What was the first superhero team in comics?
To avoid broad interpretations, by superheroes I also mean the ones with or without superpowers just like Young Allies, Batman, Bucky Barnes, Rocketeer / etc.
asked Nov 21, 2017 at 13:24
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@Bat as long as I searched Marvel did the first crossover when gathered human torch and sub-mariner in the same issue. scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/11867/… and little after JSA came with the first team.– Rodrigo GurgelNov 23, 2017 at 1:33
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3 Answers
In conventional comic books, this is most likely the:
Justice Society of America (wikipedia)
According to DC comics, the JSA is considered the first "official" super hero team to be formed:
The JSA’s first appearance came in 1940 in the pages of ALL-STAR COMICS #3, making them the very first official super hero team to exist.
DC Comics 101: What's the Difference Between the Justice Society and the Justice League?
First appearing all the way back in Winter of 1940-1941, in All Star Comics #3, the Justice Society of America would become the inspiration for what is currently known as the Justice League of America
Funny you should mention them, because (possibly) the second team in comics was in fact the:
Young Allies (Marvel, Wikipedia)
Their first appearance coming just 6 months after the JSA in the Summer of '41, in Young Allies #1, consisting of Bucky Barnes and Toro
...decided to gather a group together to fight juvenile crime. They gathered Percival Aloysius O'Toole, Jefferson Worthington Sandervilt, Henry Tubby Tinkle and Whitewash Jones together and formed the Young Allies.
Young Allies - Marvel.com
Coming just after the Youn Allies, in (possibly) third place is:
Seven Soldiers of Victory (wikipedia)
Making their first appearance in the winter period of 1941, appearing in Leading Comics #1, a full year after the first team had been formed.
The Seven Soldiers of Victory (also known as the Law's Legionnaires) was a super-hero team, active during the 1940's. Its members were the Vigilante, the Crimson Avenger, Green Arrow and Speedy, the Shining Knight, and the Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy.
Seven Soldiers of Victory - DC Wikia
answered Nov 21, 2017 at 13:40
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4If one wonders about the inspiration behind Alan Moore's Watchmen... Nov 21, 2017 at 21:27
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@Francesco an interesting point, I've not looked into that one! I do however take the official DC website on their word, although they do have the "official" clause in there. Nov 21, 2017 at 21:34
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2@Edlothiad I think Francesco is referring to the Minutemen, obviously inspired by the JSA.– FedericoNov 22, 2017 at 9:25
Justice Society of America in 1940
Taken from Wikipedia
The Justice Society of America was conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox. The JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 (Winter 1940–1941), making it the first team of superheroes in comic books.
answered Nov 21, 2017 at 13:42
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Hmm, the text on the title page sounds like they just met to exchange experiences, not actually worked together? Nov 21, 2017 at 20:55
Depending on your interpretation of super hero vs. side kick, Batman and Robin were the first super hero team. Robin was introduced in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940, which would predate the Justice Society by a few months.
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5The Crimson Avenger and his servant/chauffeur/sidekick Wing would predate that, but I wouldn't count one hero plus sidekick as a "superhero team". More of a... dynamic duo, really. The Teen Titans, of course, are notable for being a team composed entirely of sidekicks (at least in their original incarnation). Nov 21, 2017 at 17:05
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1I would argue that Robin was first, the Crimson Avenger started in 1938, but Wing didn't put on a costume until 1942. Nov 21, 2017 at 19:50
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