Three men laid cold on the tropic ground before him. Not dead, only unconscious. This was the price for defeat.

But to his surprise, he tasted the tinge of blood in his mouth, felt an aching in his body he had felt only sparsely since his earlier years -- He almost missed it. Still, he had little time to brood on these thoughts.

The poison evil of a man far from innocent had spread into the Bat's lair. Bane had his attention.

Overhead, a falcon flew by, and Batman couldn't help but follow it's body through the cloudless morning sky. Before it left sight, he had already found himself looking elsewhere. On the edge of the cliff nearby, there was a shifting of the air, and he smelled a familiar, bitter scent.

The breath left him as, for just a moment, the navy blue sky seemed to take form on the ledge. Ghastly figures were there, or so it seemed. A man and a woman, both noble and handsome, appeared to look on in stern distaste. Dissapointment. And all the aromas of times past drifted in.

His pipe. Books in the library, and how they smelled different when she read them. His sterile instruments of life and health. Her cooking when she'd refuse to let Alfred. His best night-coat. Her perfume, only for special occassions...

The smokey bite of gun powder. And a mix of blood, lead, and burning.

As soon as he realized it, it fled out, dispersing the vision and leaving him with only that strangely familiar odor. The Batman shook his head slowly.

"...Not now."

It wouldn't get in the way. It mattered, but he wouldnt' let it. Not while there was work to do.

	The World's Greatest Superheroes..... "All Good Soldiers" APPARITIONS TWO
JLA #4 - April, Year One	by Will Short

WASHINGTON, DC - The White House:

Here we go.

It's me...Just me. I'm not Superman, I'm not the Flash. I'm not J'onn -- I'm not even Green Lantern.

I'm just Ronnie Raymond. Firestorm. The Nuclear Man. And as much fun as this was until now, as much as I've seen with and without the Justice League...

Well I mean, just look. An entire army of people -- Or something -- That are supposed to be both completely gone and the same race as the Man of Steel himself. They're coming. We handled two of them on our own, even missing a few Leaguers, but...

FWOOOOOSH tkt tkt

Oh God. Oh my God. The ship they came in -- There are two more. And it looks like they're opening and...God, there's so many. It's like staring at a horrible metal egg that's just been smashed open -- And it's pouring its guts out on the White House.

Thousands of guts that can all bend steel with their bare hands. Leap tall buildings in a single bound.

Look. Up in the sky. Flying out into our little steel arena, with thanks to yours truly.

Wonder Woman's taking care of the female one -- Looks like she's managing pretty well. Then again, she's Wonder Woman, and I definitely am not the one in American flag bikini briefs. Each time they hit, we feel the shockwaves. I do, at least.

Another one is just over here in another little creation of mine. It's a kryptonite bubble -- The only thing to weaken guys like him. The others -- The ones that are here at least -- Can hold some of them off while I make more.

...That's a lot of kryptonite bubbles to make. And that's a lot of eyes staring my way...Or is it his way?

"...Urghhhn!"

The lug in the bubble's grunt sounded painful. When I look, they all do too. They don't look happy.

"Brother Non is captured by vermin. Let us show them obediance!"

And with that one phrase, they all start our way. I look around and see my back-up -- Wally. J'onn. Tornado. Atom. The new Green Lantern. Wonder Woman's busy, and we're all about to be. I'm sweating.

When I look back, they're still approaching, and I think I could grab a handful of the tension and swallow it. No seconds needed. It's terrifying. We're the JLA. I'm Firestorm.

But I look at Superman, over with the head guy -- General Zod, and their scientist guy. And his eyes...They're usually so big and blue. So wise and pure -- Strong. Like the eyes of God.

It's not just his powers being off today. He looks...Sad. Defeated.

And if Superman's given up, then I quit. What are they talking about there?

"Stand...I don't need to say it. Take what you can and do not be ashamed to ask for back-up, Kyle."

