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Since POINT of ORIGIN is now powered by GAMERVISION, we have a new feature. Whenever you click on a little picture, it will open much larger for you to view in a new window. GAMERVISION can do amazing things, can it not? And now, on to installment #5.

How much do you trust your best friend? Do you trust them enough to stop you when you are doing something terrible? Mark Waid and Howard Porter posit that very question to the Justice League of America in “Tower of Babel.”

Minor Spoilers Ahead.

The Justice League had recently gotten a much-needed kick in the pants thanks to a relaunch in 1998 spearheaded by resident genius, Grant Morrison. Finally letting loose the tight editorial reigns, DC Comics allowed him to put the biggest heroes in the DC library (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and Martian Manhunter) into one book. No more second-stringers. No more third-rate villains. Big action every issue was the premise, so why not big heroes? After nearly 4 years of thrills, Grant felt it was time to move on, and let someone else play in what had become his sandbox.

This is where Mark Waid steps in. Waid is known in the comic community for having an extensive knowledge of the DC universe. That knowledge not only helped the make the transition of writers nice and easy, but also shows how much he truly understands these characters when putting them to the page. After Grant Morrison’s top-selling run, Waid knew he had to make his mark on JLA. What better way to do that than shake it to its core?

Defeating the world’s greatest super-heroes has proved to be a near unattainable goal. Many villains have tried over the years, and they’ve come close, but never really succeeded. We all know Superman is vulnerable to kryptonite, but what about everyone else? What are their weaknesses? If Mark Waid knows, you better believe the DC universe’s greatest tactician knows.

“Tower of Babel” opens with Ra’s Al Ghul stealing the corpses of Batman’s parents. With Batman hot on the trail of the coffins, the rest of the JLA is systematically taken out of the picture. Each member, one by one, is taken out by his or her greatest weakness (no, I’m not going to give them away, that’s one of the best parts to read). Batman soon discovers Ra’s great plan: Global dyslexia. Finding a way to disable the language part of the brain, Ra’s hopes to trigger worldwide panic and terror. The worst part is Batman has no idea what’s happening to his teammates until it’s too late. The Justice League had been crippled.

It appeared Ra’s had gotten his hands on detailed accounts of how to eliminate the threats each of the members of the JLA presented in order for him to carry out his master plan. I’m not going to spoil much more than that, kids. This story is too good. Waid and Howard Porter deliver a tale so intricate in its machinations, you truly have to see it to believe it. Then you find yourself wondering why something like this was never done before. Simple. Because Mark Waid wasn’t given the chance.

There are some great character moments scattered throughout the story. Quiet moments between the Flash and Wonder Woman,

or this moment when the Flash recovers from being taken out, show just how much Waid appreciates the characters.

Knowing how the Flash would respond when he was taken out (comics 101- The Flash moves at superspeed. Everything else, including time, moves at a snail's pace to him) comes from Waid’s extensive knowledge of how what makes his characters tick. It comes as no surprise Waid knows how to write the Flash, as he spent several years working on that title, most famously with Mike Weiringo (which, eventually, I promise we will get to).

Remember when I said Howard Porter’s art on JLA would blow you away? Yeah, it’s pages like these that remind us how talented he really is.

Mark Waid’s run on JLA would last nearly 2 years, and “Tower of Babel” helped cement his take on these iconic characters. You can find this at your LCS (comics 101- Local Comic Shop) for a mere $12.95. The combination of Waid and Porter will not let you down. I promise.

See you next week.

To find a comic shop near you: 1-888-COMICBOOK.