Story: "Saving The World" (22 Pages)

Credits:

Kurt Busiek (plot, script)
Tom Grummett (pencils)
Prentis Rollins (inks)
Comicraft (letters)
Guy Major (colors, color separations)
Peter Tomasi (edits)

Feature Characters:

Josiah Power (in between issue #11 and #17)
Skyrocket
Bork
Manhunter IV
Witchfire
Striker Z
Sapphire
Firestorm II

Supporting Characters: Lt. Jennifer Stuart (first appearance; granddaughter of Jeb Stuart)
Mickey Schaum (first actual appearance; one of the partners in Wells & Schaum; see Comment)
Rupe (last in issue #11)

Villains:

Doctor Polaris (also in flashback between Joker: Last Laugh #6 and flashback in issue #14; also as Neal Emerson in flashback preceding Green Lantern Vol. 2 #21)
Black Mass (also in flashback between Joker: Last Laugh #6 and issue #5)
Fastball
Starshrike
Crowbar
Nightfall
Shatterfist II (latter six as the Cadre I; all six last in flashback in #9)

Guest Appearances:

Garrison Slate (last in Blue Beetle Vol. 2 #19)
General Jeb Stuart (last in Anarky Vol. 2 #7; next in flashback in #16)
Christine St. Clair
Asano Nitobe

Other Characters:

A Controller (last in issue #10)
Dexter Crabtree (behind the scenes; last in Robin Vol. 2 #42)
Janine Whitworth (first appearance; Paragon Pictures employee)
Lt. Stuart's army men
TV News team
Wells & Schaum employees (including Murray; first appearance of all)
Slab staff (in flashback; all die)
scientist colleagues of Neal Emerson (in flashback)
San Fransisco citizens

Comments: Nightfall is erroneously called "Nightshade" in this story. The character "Mickey Schaum" is based on devoted DC fan and recognized comic expert John Wells, also known as "Mikishawm" on Internet message boards.

Synopsis:

Doctor Polaris has taken control of one of the alien – and unimaginably powerful – Controllers to augment his powers, and is putting his plans into motion. His insane mind sees civilization and humanity's free will as obstacles for creating a better Earth. At the San Fransisco S.T.A.R. Labs site, Polaris and his hired muscle, the Cadre, steal the last pieces of equipment Polaris needs to focus his powers and "cleanse the world". The Power Company – sans Josiah and Witchfire, who are both still in hospital, and Manhunter, the only member to give priority to their booked meeting in Hollywood – arrive. Also joining the battle are a team of soldiers led by Liutenant Jennifer Stuart, who makes sure that her grandfather, General Jeb Stuart, as well as S.T.A.R. CEO Garrison Slate, are moved away from the danger. Skyrocket contacts Mickey Schaum of the Wells & Schaum meta-human research bureau and asks them for personal information of Polaris they can use to talk sense into him. The attempt is futile. When Schaum realizes that Polaris is powered by a Controller, he yells at the Company to flee... but too late. Polaris easily knocks the heroes out with a power bolt.