"Wha--? Dude, J'onn, why m--"

"Any of you."

Ladies and gentlemen, the Kryptonians have landed. Here comes the calvary.

"...All of us..."

THE MOON - JLA WATCHTOWER:

The boxy figures had circled like sharks appetizing for some time. The two they surrounded were almost back to back. In the near-dark, their metallic hides had little chance to shine. A stray column of light crept over a glass visor, like a mirror as it reflected the blonde man's bearded face.

Their circle shrank yet. The men could feel their cold closeness.

"Red Rockets."

In the darkness, waiting quietly, six sets of eyes watched on. There was a slight flame in the darkness that brought light to a pale bald head.

"Metamorpho."

They stepped forward, still dimmed, and the king didn't need to squint to see them.

"Steel. Red Rocket. Crimson Fox."

"Uh, hey man--"

"Vibe. Ice. And Red Rockets. Red--"

"I don't think it's psyching 'em out," Plastic Man said as his neck stretched. "Now 'REDRUM' -- That could maybe work." He guided his head close to one of the armored bodies, limp as though they were puppets strung along. Though he spun his head rapidly around, there was no reaction.

Aquaman stepped close to one himself and looked back at his team mate. "No -- That's what they're called. Were called. Red Rockets." The king's golden hook traced the symbol of a sickle and mace on passing armor. He looked up quickly to those waiting by.

"What's happening here, Rex? The last we heard you were...'Inert.' I can understand your coming back, but these others? And why?

"Two on the JLE. One was a good guy, one wasn't such a good guy," said Metamorpho in a cold voice.

"What?" Asked Aquaman.

"The Red Rockets. They were on the Europe team."

"Europe team?" Plastic Man asked, snaking his way around another husk.

Aquaman interrupted himself."The JLE -- Actually, forget it. Before your time, obviously."

"Hey, I'm before your time, fishlips. I was roamin' the streets when you were still -- Well, being raised by Flipper or whatever. I just have selective hearing--"

"Or selective knowledge. Or A.D.H.D. Anyway -- I still don't understand what's happening here, Rex--"

"A lot of 'em were killed in a run in with the Extremists*. Bet almost no one remembers."

"Okay," Said Aquaman as he stepped towards the barrier of Red Rockets. "I've had enough of this. Obviously someone with a much worse and more macabre sense of humor than Plastic Man--"

"--Hey!"

"--Has orchestrated this. So what are you? Robots? No, Martians. Other shapeshifters. Someone with telekinetics to move these suits around."

"The armor is no more empty than our goal of revenge," The Silver Sorceress revealed.

"Please," Aquaman said impatiently. He raised his hook to the nearest body, to its blank stare of a visor. "I'm sure there's nothing in them. They're just empty su-- Agh!" Such a bark of terror was rarely heard from the king.

Raised now, the visor revealed a drained, pale face -- Not rotting, but obviously dead. The man's eyes were wide open, his slacking mouth under a trimmed mustache. Aquaman recoiled immeadiately and they both watched in horror as it and the others continued their tightening ritual. The heroes, like the armor, remained silent.

"We never got a chance to shine," Vibe stated bitterly, "And guys like you -- Guys who talk to fish -- Are heroes."

"And vhat makes thees man any better than Ralph?" The Crimson Fox crouched and bared her teeth.

"At least I'm not acting like I'm a corpse, huh?"

"We're...It's not an act. We are dead," Ice said without conviction, looking away from the two in the middle. The circle tightened still, and again it was silent.

"...Can I call you 'Art?'" Plastic Man broke his quiet.

"What--? No. No," Scoffed the king. "--Why would you ask that?"

"Just 'cuz, y'know...

"I just wanted to tell -- I wanted to say, 'Art --'

"'I see dead people.' That's why."

It continued. Somewhere brighter, someone watched.

THE WHITE HOUSE - Outside:

"Hmph."

