Prior to its official launch, the DC Universe (DCU) had already laid the groundwork for the introduction of a renowned superhero team, which is anticipated to debut three years after their cinematic introduction in the DCEU‘s Black Adam. The animated series Creature Commandos officially leads the way for the DCU’s inaugural chapter, with David Corenswet’s portrayal of Man of Steel set to be the central figure in this new era as envisioned by James Gunn. Iconic DC characters, including Batman and Wonder Woman, are confirmed for upcoming projects like Andy Muschietti’s The Brave and the Bold and the still-untitled Wonder Woman reboot, with numerous other heroes and villains also making their anticipated debuts in the near future.

Both Creature Commandos and Superman showcase a diverse ensemble of DC characters, ranging from less familiar villains like Animal-Vegetable-Mineral Man and the Crimson Centipede to the Justice Gang. In contrast to the DCEU, the DCU helmed by James Gunn and Peter Safran is experiencing rapid expansion. This swift evolution can be attributed to the audience’s growing familiarity with DC lore through various past movies, television shows, and franchises, including both the DCEU and the Arrowverse.

The Justice Society’s Retconning Due to the Justice League’s Prominence

Navigating the Justice Society’s Complex Timeline Position

The Justice Society of America (JSA) often finds itself in a challenging position within the DC continuity due to its status as the inaugural superhero team in comic book history, having first appeared in 1940’s All Star Comics #3. While the Justice League typically signifies the onset of most universes’ “Age of Heroes,” their initial public appearances often conflict with the JSA’s established timeline. To address this continuity issue, DC Comics frequently situates the Justice Society in an alternate timeline, explaining their absence from the main narrative through concepts of time displacement or the existence of a multiverse.

Traditionally, the Justice Society is said to originate from Earth-2, a parallel universe that was first introduced during the Silver Age to differentiate the Golden Age heroes from their modern counterparts. On Earth-2, the JSA participated actively during World War II and experienced aging in real time. However, following significant events such as Crisis on Infinite Earths, Flashpoint, and Doomsday Clock, DC Comics has continually restructured its multiverse, leading to the reintegration of the JSA into the main continuity. Various adaptations, including the DCEU, Smallville, and the Arrowverse, have offered different narratives explaining the JSA’s absence, yet their sudden re-emergence often recontextualizes the origins of the superhero community.

The DCU’s Unique Approach to Superhero Introductions

Superman and Other Prominent DC Heroes: Not the First Superheroes in Their Universe

In a departure from most live-action DC universes, the collaborative efforts of James Gunn and Peter Safran in the DCU do not introduce the superhero concept during its initial phase. By the time David Corenswet steps into the role of Kal El in Superman, a variety of metahumans, superheroes, supervillains, and vigilantes have already been well-established and widely recognized. The events depicted in Creature Commandos imply that the narrative surrounding The Suicide Squad unfolded similarly to its portrayal in the DCEU, with the upcoming Peacemaker season 2 potentially following suit. Notably, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman have all been active as superheroes for several years prior to the initiation of the DCU’s “Gods and Monsters” chapter.

The challenge of introducing the Justice Society in a universe where the Justice League is regarded as the first generation of superheroes is a recurring theme, even in franchises outside of the DCU. For example, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) introduces superheroes during “Fury’s Big Week” in 2010, showcasing Hulk, Thor, and Captain America as the first four publicly recognized Avengers. However, Marvel later revealed that several superheroes, including Captain Marvel, Ant-Man, Wasp, Black Panther, and Namor, had existed prior to the Avengers’ emergence. The DCU aims to circumvent this common issue.

The DCEU Demonstrated the Justice Society’s Potential for Future DC Films

The Justice Society Shines as a Highlight in 2022’s Black Adam

Among the standout features of Jaume Collet-Serra’s Black Adam was the inclusion of the Justice Society. The JSA’s rich, off-screen history allowed them to function more like a family unit compared to the Justice League. Despite their limited screen time, the evident experience and cohesive bond among the team members made them instantly intriguing. Fortunately, fans who appreciated Black Adam‘s portrayal of the JSA may not have to wait long for their return. Upcoming projects like Superman are set to introduce Hawkgirl and Guy Gardner, while Lanterns will present Hal Jordan and John Stewart, indicating that pivotal JSA members such as Hawkman and Alan Scott could be making their DCU debuts shortly.

[nospin]Here you can find the original article; the photos and images used in our article also come from this source. We are not their authors; they have been used solely for informational purposes with proper attribution to their original source.[/nospin]

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