The Justice League

PHASE 1 What if Disney owned DC and made The Justice League (2012)

Amanda Waller and A.R.G.U.S. are overseeing research on a mysterious alien artifact known as a Mother Box, recovered decades earlier and long believed to be dormant. Without warning, the Mother Box activates, tearing open a portal that allows Black Adam to arrive on Earth. Possessing immense power and ancient knowledge, Adam overwhelms the facility, steals the Mother Box, and escapes after using it to mentally enslave Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow, and several A.R.G.U.S. personnel. Realizing the threat exceeds anything conventional forces can handle, Waller initiates a contingency plan to assemble extraordinary individuals. Dinah Lance, operating covertly, is sent to retrieve Arthur Curry, the Atlantean known as Aquaman, whose strained history with humanity makes him hostile toward military involvement. Bruce Wayne, operating as Batman, is drawn in as a tactical mind and symbol of leadership. Clark Kent, Superman, is brought in as Earth’s most powerful defender, while Waller also makes contact with Diana of Themyscira, Wonder Woman, whose people have long warned of such cosmic threats. The team is brought together aboard a heavily armed A.R.G.U.S. carrier, but unity proves difficult. Batman and Superman clash over methods and trust, Aquaman openly resents the military presence due to centuries of conflict between Atlantis and the surface world, and Diana recognizes Black Adam as an ancient figure tied to forgotten wars. Tensions escalate when Wonder Woman confronts Black Adam directly, but he is eventually captured and taken aboard the carrier. Imprisoned, Black Adam begins manipulating the heroes, exploiting their doubts and divisions. Under Adam’s lingering influence, Green Arrow attacks the carrier, triggering chaos. During the conflict, Aquaman grows increasingly uneasy, feeling the presence of ancient power tied to the Mother Box, and attempts to leave the ship entirely, believing the surface world’s war is not his responsibility. The attack devastates the carrier, forcing the League to separate. In the aftermath, Batman and Wonder Woman help rally the team, and the truth of Black Adam’s plan becomes clear. Using the Mother Box, Adam intends to open a gateway above Metropolis, summoning an army of Parademons to conquer Earth and prepare it for a greater power. The Justice League regroups in Metropolis as the invasion begins. Fighting together for the first time, they push back the Parademon forces. Batman coordinates the defense on the ground, Green Arrow provides precision support, and Aquaman fully commits to the battle despite his distrust of humanity. Wonder Woman confronts Black Adam directly, while Superman battles in the skies. As the invasion worsens, global authorities authorize a missile strike on Metropolis in a desperate attempt to stop the Parademons. Superman intercepts the missiles, carrying them through the portal and destroying the Parademon command structure on the other side. Exhausted, he falls back toward Earth, where Aquaman saves him, pulling him from the sky before impact. With the portal closed and the invasion stopped, Wonder Woman defeats Black Adam and takes him into custody, returning him to Themyscira to face judgment. The Mother Box is secured by A.R.G.U.S., and the League, though still wary of one another, recognizes the necessity of standing united. In the final moments, it is revealed that Black Adam’s invasion was only the beginning. Somewhere beyond the stars, a far greater force has taken notice of Earth’s defenders. Darkseid, intrigued by the heroes who stopped his herald, prepares to make his move, signaling that the age of gods and monsters has only just begun.

Story added by dippy2 on October 23, 2022