Looking down at his elaborate watch as he had done needlessly numerous times in the past hour, the blonde man stiffled a chuckle, something that went unnoticed by the bulk of people surrounding him.

In the glare of the watch's face, he saw a room on the moon full of dead men. Soon the vision swirled, clockwise of course, into what was occurring inside the steel barrier seperating the buzzing crowd from what occured inside.

They had all seen the ships descending onto the center of democracy. But this was for his eyes only. And Hank Hall smiled.

"Almost time now," He said to himself, and slowly began making his way towards the wall. A pale woman in a coat watched and followed. From a distance she saw the images on his watch's face.

A familiar yet battered red and yellow "S" could clearly be seen. She continued following.

INSIDE:

He'd considered himself "Clark Kent" for some time. Kal-El had always sounded a bit...Cold.

Inhuman.

If the dark, bearded man looming over Kal-El represented all of his race, Superman could understand why that name sounded that way. An untamable rage burned freely within him, and even through the body of his own father, Superman felt it. It sickened him.

"Zod, I-- I honestly cannot--"

"You can, Jor-El. You will. He is weak for a Kryptonian -- Like father like son. It should make for a close battle." Zod urged the scientist closer to the bruised body of hero.

"...It isn't neccessary," He pleaded. "I -- There is no way for him to be my brood. We are the same age, and Lara...You know Lara was left behi--"

"You must have misheard, Jor. You will. You were chosen for the Kryptonian Elite for your brain, but any god must show his way in battle. Do it."

"Zod--"

"DO. IT."

With half-lidded eyes, Superman looked up from his half-laying on the platform. He wanted to look down over his friends, to check on them. But for once he couldn't avert his keen eyes.

Jor-El stared awkwardly back at Kal-El. The father's blue eyes reflected a vague sadness. And then, slowly, his fist raised. His eyes closed. And...

THOOM

When his eyes opened again, Jor-El feared what he would see. But his covered hand had broken through the barrier of metal, and to the left laid a struggling, silently praying son. "Please," Superman said hoarsely. "You know...I can see it. You can see it -- You...Know..."

Zod watched from behind as Jor-El stood there. "They must learn obedience, Jor. We are without flaw here."

Jor looked down still. Gradually, sighing, he stayed his hand.

"...I can't. I don't know what is happening, or how this is possible -- But I still can't do it. We don't have to enslave them, Zod! They live just as we do!" A bitter look was returned, and Zod moved Jor-El like a chesspiece.

"You are weak, Jor-El. I would not have chosen you for the Elite. Now watch what true strength is -- Perhaps you will pick up on it while you watch me destroy your son."

Superman fought against Zod's hand as it gripped his costume's chest and picked him up. His eyes glowed a dull red, but the energy within fizzled before it could leak out.

"A disgrace."

THAK

"Come on, guys," Green Lantern said as much to himself as his pursuers. He flew swiftly with a number of Kryptonians in tow, matching each maneuver he made and continually gaining. "Come on," He repeated, sweating. "Just a little more, and--"

Suddenly Kyle stopped and rose higher, immeadiately willing a carnivorous plant to consume the soldiers as they flew in. The plant quickly became a large frisbee, still containing passengers, and with it connected to his ring Lantern spun in the air. The disc spun with him, and a cry welled up in him as he reached the end.

"--AgggHHH!" With all his will Kyle hurled the disc -- And when he looked after, he saw it spinning towards the large white building. "Aw, damnit!"

"Kyle, please," Martian Manhunter said. "We want to curb the damage -- Think about where you're going before you get there." He zoomed by a few times, dodging heat vision as well as he could. Soon his emerald body was no longer visible.

"Yeah! The center of democracy doesn't need your help getting destroyed right now, man," Flash added nearby, leading his own opponents on a chase.

"Focus. Please," was all J'onn said, and Wally fell quiet.

"--Fast as a trilogog!" One of the speedster's pursuers exclaimed.

