Dates
- Cover date
- Winter 1940
- On sale
- November 22, 1940
- Pages
- 68
Editions and covers (2)
Copies of #3 are not all the same book. Here is how to tell each one apart.
All-Star Comics 3 (Facsimile Edition) (2024). A facsimile reproduces this issue with a modern cover price and barcode; check before buying.
Creators
Stories
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Introduction · 4 pages
The JSA are gathering together at a hotel for dinner and Johnny Thunder, in his own bumbling way, arrives at the hotel via the T-Bolt, and is invited to eat with them. After dinner, Johnny suggests that each of the members tell about one of their most exciting adventures. Flash thinks that is a great idea and leads off.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Chapter 1 · 7 pages
The Flash tells of a Spanish galleon, the "Sancta Joanna," which sank off Panama in 1567 carrying a fortune in Aztec gold, which had not been recovered to date. Jay learns that Joan's friend, Mary Rogers's father, was attempting to salvage the gold, but was threatened by a gang of roughnecks in a rival salvage boat. The Flash takes a hand, putting the ruffians in their place, and salvaging the gold for Tim Rogers. Hawkman volunteers next to tell his tale about men who could live in fire.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Chapter 2: The Men Who Could Live in Fire · 7 pages
Shiera tells Carter that the Science Society is going to study the Krakatoa volcano closely, and is soon threatened with death if she doesn't stay away. Hawkman then takes over and reaches the volcano in time to see flaming men coming out of the crater. Getting Shiera, and after both don protective clothing, they enter the crater and are attacked by flaming beings which take Hawk to Mazda, who sentences both of them to death. But Hawk escapes, saves Shiera and escapes before the volcano blows up. The Spectre than volunteers to tell his story.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Chapter 3 · 6.5 pages
Corrigan is put on the case of a series of mysterious deaths that occur during nights of the full moon, all committed by a creature that has come from the dark side of the Moon. When the two first meet in battle, this creature, Oom, bargains with the Ghostly Guardian that whichever of them first brings the Red Moon Stone of Yzgartyl to Earth, will be allowed to remain on Earth, the other banished. Although Oom gets the stone first, Spectre tricks Oom into dropping it into Spectre's hands, and Oom's spirit is then forever trapped in stone. Hour-Man then volunteers to tell his tale.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Chapter 4 · 5.5 pages
Rex Tyler is told by his boss that he is going to attend a costume party and that he is taking his niece to it. When Tyler offers to dress as the Hour-Man, his boss pays for the costume. When the pair get to the party, Rex is surprised to see more Hour-Men at the party, who later steal the Durant Diamond Collection to put the blame on the real Man of the Hour. But the Hour-Man quickly rounds up the crooks and unmasks Durant as the leader, who stole phony gems to collect the insurance on them and pay off his helpers. Hour-Man then announces that the Sandman will tell his story next.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Interlude · 1 pages
The Red Tornado enters the room after listening to the previous tales. Rather than sticking around for the meeting, she decides to gracefully back out, and heads out the door, leaving behind her red pants that have a large hole in them!
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Chapter 5 · 6 pages
Wes and Dian are driving through the countryside when they suddenly see a giant man, who collapses and dies. When they hear and reads of huge bags of human flesh and bones being found, the Sandman follows up by locating Dr. Faversham's residence, a scientist who injects his victims, whether they be man or animal, with a secret formula into their pituitary glands. Talking with a soon to be victim, Sandman then faces the doctor and overcomes him. Johnny then asks Dr. Fate to tell the next story.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Chapter 6 · 6 pages
Inza visits an antique store and a mysterious woman hands her a box, then disappears. When she opens the box at home, the drug Chevergris comes out and knocks her out. She goes to Dr. Fate and tells him they must go to the Moors, where they are attacked by phantoms. Dispensed with, Fate flies Inza home, where she suffers from black magic, and Fate puts her to sleep while he tracks down a sorcerer who came across an ancient book that explained how the dead could be restored to life. Fate dissolves him, saving Inza's life. Shivering from the tale, he turns to the Atom for the next story.
- Guarding an Heiress · 1.5 pages
Johnny finds out that Daisy has a date for a dance being held in the evening, but jealous Johnny, berated by the guy, wishes the guy had poison ivy. Whammo! The T-Bolt strikes and, sure enough, the guy gets it. Daisy chases them both out of the house and Johnny barely escapes from the guy. Soon, Johnny rescues a girl being kidnapped, and agrees to act as bodyguard for her for $100 a week. But when Daisy sees her with Johnny, sparks fly, not understanding the situation. Later, Johnny discovers that Daisy's date is the thug wanting to kidnap the heiress.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Chapter 7 · 6 pages
Al is out on a college class geology expedition when he spies members of the feared Brooklyn Murder Trust waiting for the passage of an armored car. He notes that several members of the gang switch into Army clothes, and drive off. He tries to follow, but is knocked out. Mary finds him and almost unmasks him. When he spots the truck again, he believes the thugs have looted the U. S. government gold cache nearby of $20 million. He makes short work of the crooks. Johnny then chimes in that it was time for someone else to relate a story.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Interlude · 1 pages
The JSA receives a message from the FBI Chief in Washington D.C. and Flash volunteers to make the trip to Washington to see what he wants.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Chapter 8 · 7 pages
Political crooks are committing crimes all over the city, and the Police can't seem to stop it. Cries go up for a new Police Commissioner, especially when "evidence" is uncovered of Commissioner Mason taking a bribe. The Mayor replaces Mason with Lacy and all seems to quiet down. However, behind the scenes, crime is in full swing: gambling dens and so on. Green Lantern learns the truth and feeds reporter Paul Pryor the information so he can announce it over the radio, but is captured. Lacy attempts to murder Pryor, but G.L. escapes and stops it.
- The First Meeting of the Justice Society of America, Conclusion · 1 pages
The Flash returns from Washington as G.L. finishes his story and informs the members that he has made an appointment for the group with the FBI Chief in Washington for the following Tuesday, and the group agrees to head to Washington.
Reprinted in
Millennium Edition: All Star Comics No. 3 (2000), Famous First Edition (1974), All Star Comics Archives (1991), All-Star Comics 3 (Facsimile Edition) (2024), DC Finest: Justice Society of America: For America and Democracy (2024)