Riddle of the Robot Justice League!

Justice League of America #13

August 1962

In a Nutshell

The JLA have been transported to the alien world Erislane to combat the extra-dimensional threat of planet Skarn. The Skarn want to suck the Life-Force out of our universe, and they’re prepared to cheat at Robot Olympics to do it. Aquaman leads the team to victory by urging them to “Yank Harder!”

Roll Call

The main event of this issue, in which the JLA battle robot duplicates of themselves, is entirely irrelevant to the outcome. Although the story is framed under the assumption that the Skarn will spare our universe if the League wins their challenge, they never actually make that offer. The Robot Fights appear to be nothing more than entertainment for the Skarn, and as soon as their team is beaten, the countdown to the Vita-Matter sucking begins. So it’s only the destruction of the Life-Force Engine that has any consequence here.

  • It is Aquaman who deduces that the Life-Force Engine must be hidden within the robot-fighting stadium. This is a nice recovery from an ignominious first half. Aquaman is the only Leaguer the Skarn don’t bother creating a robot duplicate of, so he is relegated to the role of cheerleader while the rest of the team kicks shiny metal bottoms.

  • Superman and the Martian Manhunter locate the weapon, while the Flash and Wonder Woman destroy it.

  • Green Lantern seals Skarn off from the multiverse, so they can never threaten another universe again.

  • Batman and Green Arrow don’t really contribute anything after the Robot Fight, and Snapper Carr isn’t even invited.

The Scorecard

This is Aquaman’s second issue in a row without a cover appearance. The standings are otherwise unchanged, with Green Lantern remaining in the top spot.


Team Member


Tenure

Cover Appearances

Story Appearances

Contribution Rating

Green Lantern

16

16

100%

16

100%

13

81%

Flash

16

16

100%

16

100%

12

75%

Martian Manhunter

16

14

88%

16

100%

12

75%

Aquaman

16

14

88%

16

100%

11

69%

Wonder Woman

16

16

100%

16

100%

11

69%

Superman

16

3

19%

14

88%

9

56%

Snapper Carr

16

1

6%

16

100%

8

50%

Green Arrow

10

9

90%

10

100%

5

50%

Batman

16

3

19%

14

88%

4

25%

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