Justice League: The Nail

Writer and Penciller- Alan Davis
Inker- Mark Famer

A 1998 Elseworlds tale from DC

The theme of the story is set by its first paragraph:

For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
for want of a shoe the horse was lost,
for want of a horse the knight was lost,
for want of a knight the battle was lost.
So it was a kingdom was lost - all for want of a nail.

The "What If" title from Marvel Comics has a very simple premise. Take a point in Marvel history, change it in some elemental way, and see how it effects change in the Marvel status quo. DC's Elseworlds stories take a different path. They often tell unique and separate stories from the regular DC universe. Allowing creators to branch out in new directions with old characters and situations. This three issue prestige format series is among the best this title has to offer.

While the story's main venue is Metropolis, it reaches far beyond earth and even beyond our own galaxy. The story is one that feeds off of mistrust and what would seem to be a fundamental human flaw, a distrust of things we don't understand. As is often the case, this distrust quickly morphs toward hatred and fear. Parallels in the story can be drawn with race relation issues that have plagued our country for far too long. Once again we are reminded how easily a populace of people can be misled if the right fear is fed.

Through out the three issues we see a steady change in the relationship with the heroes and those the heroes protect. Quickly and seemingly with ease the protected become the fearful, the non-trusting. Know foes are shown to be something less than before while friends and allies are challenged, their true nature shown. While in the end the heroes show why they have earned the title.