When a new danger threatened the Earth, five heroes joined together to form the original Justice League of America: Aquaman, Black Canary, Flash, Green Lantern, and the Martian Manhunter. (Justice League of America #9) (In the pre-Crisis DC Universe, Wonder Woman was a founding member instead of Black Canary). Later, as Batman and Superman joined, this Justice League faced such enemies as Starro, Amazo, and Professor Ivo. (The Brave and the Bold #28-#30)

As the years passed, more heroes joined the Justice League: Green Arrow, the Atom, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Elongated Man, Firestorm, Red Tornado, and Zatanna. As the group grew larger, the base of operations was moved from Happy Harbor, Rhode Island to an orbiting space station. Throughout the many missions, each of the heroes balanced their personal lives with the Justice League's missions.

Soon, however, the demands became too great. After a number of incidents and arguments, the original members decided to disband the League. Only Aquaman and Martian Manhunter were left. Instead of quitting, they trained a new band of heroes: Gypsy, Steel, Vibe, and Vixen. (Justice League of America Annual 2) As this team grew, old members such as Batman, Elongated Man, and Zatanna rejoined. Unfortunately, this new Justice League did not last long. After an attack from Professor Ivo and his androids left most of the members either dead or seriously injured, it was time for the Justice League of America to disband for good. (Justice League of America #258-#261)

At the same time the League was suffering, a millionaire industrialist named Maxwell Lord was making plans for a new United Nations police force. He brought a new group of heroes together: Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Captain Marvel, Doctor Fate, Doctor Light 2, Guy Gardner, Mister Miracle, as well as Batman and Black Canary. With the addition of the Martian Manhunter, this new group would become the Justice League International. (Legends #6/ Justice League #1) As events in Europe changed, the Justice League responded by dividing their group: Justice League America and Justice League Europe. (Justice League International #24) The J.L.E. members included: Animal Man, Captain Atom, Elongated Man, Flash 3, Metamorpho, Power Girl, Rocket Red, and Wonder Woman.

Since both Justice League divisions were under the control of the United Nations, the U.N. decided to it could no longer afford the damages from the constant battles. After much debating, the U.N. finally stopped its sponsorship altogether. This left the League with no base of operations... or even a reason to stay together. Once again, the League disbanded. (Justice League America #61)

Before long, however, the Justice League's old enemy Professor Ivo would reappear. After combining their forces to defeat Ivo, Superman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Flash 3 teamed up once to re-form the Justice League. On the America side was Superman, Fire, Ice, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, and Guy Gardner. On the European side was Green Lantern, Aquaman, Flash 3, Batman, Elongated Man, Crimson Fox, Doctor Light 2, and Metamorpho. (Justice League Spectacular)

This new League was not to last very long either. When the monster known as Doomsday ripped through part of the countryside, Justice League America responded. Discovering they had severely underestimated Doomsday's strength, the League was decimated. (Justice League America #69) Blue Beetle and Booster Gold were left for dead, Fire and Ice lost their super-powers, and in the end, they would hold a funeral for their greatest member- Superman. (Justice League America #70). A new membership drive started which led to inclusion of Wonder Woman, Agent Liberty, Black Condor, Maxima, and The Ray. (Justice League America #71) Eventually, though, this team too would go their separate ways. Both branches of the Justice League International officially disbanded.

In an effort to strike back at his long-time foes, Doctor Destiny created an imaginary world for the heroes of the old Justice League. They had no memories and lived in a world where everyone had super-powers. Upon realizing their true identities, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern 2, and the Flash 3 teamed together to break free of Doctor Destiny's world. (Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare) This would become the new JLA, but with "changed" heroes: Superman had come back from the dead in his battle with Doomsday. (Superman #75) Aquman had lost his hand, as well as developing a darker personality. (Aquaman (1994) #2) Batman had recovered from a broken back received at the hands of Bane. (Batman #497) Diana Price reclaimed her title as Wonder Woman after defeating the Amazon warrior Artemis. (Wonder Woman (2) #100) And both the Flash 3 and Green Lantern 2 are working to live up to their own namesakes. Is this the Justice League that is here to stay?

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