JLA #5

In "Into the Woods," a mysterious book unleashes the Queen of Fables, plunging Manhattan into a twisted fairy tale realm where Wonder Woman becomes the hunted prize. As the JLA splinters through the enchanted forest, Plastic Man and Martian Manhunter face the trap of a gingerbread cottage, while Green Lantern and Flash discover Wonder Woman trapped in a glass coffin—just as the Queen’s game begins.

In "Truth Is Stranger," Aquaman and Superman join Flash and Green Lantern on a mission that takes them from the streets of Manhattan to the enchanted realm of a forgotten fable. When the JLA uncovers the truth behind a cursed book and the tyrannical Queen it contains, they must confront a Huntsman who reveals how Snow White once sealed the Queen away—trapping her in myth.

In "Unhappily Ever After," the JLA confronts a Queen who’s escaped her storybook prison and now rules over a Manhattan overrun with fairy tale creatures, using Wonder Woman’s Wonderdome as her throne. With the help of Wonder Woman’s lasso of truth, the team challenges her to see the real world—its wonders and flaws—while a clever twist from Flash leaves her trapped in a book devoid of magic.

In "Dream Team," Superman shares with Batman how their fractured trust nearly cost them in a recent crisis. When the JLA splits to face three emergencies, they’re confronted by Dr. Destiny—and his dream self, who’s warped reality with dream logic. Forced to confront the surreal threat together, the team must work as one to wake Destiny from his delusion. As the heroes reunite in the cave, the moment feels charged with quiet resolve, and the return of the Batman signals a new beginning.

In "Man and Superman," the JLA confronts a surreal mystery when each hero encounters their civilian selves—identical in every way, down to the smallest detail. Though J'onn J'onzz confirms their identities are real, the ordinary versions vanish, leaving the heroes to grapple with the sudden, unsettling reality of their non-powered lives, while a mysterious homeless man with god-like abilities emerges to test their limits.

In "Element of Surprise," the JLA confronts a terrifying manifestation of Metamorpho as the team tries to shield Joey Stagg and his family from a force beyond their understanding. When The Cathexis reveal that a sentient energy known as ID is behind the rift between heroes and their private lives—and responsible for Joey’s father’s return—the League must grapple with the unsettling truth that some wishes, once granted, come with a price.

In "It Takes a Thief," the JLA faces a crisis when Eel O'Brian uncovers their secret identities, forcing the team to ally with the enigmatic Cathexis to contain the threat. But when the Cathexis reclaim control, their true nature is revealed—stripping the League of their powers and leaving only their human halves to fight back.

In "United We Fall," Jo and the JLA face a fractured unity when the Cathexis exploit their vulnerabilities, turning Aquaman into a true fish-man and severing Wonder Woman’s soul from her clay form. As the League splinters, the spirit of truth within Wonder Woman awakens, forcing the scattered heroes to confront their incomplete nature—and the fragile bond that holds them together.