"Whatever that is. Faster." With that, what was a red costume became a scarlet blur, and the Kryptonian who spoke experienced his first one hundred and one punches...Delivered in less than a second.

"Ahhgahdit'slikehittingsteel--" The Flash held his fist while the soldier took his own moment to recover.

In the shadow below Wonder Woman was a pile of a dozen odd soldiers of both sexes. She had two more to deal with, and looked around for a short second. "Kyle -- Some help please," she said in a voice he couldn't help but here.

"Uh? Oh -- Okay, I guess I'll take this one..." He flew over with a green eagle prepared. It took the male soldier in its talons and swallowed him whole. He could be seen in its solid-light stomach, pounding its walls.

"I thought you learned something from me last time, Kyle," Diana said effortlessly as she struck her female opponent thrice over and dodged blows.

"I did. Yours looks tougher than the guy," He said, and made blinders around the alien woman's eyes. "I'm just helping as needed."

"Thank you, Kyle."

"You can see this is going nowhere."

"I know, Tornado -- I know. I'm trying to think of something..." Atom rubbed his temples, riding on the shoulder of the Red Tornado. They both stared down a horde of soldiers approaching quickly.

"The Four Winds can only do so much when the sun itself powers them."

"Yeah, well...Let's see what I come up with while I do a little digging. Would you--?"

"Of course."

Atom free-fell from Tornado's shoulder, leaving the wind-conjuring android behind to stifle their attackers. He shrank as he fell, making sure of his landing place -- The head of a soldier.

Red Tornado looked down at the bodies he was holding back, waiting for his teammate to emerge. When he did, he rode a stray wind up yelling all the way. "--Not human! Not even Kryptonian!"

"What do you mean?"

"I got inside his head and there's...Nothing. I don't even know where I was! It was like -- Like another world, like ours, but the colors -- And everything was so slow--"

"I am sorry, but you said you would think of something?"

"Oh -- Oh yeah. Sorry buddy. Alright, let's see...

"Wait a minute. Okay. Your control over machinery?"

"Yes?"

"Well -- How does it do against alien technology?" Atom nodded towards the hovering ships above.

"Atom. No machine is alien to me. What do you propose?"

Directing the Tornado, who left a whirl of protective air behind, Atom answered. "Sabatoge."

"...'All good soldiers'....." Kyle said under his breath as he stared on distantly. The battle's waning light reflected in his eyes.

"What?" The Flash asked shortly.

"'All good soldiers crack like boulders.'"

"What the Hell's that? What are you--"

"It's a -- A Bad Religion song."

"You're quoting gospel? What hymns go like that?"

His eyes still drawn to the battle, Lantern shook his head slowly. "No hymns -- Bad Religion. It's a punk band. The song's 'All Good Soldiers.' It's--"

"Off 'Recipe For Hate,' during their 'slow period.'" Firestorm interjected, having hovered close to Kyle now to join his two peers.

Kyle turned his head and quickly shot him a look. "Dude -- You dig BR?"

"Yeah. The later stuff -- It really says something. Makes me want to play, too."

"Really? It's alright. I like the earlier albums though...So much raw energy."

"You still thought of the quote though. That's cool -- Very poetic."

"Yeah..."

There was a pause, and Kyle smirked as they watched on. A moment later, he let it out.

"That is cool."

"...Alright -- Sorry to break up...'American Bandstand' here, but we've still got stuff to do," Flash said shortly enough to catch Kyle's attention.

"What's up your--?" But already he was off in the direction of Red Tornado and the Atom, who had joined Wonder Woman at the Kryptonian ships.

"...Got to be something on those ships with info on these guys," The tiny scientist said from Tornado's shoulder. The android's eyes were glowing in their own usual way.

"A weakness besides kryptonite -- Or magic," Wonder Woman agreed.

"Hey, up there," Flash called to them. "What about -- I don't know how we'd do this, but what about red sunlight?"

Red Tornado nodded. "That would change all the Kryptonians, including Superman, from metahumans." He added, "How we would do so is a task in itself though."

