The Pendragons Issue # 62	Brought together in defense of Avalon and the British Isles, the Pendragons are the officially-sanctioned heroes of Great Britain. Originally led by the Black Knight, the group is composed of surviving members of the old Knights of Pendragon group, as well as several other heroes. Willing to die for their beliefs, the Pendragons stand united as Britain's best defense against threats of a superhuman nature. Special "Silver Anniversary" Pendragons logo created by Kell Carpenter, inspired by the logo created by Des Davies! Pendragons Roll-Call: Captain Britain (leader), Nocturne, Union Jack, Spitfire and Micromax.
Written by Barry Reese

What Has Come Before: The Emissaries of the Dark have returned, striking first at the Pendragon known as Rathoon. Stealing a bit of his blood, the Emissaries left him as a gory warning to his teammates Nocturne and Micromax. Furthering their own agenda, the Emissaries used the blood to help revive the sorcerer Kulan Gath, who hopes to take his vengeance on a kidnapped Mary Jane Watson-Parker, for a slight caused years before. Meanwhile, the British government has unveiled their own group of W.H.O.-designed superheroes, the New Crusaders. Taking their names and identities from the short-lived WW II-era team, the New Crusaders are being hailed as a more controllable alternative to the Pendragons....

Lyonesse, the Pendragons Castle

"Is he going to live?"

Betsy nodded, glancing over at Spitfire as they walked to the team's meeting room. She couldn't help but notice how beautiful Jacqueline was looking these days. Marriage is suiting her well, she mused. "Gully's been doing all he can and we called in Wynter to help out. They both say Rathoon's going to pull through, but it's going to be a little touch-and-go for awhile."

"What about Fin Fang Foom?"

"Micromax managed to locate him early this morning. He's actually in better shape, though he hasn't woken up yet. It's a good thing that Wynter knows the same spell that Rathoon uses to adjust his size, otherwise we'd never have fit both dragons into our medical bay."

Spitfire shook her head, biting her lower lip in exasperation. "And we don't have any clue about who did this?"

"Nocturne's got some idea that an ex-girlfriend of his might be involved. Apparently he did a documentary on satanic cults a few years back and met a girl named Angel. They hit it off and had a fling, but then she lost the plot on him and they went their separate ways."

"Must be quite some ex if she can do that to Rathoon...."

"She claimed to be Blackheart's daughter."

"Oh, dear."

Captain Britain stopped just outside the meeting room door, which was closed. She could voices coming from inside, but she felt she needed to say something before they entered. "Jackie... Gray's keeping something from me."

"About this old flame of his? I wouldn't worry--"

Betsy reached out and took her friend's hand. "Not just that. He's been acting hot and cold ever since we got back from Darkmoor*. He's seen something with that damned Looking Glass** and won't open up about it."

(*In issue 60! **At the end of last issue.)

"The two of you haven't been together all that long, Betsy. Sometimes it takes awhile to build up trust in a relationship. He'll open up to you."

"I know you're right. It's just frustrating. I haven't had the best of luck when it comes to relationships -- you could write a book on my failed romances, in fact."

Jackie smiled prettily. She was in a newer version of her traditional costume and it made her look young and fit. "I've been there, luv. Burying my brother and husband -- not to mention daddy -- were some of the worst days of my life. I know heartbreak. But you and Gray have something special, I can tell. Just give him time."

Captain Britain sent her friend a mental 'hug' that made Spitfire's eyes twinkle. "We should go inside -- before our guys tear these New Crusaders apart."

Laughing, the two of them entered the room, entering to the sounds of loud discourse. The Pendragons -- Union Jack, Micromax and Nocturne -- were each talking to members of the visiting New Crusaders. Their lisason, a short man named Rawlings, came forward to greet Betsy with an extended hand. "Captain Britain! Such an honor... you and your brother are synonymous with freedom."

"Um... thank you, Mr. Rawlings. I trust your team has been made to feel at home?"

"Oh yes, indeed." He turned towards the Crusaders and waved them over. "Let me introduce you... Thunderfist, you know already, of course." 

