Slave Ship of Space!

Justice League of America #3

March 1961

In a Nutshell

Kanjar Ro’s Gamma Metal Gong has enthralled the population of Earth. The Justice League is forced to capture the alien despot’s political rivals to secure the planet’s release. When Kanjar Ro betrays his reluctant allies, the League exploit a loophole in this plan.

This issue is noteworthy for featuring the Justice League’s first official war crime. It may not have been the League’s idea to abduct the leaders of three alien worlds, but once Kanjar Ro’s threat is ended, the sensible decision would have been to bring them right back home. Instead, our heroes opt to build a makeshift asteroid prison to confine the aliens until the League has decided they’ve learned their collective lesson. The Flash assures us these monarchs are “super-villains,” but there’s nothing in the story up until that point to demonstrate that. 

Roll Call

  • The usual candidates are as useless as ever. Kanjar Ro excludes Batman and Snapper Carr from this mission by leaving them as bait in a trap to capture Superman. Superman obligingly flies into the trap, and is KOed by Kryptonite gas until rescued by J’onn.
  • The rest of the League successfully accomplish their set tasks. The Martian Manhunter captures Kromm of Mosteel, Wonder Woman and Aquaman defeat Hyathis of Alstair. while Flash and Green Lantern wrangle Sayyar of Llarr. However, I’m not going to doling out contribution credit for running errands for an alien tyrant. Kidnapping foreign monarchs should simply not be on the JLA’s to-do list. Failing to put them back where they found them only makes matters worse.

  • On the other hand, Flash, J’onn and Wonder Woman earned their participation credit by covertly recording the voices of their targets. Playing back these recordings is what ends Kanjar Ro’s trance, freeing the people of Earth.

Did You Know?

This is the third issue in a row in which Aquaman commands sea creatures who are not from Earth. It’s a good thing he can do that.

The Scorecard

Snapper Carr and Green Lantern both drop the ball this issue, with the latter neglecting to charge his ring before the mission. This puts the Flash in sole possession of the top spot this month.


Team Member


Tenure

Cover Appearances

Story Appearances

Contribution Rating

Flash

6

6

100%

6

100%

6

100%

Green Lantern

6

6

100%

6

100%

5

83%

Snapper Carr

6

0

0%

6

100%

5

83%

Martian Manhunter

6

6

100%

6

100%

4

67%

Wonder Woman

6

6

100%

6

100%

4

67%

Aquaman

6

6

100%

6

100%

3

50%

Batman

6

1

17%

6

100%

2

33%

Superman

6

1

17%

6

100%

2

33%

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