We knew this was coming for some time now, but now with “Justice League” #6 on shelves, we have our first glimpse at truth of the woman behind the myth: Pandora (or, as we like to call her — Carol).
All of the following is a spoiler for “Justice League” #6, so if you care, look away: while investigating a murder, Pandora is approached by the Phantom Stranger, a character who had not been seen since the relaunch of the DC Universe who contains phenomenal cosmic power and watches humanities machinations, getting involved as little as possible. He chastises Pandora for involving herself with humanity, and seems to acknowledge the past universe, claiming “they sent me”, referring to “they” later as the Circle of Eternity and making reference to the Spectre, God’s conduit of vengeance who also has not made an appearance yet.
Pandora, in this sequence, claims that she strengthened reality, while the Phantom Stranger makes reference to the fact that she only thinks she has. This could very much be a bit of meta commentary from Johns on the DCnU maneuver, although it is more likely a blatant verbal opportunity for DC to revert to past continuity should they wish to do so later. Pandora references the fact that this Circle of Eternity thing is supposedly destroyed, but the Stranger clarifies and notes that there is a third character, “The Third Sinner”, out there somewhere, although this character “knows not to interfere with the human world.”
There is also a blatant reference to a box that Pandora has, which the Stranger attempts to take from her. Not too subtle reference is not too subtle.
The scene ends with a brief showdown between Pandora and the Stranger in which Pandora implies that the Phantom Stranger is more of a villain than she is, and also that she is cursed and seeks a cure by finding and imprisoning something known as the Strange.
So for those of you wondering what the hell is going on, don’t worry: we’re not sure anyone has a clue at this point. We still wish she was called Carol, though.
