Milestone's (DC) Icon and Rocket

Icon and Rocket #14 - By M.D. Bright, Writer / Penciler. Mike Gustovich and Romeo Tanghal, Inkers. Steve Dutro, Letterer. J. Brown, Painted Color. Matt Wayne, Editor.



This issue illustrates the destructive potential and danger of Rocket's Belt. This is the technology that was on Icon's doomed starliner that crashed to Earth and landed him in the deep south in 1839.

This issue also highlights Raquel Ervin's / Rocket's sometimes carelessness as a teenager as she gets the belt taken from her by a determined criminal.

This issue starts off with the antagonist in question looking at television footage that he's recorded on his VCR of Icon and Rocket stopping a recent bank robbery. He is intently focused on the use of their powers, and is trying to localize Rocket's power source specifically.

As he zooms in on some footage he notices the activity on Rocket's belt as she makes use of it and determines that it could be ripe for the taking.

As he is researching and studying his plan and his two targets on the TV screen, he is conversing with his three partners in crime. He is detailing to them his plans and how he believes that he can take Rocket's belt from her in a surprise attack.

The only issue with his conversation is that he has already planned for this historic heist to be a Solo Job....being that he has already shot his three partners in the chest and they are now deceased.

The scene now pivots to Augustus Freeman IV, Icon, and Rocket. He is at work at his law firm and she is at home. She is reminding him of an important speaking engagement that he had originally promised to appear at during a youth conference in their neighborhood of Dakota City.

Mr. Freeman is apologizing to her because he doesn't believe that he will make the speaking engagement. He has important cases to work on with his clients. Raquel is visibly upset - not understand how his clients could be more important than the youth of Dakota City.

She utters "Clients?? Oh - is it insider trading or a hostile takeover?? The rich getting richer??" in an excited and emotional voice tinged with anger.

Icon patiently listens to her and reminds her that there are problems in the world that reach beyond poverty and wealth. He segues into the relationship she has with her mother - and how Raquel has yet to even tell her that she's pregnant much less her superheroing that she does on the side.

He tells her "Raquel, you're busy doing everything but the MOST IMPORTANT thing. You can't keep saving the world while YOUR own world falls apart."

He ends his advice to her with - "Talk to your mother."

Rocket listens in silence, closing her eyes. She then utters "Sure."

The last panel of the conversation shows Rocket's mother and grandmother coming home and a note on the telephone that Rocket left for them.

The note says - "I'm out - be back soon."

It is signed "R". My PERSONAL thought on this is how ironic it is and to her it probably means both Raquel and Rocket.

The scene NOW pivots back to our yet-unnamed antagonist who is planning to jack Rocket of her Inertia Belt. He is robbing a store and has just killed his 4th victim in cold blood. He notices a flyer on the entrance to the door that mentions the previously discussed youth conference that Icon was supposed to speak at.

The dangerous hood sees an opening and an opportunity to get that belt of hers.

The next scene shows Rocket speaking with the youth center director and telling him that she is there to take Icon's place at the speaking engagement. The man is clearly agitated as he asks "Who are YOU?"

Rocket is clearly shocked that the youth director is no longer interested without Icon's presence there. As he moves past her he mentions that he'll now have to find something or someone else to take Icon's place.

The main antagonist then storms into the office of the youth center, with his devious plan in place and ready to be sprung.

Rocket smiles at the man, believing that he is there to meet her and get an autograph. He instead pulls his gun on her.

He yells at her - "Take the gun! TAKE IT!"

She bravely jumps in front of the frightened youth director to shield him from the madman. He then aims his gun at the wall next to Rocket, blasting a large hole in it with a loud BANG...

He then aims the gun back at Rocket as the youth director tensely tells her to do some of her superhero stuff and SAVE THEM......

Rocket springs into action, striking the hood with a right hook drawing blood from his lip. The hit dislodges his gun momentarily. She notices that her belt has no power as of yet - being that it's been a period of time since she's had it charged with kinetic energy from any recent crime-fighting with her and Icon.

Rocket, thinking that the felon is harmless and no threat, tells him to simply move on and leave the youth center. She kneels down to retrieve his gun in a foolish move while he stands over her.

He quickly grabs her from behind, noticing the lack of glow from her belt. He sees his opening and gets his hand on her belt and yanks it off of her midsection as she screams in shock "NOOOOO..........."

The as-yet unnamed criminal yells "YES!!" as he holds his intended prize over his head. Rocket is left grabbing at his arm, powerless, and is in quite the unfamiliar place without either her Inertia Belt OR her powerful friend Icon.

He pushes her to the ground, discarding her with ease. She tries to tell him that he doesn't know the belt's powers but he clearly intends on learning them ON HIS OWN and doesn't care about her or Icon, now that he believes he has the upper hand.

He leaves out of the youth center, with Rocket helplessly trying to figure out what to do next.

The scene pivots back to Icon, while in his alter-ego of Augustus Freeman IV. His secretary comes in and tells him the Ms. Ervin is on the phone for him. She tells him that it's urgent.

He tells her secretary that they have already discussed her project and that he'll call her back later. He is unaware of her plight at the moment.

The scene goes back to the criminal that has robbed Rocket of her inertia belt. He is at his apartment, loading up with numerous weapons and ammunition but most importantly Rocket's stolen Inertia Belt around his waist.

He then proceeds to Dakota City's TV station, aiming to get his message out as quickly as possible. As he walks in with one of his weapons pointing towards the ceiling he says "Is this where you come to be a TV star?"

The scene immediately cuts to Augustus Freeman IV in his office as his secretary brings his attention to the local news...........

Our main antagonist finally states his name, as "Eddie" with his opening TV debut:

"I'm pre-empting Oprah!! From now on it's the Eddie "Gangster Man" Young show!!" As says this he starts firing his weapons indiscriminately, sending bullets flying throughout the station creating terror and havoc.....

"Now turn on those CAMERAS!"

Raquel Ervin is terrified as she sits alone in her home watching the horrifying events unfold on screen. She hasn't recently been in such a helpless position - one that she inadvertently created with her carelessness.

She exclaims "Even Oprah can't get me out of this."

Eddie Young is still at it, as he is now screaming into the cameras "There's a change coming, people! This is NOW my town!!"

"I'm the King of Dakota!" He screams as he points his gun at a helpless woman at the TV station. Eddie tells this lady that he intends to make her his queen.....

She objects but his helpless to say no.

Rocket is in tears as the events continue to unfold. Eddie Young continues with his rant as he fully intends on ruling Dakota city by using his weapons and his newly acquired alien technology of Rocket's Inertia Belt.

The scene cuts back to Icon in his office, still unaware of the events unfolding. One of his associate lawyers comes into his office in haste and tells him that his caseload will have to wait as he turns on his TV.

They both begin witnessing the terror and destruction of Eddie Young - as he is using his weapons and Rocket's Inertia Belt to inflict massive damage on law enforcement and the surrounding area as he starts his bombardment of Dakota City.

Icon FINALLY notices Rocket's belt around Eddie Young's waist. He proceeds to Raquel Ervin's / Rocket's apartment. He quickly dons his suit in anger and rage - crushing a nearby phone in his hands - quite unsure of how this goon acquired Rocket's belt but he is about to try and stop him.

He listens intently to Rocket's story. He is bewildered at how this criminal stole her belt but begins to understand how it happened as Rocket explains it all to him.

She tells him that she was mugged at the youth center and that she wanted to sign autographs and shake hands and had the belt turned off.

Icon - incredulous to what she is saying - is shocked that she left herself so open to harm. After she is done he tells her that he intends to end Eddie Young's rampage by destroying the belt. Rocket is surprised by this and dismayed - not only because such a move would end her ability to help Icon and the city of Dakota but it would also make her powerless and she'd lose an identity that she'd come to love.....

Icon tells her - as Eddie continues his terror - that the belt is immensely powerful and he should've known better to safeguard it.

Rocket, instead, believes that he is using this incident to punish her for her recklessness AND to keep her out of dangerous situations from now on based off of her pending pregnancy. Icon is also concerned about the time she's missed from school as she is doing her heroic duties......

She tells him that he can't do this to her.....that being Rocket and helping him and making a difference is a big deal to her.

He tells her that he has to go and try and stop Eddie Young. She is left sulking in lieu of Icon's decision.

Icon arrives on the scene of Eddie's rampage. His belt is fully powered from his reign of destruction as he balls his fist as Icon flies towards him.

Eddie Young says "I been waiting for one of you dudes to show up. I know, I know - crime doesn't pay......but it gives one HECK of a loan!" as he strikes Icon into the pavement with a loud "BU-KOOOOM!!!" and a flash of purple energy from Rocket's Inertia Belt.

The strike shatters more pavement in the street and causes even more damage as Icon steadies himself from Eddie's punch. He is witnessing - for the first time - the full brunt of this Inertia Belt that he gifted Rocket. He is amazed at how Rocket has managed to learn about its abilities on her own and by just how much power she has been responsible with.

