Justice League of America Vol. 1 (1960-1987) #64

Plot

The story opens on Earth-Two, where several members of the Justice Society of America—Black Canary, Flash (Jay Garrick), Starman (Ted Knight), Hourman (Rex Tyler), and Dr. Fate (Kent Nelson)—have gathered at their headquarters for a routine meeting. Their discussion is abruptly interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a strange new figure who calls himself the Red Tornado. The JSA members are immediately suspicious because this android being is clearly not the original Red Tornado they remember from years ago—a boisterous woman named Ma Hunkel who briefly posed as a hero in a makeshift costume. However, the android insists that he was once a member of their group, claiming to possess detailed memories of each JSA member, including their secret identities and superhuman abilities.

When the JSA demands proof of his identity and asks him to remove his mask, they are shocked to discover that underneath there is no face at all—only the smooth, featureless metal surface of an advanced robot. Before they can fully process this revelation, an alert reaches the JSA about a series of attacks at a nearby museum. Strange robots resembling the newcomer are systematically vaporizing priceless artifacts and collecting the resulting energy particles with a massive hovering ship. Reluctantly, the JSA decides to bring the mysterious Red Tornado along as they investigate.

As the JSA engages the robotic attackers in combat, they initially gain the upper hand. But something is terribly wrong. Each time the heroes are about to achieve victory, the Red Tornado seems to intervene at exactly the wrong moment, his actions appearing clumsy and counterproductive. Through his apparent bungling, one by one, the JSA members are struck down by the enemy robots, collapsing as if dead. Only Red Tornado and Dr. Fate escape the same fate: a cloud of paralyzing dust renders them immobile, causing them to fall into a nearby lake. The water washes away the dust, freeing them from its effects.

As Red Tornado pulls himself out of the water, he feels an inexplicable force drawing him away from the scene, compelling him to leave Dr. Fate behind. He follows this mysterious pull, which leads him to the truth: he was created by T.O. Morrow, a villain from Earth-One who escaped to Earth-Two following a previous battle against the Flashes and Green Lanterns of both Earths. On Earth-Two, Morrow built a sophisticated computer designed to calculate the optimal strategies for committing super-crimes. The computer suggested that Morrow construct the Red Tornado android, programmed with false memories of the Justice Society, because the android would serve as the key to neutralizing the JSA's resistance.

When the Red Tornado attempts to confront his creator and stop his criminal plans, Morrow uses his futuristic energy weapons to deactivate the robot. Consulting his computer again—this time for advice on how to plunder the lost city of Atlantis—Morrow is surprised when the machine tells him that his path to victory requires keeping the Red Tornado active and opposing him. Meanwhile, back at the JSA headquarters, Dr. Fate has gathered the remaining available members—Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Atom (Al Pratt), Hawkman (Carter Hall), Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Mr. Terrific (Terry Sloane), and Dr. Mid-Nite (Charles McNider)—to devise a way to revive their fallen comrades.

Their efforts are interrupted when their alert monitor detects the recently reactivated Red Tornado engaged in a new battle against Morrow's robots. The JSA members rush to his aid, easily defeating the machines. Red Tornado then explains that the key to reviving their seemingly dead comrades lies in using Morrow's futuristic energy weapons to restore them. However, when one of the JSA members picks up one of the weapons, it unexpectedly discharges a powerful energy bolt, knocking out every JSA hero present.

Victorious in his scheme, T.O. Morrow finds himself unsatisfied with merely conquering a single Earth. He decides to return to his native Earth-One and defeat the Justice League of America as well. But when he consults his computer one final time, it delivers an ironic prophecy: the only way he can defeat the Justice League is if they form an alliance with the very android he created—the Red Tornado.

Story Arc Saga: Red Tornado origin / T.O. Morrow arc (continues in #65)

Multiverse: Earth-Two & Earth-One crossover

- Red Tornado's "memories" of the JSA are false implants created by T.O. Morrow

- The original Red Tornado (Ma Hunkel) appears only as a cameo image, not as a character