Justice League of America #3 (June, 2013)

In the Kilder Forest of Northumberland, England the Justice League of America were confronted by what appeared to be the DC Trinity. The Martian Manhunter flew straight at Superman, but was smashed in the face with a tree. The Sleuth from Outer Space wrestled with a Last Son of Superman presenting incongruent details; a chest shield with no "S," a red and yellow loincloth, an excess of seams even for the New 52. J'Onn J'Onzz announced "Obviously, these things are not human." The Alien Atlas ripped off "Superman's" right arm while evading heat vision beams, but the rookie hero Vibe joined in, using his powers to dismantle all three robots at once. Though caught in the line of fire, the Manhunter seemed unaffected, steady on his feet while helping Katana to hers.

Katana swiftly moved against Catwoman, holding a blade to her throat. "It's my husband within the sword. He doesn't trust her... We came to the forest to find the Secret Society, yet as soon as we enter, we are ambushed. Someone sold us out..." J'Onn J'Onzz swiftly brought the accusation to a head. "A mindscan reveals Catwoman hasn't told anyone about the JLA, Tatsu. And she is as in the dark as we are on who the Secret Society is. Don't make me force you to release her." Katana relented. "As strong as you might be, Manhunter, my sword can still cut you-- but we trust you."

The castle reported by Oliver Queen had vanished with little evidence left that it had ever been there. At A.R.G.U.S., The Puzzler studied some 19th century stained glass shards and a shingle recovered from the scene, while Dr. Larvan determined that the robots were the handiwork of Professor Ivo. "The reports of his self-inflicted death were wrong."



With little to show for their first mission, Colonel Steve Trevor soon launched into a second. "We need to get someone on the inside of this Society. Someone who won't raise suspicion. Someone who isn't lying about being a criminal..." Namely, Catwoman. "The Museum of Natural History is holding an exhibit on super-human culture. You're going to break in and steal a Martian artifact that J'Onn's donated for this little exercise called the Scepter of the State..."

Catwoman intentionally tripped an alarm, attracting police helicopters and the flying heroes Hawkman and the Manhunter from Mars. "Put your hands in the air." Catwoman led the League on a chase, where the sudden arrival of non-member Green Arrow proved a distraction. Ollie eventually realized that the whole thing was a sham, and used the information to blackmail his way onto the team that had refused him. Selina Kyle was then "captured" and taken to Arkham Asylum, where she stirred the pot until she broke out a couple of days later. Catwoman was then abducted by the Society...

"World's Most Dangerous, Chapter Three" was by Geoff Johns, David Finch & Richard Friend. Whatever my misgivings about the New 52, someone's been doing their research to drop that Scepter reference...

New 52's Day

• The Green Team: Teen Trillionaires #1 @ DC Bloodlines
• Hawkman in Justice League of America #1 @ Power of the Atom
• Col. Steve Trevor in Justice League of America #2 @ Diana Prince is the New Wonder Woman
• Vibe #3 @ Justice League Detroit