Blast From The Past: Justice League of America #21-22

Legendary writer Gardner Fox changed the course of comic book history in 1963. Fox created both the Justice League of America and their Golden-Age counterparts from the Justice Society, and brought his teams together for the first time and kicked off a tradition that lasted over two decades.

The historic first meeting, drawn by Mike Sekowsky, took place in Justice League of America 21 and 22 in issues entitled “Crisis on Earth-One” and “Crisis on Earth-Two,” respectively.

In the days of the original DC multiverse, Earth-One was home of the Justice League, while the Justice Society resided on Earth-Two. Every year, the teams would get together, but would end up putting their fun aside to save the world from one threat or another.

During this first encounter, the JLA discover that Chronos, Felix Faust and Dr. Alchemy are in the midst of a crime spree, and set out to thwart their foes. At the same time on Earth-Two, the newly-reformed JSA learn that three of their nemeses, Icicle, The Fiddler and The Wizard, are also up to no good.

Chronos, Faust and Alchemy outsmart the Leaguers and, in the midst of battle, vanish in front of their opponents and arrive on Earth-Two. Once there, they partner up with the JSA’s enemies.

The Earth-Two villains head to Earth-One to take on the JLA, but do so disguised as Chronos, Faust and Alchemy. Unable to thwart the unfamiliar villains, the Leaguers are trapped in their own headquarters following the battle. The heroes use the Crystal Ball of Merlin to bring the JSA to Earth-One, and the teams agree to help each other bring the Crime Champions to justice.

“Crisis on Earth-One” was a great vehicle to reintroduce the Justice Society to readers, as the elder heroes hadn’t been seen in a dozen years.

The story concluded in “Crisis on Earth-Two,” and it was fun to see the two generations of heroes team up for the first time. Fox also foreshadowed the next JLA-JSA crossover, which took place seven issues later.