A Just Society

[johnreiter902]

by onlydavb (January 17th 2017)

Chapter 1


March 1963


Clark Kent, senior editor of the Daily Star, trying to decide what would be the lead story of the day. In Mississippi, another pair of Negro civil rights activists had been lynched, this time right front of the local police station. Unverified reports said the police had been actively involved in the murder. Or the fact that the Justice Society after a twelve year absence had publicly brought Vandal Savage to jail Gotham City.


The return of the JSA was a story nearer and dearer to Clark's heart, but he reflected that publicizing what was going on in the South was more important to the nation. He did something he seldom did; he polled the other members of the editorial board who came in favor of the JSA story because it would sell more papers. Clark Kent as the senior editor of the Daily Star couldn't argue with that.


Still, he saw the need to once again to dig deeper and uncover more of the daily horrors America' Negros were going through to gain the God given rights guaranteed the Constitution of the United States of America. That meant he had to send his best reporter into harm's way. He sighed as knew she wouldn't have it any other way.


Clark ran his fingers through his hair as he went out to the Daily Star's bullpen of reporters and walked across the busy room fill with sounds of typewriters. He knocked on the door to his str reporter's private office and waited until he heard his wife's voice say “Enter.”


Lois smiled at her husband, it wasn't often that he came to her office. Usually he summoned her to his, as was his prerogative as senior editor. “What's up Handsome?” she asked with the smile that always warmed Clark's heart.


Clark shut the door as he said “I have tough assignment for you Lois. A dangerous one as well and I won't be able to be there to protect you as Superman”


“I need you to cover what's going on down South. I need you to do a whole series of articles on the civil rights movement Dr Martin Luther King Junior, the oppressive state and city governments, the Jim Crow Laws, and everything that is rotten down there.”


Lois looked hard at her husband. “Clark, there have been hundred of stories about this since the Supreme Court outlawed segregated public schools a few more won't make any difference.”


“I never thought I would say this to you Lois but, you're underestimating your ability as a reporter. This is a dangerous assignment and a long one. I want you to stay on it for the five or six months.”


“Five or six months! She exclaimed.


“Lois, I'm convinced that if you invest this much time to the story, you'll make a difference. But I need you to promise not to put yourself in too much danger because Superman won't be nearby.”


“I'll be on my own?”


“Yes, though I can fly down to where ever you are easily enough, so we won't be apart the entire time.”


Lois thought it over for a moment. “You really think we can make a difference in such an entrenched problem Clark.”


“Yes I do. If I knew how bad it was in the early days of my career as Superman I probably torn down every southern state's capital and become a national pariah.”


“The days before you became an international hero. Superman now stands for truth justice and the American way; those very things a twisted in the South. The fourth estate has to prove once again that the pen is mightier than the sword.”


“Or even Superman” said Clark. “Will you'll do it?”


Lois stood up and put her arms around her husband. She kissed him and said “I'll do it.”

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 2


March 1963


The Flash sadly took one last look at the abandoned lot where the Justice Society of America's headquarters used to be. He came to Civic City to see if he could get a new lease on the floor of the old townhouse they had used before disbanding.


He had been in Civic City for all of ten minutes. He discovered the bare lot when he first arrived. He then went to he library before going to the library and searched the old newspapers. He discovered their old headquarters had burn to the ground back in 1960. Thank God, he thought, that Hawkman took our records and memorabilia into storage at his estate in upstate New York. Flash turned and raced for the estate of Carter Hall


A minute later he was knocking the front door of the Hall mansion. He had gone back home to Keystone City to change into civilian garb as Carter now had servants who didn't know his secret identity of Hawkman. The Negro butler, John answered the door, “Good after noon Mr Garrick,' said the gentleman's gentleman, “is Mr Hal is not home. Is expecting You?”


“I'm afraid not John. Is Shiera in?” said Jay Garrick.


“Yes, please come in”. The butler took jay's coat and hat before showing him into the study. “I will call Madam Shiera.”


He had to wait only a few minute before Shiera Hall entered the study. Sheira greeted Jay in friendly, but not warm manner. Jay guessed it was because she wasn't too happy about Carter coming out of retirement.


Jay told her about what he had happened to the JSA's old headquarters.


Shiera also frowned at the news. She sighed and said “Carter will be disappointed. I suppose you'll have to find a new headquarters.”

“Yeah,” said Jay, “bit I don't think we can find what we need in Civic City; which is a shame because that was a fairly central location for us to meet.”


Shiera nodded. “I don't know if Civic City is as Central as is was back in 1951. some of you have moved to other places in the country.”


Jay thought for a moment “Oh yeah Dr Mid-Nite moved to Ohio.”


Shiera smiled, “I guess Carter hasn't told you Jay, but he's planning on asking everyone who was a member to rejoin the Justice Society.” She did not tell the Fastest Man Alive' that Carter told her that he was going to ask the team to grant her membership as Hawkgirl.


“That's an excellent idea” said Jay. “But we lost track of a lot of the guys. I don't know wher he other old members are except for the Black Canary.”


“You forget Jay, Hawkman's a detective, that's where he is now. Once he finds his old friends he'll talk to them and have Wonder Woman follow up with a letter in tour old JSA code.”


“Great Sheira, tell him I told Green lantern and Johnny Thunder next time you talk to him. They'll contact the Black Canary and Batman.”


Sheira heard the grandfather clock strike noon and asked Jay to stay for lunch, after they ate and chatted Jay left because he had to get back to work at his business, Garrick Laboratories.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 3


Mid-March


Black Canary was standing on a rooftop with two of her fellow members of the Justice Society, her oldest friend in the community of super heroes, Johnny Thunder, and Green Lantern, who was the most powerful member of the JSA that she had met to this point and who's power ring sending out a green Bat-Signal across the sky..


