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]
Zatanna switches them back
Issues
- Secret Society of Super-Villains #15
- Justice League of America #166
- Justice League of America #167
- Justice League of America #168
Recommended Reading
- Secret Society of Super-Villains #15
- Identity Crisis
- Villains United
- Infinite Crisis
- JLA: Crisis of Conscience
Links and References
- ↑ After the events of Secret Society of Super-Villains #15
- ↑ Identity Crisis #3
  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. The League That Defeated Itself
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Crossovers
Adventures of Superman #636 • Adventures of Superman #644 • Firestorm #6 • Flash #214 • Flash #215 • Flash #216 • Flash #217 • Green Arrow #52 • Green Arrow #54 • Green Arrow #55 • Green Arrow #56 • Green Arrow #57 • JLA #115 • JLA #116 • JLA #117 • JLA #118 • JLA #119 • JSA #67 • Teen Titans #20 • Teen Titans #21 • Teen Titans #22 • Teen Titans #23 |
 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. |