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| JLA: The Nail | |
|---|---|
 Cover for JLA: The Nail #1, by Alan Davis. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Genre | Superhero |
| Publication date | August – November 1998 |
| Number of issues | 3 |
| Main character(s) | Aquaman Atom Batman Flash Green Lantern Hawkgirl Martian Manhunter Wonder Woman |
| Creative team | |
| Creator(s) | Alan Davis Mark Farmer |
| Collected editions | |
| Another Nail | ISBN 1563894807 |
JLA: The Nail is a three-issue comic book mini-series published in the United States by DC Comics. It is a self-contained story by Alan Davis which stands outside of the mainstream continuity of the DC Universe.
In this universe, the truck of Martha and Jonathan Kent has a tire puncture which is caused by a nail. This prevents them from discovering the spaceship containing the baby Kal-El, and so, there is no Superman.
The theme of the story is set by its first paragraph:
For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
for want of a shoe the horse was lost,
for want of a horse the knight was lost,
for want of a knight the battle was lost.
So it was a kingdom was lost - all for want of a nail.
Contents |
Plot
This particular reality is set in the old multiverse before Crisis On Infinite Earths and resembles a combination between Earth-1 and Earth-2. In this world, there is still a Justice League of America, consisting of Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, the Flash (Barry Allen), Hawkwoman, the Atom (Ray Palmer), Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern (Hal Jordan). There is, however, a great degree of xenophobia for the "metahumans," fueled by anti-metahuman propaganda from Perry White and the bitter rantings of former hero Oliver Queen, now a paraplegic after sustaining injuries in a battle with Amazo (which also resulted in the death of Hawkman (Katar Hol)). Queen claims that the JLA and all metahumans are aliens secretly conspiring against humanity.
One by one, various metahumans are mysteriously eliminated or captured: first, most of the supervillains, then superteams like the Doom Patrol and the Outsiders.
A super-powered Joker liberates the inmates of Arkham Asylum. Using his new powers, the Joker traps Batman, then tortures and kills Robin and Batgirl, forcing a horrified Batman to watch. Unfortunately for the Joker, Catwoman sets Batman free. In a fit of grief-induced madness, Batman kills the Joker on live television by snapping his neck, and flees for the Batcave with Catwoman. This murder not only further tarnishes the reputations of metahumans, but also robs Batman of his will to live, as he has sworn never to kill. Eventually Catwoman and Alfred are successful in restoring Batman's sense of purpose.
Gradually, the Justice League discovers a greater plot against them. Violence escalates into riots and Lex Luthor, the mayor of Metropolis, establishes a totalitarian state. Mysterious platoons of masked robots endowed with flight and incredible strength known as the Liberators become the law. One by one, the members of the Justice League are captured by the Liberators until only Batman, the Flash, the Atom and a reformed Catwoman remain.
Lois Lane, an investigative reporter who has been covering both sides of the anti-metahuman campaign, suspects a cover-up. On a visit to the secret facility where metahumans are held prisoner, Lois meets Dr. Lana Lang. Lana secretly directs Lois to Smallville, Kansas, where Jonathan and Martha Kent provide a haven for escaped metahumans. Lois decides to confront Lex Luthor about her discoveries, but is quickly captured by the true person responsible for the Liberators and the discrediting of the Justice League.
The scheme is revealed as the plan of an insane, genetically altered Jimmy Olsen. Following various short-lived attempts at heroism caused by temporary alteration of his DNA, Jimmy became Lex Luthor's aide. Having discovered Superman's spaceship and using DNA samples from it to create numerous Bizarro clones, Luthor grafted Kryptonian DNA onto Jimmy — the only such 'graft' that appeared successful—as other subjects either died instantly or mutated before death. While the process granted Jimmy superpowers, it also mentally transformed him into a Kryptonian, determined to replace human life with Kryptonian life. The plan of putting metahumans into prison was to extract their DNA to complete his enhancements, while simultaneously finding the means to convert Earthlings into a new Kryptonian society with him as ruler.
Batman, along with Batwoman (formerly Catwoman), the Atom, and the Flash, free the captive Justice League members and destroy the Liberators. Having no experience dealing with Kryptonian powers, the League are overwhelmed by Olsen and are defeated. The fight spills over to an Amish community. As Olsen is about to deliver a killing blow to Batman, he is stopped by a surprisingly strong hand belonging to one of the farmers. As the farmer tries to reason with Jimmy, Olsen promptly attempts to incinerate the man with heat vision.
However, this man is immune to his heat vision. It is a fully grown Kal-El, who had been picked up as an infant by an Amish couple. Olsen attempts to persuade Kal-El to join him, but he refuses. Angry at being rejected, Jimmy murders Kal-El's adopted parents with his heat vision. Spurred on by an injured Batman, his grief, and his morality, Kal fights Jimmy in an apocalyptic battle. Kal and Olsen appear to be at a draw, until the stress of the fight causes Olsen's body to become unstable and disintegrate.
With Olsen and the Liberators defeated, the Justice League eventually regain the confidence of the public with the help of their newest member: Superman.
Another Nail
The story was followed up by a sequel in JLA: Another Nail which ties into the original story and wrapped up several loose ends such as the aftermath of the war between New Genesis, Apokolips and the Green Lantern Corps as well as Oliver Queen's public betrayal of the Justice League.
Canonicity
- As with several other Elseworlds titles, JLA: The Nail has been incorporated into the new Multiverse, although as yet, its world's formal alternate earth numeric designation is unknown.
Collected editions
The three issues have been collected into a trade paperback published in 1999 by DC (ISBN 1563894807)[1] and in 1999 Titan (ISBN 1840230649)
Awards
- 1999: Nominated for "Best Limited Series" Eisner Award
See also
Notes
References
- Annotations for The Nail #1, #2 and #3 by Jess Nevins
- Justice League of America: The Nail at the Comic Book DB
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