SECRET SOCIETY OF SUPER-VILLAINS #3

War for Earthdeath!On Apokolips, Kalibak grovels before Darkseid while the god of evil tells him not to bother and that he's being given a chance to redeem himself. Darkseid informs Kalibak that he funded the formation of the Secret Society of Super-Villains to be a more efficient replacement for Intergang and that Manhunter is seeking to turn them against their creator. He might need Kalibak to intervene in the battle on Earth if Mantis fails. Back in the secret Apokoliptian Lab in San Francisco, Mantis defeats Captain Cold, Star Sapphire, and Manhunter in turn. Star Sapphire asks why he serves Darkseid. Mantis explains that Darkseid gave him his powers and promised him control of Earth. Star Sapphire asks where the Society fits in and Mantis tells her they will be privileged slaves. Furious at the implication she would ever be slave to a man, Camille chooses to act. She grabs Manhunter and escapes, leaving the others behind so they can find reinforcements. Manhunter decides to gather the rest of the Society while Sapphire chooses to seek out the aid of a hero. In a flashback to two days ago, Copperhead tells some prison guards that he's been set up by an entire secret society of super-villains, much to their amusement. They leave him to brood in his cell alone. Soon after, the wall of his cell explodes inward. Copperhead assumes it's the Society come to bail him out, but when he sees whoever has actually come for him he screams in despair. In the present, tensions are rising high at the Sinister Citadel. Hi-Jack, The Wizard, and Sinestro are growing apprehensive about the away team still being gone. Captain Boomerang and Mirror Master are less concerned, assuming the others simply chose to stay out longer. Sinestro and Hi-Jack nearly come to blows, but they're stopped by Manhunter who has returned to get help for Captain Cold, Grodd, and Captain Comet. Initially the villains don't want to help, asking what the others have ever done for them. Manhunter insists that helping is in their own best interest and that they'll all be no more than slaves if Darkseid gets his way. His words sway Captain Boomerang, Mirror Master, and Hi-Jack to his side. Sinestro and The Wizard confer with each other and agree that it doesn't matter to either of them what happens to Earth (Sinestro being an Alien and The Wizard being from Earth 2) but they decide to play along for now. Elsewhere in San Francisco, Star Sapphire runs into Green Lantern while he's searching from Grodd, Hi-Jack, and Captain Comet after their run-in last issue. He attemps to subdue her but she refuses to surrender. She does, however, offer to lead him to the villains he seeks. She explains they need help against a far greater evil. At the deserted lot that hides Darkseid's secret lab, the Secret Society of Super-Villains confronts Mantis and his slaves. They manage to catch Mantis while his power is still at low charge so he sends some of his slaves to attack first. Captain Boomerang and Hi-Jack are able to easily disarm them while Manhunter frees Captain Cold, Captain Comet, and Grodd from where they were being held captive. Sinestro and Wizard stay back, waiting to see who the winner will be before they pick sides. Mantis attemps to shoot Captain Comet and Manhunter with his deadly cosmic charges, but the Captain's telepathy allows him to signal Manhunter to dodge just in time. While Mantis is still reeling from Manhunter's hit, Captain Cold causes him to slip and fall towards Captain Comet and Grodd who hit him relentlessly. The Apokoliptian calls for his slaves to attack but they're no match for the Society. Mantis is forced to retreat. On Apokolips, Darkseid commands Kalibak to come to Earth with him so they may get their revenge on the Secret Society of Super-Villains for their insolence.