StoryStory"War for Earthdeath"
Editor:Gerry Conway
Writer: David A. Kraft
Artist:Pablo Marcos and Vince Coletta
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Letterer: Ben Oda
Cover Art: Ernie Chua (signed 1976)
Captain Cold
Gorilla Grodd
Manhunter
Mirror Master I
Sinestro
Star Sapphire II - first referred to as Camille in the story
Hi-Jack
The Wizard - last seen in Issue #1
Captain Boomerang - last seen in issue #1. Appears with the above
characters as the Secret Society of Super-Villains.
Copperhead - last seen in issue #1. Freed illegally from jail in
this story. Appears next in issue #6
Captain Comet
Darkseid
Mantis the Power Parasite
Green Lantern
Kalibak the Cruel - Darkseid's son and member of his ruling elite.
Last seen in New Gods #12.
Lex Luthor - No actual appearance. Releases Copperhead from prison
as revealed in issue #7.
Guards at a San Francisco jail escorting Copperhead. One is named "Pete".
Unnamed butler at the Sinister Citadel - last seen in issue #1. Revealed
as an agent of Darkseid in this story.
Various minions of Mantis
Star Sapphire is first referred to as Camile in this issue.
Before stealing their lunch, the villains learn that in 1976, 5 cheeseburgers
and 2 fries cost $3.02.
The issue opens with an interlude in which Darkseid recounts events
thus far for Kalibak, one of his elite. He reveals that the Inter-Gang,
his previous servants on Earth, were inadequate and he has replaced them
with Secret Society. But Manhunter has turned the Society against him and
he has sent Mantis to deal with them. Intently, he and Kalibak watch the
Society's confrontation with Mantis unfold.
In the previous issue, Mantis has subdued Grodd and Captain Comet, leaving
Manhunter, Captain Cold and and Star Sapphire to face him. Captain Cold
is almost immediately neutralized as the battle begins again and Manhunter
and Star Sapphore are held at bay. Abandoning their comrades, the two make
good an escape, while Mantis reveals in his thoughts that he intends they
bring the rest of the Secret Society to face him. As they flee, Star Sapphire
makes her own way, claiming the villians act only for personal gain and
that defeating Darkseid was a job for super-heroes. She then sets off to
find one.
In a second interlude, 48 hours earlier, Copperhead is protesting his confinement
to his guards. He reveals the existence of the Secret Society and offers
to lead the guards to the Sinister Citadel in exchange for his release.
The guards dismiss the super-villain and leave him alone in his cell. Within
minutes, the cell wall is blown in by a sharp explosion and Copperhead
is delighted by the Secret Society's apparent rescue. He wails in despair,
however, when he learns the true identity of his liberator.
Meanwhile, Captain Boomerrang and Mirror Master steal lunch for themselves
at a local fast food establishment in their civilian identities. They reveal
their doubts about the Secret Society as they return to join their comrades;
Sinestro, Hijack and the Wizard. The villains begin to quarrel among themselves
only to be interrupted by Manhunter, returning to the Sinister Citadel.
As they listen intently, Manhunter brings them up to date regarding their
captured comrades. The villains agree to help Manhunter rescue their teammates,
though Sinestro and Wizard privately express disdain for this Earth. As
the villains leave, the butler is seen quietly observing the them in the
shadows.
High over San Francisco, Star Sapphire patrols the skies in search of a
hero. Green Lantern spots her and after a brief exchange of hostilities,
agrees to follow her to Mantis' lair. Before they arrive, Manhunter brings
the remaining Society members to Mantis' hideaway. After Mirror Master
hypnotizes the guards, the villains slip quietly into the underground facility
and surprise Mantis while he replenishes his energy stores. As the battle
is joined, Sinestro and the Wizard slip into the shadows. Hijack and Captain
Boomerang engage Mantis and his underlings while Mirror Master and Manhunter
release their captured comrades. The team then acts in concert and routes
Mantis, who escapes at the expense of his lackeys. As the villains savor
their victory, Darkseid watches intently from Apokolips. As they mock the
Lord of Apokolips, Darkseid declares that he and Kalibak shall journey to
Earth and settle affairs with the Secret Society for good.
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