Johnny Thunder had showed up at her flower shop two weeks ago. Johnny came by at least once a month and she looked forward to his unscheduled stops. Dinah Drake Lance had not changed much over the last twelve years save her marriage to Larry Lance. Their financial circumstances had greatly improved as Larry with his younger brother George had built their small private detective agency into a topflight security company along with a small cadre of private insurance investigators after an initial financing from Dinah's friend Carter Hall.


This time Johnny Thunder's visit was different. Dinah could see from the moment he walked in the door. Johnny was all excited as he and several members of the JSA had fought and captured Vandal Savage with the help of a Flash from another world. Furthermore Johnny told her that they decided that they should come out of retirement.


That sparked Dinah;s interest. She was the youngest JSA member, not starting her short heroic career until 1948, only to have it cut short in 1951. she missed the adventure, and while she sometimes help her husband; it wasn't fulfilling enough, so she asked if she could rejoin the team.


Johnny smiled that boyish smile of his as he said “That's why I'm here. Hawkman came up with the idea of asking our other members if they wanted to go out of retirement as well. The Flash is our messenger since he can crisscross the country in a matter of seconds, and because were not using the phone since they can be tapped. While different members are individually contacting the other guys I volunteer to call on you.”


Green Lantern had said he would call on the Batman, but he wanted Johnny and Dinah to join him in his request to Gotham City's most famous hero. It took them a week to arrange this because Alan Scott was now the president of a major broadcasting network and his time was precious. Dinah saw that this might be a problem with coming out of retirement as even the Flash had little spare time as he now owned and operated his own laboratory in Keystone City.


The three looked to the night sky in different directions when they heard a voice call out from behind them “Hello Green Lantern, Johnny.” They all turned in surprise that they could be snuck up on so easily, Dinah thought it must be rust on her skills. But what surprised Green Lantern and Johnny even more was that the voice didn't belong to the Batman.


Black Canary winced when she heard Johnny Thunder say “Robin! Say you ought to be ashamed of yourself, sneaking up on us that way.” Say You as phonetically to Johnny Thunder magic word Cei-U. A word that summoned his genie like pink Bandesian Thunderbolt. T-Bolt looked like a strange combination of a man and a pink lighting bolt and would magically obey what ever Johnny commanded.


Johnny's Thunderbolt suddenly appeared out of the hair saying “You rang Ol' Master of the Mundane. What do want...Black Canary! Green Lantern! Robin.! Does this mean were going go adventuring again boss.”


Dinah saw the young man in a strange costume that was an uniquely ugly amalgamation of Batman and Robin's old costume standing shame faced in front of them. “Johnny, tell T-Bolt to take away Robin”s shame”she said


Robin instantly regained his composure once Johnny told T-Bolt to remove Robin's shame. Robin then said “That was strange.” Before turning the the Emerald Gladiator “What do you need Batman for Green Lantern?”


The Thunderbolt was indignant with Johnny when Green Lantern explained what the JSA was proposing. “Why didn't you tell me, Boss! Don't ya think I'd want in on this big news.”


Johnny looked at his Thunderbolt saying “Shh! T-Bolt, I was going to surprise you at our first meeting.”


Robin ignore the bantering duo as he said. “I'll relay the information to Batman. He's out of town right now. How can he contact you?'


The three JSAers looked at one another when T-Bolt said, “Boss, your name is in the phone book.”


“That's right. Just have him call me” said Johnny.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 4


Mid-March


Bruce Wayne was in Atlanta on business for both Wayne Industries and the Wayne Foundation at the behest of his Uncle Philip. Bruce was doing a lot more work for both entities these days because Phillip had been diagnosed with a cancer on his left lung.* (*see Batman Family “Thanksgiving)


Lucius Fox, Phillip's protege, was running the day to day operations of the business and charity but Bruce was overseeing the grand vision of both, though he consulted with Lucius, Phillip, his know adult ward Dick Grayson, who also doubled as his and Phillip's personal lawyer . Bruce's most trusted adviser though was his wife Selina.


Phillip asked Bruce to go to Atlanta to give Martin Luther King's organization a check for ten thousand dollars. Phillip told Bruce he did this anonymously on a monthly basis. Bruce remembered how remarked “Now I know why Dick's been going South once a month.”


Phillip then added that he wanted Bruce to go to the South and see judge for himself if the civil rights workers who were being arrested and otherwise abused by the authorities in the southern states ought to receive money from the Wayne Foundation. It was tricky question because Bruce had established the foundation ten years ago to specifically help the victims of crime, that did sometimes include the innocent families of criminals, but never someone actually arrested. Bruce's first reaction was to reject his uncle's proposal outright but he kept silent and agreed to think it over. Only when he talked it over with Selina did he truly agree to keep an open mind when he traveled south.


The business part of his trip had to do with a small circuit board manufacturing plant in the town of Hattenberg some twenty miles west of Atlanta. Wayne Circuit Board Company was a newly built factory. It had good high paying jobs and was a boon to the local economy. However the city of

Hattenburg was fining the Wayne Circuit Board Company a thousand dollars a week because the new facility did not have segregated restrooms break rooms, or drinking fountains.


Phillip was furious with the town. Hewould have gone down there and told the city council that if they did not relent he would close the factory down and raze the building so no one else could use the facility if he wasn't so sick. Lucius Fox was Phillip's right hand man would have normally gone down in Phillip's stead, but Lucius was a Negro, and Phillip was unwilling to put his top man in harm's way even though Lucius asked to go. So Phillip asked his only nephew to go to Hattenberg knowing the younger man would be as safe as anyone could be because Phillip knew Bruce was also the famed Batman.


Bruce reflected on this as he went to the King's modest residence. His uncle had been trying to get Bruce more involved in the business for over twenty years. Bruce always rebuffed him because being the Batman took so much of his time. But now he was a married man with a six year old daughter. Robin had grown into adulthood and could handle most of the criminal element in Gotham City by himself. While Batman wasn't redundant the recent reemergence of the Justice Society of America could allow him to go into semi-retirement; at least until his Uncle Phillip recovered.


