Star Light, Star Bright — Death Star I See Tonight

No, not THAT Death Star, another one.

With this story we get a bit of a tonal shift in our JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America/JSAAn abbreviation of Justice Society of America cross-overs.  Veteran author Gardner Fox has been replaced by up and coming Denny O’Neil and with Mr. O’Neil comes a bit more realism in his comics and a bit more pathos.

We open in the cosmos where the Council of Living Stars is passing judgment on the star Aquarius, who is apparently guilty of crimes that we are not informed of, but the council decides to rob Aquarius of all his powersThe extraordinary abilities that a characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). may possess. (Example: Aquaman can telepathically control marine life as one of his powers.) except for those that sustain his life force.  This now ex-cosmic force is sent fading to Earth where we pick up our story with our heroes.

ROLL CALL:  JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America:  Batman, Green Lantern, Atom, Hawkman, Superman.   JSAAn abbreviation of Justice Society of America:  Red Tornado, Starman, Black Canary, Doctor Fate, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Doctor Mid-Nite, and Superman

Red Tornado has appeared in the JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America headquartersThe location of where a single costumed character or a team of costumed characters meet, plan courses or actions, or even live. The JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America Satellite, the Batcave, and the Fortress of Solitude are all examples of Headquarters. to inform them of a dire threat to the universe and the Justice League insists that he tells the tale to them.

The scene fades over to Earth-2 where the Starman has detected the matter floating to Earth that was once the powerful star Aquarius.  Starman attempts to apprehend  the  strange creature, but winds up being caught himself and Aquarius steals the Cosmic RodThe chief weaponAn object that has a specific use for the characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). in a combat situation. (Example: Wonder Woman €™s bracelets are a great defensive weapon against bullets.) of Starman used to nullify gravity, create energy blasts, grab objects, and produce force fields. and causes Starman to fall to the Earth.  Starman happens to land in the apartment of Dinah and Larry Lance.  Dinah Lance who happens to be the Black Canary.  Starman is still alive and Larry cares for him as Dinah dons her Blonde Bombshell gear and hits the door looking for whatever caused the Starman to fall out of the sky.

Coming up empty handed Black Canary comes back but finds Larry armed with an odd piece of wood as he attacks his wife.  Black Canary subdues Larry and he snaps out of whatever was controlling him.  Larry doesn’t remember a thing in the interim from helping Starman to waking up after Dinah threw him for a loop.  Black Canary summons the rest of the JSAAn abbreviation of Justice Society of America feeling that they are a bit out of their depth here.

Green Lantern Alan Scott is delayed by a billboard coming to life and attacking him.  Dr. Mid-Nite is delayed by a young child who is a fan who has suddenly acquired super-strength and is having a really fantastic temper tantrum.  Once the child hits Dr. Mid-Nite he snaps back to normal and has no idea what he has done.  Doctor Fate was preoccupied by a demonic storm of dark energy that once dispelled turns into Aquarius.  Aquarius has managed to pull himself together by holding onto the Cosmic RodThe chief weaponAn object that has a specific use for the characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). in a combat situation. (Example: Wonder Woman €™s bracelets are a great defensive weapon against bullets.) of Starman used to nullify gravity, create energy blasts, grab objects, and produce force fields..

Aquarius reveals his mania and Dr. Mid-Nite quickly diagnoses him as a manic depressive with schizophrenia.  In true heroA character that typically acts in a heroic manner. (Example: Wonder Woman €™s deeds of saving Paradise Island from the mythological beasts have made her an Amazonian hero.) style, Larry Lance gets the villainA characterAny sentient entity that appears in a comic book. (Example: Superman, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto the Super Dog are all characters that appear in Superman comics). that typically acts in a villainous manner. (Example: The Joker is truly an insane villain.) to start monologuing about his plans.  It is at this point that Red Tornado, Superman, and Wonder Woman join the other heroes to sneak attack Aquarius.  Superman is quickly downed by Aquarius’ magical attacks and Wonder Woman repelled by intense heat.  Aquarius in an intense fit of anger destroys Earth-TwoThe Earth that features characters that typically started in and around World War II, however some younger characters also exist on this earth as well. and only Doctor Fate’s shield saves the JSAAn abbreviation of Justice Society of America members and Larry Lance.

However, they were not really destroyed.  They are attached to Doctor Fate’s magicUnlike the real world, in the fictional DCU magic exists and is a viable force in characters lives. in another dimension.  Once the JSAAn abbreviation of Justice Society of America members die, so will their world.  Aquarius is tired and must wait to kill the Justice Society members.  This gives them one hope.  Red Tornado.   It is at this point that Red Tornado spins so fast to get to Earth One and this is where we leave Part One!

Next Up:  Where Death Fears To Tread!  And one death will change the JSAAn abbreviation of Justice Society of America & JLAAn abbreviation of Justice League of America forever.