Action Comics Vol 1 842



Back in Action Part 2: Action & Reaction


 * "Plus, if I didn't study my principles of architectural function -- I only got to fight gomers like Tweedledum and Tweedledee, while Batman got all the cool rogues."
 * --Nightwing

Summary
Volume: 1 Issue: 842 Month: October Year: 2006

Credits
Editor: Matt Idelson Assistant Editor: Nachie Castro Writers: Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza Cover Artists: Dave Gibbons and Moose Baumann Art: Pete Woods Colorist: Brad Anderson Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano

Synopsis
Cast of Characters: Auctioneer, Cyborg, Wonder Girl (Cassandra Sandsmark), Robin (Tim Drake), Ravager (Rose Wilson), Kid Devil, Superman, Flash (Bart Allen), Wonder Woman, Batman, Mister Terrific (Michael Holt), Firestorm (Jason Rusch), Blue Jay, Skyrocket, Veteran, Livewire, Aquaman (Arthur Joseph Curry). First Appearances: No first appearances Final Appearances: No final appearances Synopsis: Superman is in San Francisco, where he helps the Teen Titans prevent the Auctioneer from stealing Alcatraz. The Auctioneer is fascinated with Superman, and shifts his attention to capturing Earth's costumed super-heroes and super-villains. The Man of Steel and the Titans are teleported away, their bodies converted into digital data. The media covers the event while also casting doubt on whether or not the recently returned Superman is the real deal.

At the White House, the President and his military advisors discuss the threat. One advisor argues that they should allow the metahumans to be taken, as it would be ridding them of many criminals. However, another advisor strongly advises against that strategy, saying that it is their duty to protect the many metahumans who are American citizens, and that they stand little chance at ending the threat without the aid of the metahumans, especially Superman.

Mr. Terrific sends out an alert to other heroes warning them about the possibility of being snatched up. It is received by Nightwing and Firestorm, who board one of the Auctioneer's flying robots in hopes of reaching wherever the kidnapped heroes and villains are being kept. They are successful, and arrive at the packaging facility just as Superman, Blue Jay, Skyrocket, Veteran, Livewire, and Aquaman are able to free themselves of their prison. However, there is a power-damping system in place that has removed most of their powers.

The small crew fights several robots and bickers about who should be their leader. Nightwing is able to access the aliens' computer system, and Livewire, who has limited use of her powers, is able to transmit a video feed of their situation to the world. Mr. Terrific, back at the JSA headquarters, is able to access the schematics of the alien facility through Livewire's feed, and directs the group to a power bay, where they can turn off the power-damping field. However, they have to first disrupt the power core to get through, leaving only a seven-second window until the backup systems bring it back online.

Superman leaps into the air, falling toward the power-damping controls, trusting that his companions will be able to turn off the power core at the right time.