Much to Bruce's disappointment, the great man wasn't home despite the fact that their meeting was previous arranged because Doctor King had been arrested in Birmingham Alabama. Bruce gave Phillip's check to the Reverend King's wife after having a long insightful conversion . The next day he began arrangement for the Wayne Foundation to start paying for bail and very best lawyers to try the cases of arrested civil rights workers because here the criminals were the states.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 5


Mid-March


Bruce Wayne was sitting a heated meeting with the mayor and city council of Hattenburg discussing the city's ongoing fines on the local Wayne Industries factory because the plant's restrooms, break rooms, and water fountains were not segregated. Bruce had already explained his company's position to the plant workers as well as taking out a full page advertisement in the city's newspaper. He was now telling the city officials. The mayor was a typical politician, doing his best to find a way to find a compromise: the council was obviously divided with some agreeing with mayor and others more than willing to have the plant shut down.


The faction that led the way to impose the weekly fines on Wayne factory was led by a man named Buford Beauregard Buell, B.B. Buell to the locals. He was a young, tall, muscular man with blonde hair and blue eyes. His eyes were cold and calculating.


Bruce had just told the city council that the plant would shut down in April if the fines did not stop. This cause a raucous as every councilor wanted to speak at once but they quieted when BB Buell raised his hand. The mayor immediately recognized the younger man and Bruce instantly recognized who held the political power in Hattenburg. BB Buell smile a somewhat sinister smile at Bruce. A smile that Bruce saw was designed to intimidate him. Bruce yawned in silent reply.


BB Buell smile turn into a sneer when Bruce yawned. “I suppose we are boring you Mr Wayne?” Buell continued , not letting Bruce respond. “We here in the South have our cherished traditions and way of life. We will not be dictated to by a pompous Yankee Playboy like your uncle, a N_____ like Lucius Fox, or a man who was just as lecherous as his uncle before marrying to a notorious felon. Furthermore, we will not give you the permits you raze your factory. And if you close it down we will level a special abandoned commercial property tax on you that will make the fines seem like a pittance.” the councilors all started cheering a called out their approvals.


The mayor wrung his hands as he said, “Now Mr Wayne I'm sure you can be reasonable, and add those separate facilities.”


“Actually we can't” said Bruce as he stood up. “You know Buell, back in the despicable days that you so fondly cherish, a man would call you to a duel.”


Buell who knew he had twenty years on this fancy pants carpetbagger, even if the damn Yankee had had enough facelifts to look half his age said “We have gym down stairs complete with a boxing ring Mr Wayne; if you feel your family's honor needs defending.”


Bruce sniff condescendingly “ Not for the likes of you Buell, but if you agree to stop the fines and your ridiculous demands about segregated facilities when I win. We can go right now.”


“An if I win you agree to build the separate facilities, an never come back to Hattenburg with your foul foolish notions.” said BB Buell as he loosened his tie.


“Agreed” said Bruce.


They headed at once to the basement. Bruce heard the excited comment from the councilors and the the staff in the city hall. He heard some ordered to run and get the newspaper reporters. The more conservative stockholder aren't going to like this; but Selina and Uncle Phillip are going to love it.


Bruce took off his suit jacket, shirt, and shoes as the crowd gathered. “Buell,” he cried “are we going bare knuckles or do you need gloves?”


Buell scream back “I don't need no gloves Yankee N_____ lover.” that brought a raucous cheer to the gathering crowd.


Bruce entered the ring first. The crowd quieted a bit because this rich Northerner had a huge muscular arms and a barrel chest, they could see a several scars on his arms and shoulders, but not the expected paunch belly. Buell cried out “I guess his wife used that famous whip of hers on him.” The crowd roared with laughterat the younger man's insult.


The man was taller than Bruce which gave him a greater reach, he probably had twenty pound on him as well. Bruce could see from Buell's poise that he knew how to fight as well. Their was n o referee. People were betting. Buell was getting twenty to one odds. Bruce called to the crowd to be quiet. They kept up their racket until Buell whistled.


“You want to back out now Yankee, or do you have something to say?” said the sneering Buell.


Bruce just yell out the terms of the outcome of their bout. Then he asked Buell if he wanted any have any rules in this fight. Buell shook his head and came at Bruce.


The younger, bigger man was much faster than Bruce anticipated, but he was still unable to connect with any of his blows as Bruce Wayne expertly dodged each one; never once counter-punching. Bruce let this go on for about a minute or so. He waited for the crowd to start booing him calling him a coward.


“Stand and fight” roared Buell.


“Are sure you want me to,” said Bruce, who was in constant motion.


“I said stand and fight Yankee” said Buell.


“Okay .” said Bruce who suddenly let out a series of sharp right hand jabs to Buell's face along with a several heavy blows to the man's torso. Buell was staggered as he stepped away from Bruce; he was shaking his head in order to regain his wits when Bruce came forward again. This time Bruce jabbed with his left and hit him hard in body with his left before hitting Buell's head with both fists. Buell went down with a thud.


The crowd gave Bruce Wayne a clear path to his clothes and then through the exit. Bruce left Hattenburg, never expecting to come back.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 6


Mid March


Tex “Tick-Tock” Tyler was in his private chemistry laboratory, right next to his private office. He was no longer a mere chemist working for Bannerman Chemicals Company. Now he was president and CEO of Tyler Chemicals. He started his company after the war with some financial backing from some well to do friends of his.


Rex would have never met those wonderful men if it had not been for the fact that he, like them, was a costumed mystery man; and more importantly a member of the Justice Society of America. Rex was very proud of the fact that he had been a founding member, even if fate ordained that his active membership would be short.


Miraclo, the wondrous pill that gave him increase strength and reflexes to a superhuman level came with side affects. Worse it was addictive. This led him to all but renounce his Hour Man identity and pursue success in the business world.


