Journey Into the Micro-World!

Justice League of America #18

March 1963

In a Nutshell

The JLA are summoned to the sub-atomic world of Starzl to subdue their invincible protectors, who are inadvertently poisoning the population. The League performs miserably until they discover the power of a teenager with a can-do attitude.

This issue demonstrates that the Justice League are just as concerned about their contribution ratings as I am. The story begins with Snapper Carr bemoaning his cold streak of participation.

Roll Call

The gimmick in this story is that, in this sub-atomic dimension, hearing is believing. Once the Leaguers are told Starzl’s champions are invulnerable, they literally become unable to defeat them. This explains their inept performance in the first half of the book. Once they deduce the problem, everyone pitches in to secure the win.

  • It is Batman who figures out why the team performed so poorly in their first encounters with Starzl’s protectors. Green Lantern posits that Snapper Carr could succeed where they had failed, as Snapper never heard the champions boasting about their invulnerability.
  • The Atom’s powers allow him to retrieve Snapper from the macro-world, while Green Lantern shields their mascot from hearing the protectors’ thoughts.
  • Green Arrow, the Atom and Batman help Snapper overcome the protector Terrane.
  • Aquaman, the Flash and the Martian Manhunter assist in defeating Ocana, the water-based champion.
  • Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Superman help the teen defeat Etheran, the space-faring protector.
  • Despite all the teamwork on display, it’s Snapper Carr who scores a Saving the Day bonus point this issue. The irony is that he is only allowed to participate in this adventure because he literally has no idea what’s going on.

The Scorecard

There’s no change in the rankings this month, but the whole team earns a brief reversal from their recent streak of irrelevance.


Team Member


Tenure

Cover Appearances

Story Appearances

Contribution Rating

Green Lantern

21

21

100%

21

100%

17

81%

Martian Manhunter

21

19

90%

21

100%

15

71%

Flash

21

21

100%

21

100%

14

67%

Aquaman

21

19

90%

21

100%

13

62%

Wonder Woman

21

21

100%

21

100%

13

62%

Superman

21

3

14%

19

90%

11

52%

Snapper Carr

21

1

5%

21

100%

10

48%

Green Arrow

15

14

93%

15

100%

7

47%

Batman

21

3

14%

19

90%

5

24%

Atom

5

5

100%

5

100%

4

80%

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