Warning! Spoilers ahead for Justice League Unlimited #5! The Legion of Doom has made a striking comeback, orchestrating a scheme that could potentially spell the end for the Justice League. While it was believed that the Legion had disappeared, they have, in fact, been lurking in the shadows, plotting their resurgence longer than anyone realized.
The heroes of the DC Universe faced a grim reality following their assault during the Absolute Power storyline. Surviving Amanda Waller’s attack, they restructured the Justice League into an expansive operation featuring nearly every active hero. However, they now contend with Inferno, a formidable and enigmatic terrorist organization with their own nefarious agenda aimed at the Justice League.
The Legion of Doom Returns Disguised as the Justice League’s New Villains, Inferno
The League’s Oldest Adversaries Have Been Manipulating Them All Along
In Justice League Unlimited #5, crafted by the talented team of Mark Waid, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, and Dave Sharpe, the Justice League monitors the G20 summit, wary of an Inferno strike aimed at inciting worldwide chaos. Their worst fears materialize when global leaders and heroes are unexpectedly transported to an extradimensional realm teeming with monsters. Concurrently, Inferno initiates strategic assaults across multiple locations worldwide, including Japan and China, targeting pivotal infrastructure. Mister Terrific suspects a connection between Inferno and the Legion of Doom, but confirms that all Legion members are accounted for.
In the chaos, the Justice League strives to safeguard the politicians from the lurking threats. Flash, at one point, benched Impulse, urging him to stay put. Yet, Bart’s suspicions arise when he recognizes that a G20 delegate is actually an Inferno operative. This infiltrator not only poses a threat but also possesses Martian Manhunter’s stolen abilities, which are used to brainwash Impulse. Fortunately, Flash discovers an escape route from the void and transports both heroes and politicians safely to the Justice League’s Watchtower.
The shocking truth? Inferno is unveiled as the Legion of Doom…
The Legion of Doom Holds the Justice League at Their Mercy as Inferno
Despite an Expanded Roster, the League Struggles to Cope
Following Amanda Waller’s assault, the heroes of the DC Universe united, realizing that collaboration was essential to prevent incidents comparable to Absolute Power. In remarkably short order, they reconstructed the Watchtower and launched a revamped organization, revolutionizing the Justice League’s operational framework. With membership open to all heroes, the League now boasts dedicated sub-teams, enhanced by Red Tornado’s AI, under the leadership of Mister Terrific. Yet, despite this innovative Justice League, they soon found themselves under pressure from renewed threats.
Just after re-establishing their ranks, the Justice League faced an attack on a village in South Africa orchestrated by the terrorist group Inferno. This was no random act of terrorism; the village harbored a significant portion of the world’s iridium supply, crucial for technological advancements. Although the Justice League successfully thwarted the attack, Inferno’s warning hinted that their onslaught had only begun.
Inferno remained true to their word and targeted the Amazon Rainforest, igniting it using magical pillars. Tragically, they managed to slay Swamp Thing, thwarting any hopes of him restoring the forest’s lushness. Thankfully, the Justice League enlisted Tefé Holland, who traversed the Green and revived Levi Kamei’s spirit, enabling him to rejuvenate the damaged Amazon canopies. Yet, the League remained clueless about the identities and motivations behind these attacks.
The Legion of Doom is More Organized Than Ever, Indicating Dire Consequences for the Justice League
The Expanded Justice League Lacks the Means to Defeat This Legion of Doom
The notion that the Legion of Doom could be behind Inferno is perplexing. As noted by Mister Terrific, most members of the Legion have been accounted for, including Lex Luthor and Sinestro, who have remarkably allied themselves with certain Justice League members. A closer inspection of the Legion reveals intriguing details—Sinestro appears in his classic costume, while Lex has shed his beard.
Recognizing this transformation within the Legion might hold key implications. The solicitation for upcoming issues reveals a crossover with Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, titled “We Are Yesterday.” This suggests that the Legion isn’t merely from the present but is potentially a time-traveling faction seeking vengeance against the Justice League.
Commencing in April, “We Are Yesterday” promises to explore expansive timelines within the DC universe, potentially explaining how Inferno has maintained a strategic edge over the Justice League, executing rapid, coordinated assaults. If this incarnation of the Legion possesses time-travel capabilities, the stakes are enormous; they could continuously strike, stretching the Justice League’s resources to their breaking point.
What Steps Can the Justice League Take Against a Time-Traveling Legion?
Is Time Running Out for DC’s Heroes?
While the Justice League is aware of Gorilla Grodd, they remain oblivious to the deeper machinations of the Legion, particularly regarding time-travel involvement. Although Booster Gold remains missing, there remain numerous heroes within their ranks, like Rip Hunter and the Time Masters, who could assist if the League uncovers Inferno’s true identities. However, the Justice League must act swiftly, as this iteration of the Legion of Doom is relentless in their pursuit of destruction.
Justice League Unlimited #5 is currently available from DC Comics.