DC Comics
Justice League of America, Vol. 1 #178
The Chess-Master Of Mars
May 1980  |  Comic
For Sale
#910

Read It:
Yes
Meeting at the JLA satellite to discuss their recent battles with life sized chess pieces, the League are attacked by a Bishop that manages to beam aboard. Eventually defeating the living statue, the League investigate it and discover that it was more powerful than the League combined and had actually let them win. Elsewhere, the Martian Manhunter plays chess against Despero; the hero is forced to use the living statues while Despero uses the League themselves. The alien despot holds the Manhunter hostage as well as the population of Mars II, forcing the hero to choose between his friends and his race. Manhunter attempts to continue playing but when his piece invades the JLA satellite he finds it abandoned. Despero, facing a forfeit of the game, finds his own pieces disappearing with the exception of The Atom who stands revealed as the genuine article. The rest of the League - transported to Despero's ship by Zatanna who had figured out the clue left by Martian Manhunter - appear and battle Despero's chess army before defeating him once more. The League later celebrate with the Manhunter on Mars II though Green Arrow mourns his inability to help the common people of Star City.

Creators
Writer Gerry Conway
Penciller Dick Dillin
Inker Frank McLaughlin
Colorist Gene D'Angelo
Letterer Ben Oda
Cover Artist Jim Starlin
Editor Len Wein

Product Details
Series Group Justice League
Genre Action, Adventure, Super-Heroes
Age Modern
Color Color
Cover Price $0.40
No. of Pages 32
Country USA
Language English

Personal Details
Collection Status For Sale
Location Richmond, VA
Owner Bob Fisher