Justice League Annual #1 (1983)--Chapter 5

 

cover art by Rick Hoberg

JLA Annual #1 (1983): Plot by Paul Levitz, script by Len Wein, art by Rick Hoberg

Chapter 5 is pretty short, existing to first-- let Ralph Dibney overcome the self-doubt he was having at the beginning of the story; and second -- to set up the big battle coming in Chapter 6.

Back on the JLA satellite, Zatanna has magically traced Dr. Destiny to the dream dimension. She transports there, bringing Red Tornado and Ralph along.

They are attack by giant, nightmare versions of Dr. Destiny. Ralph briefly thinks this is the sort of situation he dreaded, where his skills as a detective are meaningless. But he realizes he's got to do something and uses his powers in a clever way to take out one of the nightmares. The other heroes dispose of their opponents as well.

After spending several pages setting up Ralph's self-doubt in Chapter 1, the resolution of this does come across as a little abrupt, but it does make sense. Ralph is tossed into a "the chips are down" situation where he's got to either act or give up. It is a little abrupt for storytelling purposes, but it makes complete character sense. And, to be fair, Ralph will get a Moment of Awesome in the final chapter.

Anyway, this confirms that Dr. Destiny is in the dream dimension, so Zatanna ends this brief chapter by summoning the rest of the League.

It is another well-written chapter. The brevity makes me a little embarassed to dedicate an entire post to it, but it does logically advance the story and resolve Ralph's character arc, leaving the comic book free to use the last chapter for a epic final battle with a fun plot twist. We'll look at that final chapter next week.