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While the other members attend Sindella's funeral, Red Tornado is ambushed in the JLA satellite by the Secret Society of Super-Villains, who materialize in the transporter, following their escape from Earth-Two.

The League that Defeated Itself is a 1979 storyline in Justice League of America (Volume 1). It later became the first episode in the Mindwipes Storyline, culminating in Identity Crisis and JLA: Crisis of Conscience.

Synopsis

While the other members attend Sindella's funeral, Red Tornado is ambushed in the JLA satellite by the Secret Society of Super-Villains, who materialize in the transporter, following their escape from Earth-Two.[1]

When the Justice League heroes attack, the Secret Society members are able to switch bodies with them, using an ancient griffin statue with mystical attributes. The Wizard becomes Superman, Blockbuster becomes Batman, Reverse-Flash becomes Green Lantern, Star Sapphire becomes Zatanna, and Floronite Man becomes Wonder Woman, while the defeated heroes take on the appearances of the five villains.

Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Zatanna, now in the bodies of the Secret Society members, escape imprisonment aboard the JLA satellite, and attempt to return to their true forms. Using the super-villains' powers, they overcome Red Tornado (who naturally mistakes them for the real villains) and learn the location of the Secret Society headquarters from an incarcerated former member, Hijack. However, their attack is foiled by the appearance of the remaining Justice League heroes, who have been alerted by the five villains masquerading as members. All the heroes-turned-villains are captured, except Zatanna, who escapes in the guise of Star Sapphire.

The Secret Society of Super-Villains, including The Wizard, Floronic Man, Star Sapphire, Reverse-Flash, and Blockbuster, captures JLA members Superman, Batman, Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Zatanna and Wonder Woman and switches bodies with the heroes.

It is later revealed (in Identity Crisis) that the villains learned the JLA members' secret identities. After which, Zatanna erases the villains' memories of the incident and the secret identities.[2]

Justice League of America Vol 1 168 002

Zatanna switches them back


Issues


Recommended Reading

Links and References


Zatanna 014
Mindwipes Storyline
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The events from this issue or series are related to the Mindwipes Storyline, and/or any of its surrounding events, including the League That Defeated Itself, Identity Crisis, and Crisis of Conscience. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the Mindwipes Storyline category.

Identity Crisis 001
Identity Crisis Crossover
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The events from this issue or series are related to Identity Crisis, a crisis in themes of morality and identity for the Justice League of America, beginning when a mysterious killer starts targeting the families of heroes. This template will categorize articles that include it into the Identity Crisis crossover category.

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Justice League Storyline
This event or storyline is specifically related to the Justice League of America, or to any other incarnations of the Justice League. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the Justice League Storylines category.
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