"No, I know we can do that. I mean, we work on the moon. Wally, I need a ride to Firestorm--"

"No problem, little guy," Flash said, and he was running as soon as he felt the slight weight on his shoulder.

"That's really good thinking, Wally," Atom spoke into his ear. "I...didn't even consider that. How did you know--?"

"Uncle Barry was a great teacher. I used to think he told me too much about you guys, but it's been handy."

However, the only battle still raging on was that of Zod and the El family. As the Flash arrived by Firestorm's side, he and the others still watched, along with the others. "You guys still haven't--" Wally began.

"J'onn's been talking to them," Kyle said. They all looked over where the Martian Manhunter spoke, wise and with folded arms, to a good third of the Kryptonian Elite. "It looks like we've got some new recruits."

Wally wrinkled his brow. "He didn't -- 'Push' them, did he?"

"Nah," Kyle grunted.

"And I've got -- Sorry, we've got," Atom said, looking at the Flash, "A plan. Ronnie, you're going to be our architect again."

"Just give me the blueprints, Ray," he said, Atom again switching shoulders, and they were off high above the White House.

Kyle looked at Wally. "So we're J'onn's deputies. Ready for war?"

"There will be no war," a commanding, inhuman voice called above all other noise. Some present recognized it, and those who didn't still followed the sound, even the Els and General Zod.

"There will be change, and there will be chaos. But there will be no war. It will be one-sided -- Like a massacre."

Floating high above them all was a body entirely covered by costume. Mainly red, the face had blank eyes and a grim smile against black. A purple cape flowed behind.

"You are each, every one of you, pieces on my chessboard. The crisis has only begun," said the man known as Extant, "And even now it will soon be over."

Everyone watching was frozen. Only Green Lantern muttered to himself. "It just doesn't stop..."

THE MOON - JLA WATCHTOWER:

"This is pointless," Aquaman said, dodging the untamed punch of Steel. "You know that it was never like that, Hank -- If that is really you."

"It was always like that. You should get that," Steel replied, readying for more. Aquaman landed and simply stared at him.

"...What? What does that mean?" He was struck by Vibe from behind and fell to his hands and knees, shaken. Steel looked down at him.

"You know. You're Aquaman. You hang out with Superman, Wonder Woman...Don't you ever feel inadequate?"

"I'm the King of Atlantis," Arthur said through his teeth, hating to look up. "I don't have that sort of deficiency. You didn't either, when you were alive."

"Maybe. Or maybe we didn't say anything about it because old timers like you were around," Vibe told him. The king was silent but no less defiant.

"Do you really think people respect you as a Leaguer?" Steel asked. "You really think people are going to remember you? That they don't think you're just around because you're friends with a few people?"

"I..." Again, Aquaman had no answer.

"Yowza!" Plastic Man yelped with pain as Metamorpho's flaming body came closer. He bounced, as a ball, quickly away. "Not fair! Not fair! Five on one--"

"Don't talk to me about 'fair', pal," said the Elemental Man, the Crimson Fox at his leg. The Silver Sorceress was mid-air overhead, General Glory in the way of the red-and-flesh ball -- So he expanded.

"Make way," said Plastic Man, his body expanding like a balloon and pushing away his attackers. Before it could reach Aquaman and his own, Metamorpho called out.

"Ice!" And the white-haired Norweigan placed her small hands on Plastic Man's hide.

"Aghhh--!" he cried, shrinking painfully, until nearly at his normal shape he was stuck, pale and frightened. He couldn't speak nor move. Ice looked away quickly.

"Ralph vould have lasteed much longehr..."

"One more up here, a few more on Earth," Metamorpho said, walking with the others over to Aquaman, still down before Steel and Vibe.

"You honestly think you'll be able to take them? Superman? Batman?" asked Arthur.

"We've got help," Rex answered. The king was surrounded now.

