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JSA
Times Past, 1943
Acts of Vengeance
Earth year: 1914.
The planet Krypton's skies were slowly losing their red hues. The time displaced pioneers of Krypton's ancient past had not been seen in several cycles. Jor-L was relieved. He bounded homeward through the futuristic streets. His typical Kryptonian muscles carried him well above the city streets. He ignored the greetings of old friends, as his thoughts were otherwise occupied. The cosmic crisis that had turned the skies redder than ever before and had opened odd time displacement warps across the world had passed... or so he hoped.
Reaching home, he hugged Lora, his lovely wife of only a short span. "Oh, Jor! Is this terrible event over? May we dare plan to start a family after all?"
He reassured his young wife with a boyish grin. "My love, after so long we are safe from disruption. I do think we may plan a family now."
"But, Jor... is it morally right to bring a frail new life into a universe in turmoil?"
"Lora, the universe is not sentient. It is not just evil or just good. Rao gives us both. Think of the 'Superman' who helped us when the K.B.I. tried to arrest us for treason. He was not of this world, yet he was a truly noble man. There are many like him out there. I hope he is home and well."
"Yes, yes! You are right; he was a hero's hero. I still shudder at the thought of that battle with the Superman! He saved us, but it was a close thing."
Jor-L hugged his wife, and life went on for the young couple, at least for a few more years.
As the sky altered once more to normal, a final odd quirk occurred. One of the satellites that orbited the planet Krypton lost its orbital path and moved through one disappearing time warp that faded with the Crisis. It vanished, along with its entranced occupant, to reappear...
1942.
Alexei Luthor worked furiously in his lab; his enemy might find him at any point, and his work was vital. He watched as a huge projectile was fired with precise accuracy into the red skies above. In the streets, the red haired killer heard... Indians? The madness was closer. He hurried and his sphere reached its zenith miles above in the space around the Earth. It drew cosmic energy inside its shell and miraculously returned at the call of its creator like a trained dog. Luthor laughed in glee as it slid into a huge container and released its space-borne energy under carefully controlled conditions. All was well.
He heard noises and saw a few costumed figures in the streets. Some he knew... others were unknown even to him. He weighed his options and made a decision. This project could not be ruined through improper haste. No jail could truly hold him long. That was proven by history.
Luthor checked the large machines. All was well. He slipped on his coat and prepared to meet his fate, whatever form it would take, among the figures outside. He would leave his lab secured and his "project" in silent gestation. An odd word to use, but so fitting in this case. Luthor exited and the lab hummed its lonely condition in even pitch.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 1
The odd Kryptonian satellite settled into space, then passing through the red hued holes, it made its way from pre-World War I Krypton (by Earth time) through the warping skies to Earth of 1943. It was drawn there either by destiny, the burning hatred of its occupant, or merely by a powerful gravitic pull, if you prefer to think in terms of science alone.
The bald man who watched it land in his spacious New York lab was a scientific genius; however, he also had a poetic, imaginative flair. He would have to have such an outlook to have given himself the grandiose nom du crime of Alexander the Great.
He let his same gravity ray open the satellite, and eagerly rushed forward, for he had no idea just what precious cargo he had snared with his interstellar "fishing lure". A powerfully built man with the fierce black eyes of a prophet or a dictator emerged. His slightest movement sent him bounding across the room, and his merest touch shattered metal. He stroked his white beard and looked around.
"Where in Rao's name am I? Who has freed me from that mindnumbing tomb?" he shouted.
"I am Alexander the Great. I am your liberator. This is Earth. Who are you?"
"I am Kil-Lor -- leader of men, man of destiny! I find this world gives me added strength, and I can almost fly! How is it so?"
"Our atmosphere must give you these powers. You seem to be a virtual superman!" mused the excited Alexander as he considered the possibilities.
"What did you say? Superman? That name is the name of my hated foe. He cost me my bid for the rule of Krypton! He was some alien to Krypton. I would gladly risk all to cause his death!"
"Superman? Here's a newspaper, the Daily Planet. This is the man we call by that name."
"That is the mongrel who bested me!" said the angry warlord as he saw a photograph of the hero. "Let me go to him, and I shall slay him!"
A brilliant idea came to Alexander then. "No," he said. "Allow me to talk this world's ways over with you, friend. If you aid me against my own enemy, the Hawkman, I'll help you see Superman die! And think, would it not be more just to take all from this man that ruined you? We could easily contact others with like passions. Together we could first plan the end of his friends. That would hurt him, weaken him for your final victory. Does that not seem appealing?" asked the genius.
"Done!" thundered Kil-Lor. "As a man of war, I leave such subtle planning to others. You are a fine ally. Summon these others, and we shall take our acts of vengeance!"
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 2
JOHNNY THUNDER
A dark and stormy night raged outside the Darling Department Store, where a tired Johnny Thunder was just finishing a late night shift as store elevator operator.
"Gosh, I'm beat! Those midnight madness sales may make Mr. Darling happy, but they sure cut into my time to date his daughter Daisy. Say, maybe that's his plan!" mused the blond hero.
