Story: "Traps" (22 Pages)

Credits:

John Ostrander (plot, script)
Jamal Igle (pencils) Ray Kryssing (inks)
Bill Oakley (letters)
Carla Feeny (colors)
Heroic Age (color separations)
Steve Wacker and Peter Tomasi (edits)

Feature Character:

Martian Manhunter (also appears as John Jones)

Guest Stars:

Cameron Chase
Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner)

Supporting Characters: Diane Meade (becomes Jones' partner in his detective agency; next in Harley Quinn #23)

Villains:

Dr Larry Trapp
Bette Noir (both next in Harley Quinn #23)

Guest Appearances:

Simon LaGrieve
Mr. Bones

Comment: Many characters appear in Bette Noir-induced hallucinations: My'riah, Kh'ym, Diane Meade, Manx, Acro-bat, Songbird, Tigress I, Shade, Fiddler, Icicle I and Ma'alefa'ak.

Comment: This is the last issue of this title.

Synopsis:

J'onn is called in to a research facility in order to carry out a mental investigation of Dr Trapp, who is thought to be no longer a menace to society. The doctor claims to welcome this investigation, but when J'onn enters his mind, he finds Bette Noir trapped there. As he takes Bette Noir away to safety, he discovers this is a trap and Bette Noir turns his most painful memories against him. Trapp now plans to escape and to kill all those who J'onn knows and loves. As J'onn is struggling with his interior self, he momentarily lacks the energy to pursue him. He is also unable to use his telepathy to track him, as this would unleash Bette Noir's full power against himself.

The D.E.O. Director lets Agent Chase know that her father's killer is free. That night, Chase comes under attack from Trapps in her own house, but he is apprehended by the Martian Manhunter, who realised that she would be one of his first targets. Trapps taunts him that the only way to end his threat is to kill him, which Manhunter, and ultimately Chase, realisee they cannot do. However, J'onn can unleash Bette Noir against Trapps in a true act of justice.

Later, J'onn meets Green Lantern on the JLA watchtower, and explains that today has truly been the worst day of his life. GL realises that this is the time to tell J'onn of the message that his future self left with him and allows access to his mind. J'onn looks in, and smiles - he sees a vision of a peaceful future which lets him know that in the end it really is all worth it.