JLA: Earth 2
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JLA: Earth 2 was written by Grant Morrison with art by Frank Quitely in 2000 and published by DC Comics.
It follows the first post-Crisis encounter between the Justice League of America (JLA) and their evil counterparts from an antimatter universe, The Crime Syndicate of Amerika (CSA).
[edit] Plot summary
Alexander Luthor, the lone hero from the Antimatter universe breaks the barrier between Earths 1 and 2, seeking the JLA's help. He kidnaps and takes the place of his evil positive counterpart. While this is happening the JLA investigate a plane crash where all the (dead) passengers had their hearts on the right side of their bodies and have money bearing the slogan "In Mammon We Trust" and the face of Benedict Arnold. Eventually it leads them to Alexander Luthor, where he informs them of the other Earth and asks for 48 hours of their time to help the oppressed world. The JLA (minus Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter who stay behind) follow Luthor into the other Earth.
Meanwhile, the Crime Syndicate are introduced. Each is clearly an evil counterpart of a JLA member, bearing striking similarities to that member in their powers, appearance and/or origin. Ultraman calls a meeting and discovers Luthor's absence, unaware that Luthor and the JLA are conspiring against them. Ultraman begins to plot a takeover of the positive matter Universe, while Power Ring and Johnny Quick begin to surmise the possibilities of opposite versions of themselves.
After assuring that all five CSA members are within their moon-based headquarters, Green Lantern forms a force field around the moon, trapping the CSA.
The JLA and Luthor begin to set the world right, with the JLA amazed at the backwards history and corruption of the people on this Earth. Batman, in particular, is busy clearing Gotham City of its crime with his antimatter father, police Chief Thomas Wayne. In contrast to the positive universe Thomas Wayne, Chief Wayne survived the famous shooting that spawned Batman, while Bruce and his mother were killed. In this universe, Bruce had a brother, Thomas Jr., who blamed his father for the deaths and became Owlman out of revenge. The ruthless crimelord Boss Gordon is also captured and brought to justice.
Still trapped on their lunar Panopticon, Owlman correctly concludes that 24 hours after the JLA appears on the antimatter Earth, the CSA will automatically appear on the positive Earth in order to appease a dimensional equilibrium. When this occurs, the CSA attack the White House and destroy much of Washington DC. Soon after, the CSA are easily subdued by Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter, who take down the most powerful members with startling ease.
Meanwhile, the JLA's heroic attempts to reform the alternate Earth unravel quickly; the 'opposite' nature of this world means that evil and corruption are the natural order of things - and any attempt to improve the society will, by definition, fail. This is also revealed to be the reason why the CSA fell so easily to Aquaman and Martian Manhunter; justice is destined to prevail on the positive Earth.
It is revealed that Luthor has been manipulated the whole time by Ultraman's servant, the antimatter Brainiac. Luthor's actions will unintentionally result in the two earths merging into the same space and destroying each other. Brainiac anticipated this and has prepared himself to collect the energy released by the destroyed Earths, evolving into an "Nth Level Intelligence" and essentially becoming a god.
Upon attempting to stop the collision, Superman discovers to his horror that the Anti-Brainiac is in fact a biological organism. Superman's code against killing prevents him from harming Brainiac; he realizes that "evil" is destined to win. Taking note that only evil could win on the CSA Earth, Superman and Wonder Woman refrain from trying to defeat Brainiac themselves; essentially doing something bad on purpose. This rule, however, does not apply to their evil counterparts.
Flash switches the teams back to their respective Earths. Upon arrival, a vengeful Ultraman gives Brainiac a laser-vision lobotomy to ensure he never poses a threat again. The two Earths return to their own spaces where each team ponders their counterparts on the other side of the dimensional barrier.
[edit] Characters
[edit] See also
- Earth-Two, DC's main universe of this name containing their Golden Age storylines
- Earth-Three, the original (pre-Crisis) basis for Earth 2
- Qward, DC's pre-Crisis anti-matter universe
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