Rex smiled as he thought Miraclo did have one permanent affect on me: I am no longer a week man. Today I am assertive without being either aggressive or bullying. Still he reflected, I never would have been able to break out on my own without the self confidence I gained through Miraclo and my adventures as Hour Man.


Yet Rex longed to don his yellow and black costume. He did miss the great feeling of righting wrongs and catching criminals. To this end he had spent nearly twenty years in trying to improve his original Miraclo formula. He was finally close. His test animals were no longer addicted to the drug; even better their speed and reflexes were even greater than the old formula. As impatient as he was Rex was determined to follow through with prolonged drug trial before Hour Man again walked the earth.


He looked at the clock and smiled. It was time to put the lab coat and put on the suit coat as an old friend was coming. An old friend from the old days. Rex had known Al Pratt when he was only a college sophomore as well as the tiny dynamo better known as the masked mystery man - the Atom


Today he was Professor Albert Pratt , of Calvin College. He received a call from Al a week ago and the only time they could meet in person was today at five o'clock. It was a Friday, the end of the work week for Al and Rex.


Rex entered his office, scanning his desk to see if there was any unfinished business. Seeing known he opened a cabinet and turned on the radio, there was nothing on the television that interested him at this hour. His dial was set to the all news station, he still had a keen interest in the world. He frowned as he heard about hos Dr martin Luther King Junior and several other civil rights leaders were arrested in Birmingham Alabama because they were protesting for equality. The newscast was interrupted by his secretary buzzing on the intercom that Professor Pratt was here. Rex told her to let Al in, and to go home. “Come in a couple hours late on Monday Louise; don't dock yourself for those hours because I had you stay late a few hours this week. And don't forget to give yourself the Overtime.”


Al came through the door even as Rex rose o meet him they gave each other warm hands shakes. “You're do well for yourself I see” said Al.


“Says you, the college professor. Al I know you had the brains to open your own physics lab, or work for them government type. You could have been as big a deal as Einstein of Knight; instead of teaching kids” said Rex.


Al smiled depreciatively “Maybe yea, maybe nay Rex. I tried some other types of work but I find teaching to be incredibly rewarding.”


Rex nodded as he said “So why are you here after all these years.”


Al notice how the radio was still on with the ongoing news before he said “I suppose you heard hos the Flash has been back in action for some months.” Rex nodded. “And how a bunch of us JSAers were abducted by Vandal Savage.” Again, Rex nodded. “Well after that the rest of us got to talking about coming out of retirement.”


“You mean donning the old cape and cowl” said Rex.


“Yeah,” said Al, “But not just the fellas who were captured, but all of the old JSA.”


Rex's eyes brightened “You guys are inviting me back in... even with the problems I had with Miraclo.”


Al looked Rex square in the eye as he said “Actually Rex the others don't know I've called on you, but

I remembered how we spoke last year, when you were a guest lecturer at Calvin College, about how you were still trying to improve Miraclo after all theses years. I'm on my way to see one of the fellows whose a prominent Doctor in Massachusetts this weekend. Let's have him take a look at you when you're one your “Hour of Power.”” If he passes you medically I'd say the rest of the gang would have you back with open arms.”


“Massachusetts?” I thought Charles McNider lives in New York.


Al shook his head as he said “Not Dr Mid-Nite, Dr Fate. Kent Nelson is a big time doctor in Salem.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 7


Mid March 1963


Dr Kent Nelson had finished his physical and psychological examination of Rex Tyler hours ago. He was now waiting for laboratory results before he could decide if Rex could once again take up the identity of Hour Man. In the meantime the good doctor was reflecting on the offer Alan Pratt had made to him.


Kent had two reservations, the first was a simple matter of time because as a doctor, he no longer had the time to be a full-time mystery man. Al allayed that question when he said that none of the old JSAers had the time to resume their heroic identities full-time. Al explained that while the members who defeated Vandal Savage wanted to come out of retirement, they were not able to give the same amount of time that they had in the past. Instead they wanted to have a rotating membership made up all the past members. Including they hoped Superman and Batman.


“Why not ask the old members of the All Star Squadron?” asked Kent.


Al smiled ruefully as he said “Because the weren't there when we were exposed to Ian Karkul's time-rays.

Unlike us, they're middle-aged, and possibly out of shape as well. We might have to do ask some of them, but we would rather restrict to our members, unless of coarse we can't get enough of the guys to put on our old costumes.”


Kent said “that makes sense Al. I'll have to think about it.”


“What's there to think about?” asked Rex. I mean I'm dependent on whether or not my new Miraclo is addictive or not, but you have the power of Dr Fate ll the time.”


Al looked long and hard at Kent before saying “Hawkman told me you regained possession of the full Helmet of Fate. The one that eventually took possession of you.”


Kent nodded. “Yes Al, that's one of the reasons holding me back.”


Rex said “I don't understand”


“The spirit of my mentor resided in the Helmet of Fate. I stopped using it back in 1942 because it was taking complete possession of me. It calls to me even now. I'm afraid if I become active as Dr Fate again I might not be able to resist its call” explained Kent.


Later the lab results came in and Kent gave Rex the all clear medically. Rex was delighted that he could once again become the Hour Man. “You know Kent, I've been thinking about what you said and I have an idea. I'll build a new factory here in Salem. That way I can be here to help with this mentor of yours. If it wasn't for him calling on me back in 1940 I would haven't been a member of the JSA. Then I probably would have died on that other earth* (All-Star Squadron Vol 1 #31-35). So I know him even better than I know you because we only worked couple cases in the All Star Squadron.”


Al added “We all can watch out for you Kent, but we really could use both of you.”

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 8


Late March 1963


Hawkman soared across the twilight sky with disappointment because he was unable to find James Corrigan in the City of Cliffland. The former JSA member known as the Spectre had been given back the power of life back in 1942* (More Fun Comics #75, January 1942*) and permanently separated from the Spectre. Corrigan left the police force to join the Army late in the war. The Spectre hadn't been seen since the War. While James Corrigan returned to the Cliffland Police Department after the war,; he left the force in the early 1950's without leaving a forwarding address.