"And I'm sure this other party won't somehow double-cross you or -- Unghh!"

A swift kick to his ribs made Aquaman cringe. "We thought you and this guy over here might understand," said Rex, on Aquaman's level now. "But you'll just help prove our point now. No one's gonna mourn Fishman and the Stretchy Clown."

Arthur looked up again, straining. "You...weren't ever this bitter, Rex. I feel sorry...for you....."

"Shut up!" Vibe kicked Aquaman in his back. "You're the one we're gonna -- Gonna..."

It sounded like melting wax, if you could hear that like some do.

"Gaghhhhh..." The noise flowed from his deforming mouth. They all watched on as Vibe lost shape, lost volume, and became a multi-colored puddle on the floor that evaporated with a bitter stench.

The other shades looked at each other, Aquaman watching. And it happened again -- And again.

Once Aquaman stood, there were six other puddles on the floor, each reflecting a face long lost to this world. He did feel sorry for them, and listened to their moaning ends.

"Please...Remember us, Arthur....." said the pure white and blue puddle of Ice, her beautiful face shining back at him. "Not like this -- Remember us, and...Forgive us.....

"...We're sorry..."

They were gone once more. He didn't know why, he didn't know how -- Honestly, he didn't much care at the moment. The statue-like body of Plastic Man beckoned, and for once the Watchtower was quiet inside.

"Let's go see what's happening with the others," said the king, lifting his still teammate with strong arms. "And if any one of them can thaw you out."

He stood in the doorway just for a moment, very still, very quiet. "

...Who will remember Fishman?"

The teleporter sounded soon, leaving the moon's sole building empty save for the lingering echoes of the forgotten.

WASHINGTON, DC - The White House:

"General Zod is no one's to be controlled," said Zod through bloody teeth. He hovered in the air beside the body of Extant, who was took little notice of the general.

"You are dead, and that's all you are. My little ghost to use against Superman and the others."

Zod stared at him gravely. "You...You're obviously insane. Another one of this world's 'protectors'. I have never died -- And I only will in battle."

"Truer words than you'll know for some time," Said Extant.

"S...Um.....Superman?" Jor-El asked quietly. "Who is this man?"

Superman stared out at the scene. "A hawk that fell from grace. And apparently, the cause of all this."

"Correct, Superman," Extant agreed. "It all happens like a play for me. Like a script -- One that I can both read and write. The bird should be arriving....Now."

"What the Hell is--" the voice of the Black Canary resounded. Her lithe form appeared, bounding from the steel wall and through the numbers to the center. "...Oh."

Extant smiled. "Indeed."

"Dinah, did you not recieve our signal--" began J'onn.

"I did. I got tied up, handled it, and got a 'port here as soon as I could..."

"Someone care to help here?" Aquaman appeared from another end of the crowd, carrying Plastic Man with him.

"What happened?" asked Kyle, making a small boat to bring the two over.

"A long story. He's frozen. Wally...?"

"On it," said the Flash, vibrating Plastic Man's bluish body back to color. Awake, his eyes popped out as far as possible.

"--NyaaaGHHH! I quit! I quit!"

"It doesn't look like now is the...right time," said Aquaman, studying the scene in awe.

Extant rubbed his covered chin and narrowed his eyes. "They were supposed to be taken care of. I did not foresee their arrival. I should have...But it's no matter."

"Isn't he dead?" Aquaman pointed his hook at the floating man, and recoiled quickly. "Nevermind."

"The JLA at full number is something to be dealt with, Hank," Superman called out. "Explain this charade and we can avoid--"

"You're not at full number," Extant interrupted. "The Batman still has to arrive. Three...Two..."

Before he reached "one", a gasp carried through the crowd inside and outside the barrier. Atop it stood a path of darkness, almost without shape. It stared out over everything with eyes that could tell all.

"...Early? How was I wrong...?" Extant said quietly.

Already Batman was walking through, a corridor made for him by parted soldiers. He approached slowly and reached his team. "You're late," Wonder Woman said.