More law enforcement shows up and tells Icon to stand down as they break out their heavy weaponry. Icon - knowing the power of the belt and how it feeds off of the kinetic energy from the weapon attacks - warns them against using the heavy artillery. As they are discussing how to end the conflict, though - Eddie has already made his way to the roof of a nearby building and has jumped off of it - towards both Icon and the new law enforcement that have arrived on the scene.

Eddie Young lands lightly in a flash of purple-colored energy just a few feet from them. Icon is stunned at how well Eddie has mastered the belt thus far. He has little time to react as Eddie blasts both him and the law enforcement with twin blasts of kinetic energy collected from the Inertia Belt.

The resulting blast is HUGE - painting a vivid flash of energy over top of nearby buildings and causing quite the display of damage and destruction.

Rocket has arrived on scene - in costume but without her belt. She exclaims "NO!!" as she witnesses the damage caused by her belt.

Eddie Young boastfully runs his mouth as he doesn't initially see any trace of Icon as the smoke clears from his huge blast.

He finally finds Icon hovering above him about 20 feet away. He is using his Positron Energy and it paints a white glow around each fist. Icon promises to stop Eddie Young's reign of destruction and bring him to justice.

Eddie is still defiant - blasting Icon once again with a direct shot from Rocket's Inertia Belt. Icon - making full use of his Positron Energy - takes the blast directly in the chest and starts walking slowly towards Eddie.

Rocket - ever resourceful - manages to distract Eddie as she hurls a rock at his head. He immediately laments not wasting Rocket when he first initially encountered her.

This distraction is all Icon needs to blast Eddie Young and get in close enough for combat. He staggers Icon with a Kinetic Energy-imbued punch.

Icon goes down below the water that they are surrounded by. The water is a result of Eddie destroying a local water main and causing local flooding.

Eddie thinks that his foe is vanquished but soon unexpectedly finds himself pulled beneath the water.

He is about 30 feet under, disoriented and confused. He doesn't notice a green-colored caped figure lurking behind him as he struggles to gain his bearings.

Above the water, a police officer is helping Rocket as she is about to fall into the water. She wants him to let her go so she can help her partner Icon but soon sees him emerge - triumphantly - above the water. He flies above her and the law enforcement that have arrived.

He is holding an unconscious Eddie Young. His rampage is over. He is holding him in one hand and her now-freed belt in the other.

Icon and Rocket ends up at his sprawling estate where he starts in on her with one of his long lectures on responsibility and carelessness. Rocket tries to defend herself but is relatively remorseful.

Icon ends up giving her belt back to her - acknowledging that it is hers and she's earned it.

Icon and Rocket #15, 1994 - by Dwayne McDuffie, writer. M.D. Bright, penciller. Mike Gustovich, inker. J. Brown, painted color. Steve Dutro, letterer. Matt Wayne, editor.

This issue #15 is a part of the HUGE cross-over series that started the EPIC introduction of Milestone (DC) characters and the merger of traditional mainstream DC characters. Over the course of about 14 total issues we will see John Henry Iron's Steel, his Milestone counterpart Curtis Metcalf (Hardware), Superboy, Static, Superman, The Blood Syndicate AND an EPIC meeting with Superman, and - in the CLASSIC Icon #16 - Icon's HISTORIC meeting and CLASH with none other than SUPERMAN....................



This issue is #15 in the standard Icon and Rocket series BUT issue #4 in the CROSS-OVER series. I will attempt to post the COVERS of the 14 or so issues in the series towards the end of this issue #15 comic summary.

This issue starts off with Superboy hovering in the sky and he's holding a man who will eventually be KEY in the merging of both the traditional DC universe AND Milestone's Dakotaverse into ONE shared universe and continuum.

Superboy looks bewildered as he looks around - appearing to have no idea that he has been warped into a different parallel universe.

Rocket starts chatting with both of them, trying to figure out why they were both hovering in the middle of the sky in Dakota City (Dakotaverse). Superboy immediately hovers a few feet above the ground, showing off and trying to convince Rocket that he ALREADY KNEW how to fly - being that he's SUPERBOY.

She asks them why were they hovering in the sky? The as of yet unknown man that is with Superboy says that he was being chased by a monster....

Rocket tells the man that he is safe now and that he can relax, but the man continues on with his rambling until he utters the name of her partner ICON....

This immediately piques Rocket's interest and she tells the man to slow down a bit and explain himself - starting with what he knows about her friend and partner Icon.....

Rocket tells him that he's on the Tenth avenue bridge in Dakota. He says "Great! North or South?" She tells him "No - the CITY of Dakota........"

He claims that he's never heard of it and asks how close is he to Metropolis.

Our mysterious suited gentleman chimes in: "You can't get there from here, Superboy." "You don't BELONG here. I brought you here, somehow......."

Our man opens up and starts to explain everything at this point, finally disclosing that his name is Fred Bentson. He appears in his illustrated memories to be a postal worker somewhere. He also claims that he's been living two lives - one where he goes to work in Dakota City every day but once he goes home and falls asleep he WAKES UP in ANOTHER city - METROPOLIS. He claims that he goes to work there, as a postal service member. He then goes back home but wakes up in Dakota City.....

Superboy - getting a bit agitated at this point - says "So you're saying that you somehow pulled me into this imaginary world?"

Rocket says "He's saying that he woke up from a dream and somehow brought you with him."

Superboy, getting bewildered - rejects this claim saying instead that ROCKET and HER world is the imaginary world, not HIS.......

Superboy continues on: "Come to think of it, Fred here takes requests. Tomorrow night you'll be a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model (alluding to Rocket), and I'll be the photographer. Of course, it will be your first big job and you'll be willing to do anything to......"

Rocket cuts off his nonsense - telling him once again that she doesn't have to take that from him being that he's imaginary........

Fred Bentson, meanwhile - doesn't believe if EITHER of them are real and is as confused AS EVER as to what's going on - even though HE is the DIRECT cause and link to these Universe-Merging events.............

Meanwhile, Fred Bentson appears to be nearing some understanding of what's going on. He claims that he thinks that he is SOMEHOW bringing his dreams to LIFE......

As Superboy opens his mouth to answer him, Fred cuts him off and his conversation shifts to METROPOLIS and a scene where both STEEL and HARDWARE are in a lab doing some sort of investigation.

Rocket - sensing that Fred may be onto something - calmly suggests to him to relax. Superboy - in a rare display of agreement - nods with Rocket.

But it's TOO LATE...Fred has started having nightmare delusions again....and this time they are a garish creation of Superman's arch-foe PARASITE and Fred Bentson's OWN fear of IRS TAX AUDITORS....

Standing before Rocket and Superboy are several humanoid figures that appear to look like Parasite but they are garbed in suit and ties and they are all uttering Tax-related comments, like

"Depreciation........1099........not deductible......"

Superboy rushes into the group of strange foes with fists flying. The bizarre creations are still uttering Tax-related nonsense as they are mowed down by Superboy's charge.

Superboy - already feeling the effects of Parasite's power drain - sees Rocket coming to his aid but tells her to STAY BACK...before they drain her powers too...

One of the creations utters "Not true." Another creation utters "Only to the maximum allowable amount mandated by Federal Law."

Rocket blasts the two foes away from Superboy with a kinetic energy emission from her Inertia Belt. Superboy thanks her for the assist but more of Fred Bentson's strange creations appear. They ensnare Rocket in PAPER that is used for IRS audit printouts but they are effectively slowing down Rocket.

Superboy rushes to her side, afraid that the tape will crush Rocket if he doesn't act. As this is going on the new attackers are speaking in unison:

"Not deductible......not deductible......not deductible......."

Superboy starts to flex some of his unique powers, concentrating long enough to use his Tactile Telekinesis - which starts to shred the tape ensnaring Rocket.

Rocket turns towards Fred, telling him that he MUST do something because these creations are coming out of his head. Mr. Bentson is still confused as to what's going on and clearly is not able to do anything as of yet.

Superboy flies towards both Fred and Rocket and grabs both of them and scoots into the air away from Fred's bizarre creations. He figures that the more distance he can place between the Parasite-like powers of Fred Bentson's creations the better....and he is right as his powers are returning to normal levels and he's not as weak as he was before.

Rocket, a bit frustrated, tells Superboy and Fred that they're going to have to get their _____ together. Superboy subsequently tells her that she has a filthy mouth. She tells him that she's under a lot of ______ pressure but he finds it attractive as he continues flirting with his new friend.

Fred continues to elaborate on his condition and mentions Edwin Alva. Edwin is an arch-foe of Milestone's Hardware. Curtis Metcalf (Hardware) is Milestone's Tony Stark but considerably cruder than Tony - with a bit of angst and a continual chip on his shoulder.

Fred says that Mr. Alva was trying to help him understand his dreams and perhaps get them under control.

The scene now cuts to Superboy - ever up to his teenaged hi jinks as he continues to vie for Rocket's attention. He fakes that he is still feeling the effects of the Parasite creatures powers and falls into Rocket's arms.