Nor was his trip to Knickerbocker City very fruitful for the former world heavyweight boxing champ Ted Grant had told him that he was too busy preparing the US Boxing Team to once again take up the guise of the Wildcat. Ted did say that he would think about it only after the Olympics next year.


He landed on the third floor terrace of his townhouse in New York City. His mood changed from disappointment to curiosity when he heard voices coming from downstairs, he recognized his wife's voice instantly, but was trying to place the other, male, voice as he changed his attire to civilian clothes.

Carter Hall took the private hidden staircase downstairs and exited the back of the house. He then went around the front of the building and entered.


Shiera heard the front door open and told their guest her was home. The blond visitor smiled back at her and rose from his seat on to sofa to greet Carter. He and Shiera were at the entry to the living room when Carter opened the door.


Carter was extremely happy to see Terry Sloane, AKA Mr Terrific. “Terry, this is a pleasant surprise. What bring you to town?”


Terry merely smiled as Shiera said, “He's in town to find out if you're reactivating the JSA Carter.”


Carter, who had thought he and his teammates were being discreet asked Terry why he thought the JSA was planning on becoming active again.


“Four reasons Hawkman: first the Flash has been active in Keystone City for about a year now, second several members of the Justice Society recaptured Vandal Savage, third a green Bat-Signal was seen over the skyline of Gotham City two weeks ago, and fourthly a lot of the super criminals we put away over the years are coming to the end of their prison sentences. That alone is reason enough for us to make a comeback” said Terry.


“Us? Asked Hawkman. “Does that mean you'll rejoin the team once we reactivate?”


“If you'll have me,I'm not as preserved as you are Carter. I am over forty, but I believe I am still fully capable of being Mr Terrific” said the Man of a Thousand Talents.

Terry, who had thought he and his teammates were being discreet asked Terry why he thought the JSA was planning on becoming active again.


“Four reasons Hawkman: first the Flash has been active in Keystone City for about a year now, second several members of the Justice Society recaptured Vandal Savage, third a green Bat-Signal was seen over the skyline of Gotham City two weeks ago, and fourthly a lot of the super criminals we put away over the years are coming to the end of their prison sentences. That alone is reason enough for us to make a comeback” said Terry.


“Us? Asked Hawkman. “Does that mean you'll rejoin the team once we reactivate?”


“If you'll have me,I'm not as preserved as you are Carter. I am closer to forty than I am thirty, but I believe I am still fully capable of being Mr Terrific” said the Man of a Thousand Talents.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 9


Late March 1963


Dr Charles McNider was at a book signing in New York City. The owner of the store was hovering over the famous writer, doctor, seemingly blind man; telling him repeatedly that the line for his signature of his latest crime novel was over a block long. Thanks to the special dark lenses of his glasses he could see quite well in daylight, even though they appeared to be merely the typical sunglasses that the blind wear.


It was getting late in the day when Charles notice an old friend and patient waiting in line. He had treated after a devastating car accident in 1941. It had nearly killed her, and her road to recovery took years but her determination and the support of her family and long term companion brought her to full health by 1945. Just around the time of her partner's heart attack. He hadn't seen either one since the late 1940's at her father's funeral.


“Dian,” he said when her turn in line finally came, “how are you?”


“Good,” Charles.


“How do you want me to sign this?” he asked.


“To Wes,” please” she replied.


“How is he?” asked Charles.


“The same as ever” was Dian's response.


Charles looked behind her and saw the line was dwindling down. “Could you wait until I'm done here Dian. I really need to talk to you before any of our old friends do.”


Dian's left eyebrow rose at Charles request as she thought over her answer. “Of coarse Charles; just let me use the pay phone across the street to let Wes know I'll be late. I'll be back by five thirty.


An hour later Charles and Dian were in an out of the way corner table at a local bar talking quietly as they caught up the past decade and a half. Charles had related how his old assistant Myra had moved on and out of his life. Dian could tell that this pained Charles, though he hid it well. She could tell he was a very lonely man. Especially when he told her how the JSA was coming out of retirement.


Charles could see the alarm on Dian's face when he mentioned the JSA. “Now you know why I wanted to talk to you Dian. I take it Wes still has no memory of his career as the Sandman?”


Dian shook her head no and Charles then said “Okay, then I'll tell the others that I contacted him. If I know Diana she's going to follow up our talk with a coded letter. She's doing that with all of us because we want to safely communicate with each other before we officially announce our coming out of retirement. We want to make so plans and preparations first. Hawkman as chairman and Wonder Womanas secretary are the true force behind this, though Jay certainly has been instrumental.”


Dian smiled as she thought I'm sure the lonely Dr Mid-Nite is just as involved and active. “What am to tell Wes when he receives this letter?”


“Nothing” said Charles, “it 'll seem like a note from an old friend to Wes. I'll give you my code book if you stop by my apartment later this week. I'm sure Wes will tell you about a letter from a mutual old friend and you can reply to Diana in a coded letter as Wes because I take it you still don't want the others to know about his condition.”


Changing the subject Charles said “I'll tell you one thing we are disagreeing about is asking Robin and Sandy to join the team. How is Sandy?”


Dian smiled back at her friend saying “I'm afraid I don't really know Charles. He left to go to Europe some years ago. We get post cards now and then, but he's still traveling the world in search of adventure.” she them glanced at her watch and said she had to go, hoping that the blind detective hadn't detected her lie. He had not.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 10


Late March 1963


Jay Garrick had just finished drying the dishes he and his wife Joan had used in their evening meal. Jay purposefully did not use his super speed in this evening ritual. The Garrick's had enjoyed their domestic life during the twelve years when Jay had put away his famous Flash helmet. He spent his time building his business, a small laboratory that had grown into a medium sized business. He was the lab's chief scientist as well company president.

