Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Superman.The Justice Gang’s headquarters in Superman open the door for the introduction of the Justice League and other DCU teams. James Gunn’s Superman is packed with easter eggs and references to the comics. Since it doesn’t hesitate to lean so closely on the source material, the DCU’s first movie introduces a wide variety of deep-cut elements like pocket dimensions, interdimensional imps, and genetically-modified beings. When compared to these ideas, concepts like Lantern rings and T-Spheres are easy to digest.
In Superman, the Justice Gang is introduced as a privately-funded superhero team sponsored by millionaire entrepeneur Maxwell Lord. As such, it’s the Justice Gang’s job to intervene in dangerous battles, which are so commonplace that Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific seem bored most of the time. When Lois Lane reaches out to them for help, she realizes that the Justice Gang have even more resources than she thought, including a large and elegant headquarters: the Hall of Justice.
The Hall Of Justice’s Origins In DC Comics
Super Friends Introduced One Of The Most Iconic Superhero Team Headquarters
The Hall of Justice first appeared in the 1973 Super Friends animated series as the тιтular team’s central headquarters. Located in the middle of Metropolis, the Super Friends’ Hall of Justice features highly advanced technology, meeting spaces, and a communications hub, all designed to help the Super Friends respond to global emergencies. Super Friends‘ original Hall of Justice quickly cemented itself as one of the most recognizable superhero headquarters in pop culture.
The Hall of Justice’s design was directly inspired by the real-life Union Terminal in Cincinnati, Ohio. The real building’s mᴀssive art-deco facade and distinctive arched front made it a perfect visual match for a superhero headquarters of the era, and it has symbolized the retro-futuristic nature of several DC teams ever since. Without this specific style, DC’s now-iconic Hall of Justice would probably have evolved much more drastically throughout the years.
The Hall of Justice has had different origins across various continuities. In the post-Infinite Crisis era, the Hall was established as the Justice League’s public headquarters located in Washington D.C. In The New 52, the Hall was reintroduced as part of the League’s infrastructure but with less emphasis on public accessibility. In The CW, the Hall of Justice was introduced during the Crisis on Infinite Earths event, where the Arrowverse’s Justice League adopted an abandoned S.T.A.R. Labs facility as their new base.
Every DC Team That Has Had Their Base In The Hall Of Justice
The Hall Of Justice Has Been Used By Multiple Superhero Teams
The Super Friends were the first team to use the Hall of Justice as their official base of operations, both in the original 1973 animated series and its various comic adaptations. In the show, the Hall of Justice was where Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Robin gather to coordinate missions and respond to threats. Zan and Jayna a.k.a. the Wonder Twins have also lived and trained in the Hall alongside their pet monkey, Gleek.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice established that Ben Affleck’s Batman wanted to turn Wayne Manor into the Hall of Justice, though Justice League didn’t focus too much on this detail.
The Justice League adopted the Hall of Justice as their headquarters, though it has never been their primary base. Originally, the League operated out of a secret mountain sanctuary and later moved to a satellite orbiting Earth. Currently, the League alternates between the Watchtower and the Fortress of Solitude. When the Hall appears, it’s usually depicted as a public-facing location in Washington, D.C., housing a museum.
Other DC teams have also used the Hall of Justice in different capacities. The Hall’s basement has served as a secret base for the Justice League Dark, who operate beneath the main League’s headquarters to handle mystical threats. Recently, Amanda Waller briefly redesigned the Hall as the “Hall of Order” to watch over metahumans. Alternate-universe teams like Earth-23’s Justice League, led by President Superman, have appeared using similar Halls in their respective realities.
What The Hall Of Justice’s DCU Introduction Means For The DCU
The Justice Gang May Eventually Transfer Their Base To The DCU’s Justice League
The Hall of Justice’s introduction in Superman presents a natural pathway for the Justice League’s DCU debut. The Hall’s casual first appearance fast-tracks the possibility of a major team-up just like Superman accelerates the Man of Steel’s first DCU adventure. When the Justice League ᴀssembles in a future DCU installment, they could receive the Hall of Justice directly from the Justice Gang, or merge with them at the Hall.
The Justice Gang’s Hall of Justice also includes murals of past heroes, which appear to depict various members of the Justice Society of America. The Justice Society is often overshadowed by other teams in live-action, but the DCU might avoid this problem. James Gunn’s Superman suggests that the DCU’s Hall of Justice was originally used by the JSA before being handed down to the Justice Gang, meaning that the Justice Society is probably one of the DCU’s earliest superhero teams.
With characters like Guy Gardner, Booster Gold, and Blue Beetle already in the DCU, other JLI heroes like Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Shazam, and even Batman might join them
Superman‘s possible JSA references open the door for the Justice Society’s DCU debut sooner rather than later. But perhaps even sooner, Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord may expand the Justice Gang roster at the Hall of Justice and rebrand the team as the Justice League International. With characters like Guy Gardner, Booster Gold, and Blue Beetle already in the DCU, other JLI heroes like Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Shazam, and even Batman might join them.
The Hall Of Justice’s DCU Debut Teases The Justice League’s Arrival
The Justice League May Already Have Their DCU HQ
The most natural follow-up to the Hall of Justice’s DCU introduction is the Justice League’s debut. Either by merging with them or by replacing them entirely, the Justice League might receive the Hall of Justice directly from Maxwell Lord’s Justice Gang. Establishing the Hall of Justice early allows the DCU to streamline the League’s formation quickly without having to create a new headquarters from scratch or giving all the credit to Bruce Wayne’s wealth.}
The Justice League’s potential use of the Hall of Justice raises interesting narrative possibilities. David Corenswet’s Superman will likely continut to struggle against the public and the government’s mistrust following the events of Superman. Before the Justice League expands and moves to the Watchtower in space, potential antagonists like Amanda Waller, Rick Flag Sr., and Lex Luthor might view the Justice League’s occupation of such a public building as a threat.