"I had other business to take care of."

"Well, you missed the Krpytonians landing, among other things," said Firestorm, in the air with Atom in tow. Their plan had been abandoned, with good reason.

Batman studied the soldiers around him, and turned to one with an inquisitive tone. "You're Kryptonian?"

"...Y-Yes," he said, slight fear in his voice. Batman studied for a second more.

"No you're not."

"Of -- Of course I am! We came from--"

"This is ridiculous. Krypton exploded years ago."

"It was only this cycle that we lost our--"

"Tell me something," Batman said close to the soldier's sweating face. "If you're Kryptonian, why are you speaking English?"

Wonder Woman gave J'onn a look that he returned, both almost smiling. Jor-El sought Superman's word, but he only had a cold, "...Extant has plenty to answer for." And Zod, as usual, flared red.

"We are the Kryptonian Elite! No human will take that away from--"

"Silence," said Extant. "They're all here now. You've served your purpose."

Anyone looking could see the confidence Extant had as he raised his hand, glowing with stray energy. Its light shone stronger until none could see through a short flash -- And when they could see again, none could miss the look of utter shock Extant had.

"He couldn't have screwed up when he hit me?" Atom asked, and Red Tornado answered nearby.

"...Something beyond nature is resisting his power. I have felt the presence before. We all have."

The Kryptonians' ships were gone, as were most of their number. But soldiers remained, at least a quarter of them, including Jor-El and General Zod. Extant held his hands close to his face. "What...That's not possible. I sent them away -- All of them away..."

Moving his hands, he looked down and saw the unhappy faces of twelve individuals, along with those of a small army. In the distance the steel wall had dissappeared though he hadn't willed it to. The crowd still watched from a distance.

"My power..." Extant said weakly. A fierce bearing of his teeth dismissed it. "No. I am in control!" His body began to grow, larger and larger until a giant stood before them all. "I am--"

"No." The voice was a female's, but they couldn't so easily define it like that. It was resonant and ethereal, shining like white diamond. Extant's face again showed shock, and heavy footsteps could be heard approaching.

"No one can control Chaos. Not even you."

And then she was there, in light blue and white, flowing white hair behind. Beautiful, striking, and just as looming as Extant himself. His complete opposite -- In a state of complete order.

"Is that...?" Firestorm began, but stopped himself. He knew. It could be felt.

The two behemoths stared into each other. "Hank," Said the pale woman.

"Dove..."

Hi. This is Kyle Rayner...Some of you might know me as Green Lantern. On the other hand, some of you might never even accept me by that name.

It doesn't really matter -- I've gotten used to it...Well, except for some of those guys on the DC message boards.....

Anyway, I'm not here for that. I'm here 'cause Will, the dude who's been pulling me and the JLA's strings for the past three issues, is pretty busy, from what I hear. So, being the caring, giving friend that I am, I said I'd answer his mail, at least for a while.

And lo and behold, the first letter we've got here is by a guy I call "Master"...That is, Russ Anderson, author of the best title ever, GREEN LANTERN!

"Will,

Re: JLA #1

And here we are. I called your Avengers run a "conscious departure" from what you'd been known for writing in the past, but this... this is the goods, m'friend. You're obviously much more comfortable with these characters than with Marvel's A-team, and it shows in every line. Great characterization, snappy dialogue, and interesting character interaction all around. I'm looking forward to reading #2 and finding out who makes the cut."

I think Will's a little more comfortable and knowledgeable with us JLAers...Don't ask me why though. With people like Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Batman on the team, I figured he'd be sorta nervous. Then again, he does have a lot of greener guys -- Pun not intended -- Like yours truly.

"Now for some specific points:

I know I get on you a lot about overblown narration, using bigger and more words than you have to in order to get a point across. There was almost none of that evident in this issue. The only time you came close to going overboard was the opening scene with the Flash, where you ALMOST over-explained and over-dramatized the little girl dropping her doll. But that's a minor gripe, and who's to say what's 'wrong' and what's just your own distinctive style? Don't let me stifle you, buddy, cause it sure didn't bother me much."

