Issue Date: February 1996
Story Title: The Shadow Lengthens
Staff: Scott Lobdell (plotter), Jeph Loeb (writer), Gene Ha (penciler), Andrew Pepoy (inker), Richard Starkings & Comicraft (letters), Kevin Somers (colors), Malibu‘s Hues (separations), Bob Harras (editor, editor in chief)
Brief Description:
About a decade after Apocalypse has been overthrown the world is opressed by the New Canaanites. Young Nathan and his friend Tetherblood get arrested as dissidents by ‘Strator Umbridge. In custody, Blaquesmith approaches them and is able to extract a glowing sphere out of his techno-organic body parts. It’s Professor. He helps them escape and is apparently killed but telepathically tells Nathan to search for the last Askani. Umbridge is told by her superiors to prevent the Askani from finding their messiah. In Eurasia the last sect of Askani are still alive. Madame Sanctity is their leader, but to the concern of novitiate Aliya, she is nearly mad. Stryfe wants to rule the world as Apocalypse’s heir and orders his mentor Ch’vayre to activate the android Zero.
Full Synopsis:
Two thousand years in the future, Apocalypse has been overthrown, and the New Canaanites are now the oppressors. Some like Fossil still preach Xavier’s dream, but Nathan heckles him as being ineffectual, until he has a seizure because of his techno-organic virus. He and his friend Tetherblood are arrested by ‘Strator Umbridge as dissidents.
Aliya is an Askani noviate, under Madam Sanctity, who although a powerful psi and former disciple of the Mother Askani, is said to be quite mad.
In custody, Blaquesmith introduces himself to Nathan, wanting to help. He pulls them out of time and investigates his T-O virus, finding an anomaly. He extracts a glowing sphere from Nathan’s body, it’s Professor, who introduces himself.
Stryfe is practicing sadism in Apocalypse’s New Orleans temple. Ch’vayre, ever loyal, plans to help him take over the world as Apocalypse’s heir.
Tribune Haight informs Umbridge that the legendary Clan Askani indeed exist, and sends her to primitive Eurasia to stop them and their messiah. Umbridge immediately makes the connection to Nathan.
Meanwhile, Blaquesmith uses Askani power to free Nathan and Tetherblood, and is apparantly killed by the guards. Professor gets them away in an escape pod, and Blaquesmith has telepathically suggested that Nathan seek out the last Askani.
In New Orleans, Stryfe and Ch’vayre create a humanoid unit called Zero.
Characters:
Nathan Dayspring / Cable, as a young man
Tetherblood
Blaquesmith
Aliya, Sanctity (both Askani Sisterhood)
Tribune Haight, ‘Strator Umbridge (both New Canaanites)
Stryfe, as a young man
Ch’vayre
Zero
Fossil
Holographic illustrations of Fossil’s stories :
Angel, Bishop, Colossus, Cyclops, Iceman, Marvel Girl, Mother Askani, Shard, Storm, Wolverine, Professor Charles Xavier
Notes:
This Issue has been reprinted in:
Askani'Son (Trade Paperback)
Issue Summary written by: Robert Diehl
