Whatever scientific knowledge I have, it's the knowledge of a dilettante! I'm no expert, like Ray Palmer or Katar Hol! I'm a detective, a synthesist, a practical scientist, if anything... And this is a job for a theoretical genius! Still... It's my job, and I can't escape it just by wishing! I'm the Leaguer on monitor duty... And that makes it my responsibility, since I can't contact the others... And if I've learned anything in my years as a crimefighter... It's that a man can do whatever he must do. 
- — Batman
Justice League of America #170 is an issue of the series Justice League of America (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 1979.
Synopsis for "While A World Lies Burning"
While Green Lantern "covers" Superman's absence with a power ring-created duplicate, the Man of Steel leaves the JLA trial to deal with the worldwide disasters, only to be defeated by the Over-Complex. Back at the United Nations, Ultraa realizes he has been duped, and joins forces with the other JLA members to battle the alien, whose "Ernest Sloane" self is unmasked.
Wonder Woman locates the vanquished Superman, who reveals that the alien's true plan is to steal Earth's atmospheric hydrogen, but it is Batman, using a jet-cycle, who boards and sabotages the Over-Complex's disguised spaceship, and sends the alien hurtling out of the solar system.
Appearing in "While A World Lies Burning"
Featured Characters:
- Justice League of America
- Aquaman (Cameo)
- Atom (Cover only)
- Batman
- Black Canary II (Cameo)
- Elongated Man (Cameo)
- Flash II
- Green Arrow (Cameo)
- Green Lantern
- Hawkgirl (Cover only)
- Hawkman (Cover only)
- Red Tornado
- Superman
- Wonder Woman
- Zatanna (Cover only)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Over-Complex (Destroyed)
- Ernest Sloane
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
See Also