Issue Number Seven

"Evil, Revealed : Part One"

PARIS

"We've got it. After all these months..." The woman who spoke in a husky voice had many names, Remoni-Notra, Camille and Debbie Darnell to name just three, but the one she favored most of all was Star Sapphire. Though she wasn't Carol Ferris, the woman favored by the Zamarons, but Remoni-Notra was a fine Sapphire nonetheless. Her tenure with the original Secret Society had helped procure her a place with the newest incarnation, and she meant to make the most of it. Perhaps, someday, she would even seek out Adam Blake* and make him rue the day they'd met.

(*Aka Captain Comet, frequent foe of the Secret Society of Super-Villains and former love interest of 'Debbie Darnell.')

"Looks like a bunch of junk to me." The young woman called Amber kicked at a hunk of metal bearing the JLI logo. She gazed at the building's interior and shook her head. The Society had spent a lot of time and effort finding one of the storehouses for the League's old United Nations' owned equipment... but this scrap heap hardly looked worth the effort.

"That's because you have the brain capacity of a flea. That tube before you was part of their teleportation system. If they still use the same system at the Watchtower, we may be able to disrupt their ability to travel." Kestrel, the Thanagarian named Fel Andar, moved past Amber, ignoring her glare.

Star Sapphire stood up, shaking her head. "The Master isn't interested in disrupting anyone's transportation, Thanagarian. His plans are much more far-reaching."

"Whatever. I just my cash and I'll be happy." Mirror Master ran a finger along a weapon of some kind, wondering if he could sneak it out without the Master knowing. He appreciated being sprung from jail*, but that didn't mean his loyalty extended very far.

(*Where he's been since issue two.)

"Wouldn't do it. He's right outside." Signal Man moved up next to Mirror Master, his yellow cape drawn tight about him.

Mirror Master glanced out into the darkness. "Bloody wonderful. Will he fit through the door?"

"If not, he'll just tear it down. Since he had his brain put into this new body, he's been like an animal. Hell, he looks like one all ready...."

"Something wrong with a man who puts his brain into something like that. 'Course, he's used one before, right? Back when ye were in the old Society?"

Signal Man nodded. "Yep. He brought together a whole bunch of us -- the Floronic Man, Brain Wave, the Monocle... We almost won, too."

Fel Ander crossed his arms and watched as the Ultra-Humanite moved into the room. "When will you finally tell us what 'our' plan is?"

The Ultra-Humanite brushed aside the Star Sapphire and stared at the transporter tube. "Once I sought to banish ten specific heroes from our reality and in so doing, I theorized that all superheroes would be banished as a result of the cosmic imbalance*. In the years since, I have refined that theory. And, as a result of recent events, I now know that victory is within our reach!"

(*This admittedly odd piece of logic was the inspiration for one of the all-time great JLA/JSA teamups, in Justice League of America # 195-197!)

Star Sapphire looked up at the Ultra-Humanite's hulking form. "What recent event?"

"Perhaps some of you remember the brief period of instability recently? There were reports of strange appearances and disappearances, even a sighting of a starfish dressed as the hero Starman. These events were orchestrated by beings outside our normal time/space continuum. They spanned Hypertime to reach us*. One of the masterminds of the invasion was, in fact, an alternate reality version of me. When he entered this hypertimeline, I sensed his presence and, through him, learned of Hypertime."

(*It's true! Check out DCL's Hypertime Invasion limited series for more!)

Fel Andar looked away. "Other realities... How will this help us? Are you going to seek aid from these other realities?"

"No... You see, once I believed that by banishing certain heroes to Limbo, my goal of world domination could be achieved. I was wrong. I must banish seven heroes from our reality into a certain Hypertime reality that exists near us, but forever separate. By doing so, it will tip the scales of cosmic balance just enough that we will have created a universe of True Evil. A Reverse-Earth, so to speak, dominated by the greedy and malevolent. Those who are more attuned to the psychic vibrations of 'good' will be banished forever, fading from all existence!"

"But how can that be?! Good and evil are abstract concepts, defined by the morals of our times! Are you telling me that just because seven heroes are scattered to another universe, all heroes will be affected?!" Fel Andar felt his anger rising. Had he wasted so many months here on Earth just to be led astray by some madman?

