"Cei-U!" Golden Age Johnny Thunder Appreciation (2019)

[MajorHoy]

First appearance: Flash Comics #1 (January 1940):


Johnny was one of several recurring features (which included The Flash, Hawkman, The Whip, and Cliff Cornwall) to premiere in that inaugural issue.

Johnny was also present at the first meeting of the Justice Society of America in All-Star Comics #3 (Winter 1940).


What, you don't see him seated at the meeting table on the cover?!?
Well, there's a reason for that:


Johnny wasn't technically an official member of that group, so he didn't get an invitation to the meeting.

(His actual membership would happen a couple of issues later.)

[Koriand'r]

My first exposure to Johnny Thunder was Jakeem Thunder in the JSA whatever happened to him?

[MajorHoy]

My first exposure to Johnny Thunder was Jakeem Thunder in the JSA whatever happened to him?

Well, Jakeem had replaced Johnny, and Johnny was merged with his Thunderbolt to help Jakeem.
But then Flashpoint/the New52 happened.

[Eto]

My first introduction to the character was in JSA omnibus vol.1!
Great character. Funny, average, feels like the odd one out, but overall he's a heart of gold.

[MajorHoy]

from Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe Vol. XI (January 1986)

[CaptCleghorn]

Multiple wiki sources identify Johnny as the seventh son of a seventh son. Yet, the original story and his first Who's Who page says otherwise. What was the origin of the seventh son of a seventh sonidentification? Was it ever noted in a DC book, or was it something that went wild as an unsubstantiated rumor?

[MajorHoy]

Multiple wiki sources identify Johnny as the seventh son of a seventh son. Yet, the original story and his first Who's Who page says otherwise. What was the origin of the seventh son of a seventh sonidentification? Was it ever noted in a DC book, or was it something that went wild as an unsubstantiated rumor?

Maybe it was a later addition or more of a figuratively-speaking thing, since at the time Johnny was introduced there was no mention of any older siblings.

Here's what was said about "sevens"-connection when he first appeared in Flash Comics #1:

[MajorHoy]

from Golden Age Secret Files & Origins #1 (2001)

[MajorHoy]

. . . Johnny was also present at the first meeting of the Justice Society of America in All-Star Comics #3 (Winter 1940) . . .
. . . Johnny wasn't technically an official member of that group, so he didn't get an invitation to the meeting.

(His actual membership would happen a couple of issues later.)

And that would happen in All Star Comics #6 (August-September 1941) when The Flash switched from full-time to honorary membership (because he had earned his own solo comic book).





Hotcha!

[MajorHoy]

By the way, I'm assuming that was Johnny being fired from yet another job in Doomsday Clock #10 (July 2019):


Also, at the first meeting of the JSA (with events changed by Dr. Manhattan?) as seen in that same issue:

[MajorHoy]

from History of the DC Universe Book One (1986)