I'm all about artistic expression myself, Russ, I'm sure ya know, and I think Will goes off the deep end a little too much sometimes. He's doing sorta better, but if he gets out of line again, I don't want to be the one to tell him -- I've heard horror stories about what he can do to characters, and with the way my predacessor was handled.....

"As for the mysterious bad guy with eyes all over the place, my vote is for Dr. Evil (hey, the cat gives it away!). If not him, maybe Luthor (tho if that armor is the same armor I'm thinking of, it should set off Supes' warning bells, since he's seen it before--in issue #4 or #5 of the Man of Steel mini-series)."

Yeah, baby, yea-- Sorry. Really, I'm sorry. I seriously hate people who do Austin Powers impressions. The way things turned out, I guess Luthor's made some adjustments in the...Well, I dunno how long, with time paradoxes and all.

"Your Diana and Arthur interaction was brilliant. Diana's the only one who can bring out the human being in Aquaman, and you get this point across great."

Should I be concerned about Lois's sickness? I mean, if it wasn't just a flu bug, Supes could tell, couldn't he?"

Wonder Woman interacts pretty well with a lot of people, I think, but that Aquaman guy...I don't think anyone's sure about him. For a while I thought they might just throw down and fight, but after reading that, I wasn't sure either!

As far as I'm concerned, Supes can do anything, and even though I don't know who Lois is, I bet you could find out in SUPERMAN by that Dino Pollard weirdo.

"All in all, it's obvious you're having fun on this book in a way I haven't seen you have fun since the House of Magic series (and here's hoping we can get all the core titles up and running ASAP so we can see a return for that title at JLU). Keep up the great work, and I'll let you know what I think of subsequent issues as they appear.

Russ"

Don't really know about many houses either, but I guess that comes with the territory. I'm sure Will would want me to thank you for such a great letter -- And hey, he wrote us one too, buddy!

Now on to the last letter, this time from Des Davies, the very, very...Very lucky writer of WONDER WOMAN. Razzafrazza-commitment.....

"Will takes up the story immediately following DC's first four issues of its current JLA run. He even uses the same plotline as they used - a membership tryout.

I have no idea how DC handled this as I only bothered to read the first four issues. However, I fully enjoyed the way Will handled this. The primary focus of both issues was character interaction, both of the Magnificent 7 and the trialists. Have to say that this made the issues for me. Each of the characters was introduced to the readers without going through an hour long backstory. However, we got just enough to begin to get a feel for the heroes and their personalities. I also liked the series of tests and trials used and the battle at the end. Batman's comments to Wonder Woman about the combat test were worth the price of the isses alone."

With all these crazy gods and kids and maniacs running around -- Twelve of 'em, plus guests -- I bet Will sees character interaction up there with plot and all that good English stuff. I was thankful for the short explanations too, but those tests were pretty rough...Thank God I didn't have to do any.....

"The final choices for new members were logical and while I'm not going to reveal them, I will say that they will add more dimension to the team."

Something like that...Still, the masses have gotta be cryin': "Where's Connor?!?"

"I'm stretching for a complaint here, but I'd say that it would that Will has set a very high standard for the rest of us to match up to with these two issues.

Don't miss this series.

Thanks,
Des"

Again with the praise! You know that only makes him want to write more and faster. I bet you guys will be reaching that standard, though...Especially with Wonder Woman. Will, I'm sure, thanks both Des and Russ very much for the reviews.

And for Russ: Will wanted me to tell you he's sorry he's using your character for such a goofy, stupid thing, but he said it probably wouldn't last more than a few issues and he promised he'd bring me back in perfect shape...And even clean me for free!

I just hope he doesn't turn on to writing me enough to dib the book...*shudder*