As Johnny exited his place of employment, he yawned and noticed something he came across surprisingly frequently: a damsel in distress. A dark haired beauty was being menaced by a drunken thug in front of the store.
"Hey, leave a girl alone," he said. "You oughta know better than to be such a heel!"
The huge brute frowned and turned to face the rescuer. His female victim gasped in dismay. "I'll moider ya!" he yelled.
"Not with two left feet!" said Johnny as he tripped the lunging thug.
He hit the pavement and staggered drunkenly to his unsteady feet, then swung at Johnny, who ducked and pushed his foe with both hands spread out in front of him. The thug rolled over a garbage can and stayed still.
"Curb pick up is on Mondays!" laughed Johnny. "Are you okay?" he asked the raven tressed girl.
Her smouldering eyes glared in the stormy night's lightning flash. "Thanks to you," she said in a heavy accent. "You rescued me. I must take you home to my father; he worries so and he will want to reward you."
"Not necessary," said Johnny. "But I will see you safely home if you like."
"I am Dala. That will be wonderful."
"I am Johnny Thunder," he said as they walked off. The clouds gathered heavy and low and thunder crashed above in an ominous prelude.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 3
JOHNNY THUNDER
Johnny followed Dala into the wooded area outside the city to a creepy old house on a hill. This place needs some work, thought Johnny.
He and Dala entered the gloomy place as the storm raged on. "This is my home. My father shall join us shortly. Please be seated," she said, and then wandered away.
Wish this place had a radio or something, thought Johnny.
Then two figures emerged from the alcoves on each side. They were hunched forward like beasts, and growled viciously.
Johnny saw them clearly in the flickering candle light. "They're werewolves!" he yelled. "Hungry, too!"
They howled their passion to the skies and closed in on him.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 4
JOHNNY THUNDER
Johnny ran from the fierce beastmen and called out, "Say you!"
The pink T-bolt who answered this very specific magic summons and obeyed Johnny's every command appeared instantly. "You rang, O Master with the most?" he answered.
"T-bolt, can you tame these creeps?" he asked.
The pink Thunderbolt flashed, and the snarling Werewolves cringed and cowered before him. "I can keep them at bay all night," he said.
"I know -- make them a silver cage!" said Johnny. The silvery cage now created by the magical Thunderbolt contained the beasts who shunned contact with the metal sides.
Dala appeared again and said, "Ah, you met father's pets. I do hope they didn't alarm you."
"Alarm me? They tried to eat me! There's a leash law in this city, and I'll bet it applies to Transylvanian imports, too!" yelled Johnny.
Dala merely glanced upward to the top of an old staircase. There at its head stood a sinister figure wrapped all in voluminous red robes and a red hood that hid his features.
"I am the Master Monk. You are my prey," he said in an evil voice.
"This whole set up smelled from the start. I was just too tired to think it out... but I'm wise to your Lugosi games now!"
The Monk stared at him with fiery red eyes that burned through the darkened house. "Your will is mine now. You will do as I order and you will not speak again!" ordered the Monk.
"Uh-oh!" said the T-bolt.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 5
JOHNNY THUNDER
The Master Monk glared through Johnny, who shuddered, and, to the T-bolt's delight, turn his head and yelled, "Say, you know I am immune to that evil eye stuff as of now, right, T-bolt?"
"Right as rain!" said a pleased Thunderbolt. "Didn't know you would look away so fast! Nice work, boss!"
"I've seen a few horror movies before," explained Johnny as he started backward from the suddenly charging Master Monk.
"Face this, then!" said the red villain. A massive ape suddenly appeared from a passageway, roaring loudly, and bounded toward Johnny, grabbing him effortlessly.
"I've seen this film and I don't care about seeing the Empire State Building," joked Johnny. "T-bolt -- shrink this big ape!"
"Consider him shrunk," said the pink Thunderbolt. Amazingly enough, the ape did indeed dwindle to doll size.
"Alright! Now for that Karloff pretender," said the now fired-up Johnny Thunder.
The Master Monk was upon him instantly, his fangs tearing for Johnny's neck and his throat being torn at by the Monk's clawed nails. "Now I feast," said the vampire.
"Not if... I can just shed some light... T-bolt -- make it daytime!" he gasped.
A blazing noon sun shone through the old house's broken windows, and a now-dismayed Monk screamed... and turned to dust! The caged werewolves transformed into dazed men, and Dala crumbled to dust as well.
Johnny got up and joined his magical Thunderbolt. "Thanks! That was too close. I guess we'd better free these poor guys and then go to bed."
"As you wish, John!" said the happy Thunderbolt.
Johnny was eagerly brought home, and then he gasped. "Oh no! By making it day already, I'm now late for work!" he sighed.
Elsewhere, Kil-Lor raged to Alexander. "I thought you said that vampire could kill Thunder for us. We even had that alchemist restore him from the ashes Batman left him in! Now my vision shows the boy beat him. Do we try again?"
Alexander replied, "Thunder may be a problem, but let's still have the alchemist restore Monk again. He may be of use yet... and if not, you can easily kill the meddlesome Johnny yourself."