Rocket grabs him and asks if he is ok. Superboy looks into her eyes, face to face with her, and sheepishly smiles at his crush.

Rocket opens her arms and lets Superboy fall to the ground. She tells him to stop acting like a child. He stops his fall and hovers to her eye level, telling him that he cannot help it being that he is only six months old.......

The focus shifts back to Fred as he is appearing to have another dream episode. Rocket and Superboy are trying desperately to calm Fred as they see that his nervousness is a source of his strange and dangerous powers.....

Fred tells them that he IS calm but recalls that he hasn't had any serious trauma since the fifth grade, which puts Rocket and Superboy back on HIGH ALERT.....

A GIANT male teenaged-boy appears next to the bridge near the trio. He is several hundred feet tall. He is dirty blond and dressed in dark khaki pants and a brown sweater over top of a colared white shirt.

The giant figure is asking for Fred Bentson's lunch money...............

Fred screams in terror "It's Jimmy Lippert!"

Rocket tells Superboy that Fred should just give him his lunch money. Superboy disagrees and flies towards the enormous figure ready to tussle.

He tells the giant Jimmy to pick on someone his own size, to which Jimmy responds with a left cross that sends the kryptonian flying back towards the bridge where Rocket and Fred remain. His impact shatters the bridge base upon landing.

As Rocket asks if he's ok Superboy tells her that he's invulnerable and looks to get back into the fight against the giant creation of Fred Bentson's imagination. He tells Rocket that he has a plan on how to combat Jimmy.

Rocket deadpans - "Are you going to TELL on him?" He retorts that he liked her better when her mouth was shut by the tape from the previous foes they faced.

As he flies towards the giant Jimmy Lippert again, Superboy has a plan. He dodges Jimmy swinging at him with a sailboat in his right hand. He manages to touch Jimmy's hand and unloose Jimmy Lippert's belt.

As the giant creation of Fred Bentson's imagination recoils in shock and embarrassment as his pants fall to the ground Rocket springs into action. She blasts Lippert in the chest with a kinetic energy blast which sends him tumbling towards the surface.

Free from Fred's latest imaginary creation Rocket directs the trio towards the Mason building. She claims that this is where they'll find Edwin Alva and perhaps get to the bottom of everything strange going on. Instead, they find yet another monstrous creation that captures them. This strange being's face is visible, completely dark and is in the process of drawing them into it's maw before ICON joins the fray and flies into the monster, shattering it into nothingness and freeing his friend and her two new accomplices.

Icon grabs Fred Bentson and tries to get filled in by Rocket on what's happening. They all start heading once again towards The Mason building.

Upon finally arriving safely Icon, Rocket and Superboy join Hardware as Edwin Alva examines Fred Bentson - and secretly concocts a way to WEAPONIZE his powers under his control. As Fred is on the examination table Alva states that Fred's brainwave readings are off the charts as far as the energy he is producing.

Edwin administers the sedative that will help Fred sleep (and secretly exploit his powers). Hardware suggests that Superboy get ready to be sent back to his own universe and wonders where he is at the moment.

The scene cuts to a room where Superboy and Rocket are talking. Superboy suggests to Rocket that she should show a little more gratitude for saving her life. She agrees - to a surprised look on Superboy's face.

She leans in and grabs his hand. She tells him that he's special - in that most boys his age just want sex but tells him that he's different in that he is willing to take on RESPONSIBILITY.

She further explains "How many young boys your age are willing to get involved with a pregnant girl?"

Superboy is completely shocked and has a reddish tint to his face as Rocket uses her mature mind on him. She continues, saying that "We should have a short engagement."

She asks him for his name so she can tell him that she intends on NAMING her son AFTER HIM, lol.

As Superboy rushes out Icon steps into the space. Superboy tells Rocket that he'll see her later on but Rocket believes differently.

Icon states "I'm certain that you have a good explanation for this."

Rocket: "Boys, Icon - they are all the same!"

Superboy, Rocket, Icon and Hardware are now all together as Edwin Alva readies for the next step for Mr. Bentson. As Superboy readies himself to be sent home Edwin comforts Fred - telling him to relax and "think of himself as a BRIDGE between two worlds"........

It is at this point that Edwin Alva, whether unbeknownst to him or not, is setting in motion for Fred Bentson's powers to actually MERGE both Metropolis' reality continuum into Milestone's Dakatoverse reality continuum. In this process Fred will create the powerful being known only as RIFT and RIFT will serve as the referee that decides the fate of BOTH universes - as both Icon and Superman clash to decide both reality's fates as well as expose societal issues of race and class in the EPIC next issue.

The scene ends with the nomadic sentinel known only as "DMZ" standing his ever vigilant watch above the bridge of Dakota City. He is continually swinging his lantern...either to signal to his long-lost partner that he lost communication with OR some other as yet-unknown ritual that he is performing.

DMZ is a member of The Blood Syndicate even though it is not believed that he is human. The Syndicate has accepted him, though - even though they acknowledge that he seems to come and go as he pleases and they don't understand him.

To this point - they acknowledge that he doesn't even SPEAK. They don't believe that he CAN....at least until NOW as he utters his FIRST word in response to what is happening before him.



On ONE side remains the reality that DMZ is familiar with - Dakota City. On THE OTHER SIDE is the NEW reality that has NOT existed before - at least until Edwin Alva used subliminal suggestion with Fred Bentson to start MERGING both Dakota City and Metropolis universes together.

DMZ utters his VERY FIRST word as the FINAL creation towers above him. This will be revealed as the being known as RIFT in Icon and Rocket #16.

As detailed on the comic panel above - a portion of the storyline continues in Steel #6.

Rift will referee Icon and Superman's clash in the next issue Icon and Rocket #16 and in the process bring to light many societal issues as well.

The following is the entire Worlds Collide comic series - from Issue #1 to #14 - of the DC - Milestone crossover series.

Icon and Rocket #16, August 1994 - Dwayne McDuffie, writer. M.D. Bright, Penciller. Mike Gustovich, Inker. J. Brown, Painted Color. Steve Dutro, letterer. Matt Wayne, Editor.



This classic issue is a continuation of the EPIC Worlds Collide series between Milestone and DC Comics. It is issue #16 in the Icon and Rocket series but issue #11 in the continuation of the Worlds Collide series.

Read issue #10 of the Worlds Collide Series prior to reading this issue.

This comic starts off with the God-like being known only as "Rift". He is holding two of the most powerful and enigmatic characters ever created in Comics in Superman and Icon in each hand. Both struggle to break free but are unable to free themselves from Rift's grasp.

"Rift" is a creation from the mind of the humans known as Fred Bentson and Edwin Alva. Mr. Bentson is having nightmares and visions - many of which are coming to life and warping reality itself and Rift is clearly an example of this.

Edwin Alva - Hardware's arch-foe - is involved in the creation of Rift but has his own agenda that he wants to see come to fruition.

Rift, who is clearly quite mad - has taken on a life of its own and sees both Icon and Superman as being problematic - as their powers and uniqueness are causing him confusion.

Icon utters to Rift - "Let us go!" But Rift starts to ramble on....

Rift is speaking about how he created the two universes - the one where the majority of DC characters exist and the one where Icon, Rocket, Static, Hardware, Blood Syndicate and many other unique characters exist in, Dakotaverse. He is considering this to be a problem and a mistake.

He sees both Icon and Superman as being needless duplicates.

Off in the distance, Rift "thinks" into existence a HUGE tidal wave - one that will destroy both Dakotaverse and Metropolis and create just ONE universe.

He continues to speak about his issues with both Icon and Superman. He calls himself a God and starts to ask Icon and Superman "Which one of them should cease to exist?"

He speaks about how he offered to let them both duke it out for supremacy in a previous issue but both beings "faked" their fight, clearly agitating Rift. This was in Superman: Man of Steel #36.

Rift offers another opportunity for both of these Titans to clash. He starts to explain what he wants them to do, believing that they will both INDEED fight each other - provided they have the proper motivation.

Rift starts with Superman - holding him motionless in his huge hand like someone holding an action figure toy. He details Kal-El's humble beginnings - as a baby saved by his Kryptonian parents from his dying homeworld of Krypton, escaping its destruction by rocketing towards Earth.

Rift speaks about how Kal-El landed on Earth and was found by his adoptive Earth parents, The Kents, in America's heartland of Kansas. He was able to grow into manhood, relatively free from persecution and was molded by their values.

Rift states that Kal-El / Superman - was the Ultimate Immigrant - able to bring his near-limitless powers and gifts to Earth and America and share them, becoming "The personification of the American Dream, and incidentally the greatest hero ever known."

Rift then states that - despite his near-limitless powers and strength - Superman was unable to stop the destruction brought on by the events of the Worlds Collide series thus far.

The scene pivots to Metropolis in ruins, Superman helpless to save everyone as he looks about bewildered. Rift states that this is all Superman's fault but Superman isn't buying it, blaming the calamity on his old foe Lex Luthor.

