# World War III (DC Comics)

"World War III" is the title of two comic book sagas published by DC Comics and involving many of the superheroes of the DC Universe. The first was published in 2000 as a story-arc in the JLA ongoing series; the second was published in 2007 as a limited series of its own.

## JLA

The original "World War III" saga was a narrative arc of the JLA series written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Howard Porter in 2000 (over JLA #36-41), and currently in print as the JLA, Vol. 6: World War III paperback. This was the final arc written by Grant Morrison and provided explanation for hints dropped over his tenure about the importance of the JLA as "forerunners" in defending the Earth from an impending menace.
Lex Luthor, failing to defeat the JLA, forms a new Injustice Gang consisting of Prometheus, Queen Bee, and General Wade Eiling. The team infiltrates the Watchtower and defeats the JLA, who learn that the entity Mageddon is controlling them.
Aztek, who was created to oppose Mageddon, is killed in battle with him. The JLA gives superpowers to the population of the Earth, who unite in the decisive effort to vanquish Mageddon and save the planet, keeping it occupied long enough for Superman to disable Mageddon.

## 52

The title World War III was also used in 2007 for a four-issue mini-series written by Keith Champagne (#1-2) and John Ostrander (#3-4), and drawn by Pat Olliffe and Tom Derenick, with covers by Ethan Van Sciver. It tells the story of Black Adam's rage against humanity after his family was murdered, and he can only be stopped when the entire superhero community rallies together. The limited series was a tie into DC's weekly comic book series, 52, occurring on "Week 50" of the series, which takes place during the missing year following Infinite Crisis. Indeed, 52 was conceived to explain many of the drastic changes that occurred in the DC Universe during that missing year; however, the series ultimately evolved in a different direction, focusing on its own cast of characters, and consequently, World War III was conceived to revisit the original intent of the series and explain the changes that occurred.

### Synopsis

Five weeks before the main events of the series, Martian Manhunter tries to telepathically fight Adam following his near obliteration of Bialya, first disguising himself as a young girl, but is overwhelmed by his darkest memory and flees into space, from where he will observe the upcoming battle, which is narrated through his point of view.
During Week 50, Adam rampages around the world, killing countless civilians and damaging the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Great Pyramids.
Father Time unsuccessfully tries to stop Adam, who rips off his face. In retaliation, Adam throws an aircraft carrier at New York City before Firestorm and Firehawk destroy it.
In the meantime, J'onn observes Supergirl return from the 31st century. Unstable from the time travel, she passes through J'onn. Her form stabilizes as she plunges to Earth.
The Doom Patrol attempt to halt Adam's rampage in Pisa, and Donna Troy assumes Wonder Woman's mantle. Meanwhile, Sub Diego's residents lose their ability to survive underwater, forcing Aquaman to transport the city to the surface using dark magic. However, this transforms him into the monstrous Dweller in the Depths.
J'onn continues following Adam's trail, distracting his thoughts from the Justice Society, once again united to give aid to the suffering populace. He finds him battling the Teen Titans, asking vengeance for their supposed betrayal of Osiris. Over the course of two confrontations, he kills Young Frankenstein and Terra. This causes J'onn to come back to Earth, and alert Checkmate. Kate Spencer's cover as Manhunter is almost blown; still her pursuing of the greater good convinced J'onn to enact another step in his maturation: he goes to his former police district as John Jones, revealing himself to his former friends, and burning his former detective agency to the ground to prevent himself from ever assuming a disguise again. Not even Captain Marvel can beat Adam and asks the Egyptian gods to remove Adam's powers, but they tell him he has their blessing.
Finally Adam is delayed in China by the Great Ten. At first, the assembled heroes can do nothing, as China has promised to fire its nuclear missiles if they cross the Great Wall of China. Finally, the Justice Society and the other superheroes are allowed to join in battle. J'onn appears and subdues Adam with his telepathy, enabling Captain Marvel to defeat him.
From their satellite base, the Monitors declare the end of "World War III", intended as the war of one man against the whole world, but express fear for an even darker event looming over Earth.

## Collected editions

Both stories have been collected into trade paperbacks:
* JLA Vol. 6: World War III (collects JLA #34-41, 2000, ISBN 1-56389-618-4)
* DC: World War III (collects 52 Week 50 and World War III four-issue mini-series, 2007, ISBN 1-4012-1504-1)