears in a painting on Smallville, and later appears, played by Michael Shanks. Prince Khufu is mentioned.
- A Hawkman named Carter Hall appears in the first season of Legends of Tomorrow, played by Falk Hentschel.
- The Golden Age Hawkman appears in a photo on Stargirl.
- A Hawkman named Carter Hall appears in Black Adam, played by Aldis Hodge.
Hourman (Rex Tyler)
- The Golden Age Hourman appears in a painting on Smallville.
- The Golden Age Hourman appears in an episode set in World War II on Legends of Tomorrow, played by Patrick J. Adams.
- The Golden Age Hourman appears in a photo on Stargirl, and later appears in flashback, played by Lou Ferrigno Jr.
Mister Terrific (Terry Sloane)
- The Golden Age Hourman appears in a painting on Smallville, where he later appears played by an unknown actor.
Sandman (Wesley Dodds)
- The Golden Age Sandman appears in a painting on Smallville, and later appears, played by Ken Lawson.
- The Golden Age Sandman appears in a photo on Stargirl. Mask seen (and death implied) on first episode.
The Spectre (Jim Corrigan)
- The Golden Age Spectre appears in a painting on Smallville.
- The Golden Age Spectre appears on Arrow, played by Stephen Lobo.
- New Orleans cop Jim Corrigan appears in Constantine, is killed while en route to becoming The Spectre when the series was canceled. He was played by Emmett Scanlon.
Starman (Ted Knight)
- The Golden Starman is mentioned as the creator of the cosmic staff on Stargirl. Taking Knight's place on the Golden Age JSA is Sylvester Pemberton (Joel McHale), because Starman and Star-Spangled Kid are blended on the show.
Superman (Kal-L)
- The Golden Age Superman appears in Superman (1948), played by Kirk Alyn.
- The Golden Age Superman appears in Atom Man vs. Superman (1950), played by Kirk Alyn.
- The Golden Age Superman appears in Superman and the Mole Men (1951), played by George Reeves.
- The Golden Age Superman appears on the Adventures of Superman TV show (1952-58), played by George Reeves.
- The Golden Age Superman appears on an episode of I Love Lucy, played by George Reeves.
Johnny Thunder and Thunderbolt
- The Golden Age Johnny Thunder appears in a photo on Stargirl. An uncredited actor plays Johnny Thunder on Stargirl in season one, and Ethan Embry plays the character in flashback in season two. The Thunderbolt is voiced by Jim Gaffigan.
Wildcat (Ted Grant)
- The Golden Age Wildcat appears in a painting on Smallville, and later appears, played by Roger Hasket.
- A Wildcat named Ted Grant appears in the present day on Arrow, played by J.R. Ramirez.
- The Golden Age Wildcat appears in a photo on Stargirl, appears in the first episode (where he dies) and again later in flashback, played by Brian Stapf.
Wonder Woman (Princess Diana)
Arguably, the Wonder Woman in all media is the Golden Age version, who is immortal.
- Cathy Lee Crosby stars in Wonder Woman (1974)
- Lynda Carter stars in Wonder Woman (1975-79)
- Gal Gadot stars in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Wonder Woman (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), and cameos in Shazam: Fury of the Gods (2023).
SILVER AGE ADDITIONS
Red Tornado II (John Smith)
- Deborah Cole plays the character in flashback on Smallville.
- Iddo Goldberg plays the character on Supergirl.
Robin (Dick Grayson)
- Johnny Duncan played the Golden Age Boy Wonder in the 1949 Batman and Robin.
On Stargirl, Stripesy saves this photo of the Justice Society. When compared to the famous cover of All-Star Comics #3, we see that Atom and Spectre are missing, and Wildcat, Johnny Thunder (and his Thunderbolt), Hawkgirl, Starman and Dr. Mid-Nite have been added.
‘ALL STAR COMICS’ ADDITIONS
Star-Spangled Kid/Skyman (Sylvester Pemberton Jr.)
- Appears in a painting on Smallville, where the character is played by Jim Shield.
- Joel McHale plays the character on Stargirl, where he is blended with Starman.
Power Girl (Kara Zor-L)
- Has never appeared.
Huntress (Helena Wayne)
- Ashley Scott plays the character as Helena Kyle on the Birds of Prey TV show.
