The New Justice League Recruit: Why They Could Be the Team’s Most Significant Threat Yet

Attention! Spoilers ahead for Justice League Unlimited #1! The Justice League has reunited to face an unprecedented threat that could spell doom for the iconic team. How will these esteemed heroes navigate a new era plagued by betrayal lurking among them?

The heroes experienced a disbandment following the events of Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths. However, the encroaching menace posed by Amanda Waller led the superhero community to acknowledge their interdependence and the vital role they play in protecting the world. Now, the League is back, seemingly stronger than before, yet their resurgence is jeopardized by an emerging traitor lurking just beneath the surface.

New Recruit Air Wave: A Hidden Threat

Air Wave Gains Trust While Concealing His True Intentions

Air Wave welcomed into the Justice League

Within the pages of Justice League Unlimited #1, penned by Mark Waid and illustrated by Dan Mora, the beloved team embarks on a brand-new chapter. Newcomer Air Wave arrives at the revamped Watchtower, but quickly finds himself embroiled in a whirlwind of chaos as heroes respond to multiple global crises. Fortunately, he receives a warm welcome from the Flash, who offers him a tour. However, the tour is cut short when Red Tornado’s AI alerts the League to a dire situation in South Africa, where mass casualties are reported.

A contingent of Justice League members heads to the forefront, discovering that the group known as Inferno is behind an assault aimed at seizing South Africa’s iridium resources. The team finds themselves at a disadvantage, battling against formidable War Wheel drones, even with heavyweights like Superman and Firestorm in play. Although Air Wave requests to assist, the League’s systems reject him, deeming his abilities irrelevant to the current mission. Fortunately, Star Sapphire and Black Lightning locate a critically injured individual and, to save him, they must reach out to his spouse. Air Wave seizes this opportunity to intervene and utilizes his powers to find her.

As the heroes rally together, Star Sapphire employs her emotions to heal the injured man, while the rest of the League neutralizes the War Wheels. Upon returning to the Watchtower, many heroes commend Air Wave for his ingenuity and officially welcome him into the fold. Later, in a moment of vulnerability, Air Wave retreats to a private space and sheds tears of gratitude, reflecting on the significance of their trust in him. However, unbeknownst to them, his internal monologue reveals his true motives: he is not there to assist the Justice League; he intends to annihilate them.

Who is Air Wave? An Exploration of His Legacy

The Timeline of Betrayal: How Long Has Air Wave Planned This?

Known as Harold Jordan, Air Wave stands as a legacy hero, being the son of the original Air Wave, Larry Jordan, and a cousin to Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern. His super-suit empowers him to convert himself into electromagnetic waves along with other types of energy and radiation. Harold originally perished during the Infinite Crisis but re-emerged in the post-Flashpoint DC Universe, maintaining his familial connection to Hal Jordan. Despite Hal’s reluctance for Harold to pursue heroism, the latter proved his worth by helping thwart a radio-based invasion from Kwyzz.

Air Wave made a notable comeback in
The Green Lantern Annual #1 (2019)
. His recent exploits included a critical role during Absolute Power, when Amanda Waller sought to absorb powers from metahumans and enslave them. Notably, he was among the few who eluded Waller’s Task Force VII and made his way to the Fortress of Solitude, capturing the attention of Mister Terrific. Teaming up with Blue Beetle, they ingeniously repurposed Air Wave’s technology to manipulate a Phantom Zone projector, facilitating the escape of surviving heroes.

After the downfall of Task Force VII, Air Wave utilized his powers to send a message exposing Waller’s malfeasance, which ultimately led to her capture. As the dust settled from Waller’s assault, the Justice League embarked on the revitalization of their team.

Motivations Behind Air Wave’s Betrayal: Why Target the Justice League?

The Feasibility of His Plan: Can Air Wave Follow Through?

The transition of Air Wave to a potential antagonist has raised eyebrows, particularly since he has always been portrayed in a positive light, especially during his contributions in Absolute Power. However, a hiatus between these events and Justice League Unlimited #1 presents a window for change; anything might have triggered his contemplation of betrayal. He could have been coerced by adversaries, seduced by the principles of the Inferno terrorist faction, or even replaced by a malevolent doppelgänger.

Regardless of the rationale, Air Wave’s intent to eliminate the Justice League presents an enormous challenge. With Amanda Waller’s recent assault, the Justice League has heightened their security measures, expanded their roster, and established fail-safes within the Watchtower. Ironically, their precautions are directed at external threats and fail to anticipate treachery from within. As Air Wave cultivates the League’s trust, he may soon embark on his vengeful mission.

Despite expressing doubts about the efficacy of his abilities, Air Wave’s mastery over radio signals holds considerable potential. He could fabricate false distress signals leading heroes into peril or compromise the Watchtower’s defenses, granting nefarious entities access. With a meticulous approach, Air Wave may orchestrate a formidable strike against the Justice League before they even consider the threat he poses.

Will the Justice League Discover Air Wave’s Deception Before It’s Too Late?

Uncovering the Plot: Who Can Thwart Air Wave’s Scheme?

Comic book art: DC's Justice League and other superhero teams pose together.

Compounding the dilemma is the absence of Green Lantern, who typically possesses insight into Air Wave’s true nature. Currently, Air Wave operates among a host of unsuspecting allies who are blissfully unaware of his malevolent intentions. Although formidable detectives like Batman and the Question are part of the Justice League, their attention must be drawn to Air Wave’s odd behavior; otherwise, the fallout could be catastrophic.

Justice League Unlimited #1 is now available from DC Comics, ready to reveal the unfolding intrigue.

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