In Justice League #51-52, the League battles the most dangerous plant in the galaxy. The flower, known as the Black Mercy, does not act like plants on Earth, who get their nutrients from water and sunlight. No, the Black Mercy feeds off the psychic energy of its victim while giving the victim visions of a life that could be, if only...
The first appearance of the Black Mercy was in Superman Annual #11 in a story written by some guy named Alan Moore with art from Dave Gibbons. (You may have heard of them) In "For the Man who has everything," Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman are going to Superman's fortress of Solitude in the Arctic Circle. They are there to celebrate Superman's birthday, but when they find him in the Fortress, it appears that someone has already given him a present: The Black Mercy has enwrapped the man of steel completely its vines, and the flower's blossoms have erupted on Superman's chest. The "present" was given to him by none other than the space tyrant, Mongul. Batman and Wonder Woman are able to distract Mongul for long enough that Superman revives and takes care of Mongul himself.
What Superman sees while in his comatic state is a life where he is not Superman at all. Instead, he is plain old Kal-El, son of Jor-El, and just an average Joe living his life on a never-exploded version of Krypton. He has a wife and a good job. He loves his son and daughter very much. Jor-El is something of a nuisance in his old age, espousing the end of the world, and anti-Phantom Zone protesters are beginning to get violent, but, for the most part, it’s a good life.
In Justice League #52, Superman relates his experience with the Black Mercy to Batman, who recently had his own trials under the flower’s spell. Superman tells Batman that his vision of life on Krypton made him realize that, between Superman and Clark Kent, he didn’t have much of a life at all. He says that his encounter with the Black Mercy showed him what he really wanted out of life and the courage to go after it. Without his time with the Black Mercy, he doesn’t know who he would be today.
The Black Mercy has made a number of appearances between 1985 and 2020, most notably haunting Green Lantern Hal Jordan. The story usually plays out the same: The Black Mercy takes its victim over and gives them a life that is just a little too good. Over time, the victim begins to sense that something is not right. Eventually, the victim is able to overthrow the Black Mercy’s influence. But not before giving its victim of a life they could have if they could just find the strength to change.
The Justice League was able to conquer the Black Mercy. But on the other hand, they’re super-heroes. The Black Mercy just might be the one thing that you most need in your life right now… if you survive it. Justice League #52, by Jeff Loveness, Robson Rocha, and Daniel Enrique is available through traditional and digital retailers everywhere now.