Then came his meeting to the other Flash from another earth. Barry Allen was a fine young man at the beginning of his heroic career while Jay only coming out of retirement when he met Barry because several paroled super criminal took up their former life again in Keystone City. Then he and Barry helped the captured members of the Justice Society defeat Vandal Savage.


Jay had definitely came out of retirement while other members of the JSA agreed that they too wished to take up their old identities, ; they had to think about their careers and families and could not take up the heroic mantle full time again. The Flash understood perfectly well. It was one thing to fight crime as a twenty year old, it was quite another to do so when you're over forty with a family and career, even if physically you are at most only thirty. He was back to being the Flash full time however because of his fantastic speed enabled him to carry on both lives.


Jay had thought for a while that it was a side affect of his speed powers, but Dr Mid-Nite had told him that several other members had like symptom of age retardation. Dr McNider consulted with another physician back in 1948. Kent Nelson had retired his identity of Dr Fate a few years earlier but together they discovered that everyone who had been exposed to some strange temporal rays emitted from a a foe of Dr Fate named Ian Karkull aged at a slower rate once they reached adulthood. Jay was happy that the circumstances of that case caused Joan to be bathed in the same rays as himself be cause the thought of her grow old before him sent a shiver down his spine.


There was only one other retired JSAer from that case who had not been contacted. Starman, who retired in the mid-forties after his marriage to Doris Lee. They were still together, but the Flash wondered if he could persuade the Guardian of Opal City to once again take up his Gravity Rod at least part time.


Jay had told Joan that he planned on talking to an old friend tonight and that he wasn't sure what time he would be back because he was sure what his old teammate's response would be. It was six thirty in the evening and Joan turned on the television to watch the news. “Fine Jay” she said, but don't forget, your favorite show, the Escapee was on at ten tonight.”


Jay smiled and kissed her before disappearing in a whirlwind. Five minutes later he was dressed as the Flash in downtown Opal City

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 11


Late March 1963


Ted Knight was his private laboratory rechecking his calculation from the two days ago. Here and in his adjoining observatory was where Ted spent most of his nights when he wasn't out socializing with his wife Doris. Ted was a very wealthy man. He was also an astronomer and astrophysicist, along with another half dozen scientific degrees he earned after his career as Starman, and between his bouts with recurring mental illness.


His illness was in full emission now for over ten years. He and his wife had devoted themselves to improving Opal City through endowments to the city's disadvantaged and as patrons of the arts. Their only child David was the center of their lives. Unless they were with him most nights unless one or both of them were attending one social function or another. Tonight, Doris was at he Opal City Art Museum's board of director's meeting. Leaving Ted alone with David Once his son had drifted off to sleep Ted went to his private laboratory as his servants would get him if the boy had any unexpected problems.


There, Ted read a letter from NASA, where he was a consulting astrophysicist. Ted looked at his calendar and saw that he was free on the proposed date that NASA asked him to come to Houston. Ted heard a knock on the door, he was puzzled because he was not expecting anyone. Whoever it was knocked again and Ted said “I'm coming” as he headed for the door. He recognized the voice, but he could not place it. This caused him to hesitate for a moment. As Starman he had a lot of enemies, enemies who were being let out of jail as their prison terms where now coming to an end. Though he believed he kept his secret identity hidden, he could not be certain. He smiled as he walked over to a locker that was on the way to the door. He took out a new invention he had built in the last few years and put into his lab coat's pocket.


Ted was stunned when he saw the Flash standing in the doorway. Ted greeted the Flash warmly as he let him in, “What a surprise to see you here Flash. Is there a villain you need help catching? Some disaster that needs Starman?” he asked with a fervor that he did not expect.


“No, not at the moment” said the Flash. “But I take it that I could count on you if there was one.”


“Of coarse,” said Ted. “Starman is retired, but I would welcome any opportunity to put on the old fighting togs in an emergency.”


The Flash smiled and nodded before saying “And is the old Gravity Rod still functional?”


Now it was Ted's turn to smile.. “It still works, but I created a much more powerful device,” he said as he reached in to his lab coat pocket and brought out a golden rod about ten inches long, “this is the Cosmic Rod.”


Flash looked long and hard at the Cosmic Rod. He could only see subtle differences with the Gravity Rod Jay Garrick was scientist of international repute, but Ted Knight was a once in a generation genius so Jay took his old teammates word.


“There's no threat on the horizon Ted, but I did come by to ask if you wanted to become an active member of the JSA when we all come fully out of retirement.”


Ted looked long and hard at Jay before saying. “I don't know Flash...being Starman again for an emergency is one thing but on a regular basis is another.”


“I understand my old friend. Most of us have created new lives and no longer have the time to devote being full time mystery men like Batman. That's not what I'm talking about either. We just want to have a few of us ready at any time with a rotating membership for regular meetings.”


“I'd have to think about it” said Ted. And talk to Doris both Ted and the Flash thought simultaneously.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 12


Late March 1963


Lois Kent was interview Marcus Tubbs, the plant manager for the Wayne Industries Plant in Hattenburg Georgia about a fight she had read about between Bruce Wayne and a local man named Buell over a lack segregated break and wash rooms at the Hattenburg facility and had heard that new threat were being made against the plant.


“Oh I didn't see the fight Mrs Kent, but it was the talk of the town. See Mr Buell's family owns about half the town and controls he city council. He was away when the plant was approved and built.”


“Away where?” Lois interjected.


“The army, he was stationed in some Asian country where the Commies are stirring up trouble. Anyway young Buell came back after we were up and running. He didn't give us any trouble until a month after his father died. That put him in charge of the family. And the City of Hattenburg if you listen to him tell it.”


“Why did Mr Buell agree to fight Mr Wayne?” Lois asked. “I mean if he had the city council backing him, there was nothing Wayne Enterprises could have done... other than taking the city to court.”


