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WARNING! Spoilers for DC Horror Presents… #3The latest issue of DC Horror Presents… pays homage to the Justice League’s original origin in the DC Universe, as Batman encounters the creepy scene of captive humans being turned into trees. DC’s new horror anthology has contained a number of creepy stories since its launch in October of 2024, and the newest issue is another spooky treat for longtime fans.
The opening story in DC Horror Presents… #3 by Francesco Francavilla and Simon Bowland features Batman being buried alive. The preview for the story then flashes back to the Dark Knight investigating an abandoned botanical conservatory.
Upon stepping inside, Batman discovers what appears to be human beings transformed into trees. The horrifying image recalls 1962’s Justice League of America #9, whose cover portrays the unforgettable image of Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Aquaman slowly being turned into trees.
The Justice League’s Classic Origin Returns in a Brand-New Horror Story
Justice League of America #9 Cover by Mike Sekowsky, Murphy Anderson, and Ira Schnapp
Justice League of America #9 by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, Bernard Sachs, and Gaspar Saladino presented the original origin story of DC’s premiere super-team during the Silver Age. The issue itself presents the story as a flashback, in which the League is celebrating their third anniversary since forming. The original members relate how they all came together for new Leaguer Green Arrow and League mascot Snapper Carr, telling of an alien invasion of Earth by beings from a planet called Apellax.
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The aliens from Apellax came to Earth following the death of their ruler and decided to wage war on Earth to determine who would be their new leader. Each race of aliens who call Apellax home sent a representative to Earth, each with their own special abilities. The individual heroes of Earth arrived to deal with the new threat, but one-by-one they were transformed into trees as each attempted to deal with the Apellaxian threat. The heroes eventually find a way out of their predicament and defeat the aliens, but they decide to form a team to deal with any further threats in the future.
DC’s Original Silver Age Origin of the Justice League Is Pure Nightmare Fuel
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Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez retcons this origin, with Black Canary taking the place of Wonder Woman in the newly-refurbished continuity. Further revisions have given the Justice League different origins through the years, and the Apellaxians have occasionally reappeared to give the heroes of Earth trouble on more than one occasion. It seems unlikely that Batman would be facing a new batch of Apellaxian aliens in this new DC Horror Presents… story, but it would be a nice homage for old-school Justice League fans.
DC Horror Presents… #3 is available now from DC Comics.
“}]] The Justice League’s very first origin… Read More