VERSUS

This chapter starts out with a new character that we have not seen before, the Phantom Stranger, who breaks the “fourth wall” of the comic book and addresses the reader directly. The Phantom Stranger looks fairly well dressed for his name, fedora hat concealing his eyes In shadows, a long flowing blue cape, a black suit with a gold medallion. He sets the mood of the Indian Ocean and seems to already know that a battle is about to occur.

Aquaman begins his search for his asteroid only to be stopped in mid leap by the winds of the Red Tornado. Reddy tries to get the Sea King to listen to reason but Aquaman under the thrall of the Appellaxians assumes he is an unknown opponent and tackles Reddy sending him under the sea to a watery grave.

The Red Tornado recalls his loved ones and manages to get himself back in action and drives towards the surface. Aquaman retrieves the meteor and is going to be taking it back to the JLA Headquarters outside of Metropolis. Aquaman has no idea why he is doing what he is doing he just knows that he must do it. At this point the Phantom Stranger appears to interfere, as he seems to direct lightning to shock the incoming Red Tornado, defeating him. Neither Red Tornado nor Aquaman saw or interacted with the Phantom Stranger in this encounter.

As Aquaman speeds off with his meteor, The Phantom Stranger leans over Red Tornado’s form and explains to the reader that if one of the original JLAers would be defeated it would lead to defeat to all the JLA so he had to choose. He then claims that these choices he makes are never easy but they are his curse.

The scene shifts to the satellite JLA hq where Snapper Carr and Firestorm are becoming acquainted. It should be noted that Snapper got his nickname from snapping his fingers constantly, he is a product of the “beatnik” era. As the male bonding continues a loud thud is heard. Red Tornado has reappeared in the satellite without using the teleporters. Dr. Stein (Firestorm’s other half) diagnoses that the Red Tornado has received a severe electrical shock so Firestorm takes him to sick bay, leaving Snapper and Firestorm to wonder how the Red Tornado got back on the satellite.

When we chat next… it’s Girl on Girl action

Wonder Woman versus Zatanna