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Title: Hostile Take-over (Rock Of Ages Part 2)
Writer: Grant Morrison
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FEATURE CHARACTERS
Aquaman, Aztek, Batman I, Flash III, Green Arrow II, Green Lantern V, Martian Manhunter, Superman
VILLAINS
The Injustice Gang (as seen last issue)
Justice League Revenge Squad (only the Aquaman sprite seen this issue)
GUEST APPEARANCES
Jemm Son of Saturn (the alien controlled by Luthor)
Metron (the New God of Knowledge)
Plastic Man (Eel O'Brien, joins the League in JLA #16)
Robin III (Tim Drake in the Batcave)
OTHER CHARACTERS
The citizens of San Fernando
COMMENTS
The story takes place after the events of GENESIS, FLASH/GA/GL crossover and the Leagues cameo in CHASE #2.
The full Injustice Gang is revealed this issue. Lex Luthor, the Joker, Dr Light I, Circe, Mirror Master and Ocean Master. Almost all of them were involved with UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED. This version of the Mirror Master was created by Grant Morrison in the pages of Animal Man.
It would seem that teleportation technology is becomes quite wide spread. The allusion to "bulk teleporters" seems like the Star Trek concept of "Cargo Transporters" that are designed to handle large quantities but at a lower resolution than that needed for living beings to save power.
Plastic Man as shown here is a former criminal and for a time maintained a criminal identity so that he could move against the bag guys from either side of the law. It is logical that Batman should contact him in his own underworld persona as "Matches" Malone.
Things to watch out for. Panel 2, pg. 3. Wonder Woman on the monitor despite her being dead at this point. Compare and contrast the round table of the JLA (all are equal positions) with the corporate style table of the Injustice Gang (a hierarchy arrangement with a clear leader). Notice the Lobo poster in the San Fernando comic shop. Green Arrow doesn't drink coffee, Green Lantern however does (he lives over a coffee bar). The door in the Jokers maze even includes a boot scraper. The display screen in the Batcave shows scenes aboard the Injustice Gang satellite.
SYNOPSIS
Lex Luthor's plan to destroy the Justice League goes into full swing. By creating a disaster in the San Fernando Valley he isolates the young hotshots allowing Circe to "head hunt" Green Arrow over to his cause. As the same time he seemingly destroys Superman and the Martian Manhunter by using a fake hologramatic headquarters (controlled by the Jokers mind) and a large bomb.
Batman begins his own counterattack by recruiting Plastic Man and making contacts behind the scenes. However as the League prepare to make their move the New God Metron appears on the JLA Watchtower babbling about an artefact called the Philosopher's Stone which the League must find before Darkseid gets his hands on it. The Philosopher's Stone is a fraction of the Source, a reflection of the Universe in miniature, by altering it the universe changes making it the most powerful object in existence. it is this self same stone that Luthor is using to control Jemm and the Injustice Gang.
QUOTE
"I would have overlooked this latest media friendly pantomime by creatures whose very existence makes a mockery of human achievement. I would have been prepared to indulge the astonishing arrogance of their lunar clubhouse. But for Superman."
"I take his leadership of this preposterous team of alpha mates as a direct challenge, a throwing down of the gauntlet, a clear and deliberate escalation of the hostilities between us." - Lex Luthor.
ALAN KISTLER'S ANNOTATIONS
Page 1 - Notice Luthor's arrogance throughout the whole monologue. He truly believes that the reason behind Superman's enlisting to the JLA is to serve as a direct challenge to him.
Page 2 - We see six of the members of the new Injustice Gang, from left to right:
- Dr. Light - Who's been a long-time enemy to the Green Lanterns.
- Mirror Master - This Mirror Master seen here was created by Grant Morrison and introduced in the pages of Animal Man when Morrison was writing it.
- The Joker - Who else but Batman's arch foe?
- Lex Luthor - Superman's archenemy.
- Circe - The mythological Greek sorceress who is Wonder Woman's arch-rival.
- The Ocean Master - Half-brother to Aquaman and one of his deadliest foes.
Page 3 - Panel 3-4: Wondering why Luthor has a conscience when it concerns the death of children? Simple. He was an orphan. In this way, as well as a few others, we see that he mirrors Bruce Wayne.
Page 5 - The "Ares's threat" and "Genesis Wave" Superman mentions was shown in the pages of the Genesis mini-series (not the greatest crossover storyline).
Page 7 - Panel 3: It is only logical that J'onn would defend GL. He has always grown a fondness towards the care-free rookies of the various Leagues.
Page 8 - Panel 4: What can I say? I loooove this panel! How inventive is that! Go Kyle!
Page 10 - The figure is Metron, master scientist of New Genesis and Apokolips and the New God of knowledge. However, his famous Mobius Chair is different than the one we're use to. We soon discover that this is Metron from the future and he apparently needs the JLA's help. But all is not as it seems.
Page 11 - Just as Batman is the frightening one of the JLA, the Joker assumes the same role among his own team-mates (notice Mirror Master's expressed discomfort). Also, notice Mirror Master's reference to the heroes as "big yins." For those of who not in the know, yin and yang were the Korean symbols of light and dark. Thus, we see again a theme of opposites. Yin is also Scottish slang and the Mirror Master is Scottish.
Page 13 - Again, I love the creativity in this series. To have the Joker's mind take physical form is great. And then J'onn's trick of warping his own mind so that he can make sense of it. Excellent!
Page 14 - Green Arrow asks what good he could do against Darkseid. This question foreshadows the coming battle with Darkseid and how his death will largely involve Green Arrow.
Page 15 - Circe uses the classic hostile take-over ploy of turning your more naive, inexperienced enemies into your allies. With her powers of persuasion and her careful argument, she begins to sway young Connor to her side.
Page 16 - We see the true form of the Philosopher's Stone. Very creative.
Page 17 - All right, you may know that "Eel" O'Brien is Plastic Man. But are you aware of the true identity of "Matches" Malone? The truth is, he wasn't sent by Batman ... he IS Batman. "Matches" Malone is a cover identity that the Batman uses to infiltrate the underworld without arousing suspicion. Also, notice how Porter plays with Plastic Man's sunglasses by adding such things as exclamation marks. He'll continue to do this as the series progresses.
Page 18 - The mysterious seventh member of the Injustice Gang is revealed as being Jemm, Son of Saturn. Jemm first appeared in his own DC mini-series in 1984. He's an alien with telepathic abilities and a vulnerability to fire. An obvious opponent for J'onn when you think about it (especially considering their matching brows). Although Jemm has always been a hero, Luthor has used the Philosopher's Stone to cause a sedated effect on the alien and thus make him more susceptible to orders.
Page 19 - As J'onn reverts his brain to normal, Superman finally sees through the illusion. His comment about the Joker's madness of seeing one invisible path through a maze of chaos is an interesting metaphor on the criminal's insanity. Also, note how the badguys have changed their tactics to adjust to Superman's new powers. Very nice. In Morrison's stories, you always have a sense that the villains might win.
Page 22 - Morrison again points out the similarities between Lex Luthor and Batman. We see a great portrayal of Batman in his role as team tactician and strategist. And I love the last panel! However, notice that Batman's pose here is nearly identical to Luthor's on Page 18 of the last issue. Again, a disturbing note of similarity. Although we also see subtle differences. Luthor has a nasty grin and Batman sports his usual grim demeanour.
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