- Jessica de Guow plays the character as Helena Bertinelli on Arrow.
- Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays the character as Helena Bertinelli in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).
‘CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS’ TO ‘JSA’
Miss America (Joan Dale)
- Has never appeared.
Hawkgirl (Shiera Sanders)
Since all Hawkgirl/Hawkwoman appearances are Princess Chay-Ara reincarnated, they are arguably all the same character.
- Appears on Smallville, played Sajare Biniaz. Chay-Ara mentioned.
- Appears in a photo on Stargirl.
- Appears on Legends of Tomorrow as Kendra Saunders (played by Ciara Renée).
Wonder Woman (Hippolyta)
Similar to Diana in that all appearances of the immortal Hippolyta on screen are arguably the same character.
- Charlene Holt played the character on Wonder Woman (1974)
- Cloris Leachman, Carolyn Jones and Beatrice Straight played the character in Wonder Woman (1975-79)
- Connie Nielsen plays the character in Wonder Woman (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020).
‘INFINITY INC.’
May or may not be considered members of the Justice Society.
Brainwave Jr. (Henry King Jr.)
- Jake Austin Walker plays the character on Stargirl.
Doctor Midnight II (Beth Chapel)
- Anjelika Washington plays the character on Stargirl.
Fury (Lyta Trevor-Hall)
- Razane Jammal plays Lyta Trevor-Hall on HBO Max's The Sandman.
Hourman II (Rick Tyler)
- Cameron Gellman plays the character on Stargirl.
Huntress (Helena Wayne)
- See Huntress above.
Jade (Jennifer-Lynn Hayden)
- Ysa Penarejo plays the character on Stargirl.
Mister Bones (Robert Todd)
- Keith David plays the character on Stargirl.
Northwind (Norda Cantrell)
- Has not appeared.
Nuklon/Atom Smasher (Albert Rothstein)
- Noah Centineo plays Atom Smasher in Black Adam.
Obsidian (Todd Rice)
- Dan Payne plays a WWII version of the character, and Lance Henriksen plays him in the present on Legends of Tomorrow.
- Tim Gabriel plays the character on Stargirl.
Power Girl (Kara Zor-L)
- See Power Girl above.
Silver Scarab/Doctor Fate II (Hector Hall)
- Lloyd Everett plays Hector Hall on The Sandman.
Star-Spangled Kid/Skyman (Sylvester Pemberton Jr.)
- See Star-Spangled Kid above.
Wildcat II (Yolanda Montez)
- Yvette Monreal plays the character on Stargirl.
‘JSA’
Atom Smasher (Albert Rothstein)
- See above.
Black Adam (Teth-Adam)
- Dwayne Johnson plays the character in Black Adam.
Black Canary II (Dinah Lance)
- Danuta Wesley plays the character in two episodes of Legends of the Superheroes (1979).
- Rachel Skarsten plays the character in the Birds of Prey TV show (2002).
- Arguably, four versions appear on Arrow.The first is Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), who dies and is resurrected, and then becomes the White Canary on Legends of Tomorrow. The second is Dinah Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy), who dies. The third is Dinah Drake (like the Golden Age character), played by Julian Harkovy. The fourth is Dinah Laurel Lance from a parallel Earth, played again by Cassidy.
- Jussie Smollet plays Black Canary in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).
Captain Marvel (Billy Batson)
- Tom Tyler stars in Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) and maybe cameos in The Good Humor Man (1950).
- Jackson Bostwick and John Davey play Captain Marvel on the Shazam! TV show (1974-76).
- Garrett Craig plays the character in Legends of the Superheroes (two episodes, 1979).
- Zachary Levi stars in Shazam! (2019) and Shazam!: Fury of the Gods (2023).
Doctor Mid-Nite III (Pieter Cross)
- Has not appeared.
Hawkgirl II or maybe III (Kendra Saunders)
- See above.
Hourman II (Rick Tyler)
- See above.
Hourman III (Matthew Tyler)
- Has not appeared.
Jakeem Thunder (Jakeem Williams)
- Alkoya Brunson plays the character on Stargirl.
Mister Terrific II (Michael Holt)
- Mentioned on Smallville.
- Echo Kellum appears as Mister Terrific, but is Curtis (not Michael) Holt, on The Flash.
