| Truth to Power | |
| May 2010 — June 2010 | |
| Writers | Greg Rucka, Eric Trautmann |
| Artists | Pere Perez |
| Comic Book Story Arcs | |
| ← previous Divine Spark |
next → Last Stand of New Krypton |
Truth to Power is a story arc told in Action Comics during 2010. It features Nightwing and Flamebird battling Jax-Ur's recreation of Rao on Earth.
Action Comics #887
- Date: May 2010
- Written by Greg Rucka, Eric Trautmann
- Pencils: Pere Perez
- Inks: Pere Perez
- Colors: Javier Mena
- Cover by Kalman Andrasofszky
Lois visits Raymond Industries to recover data from the bullet-ridden laptop. John Raymond aka The Web gives Lois a replacement supercharged, nano-tech laptop as a replacement while his team work to recover any lost data. That was Metropolis four days ago and Lois is now blogging in Iraq at the crater site. Flashing back 36 hours we're where we were last time - with the hand of Rao reaching out of a portal deep beneath Iraq. Jax-Ur reveals he was able to use the hidden DNA within Thara and Chris to bring Rao back from the dead. Jax also activates the kill switch on Chris to accelerate his sunstone poisoning. As Flamebird/Thara attack, Jax-Ur reveals he too is a reincarnation - that of Vohc the ancient Kryptonian demigod destined to keep Flamebird and Nightwing apart (if you read the last few issues 'Divine Spark' you'll be able to brush up on the legend). Vohc reveals that he is able to control his Rao automaton - a sort of soulless clone of the original.
Lois is hot on their trail, as we flash forward her Blackberry is working overtime calling in favors all over the shop to get her blog out. Meanwhile Jax-Ur has flown into orbit using parts from an abandoned space station to fashion some new tech. On Earth Thara and Chris are battling their very own 'Millennium Giant' as it walks around laying waste to the planet. Lois' blog turns the tide of hate towards Kryptonians by revealing the legend of Flamebird and Nightwing - pointing out - if they were the enemy why were they putting their lives on the line to save us. Lois and a reluctant pilot follow the devastation refusing to give up. Over on New Krypton the Order of Rao realize he has come back and begin ceremonies to encourage their fallen god.
Rao has made it to Pakistan now and the Military there are going full force to protect their nation. Chris flies in an pulls his adopted mother out of the copter so it can get to safety, Chris explains to Lois about the cloned Rao made from 'God Essence' as they watch the battling forces below. Lois worries that if Rao walks to Kashmir they might try nuclear weaponry to stop it.
Missiles fly down and just like in the bible - creation begins. Vohc returns and battles Thara while Vohc/Jax-Ur reveals the weapon he was building in space - a staff doubling as a Void of Shadows Projector. Firing it at Chris, he explodes like a shattered mirror. With Chris trapped in sunstone shards and Flamebird mourning her lover, Lois watches Jax-Ur & Rao walk away hunting for energy to begin their very own version of the universe. Lois however is adamant they should not give up and pulls out the Blackberry again...
Action Comics #888
- Date: June 2010
- Written by Greg Rucka, Eric Trautmann
- Pencils: Pere Perez
- Inks: Pere Perez
- Colors: Javier Mena
- Cover by Yildiray Cinar, Julio Ferreira
Vohc/Jax-Ur watches as his mockery of Rao stalks the Earth. In his hands he holds the last vestige of the Phantom Zone, it is revealed it had somehow been hidden within Chris. Which personality controls the villain is debatable - one moment it is the reincarnated Vohc, the next the evil Kryptonian scientist. Flamebird attempts to take on Rao herself, and even in control of the 'Phoenix Force' she cannot defeat him, but help is at hand as Alan Scott (the magic based Green Lantern), Mr Terrific, Jay Garrick (the original Flash), and Dr. Fate have arrived and are ready for battle. Mr Terrific informs the makeshift fighting force that Rao is defying science - not only for being an automaton but for his immense growth spurts.
Chris watches unable to intervene from his Phantom Zone prison and he finds a solid object - a cape left behind from Fort Roz (the only solid thing in the Zone) and dresses in it.
In the real world, Pakistan are adding to problems launching a nuclear attack against Rao. Alan Scott is able to stop the nukes while Jay grabs the soldiers. Thara/Flamebird launches at Vohc/Jax-Ur. All of this is still being watched by Chris, but as you might recall, unlike Thara, who easily embraced her godly soul and destiny, Chris only followed her for the sexual enticements, never truly able to grasp he was the godling Nightwing. That was about to change as he discovered what had guided and protected him in the zone long ago - his other half of soul fragment - Nightwing himself!
Again in the real world, Alan Scott tries flinging the captured missiles in a controlled blast against Rao - it doesn't work and though all seems lost amongst the chaos, Princess Diana of Themiscyra steps in - better know to the world as Wonder Woman! Combining her Superman level might with the magic of Green Lantern they are able to suffocate Rao and bring him to his knees. Vohc is distracted momentarily but just as it seems the heroes have won the day, Rao gets back up! In the Zone Chris embraces his other half and the duo become one soul again.
Vohc begins to realize Jax-Ur is fighting their merge, trying to regain his body and incapacitates Thara as he regains control.
The Pakistanis launch more missiles and this time even Wonder Woman and Alan can't stop them.
Lois arrives and begs Mr Terrific to deprogram the nukes and just as he's about to - they all deactivate! Mr Terrific tells the team even with his intellect he couldn't have succeeded but through the dust clouds the newly merged Nightwing appears and now fully reborn he intends on stopping Vohc and Rao - permanently.
Action Comics #889
- Date: June 2010
- Written by Greg Rucka, Eric Trautmann
- Pencils: Pere Perez
- Inks: Bit
- Colors: Javier Mena
- Cover by Alex Garner
Perry reveals that Lois never really quit the Daily Planet as the newsroom is trying to keep up with the big story. The Rao clone begins its final mission - to become a gravity well that will crush the entire planet. The heroes try in vain to stop it, with even Dr. Fate popping up to help. Flamebird & Nightwing reunite and fly into the well in Rao's chest with Vohc/Jax-Ur in tow. They burn Vohc out of Jax-Ur's body and as they arrive in Rao's heart Chris uses his new powers to erode the gravity well saving everyone by shattering Rao and leaving Jax-Ur in the care of the remaining heroes. Deliriously in love they thank everyone and leave just as the authorities arrive to clean up the corpse of the Rao clone.
The clean up crew are revealed to belong to General Lane and the collection of the body parts is in the hands of Lex Luthor!