Comic Title: Justice League America #40
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: July 1990
On Sale Date: May 15, 1990 Shipping Date May 15, 1990
Source: Previews, #15

Shipping Date May 15, 1990
Source: Amazing Heroes, #179

Shipping Date May 17, 1990
Source: Advance Comics, #17

Copyright Date May 15, 1990
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1990

Direct Market Date May 17, 1990
Source: Comic Shop News, #149

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $1.00
Page Count: 32
Editor: Andrew Helfer

Title: "Hell on Earth"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Justice League (Post-Crisis)

Plotter: Keith Giffen
Scripter: J. Mark DeMatteis
Penciller: Adam T. Hughes
Inker: Jose F. Marzan, Jr.
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Colorist: Eugene D'Angelo

Reprinted In:
Justice League International Omnibus Vol. 2 HC (2021)

Feature Character(s)

• Justice League (last appearance in Justice League America #39; next appearance in Justice League Europe #14)
• Martian Manhunter (last appearance in Justice League America #39; next appearance in Justice League Europe Annual #1)
• Blue Beetle (last appearance in Justice League America #39; next appearance in Justice League Europe Annual #1)
• Fire (last appearance in Justice League America #39; next appearance in Justice League Europe #14)
• Guy Gardner (last appearance in Justice League America #39; next appearance in Justice League America #42)
• Ice (last appearance in Justice League America #39; next appearance in Justice League Europe #14)
• Batman (last appearance in Mister Miracle #16; next appearance in Detective Comics #614)

Supporting Character(s)

• Maxwell Lord (last appearance in Justice League America #37; next appearance in Justice League Europe #17)
• Big Barda (last appearance in Mister Miracle #16; next appearance in Mister Miracle #17)
• Booster Gold (last appearance in Justice League America #38; next appearance in Mister Miracle #19)

Villain(s)

• Despero (last appearance in Justice League America #39; next appearance in Justice League America #42)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Gypsy (last appearance in Justice League America #39; next appearance in Justice League America #42)
• Orion (last appearance in New Gods #15; next appearance in New Gods #16)
• Superman (last appearance in Action Comics #652; next appearance in New Gods #16)
• Wonder Woman (last appearance in Christmas with the Super-Heroes #2; next appearance in Wonder Woman #42)
• Green Lantern (last appearance in Green Lantern Special #2; next appearance in Justice League Europe #17)
• Green Arrow (last appearance in Green Arrow #32; next appearance in Green Arrow Annual #3)
• Aquaman (last appearance in Justice League America #35; no further appearances)
• Highfather (last appearance in New Gods #13; next appearance in New Gods #16)
• Doctor Fate (last appearance in Doctor Fate #16; next appearance in Doctor Fate #17)
• Titans (last appearance in Hawk and Dove #12; next appearance in New Titans #66)
• Cyborg (last appearance in Hawk and Dove #12; next appearance in New Titans #66)
• Nightwing (last appearance in New Titans #65; next appearance in New Titans Annual #6)
• Raven (last appearance in Hawk and Dove #12; next appearance in New Titans #66)
• Starfire (last appearance in Hawk and Dove #12; next appearance in New Titans #66)
• Kilowog (behind-the-scenes at the funeral; last appearance in Mister Miracle #17; next appearance in Mister Miracle #17)
• Gnort (behind-the-scenes at the funeral; last appearance in Mister Miracle #17; next appearance in Mister Miracle #17)

Other Character(s)

• Claire Montgomery (last appearance in Justice League America #38; no further appearances)
• A priest (resembles Jack Kirby; no further appearances)

Comments:
The funeral scene on pages 14-17 is reprised in Mister Miracle #17. Gnort and Kilowog are also shown in attendence.

Max mentions the disappearance of the JLE in the epilogue.

This story is continued from Justice League America #39.

Synopsis:
Despero prepares to kill Blue Beetle when he is confronted once again by J'onn J'onzz. Despero kills them both and the rest of the League too. He then destroys the Earth. With his goal completed, Despero's hate dissolves. He curls up into a happy ball and goes dormant.

The Earth was not really destroyed. Instead J'onn used a martian mental trick known as Mayavana to create an illusionary reality to trap Despero. After the threat has been neutralized, the team learns that Mister Miracle was vaporized when Despero destroyed the jet.

A funeral for Scott Free is held with many guest heroes in attendance. Booster Gold attends and recruits Gypsy to join his new team. Superman shares his concern about the underpowered League with Batman. Max decides to initiate a recruitment drive for new members.