Captain Britain saw Izzy toss her a wave. "I'm glad she's recovered from her wounds*."

(*Received way back in issue 50.)

"She's doing wonderfully, as I'm sure she'll tell you. As you've heard, we based the identities and powers of each of our agents on the World War II-era heroes known as the Crusaders. We hope that the basic familiarity that people have with the names and such will help endear them more quickly."

Spitfire crossed her arms. "You do realize that they were stooges, working for a German spy named Alfie? They attacked the Invaders before we sorted it all out."

"Ah... Well, yes. But the British public doesn't know that. They just remember the group's brief existence and wonder what could have been." Rawlings cleared his throat again. "I give you Ghost Girl, mistress of illusion; Captain Wings, master of the skies; Tommy Lightning, electrical hero; and the aforementioned Thunderfist. Heroes for a new millennium!"

"They're more Monkees than Beatles, though," Union Jack muttered. "None of them have true powers."

"Not like you, eh?" Tommy Lightning retorted. "Actually, mate, we're all enhanced to the peak of human ability -- the weaponry comes on top of that."

"Bully for you."

Captain Britain cast a wary glance at her teammate, mentally asking him to shut up. None of the Pendragons were comfortable with the press push being given to the Crusaders... especially when they were apparently under attack from forces unknown. "That's enough." She greeted each of the Crusaders in turn, receiving a polite hug from Ghost Girl (who breathlessly confessed that she'd been a huge fan of Betsy during her modeling days) and handshakes from the rest. When she got to Izzy, she telepathically asked So, how are they, really?

Thunderfist smiled. They're not a bad lot. A bit green but they'll get over that the first time they're run through by a villain.

The holographic form of Gulliver Jones appeared in the center of the room, his face set in grim determination. "Pardon me for interrupting, Pendragons, but an incident has arisen that begs for your attention."

Captain Britain stepped forward, aware that the Crusaders were watching her every move. "What's going on?"

"A strange energy wave has begun emanating from the Bavarian mountains -- specifically at the site of a long-abandoned Hydra lair. It was picked over by W.H.O. several years ago and finally declared off-limits when they were unable to breach the inner chambers. Apparently, a group of superhuman individuals slew the boundary guards yesterday afternoon and were able to do what W.H.O. could not. Two hours later, a slight increase in ambient mystical energy was detected. Fifteen minutes, it grew to a level that I felt warranted investigation."

"Any idea who they are?" Nocturne asked. He had moved up close to Captain Britain, his presence silently comforting her.

Gully nodded, his voice lowering so that only those closest could hear. "I believe they're related to the assault on Rathoon. I've examined video footage recovered by a W.H.O. investigation squad and identified several members of the group: Lady Mandarin, Captain Englander, Jack O'Lantern and Venom. There are two others -- a male and a female -- that are unknown to me."

"One of those is Angel," Nocturne whispered. He caught Betsy's eye and said "I always thought her powers were stage tricks... I even said so in my documentary. But if she's for real and she's hooked up with the Emissaries...."

Union Jack tapped Tommy Lightning on the shoulder. "Nice to meet you chaps, but it looks like we have to go to work."

Lightning turned to his boss, tensing for action. "Why can't we handle this?"

"Outside the borders, lad." Rawlings shrugged. "The PM wants us to stay on the homefront, I'm afraid."

Tommy's shoulders dropped. "Oh, bollocks."

"Pendragons," Captain Britain announced, choosing to express her words aloud rather than via telepathy, "We've got a job to do."

 "You're quite attractive," Hell's Angel purred, leaning across the table so that Dragonslayer got an eyeful of cleavage. "Once we're done with the Pendragons, we should get to know one another."

"You speak as if it's certain that we'll win. I'm not so sure." The handsome young knight leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Englander and Mandarin are constantly sniping at one another and this Kulan Gath disturbs me."

"And well he should," Venom hissed, stepping out of the shadows. He saw Dragonslayer reach for his sheathed sword and laughed. "We're on the same team, remember? And it's not like your sword could harm my Other."

"I'd wager it could."

