Dead Reckoning - Recap

In a remote monastery, Nanda Parbat, an ancient Master addresses the ghost of Boston Brand, known as Deadman. Deadman wonders why he can't pass on even after he brought his killer to justice. The Master notes that he is still there and informs him that his destiny is to avenge the Master's death. Outside, a guard stands watch when several Legion of Doom villains teleport in, accompanied by troopers and lead by Lex Luthor. The guard confronts them and one of the villains, Devil Ray, casually shoots him down and they go inside. Another monk informs them that outsiders are not allowed in the temple of Nanda Parbat. When Atomic Skull goes up to him, the monk casually disposes of him and summons the other monks. The villains dispose of many of them and approach the temple to find the Master waiting for them. Devil Ray tells him to step aside but when the Master refuses, he deflects the initial shots. Undaunted, Devil Ray brings down the archway on him while Deadman and the remaining monks, look on, horrified. The dying Master tells Deadman they will meet away. Deadman leaps into the body of Rampage and possesses her, smashing Devil Ray into the temple. Tala senses Deadman's presence and casts a spell to exorcise Deadman.



Tala approaches the temple's altar and takes a glowing sphere: the Heart of Nanda Parbat. As she touches it, the soul of all the monks leave their bodies and float into the Heart. She teleports them away with another spell. Outside, Deadman recovers only to find everyone dead and the temple complex in ruins. Meanwhile, the villains return to the Legion of Doom's headquarters where Tala gives the Heart to Grodd. Lex is disgusted at her subservience but Tala is happy to serve Grodd in return for his freeing her. Grodd explains to Luthor that he plans to use magic as a power source in conjunction with the amplifier. Grodd plans to steal the device he needs.



The goddess Rama Kushna appears to Deadman, informing him the monks are in a coma of sorts and he must retrieve the Heart to free them. Meanwhile aboard the Watchtower, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman finishing filing reports and Wonder Woman suggests they grab dinner. Batman isn't interested but as Superman tries to convince him, Deadman possesses Superman and explains he needs their help on a mission of vengeance. Batman quickly realizes who is speaking, since he helped Deadman solve his own murder. Deadman explains that the villains attacked Nanda Parbat, stole the Heart, and killed the Master.. Batman's old teacher. Deadman wants to kill the villains but Batman insists the Master wouldn't have wanted it that way and they'll seek justice, not vengeance. Deadman identifies the villains and the heroes wonder what they're up to forming a secret group. Deadman is getting psychic images of Africa and they realize Grodd is responsible and is heading for Gorilla City. They contact Solovar, who explains that the villains are already attacking the city and asks for help.



The three heroes teleport down outside Gorilla City's protective force field, and Deadman leaves Superman to penetrate the force field, find the controls, and shut them down. The Legion is gaining the upper hand as Deadman enters the Atomic Skull within the control center. He destroys the force field controls but Grodd, Tala, and Lex Luthor arrive. Tala drives him out and then casts a spell to repel him out of the control center. The shield backup kicks in but Grodd realizes that the Justice League have gained access. Lex orders Bizarro to attack Superman while the other heroes hold their own. When Devil Ray attacks Wonder Woman, Deadman takes over her body and advances on the villain, punching him into a building and preparing to deliver the death blow. Deadman hesitates then refuses, leaving Wonder Woman's body.



Grodd completes his device and explains that he's been lying: his true plan isn't to take control of the planet but to use a genetic reconfiguration matrix to generate a carrier wave that will rewrite human DNA. Every human on Earth will be transformed into an ape. Outside, Superman delivers the coup de grace to Bizarro when the evolution ray spreads outward. The heroes are transformed into ape, as are Lex and Tala. The Justice League enters the control center and Tala teleports them out. Superman gets to the carrier wave device and manages to throw it up into the sky where it explodes. The heroes revert to normal but Deadman is blaming himself for failing to save the monks. Solovar arrives to inform them they've captured many of the villains, unaware that Devil Ray is behind him. The villain draws a bead on Wonder Woman and Deadman leaps into Batman's body and shoots Devil Ray, who falls back into a control panel. The villain is dead, electrocuted. Deadman leaves Batman's body and Batman throws away the gun with disgust. Rama Kushna appears to Deadman and faults him for killing someone. The scales of karma are now unbalanced. She explains that the essences of the monks were freed when the carrier wave device was destroyed. The Master is also restored, as no one can died in Nanda Parbat. He informs Deadman that his work is not yet done.



At the Legion of Doom headquarters, Lex realizes that Grodd's plan has failed. Deriding Grodd's plan to turn humans into apes, he takes out a gun and shoots Grodd, then declares that he's in charge. None of the villains object and Tala embraces Lex.



Share this article with your friends