Justice League of America #178
In "The Chess-Master of Mars," the Martian Manhunter faces off against the cunning Despero in a high-stakes psychic duel across the red planet, using the Justice League as unwitting pawns in a game of cosmic strategy. Written by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Dick Dillin with inks by Frank McLaughlin, this 1980 issue sees J'onn J'onzz relying on his allies to decipher a cryptic clue he leaves behind—only time will tell if they can outthink the mind of Mars. The cover by Jim Starlin captures the tension with a striking, otherworldly scene.
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The Martian Manhunter outwits Despero in their cosmic game, depending on the Justice League to unravel the clue he left to enable them to upset the game.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).