Justice League of America #8

Issue Details

Synopsis

FOR SALE -- THE JUSTICE LEAGUE! Superman and Batman do not appear at all in this issue - it was editorial policy to downplay the World's Finest duo in order to give more exposure and action to the lesser know heroes in the team. This story begins with petty crook Pete Ricketts on the run from the police. Stumbling into an alley, he finds a strange gadget which enables him to control the police as he douses them in its ray of light. To Ricketts' amazement, the police run away when he orders them to! Realizing he has found something special, Ricketts continues to use the device to make himself rich as he continues his one man crime spree. Meanwhile the underworld gang-lords are bemoaning the fact that takings are down because of the JLA. They decide to put up a million dollar reward for anyone who can get rid of the Justice League - and upon hearing this, Ricketts believes this is his chance to hit the big time. Turning his gadget on Green Lantern, Ricketts orders the Emerald Gladiator to take him to the gangland hideout of the crime bosses. As they approach, the mob shoot wildly at Green Lantern, but GL - under the compulsion of Ricketts Ray makes short work of them. Upon landing, Ricketts boasts that he can deliver the JLA to the mob. The crooks are happy to put up the money if he can prove this to be the case. Using his strange ray on Green Lantern, Ricketts forces the Emerald Gladiator to tell him where his JLA signal device is located. Ricketts calls the JLA members and as they respond, he zaps each one of them in turn with his controlling ray. Soon, six members of the world's greatest super heroes stand helpless before the crime lords!  Ricketts gets them to image what it would be like to have the JLA commit robberies on their behalf - and then, so that the crooks can reap the benefit of such a venture, auctions off each hero to the eager gangland bosses. Arguing amongst themselves about who has the better buy, the hoods agree to send the heroes...