Copyright Date: December 1996

Written by Sean Ruffner and Brett Booth
Pencilled by Michael Ryan
Inked by Luke Rizzo
Coloured by Tad Ehrlich
Lettered by Chris Eliopoulos
Edited by Rachelle Brissenden and Sarah Becker
Cover by Brett Booth & Tim Townsend


Solicitation:
Please add the solicitation for this issue


SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT
Synopsis:
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, professor Karla Dickson is giving a presentation about a recently discovered scroll. She thinks it may be proof of the existence of Atlantis. In the audience is Dr. Paul Weisman and his assistant Ito. Also in attendance is a high school class which includes Jodi Slayton. After the lecture, Dr. Weisman talks with Karla about helping her get permission from the Greek government to do some diving in the Sea of Crete to look for Atlantis. Jodi's teacher then introduces Jodi to Karla, who notices a ring Jodi has around her neck. Jodi says it's a family heirloom, and both Dickson and Weisman are impressed by it. Weisman seems to recognize it, though.

Meanwhile, another man is admiring the scroll and says something about how it has the power to free his lord. He touches the scroll, and when a security guard tries to stop him, he kills the guard with magic. His clothes change to a mystical outfit and he summons some demons to rid him of further interference. As the demons wreak havoc, the man starts casting a spell with the aid of the scroll.

We then learn that Ito is actually a Paladin; a knight of magic. He produces a magical energy staff and starts fighting the demons. Jodi uses her superspeed to help him, while Dr. Weisman grabs a scepter hidden beneath his coat and begins fighting as well. Ito saves Jodi from the demons, but then he is killed by a magical attack. We learn that Dr. Weisman is really an arch wizard named Azrum, and the man who summoned the demons is named Haroth. Azrum and Haroth battle, but Haroth is using the power of the scroll to augment his magic, so it's a losing battle for Azrum. Then Haroth senses power within Jodi and commands his demons to bring her to him. Azrum tells her to take his scepter and smash it on the ground. She does, and it teleports them to safety.

Elsewhere, at the Department P.S.I. building in Quantico, Virginia, they are completing another round of tests on Gramalkin. They've determined that he is a hybrid--half human, half Kindred. They can't get any more information from the Uni-Con base though, because it has been cleared out. Since the tests are done, Backlash decides to give Gramalkin a tour of the facilities. Gramalkin, who transforms from beast form back to a teenaged boy, is unsure of himself due to a life lived as a laboratory experiment. In the rec room, Dingo is still bitter about Gramalkin ripping out one of his eyes, but Backlash tells Dingo that his help is needed to make Gramalkin more comfortable.

Backlash goes to Amanda's room but she's not there. A security alarm goes off so he leaves, and then we see that Amanda is actually hanging form the ceiling like a bat! Outside, we learn that the origin of the security alarm is the arrival of Azrum and Jodi. Azrum said the scepter took them to the safest place she knew. Backlash, Dingo, Gramalkin, and Omni arrive to investigate. When Azrum sees Backlash, he says, "By all that is holy...you live." He drops to one knee and says to a startled Marc Slayton, "I am here to serve you, my lord."


Notes:

• This issue marks the first appearance of the wizard Azrum (Paul Weissman)
  
• This issue ranked #121 in December 1996 Comic Book Preorders from Heroes World & Diamond Comics Distributors, with an estimated 28,500 units sold.

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