The Ultra-Humanite held his tongue for a moment before striking out. His powerful grip locked onto the Thanagarian's throat and lifted him into the air, even as the poor man kicked at nothing. "I know this to be true. Your damned enemy, Katar Hol, will be banished. Superman will be banished. Wonder Woman, banished. Jesse Quick, banished. All heroes will be banished!" With each word, the Ultra-Humanite tightened his hold, making Fel Andar's struggles that much more intense.

At last, he tossed aside the Thanagarian. "Does anyone else doubt me?"

The silence was overpowering.

"Good. Since any seven heroes will do, I think we should utilize those that have crossed our paths aplently as of late. The Justice Squadron shall make the perfect sacrifice!"

OLD TRAFFORD STADIUM, ENGLAND - TWO DAYS LATER

"I hate soccer." Sue Dibny downed the last of her coke, staring down at the playing field of Manchester United. The Reds were on top 2 goals to 1 over Liverpool and David Beckham was charging hard towards another score.

"Sue... this is football. We're in Jolly Old England, don't ya know?" Ralph grinned, soaking up the atmosphere all around him.

"This stadium's seen some incredible moments. All of you Yanks should know you're in the Field of Dreams." Cyril Sheldrake nodded solemnly at his companions.

The rest of the group seemed a bit less enthusiastic. For Chandi, it was a fun experience though she'd always enjoyed playing football more than watching it. She noticed that Constance was on the phone, trying in vain to hear her secretary over the din of the crowd. Poor Connie. It must be hard to balance being a hero with running a corporation. I don't see how she does it. The young girl's eyes scanned over Dorcas Leigh, who had brought her boyfriend Piers along. He's cute, but a little young for her. Still, she's pretty. Very pretty. Between her and Connie, I'll never get Katar to notice--

That thought made her blush. Why did I even think that? He's got a girlfriend and he's definitely not interested in a 16-year old girl who may or may not be the reincarnation of Shiva!

Katar Hol, for his part, took no notice of Maya's attentions. He sat back, puzzling over the game before him. He understood most Earth sports, of course, having studied humanity in-depth. But it was the passion with which people watched them that amused him. Shayera would fit in well here. She was the fiery one of us. I was always her peacock, strutting proud. Where are you, Shayera? I need you.

Looking to take his mind off his missing lover, Katar turned to the person seated next to him - Maya. "Why didn't Revenant come with us?"

Maya blinked. Me! He's talking to me! Don't blow it, girl! "Um... I dunno." Idiot! Make small talk, quick! "Do you play football on Hawkworld?"

Katar smiled somewhat. The girl seemed very nervous for some reason. "Thanagar. And no. We have athletic events, but nothing quite like this. The reason I brought up Revenant is that I've noticed he keeps to himself. I don't believe I even know his real name."

"No one does." Maya winced as the crowd erupted. Another Manchester score. When the deafening noise died down a bit, she continued. "He told me once that he used to be a killer or something. I think he's afraid we'll find out about his past and kick him out."

"Hmm. My experience with the League taught me that teammates have to be able to trust one another*. Otherwise, we're headed on a collision course with failure."

(*Hawkman was a member of the League from issues 94-113 of Justice League America.)

Maya nodded, trying to appear attentive. "Are you always so serious?" No! Why did I say that? He'll think I don't like him!

The question seemed to surprise him more than anything. "No... Not always. Shayera used to say I was intense. Does that bother you?"

"No! Not at all! I mean, everyone's different. I'm serious sometimes, too. Especially when my parents are trying to sell me to a cult...."

Katar put an arm around her. "That sounds serious. Would you make you feel better to talk about it?"

With her heart hammering in her chest, Maya nodded. "I'd...like that. I could use a friend."

"So could I, Chandi."

Revenant floated in the air, his red cloak whipping about him in time to some breeze that only he could feel. He'd wanted to see the game with the others, but had elected not to after seeing the morning's paper. The ad had seemed innocuous to most, but not to him.

"I knew ye'd show." McCulloch's accent came and went, but it was strong today.

