“Yesterday’s” Comic> Mantra #7

Prime’s seen enough anime to know where this is going.

Mantra #7

Malibu Comics/Ultraverse (January, 1994)

“The Battle Of All Mothers”

WRITER: Mike W. Barr

PENCILER: Terry Dodson

INKER: Andrew Pepoy

COLORING: Tim Duvar & Family Fugue

LETTERER: Dave Lanphear

EDITOR: Chris Ulm

Doctor Gross makes his escape with Mantra after the events of Prime #8, but Prime is on his heel and Colonel Samuels is hot on Prime’s. Gross forces Prime to protect him from Samuels but Prime finds Mantra’s sword, which leads him right to her. Gross has created a female creature that he believes will birth his Ultra army but he needs Mantra’s reproductive system to do it. Prime battles Gross but Kevin doesn’t have enough control over his Prime body and it breaks down during the fight. Mantra rescues Kevin and they escape. Both heroes agree to keep each other’s secret identities, but there’s no indication whether or not Kevin/Prime knows about Mantra’s full identity. You know, the male wizard trapped in Eden Blake’s body. Also, Kelly is found by Eden’s family and they get her to a hospital.

What they got right: Despite what little interest I have in this series, it is nice that Prime has an ally in a similar situation to his own. I like seeing heroes get along.

What they got wrong: I wanted to praise the fight scenes but the art is not very good, and a huge quality drop from what I’ve seen out of the Ultraverse thus far.

What I think overall: While I still have no interest in Mantra’s own title, I do hope to see them team-up in the future. I have a feeling these events will affect Prime more since the villains come from that series.