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 6
THE FLASH
Joan Williams was overdressed for the Keystone City Youth Center. Her blonde hair was elegantly upswept, her make-up was perfect, and her red evening gown with a high slit matched her high heels to costly perfection. She walked into the gym, her high heels clicking, where she saw a group of happy boys playing basketball with a boyish, lanky man who clearly was lost in the fun.
"Now, fellas, this is the way we did the ol' double play tactic, back in the ancient dusty days when I was a boy!" he said. They laughed as he demonstrated a quick hoop toss.
"Mr. Garrick, I believe you forgot the time. We're expected at Daddy's dinner with the Mayor," said Joan as she tapped a high heel in mock irritation.
"Oh, gosh, sorry, Joannie! I'll be dressed in... you know how fast!" said an apologetic Jay Garrick.
The boys were laughing at a small blond boy who barely seemed big enough to play with the other older kids. "Aw, Zack can't even hit the basket. He's a baby!" said one kid.
The small boy frowned, and his face went red. "Joan, just give me one second," pleaded Jay, seeing this.
Zack tossed the ball, and it swooped up and fell short of the basket... until a blur that had been the still Jay seconds ago caught it and slammed it through the basket at invisible speed.
"You did it, Zack!" crowed a boy as they slapped the little smiling blond on the back.
"I did it!" he beamed.
"Knew you could, Zack!" said Jay as he escorted Joan out. Joan laughed. Jay had such a good heart that it was hard to stay mad at him for long. "Just needed to give little Zack some extra self-confidence," he explained.
Back in seconds, dressed in his best tuxedo, he and Joan made their way to the head table, where Major Williams was being honored by the Mayor.
As the speakers extolled the gruff Major Williams, a desperate figure staggered in. He was flushed, and sores covered his entire face and hands.
"Jay, he's seriously ill!" cried Joan.
"Some kind of plague," voiced the Mayor as the man fell in front of him.
"He's burning up," said a concerned Jay.
"There's a note," said Mayor Miles. "It reads: 'The plague is in your city now. Can you stop it from reaching your heart? Dr. Poison.' "
Jay watched as the medics whisked off the ill man. "I've got to go to work, Joan," he whispered, and as the Flash, fastest man alive, he was soon racing through the city he loved in search of the unseen disease.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 7
THE FLASH
Dr. Poison! She's an old foe of Diana's, thought the Flash as he raced down the city streets. He saw nothing out of the ordinary until he spotted a racing truck hurtling through the streets. No driver! Or at least none awake, he thought as he caught up with it and saw a slumped over fever ridden man at the wheel.
"Toxic chemicals in the back from the looks of the containers. This must be the plague! Can't use brakes or wheel," he said after a few rapid efforts. He jumped out and glanced around the street. "Nothing in sight to use."
He unloaded the cans at super fast speed and then watched the truck race on. He sped back, and at top speed stripped the wheels off the rumbling vehicle, which whined as metal scrapped the bare road, but it did finally inch to a safe stop.
Jay waved over a policeman. "Guard this truck. There's poison on that corner in the containers and the driver needs medical help," he explained.
Subsequent screams led him fleetly to a second racing truck. I've got a better idea this time, he mused. He vibrated the back doors open with a well aimed blow, followed by a thousand of them.
He saw matching containers and gently lifted each of them off the the truck as only he could do. Then he merely raced around the vehicle until the wind force lifted it upward and placed it down again after all the momentum had been spun out of it. "That should stop Dr. Poison's little mobile plague," he said.
Then he remembered the note's odd wording about poison "reaching your heart". "Could be trouble in the center of town, too!" He reached the middle of Keystone and saw... nothing! "Oh no! Maybe that note was not meant for the Mayor. Could also have been meant for me from someone who knew I am really Jay! Maybe Dr. Poison knows. If that's so, then...!" He sped off, his heart pounding not from exertion, but from fear...
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 8
THE FLASH
The Flash entered the now darkened community center where the banquet had been. "If that note was for me personally, then the part about poison 'reaching your heart' could very well mean Joan is in danger!" He hurried through the empty building until... sure enough, he saw a green costumed woman standing over Joan.
"Hope you don't mind we started without you!" said the woman in a cackle.
"Dr. Poison, I presume?" said Jay as he placed himself between Joan and the masked woman. "Are you hurt?" he asked.
"No, just mad!" said Joan as she smiled at the sight of her hero.
"I collected this little baggage after she left the dinner. She is your heart, is she not?" asked Dr. Poison. "I did not credit your mind to be as rapid as your feet!" she sneered. "I learned your little secret from a mutual 'friend' from your past. He now serves the Axis, and gladly shared it with me."
"I'll send you back to jail where you can share even more secrets!" vowed Jay. He grabbed the Doctor, only to wince as acidic toxins burned his hands. "I see your suit makes you too hot to handle. No problem. My chivalry will suffer a bit, but..." He spun her around and stripped her costume, leaving her on display as a pretty Oriental woman. I'll just burn this suit with some well placed friction, he mused.
