Warning! Spoilers ahead for Dark Knights of Steel #6

A classic Justice League hero may be playing a secret role as a major villain in DC's Dark Knights of Steel. Taking place in an alternate medieval universe, kingdoms are preparing to go to war following the deaths of several royals on both sides. But could an iconic hero be pulling strings unseen?

So far in this tale of assassinations, mysterious gaps in the narrative have emerged, with the series' murderers having no memory of actually killing the rulers of the realm. As such, it appears as though a sinister (and superpowered) someone is at work behind the scenes, attempting to frame the Kingdom of El to incite an imminent war and bloodbath. And one figure seems like the perfect candidate for a shocking reveal.

Related: Batman is Officially A Dragon-Rider in DC's Dark Knights of Steel

At the beginning of Dark Knights of Steel from writer Tom Taylor and Yasmine Putri, the murder of King Jor-El caused a cascade of subsequent murders. Princess Zala-El was seen in the rival Kingdom of Storms, wanting revenge against King Jefferson (Black Lightning) who had ordered Jor-El's death, fearing a prophecy from the seer John Constantine that the Kryptonians would destroy the world. As such, she killed Jefferson's young son Prince Jacob before killing King Jefferson himself. Additionally, when the Kingdom of El's greatest knight Batman revealed the newly discovered truth that he was Jor-El's secret second son, Kal-El attempted to kill his half-brother.

Superman and Supergirl in Dark Knights of Steel

Interestingly enough, the new Dark Knights of Steel #6 sees Zala having no memory of the murders, swearing that she didn't kill Jefferson or Jacob. Furthermore, Kal-El's attempt to kill Batman was very sudden and abrupt considering the two had been friends since childhood. Effectively, they already saw each other as brothers without ever knowing about their blood relation. Combined with the prophecy that the Kryptonians will end the world, it seems as though a far sinister plot is in the works with someone looking to self-fulfill the prophecy by framing the Els. As such, someone like the shape-shifting Martian Manhunter could be revealed as the series' true villain despite his traditional role as a member of the Justice League.

As a theory, Martian Manhunter's secret involvement would certainly explain some of the series' bigger question marks such as why Zala has no memory of visiting the Kingdom of Storms and killing two of its royals. Having comparable powers such as laser vision, super-strength, and flight with the unique ability to shapeshift, J'onn J'onzz would have no problem posing as a Kryptonian, framing them with the intention to incite an all-out war between the two kingdoms (as well as the Amazons who've pledged their swords to the Kingdom of Storms).

Martian-Manhunter-In-DC-Comics

Even the Green Man hired by King Jefferson to kill Jor-El could be a red herring with Martian Manhunter being the true Green Man working behind the scenes, potentially looking to claim the world for Mars after ensuring the Els' destruction (which could be the prophecy's actual translation).

While this is just conjecture based upon what's been seen so far in Taylor and Putri's Dark Knights of Steel, Martian Manhunter's involvement seems like a strong possibility. It would certainly be an exciting twist for the Justice League hero if he were revealed to be a villain. At any rate, there's certainly a puppet master manipulating both sides seeking nothing less than total war in future issues. Readers will just have to continue reading the new DC series to see if this theory ultimately proves to be correct.

More: DC Chose the Perfect Hero To Survive The Justice League's Death