Choosing to fight the equation and protect those un-effected by it's soul-draining powers, the superheroes banded together under the Article X draft and stationed themselves in six Watchtowers across the globe: The Great Wall of China, Superbia, Washington DC, Gorilla City, Switzerland and the Fortress of Solitude. There within Superman's private abode, the human resistance maintains the last remaining printing press on Earth, producing news of the resistance in the form of the Daily Planet.

The Ray, a super-hero capable of transforming himself into a beam of energy anywhere within the spectrum of light, is delivering said copies of the Daily Planet when he stops by the Hall of Justice in Washington DC. Along the way in he rescues Mark Richards, the Tattoo Man from a group of attackers. Richards, who was on his way to fulfill the recently corrupted Black Lightning's mission immediately finds himself under the scrutiny of Justice League member Green Arrow.

Barbara Gordon, having witnessed a fraction of the Anti-Life Equation as it raced across the globe, was responsible for shutting down the global internet system. Luckily, thanks to a well placed mole in Libra's camp, the heroes have gained knowledge of a lesser-known Ünternet used only by the society of super-villains. Using the Ray as a means of powering the up the Ünternet, the Watchtowers are able to connect to one another for a brief few moments.

During the conference, each Watchtower across the globe checks in and the heroes agree that the point of entry into this world for the Evil Gods seems to be the city of Blüdhaven. The heroes (including Black Adam and Captain Marvel - whose own godly sources of power were recently over thrown by Darkseid and company) decide to band together and meet at the bridge to Blüdhaven at dawn for the final battle.

Deep within the diseased city itself in the Command-D bunker, the minions of Darkseid use the high-end gene manipulation technology to continue their flesh farm, building new bodies for the spectral presences of their cohorts. The cults of Simyan and Mokkari toil in the factories, producing more and more Justifier helmets to spread the Anti-Life equation while Reverend Goode's sermons continue to corrupt the souls of their followers. All is falling into place for the side of evil while they await the incarnation of their leader Darkseid within the rotting flesh formerly belonging to Detective Dan "Terrible" Turpin. Turpin's soul continues to resist Darkseid's presence but his willpower is draining by the minute.

Elsewhere in another equally desolate part of the company the two Flashes - Wally West and Barry Allen are able to defeat the attacking horde consisting of the Anti-Life Wonder Woman, Catwoman and Batwoman. Barry and Wally race to check on Barry's wife only to find that she too has been overcome by the Anti-Life. Not willing to give up on his true love, Barry pulls his wife near him in an embrace and plants a kiss on her lips. The kiss seems to defeat the Anti-Life and awakens her from her zombie-like state.

Back at the Hall of Justice, the surge of Anti-Life zombies and Justifiers continues to grow outside. As the corrupted Black Lightning uses his powers to break down the walls of the Hall, Tattoo Man recalls the symbol shown to him by Jefferson Pierce shortly before he was defeated. Turning his entire body into a form of the "circuit" illustration (a design exactly like Metron's symbol which had previously showing up across the globe), Tattoo Man shows the design to all those present.

The Ray is able to transform into a beam of energy powerful enough to allow the JLA teleporter to transport the heroes out of the Hall and to the JLA Satellite. Green Arrow decides to stay behind and destroy the system so that their location cannot be traced. Promising his love that he has a plan to defeat the attackers, Oliver Queen says goodbye to Black Canary and makes his way to confront the Anti-Life army. Unable to defeat his fellow Justice League member Black Lightning, Green Arrow is also shackled with a Justifier helmet. Having safely arrived at the Satellite base, Black Canary readies the station's weapons...

Even more heroes are making a stand against super-powered Justifiers in Switzerland at the Checkmate castle. As the skies turn crimson and begin hemorrhaging blood from the ether between worlds, the Super Young Team and Mister Miracle arrive to spread the knowledge of how to defeat the Evil Gods' plan. Unfortunately the heroes watch in horror as Mister Miracle exits the vehicle only to be shot directly in the chest!

The Spirit of Freedom defeated, the last of Dan Turpin's humanity is snuffed out by Darkseid's presence. His minions adorn him with a special helmet to keep Turpin's body from deteriorating like the others and Darkseid delivers his first corporeal message summoning a day of holocaust that will never end!