Avengers/JLA #2 (2003)

Fight! Man of Steel and Manhunter from Mars land a double jab on the Odinson, possibly because on his own Superman was walloped by Thor's mystical hammer Mjolnir. The match ended swiftly though, as Scarlet Witch tapped into the magic of the DCU to teleport her team away. Once the dust settled, Atom and Batman were counted absent, prompting Superman's wish to give chase. He was refused by J'Onn J'Onzz. "No. We have little time, and it was in our minds that the Gamemaster implanted the knowledge of where the items of power are. We must go-- seek them out. Batman and the Atom are resourceful. They can wait. In the meantime, I'm sending out a telepathic message, contacting JLA reservists and other past members... warning them to protect the artifacts here in our universe." Aquaman then jumped in to specify who would do what, prompting ridicule from Plastic Man.

Manhunter joined an away team back to the Marvel Universe, specifically a desolate stretch of I-95 where Metropolis would have been located. While Superman and Wonder Woman considered this absence, Manhunter abruptly asserted, "None of this is important, not at the moment. There are five items left in this reality-plane. But we shouldn't spread ourselves too thin. Three teams." J'Onn then sighed over his usual misfit lot, paired with Plastic Man as a pack upon his back. "Yoicks-- and awaaaay..." to the African nation of Wakanda. Plas proved ineffective against the Wasp, while Manhunter intangibly evaded swats from a giant-sized Yellowjacket. "Enough. We have little time, Plastic Man. If you cannot stop your assailant-- then I will." The former husband & wife team were telepathically shut down. "Ooh, harsh! And that, boys and girls-- is why the Martian Manhunter stays home on date nights. What next, o master of the mental whammy?" The loss of the Medusa Mask to the stealth of the Black Panther, pulling victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Manhunter rejoined the assembled DCU heroes for the final match in the Savage Land. The Vision and the Martian Marvel flew into one another, employing variable density to mutually detrimental effect. Neither seemed inclined to explore these painful sensations further, as Vision joined She-Hulk in defeating Steel while Manhunter-- er... maybe he was the worse for wear? He was next seen three pages later in extreme close-up, expressing concern for Superman as the Marvel heroes piled on him. There was some sort of flame nearby, so make of that what you will. The Alien Atlas then laid another psychic assault on an off-panel victim (possibly Jack of Hearts.) Captain America aided Batman in attaining the Cosmic Cube, both of whom having learned the League needed to win the contest to prevent Krona from destroying both universes. Krona was a poor sportsman, however, forcing the Gamemaster to employ the items of power against him and reality in general. Everything went white.


Additional Notes:

• The Marvel-published issues of the mini-series did not list a monthly cover date, but per DC's other issue, this one would fall between October & November.



• As noted in the Avengers/JLA Compendium, page 70 (in the collected edition, 4 in the original mini-series volume) features a subway station sign listing "Broome" and "Certa," referring to the GL writer and original Martian Manhunter artist Joe Certa. I can't recall a time anyone ever threw such a tribute Joe's way prior to this, minor as it is.



• Manhunter is featured on the back of the wraparound cover in combat with Wonder Man.