“Yesterday’s” Comic> The Strangers #12

It’s a party and nobody’s really invited, actually.

The Strangers #12

Malibu Comics/Ultraverse (May, 1994)

“Omega And Alpha”

WRITER: Steve Englehart

PENCILER: Rich Hoberg

INKER: Tim Eldred

COLORING: Moose Bauman & Prism

LETTERER: Dave Lanphear

EDITOR: Roland Mann

The Strangers arrive on the flying island just as the warriors prepare to attack the surface world. To prove they’ve been on the other side of the portal, Zip-Zap tells the story the Entity told him about the history of the island and their dark secret. The natives protected the portal to keep the demons out, but when Columbus visited, misunderstandings lead to a fight that leads to death. Since that death could draw the demons, the natives erase the minds of Columbus and his surviving men, sending them away…but it’s too late. The demons arrive, but the natives manage to capture them. Fearing a repeat, they sacrificed the demons to raise the island into the clouds where they wouldn’t be discovered. (Though as we know from last issue the demons have found the portal to Earth.) With a copy of the secret given to friends of the Strangers (sealed so they don’t know what’s in it, but will open it if they don’t hear back from the others), our heroes convince the chief that they are potential allies, not enemies. So Yral is free to return to her friends, a descendant of the chieftains that contained the demons.

What they got right: The backstory is for the most part fine. It doesn’t exactly tie the Jumpstart to the Starfoam, but the Ultras created by it are now potential allies, and that keeps the flying island from wiping out the surface world to protect their secret. Whether they’ll be friend, foe, or just a mild antagonist (think the Time Lords of Doctor Who) we’ll have to wait on.

What they got wrong: With so many Ultras on the cover I was expecting a big crossover, a sort of epilogue to the previous crossover. Also, we have to make Columbus the bad guy. Of course we do.

What I think overall: It’s a good addition for the Strangers’ story and has decent potential. Looking forward to seeing what they do with it.