September 1995

Written by Sean Ruffner and Brett Booth
Pencilled by Brett Booth
Inked by Chuck Gibson
Coloured by Jessica Ruffner
Lettered by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Edited by Drew Bittner
Cover by Brett Booth & Chuck Gibson


Solicitation:
Please add the solicitation for this issue


SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT
Synopsis:
Giovanni, the new director of P.S.I. (Paranormal Search and Investigations), is on the phone talking to Backlash. Giovanni agrees to send Cyberjack information about Branum, the man who framed Taboo for murder.

The next day, in Boston, Taboo breaks into Branum's office and starts searching the files. She discovers that Branum framed her simply so he could get a promotion. Then she notices that Backlash is in the office with her. He followed her because he wants to help a friend, and also because clearing Taboo's name will also clear himself with the law. They fly to yet another of Cyberjack's safehouses, this one in the Colorado Rockies with an underwater entrance beneath a waterfall. Taboo is introduced to Jodi.

Backlash goes upstairs, where he coughs up blood uncontrollably. He hides it when Jodi comes to check on him, and then Jodi shows him the costume she made. She figures that since she has powers too, she should have a costume. Backlash disagrees and makes her take it off.

Backlash and Taboo then head to Branum's mansion in the Florida Keys. While they take out the outside guards, we see that Branum has hired a Jamaican named Serge to protect him. As they enter the house, Taboo sets off a trap and finds Serge holding a gun to her head. He knocks her out, but then Backlash arrives in his mist form and they fight. Then Serge's hulking partner Mahkinot shows up, terrifying Taboo with his sheer size.

Meanwhile, outside in the yard we see two men with Egyptian-style outfits arrive and finish off the guards outside. The fight in the house continues until a woman named Lilitu and her lackey Zalil arrive. Lilitu recognizes something about Taboo's aura, so she mentally forces Taboo to come to her. Backlash attacks Zalil while Serge escapes with Branum and Mahkinot. Lilitu says she is familiar with Taboo's suit and says that Taboo doesn't really know how to harness its power.

Backlash and Taboo flee to the kitchen, where they barricade themselves in. But then Backlash collapses in a coughing fit and dies.


Notes:

• This issue marks the first appearance of Department PSI director Antonio Giovanni and mercenaries Serge & Mahkinot.
  

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