I don’t mean the usual “villain ties up the JL and gloats” story, or even the ones where the JL is on the ropes until the end of a two-parter. I mean WAY back in the early or mid-1970s there was a multi-issue story arc about the JL fighting a guy who for a while seemed unbeatable. I can only recall two details: that he was some sort of alien conqueror who had devised a way to mix magic with science; and that when the JL did finally win, they chased this formerly omnipotent villain down in a dirty alley. As far as I know this was the very first time the JL had faced total, irredeemable defeat. Can anyone point me to a link to these issues (or at least the guy’s name)?
Heck, in the League’s first appearance in Brave and the Bold #28 (June 1960), they went up against Starro the Conquerer, who turned out to be pretty nasty. The villian you’re describing sounds vaguely like Felix Faust, another longtime JLA baddie, but without more detail it’s impossible to be sure. Was the character humanoid? Any distinguishing features you can recall?
I think you’re thinking of Starbreaker(who wasn’t actually their first uber-villian). The era’s right (early '70s), the “alley” sequence sounds right (it’s been years since I read it), multi-part saga, alien conquerer (sort-of, he was more of a Galactus sort, IIRC) etc.
Check out Justice League of America 96-98 and see if they’re it.
Fenris
Er, minor correction- it’s always abbreviated JLA :o
Fenris, that looks like it! Thanks!
(Although you mean there was an earlier uber-villian arc? Who exactly?)
There kinda was an Uber-villain arc–featured Felix Faust and these three ancient demons: Abengazer, Ghast and Rath (who it took Guardian-level characters to take down) as well as the Lord of Time, in JLofA 10-11.
And there were several stand-alone uber-villians. Kanjar Ro, Despero (before his fin turned sideways), Xotar the Weapons Master, Starro (as mentioned above), (maybe) the Anti-Matter Man (he was more thoughtlessly dangerous than actually evil), Aquarius (in a 2 parter that resulted in the death of Black Canary’s husband) and a few more here and there.
Fenris