Rift ADMITS that Lex is indeed involved, but starts to lecture Superman on why he never could put Lex away despite knowing about his threat for many years. He goes on to let Superman know that now there's nothing he can do about the aftermath of Metropolis.

Rift - with but a thought - brings Lex Luthor into the group. Lex is as stunned and surprised as both Icon and Superman are as to how he's arrived here.

Rift then starts to detail his plans, telling Superman that he can, indeed - have both Lex Luthor AND Metropolis back again - "IF" he fights and defeats Icon.

Icon immediately relents, telling Rift "Fine, then - Superman wins." "I will concede the battle. Repair Metropolis - Superman wins. I will not fight him."

Rift, a bit agitated - exclaims to Icon - "I think that you WILL....."

Rift then - as he did previously with Superman - goes on to detail Icon's humble beginnings. He describes how "Arnus" - Icon's alien name before his DNA was changed entirely into a Black Human child - and his escape crashed on Earth in the Deep South in 1839.

Rift speaks of how Icon - instead of landing on Earth and being adopted into a loving family - was instead a SLAVE by the simple virtue of his human Black skin. The comic scenes detail his adoptive Earth mother - also a slave - watches the fateful encounter unfold as his escape pod crashes into a cornfield and she rushes out of the house to go meet her eventual adopted son.

The scene also details a young Icon - named Augustus Freeman by his adopted Earth mother, Myriam - being sold as a slave on an auction block. "Arnus" alien physiology assumed the DNA structure of the VERY FIRST being that came into contact with his escape pod and it would turn out to be the Slave woman named Myriam.

The next scene shows the young Freeman toiling in the fields as a slave and Rift continues to narrate his beginnings.

Rift states "You were not permitted to bring your knowledge, skills, and culture to the mainstream, as Superman was. Instead, only your LABOR was considered as value." "So instead of bequeathing your great gifts to the benefit of your new world you turned them instead into a daily struggle for survival."

The scene pivots to a young Icon / Augustus Freeman as he's hiding in a wooded area, appearing to help slaves escape to some unspoken destination.

Icon states - "I did as much as I could...as much as I thought possible." Rift acknowledges this as being true.

The scene then pivots to Icon's fateful encounter many years later with his partner Raquel Ervin, The Rocket, and how she persuaded him to become a superhero - an "ICON" to those oppressed and an example for humankind. He is flying high above Dakotaverse in this scene, seemingly triumphant over some unnamed foe as he goes to work to clean up Dakotaverse along with his partner Rocket.

Rift calls his actions admirable - up to this point. Rift comments that Icon often rose to his many challenges without enjoying the benefit of the doubt that Superman relished.

He comments that Icon - unlike Superman - has never failed on the scale that Superman has in failing to save his city - as a HUGE tidal wave created by Rift begins crashing into both Dakota and Metropolis, inundating both cities with water and leveling buildings and sweeping life away.

The waves tower by several hundred feet over even the tallest skyscrapers, leaving no chance of human survival. Both Superman and Icon look on in terror, helpless to act.

Rift offers both heroes the opportunity to rectify the plights of their respective cities - if they fight in a battle against each other to win. No holds barred. One or the other MUST WIN - decisively.

Rift rambles on - barely comprehensible, in reasoning why he wants Superman and Icon to fight each other. His belief is that perhaps he should not have created one or the other............thus thinking that whomever wins this titanic clash will be the victor and eliminate the NEED for one or the other.

Rift states that to whomever wins their respective city will be restored as if the disaster never happened. The loser will continue to exist but with the cold, cruel realization that his city / universe will lie in ruin.

Both Superman and Icon think to themselves about this offer. They both surmise that if they win, they will convince Rift to somehow restore the other's city.

They both agree to Rift's challenge and he in turn releases both of them.

With fists clenched and determined looks on both faces, they fly towards each other at super speed. As they arrive within a few feet of one another they turn upward, facing each other squarely.

With both Icon's and Superman's right fists clenched and drawn, they both begin to windup their initial blows against one another. In a BRIGHT FLASH that lights up the entire sky and a LOUD BA-DOOM!! these two powerhouses fists meet each other. The initial blows leave Superman in a concussed state but still in flight, barely, as he states that Icon almost knocked him out with that blow, alone.

Icon, in turn, is sent flying several hundred feet into a dilapidated building below, shattering a concrete wall and leaving Icon's nose bloodied.

This is the first time that Icon has bled in combat and he states that he'll need a new strategy to win this fight.

Superman, still a bit disoriented, uses his telescopic vision to locate where Icon has landed below. He finds Icon flying below, or so he thinks......

He proceeds towards Icon and says that he simply cannot believe that Icon is still standing after his blow. He is determined to try and finish the fight as quickly as possible.

As he arrives at Icon (or whom he believes) Superman finds out to his dismay that Icon has used his CAPE as a PROP as Icon is in fact behind him and winds up for another blow on the Man of Steel...
Supes is too late to react as Icon strikes Superman squarely, with a LOUD KRAK!! sending him flying several hundred feet through three buildings, shattering steel and concrete in his path.


As he fastens his cape back to his uniform, Icon acknowledges thus far that prior to Superman he has never fought anyone his PHYSICAL superior but surmises that he can rectify Superman's partial advantage by NOT HOLDING BACK...

Icon speeds towards where Superman has landed from his previous blow and he finds Superman flying towards him. They meet and Icon's strength and momentum overwhelms Superman and he forces him into the water where Icon will try to DROWN Superman. His goal is to simply knock him unconscious long enough to be declared the winner.

Icon finds out, to his dismay that Superman doesn't need to breath. Supes then blasts Icon with his Heat Vision, which blinds Icon and hurts him temporarily.

With a loud THOOM! Superman knocks Icon off of him and flies out of the water towards his opponent. He states that Icon has taken this fight to another level by trying to drown him. Icon agrees, and begins to make use of his POSITRON ENERGY powers. His right fist glowing with power, he blasts Superman with a loud SHRAK!! which knocks Superman out in his tracks.

As Superman lies unconscious, temporarily, next to him, Icon calls out to Rift: "Rift - Where are you? This fight is OVER!"

Superman, already regaining his senses, grabs Icon's right wrist and throws him violently through the building's roof that they are on. Icon crashes through several floors, with metal and concrete flying everywhere and the loud THOOM!! accompanying every floor.

Icon, undeterred, shoots up like a rocket from the bottom of the debris, ready for another engagement with the Man of Steel.

Icon begins to wind up a now POSITRON-ENERGY IMBUED fist, believing that adding his Energy Projection onto his punches will end this fight in his favor.

Before Icon's glowing fist and fateful blow can land, Rift stops the fight. Rift believes at this point that Icon and Superman have demonstrated that they are in fact BOTH EQUAL in Power and Importance to their respective cities. He further acknowledges that they will never yield to each other with their prospective power levels.



The next and final comic panel shows Rift growing to planet-size and merging BOTH worlds of Superman's and Icon's together into ONE EXISTENCE, allowing BOTH, temporarily, to co-exist with each other.

The next issue of the Worlds Collide series continues in Steel # 7. Icon and his partner Rocket continue on with their storyline in issue #17.

Icon and Rocket #17, September1994 - By M.D. Bright, writer and penciler. Dwayne McDuffie, additional script. Mike Gustovich, inker. James Brown and David Montoya, painted color. Steve Dutro, letterer. Matt Wayne, editor.



This issue deals with societal issues - mostly beyond Icon and Rocket's control, and illustrates his difficulty in navigating being both an "Icon" to those in need and also his and Rocket's efforts to make their neighborhood safer.

This story details how sometimes "Good intentions" can be misunderstood by BOTH sides and how the bigger picture is missed by even the supposed enlightened people.

The story starts with two hoods robbing a store nearby, one of which has a gun. As a nearby crowd spots the crime in progress they threaten to stop the robbery themselves until Icon flies in to help.

Icon is on time - as usual - as the crook with the firearm yells out in terror as he closes in on him. He fires his gun but his aim is off. The bullet is aimed towards the crowd as the young man, in terror, tries to defend himself from Icon apprehending him.

The bullet - thankfully - bounces harmlessly off of Icon's chest and he uses the open palm of his right hand to abruptly shove the criminal into a wall, knocking the wind out of him and rendering him unconscious.

The crowd cheers vociferously for Icon as he once again has saved the day.

The scene pivots towards the dilapidated bridge of Dakota City - where Icon and Rocket meet frequently. It is also the place where they initially met to begin their adventurers as Icon and Rocket.

Rocket apologizes to Icon for not being around to assist him with his apprehension of the crooks but Icon is more concerned with her pregnancy and when she will put aside her duties as his partner for her safety.

He is also reminding her that she needs to resume her studies as a high school student, being that she is missing a lot of school while she's adventuring around with him.

Rocket - her hormones raging as her body continues to accommodate her pregnancy - yells at Icon "Why Don't you QUIT IT?"

Icon apologizes but reminds her out of concern for her well-being. She calms down, understanding his concern and they fly off on their patrol of Dakota City.

