Story: "Holy War" (44 Pages)

Credits:

Paul Kupperburg (plot, script)
Mike Collins (pencils)
H. Rodriguez
J. Albrecht
Kieth Champagne & Prentis Rollins (inks)
John Costanza (letters)
Lee Loughridge (colors)
Ruben Diaz (edits)

Feature Character:

Martian Manhunter

Guest Star:

Chaser Bron (Darkstar)

Supporting Character:

Nuvah Jeddigar

Villains:

Paral
The Propher (first appearance of both)

Other Characters:

K'rzkar
Magistrate
Bruaka
Trypper
Ambush
Shadowdance (first appearance of all)

Comment: This story seems to have been intended as the first two issues of an ongoing Martian Manhunter series.

Synopsis:

J'onn has come to the planet Naftali, a planet which harbours many religions, to speak to he long-lived K'rzkar, who may once have known the people of Mars. He arrives to find the planet in great uproar - K'rzkar has apparently discovered the fundamental truth and the adherents of many sects want him killed to prevent him spreading what will certainly be a blasphemy. Working alongside the Darkstar Chaser Bron, J'onn tries to find the holy man and get him to safety. The Naftali magistrate tells J'onn that a man named Bruaka will undoubtedly hold the key to the holy man's whereabouts - three of the magistrate's deputies are already keeping guard over this man to ensure he comes to no harm

Sadly, Bruaka's sanctuary comes under attack and the peacekeepers must rescue him. He tells them that K'rzkar is offworld and they fly off to find him, hotly pursued by an enemy craft, and specifically the powerful Prophet, who is not defeated until J'onn and his allies destory their own ship, escaping in a pod. Bruaka now reveals that K'rzkar has been on Naftali all along, disguised as a beggar. They have lured his detractors off world for long enough for him to deliver his message, which is simply that love and harmony are the greatest things in the universe.

Pin-Ups:

Credits:

Dusty Abell (classic League)
Rodriguez and Jeff Albrecht (JLI)
Kevin Maguire (JL ladies)
Sergio Corriello and John Dell (Western-style Leaguers)
Marc Campos (Captain Atom)
Jeff Parker (Zatanna)
Randy Du Burke (Maxima)

Comment: The issue is rounded out with a number of Justice League-related pinups, possibly left over from the demise of Justice League Quarterly. In addition to those above, there are pin-ups by unidentified artists of Bloodwynd, the Conglomerate.