“I don't know Mrs Kent. I wasn't there; but I heard that Mr Wayne goaded him into the fight. A fight that Buell figured he's win easily. But Mr Wayne whupped him” said Tubbs, with more than a little pride.


Lois smiled back at Tubbs as she thought to herself Buell must have angered the Batman a great deal for Bruce to publicly humiliate a man like Buell. She was about to ask another question when she heard sounds of crashing concrete and the anguished cries of men in pain.


Tubbs bolted up, gabbed a revolver from his desk draw, and ran out into the plant. Lois was about to follow, but decided to look out the window first. Marcus Tubbs office was on the second floor to the right of where the controversial employee facilities where.


Down below she saw a short stocky white man dressed in a straw hat, white short sleeved pullover shirt emblazoned with a large black “O” on the front. Denim bluejeans and combat boot covered his lower half. A whip, crackling with electricity was in his right hand.


“Hear ye one and all!” the man cried. “This building is an effrontery to all that is good and decent. The races should never be allowed to mix. All N_____s are to quit here and now! Or face the wraith of the Overseer.” Then he began shooting forth his whip among the crowd of workers. Lois noted that when the whites worker where hit the whip sent they received no jolt of electricity as opposed to the intermingled black who were shocked into unconsciousness.


Tubbs appeared to the left of the crowd, pointing his pistol at the Overseer. Lois saw him cock the hammer back as He said “Drop that damn whip and stop hurting my men, or so help me God...I'll kill you.”


Lois could hear the quake in the plant manager's voice and see he tremble in his hand. The Overseer had neither. His wrist flicked an the whip elongated as it lashed out towards Marcus Tubbs with an intensified crackle of electricity. Tubbs began to pull the trigger when the whip went through his arm at the wrist. Tubbs hand fell from his arm as the gun fired aimlessly into the air. Tubbs screamed as he saw the cauterized stub where his wrist used to be.


“You and your carpetbagging company are an effrontery to the laws and people of the South” said the Overseer as flicked his whip out again at Tubbs, It wrapped around his neck and sent electricity through him. Tubbs collapsed in a heap.


“Hear me one and all. This plant is not to be rebuild its integrated facilities. The an anathema to what is right and just. Tell that to the Wayne Carpetbaggers” he cried before leaving the sad scene he created.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 13


Early April 1963


Bruce Wayne, his wife Selina were sitting in the private hospital room of his uncle, Phillip Wayne, who was recovering from an operation that removed a cancerous left lung. The older man was highly upset ever since he read Lois Kent's news piece in the Gotham Gazette (Kent worked for the Metropolis Daily Star ,but her first hand report of the Overseer's attack on the Wayne Industries Plant was all over the wire services). Phillip was insisting that Bruce or Dick Grayson go down to Georgia and arrest this Overseer criminal, but Bruce was refusing to go.


“What good is it having a mystery man in the family if he won't take care of the family business?” Wheezed the still recovering Phillip Wayne.


Wayne Industries has another hero on its payroll. He's been with us for over a decade now and has never failed .” said Bruce.


“I know...I know” whispered Phillip, “But Johnny Thunder doesn't strike fear into hearts of anyone.”


Johnny Thunder had rented a hotel room several miles outside of Hattenburg. The Press had swamped the small city ever since Lois Kent's story. Johnny was there to make certain the criminal Overseer was apprehended and the Wayne Industries Plant was repaired as it was originally built. Johnny bought the local paper that night and read an entirely different side of what had happened here a couple of days ago. The Hattenberg Herald was claiming this Overseer fellow was a hero in the same mold of Superman and some other local hero Johnny had never heard of called the Southern Belle.


Johnny woke up the next morning and drove to a diner on the way to Hattenburg. He was relishing his portion eggs and grits when he saw Lois Kent getting out of her car. He then saw three pick up trucks enter the parking lot. Several men exited the idling trucks that did not pull into any of the parking places, but rather blocked Lois Kent's car in place.


Lois had yet to enter the diner when she heard the screeching of tires coming to a sudden stop, She turned to see her car blocked and a half dozen angry men coming towards her. It not say that Lois was unafraid, she was, but she didn't show any fear. She had been in so many life threatening situation she had long ago lost track of how many. Usually, she was saved by her husband, Superman, but Clark was in Metropolis attending the Daily Star's editorial board meeting. She would have to fend for herself. She silently thanked Batman for giving her self defense training a dozen years ago.


The men who came at her were carrying baseball bats, tire irons and chains. They tried to surround Lois but she managed to get her back to the building. They were calling her all kinds of names. All were derogatory, some were sexist, but most were anti-northern. One man in the lead raised his hand and the others quieted down. He then said “Listen hear, you Yankee bitch. We all don't like your lies. The Overseer is a hero like your Superman. You gonna retract that there newspaper report you wrote or we're gonna tar and feather you.”


Johnny Thunder rushed out of the diner as soon as he realized what was happening. “Say you fellas are a bunch of chickens, picking a woman like that.” Lois watched in amazement as the men surrounding her were turned into giant chickens whose weapons fell to the ground as they started clucking in a terrified frenzy, moving away from her.


Johnny went to Lois and asked if she was all right as the giant chicken ran this way and that. “I'm fine Johnny said with a smile. Lois had to stifle a laugh as she said “I think you better change them back.”

Johnny looked questioningly at her before realizing she was talking about the giant chickens. “Oh yeah,” he said . “Hey T-Bolt”


Suddenly a overly large pink being with a the torso of a man, the lower half of lightning bolt, a slightly elongated bald head with pointed ears a nose that resembled a lightning bolt with three other mini lightning bolts emerging from the forehead appeared. “You called Boss? “ He then saw the reporter and addressed her. “Hello Lois. “Like your latest story. How's C lark”


“Time for talk later T-Bolt. Change these guys,” said Johnny


“Change them into what? Asked Thunderbolt. “For the tenth thousand six hundred and fifty fifth time, I can't do anything unless you tell me exactly what to do.”