"You dare dishonor me?!!" spat the angry Princess Maru, for such was her true name.
"I dare a lot where things like helpless people's welfare and the Allied cause are concerned!" he said. He spun her rapidly until she collapsed to the floor. "Now, how are you really?" he asked Joan as he freed her from her bonds. "No fever?"
"Just the kind you give me," she cooed. They kissed, and a few minutes later Jay fell forward, unconscious.
"Stupid American! I placed a special poison on the blonde's lipstick while I had her knocked out. It is a mark of my genius that it harms her not at all, but renders you dead to the world!" She kicked his silent form and shoved a fighting mad Joan to one side.
Within seconds, the gravity ray of Alexander the Great had brought her to his secret lair, where they tied up the Flash in a special glass container. "It shall hold him," promised the bald scientist.
"Well done!" offered the white haired, black eyed Kil-Lor to Dr. Poison, who was now dressed in her costume once more.
"If all your allies are this good, then the hated Superman shall soon be friendless!" he declared.
"That's the idea!" laughed Alexander the Great.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 9
SUPERMAN
Lois Lane checked her looks in the mirror and patted down her dark hair. She had interviewed many celebrities in her career at the Daily Star; however, when you deal with a guy the media dubbed "Percy Playboy", you want to look your best.
Percy (actually originally surnamed with a longer foreign moniker) had legally become "Percy Playboy" after his wealth and wild life earned him that name; he seemed to wear it with pride. His rather shady past had made him a real reporter's prize, so when he had called Lois and asked for a platform to tell his story, she had almost jumped out of her heels.
Clark Kent had shambled off earlier to cover some flower show or some other tame story, so this scoop was all hers. She glanced out of her door to see the harried and tough editor George Taylor shouting for Jimmy. She smiled and sat down at her rather messy desk.
"Hello, Miss Lane. Your picture does not do you justice," said a whiny voice as a frail blond entered.
"Percy!" said Lois... unsure about calling him "Mr. Playboy".
"Glad to meet you. I so welcome a chance to meet you. I know your beauty is almost legendary around Metrpolis. Well justified!" he said.
He's a real charmer, though phony as a three dollar bill, thought Lois.
"Now, first, let me ask you about your friend Superman. Is he around?" said Percy.
"I thought I was to ask the questions," joked Lois. "As for Superman... I really could not say where he is."
"Then perhaps this will summon him, eh?" asked Percy.
He dropped his jacket and pants to reveal a blue armored looking, yet light weight costume, then dropped on a helmet that covered his handsome face and, gesturing at Lois, caused her to spin into the air and crash out the magically opening office window over a dozen stories above the busy city streets.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 10
SUPERMAN
Lois knew she should never have worn that belt with those heels... not out of some fashion sense, but because it looked like the metal in her belt and heels was what was keeping her pinned like a stylish fly against the outer wall of the Daily Star.
"Hey, what's this about, Percy? Bring me back inside!" she yelled as she remained pinned to the high wall. Cars streaked by far below, and as yet she attracted no attention.
Percy leaned out the window. "Call me Nuclear! Percy exists no longer! And do stop struggling so... I could just drop you like a bad habit, and that would ruin that delightful ensemble!" he laughed.
Lois knew her only real option, and she took it, "Superman! Help! Superman!" she cried.
From out of the blue her hero appeared, as if in answer to her frantic screams. "Lois! This is a pleasant surprise. You don't often come out to meet me half way like this!" he joked to reassure the flailing woman. He gently put his arms around her and pulled her free, then placed her on the ground and flew upward to confront the now levitating Nuclear. "I believe you wanted to see me?" he asked.
"No, I want to kill you!" said Nuclear.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 11
SUPERMAN
Superman thought to himself, Who is this nut? He's certainly got a flair for the dramatic. Poor Lois!
Nuclear waved his hand again, and a truck floated upward toward the Man of Steel like a missile. "Great Scott!" cried Superman as he dodged the truck, catching the panic filled driver and placing him at a safe distance. The truck kept sailing upward, attracted by the Master of Magnetism known as Nuclear.
"Missed your ride?" he scoffed as he slammed the truck directly into a rapidly rising Superman.
The metallic truck bent as it curled around his mighty form. Seconds later, he burst forth and balled the truck ruined by Nuclear at his armored head. "Right back at you!" he called.
The increasingly small hunk of metal collapsed as Nuclear gestured once more. "I'll see how you stand up against my power!" he called.
"I can stand your power a lot easier than I can take your personality!" said Superman as powerful waves of magnetic force washed over him.
He's slowing me, but he can't stop me! vowed Superman as he made his way closer to Nuclear by fighting against the waves of force like a swimmer braving a strong current. All I need to do is grab him once, he thought.
"Ah, I need a distraction... Oh Looooois!" called Nuclear. Lois then jerked up off the ground, where she had been watching the struggle. Spinning head over heels like a top, she careened helplessly through the sky.
"You fiend!" said Superman as he abandoned the fight to intercept his friend. He streaked forward. "Got to time this just right, or Lois will be shattered against my steel hard body!" He flew in an arc that slowed his momentum, and yet allowed him to clutch the dizzy and nearly stunned Lois Lane. "I'll stop that madman!" he assured the woman he loved.