Venom's snakelike tongue danced in the air. "We'll have to test that, boy -- at some point." Eddie Brock moved towards the viewscreen mounted on the far wall. It showed a small scout team from the Weird Happenings Organization, moving through the mountains towards the base. "Gath's spell is near completion."

"What exactly is he doing?" Angel asked, toying with a lock of hair. Under the table, her forked tail had snaked into Dragonslayer's lap. 

"He's augmenting the magic that's already all around us," Lady Mandarin answered. She entered the room, followed by the hulking form of Captain Englander. The two of them were the leaders of the group but they had no love lost for one another. Englander had been the commander of the original Emissaries but it had been Mandarin who had usurped control in recent months. "So that the Red Lord might gain enough strength to return. He's been missing ever since Adam Crown wounded him*."

(*In issue 46)

"It's a foolish plan," Englander retorted. "We should be using his power to launch an assault on Lyonesse. Tear into the Pendragons before they regroup -- its' bad enough you left the dragon alive so he could warn them about us."

"Fear is a powerful weapon in its own right," Mandarin hissed. "Seeing the dragon in such a state will unnerve them. And once Gath has opened the gates to the Bane, the Red Lord will return with even greater forces than before. The war between the Green and the Bane goes on in every reality, on every battelground... but this site has taken on the most importance of all. It's a nexus point, touched by all versions of Avalon. When this reality falls to the Bane, the domino effect will undo the Green in every world."

"Are you even certain this Gath is working for us at all? He spends his entire waking time staring at the supermodel."

"She is quite attractive," Jack O'Lantern muttered from the back of the room. "If you like stick-figure arms and legs, with curves that can't possibly be real."

"How catty of you," Angel laughed. "I sometimes forget you're a woman under that pumpkin and padding."

Kulan Gath heard the prattling from above, but he ignored it. These Emissaries were powerful beings, but they were no more than footsoldiers in an ancient war. He worked his magic, subtly adding to the forces of chaos that reigned under the Barrier. It was good, this place... good and ready for conquering. "Do you feel it?" he asked, "The tide of time is sliding backwards, to an era of sorcery and dark gods."

Mary Jane Watson-Parker struggled in her bonds, her eyes blazing. "Kiss my ass."

"Such hot-blooded words," Gath said, turning away from the sphere of magic he was crafting. "The spirit of your ancestor still lurks within you, I see." He stalked towards her, a smile touching his cracked lips. "You were once transformed into her... you aided the Spider in defeating me. And now the one called Venom tells me that you have wed him and bore him a child. Is this true?"

Mary Jane thought of her little Anna, back at her London flat. She hoped the girl's nanny was still with her.... "My husband and daughter are both outside the Barrier," she lied, hoping to deflect this monster's interest in Anna. "They're someplace you can't hurt them."

Gath clutched Mary Jane's chin, his sharp nails digging into the flesh and drawing blood. "How fortunate for them... a pity that you can't say the same."

Mary Jane spat into his eye, drawing a roar of rage from him. He backhanded her, sending a spray of blood from her torn lip. 

"Little cow!" he bellowed. "I will dine on your flesh and grind your bones into powder! But you will live long enough to see the Red Lord come forth... and know that soon all the world, including your precious Spider and his progeny, will die...."

He turned from her, but Mary Jane still felt the heat from his blow... and she felt something rising up from within her, slowing gaining power and shape. A woman's voice, hearty and full of strength, began to echo in the back of her brain: "Let me out, sister -- and I'll teach this wizard about the true meaning of pain....."

"You acted like an ass." Spitfire smiled softly. "But I thought you were wickedly funny."

Union Jack squeezed his wife's hand and continued on, trudging through the grass and peering over the side of the mountain. The base was nestled below, mostly hidden by a complicated series of devices that rendered it invisible from passing planes. "You're too good for me, Jackie. By far."

What do you see? Captain Britain asked, her voice sounding in both their heads. 

"Nothing so far," Joey replied aloud. He felt more comfortable carrying on a conversation the old-fashioned way. "You're sure they didn't spot us on the way in?"