Lois said “Has he rally had to tell you that all those times Johnny”


Johnny said “No, he's exaggerating”


“I am not Boss” said Thunderbolt with his hands where a human beings hips would be. “What do you want me to change them into?”

“Change them back to the way they were” said Johnny.

The giant chickens immediately turned back into human beings. As one they fled to their pick up trucks and drove away.

[johnreiter902]

Chapter 14


Early April


Dr Kent Nelson and his wife Inza were happy to see their old friend Dr Charles McNider also attending the ceremony honoring Dr Charles R Drew, the famed deceased Black doctor who was a pioneer in the use of specific blood types. Dr Drew had died over a dozen years ago and Tuskegee University was honoring him with a statue.


Dr Drew had been a teacher of Kent Nelson and a contemporary of Charles McNider before his blindness caused his to stop practicing medicine. Kent was surprised to learn Charles still maintain his medical license and kept up to date on medical practices.


Kent knew that Charles McNider was Dr Mid-Nite and that he could see perfectly fine in darkness and in light thanks to some specially crafted lenses, but the world believed him to be blind ever since a criminal bomb exploded in a room of a patient Charles was attending. Charles was now a famous writer and philanthropist and was to be one of the speakers at the statue's unveiling. Kent was there because of his immense respect for his deceased mentor.


On the plane the three old friends caught up what was going on in their lives. They talked about their masked identities when Charles agreed to ride with the Nelsons in their car rental. Kent told Charles that he thought the JSA's coming out of retirement was a great idea. He said that he and Inza had talked it over and they agreed that it was time for Dr Fate to become active once again.


“But we can't agree on whether or not he should wear the full helmet” said Inza.


“Either way Dr Fate is one of the most powerful Justice Society members” Charles replied.


“True,” said Kent, “My only concern is if truly mystical menaces arise. It is then that I will need the Helmet of Nabu.”


Charles frowned, he knew nothing about magic so he took the JSA's resident sorcerer at his word when he said the the Helmet of Nabu contained the Spirit of his mentor and that Nabu took control of Kent whenever Kent wore the golden helm. Charles remembered the personality changes vividly.


They arrived at the college campus, parked the car ant went over to the dining room where the event was being held. There they parted company as Charles went over to the dais as he was going to be one of the speakers at the event, while Kent and Inza sat at a table with several other physicians and their spouses.


The meal before the speeches was very good. The Nelson enjoyed the small talk with the others, while Charles also enjoyed his on the dais even as he went over his speech which was written in braille. The emcee stood once the desserts were being taken away. A large man-sized inky black cloud appeared over the emcee.


Gasps and cries were heard throughout the hall as the cloud formed into a white man in a tuxedo stood in the air above the dais. Kent look first at Inza and then at Charles. Inza was carrying a large purse that contained Kent's half helmet and his costume's golden colored boots. The couple then quickly rose and headed for the nearest exit. Kent was wearing the rest of his Dr Fate costume under his suit. It was the costume he wore at the end of his career when he wore no shoulder epaulets of gloves.


Charles on the other hand glanced at the black bag he always carried. It had a false bottom that contain his costume as well as his patented blackout bombs. Now he had to figure out hos to change into Dr Mid-Nite.


The man in the tuxedo floating above the dais then spoke. “You all an anathema to the honor of the South. N_____s should never be allowed to read. You should work the fields and serve your betters.”

This pronouncement caused a roar of both anger and fear in the crowd


The floating man yelled “Silence!” When the crowd continued their yelling the man waved his hands as he said Ecnelis!'


Both Charles and Kent swore when the crowd became muted. “He's using backwards magic- like Zatara uses to use” said Kent as he put on his half helmet and charged in to the dining room.

The slamming of the door when Dr Fate entered caused everyone to turn their eyes to blue and gold clad hero. Dr Fate rose into the air as he charged towards the floating man, saying “Those disgusting ideas of yours no longer apply in today's world.” Dr Fate punched the tuxedo clad magician in the jaw, sending him flying into the wall even though Kent pulled his punch.


The crowd now cheered Dr Fate as he flew down besides the magician, who was silumped on the floor with his back against the wall. “I hear your damn Yankee accent. Og kcab erehw uoy emoc morf!” The crowd now moaned with fear as Dr Fate disappeared.


Charles McNider gasped along with the crowd as he saw his friend vanish. But unlike the panicking crowd he was preparing to fight back. He had had limited experience fighting magic users back in the forties and one thing he did know about them was that they were dependent on their sense of sight. He smiled as he reached into his black bag and pulled out a blackout bomb.


The magician stood and once again started to float into the air as he said. “I'm going to make all you N______ illiterate” he began to raise his hands when the room around his went dark.


Charles did not even attempt to change into his Dr Mid-Nite costume as he was on the dais and the magician was at an equal height to him as well as well within striking distance. Charles hit the man sharply in the larynx before giving him a karate blow which cause the magician to fall to the floor unconscious.


Charles the spoke in the calm reassuring authoritative voice of Dr Mid-Nite saying “This is Dr Mid-Nite, The threat is over folks. Please stay calm and in your seats until the darkness dissipates.” The crowd found the sorcerer was tied up with a secure gag in his mouth.


It was then that Dr Fate appeared- a full helmeted Dr Fate. He scanned the scene at went over to the unconscious magician. “The knowledge you posses is dangerous. I must take it away from you” in the deep imposing voice of Nabu.


Inza gasped and Charles fully grasped that eh man before him was no longer Kent Nelson. Although he was still dressed as Charles McNider he asked “What are you going to do to him Dr Fate?”


Dr Fate glared at Charles McNider ad Charles could see Kent regain control over his body. It was Kent who said “I'm going to take away his knowledge of backwards magic. That's all.” Kent inwardly shivered as he knew Nabu was going to do much more to the unconscious magician