The scene cuts to Rocket's apartment where her grandmother and her mom are discussing her whereabouts as well as listening to a neighborhood politician speak on the local news about Icon's work in the community. This politician is appearing to rile up the local populace into believing that Icon is, in fact, OPPRESSING his community by turning in criminals from the neighborhood.

He calls Icon a tool of the White authorities.

As the politician continues his rant, Raquel's mom is complaining to Grandma that her daughter doesn't open up to her and that she doesn't trust her. Rocket opens the door to her home and listens in on most of the conversation.

Her mom asks her about where she's been. Raquel says that she's been over her best friend's house, Darnice. She then proceeds to kiss her grandmother on the cheek and say that she's going to bed.

Her mom says nothing but has a displeased frown on her face.

The scene cuts to a police cruiser in hot pursuit of a car speeding through the city. The man behind the wheel says, with a sneer on his face, that once he reaches the boulevard that the cops will never catch him.

Rocket appears, flying down with the bright purple streak of her fully powered Inertia belt trailing behind her. She is directly in front of the speeding getaway car but the criminal continues speeding towards Rocket stating that he hopes her insurance is paid up.

Rocket, continuing to display her mastery of the inertia belt that Icon gifted to her from his advanced escape pod, deftly raises her hand towards the incoming car and in a bright flash of energy stops the car in its tracks, impressing Icon - who has just arrived on the scene - and shocking the criminal in the getaway car.

The criminal is livid and has a bewildered look on his face as he is hauled away by the police.

Unbeknownst to our heroic pair is the crowd of locals moving silently towards them. The look on the crowd's faces can be described as disgust, anger, sadness, and confusion - not the cheering that was present just yesterday when Icon apprehended the man with the gun.

Rocket, rarely flappable, has a worried look on her face as she tries to gauge the crowd's moves.

The crowd starts in on the pair, with Icon receiving the brunt of the anger. The comments range from:

"How much are they PAYIN' you, Man?"

Another comment, spoken in disgust, questions Icon's manhood.

Another man yells out "I-TOM!!" An wicked combination of Icon's name and the slur "Uncle Tom".

A woman in the crowd, as angry as those around her, blames Icon for the lack of available men in her neighborhood. She accuses Icon of locking them all up.

A father has his young son in front of him. He places his hands on the youth's shoulder and then points at Icon with a look of disgust.

The heroic pair continues to absorb the verbal assault, with Icon hearing "Sellout" yelled in his direction.

The ONLY grateful person in the crowd is the police officer who thanks Icon warmly for helping with the apprehension of the hoods but this is quickly followed by a sarcastic "Thanks Brother" uttered from one of the men being led away in handcuffs.

Our as-yet-unnamed neighborhood politician is on the evening news, dressed in a bluish-gray colored suit with a black tie. His conversation during the interview:

"It's a shame that this "man" thinks that he has the right to come into our community and tell us how we should treat our misguided brothers. He wants us all behind bars."

"Downtown, he's savin' lies and playin' guardian angel."

"Uptown, he's the Great Incarcerator, locking us up wholesale. Just because he's Black doesn't mean he's a Brother!"

The scene cuts to Icon standing silently above the Dakota City bridge. He uses his enhanced hearing to listen in on the entire communication.

Icon and Rocket, undeterred by the crowd's comments and the politician's concerns, drop in on another group of criminals, this time in the process of concocting drug mixes. One of the hoods, taken by surprise as Icon rips open the steel door to their lair, indiscriminately fires his gun at Icon but the bullet bounces harmlessly off of Icon's right shoulder.

The bullet then ricochets towards an acetylene tank where it then explodes in a loud "BAA-ROOOM" followed by several smaller "BOOMS". The resulting blast destroys the building and shatters cars nearby in a HUGE flash of energy.

Icon, his skin impervious to the explosions, carries two of the hoods to safety and Rocket, using her inertia belt's energy as a shield from the blast carries another criminal away from the carnage.

One of the criminals that Icon is carrying yells "I-TOM" at his rescuer as he runs towards the crowd gathering around.

Icon FINALLY comes face to face with the neighborhood politician criticising him. His name is Kelsohn Styvens.

Kelsohn wastes no time with addressing Icon:

"Yes...and for obvious reasons I'm not sure if I should be pleased or concerned that you know who I am. I do have a question, though....."

As Kelsohn points towards the buildings on fire he raises his voice and says "Are you SATISFIED, yet?" "Why aren't you downtown arresting the guys who funded this chop shop instead of destroying a whole neighborhood going after a bunch of small-time hoods??"

Kelsohn continues his preaching, but lowers his voice as he points towards the crowd listening nearby: "Or maybe these good people are the problem. Did THEY do something wrong?" "The only thing I see is that they are all people of color."

"And that some self-hating fool burned down their homes."

Icon starts to defend his actions. "I find it hard to believe that there is conviction in your rhetoric. There is no grand scheme being applied here, no hate, no punishment......save for those who continue their anti-social behavior."

Kelsohn retorts with an angry tone towards Icon: "Anti-Social behavior?? Whose society? Not ours!!"

"We had NO CHOICE about being in this "society" we came here in CHAINS locked up in the BOWELS of dirt and disease-filled ships. Our heritage stripped from us...our very humanity denied. We were nothing more than CHATTEL......"

Icon, voice lowering as he is trying to control his anger at the accusations thrown at him, defends himself.

"You started to tell me this history as if it was YOURS more than MINE......there is NO ONE more closer to that history than I AM......."

"LIKE HELL" comes a scream from the angry crowd behind them. More accusations and insults are thrown Icon's way, accusing him of not being Black, talking "too proper" for a Black man, and him hanging around with Mayor Jefferson whom the crowd also doesn't like as they call her, too - an Uncle Tom.

More hurtful slurs are yelled towards Icon as Kelsohn Styvens looks on approvingly and Rocket stares in disbelief.

Mr. Styvens decides that Icon has, perhaps, had enough. He tries haphazardly to calm the already enraged crowd and tells them that Icon IS - IN FACT - their "Brother" and ONE OF US but that he needs to be educated on what's REALLY going on and to get to the ROOT of the problem rather than victimizing the underlings.

One of the FEW Caucasians in the crown, a man that is from WMDB news, approaches Rocket and asks her for any comments.

She utters "No Comment."

Icon flies off towards his mansion with Rocket behind him. Once inside, they start to discuss everything that happened.

He tells her that it's late and that she should be home. She tells him that she wanted to make sure that he's ok.

He calls the event that just happened with Styvens "Foolishness."

Even the local news has put its own SPIN on the event as they accuse Icon of getting physical with the Black youth. Rocket listens on with a bewildered look on her face.

Icon explains that his cape obscured the gun going off and the bullet ricocheting off of his shoulder and causing the explosion but it would appear that "HE" caused it during his confrontation with the hoods.

He reminds Rocket that he HAD TO move fast to prevent any further injuries - which he did, miraculously.

But Rocket calmly questions Icon - stating that he DOES NOT talk like a Black Man....nor LIVE with Black people...or even LIVE like a Black person......

She continues on, agreeing with Kelsohn and the angry crowd that he DOES, in fact, help arrest mostly people of color.....further adding to the fact that at his LAW FIRM he DEFENDS mostly rich White people.......

Icon states that he defends people who can afford his services but that he DOES turn down some cases.

Icon continues "I am a wealthy man and I enjoy a lifestyle that few others share, even fewer if you count people of color."

He admits, sadly, that he finds this fact distressing but says that "Who do I help by not striving to be ALL THAT I CAN BE?"

Icon queries his young, bright Earth friend "What does it mean to "Talk Black?" Rocket says - "You know - like DOWN IN IT...in the street!!"

Icon says - "I see--to speak as though I didn't get an education, improperly mangle a few verbs, mangle some syntax."

"I shall never understand why ignorance should become fashionable, or why a criminal shouldn't be punished because he's Black."

Rocket - "You CAN'T understand because you're NOT REALLY BLACK! You're an ALIEN who can fly!!"

in perhaps my FAVORITE line from this Comic Book series, Icon answers Rocket's assertions:

"I've been a Black Man longer than ANYONE else alive on this PLANET, lived through times that would've crushed EVERY street-wise "homeboy" who thinks that he's "down with it.""

"Yes - my special abilities protected me from most of the PHYSICAL harm that others endured. But my MIND, my HEART and my EGO had no such protection. You are only the SECOND person to know my LIFE STORY........"

"Now a WHOLE CITY is concerned about what I "can" do.....when you SHOULD be concerned with what YOU can do."

As Rocket looks on, saddened and both enlightened by Icon's statement. She leaves in silence but enlightened by Icon's story.

Icon returns to the scene he just left, with Kelsohn still speaking with the crowd. He notices Icon approaching and simply says "You"....

The crowd promptly continues the hurtful slurs, calling him "I-TOM", but this time hurling eggs, bottles and other trash at him disrespectfully.