He flew far away at top speed, and smiled as her now calm body was clearly out of Nuclear's range. "I'll stop him from a safe distance before he harms anyone else!" Superman then grabbed a spool of netting from the Metropolis Harbor and tossed it over Nuclear without ever coming too close to him, wrapping it over his blue armored form to the villain's shock.
However, he merely made the metal signs nearby scoop under the net and toss it aside. "This should teach you about true power!" he boasted.
A wave sent Superman to the ground as pain radiated through him, and to his dismay he slowly blacked out.
"Even a Man of Steel can't stay awake if the flow of blood to his brain is almost stopped. Iron in the old blood, you know!" he crowed.
He vanished in Alexander's gravity ray and displayed the stunned hero to a gleeful Kil-Lor. "At last I see my enemy helpless before me! I'll soon be the one to slay you!" he vowed.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 12
BATMAN
Commissioner James W. Gordon gasped as an arrow thudded into his plush desk chair. He ducked immediately, but none followed the first deadly missile. He and his men spotted no sniper, and the arrow had no distinctive markings. He had the glass repaired and finished work.
That night, he started to get into his old car when a whiz echoed by his ear and a second matching arrow hit the driver's seat through the narrow opening of the ajar door. This time he turned and hurried back to Police Headquarters. He followed one of his men, named O'Hara, to the roof and switched on the famous Bat-signal.
The beacon shone brightly and, soon enough, two colorful figures swung onto the roof. "What is it, Jim?" asked the ever-reassuring Batman. His ally Robin smiled at O'Hara, who nodded pleasantly at this, his first sight of the Dynamic Duo.
"These arrows narrowly missed me twice. I figured this kind of marksmanship and the odd nature of the weapon made this more of your kind of case."
"Yeah, we do all the kooks!" joked Robin.
Batman nodded. "I'll trace the bowman, and we'll keep a good eye out for you for the next few days. Don't travel alone if you can avoid it. Oh, and don't worry about not seeing us."
"That's right. We'll blend right in to the background... if you can believe that," joked Robin, looking at his brightly colored costume.
Later, Batman looked up from his lab table. "The arrow is hand-crafted, not bought. The maker is a real craftsman. His skill combined with the design makes me think of Superman's old foe the Archer. Unfortunately, I have no way of contacting him, or I'd get his confirmation."
"Sounds like a loser to me," offered Robin. "I mean, Green Arrow's a good guy, but he's just a second rate copy of you. How deadly could this guy be? How could he fight Superman?"
"I suspect there's more to both the Archer and the Arrow than you know, chum," smiled Batman.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 13
BATMAN
The next night the Archer made no move against anyone in Gotham. The Dynamic Duo discussed their foe over dinner.
"He's laying low," said Robin.
"I suspect he's too smart to do anything that is not on his terms and his ground. The Gordon attacks were not serious, anyway," said Bruce Wayne.
"You mean he is so good that if he really wanted to hurt the Commissioner he would not have missed?" offered Dick Grayson.
"Exactly. He is an expert and he wants us to believe that Jim's just the bait to call us in," said Bruce.
"Then we could get an arrow in the back any second we're in costume!" exclaimed Dick.
"I think from what I've read about the Archer, we can lure him out sooner, if you're game!" said Batman.
"You know I am!" said an eager Boy Wonder.
The next night a freckled, chubby boy in a bowtie and sweater waited on the roof of the Police Headquarters. Seconds later Batman pushed him down as an arrow sailed past his ear.
A smoke pellet obscured the area, and when it cleared the masked and hooded Archer was poised over them, ready with his bow. "I'll kill you both! This opportunity is just too good to miss... and here, of all places," he said. The freckled boy rolled behind the Bat-signal as Batman hurled his batarang, which shattered as an arrow pierced it.
"Not good enough," laughed the Archer. Batman quickly spun away as an arrow sliced his cape. The boy then popped up and hurled his own batarang. "What the--?!" muttered the Archer as it clipped his arm.
The delay was enough for the Batman to tackle him. The bow sailed off the roof after the Caped Crusader ripped it away from the struggling Archer.
"You're good with the bow, but you can't fight like Batman!" said the boy who pulled off a wig and rubbed the freckles clear with a rag. He stood revealed as Robin.
Batman knocked the startled Archer to ground. "We figured your hatred of young Daily Star copyboy Jimmy Olsen would draw you out even before you had time to prepare for us!" said Batman.
"That brat sent me away for the first time. I admit I let my hate overrule my wisdom... but I did have this roof prepared, you jerk!" he said as he slammed down the Bat-signal control, and several volts of electricity suddenly surged through him, to his dismay.
He fainted as Batman pulled a wire. "I spotted that extra cord and switched it under the cover of the smoke pellet," he explained.
"Guess he's seen the arrow of his ways!" punned Robin.