Can't be sure, but I doubt it. We've kept the extent of Gully's resources pretty quiet -- they probably don't know we have the capabilities we do. No reason to expect us.

Nocturne's voice interrupted them. "Scott and I have spotted someone -- it's Jack O'Lantern."

"What's she doing?" Joey asked, lifting a pair of binoculars to his eyes and peering below. He couldn't see her.

"Not much. Having a fag, I think."

Jackie... Do you mind?

"Back in a flash," Spitfire replied. She rocketed down the hill, zooming around the base at superspeed until she spotted her prey. Maguire Beck was standing near one of the entrances to the base, sans pumpkin mask. A lit cigarette burned brightly between the fingers of her left hand. "Smoking is hazardous to your health," Spitfire whispered, delivering a powerful punch to the other woman's jaw. It sent her flying, but Micromax was there to catch her.

"You pack quite a wallop," he said. 

"Take my vitamins everyday. Is she out cold?"

"Looks it. We can take her back to Captain Britain and let her sort out what's in her noggin--"

"Maguire, we need to talk," someone said, stepping from the building. "The time's come for us to take charge of this thing. Are you in or not?"

"Englander," Spitfire hissed, seeing the big man come into view. She started to pull Micromax away but it was too late. They were spotted. "Betsy! The recon's gone awry!"

Englander jabbed a finger at a small console on his belt. "Emissaries! The Pendragons are here! I repeat: the Pendragons are here!"

"Shut up, you bastard!" Micromax hurled Jack O'Lantern at her teammate, striking him square in the chest. This gave the size-manipulating hero a chance to grow in stature and rush forward. The two big men traded blows, while the rest of the Pendragons came into view.

Within the base, Dragonslayer pulled away from Angel, still tasting her lips on his. "Pendragons," he whispered. "Defenders of Avalon. I've wanted to kill one for so very long...."

Gath heard the sounds of alarm coming from outside his bunker, but he was at too crucial a stage to pause. The ball of magical energy was nearly complete and needed only a few more moments of work. Then it would begin to grow and take on the shape of a large aperture... a portal into the realm of the Bane. The Red Lord was there, waiting, with an army of the undead. "Come, dark lord, back to the world of man....."

Mary Jane saw the sphere begin to shimmer and enlarge, tiny sparks of electricity flying from it. The pounding in her head was awful now and she felt like she was going to vomit or pass out or both. The image of Anna, all alone, kept floating up in front of her eyes. "Let me out!" someone whispered in her mind. "Let me out and I swear in the name of whatever gods you worship that your babe will be safe!"

A ripping sound filled the air, as the hand of the Red Lord came forth from the rift. It was clawed and dripping with blood. 

"Now, girl! Before it's too late!" 

Mary Jane closed her eyes, saying aloud "I love you, Peter."

Gath turned to face her, his face alight with glee at the Red Lord's arrival. The smile froze on his face as the woman before him shifted and changed, her features becoming harder, her muscles becoming tighter and more defined. The bonds that held her ripped as she flexed her arms and the clothing she wore dropped away, only to be replaced by chain mail and cloak. 

"No," he whispered. "She's returned."

"That's right, monster!" she yelled, hefting her sword above her head. "No helpless wench do you face now! Now you face --

Wow very serious turn in the pages of Pendragons #61. The dark tones of this arc start early in the story with a confrontation between Betsy and Suzi. The feelings expressed by both side make sense and are well dialogued. It left me as a reader wondering if Adam isn't using some low level telepathic power on everyone.

The Good
Well most of the issue to be quite honest. This is the most "on" I've seen Barry on this title in awhile. The pacing, dialogue, and tone shepard the story along and left me as a reader wanting more. Nice to see Mary Jane folded back into the storyline and I'm very interested to see how Barry's going to use Kulan Gath. The emissaries take down of Rathoon was also well done. I'd love to see Dragonslayer in a Tales of story.

The Bad
Mostly the wait for the next issue I'd say, I want to read more of this story right now. Also I hope that Rathoon pulls through I really like the character.

Overall
This seems to be the start of a very impactful story arc that will ripple through not only the Pendragon title, but the universe as a whole.