Rocket arrives, this time DEFENDING her silent but stern partner. She tells the crowd to "QUIT IT!!" but they laugh on derisively.

Icon, FINALLY angry at the disrespect shown him, grabs a large section of wall nearby that was displaced by the explosion. He SLAMS it on a nearby car, crushing the vehicle with one strike in a LOUD "KATHOOM!!!!"

He then HOISTS the wreckage above his head with ease and looks in ANGER towards his accusers as they FINALLY stop their assault of hurtful words and misplaced anger.

Icon then effortlessly places the vehicle down, gently sitting it adjacent to him. As the crowd FINALLY listens intently to him he says:

"You have the RIGHT to think for YOURSELVES...the RESPONSIBILITY to do JUST THAT....."

"It is MY INTENTION to make your city a SAFER place for you to LIVE. The police have taken an oath to do THE SAME....."

"I am NOT your leader nor do I want to be."

"You can disagree with me - I'm NOT infallible."

"But don't EVER throw more than words at me."

Icon and Rocket departs and leaves a SPEECHLESS crowd behind. As Kelsohn Styvens tries to speak again they STARE at him this time and walk away, leaving him alone in the middle of the street.

Icon and Rocket part ways and leaves him alone in his thoughts. He is still saddened and more than annoyed at what happened. His friend and armored crime fighter HARDWARE flies in, noticing his appearance for himself as well as informing him of how the news stations covered the entire event.

Hardware offers Icon some GOOD NEWS- in that he has been tinkering with the technology in the escape pod that brought Icon to Earth and may have found a WAY HOME for him - much to Icon's amazement and joy.



The final panel of this issue has the strong but silent Sentinel DMZ, of The Blood Syndicate, appear. His long-lost partner is with him as they both offer their assistance in helping Icon to find a way home.

Is static in any of the Icon comics

Hello - and thank you for your interest in my favorite DC Superhero in Icon.

Yes he is - and Icon makes few appearances in Static's comic series as well.

Keep in mind this happens not only in the ORIGINAL Static series from the 1990s but they also cross-over in the LATEST series.

As for the 1990's Icon series, which this thread touches on, Static has made an appearance - though not in his uniform - I think in Icon #13. He meets and talks with fellow teenager Rocket and Raquel Ervin's mom for a few panels.

I don't believe that either of them knows each other's superhero exploits yet.

Virgil also makes an appearance in a few issues from now - as Icon is getting closer to finding out the truth behind what happened with the Bang Babies and why so many of them were killed as well as who was behind it.

Static makes Icon promise to continue his investigation and bring those responsible to justice.

SPOILER ALERT:

Icon DOES IN FACT get to the bottom of what happened with the Bang Babies and whose responsible. He gets assistance from LT Nebraska McCollum, Dakotaverse Police Department, and ends up notifying not only Static but ALSO Wise Son from the Blood Syndicate as they go to confront the culprit(s).

Icon makes MANY sacrifices along the way but he fulfills his promise to not only Static but his young partner Rocket and The Blood Syndicate's Leader Wise Son.

This all happens a few issues from now and I'll go into further detail then.

An update for you:

Detective Nebraska MacCullum of Dakotabverse Police Department is introduced in Icon and Rocket #20, which I will review and narrate in a few comic entries. He assists Icon with evidence gathering and uncovering of the wide-ranging conspiracy behind the Big Bang.

It is on page 13 of this issue where Static makes Icon promise to get to the bottom of exactly what happened at the Big Bang event and bring those responsible to justice.



And I was incorrect as to when Static (Virgil Hawkins) first encountered Rocket but I'm still reviewing.

Icon and Rocket #18, October 1994 - by Adam Blaustein, writer. Prentis Rollins, artist. J. Scott, painted color. Joseph Daniello, letterer. Matt Wayne, editor.



Raquel Ervin, Icon's partner, friend and fellow superhero - takes a deeper dive in this issue as to her mysterious partner's actions from issue #17. She is still a bit puzzled and saddened - not only by the local community's actions and words towards Icon but the social ramifications of Icon's actions. She is also puzzled, confused and saddened by Icon's aloofness to what happened in Issue 17#.

She begins to take a DEEPER dive into Icon - and in this issue explores some serious "What ifs" - one of these being if Icon was WHITE......

The story begins with Raquel sitting on the swing set in the playground outside of her apartment complex. She is deep in thought - with pencil in one hand and paper in the other as she jots down her thoughts and concerns. Our future writer / novelist is chronicling her concerns and ideas in a diary-like journal.

She tells herself that if she is to be a famous writer one day - she has to write EVERY DAY - even if it's hot outside and she's suffering from morning sickness due to her pregnancy.

A gust of wind makes the paper she is writing and drawing on take flight. She stands up from the swing set, watching to paper fly away as she ponders how to retrieve it. She then looks down at her Inertia Belt that Icon gifted to her and the unique ways that she has learned to utilize it.

She takes flight - blasting off in her signature emission of purple energy field that is on display when she uses her belt. She catches up to the windward paper that she has begun writing and drawing on.

She grabs the paper and suddenly hugs it as if it were alive. It has a cartoonish drawing of her and Icon - in the costume design that she first showed to him. It was this SAME DRAWING that she used in a desperate attempt to convince Icon to become a superhero.

She reflects on the HOPE that she was persuading Icon, back then, to become a Superhero - one that would protect not only the WORLD but ALSO her as-yet unborn baby.

She questions her OWN fears and concerns - such as the possibility of Icon "Selling out"....

She labels the next page in her journal - "The last temptation of Icon" - by Raquel Ervin.

"and so we seek to have knowledge of what is the nature of what dwells deep within the soul of man (and woman) kind."

"What makes us do that which we do? Is it nature or nurture? Is it our history - both glorious and tragic - that propels our people to some unknowable destiny ....or...is there something DEEP WITHIN us that, sleeping now, will soon awaken?"

"This is a parable about a man named Augustus Freeman - a man the world has come to know as ICON...."

Raquel Ervin's documentary then starts to chronicle Icon's beginnings - back to where he was THEN named "Arnus" and in his previous alien form. It details when Arnus' starliner came under distress and caught fire. The story illustrates his heroic actions, even then, to save not only himself but his crew.

"We're losing shields! All hands ABANDON SHIP!" "I'll keep the ship together! Prepare the escape pods!"

As the starliner continues to burn from within in the cosmos, several escape pods fly to safety. Arnus, the remaining crew member onboard, ponders his fate as he begins to board the final escape pod to some as-yet-unknown destination.

Raquel continues her vivid narration of Icon's beginnings:

"Like Moses of old, he came to this terrible Earth in a basket not of thatch but cold hard steel."

In order for his alien form to adapt to his new home, he was to take on the DNA and generic structure of an infant child of whatever intelligent race had found him. His escape pod's highly advanced alien technology facilitated this process and ALSO gifted him his powers.

"It was OUR PEOPLE who had found him first...and so was born to a proud nation of African Americans - a living symbol..a paragon...and ICON of our hopes and dreams...our prayers!"

In the accompanying comic panels, we see a picture of Icon's Earth mother, the slave woman named Myriam, as she proudly holds up baby Icon!

The next comic panel series details his work with The Underground Railroad, helping escaped slaves' journey to freedom. There are also panels with Augustus Freeman fighting on the side of The Union against the Confederates in The Civil War. The final panel on this page shows Icon in his CURRENT occupation - patrolling the skies as Icon - the Hero of Dakotaverse.

Raquel moves towards a fence and looks through it into her neighborhood. She reflects on how hot it is outside. She reflects on her decrepit surroundings...even though it IS "Home" she feels saddened by the surrounding lack of wealth and poor conditions.

She says that she just doesn't feel optimistic.

The next comic panel shifts towards more of Raquel Ervin's thoughts. There are also illustrations of Icon rescuing a child from a burning building. Icon - in his alter ego of Augustus Freeman IV - sitting behind his desk as a wealthy lawyer at the law firm he owns.

At the bottom of the panel is the Superhero Icon - face to face with his alter-ego Lawyer Augustus Freeman. At the bottom of their face-off is Superhero Icon holding his city of Dakota in one hand and the WORLD in the other.

"Who is the man to whom we have invested all of our hopes and dreams? Are his motives truly selfless?"

"Hero? Opportunist?"

"Can he remain content being the Shepherd of Dakota - when an entire world cries out for his protective arms?"

The next page shows an illustration of Icon entering a room with a large table and several men around it in dark suits.

Raquel Ervin comments - "Could he be tempted to take up the role of Icon for a NEW WORLD ORDER?"

Icon - "Let's make this quick, gentlemen - I have more pressing concerns back home."

One of the suited men, standing - "Don't worry - this won't take long, I assure you....and what The Corporation has to offer you may be to your liking."

The man continues - "As I'm sure you're aware, Icon, this is Dakota - your home. A city though (the man clears his throat), no doubt worthy of your protection. But it is a speck in terms of importance to the nation."

"We invite you, therefore, to reconsider your position...expand your horizons....to make yourself an Icon to more than just the underprivileged and downtrodden among us."