Just then a swooping figure came towards them, pummeling both man and boy at high-speed. Kil-Lor stood over them and crowed his triumph. "I could never watch as the closest friend of Superman defeated my agent," he yelled. He scooped up the Archer and the two heroes and flew off to the lab of Alexander the Great.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 14
MR. TERRIFIC
Terry Sloane danced close with Shiera Sanders to the music of a big band orchestra. "I should have known you are an excellent dancer, Mr. Sloane. Carter walks on my feet all the time," said the pretty auburn haired beauty dressed in a low cut green gown.
"Terry has had lessons, and you know his unique advantage," offered the handsome man who was standing by the swirling couple.
"Carter is right. I did take lessons, one time," offered the modest Terry Sloane, alias Mr. Terrific. "And please, call me Terry."
Carter Hall, alias the Hawkman, laughed. " 'One time'! You dance better than Kelly or Astaire with one lesson!"
Shiera Sanders, alias Hawkgirl, giggled and kissed Terry on the cheek. "Don't let Carter tease you. He knows he has two left feet when it comes to dancing," she said, embracing Hall lovingly as the band played on. "I'm sorry your friend Lysette is on duty this weekend, Terry. She'd have looked divine in a little pink number I never wear," said Shiera as she tossed back her hair.
"You know, I'll bet she would. But police blue is her color this weekend, I'm afraid," said Sloane.
The festive atmosphere ended when two odd figures crashed the party. "I am the Rag Doll, and this gentleman is the legendary Rasputin. We will kill one of you at a time over the next few hours unless the Hawkman and Hawkgirl show up and surrender to us!" he said. Rasputin, a long black bearded man in a black cloak, was the legendary alchemist Alexander had used to restore the vampiric Master Monk.
"We know the Hawks frequent this part of New York City, so, folks, I hope they come, or you can be sure you'll die!" said the Rag Doll, who was dressed in a costume which made him look like nothing so much as an actual "rag doll". He held a gun in one hand, his gangly arm twisted in an odd position, while his legs could only be described as "floppy".
"Guess you know what this means," whispered Carter Hall to Shiera, away from their friend Terry.
Time for a quick distraction, thought Terry at the same time as he distanced himself from his new friends Carter and Shiera. He glanced around the room and spotted a fuse box in a corner. He slipped through the panic filled dancers and pulled several plugs. The lights went out and he changed into Mr. Terrific, the champion of fair play. When they came back on, due to a master circuit elsewhere, the villains faced the red and green costumed hero.
"Who are you? We want the Hawks only!" said Rasputin, in a harsh Russian accent.
"Yeah, pal," said the Rag Doll. "Leave now and live to tell your grandchildren that you were almost killed by the infamous Rasputin."
"Rag Doll, isn't it?" asked the Hawks as they flew into the ball room.
"Now that's why we're here!" shouted the contortionist. The Hawks swooped down in unison and lifted the Rag Doll high in the air, but he pushed a tiny remote control, and a buzzing filled the air.
"It's a razor sharp buzz-saw!" said Hawkman as they dodged a buzzing steel saucer that flew directly at them. The Rag Doll dropped free as his device (provided by Alexander the Great) pursued the couple.
Mr. Terrific charged Rasputin, who tossed a potion at him. "Sleep!" commanded the black-bearded man.
Fumes from the potion wafted up towards Terrific, who jumped back, only to have the green chemical cloud actually turn and follow him. He quickly thought of something and then ran to the table of food, leaping up on it, and sprang up to where the razor sharp saw was buzzing the fleeing Hawkgirl. The cloud swirled up as well, and was instantly blown apart by the wind from the spinning saw. He tackled the Rag Doll and slammed a fist into his face, then hung him neatly from a rafter by his loose "Raggedy Andy" outfit.
Hawkman caught the man called Rasputin and turned him upside down. As his cloak spilled dozens of glass tubes, he cried out, "This is indignity beyond endurance!"
"Yeah, it really is!" laughed Hawkman.
Hawkgirl, meanwhile, raced up and out, then spun down. The buzz-saw followed her uncannily until she swooped directly for the dangling Rag Doll. "Better switch it off!" she laughed.
He did so eagerly and, inches away from his head, the buzz-saw dropped harmlessly down.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 15
MR. TERRIFIC
The Hawks smiled as they collared their foes.
"Nicely done!" said Mr. Terrific, shaking their hands.
"We get better with practice," joked Hawkgirl.
"At least they knew your name. I could have told them I was Air Wave, for all they knew," laughed Mr. Terrific.
"Never! You don't have a pet bird," said Hawkman.
"Just me," flirted Hawkgirl.
Rasputin spat out a false tooth, and a purple gas suddenly enveloped them all. They fainted and he laughed, "Do not attempt to fool with the great Rasputin!"
The Rag Doll said, "We sure showed them!"
Alexander the Great's gravity ray brought them home, where they tied them up with Batman, Robin, the Flash, and Superman, who had already fallen. The Master Monk, Dala, Dr. Poison, and Nuclear idly waited nearby.
"Hawkman and his tramp! How I've longed for this day," said Alexander.
"But what of the others?" asked Dr. Poison. "What of Wonder Woman?"
