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Volume 3, 1 February 1997 |
In the prologue, it's explained that, back when Harvest, Wyoming was founded, people would sometimes disappear. Yet nowadays they keep disappearing. A scared boy accesses the website of the Challengers and asks for help. Later, locals close in to beat him up for "losing his faith". Someone intervenes. |
 The new Challengers have arrived, and mean to make a memorable impression. Clay Brody, NASCAR driver. Brenda Ruskin, physicist. Marlon Corbet, commercial pilot. Kenn Kawa, radical computer games designer. Unlike the original Challs, these four seem to have NOTHING in common. |
Jamie, the boy who summoned them, explains how the minister says it's a tithe to lose people occasionally. Could be a gravity bubble, or molecular virus, says Brenda. Or an act of God, counters Marlon. Jamie's sister is surprised to see them. "Aren't the Challengers middle-aged white guys?" Not THESE Challengers. The Challs work hard for information. They scout the woods, butter up the locals, pry into the church sect, and pore over stacks of books. Talking to the local authorities is Saxon, a sinister bearded man who says, "The Challengers are a dangerous bunch. You're lucky I'm here to help." Later Saxon tells the Challs, "Some forces fatally resent interference." (Saxon will pop up often.) |
 Having asked questions, the Challs get suckered into a brawl with the locals. Brenda notes "Another bar fight. Oh, goody. I SO enjoy spending nights in jail." (Since this is their first adventure, are the former bar fights Unknown Challenges of the Challengers?) An enigmatic guy named Saxon helps them, but earlier he'd told the locals the Challengers "are a dangerous bunch. You're lucky I'm here to help you." |
The locals get riled up, and the Challs gets rounded up. Dragged to a playground, the Challs are staked out for the "harvesting". Human sacrifices, in other words. Marlon gives himself up rather than have a woman shot. The minister is shot as locals bicker. Kenn suddenly breaks free, having picked the old locks with a twig. He shoves Marlon out of the circle.  Suddenly, right on time, the "harvesting" happens. Gravity goes null for just a sec. Ironically, the two Challs are chained to a post, so only go about five feet straight up. The locals just keep going - straight up to outer space. |
Comments A good start to a new challenge. The spirit is there, if cynical. The characterization is tight. The art is nice. Too bad you can't see much of it. Turn up the lights, will ya? This story also introduces Saxon, a crusading "anti-Challenger" who becomes our heroes nemesis. Steven Grant discusses the seminal idea for the book (yes, X-Files), and the proposed TV show(!) in his column at Comic Book Resources. |