Sand/Sandman (Sanderson Hawkins)
- Has not appeared.
Starman III (Jack Knight)
- Has not appeared.
Silver Scarab/Doctor Fate II (Hector Hall)
- See above.
Star-Spangled Kid/Stargirl (Courtney Whitmore)
- Britt Irvin plays the character on Smallville.
- Sarah Grey plays a WWII version of the character on Legends of Tomorrow.
- Brec Bassinger stars on Stargirl.
'JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA' (THIRD SERIES) ADDITIONS
All-American Kid (Jeremy Karne/Billy Armstrong)
- Has not appeared.
Amazing Man (Markus Clay)
- Has not appeared.
Citizen Steel
- Henry Heywood (Matthew MacCaull) appears as Commander Steel in World War II, and Nate Heywood (Nick Zano) appears as his grandson Steel on Legends of Tomorrow.
Cyclone (Maxine Hunkel)
- Quintessa Swindell appears as Cyclone in Black Adam.
Damage (Grant Emerson)
- Has not appeared.
Darknight
- Has not appeared.
Doctor Fate III (Kent V. Nelson)
- Has not appeared.
Judomaster (Sonia Sato)
- Has not appeared. An unidentified Judomaster (Nhut Le) appears in Peacemaker, but is male.
King Chimera
- Has not appeared.
Liberty Belle (Libby Lawrence)
- Has not appeared.
Liberty Belle/Jesse Quick (Jesse Chambers)
- Has not appeared.
Lightning (Jennifer Pierce)
- China Anne McClain plays the character in Black Lightning.
Magog (David Reid)
- Has not appeared.
Manhunter (Kate Spencer)
- Has not appeared.
Mister America (Jeffrey Graves)
- Has not appeared.
Obsidian (Todd Rice)
- See above.
Red Beetle (Sara Butters)
- Has not appeared.
Ri
- Has not appeared.
Starman IV (Thom Kallor)
- Has not appeared.
Superman (Earth-22 version)
- Has not appeared.
Wildcat III/Tomcat (Tom Bronson)
- Has not appeared.
'JSA ALL-STARS' (VOL. 2) ADDITIONS
Roxy
- Has not appeared.
Anna Fortune
- Has not appeared.
Replies
That must have been a lot of work.
I have two quibbles:
Fury (Lyta Trevor-Hall): Has not appeared.
A version of Lyta Hall (using that name) is about to appear on the Sandman TV series. In the Sandman saga, she and John Dee both have "super" back-stories. Whether these will be referenced is hard to say.
Obsidian (Todd Rice): Appears on Legends.
In the second season of Stargirl, his sister Jennifer-Lynn Hayden/Jade was going to look for him. I suspect we will see him in season three.
Both have been added. Thanks, Richard!
And while finding out who plays Lyta on The Sandman, I poked around for Hector, and lo, he's going to appear, too. He's added. I doubt their superhero past will be referenced -- boy, that's a can of worms -- but maybe.
DC Comics has a bad habit of trying to bury the Justice Society, whether it's sending them off to another dimension to fight Valkyries for eternity (Last Days of the Justice Society), mostly killed (Zero Hour) or dropped down the memory hole (New 52). I felt like the JSA was given similar treatment in live action, capped by the team getting slaughtered by the Injustice Society in the first episode of Stargirl -- and mostly off-camera, at that.
But I realize now that the entirety of the original team and other major players have appeared in live action (or will soon). Except, arguably, Starman -- whose name and powers were used by Sylvester Pemberton on Stargirl and hasn't otherwise appeared. Even Johnny Thunder got some face time on Stargirl (in flashback).
And while Smallville depicted the team badly and killed most of them, Stargirl is actually treating them with dignity (even in death). Jay Garrick has been presented well on The Flash, and Alan Scott is about to lead a show with an HBO budget. And with Black Adam vaulting the team to the big screen, they will finally become household names, and enjoy bigger budgets! TV budgets meant comically bad costumes, a dearth of super-powers and presenting the team in small groups. Hopefully that's all over.
Black Adam only has four JSAers (and only two original ones), but Shazam! might show up, and their establishment in the DCEU promises more and better in the future. And, finally, Hawkman's uniform doesn't look like a homemade Halloween costume!