- First blood goes to them, but now it's our turn. My suggestion is this: we make plans, we move fast and we hit hard. This is war!
- — Batman
Millennium Edition: JLA #1 is a one-shot with a cover date of March, 2000.
Synopsis for "Them!"
This story is reprinted from JLA #1.
A group of aliens calling themselves the Hyperclan come to Earth professing to be galactic saviors. Having witnessed their home world suffer great ecological destruction, they seek to prevent the same thing from happening on other worlds. The general populace of Earth immediately ingratiate themselves to the Hyperclan, but members of the super-hero community have concerns over the team's seeming generosity. To demonstrate their pledge to heal the Earth, the Hyperclan use their powers to turn the barren Sahara Desert into a veritable Eden.
The Hyperclan also lend their power to the cause of law enforcement. However, instead of incarcerating criminals, they execute them. This is also supported by the general public.
Before long though, the Hyperclan begin to take offensive action against those who might threaten their goals; specifically the Justice League. The Hyperclan ambush the League aboard their satellite, completely tearing through the sides of the structure. The escape shuttle pods are useless, so Metamorpho encases the entire team and jettisons himself from the satellite before it explodes entirely. The League members survive the planet fall to Earth, but they all suffer severe injuries. Metamorpho is rendered inert, possibly dead.
Afterward, Protex, leader of the Hyperclan erects a watchtower structure in the icy plains of Antarctica named Z'onn Z'orr.
Earth's most potent super-heroes meet up at the old League Secret Sanctuary in Rhode Island where they see a news report from WGBS praising Protex. Realizing that the Hyperclan are a threat, they discuss new strategies. Batman arrives and tells them to prepare for war.
Appearing in "Them!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Hyperclan (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Aquaman (Cover only)
- Bill Clinton
- Doctor Doom (Cameo) (Apparent Death)
- Judgment (Dies)
- Linda Park (Cameo)
- Helena Sandsmark (Cameo)
- Cassandra Sandsmark (Cameo)
- Wolverine (Cameo) (Apparent Death)
- Doctor Polaris (Mentioned only)
- Fire (Mentioned only)
- Firehawk (Mentioned only)
- Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) (Mentioned only)
- The Joker (Mentioned only)
- Kanjar Ro (Mentioned only)
- Teen Titans (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Justice League Refuge
- Earth
- Africa
- Antarctica
- Z'onn Z'orr (First appearance)
- United States of America
Items:
Vehicles:
- Justice League Refuge (Final appearance)
Notes
- This issue is a reprint of JLA #1.
Trivia
- All four issues of this story-arc are named after famous Sci-Fi movies from the 50's. This issue is entitled "Them!" after the 1954 Gordon Douglas film which featured giant-sized mutant ants.
- Cameo appearances by Doctor Doom and Wolverine in this issue. They are both seemingly killed by the Hyperclan. Both characters are the property of Marvel Comics.
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Justice League Recommended Reading
- Justice League of America (Volume 1)
- Justice League of America (Volume 2)
- Justice League of America (Volume 3)
- Justice League of America (Volume 4)
- Justice League of America (Volume 5)
- JLA (Volume 1)
- Justice League (Volume 1)
- Justice League (Volume 2)
- Justice League (Volume 3)
- Justice League (Volume 4)
- Justice League International (Volume 1)
- Justice League International (Volume 2)
- Justice League International (Volume 3)
- Justice League Europe (Volume 1)
- Justice League America (Volume 1)
- Justice League Task Force (Volume 1)
- Justice League Quarterly (Volume 1)
- Justice League Dark (Volume 1)
- Justice League Dark (Volume 2)
- Extreme Justice (Volume 1)
- Justice League Elite (Volume 1)
- Justice League Odyssey (Volume 1)
Links and References
- JLA series index at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Justice League of America article at Wikipedia
- Justice League of America article at Wikipedia
- JLA page at DC Comics
- The Captain's Unofficial Justice League Home Page
- Cosmic Teams: Justice League