Story: "Femme Fatal" (21 Pages)

Credits: John Ostrander (plot, script); Tom Mandrake (pencils, inks); Bill Oakley (letters); Carla Feeny (colors); Heroic Age (color separations); Peter Tomasi (edits)

Feature Character: Martian Manhunter (also as Big Doof, his undercover super-villain alter ego, and as John Jones)

Guest Stars: Mickey Cannon, Guardian II, Adam Winterbourne, Dubbilex

Supporting Characters: Karen Smith (last in Martian Manhunter Annual Vol. 2 #1; dies)

Villains: Bette Noir (first appearance; a psionic vampire with telepathic, telekinetic, and pyrokinetic powers); Ma'alefa'ak (last in DCU Villains Secret Files #1/5; disguised as John Jones); Sparkplug, Dust Bunny, Weasel, Da Boys (first appearance of all; a group of super-villains)

Synopsis:

As a favour to Superman, J'onn investigates a problem at the Cadmus genetics research facility, where the mind of their resident telepath Dubbilex appears to have gone missing. J'onn encounters the woman responsible, Bette Noir, and discovers that she is the consciousness of a failed attempt at genetic engineering. J'onn shuts her down but is determined to work with Cadmus to find a cure for her and those like her.

Also, Karen Smith, detective partner of John Jones is murdered shortly after completing a document about the Martian Manhunter. Her killer looks suspiciously like Jones.