Revenant turned and gazed at McCulloch's smiling face. The man wore a trenchcoat over his Mirror Master costume and was sans mask. "What do you want?"

"Now is that any way to greet an old friend?"

"We were never friends, we were business associates. What do you want?"

"Well... I thought that was ye in that little dust-up in London the other day*. Goin' up in the world, aren't ye? First I get into the longjohn business and now you... What is the world comin' to?"

(*See issues 5-6.)

Revenant narrowed his eyes. He'd worked with McCulloch several times during their mercenary days and he thought he knew the man well enough to know when he was up to something. "You have three seconds to tell me what it is you want -- and if I don't like what I hear, you'll see just how far I've come recently. I'm not the same man you used to know -- that man is dead."

McCulloch's smile turned cold. "Funny thing that, Mate. 'Cause you might just end up joinin' him." A flash of laser light shot our from the Mirror Master's left hand, where a tiny palm-sized mirror rested.

Revenant barely suppressed a laugh as he let the blast go right through him. "Controlling my density is the least of my abilities, McCulloch. I'm a ghost now... Do you understand? You can't hurt me!"

The spectral warrior launched himself at his former associate, the terrors of Hell rising to the surface in his eyes. All he had to do was make eye contact and McCulloch would know the terrors that awaited him....

The Mirror Master surprised him by disappearing entirely. Revenant halted his progress and whirled about, only to see the Mirror Master some ten feet away and holding a larger mirror-weapon. "Poor guy. Don't ye know that illusions are the least of my abilities? Let me show ye a better one...."

A bright light shone forth from the mirror, encasing Revenant in a small prison. The ghostly hero tried to phase his way through it, but he found himself tumbling deeper into the mirror dimension that McCulloch could access.

The Mirror Master looked down into his mirror weapon. Revenant floated inside, growing smaller and smaller. In time, McCulloch knew that his old friend would find a way out, but by then the Society's plan would be in place.

With a chuckle, he reached for his communicator. "Mirror Master to the Ultra-Humanite. One down, five more to go."

In Justice Squadron # 8 : The Justice Squadron is minus one member, and the deadly game of cat-and-mouse is about to heat up even more! Be here for "Evil, Revealed : Part Two."

EUROPINIONS

First of all, some of you may be wondering where the 'special back-up story' is. Wellll... It'll be along in the next few issues, hopefully. It was taking my mystery writer awhile to get going, so I elected to bump it back a bit. Hope that doesn't disappoint anyone too much. Now -- we have a letter!

To be honest Barry, I had trouble getting into this series. I've read only a few issues of JLI, and I found I didn't know half of the cast in the JS... but I kept reading because I had faith in your abilities as a writer. While issues 1-4 left me feeling lukewarm, I thought things picked up in #5 (probably because the appearance of Hawkman ;p). With that said, I really enjoyed #6. I think things are really starting to cook. I've warmed up to the characters Maya & Godiva (both of which I never heard of before). I especially liked the appearance of Fel Andar/Kestrel! Now, I can't wait for issue #7. As for who should leave the team, I would have to vote for Revenant. Keep up the good work, Barry.

Cheers,

Tim Hartin

Thanks for writing in, Tim. I know that the series may be hard to get into for some people since much of the cast is either obscure (Godiva, the Knight and Maya) or totally new (Revenant). Hopefully, people will give the characters a chance to grow on them, however. Having Hawkman in the book gives me at least three characters who are fairly well-known in the DC Universe, so maybe they'll rope in a few new readers by being here.

Sorry that Revenant isn't working for you so far. I thought the idea of a murdering bastard being forced into being a hero was an interesting one. His seeming change in personality will be explored in future issues and I have no immediate plans to send him packing.

Maya became one of my favorite members of the JLE/JLI during her association with them and I'm glad she's coming off well in this series. I chose to use Godiva over other deserving Global Guardians because I figured she was one of the more recognizable ones and precious little has been done with her, especially post-Zero Hour.

Next issue continues the current storyline featuring the Secret Society. I see the arc ending sometime around issue 9, depending on how things go. After that, we'll move on to new foes -- assuming, of course, that the Squadron survives this whole affair!

Keep in touch,

Barry Reese