By [ad_1]
JLA: The Nail is a unique deviation of the DC Universe where two classic heroic figures became major enemies to the Justice League.
The DC Multiverse — and the relatively recently revealed Dark Multiverse — is full of unique realities that feature dangerous takes on classic heroes. But a Post-Crisis alternate reality was one of quietly darkest, turning two major fixtures of the DC Universe into the Justice League’s most personal (and dangerous) foes.
In the world of JLA: The Nail by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer, two classic heroic figures — Jimmy Olsen and Green Arrow — ended up becoming dedicated enemies of the titular superhero team.
JLA: The Nail takes place in an alternate take on the DC Universe, which has become radically different due to a single seemingly benign change: the day that Jonathan and Martha Kent could have found infant Kal-El and raised him as their son Clark (leading him to become Superman), a nail on the road caused a flat tire in their truck. So instead, it was a kindly Amish who found and raised him — installing him with deep-seated pacifism and convincing him to remain in Kansas instead of venturing out into the greater world. Without his presence, the Justice League still formed — but without a moral center for humanity to gravitate towards, relations were far tenser between the public and superheroes and the Justice League was missing one of their single strongest figures.
One member of the Justice League in this world for a time was Oliver Queen, aka Green Arrow. Like most variants of the character, he initially dedicated himself and his wealth to helping protect the public. But an early battle with Amazo ended poorly for the powerless hero — breaking ranks in an attempt to show off his own skills, Green Arrow was severely injured and left paralyzed. Meanwhile, Hawkman rushed to his aid — and was killed as a result. A bitter Oliver turned his rage outwards — eventually turning against his former allies and becoming an outspoken critic of the superhero community as a whole. But Oliver’s crusade was nothing compared to that of the Jimmy Olsen of this world.
Without Superman to distract him, Lex Luthor became one of Metropolis’ most beloved figures, stoking those anti-superhero fears and riding it to success — even becoming elected Mayor of Metropolis, with Jimmy Olsen as his Chief Aide. Luthor had gained such a technological edge by finding the remains of Kal-El’s ship. His attempts to graft Kryptonian DNA onto other beings seemed to fail however — until Jimmy revealed this process had given him imense powers. The process also drove Jimmy over the edge, inspiring him with a deadly “Kryptonian” mindset that sought to tear down humanity and rebuild the world with that alien perspective. Olsen played into the fears of the hero community in an attempt to weaken Earth’s defenses and capture the heroes, giving him a chance to steal their powers as well.
Although he was eventually exposed, there was little to do to stop Olsen in a straightforward confrontation — at least until their battle landed them in the Amish community where Kal-El had been raised. After murdering Kal’s adopted parents, Jimmy forced the reluctant Superman into a deadly battle — but the resulting over-taxation of his powers drained Jimmy and caused his body to disintegrate into nothing. Olsen died a villain in this world — unlike Queen, who in the sequel story JLA: Another Nail had his mind implanted into an Amazo robot and redeemed himself by sacrificing himself to save all of reality around his friends and loved ones. But The Nail serves as a deadly reminder of how easily some of the DC Universe’s greatest allies could become even more fearsome foes.
About The Author
[ad_2]
