title: "Passages"
As they approach the inner circle,Darvroth reminds them that it is guarded by the winged warriors known as the Devil's Own. Darrius tries to reassure them that he knows what he is doing, but he is interrupted when the Devil's Own attack.
Before we can learn who spoke, the story returns to Cairn, where the L.E.G.I.O.N. officer from last issue continues investigating the latest in a series of bizarre murders. On a nearby building, they are observed by a large, hulking creature in a cape, his or her features obscured by shadow. (Okay, its Garv. I mean, its obviously Garv. He is in shadow, and his features are obscured, but his shape is obscured and it is totally, obviously him. He is standing in a very Batman-esque pose on the roof of a building.)
While they battle, the story moves back to Talok VIII, where we see that Lydea's mother, Lyrissa Mallor, has stepped forth among the champions to argue in her defense.
She assures her daughter that she is loves her and forgives her. Lyrissa also says that she accepts her ties to the L.E.G.I.O.N. and that she should return to them and serve them well. Her last words to her daughter are to request that she tell Strata and Stealth that she says hello, which makes Lydea realize that she has not merely been talking to some phantom created by the Shadow beast, but in fact, the true spirit of her mother.
This was a spectacular ending to this arc! Up until now, I had been a bit more engaged in the new recruits storyline, but I have to say, the finale to Lydea's arc almost made me tear up. The moment where her mom showed up and defended her was wonderful, and when Lyrissa mentioned Strata and Stealth, I almost lost it. Lyrissa had been the heart and soul of the team during the early issues of this title, and killing her off was bold move for the creators but also risky. At the time, there were no obvious candidates to take her place. Arguably, there still aren't, although Phase has done an admirable choice stepping into her position. But having her reappear in this issue was very touching, particularly when they dropped her comment about Strata and Stealth, which gave us hope we could hang on to the idea that it was actually her and not some phantom created by the Shadow beast.
plot: Barry Kitson & Mark Waid
writer: Mark Waid
penciler: Barry Kitson
inker: John Stokes
colors: John Zukio
Recap: During the team's battle with Ig'nea, the body of the cyborg, Darrius, was destroyed. Fortunately, his head lived, and his fellow new recruits swore to find his maker so he could be repaired. In examining the head, Vril Dox found evidence of technology more advanced than even that of his home planet of Colu. He believed that it might come from the planet Acheron, and granted the recruits permission to find their friend's creator. The team was also forced to deal with an intruder that came to find Lydea. They presumed him to be a threat but once he was caught, he turned out to be the husband of their deceased teammate, Lyrissa Mallor, and Lydea's father. Her father told the tale of the Shadow cave from which her mother's family drew their power. A priest had arisen and demanded sacrifices and he had tried to appease it by turning his wife over to the Alliance, but he had rebelled.
writer: Mark Waid
penciler: Barry Kitson
inker: John Stokes
colors: John Zukio
- letters: Gasper Saladino
- editor: Dan Raspler
- cover: Barry Kitson
- reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane
Recap: During the team's battle with Ig'nea, the body of the cyborg, Darrius, was destroyed. Fortunately, his head lived, and his fellow new recruits swore to find his maker so he could be repaired. In examining the head, Vril Dox found evidence of technology more advanced than even that of his home planet of Colu. He believed that it might come from the planet Acheron, and granted the recruits permission to find their friend's creator. The team was also forced to deal with an intruder that came to find Lydea. They presumed him to be a threat but once he was caught, he turned out to be the husband of their deceased teammate, Lyrissa Mallor, and Lydea's father. Her father told the tale of the Shadow cave from which her mother's family drew their power. A priest had arisen and demanded sacrifices and he had tried to appease it by turning his wife over to the Alliance, but he had rebelled.
The L.E.G.I.O.N. split into two teams. Phase's team, including Lydia, headed to Talk VIII, while the recruits tracked down Alderon in hopes of helping Darrius. When Phase's team arrived, they discovered that the new priest was merely a pawn and that the beast in the Shadow cave had been demanding the sacrifices. While the team battled the beast, Lydea went deeper into the cave and eventually encountered all of the previous champions awaiting her. At the same time, the new recruits find Acheron and a cybernetic population built by Mardock, a mad cybergeneticist. Darrius had tried to lead his people but was cast out by Mardock.
The cybernetic lifeforms on Acheron have begun to follow Darrius and rise up in revolution. Some of the L.E.G.I.O.N. are supportive but there is also concern.
On Talok VIII, Strata interrogates the captured priest to try to learn what danger Lydea may be confronting inside. The priests insists that she did what she had to do as chosen Champion of Talok. She was the first Mallor in recorded history to sidestep her right of passage, which he believes had caused the Shadow Cave to begin demanding sacrifices. Lady Quark tries to enter the cave but is spat back out, left weak and struggling to breathe. She fears what horrors Lydea may be facing inside.
Inside, Lydea confronts the previous Champions of Talok, who question whether she deserves the role.
Darrius gets past the Devil's Own and reaches the laboratory of his creator, Mardock. Darrius warns him that his days of totalitarianism are over but the geneticist seems unbothered. When he looks out the window and sees the extent of the revolution, Mardock resigns himself to having to exterminate his creations. Darrius is apalled.
Lydea emerges from the cave and tells her people that the danger has passed and they no longer need live in fear. While she must return to the L.E.G.I.O.N. for a time, she will return, but in the meantime, when they find themselves in need they can send word to her through her father.
On Acheron, Darrius defeats Mardock, who refused to give up no matter how badly he was beaten, leaving Darrius no choice but to kill him. Darrius decides he must stay to help his people rebuild and the team returns to Cairn without him. Some of the team wonder if they were right to leave him behind, and Amon fears that he is about to discover that liberty always comes with a price.
It had been so long since I read this that I was surprised to see Darrius go but it was an apt resolution to this storyline. He was a brave but naive hero, and given his background, it made sense he would feel a brotherhood with the other creations of his maker. But his naivete also made the resolution make sense. I did appreciate how quickly the team chose to back him up despite Davroth's concerns. His ending was still tough to take though, since he does not seem to be equipped emotionally or intellectually to deal with his current position. This sort of conundrum is exactly why I love this title though.
Another aspect of this issue was the ongoing mystery on Cairn. I could not recall or imagine where they were going with it last issue but the view of Garv on the roof reminded me. I wish I knew how much they meant it as a surprise or as something obvious, but even if it was obvious, that does not mean I didn't enjoy it. I love Garv, and I have loved Garv since his first appearance. His inherent nobility and kindness always stood out in contrast to several of our other, more complicated heroes. So its good to have him back and I guess his story will get more attention now that the other two are resolved. Please check back with me next issue as our core team and the new recruits return to Cairn & we see if we learn more about what Garv is up to!
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