DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #3

In the sky above Earth, Brain Wave unleashes a deadly plan to destroy the world and his archenemy, the Justice Society. When the JSA receives a cryptic warning about impending disasters in three cities, they send teams to respond—only to find the crises already being handled by the Star-Spangled Kid, Robin, and Power Girl. Recognizing a rare chance to unite new and old heroes, Power Girl proposes forming a new team: the All Star Super Squad. With Brain Wave revealed as the mastermind behind the chaos, the group must now stand together—before it's too late.

In "Chapter Two: Brain Wave Blows Up," the JSA and the Super Squad face a shocking return: Brainwave, now in a new body and joined by the rejuvenated Per Degaton, unleashes chaos that tests the heroes' resolve. With the past colliding with the present, the team must confront familiar threats in unexpected ways—just as a new danger begins to take shape.

In "Justice Society Prologue," Calvin Stymes gathers his five fraternity brothers at a remote western ranch, where around a crackling campfire he tells the eerie legend of the Koehaha—known as the "Stream of Ruthlessness," said to flow once a century. As each man speculates on what they’d do if stripped of their conscience, the weight of their choices hangs in the air, and when the stream’s time comes, only Stymes stays on the bank while the others step into its waters.

In "The Five Drowned Men! [Introduction]," the Justice Society of America gathers in urgent session after a wave of bizarre, explosive crimes shakes the city—only to find two members, the Atom and Johnny Thunder, missing. With Johnny Thunder unable to attend, he requests Superman, an honorary JSA member, to step in, while Batman arrives from tending to the injured Al Pratt. Wonder Woman reads a cryptic anonymous letter claiming the crimes were committed by five respected professionals, setting the JSA on a race to uncover the truth before the next attack.

In "[The Five Drowned Men!] Chapter 2," Batman tracks down Ed Findley in the quiet town of Zenith, where he’s been hired to guard Mrs. Ardman’s set of matched black pearls. When the Grim Marauder strikes, stealing the jewels and forcing Batman into a trap, he escapes captivity and confronts Findley at his desk—only to receive a sudden mental call from Wonder Woman ordering him to bring Findley to JSA headquarters.

In "[The Five Drowned Men!] Chapter 3," a political rally in Snow City takes a dark turn when a shocking photograph surfaces—Governor-candidate Rex Gardin posing with a man recently executed for murder. As the scandal unfolds, Gardin receives a threatening call demanding $10,000 at Snow Mountain, leading the Flash to intervene. After a tense confrontation where both Gardin and the Flash are briefly captured by the enigmatic Mr. X, the speedster turns the tables. But before the mystery can be resolved, a sudden mental message from Wonder Woman redirects the Flash: bring Mr. X and reporter Mat Matwell back to JSA HQ—something far bigger is at play.

In "[The Five Drowned Men!] Chapter 4," Professor Doty’s discovery of the ancient Aztec Temple of Tlaloc ignites a deadly pursuit by the Black Rider and his gang, who descend upon the site with ruthless intent. When Hawkman arrives to intervene, he’s quickly overpowered and tied to a sacrifice table alongside the professor—only to escape and pursue the Rider into a tense confrontation with Archie Erdner, who holds a gun. As the situation escalates, Hawkman receives a sudden mental call from Wonder Woman, urging him to bring Erdner back to headquarters.

In "[The Five Drowned Men!] Chapter 6," Superman races to Centropolis to stop the enigmatic Wrecker from destroying one of Ben Stanley’s iconic skyscrapers—only to arrive too late, then swiftly rebuild the structure in an instant. As chaos unfolds, Stymes delivers a cryptic note implicating Stanley, leading Superman to confront the architect, who’s already set to detonate more explosives. When the Wrecker and his gang launch a surprise assault, Superman holds his ground, defeats them, and receives a psychic summons from Wonder Woman ordering him to bring his captive to JSA HQ.

In the quiet town of Milville, Green Lantern follows a suspicious figure stealing mail from Calvin Stymes’ mailbox, leading him to a secluded log cabin where he’s knocked unconscious. Waking bound before a fireplace, he listens as Stymes, consumed by rage, recounts the bitter past that fuels his hatred for five men—men whose fates are tied to a tragedy no one else remembers. With the weight of the story pressing in, Green Lantern must act fast, using his ring to disarm the threat and escape, but not before Stymes vanishes into the shadows—leaving only a clue for Hawkman to follow.

In "The Five Drowned Men! Conclusion," the Justice Society of America races against time after discovering the five friends of Stymes have escaped their confinement—only to learn the dangerous man they’re hunting is still at large. With the Power Ring guiding them to Koehaha, the JSA must reach the men before Stymes can claim them, leading to a desperate showdown that ends in a dramatic explosion and a final, decisive act of strength.

In "Welcome to Earth Two," the concept of parallel realities takes center stage as the story explores the coexistence of Earth-1 and Earth-2—two worlds sharing the same space but vibrating at different frequencies. Through a clear, concise explanation, it highlights the subtle yet profound differences between the heroes of each Earth, setting up a foundation for their distinct identities and histories.