"I fear the worst," said Kil-Lor. He nodded grimly and his black eyes flashed, scanning distantly through the use of his Kryptonian telescopic vision and X-ray vision. "The woman beat her foe, as did Dr. Fate, Green Lantern, Starman, and Sandman," he said.
"What does that mean? Do we go for them again?" snarled Monk.
"Negative. We have enough of the JSA to kill for now. We can send better agents for the others after we deal with these," said Alexander as he planted a kiss on the stunned Hawkgirl.
"As long as Wonder Woman eventually dies!" snapped Poison.
"I have no doubt she will. However, the foolish agent I sent against her failed... as you did against Thunder," Alexander replied, looking at Monk.
"I could get them all as I did Batman after Archer, there, lost," said Kil-Lor.
"No, my good ally. We must rid ourselves of these first. Plus, I wish to consult you about integrating your alien science with my own inventions."
Kil-Lor nodded and looked at the stunned Superman. "Soon, you die!" he said, laughing maniacally.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 16
Batman woke up and struggled against his bonds; the metal chains kept him tied fast. His young partner Robin still dozed on nearby. The Flash vibrated ceaselessly against the glasslike container that resisted his every effort, while Superman sat up wearily and fell back weakly.
"Are you okay, old pal?" asked Batman.
Superman blinked and said, "I feel like something has 'short circuited' my motor skills. How are you doing?" he mumbled.
"Okay, it's just that I don't know what hit us," said the Caped Crusader.
Mr. Terrific pulled against his chains, to no avail. The Hawks sat up dazed as well, without their belts or wings.
"Honey, are you all right?" asked Hawkman.
"Hmmmm?" said Hawkgirl, glancing around her. "Looks like Alexander the Great's lab. See the gravity whatzit he used last time?" she said.
"You're right. It is that bald fiend," said Batman.
The villains separated and left only the agile Rag Doll and the Archer to guard their captive foes. Mr. Terrific scanned the room for signs of escape, seeing Rasputin's lab table near the crystalline-entombed Jay Garrick. He strained to read the labels and a gleam appeared in his eyes.
The Archer sat stringing a new bow. He smiled and sighed at the captive Batman. "Soon," he promised.
"I doubt it. I bet you can't hit a barn much less a human. In fact, I bet I can outshoot you," said Mr. Terrific.
"Don't! He's too good!" said Superman.
"You tell him, old foe!" sneered the Archer.
"Hey, Rag Doll, I bet you I can outshoot your buddy!" called Terrific.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 17
"Can you outshoot this costumed fool?" asked the Rag Doll.
"I can. I will. Free him," said the Archer.
The Rag Doll said, "This should be good for some laughs," as he released Mr. Terrific.
"After you," said Terrific.
The Archer lined up a target at the far end of the complex. "Like so," he said, firing an arrow across the room to land solidly in to center of a wall. "Beat that," he said, handing a bow to Mr. Terrific.
Mr. Terrific sighted down the line and suddenly whirled and fired in the other direction, and the arrow streaked even further than Archer's had. Terrific did in fact out shoot the mad bowman; however, his arrow had spun into Rasputin's lab table and had knocked a test tube over on the crystalline tomb that held the Flash. It smoked and dissolved under Rasputin's powerful solvent, as Terrific had known it would. He then spun back and hit the Archer with the now useless bow. The Rag Doll closed in and Mr. Terrific kicked his feet out from under him.
"Get him!" yelled the Archer.
As the Archer passed by, a weakened Superman blew desperately, creating a wind which shook him to the floor, as that was all the energy left in his once awesome super breath. It was enough, since Terrific held his own with the formidable Rag Doll until the Flash jetted free from the cage and sprang the other JSAers. He even tossed the Hawks their equipment.
"Now we'll see who has won!" yelled Hawkman.
Superman stood up and said, "I think that brain scrambling Nuclear gave me is wearing off, but it is so slow!" He turned to see Robin drop-kick the Rag Doll into the wall.
"You're not going to be singing any 'rags' for awhile!" punned the boy.
"He'll be a real 'doll' in prison!" joked his mentor as he tossed a batarang, which spun toward Rasputin, who had a tube raised above his head.
"This will slow you down, you fool!" he said to the Flash. The batarang then shattered the tube, and a thick adhesive rained down on the hapless Russian mystic. "Aaarrrgh!" he cried as a solid goo formed over both his outstretched hands. "Can't use my hands!"
"I guess you're having a bad day!" said Batman as he slammed a left into the Russian's bearded chin.
The Flash caught the menacing Master Monk and raced out into the night, streaking at top speed and avoiding the clawing fiend until they crossed into the Western time zones and the night moved into twilight, then day.
The Monk melted with an unholy scream.
"Time ran out!" joked the Flash as he returned.
Dala was closing in on Hawkman until he spun and fired a crossbow bolt into her undead heart. "I would never kill, but you were long dead to begin with," he said as she crumbled.
Dr. Poison's toxic touch was of no use to her, since Hawkgirl merely tossed a mace from on high with a skillful aim and knocked her cold. "Too easy," she smiled.
