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Title: Genesis and Revelations (Rock Of Ages Part 1)
Writer: Grant Morrison
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FEATURE CHARACTERS
Aquaman, Aztek, Batman I, Green Arrow II, Green Lantern V, Martian Manhunter, Superman
VILLAINS
The Injustice Gang
Lex Luthor (Superman's arch foe)
Ocean Master (Aquaman's half-brother and arch foe, recently power up by Neron)
The Joker (Batman's arch foe)
Doctor Light I (an old Green Lantern foe, recently power up by Neron)
Mirror Master II (a mercenary and occasional member of the Flash's rogues gallery)
Circe (Wonder Woman's arch foe)
Justice League Revenge Squad (Hardlight holograms controlled by the Injustice Gang, first appearance)
GUEST APPEARANCES
Jemm Son of Saturn (the alien controlled by Luthor)
OTHER CHARACTERS
The citizens of Star City (The original base of operations of the team of Black Canary II and Green Arrow I)
COMMENTS
This story takes place after WONDER WOMAN #125/126 and FLASH #130-132 where she is transformed into the Goddess of Truth and he is crippled by an enemy called the Suit. This issue also leads into GENESIS #1.
Sign in the first panel reads "Deli Diaz. Sorry we are moving, to a new location." Former editor Rubin Diaz had just left to work for Wildstorm.
First appearance of the Justice League Revenge Squad, the Monitor Womb, the captured Martian Jump Ships and the League using a telepath for communication (an old X-men trick).
The energy field that J'onn encountered is the "Godwave" as seen in GENESIS #1.
Aztek joined in AZTEK #10 after defeating Amazo.
SYNOPSIS
Responding to a distress call from Star City the JLA encounter the Justice League Revenge Squad - hardlight hologramatic characterisations of the Leaguers controlled by the Injustice Gang. Amid massive destruction the under manned League manage to defeat the Revenge Squad. The harm however is done as they were primarily designed as information gathering devices and had communicated their data back to Luthor.
In the lull after the battle Luthor uses a mysterious artefact to control the captured Jemm (a telepathic alien) that blinds Green Lantern to the existence of the Injustice Gang's satellite. Meanwhile J'onn J'onzz is emotionally overcome by his encounter with the "Godwave".
QUOTE
"In an instant, Green Arrow stills his mind. All mental chatter ceases. In an instant, the bow string is taut, the shaft vibrates with tension. In an instant, he calculated without thinking. An takes aim. Not at where the enemy is... but at where he will be." - Narration of Green Arrow targeting the superspeed Flash hologram.
ALAN KISTLER'S ANNOTATIONS
Page 1 - We see the fictional Star City, California. This was once the home of the original Green Arrow. Notice how Morrison let's the scenes speak for themselves and keeps the dialogue off until Panel 5 (I loved the speech there!)
Page 2-3 - I love the JLA Revenge Squad. Morrison continues to play with pieces of DC's past; Pre-Crisis, in an old World's Finest story, Batman and Superman fought the Superman Revenge Squad (mad scientists who shaved their heads in tribute to Luthor) and the Batman Revenge Squad (small-time hoods who wanted revenge). Both teams employed outfits that were similar to their enemies. While the S-Revenge Squad had glowing green suits (an allusion to Kryptonite), the B-Revenge Squad employed purple-tinted outfits with skulls superimposed over the Bat Symbol. Porter has taken more inspiration from the B-RS, although he does add a green hue to the skin of the JLA-RS members.
Page 4 - Notice the screen in front of J'onn displays a man dressed in a Star Trek uniform.
Page 6 - Nice display of Connor's technique/style as opposed to his streetsmart father.
Page 7 - Panel 3: Obviously, whoever was controlling this Aquaman doppleganger feared that Orin would recognise him. Why else would he suddenly flee? A familiar foe, perhaps?
Panel 6: Batman's lines hint towards the true villains behind-the-scenes. The "genius" turns out to be Luthor. The line about the "madman" leads us directly onto the next page.
Page 8 - Panels 1-2: That sinister laugh and the oh, so-evil smile. There's no doubt about it. It's the Joker!! It is only fitting that the Harlequin of Hate would be controlling the Batman doppleganger.
Panels 4-5: Notice the juxtaposition here. While the Joker is displayed here as wild and chaotic, randomly killing people, Batman jumps in acting very calm, methodical and focused. Beautiful writing display by Morrison. Such a nice way to show us just how opposite these enemies are.
Page 10 - Panel 1: The man in centre is the one controlling the Aquaman evil twin. Notice the line "He recognised me." Obviously he knows Orin. Our suspicions are confirmed on the second panel as we see the outlines of his mask. It's the villain Ocean Master, Aquaman's half-brother. We also see several unidentifiable figures in silhouette (except for the Joker, of course).
Page 12 - Panels 5-6: Through this scene, Morrison reminds us of the classic team-ups of Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen.
Page 13 - Panel 5: Obviously, Batman is beginning to ease up on the rookie. GL really needs this compliment, as he's been terrified of Batman almost since the night they met. But the Dark Knight is somewhat use to the role of a watchful parent to the younger heroes (can we say Robin?) and so the compliment is not too surprising. Batman shows us another drop of his dark demeanour on the second panel of Page 15.
Page 16 - Green Lantern defends himself by pointing out the very trait that makes his comic so popular. He is an "everyman" and readers have an easy and enjoyable time identifying him. This same trait launched Marvel's Spider-Man into stardom. Another nice thing about this page is the ease at which Batman deduces his enemies goals. Also, note GL's comment of "We're not gods." This foreshadows the coming conflict with the New God Darkseid.
Page 18 - The group of villains led by Luthor is named here for the first time: the new Injustice Gang. Like their predecessors, this Injustice Gang also works out of a satellite, and has one supervillain for each hero in the JLA. We see Ocean Master with his trademark sceptre and a villain who is so obviously Dr. Light. Notice the Joker is holding a balloon. Nice touch!
Page 19 - Panel 2: This green trail reminds me of the famous Fantastic Four signal flare.
Panel 3: Luthor holds the Philosopher's Stone, a weapon of fantastic power. This weapon is one of the many reasons the saga is called "Rock of Ages." Notice how it looks like a heart.
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