The man comes out with his previously hidden ulterior motive - "How can I put this delicately? We want you to be a White guy."

As Raquel Ervin's vivid imagination runs wild, she tears up the sheet of paper that she is writing on. She is in disbelief that she would even consider Icon as a White man. She is in doubt that Icon would even bail on her like that.

As she balls up the paper she tosses it towards the trash can in her room but misses. As she goes to retrieve her errant shot she decides to continue her story and see where it leads.

The scene pivots towards Augustus Freeman's sprawling estate where Icon is doing maintenance on his advanced escape pod. Rocket pays him a visit, asking him if he called her. He did.

She asks him if there is anything she can do to help but he politely declines the offer.

He states that he his homesick, after 150 years of being on Earth. He tells Raquel about Corporation X and how they have made him a strange offer. He tells her that they have offered to repair his advanced escape pod but wants him to become the nation's hero.

"There is, however, one caveat - - I must use the pods TRANSFORMATIONAL powers to become a member of the CAUCASOID race."

Rocket has a stunned look on her face.

Icon - "Why are you looking at me like that? Will you say something?"

Rocket - "When I was a little girl, my mama used to tell me that the BLACK doesn't wash off. I guess it's only true if you start out that way."

"It's a Black thing - you wouldn't understand."

The next page has more of Rocket's imaginations:

"This nation's hero. What does he mean by that? To us he was already that - and more!"

Icon, looking on solemnly on as he prepares for his change, takes a seat inside his escape pod as he prepares for the transformation.

The pod whirs to life, advanced alien technology and gadgetry clicking in the background. The pod begins to hum and emits a bright glow.

Rocket jots down more notes as she details her imaginations:

"Here's a question for you - Does it really matter if you're Black or White? Do we, as a nation, need our icons to be people of color?"

"I mean - is it REALLY desirable to be color-blind?"

The pod is finishing its transformation of Augustus Freeman. As the humming quiets, the alien gadgetry silences and the glowing dims out of the pod steps a Caucasian Augustus Freeman IV.

Raquel Ervin begins to detail her thoughts - all while the NEW Icon is rescuing kittens from trees, becoming a media hound, as well as lounging on the beach with beautiful women surrounding him.

"Every man (and woman) must fulfill their own personal destiny....be it fame, be it power, be it wealth, be it sex."

"The liars and ***** mongers of the media would have us to believe that these are the things that a brother like Augustus Freeman IV, Icon, needs - even as they declare that they're not for him."

The next page illustrates Rocket imagining an alternate future - where SHE is Icon. She is patrolling the skies of Dakota by herself, doing the best she can without Icon. She is tired from a full day's activities but continues her crime fighting duties.

Her narration continues from the previous page:

"and as we lose brother after brother - a sister comes in and tries to fill their shoes."

"The year is 2020 AD - and a sister possessed of supreme powers patrols the darkened streets of Dakota."

She comes upon two men up to no good. They exclaim in surprise and terror "Oh **** it's Icon!!"

Raquel Ervin / ICON - makes short work of the criminals, punching them out and subduing them before they can harm anyone.

As she goes to grab a third man running away from her she finds out - to her utter shock and dismay - that it's her now 26 year old son whom she has named August.

The surprised and saddened young man apologizes immediately to his mother.

As they both hug each other and cry in the darkened alley, a beam of light emits from a ripple in the air about 20 feet from them. The beam becomes a portal - just large enough for a large, powerful Superhero to step through.

It is ICON. The REAL one.



Icon immediately hugs both of them, reassuring them that everything is ok.

Satisfied with her ending, Raquel Ervin finishes up her story:

"Of course - this whole story is just an exercise in creative fiction. Of course Icon would NEVER leave us."

She smiles, with a content look on her face at her positive ending and a renewed commitment to helping Icon.

Icon and Rocket #19, November 1994. By Dwayne McDuffie, writer. M.D. Bright, penciler. Mike Gustovich, Hector Collazo and Harry Candelario, inkers. Jason Scott Jones, painted color. Steve Dutro, letterer. Matt Wayne, editor.



This issue details Icon's efforts to return to his Alien home world of Terminus and his preparations during his final days on Earth to achieve this.

This issue starts out with a RARELY ebullient Icon flying through the skies of Dakotaverse saying out loud "HOME! After all this time, I'm going HOME!"

He's thinking to himself about how he had once come to give up on the prospect of ever seeing his alien home world of Terminus. He's thinking about how Hardware, his armored superhero friend, had tinkered with the highly advanced technology from his downed escape pod and told him that he had repaired it to the point of FINALLY being usable. Icon reflects back on his LONG 150+ years on Earth and how he had to wait for Earth's technology and inhabitants to get to the point where they could actually UNDERSTAND his escape pod's technology for the repairs to be made.

But while Icon is reflecting on this he has one FINAL superhero act o carry out - a man about to jump off of a tall building in an effort to take his own life.

"Hey ICON", an older male calls out to him - "There's a guy on the roof of the Thompkins building - I think he's going to JUMP!"

A few of the observers below are telling him to JUMP, strangely enough.

As the despaired man in a nice blue suit takes a fateful step off the ledge, he IMMEDIATELY regrets his decision but it's too late as he plummets head first towards his death.....

He's thinking to himself "Oh God what did I just DO....I don't want to DIE...."

Just as the troubled man utters "DIE" he feels a strong and steady pair of hands - one on his shoulder stopping his movement and the other on his right thigh, steadying him in the air.

"Dying isn't an option today, Friend - not today."

As Icon carries the man to the ground below he says "I cannot pretend to understand what motivated your rash course of action. I am disinclined to try."

"I leave you with this advice: Life is precious and you are VERY young. Think before you ACT. Your future is filled with POSSIBILITIES. Grasp them."

"Take responsibility for your life. Next time, there may not be anyone around to catch you."

The young man is now in the custody of the local police, safe and in a better state of mind than before. He has a now hopeful look on his face after his encounter with Icon.

As Icon flies off, he reflects on recent events. Three robberies, an out of control truck, two fires and a suicide attempt. He wonders how the city will get along without him but assumes that it will manage.

He arrives at his law office and hovers outside of his window to the bewilderment of one of his law colleagues, Mr. Katz. He starts to tell him that he is planning a long trip away from the city and would like for him to assist him in taking care of some affairs for him while he's gone.

Mr. Katz, still in shock, says "It would be an HONOR, Sir. Please sit down and tell me what I can do for you."

As they start to conversate in the lavish office, Icon says "I'll need to set up a number of trusts, arrange for the transfer of some property......"

"....but before I continue, there are a few things I need to tell you - things I should have told you a long time ago."

Icon begins to remove his mask.

"You don't need to tell me anything, Augustus. I already know who you are."

The scene then shifts to a check cashing store on Paris Island in Dakota. A man dressed in a gold costume with a black and white target symbol on the left side of his chest is attempting a robbery. He calls himself "Bulletproof."

The clerk behind the window states that he's already pushed the silent alarm to call the police. Bulletproof - relying on the supposedly slow response, brazenly tells him that he's got about 5 hours before they show up.

The clerk, already with a backup plan in place, pulls out a gun and threatens to blow the costumed robber's head off - uttering a few choice words in the process.

Bulletproof then proceeds to take the clerk's gun from him, hold it to his head, and then pulls the trigger. In astonishment the clerk and the two bystanders watch the gun go off with a loud "BLAM" and the resultant shattering of the gun barrel as the weapon has no effect.

The clerk, in a shock and fearful voice, asks the costumed robber to not hurt him. He cleans out his vault and hands Bulletproof a large green bag of cash.

Bulletproof then jokingly asks the clerk if he'd like to play a game of Russian Roulette and he quickly exits the store.

The scene then cuts to Icon's superheroic partner, Rocket. She's in a light purple jogging suit and exercising, as prescribed by her doctor, Dr. Sidhari.

Doc told her to run at least two miles a day to help mitigate the weight gain associated with her pregnancy.

Raquel Ervin / Rocket, is out of breath after running just two blocks. As she stops to take a breather she notices our current antagonist, Bulletproof, he pushing his way through two police officers trying to apprehend him.

Rocket shuffles away into a secluded alley, complaining under her breath that all she wants to do at this point is go home and soak her tired feet. As she gets into her costume she laments the weight gained with her pregnancy and how her Inertia Belt is harder to tie around her waist because of it.

In the meantime, Bulletproof is now displaying his super strength, hefting a car above his head and hurling it towards the police officers.

Rocket, showing even more command of her Inertia Belt, simply flies between the officers and the advancing car, halting the wheeled projectile in mid air. The car then slams to the ground and Rocket's belt absorbs the kinetic energy of the belt - furthering powering her weapon as she readies to engage Bulletproof.

Bulletproof, preparing himself for his new foe, warns Rocket: "Listen, Chunky - you're way out of your league here. I'm invulnerable. So if you don't want to get hurt....."

"Chunky??" Rocket exclaims in disgust. She lands a few feet from him and gives him a chance to explain his words.