Meanwhile, Superman scanned the other rooms. "Here comes Alexander the Great and some other creep with Nuclear!" he announced. "I'd say the real fight is just about to begin," he vowed.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 18
Kil-Lor yelled, "Did you think you could interfere with my plans with impunity? Did you believe you could succeed where the KBI failed? Learn the error of your presumptions!" He slammed into Superman and began pounding him furiously.
"I don't even know you, and I've never heard of the KBI, but Superman backs down for nobody!" he said as he fought back.
Kil-Lor sneered, "You seek the craven path of denial; I know you well! It was due to you and Jor-L that I was imprisoned in that satellite!" he said, gesturing towards the craft he came in.
Superman blasted out at him with his X-ray vision and Kil-Lor groaned and fell back. He's got all my powers! Could he be from where my rocket came from years ago? mused the Man of Steel. He then flew upward, and Kil-Lor followed him rapidly.
Meanwhile, Batman tossed down a pellet which exploded into bright white light. Nuclear flinched and covered his eyes. Mr. Terrific bent over the stunned Archer and hastily selected an arrow from his quiver. He bent the bow and fired. It hit Nuclear's blue armor and ice began to quickly spread across the man's suit. A suddenly vibrating blow from Flash shattered the now brittle armor before Nuclear struck back.
"I can repel you all without seeing!" he said as he blinked in pain, irradiating waves of magnetic force which pushed back the heroes.
Alexander squared off against the Hawks. "So, old foe, I see the old game begins once more. Nth metal versus the gravity ray. This time I may surprise you," he said.
Hawkman smiled at the bald man in the tux. "I doubt anything you can do will surprise me after so many battles." The Hawks swooped down in one accord, and Alexander used his pulsing ray to force them away.
Nuclear pinned the Flash against a machine and drove the magnetic force against him harder and harder. Batman and Robin scrambled to help, as did Mr. Terrific.
"That gravity ray could also transfer objects by teleportation, from the looks of the machine version. Let's use it against Nuclear," offered Mr. Terrific. He adjusted the device, which mirrored the belt copy Alexander wore. It flared up then and Nuclear was suddenly pinned to the floor by tons of increased gravity. He gestured wildly, and the magnetic energy he mastered erupted. It left the Flash free, and for a minute he raced forward and his whirlwind slapped Alexander into the path of Nuclear's energy blast.
The belt Alexander wore shattered as he yelled in anger, "You idiot! You've ruined my device!" he said. Nuclear shrugged and struggled upward as Mr. Terrific tried to keep the machine running.
Superman was bruised by the battling warrior called Kil-Lor, waging a midair fight with tiring blows as the savage warrior kept on coming. Got to out-think this guy, he mused. He spun and, seeing the events below, turned and said, "Catch me if you have the courage!" Kil-Lor pursued him downward, and Superman ripped the wall unit of the gravity device free from the wall. "Hope you don't mind loaning me this toy," he smiled. Mr. Terrific grinned his approval.
The Man of Steel aimed it at its highest setting, and Kil-Lor fell down hard. He aimed it directly at the struggling Kryptonian and used the huge machine like others would use a portable tool. He kept increasing the magnitude, and Kil-Lor found himself under gravity far greater than that of Krypton. He now had even less power than he would have on his long lost home, where all citizens were super.
ACTS OF VENGEANCE: Part 19
Several things happened almost at once:
The furious Alexander twisted past Hawkman and yelled at Nuclear, "How dare you? It is this kind of carelessness that I hoped to avoid!" He touched the struggling Kil-Lor and was nearly knocked dout by the intense gravity surrounding him. "We must flee to fight again later, my friend!" he said.
The device that was rendering Kil-Lor immobile suddenly exploded from the pressure. Superman hurled himself on the device in time to protect his friends; however, by that time the two villains had made it to the satellite, and with shouted threats they vanished... or at least started to do so.
The bitter Nuclear swept their area with a magnetic blast, and they screamed as his magnetic force disrupted the teleportation ray Alexander had added to Kil-Lor's satellite as an escape means. Alexander and Kil-Lor shuddered as they faded away with the Kryptonian vessel. They obviously were not going where they intended to go. Batman slugged the weakened Nuclear, and he moved no more.
Superman stared into space as the other heroes congratulated each other and prepared to turn in Nuclear, Dr. Poison, and the Rag Doll. The Archer had slipped off in the chaos, and Rasputin had simply vanished.
"What's wrong, Superman?" asked Batman.
"I wonder what Kil-Lor meant about my ruining his plans? I have no memory of him. He had super powers like mine; that space craft was his, too, and who was Jor-L?" said a concerned Superman.
"I don't know. But I am certain that whatever comes along, you'll be able to handle it. I also believe you'll learn just where you came from too, one of these days and I'll bet it'll make a mighty interesting story," replied Batman.
Note: Superman would learn his origin years later and by 1953 he would meet Kil-Lor during a time trip to 1914 era Krypton. He had no memory of meeting Kil-Lor in this case in that 1953 meeting, and that will be explained when and if Kil-Lor reappears.