DC Comics: Justice League Hero Meets Brutal End

by

This week in Justice League Unlimited, issue #6 unfolds, part of Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s We Are Yesterday crossover storyline. In this installment, it was unveiled that the enigmatic Inferno is actually Gorilla Grodd, who has acquired Martian Manhunter’s extraordinary abilities. Moreover, the issue disclosed not only the source of Inferno’s detailed knowledge about the heroes but also the method by which Grodd compensated his informant. Previous issues hinted that Inferno knew more than he should about the Justice League Unlimited, and now we learn that Air Wave had been secretly working as a mole for him. To repay this service, Grodd, the psychic gorilla, terminated the time-displaced hero.

Who is Air Wave?

Harold Levey is actually the secret persona behind Air Wave, a young inventor who created a suit that enables him to transform his body into radio waves and transmit data to almost any device globally. In the comic series Stargirl: The Lost Children, he was taken from the past by the villain Childminder. Since then, he’s been living in the future, striving to make a positive impact as a hero of the current era.

More recently, Air Wave played a pivotal role in dismantling Amanda Waller during the climactic DC event of last year, “Absolute Power.” Once the rest of the superheroes defeated her swarm of Amazo robots and thwarted her attempts to dominate the multiverse, Waller gloated that she had nonetheless tarnished their reputation. Using Brainiac Queen’s manipulative powers, she spread deepfake videos across the internet depicting the heroes attacking innocent civilians violently. She claimed that even if she were apprehended, the heroes would forever be viewed with suspicion. However, Nightwing held a surprise up his sleeve – none other than Air Wave.

In this rephrased version: The young champion employed his powers to transmit Waller’s wicked speech across the globe, vindicating the heroes and exposing her wrongdoings. As a result, Waller was apprehended, while Air Wave was hailed as a genuine hero. Not long after, Superman invited Air Wave to join the recently established Justice League Unlimited, acknowledging his valor during the disaster. In the initial five issues, he participated in several missions for the League, but eventually, it was discovered that he had allied with Inferno and had been deceiving the League since saving them from peril.

What Happened to Air Wave?

Following the conclusion of “Absolute Power,” several superheroes found their powers exchanged with ordinary individuals. Unfortunately, among them was Martian Manhunter who fell into the hands of Gorilla Grodd, enhancing the already menacing ape’s threat level. With an intention to dismantle the Justice League Unlimited, Grodd realized he needed help and couldn’t depend on his typical villain accomplices due to reasons such as reformation, incarceration, or being too hazardous in current times.

I was swayed by Grodd’s deceitful tactics, as he cleverly manipulated my mind with illusions and mind-control. He convinced me that my time-traveling exploits were causing me harm, and it seemed the League was aware but chose to turn a blind eye.

Grodd presented me with fabricated images of the League’s ruthless actions against innocent lives, transforming me into his covert agent within their ranks. Meanwhile, Grodd traversed through time to recruit his Legion of Doom allies at the zenith of their wickedness. I used my knowledge of the new Watchtower to identify its vulnerabilities while he was gone, playing a dangerous game on behalf of our malevolent leader.

In the current situation, Air Wave uncovered Grodd’s deceit and endeavored to halt him, but Grodd no longer needed the boy and ended his life moments before the Justice League Unlimited could intervene. As Air Wave tried to transform into radio waves to escape, Grodd, Lex Luthor, and Joker fired their blasters, turning Air Wave into a cloud of blood. With smug expressions on their faces, they had eliminated Air Wave.

With a new Legion of Doom equipped with time-travel capabilities, Grodd prepared to wage war against the reformed Justice League. However, this time, he possesses the powers of Martian Manhunter and is aware of all the Watchtower’s defense mechanisms – knowledge that the League remains unaware of.

In the end, poor Air Wave met an undeserved demise. He was truly a valiant member of the League, but unfortunately, he wasn’t ready for Grodd’s cunning tricks and mental prowess. There’s still hope that he might return, considering time travel is crucial in these events; however, at present, his death was gruesome to say the least. Now it falls upon the League to quell the villains Air Wave unintentionally released.

Justice League Unlimited #6 is on sale now.

Read More

2025-04-26 15:40