Retcons

Retcons


In recent years, those entrusted with the care of the legend have taken a rather light touch with the Justice Society's history. Some of these changes have added more depth to the legend, while others have detracted from it. In the remainder of the work, individual members of the Justice Society will be reviewed in detail. To form a coherent history for these characters, one must in some way address the subject of these "retcons" or "retroactive continuity changes". In this section, a listing is made of many of those retcons and an editorial opinion made on whether they are included. The bias of the author is to maintain as much of the original material (Golden Age) as possible. This is purely an editorial decision made by a single fan and need not to be accepted either in toto or in part as a superior interpretation.

  1. In Post-Crisis continuity, The Golden Age Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman or the Earth-2 Huntress (Helena Wayne) is thought to have ever existed. To the extent possible, this is ignored in the biographies and sections on JSA history. Obviously, none of these characters have any history post -1985.
  2. In Post-Crisis Continuity, the origin of the JSA is slighted altered (Secret Origins #31, vol. 2). Obviously, Superman and Batman are no longer present but also the Atom fails to prevent the demise of President Roosevelt. This version of the origin is ignored in this text.
  3. In Post-Crisis, Miss America is considered a member of the Justice Society, replacing the Golden Age Wonder Woman as secretary. The GA Fury is the considered the mother of Hippolyta Trevor, and Miss America her adopted mother. All of these retcons are ignored in this work.
  4. During his stint as writer of the All-Star Squadron series, Roy Thomas made numerous editorial fill-ins to gaps in JSA continuity. All are accepted as canon where practical.
  5. Power Girl's new memories as provided in Secret Origins Vol. 2 #11 as heir of Arion, Lord of Atlantis are ignored. Her subsequent development post-Crisis is also ignored. Her entry is concluded at Crisis.
  6. The new Huntress is not Helena Wayne and has no connection with the Justice Society. She (Helena Wayne) should not be considered post-Crisis.
  7. Black Canary substitutes for Wonder Woman in Silver Age appearances of the JSA post-Crisis. This is ignored.
  8. The Fiddler, slain in Hawkworld Annual #1, appeared alive post-Zero Hour in Underworld Unleashed #1. Since Hawkman has been retconned post-ZH, it is assumed that Hawkworld Annual #1 never happened.
  9. The new stories told by Matt Wagner in Sandman Mystery Theatre are taken as canon. They use the essence of the original legend and serve to enrich rather than detract.
  10. Likewise, the details regarding the post-War life of Starman (Ted Knight) as revealed by James Robinson is also taken as canon.
  11. The retcons involving the Atom (Al Pratt) in the Damage series are ignored since the detract from the little known history of the character without providing a more palatable substitute.
  12. The death of Degaton as revealed in America vs. the JSA is preferred as opposed to the version revealed in Infinity Inc Special #1.
  13. The birthdate of Dinah Lance revealed in Black Canary LS #12 of 1938 is ignored. This would have made her 13 in 1951 and ineligible for Golden Age membership in the JSA. This deletion is consider unacceptable.
  14. The Golden Age Hawkman is now considered (or was pre-Zero Hour) a interim member of the Justice League of America. This has never been clarified and may have been drastically altered by the Zero Hour and so is ignored.
  15. The retcons of Black Canary's history as revealed in Justice League of America #219-220 as accepted as canon.
  16. The death of Dian Belmont as revealed in All-Star Squadron #18 but she turned up alive in Starman #20. The All-Star Squadron story has will be ignored since the volume of the current literature supports Dian's continued existence.
  17. The alterations in Green Lantern's origins regarding Green Lantern Corps member Yulan Gath are too incompatible with the majority of GL's origin and left out. The remainder of the Starheart data is included.
  18. Pre-Crisis, Gats Benston made an appearance in Spectre #8, contrary to his death in several post-crisis origin tales of the Spectre. Since the death of Bentson is more consistant with both the preponderance as well as the spirit of the Spectre's character, this appearance is ignored.
  19. The Mist's first battle with Starman is retconned in Starman vol 2 #18. This was not an improvement and is so ignored.
  20. In Showcase '96 #11, sloppy editing allowed Wildcat's mentor to be changed from "Socker" Smith to Mike Muldoon. Ignored.
  21. In Hawkman Annual #1, the origin of the Golden Age Hawkman is egregiously retconned so that Hastor, not Khufu is slain. Crap Crap Crap Crap. Ignore it and it will go away.
  22. In Secret Origins #25, Roy Thomas arranged a confrontation between the Atom and his trainer Joe Morgan that supposedly explained the latter disappareance. In All-American Comics, Morgan appeared regularly for the first several stories and even after he disappeared, showed up later as the manager for a health club.

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