The Armchair Squid: Marvel Unlimited: Squadron Supreme #1-5, Captain America #314

The Squadron Supreme made their first appearance in 1971 in The Avengers #85. A superhero group from an alternate dimension, they were created as a parody of DC's Justice League. In 1985, Marvel launched a limited series about the team.

The stories address interesting questions about the roles and responsibilities of superheroes in the world at large. While this, in itself, was not new ground for Marvel, Squadron Supreme took the questions further than most. What would happen if such beings, even benevolent ones, were granted absolute power to shape society as they see fit? What would be the challenges and pitfalls? Indeed, what threats could the team's members present to each other along the way?

The lineup, along with their JLA equivalents:

Hyperion = Superman

Nighthawk = Batman

Power Princess = Wonder Woman

Whizzer = Flash

Doctor Spectrum = Green Lantern

Amphibian = Aquaman

Golden Archer = Green Arrow

Lady Lark = Black Canary

Tom Thumb = Atom

Blue Eagle = Hawkman

Arcanna = Zatanna