History ComicBook / TheNail

''The Nail'' (or ''JLA: The Nail'') is a three-issue comic book Creator/{{Elseworlds}} mini-series published by Creator/DCComics. It is a self-contained story by Creator/AlanDavis which [[{{Elseworld}} stands outside of the mainstream continuity of]] Franchise/TheDCU.

In this universe, Martha and Jonathan Kent's truck has a tire puncture caused by a nail. This prevents them from discovering the spaceship containing the baby Kal-El, and so, there's no ComicBook/{{Superman}}. There is, however, still a ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica, consisting of ComicBook/{{Batman}}, ComicBook/WonderWoman, ComicBook/{{Aquaman}}, ComicBook/TheFlash (Barry Allen), [[ComicBook/Hawkman Hawkwoman]], ComicBook/TheAtom (Ray Palmer), ComicBook/MartianManhunter, and ComicBook/GreenLantern (Hal Jordan). There's also a great degree of xenophobia for the "metahumans", fueled by anti-metahuman propaganda from Perry White and backed by Metropolis mayor ComicBook/LexLuthor; slowly metahumans begin to disappear as other issues arise requiring the attention of the publicly disliked JLA.

''The Nail'' (or ''JLA: The Nail'') is a three-issue comic book mini-series published by Creator/DCComics. It is a self-contained story by Creator/AlanDavis which [[{{Elseworld}} stands outside of the mainstream continuity of]] Franchise/TheDCU.

In this universe, Martha and Jonathan Kent's truck has a tire puncture caused by a nail. This prevents them from discovering the spaceship containing the baby Kal-El, and so, there's no Franchise/{{Superman}}. There is, however, still a Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica, consisting of Franchise/{{Batman}}, Franchise/WonderWoman, Comicbook/{{Aquaman}}, Franchise/TheFlash (Barry Allen), Hawkwoman, the Atom (Ray Palmer), ComicBook/MartianManhunter, and Franchise/GreenLantern (Hal Jordan). There's also a great degree of xenophobia for the "metahumans", fueled by anti-metahuman propaganda from Perry White and backed by Metropolis mayor ComicBook/LexLuthor; slowly metahumans begin to disappear as other issues arise requiring the attention of the publicly disliked JLA.

The same general plotline was used for ''ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}}'' as well. See also ''ComicBook/BulletPoints'' for this series' Franchise/MarvelUniverse counterpart.

* ForcedToWatch: The Joker uses his newly bestowed energy powers to capture Robin and Batgirl, and then make Franchise/{{Batman}} watch while he [[spoiler:rips them apart.]]

* AGodIAmNot: Batman implies this is the case with [[spoiler: Kal-El. The man had every bit as much power as Olsen did, yet chose to live among the Amish. That unlike Jimmy who desperately sought power, Kal-El would give up all his in an instant if it would bring his parents back to life.]]

* IronicLastWords: Superman finally fights the BigBad, who currently has Kryptonian DNA melded into his body. However, the stress of the fight causes the DNA to begin breaking down, killing him. His last words ("We should have been friends") are [[DramaticIrony painfully ironic]] in light of TheReveal: [[spoiler: the Big Bad was this universe's version of Jimmy Olsen, who had gone insane thanks to the continual experimentation on him and the lack of Superman's presence as a hero.]]

* UnstoppableRage: [[spoiler: Batman turns ''utterly murderous'' after Joker kills his sidekicks, which concludes with him breaking his ThouShaltNotKill rule and snapping the Joker's neck.]]

* AdaptationalVillainy: Comicbook/PowerGirl and ComicBook/BlackOrchid, normally heroes in the DCU, are first seen helping Star Sapphire steal the body of the android Amazo from Will Magnus, fighting the Metal Men in the process. Later they kidnap [[ComicBook/DoomPatrol Niles Caulder]]. [[spoiler:Subverted when it is later revealed that they, along with Black Canary, were securing Amazo's body in a risky bid to transplant Green Arrow's brain into a new healthy body, and that Niles had accompanied them willingly to perform the operation.]]

** There's a single frame cameo by the ''Comicbook/THUNDERAgents'', the rights for whom were owned by DC at the time this book was published.

* TakingYouWithMe: [[spoiler: To prevent a now-demonic Joker from dragging Selina into Hell with him, Batman is more than prepared to drag Joker into Hell himself, to make sure that he never escapes.]]

* ForWantOfANail: Inspired by the Trope Namer. The Kents' car gets a flat tire because of a stray nail, they don't find Kal-El, Superman as we know him doesn't come into existence, and the world is much worse off without him.

* AdaptationalVillainy: Comicbook/PowerGirl and Black Orchid, normally heroes in the DCU, are first seen helping Star Sapphire steal the body of the android Amazo from Will Magnus, fighting the Metal Men in the process. Later they kidnap [[ComicBook/DoomPatrol Niles Caulder]]. [[spoiler:Subverted when it is later revealed that they, along with Black Canary, were securing Amazo's body in a risky bid to transplant Green Arrow's brain into a new healthy body, and that Niles had accompanied them willingly to perform the operation.]]

* TheReveal: [[spoiler:Jimmy Olsen is the BigBad and has Kryptonian powers.]]

* AdaptationalHeroism: [[spoiler:Star Sapphire]]

* CatapultNightmare: Batman, [[spoiler:upon waking up at the moment the Joker forced his eyes open to see him kill Robin and Batgirl.]]
* ClarkKenting: Lampshaded. When Lois suggests a "less is more" approach to disguising Kal-El so he can go out as a civilian, the end result resembles the classic Clark Kent we all know and love. Kal asks Lois, "You really think this will fool anyone?"

* ItsAllMyFault: Before [[spoiler:his sacrifice, the now-sane Green Arrow apologises to Hawkwoman as he blames himself for Hawkman's death, believing that his efforts to prove himself equal to more powerful heroes led to Hawkman putting himself in harm's way and taking a fatal blow from Amazo to protect Green Arrow; Hawkwoman assures GA that Hawkman always saw him as a friend.]]

* NeutralNoLonger: The Guardians and the Corps don't get involved in the eternal war between New Genesis and Apokolips, until it began to escalate beyond its borders.

* ForWantOfANail: Inspired by the Trope Namer.

''The Nail'' (or ''JLA: The Nail'') is a three-issue comic book mini-series published by Creator/DCComics. It is a self-contained story by Alan Davis which [[{{Elseworld}} stands outside of the mainstream continuity of]] Franchise/TheDCU.

* InvoluntaryBattleToTheDeath: Joker forced the Arkham inmates to fight each other to the death. Clayface (Preston Payne) and Killer Croc are shown to be dead.

* HeroicBystander: [[spoiler:Kal-El's Amish parents raise him to ignore world affairs. However, no matter how much they begged him to, he just couldn't ignore his calling any longer.]]
* AHouseDivided: The Justice League suffers from this a little bit since Superman was never there to be the even head that guided them.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: While Lois is driving to the Kent farm, an Amish carriage pass by. [[spoiler:We later discover that Kal-El was raised in an Amish village.]]

* BewareTheSuperman: Ironically, it's a result of there being ''no'' "Superman".

* BadassNormal: Batman and Catwoman. The latter is especially noteworthy as she manages to take down a bunch of other Batman villains single-handed when the Joker pits them all against each-other.

The story was later followed up by a sequel in ''JLA: Another Nail'' which ties into the original story and wrapped up several loose ends.

** Jimmy Olsen gaining various superpowered alter-egos as a cub reporter, including Turtle Boy. He considers them embarrassing, [[spoiler:which contributed to his descend to villainy.]]