Warning: Spoilers for Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #29!
Summary
There’s a new supernatural magic squad in the DC Universe, and they’re so powerful, not evenJustice League Darkcan compare to them. For all intents and purposes, Dark basically serves as the supernatural division of the main Justice League. While the official team deals with global, intergalactic threats, Justice League Dark focuses on the mystical arts and dark magic from otherworldly realms.
ThoughJustice League Dark is nowhere in sight, a new supernatural squad is up to task inBatman / Superman: World’s Finest#29 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora. When a new threat looms over the horizon that not even the World’s Finest can handle, it’s up to Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk to find reinforcements.
Reinforcements arrive in the form ofZatanna, Doctor Fate, Johnny Thunder’s Thunderbolt, Dr. Occult, and Prince Ra-Man.Not Constantine, though, as Bat-Mite has a “no drunks” rule. Though their debut includes some truly more obscure members, it’s possible there’s a future for them in the DC Universe.
Justice League’s Darkest Team Are Finally Showing Their True Power
Justice League Dark has worked in the shadows of the Justice League for years, but now they’re ready to step into the spotlight.
Featuring Obscure Magic Users
In the currentWorld’s Finestarc, Superman, Batman, and their super-friends have been forced to confronta Doomsday-level threat named Doom-Mite. Silly appearance aside, Doom-Mite is nothing to be trifled with, and he makes that clear when he makes easy work of the heroes. Most notably, he beats Superman to a bloody pulp andtransforms Batman into a nightmarish puppet. While Superman and Robin stall,Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite are tasked by the Man of Steel to collect every magic-user they canto help them pull the Sixth Dimension from underneath Doom-Mite.
The new team is truly a strange bunch:Bat-Mite first swoops into Los Angeles in the middle of Zatanna’s magic show, while Mxy pays a personal visit to Doctor Fate in Salem. Bat-Mite travels to a bar in New Orleans, only to reconsider after takinga whiff of John Constantine. Meanwhile, Mxy finds Johnny Thunder trekking through the icy mountains of Badhnesia with his old friend, Thunderbolt. Without hesitation, the two magical imps ditch Johnny to poof away. Finally, Bat-Mite and Mxy find Prince Ra-Man and Dr. Occult in Cairo"settling a difference,“but set those differences aside to focus on more important matters.
Zatanna fans shouldn’t miss the stylish new DC Black Label series,Zatanna: Bring Down the House. The first issue, by Mariko Tamaki, Javier Rodríguez, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, is available now from DC Comics.
Who Is Johnny Thunder and Thunderbolt?
Golden Age Allies to the Justice Society of America
Johnny Thunder dates back to the Golden Age of Comics, meaning Bat-Mite and Mxy’s search took them to the outskirts of history, which itself means they peggedJohnny Thunder as being one of the best magic users in DC history. Created by John Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier, Thunder and Thunderbolt first debuted inFlash Comics#1.
Born the seventh son of a seventh son on the seventh day of the seventh month of the year 1917, one might think Johnny Thunder a lucky chap. Unfortunately for Johnny, that wasn’t the case when he was kidnapped and sold by magic users who prophesied that someone born under his circumstances would inherit incredible power on their seventh birthday. After a series of rituals, the Badhnisians gifted the boythe Zodiac Belt that holds the Thunderbolt genie, Yz, hoping they could manipulate him into granting them world domination.
Unfortunately, Johnny failed to unlock its powers at age seven because he did not know the magic words. After escaping the magic cult, Johnny experienced a normal life until one day, the window washer accidentally uttered the magic words, CEI-U (pronounced “say, you”) and finally summoned Thunderbolt. Eventually, Johnny used Thunderbolt to thwart crime, earning himselfa spot on the Justice Society of America, becoming one of their most powerful and underrated members. In old age, during modern times, Johnny’s genie was passed down to ayoung boy named Jakeem Thunder.
Who Is Doctor Occult?
Private Eye, Public Sorcerer
Doctor Occult is not only another lesser known name from classic DC lore, butanother character who has roots in the JSA. Doctor Richard Occult made his debut inNew Fun Comics#6. Richard, along with his future sidekick Rose Psychic, was one of two infants rescued from a cult that had intentions of sacrificing them to Satan. Of the two, Richard seemed to be the most adept magic use, and as such, the cult afflicted him with the Mystic Symbol of the Seven.
Doctor Occult was created by Joe Schuster and Jerry Siegel in 1935. If those names sound familiar, they should: Schuster and Siegel also created Superman.
As Doctor Occult, the Ghost-Detective, he used his magic skills to combat evil. He and Rose traveled to 1920s New York City to practice their craft, along with studying for a science degree to truly earn the title of Doctor. He soon began his own private investigation practice with Rose Psychic as his assistant. His skills were especially put to use asa member of the All-Star Squadron and as an affiliate to the Justice Society of America. He has also made appearances forboth Justice League Darkand the official Justice League.
Who Is Prince Ra-Man?
Hero or Villain?
Finally, that brings Prince Ra-Man to the forefront. Some readers may be confused about where his allegiances lie, as he fights Doctor Occult in his first appearance. Their kerfuffle aside, Prince Ra-Man is a hero, and his origins have always rooted him on the side of heroes. His first appearance comes in 1965’sHouse of Secrets#73 in the story “The Death of Mark Merlin” by Bob Haney and Bernard Baily.Before he was Prince Ra-Man, he was Mark Merlin, who debuted separately in 1959’sHouse of Secrets#23.
Merlin was, like Doctor Occult, an occultist detective investigating the supernatural — until he was attacked by his old foe, the Gargoyle, in his home. The supernatural sleuth is banished to the Ra dimension. He’s not allowed to return to Earth in his own body, so instead,his mind and spirit are transferred into the long-dead body of a wizard named Prince Ra-Man, the son of a sun god. He gains new powers that allow him to defeat the Gargoyle upon his return. Although he’s killed off duringCrisis on Infinite Earthsby Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Prince Ra-Man continues to make sporadic returns to DC lore.
The Justice League Just Disrespected Constantine in the Funniest Way
John Constantine doesn’t look much like a superhero, so it’s understandable that the Justice League’s new member might mistake him for something else.
Could There Be More to Come?
Together, the occultists have an impressive debut as a team inWorld’s Finest#29, making relatively quick work of a catastrophic villain. While the issue offers no hint of their return as a unit,it would certainly be a missed opportunity for DC not to revisit this team.They arrive at a time when the Justice League Dark aren’t very active. With a hole in the supernatural department, it would be perfect timing and even fitting for it to be filled by a team compiled of the strongest magic users from DC’s past and present.
If Zatanna’s interaction with Prince Ra-Man is anything to go off of, these magicians likely have chemistry on and off the battlefield, making for some interesting character moments. Speaking of characters, it’s also a great way to see DC’s obscure heroes like Johnny Thunder, Prince Ra-Man, and Doctor Occult, who are all rich in history, but otherwise don’t have a place in modern DC lore. Putting them within aJustice League Darkreplacement team avoids the potential of both the characters and their team going to waste.