"I know you didn't just call me fat." Bulletproof - "Not fat. Uh...you know - healthy."

Rocket has had enough at this point and starts moving with determination towards Bulletproof. He backs away, warning her, but Rocket gets in an Inertia Belt-powered right hook that sends her foe flying into the air in a blast of purple energy, emitting from her belt.

"Oops", Rocket exclaims - as she looks skyward as if she's a home run hitter that just connected on a pitch across the plate.

The scene now cuts to a local bar, where Detective Nebraska MacCallum of the Dakota Police Department is conversing with a fellow detective. Detective MacCalum will play a HUGE role in bringing to light the events of the Big Bang and presenting the evidence to Icon.

He is currently running into a brick wall with his fellow detective, as he is trying to persuade him, out of fear, to not pursue his case.

"Secret experiments to create super beings. Hundreds of dead kids. The government. The mob. Alva Industries." "We're just cops, Mac. This is more than we can handle."

"You try and bring this to light and you're a DEAD MAN. My advice to you is to forget what you know and get the **** out of dodge."

Detective MacCallum - "I can't blame you for feeling that way. But I can't let it go, either. We're the good guys. We're supposed to do what's right."

Detective MacCallum gets up from the bar and heads out of the door. "Or die trying, old friend", says his fellow officer.

"LT. Homily was my LAST HOPE", Nebraska thinks aloud. He then pivots to the female reporter who interviewed The Blood Syndicate - and how she's too scared to talk even though SHE knows the truth.

"A headline hungry reporter won't touch it. The toughest most honorable cop I know just told me to forget about it. These are intelligent people. And they are afraid."

"I'm not Don Quixote. I've got a wife and two kids at home. I owe it to THEM to give up this foolishness."

"NO. I owe it to them to make this world a place where the bad guys won't get away with it."

As Det. MacCallum drives away he uncovers a folder labeled "Big Bang Theory."

The scene now pivots back to the Law offices of Freeman, Katz and Freeman. The initial conversation where Icon is stunned that Mr. Katz knows his secret identity continues.

Icon - "What do you mean you already know?"

Mr. Katz - "Well, my father told me stories about you; about the AMAZING things you did in the forties and fifties. He believed that you were over a hundred years old. That you only PRETEND to be your own GRANDSON."

Icon - "Your father was a good man. He kept my secret and he never asked me to explain."

Mr. Katz - "Anyways - once "ICON" showed up, it wasn't too hard for me to figure out who he was right, "Augustus"?"

"You are correct, I Am Augustus Freeman - the first through the fourth."

Icon then proceeds to tell Mr. Katz how he arrived on Earth and how long he'd been here. Katz then exclaims that this is pretty much how his father thought it happened.

Icon goes on to tell him how Hardware helped to repair his escape pod's transmitter and how The Blood Syndicate's "DMZ" became involved - after Icon figured out that the Silent Sentinel was IN FACT a REFUGEE of the doomed starliner like HE was.

He says that as soon as he's finished wrapping up affairs on Earth he can depart and go home to his planet of origin, Terminus.

Icon has a broad smile on his face in anticipation.

The scene cuts once again - this time BACK to Rocket's engagement with Bulletproof. She is STILL searching the skies for him after she rocket-punched him into the sky. Her friend and fellow superhero Static flies in, with Bulletproof in tow. The superpowered robber is still sluggish from Rocket's kinetic energy punch.

She explains to Static that the reason why she punched him so hard is because he called her fat.

"Fat? She isn't fat. She fairly glows with the pear-shaped beauty of Motherhood."

"She's womanly. She's ruebenesque. She is....Haagen-Daazian."

"You're not helping, here", Rocket deadpans to Static.

After dropping off Bulletproof with the police, Static and Rocket hang out on a rooftop. He tells her that despite her weight gain he still finds her beautiful but suggests that she gives up the superhero business until after her child is born. He even offers to cover her city for her while she recovers.

After they finish talking, Static offers to give her a ride home. She accepts hitching a ride while holding onto his back. He tells her that she HAS gained a few pounds, to which she replies that at times he DOES act normal but not now.

The scene cuts again - this time to Rocket and her best friend, Darnice as they do laundry together. They are both pondering the upcoming pregnancy but as Darnice is folding clothes she models her costume.

Rocket starts thinking that she MAY have, in fact, found someone who can stand in for her.

The FINAL scene features Icon returning to his mansion in Prospect Hills. He is reflecting on the close relationship he's had with Mr. Katz and how over time he took that friendship for granted.

He is surprised to find none other than Detective Nebraska MacCallum at his home and he's about to make him an offer.

Icon and Rocket #20, December 1994. By Dwayne McDuffie (RIP), M.D. Bright, writers. Chris Cross and John Paul Leon, Pencillers. Mike Gustovich, Prentiss Rollins and John Paul Leon, Inkers. Jason Scott Jones, Painted Color. Steve Dutro, Letterer. Matt Wayne, Editor.

This issue picks up where issue #19 left off - with Det. McCollum in Icon's sprawling estate showing him the proof he needs to bring a conclusion to the vast conspiracy with what happened at the Big Bang.

Det. McCollum: "About 4 months ago, the territory wars between the major street gangs on Paris Island had reached....critical mass. The disputing parties had agreed to settle things once and for all in an event that came to be known as "The Big Bang".

""Over five hundred gang bangers, loaded for bear, met that night at the intersection of the three major street gangs' territories, "Ground Zero." This was no secret. The people on the street knew it, the kids in the schools knew it, the good folk in the neighborhoods knew it.....""

"And so did the police."

""That we most certainly did. As did the Mayor. She's been a good public servant, I think, though stung by criticism that she is a typical "soft on crime" Democrat. She saw the upcoming rumble as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to position herself as an anti-crime candidate by cleaning up her city's gang problem overnight. She would order an all-out attack on the gangs. And by the morning they'd all be in jail""

Icon thinks to himself that so far he'd surmised everything in the report.

""The KEY to the Mayor's plans were her "secret weapon". The "tear gas" the cops were to deploy was to be in reality a harmless radioactive marker, courtesy of Alva Industries. The marker would allow the police to track down any gang members who managed to slip away, even days later. At least that WAS the plan.""

""I'm aware of all this, as well. Instead of a smooth police action, something went horribly wrong. The "tear gas" killed upwards of 90 percent of the people it touched on contact. The "Survivors, the Bang Babies", were either mutated into piteous monsters or gifted with an extraordinary array of superpowers....."

Icon: ""It really wasn't tear gas, though, detective. Experimental or otherwise. It was a substance known as "Quantum Juice". And it was deliberately introduced into the tear gas. The police on the scene had no idea what they were spraying into those children....."

Det. McCollum: "Actually, there weren't any Dakota Police officers on the scene that night."

Icon: "I don't understand."

Det. McCollum: "Neither do I. But police duty records show that local patrols were pulled out of Paris Island. And G.R.I.N.D. was ordered to stand down."

"But witnesses say......" Icon starts to speak.

""That there were cops everywhere. Or at least a lot of people dressed in police uniforms. Perhaps to collect the new crop of "Bang Babies....."", says Det. McCollum.

"A conspiracy", says Icon.

"And a coverup," says Det. McCollum - "both of monstrous proportions. Despite the news reports, the death toll that night was in the HUNDREDS, not the twenty-three cited in the official report. The mayor's office knew what really happened within hours of the event. I can prove it."

Icon: "I don't suppose you can link this to Alva."

Det. McCollum: "Not directly. There's always been a certain teflon quality to his criminal activities. He may have even been an innocent dupe, this time."

"You believe me, then?" Asks McCollum.

"I do", says Icon.

The detective asks him where he is going.

"To see that justice is done", says Icon, as he flies off into the daylight.

The scene now pivots to Dharma's home base, Shadowspire. Dharma is a god-like being with the ability to foresee the future. He is also the leader of the Shadow Cabinet.

Dharma is in a large room sitting on a throne-like chair. The room has little light in it but due to some illuminating devices near the chair it is the only well-lit area in this room.

"Icon". Dharma says his name - with a hint of dread but anticipation. He was, in fact, expecting Icon.

"Dharma". Icon calls out his name with a purposeful tone.

Dharma starts with his explanation, knowing fully well what Icon is there for: ""Several weeks ago I asked you to join my Shadow Cabinet and prevent Dr. Nemo from contaminating the world with "Q-Juice"".

"Upon his defeat, Nemo made accusations regarding my participation in his plot...."

Icon: "He said that on the night of the Big Bang, YOU were responsible for the Q-Juice in the tear gas. You said nothing to refute him."

"Why should I?", says Dharma - as he turns his back towards Icon in a thoughtful pose.

Dharma continues to engage Icon with his reasoning for the Big Bang:

"I'll defer to your obvious expertise in sociopathy, Dharma. I just want the truth."

"Where you responsible for the Big Bang?"

"Yes". Dharma admits.

"Don't you understand, Icon? I have the ability to see the FUTURE. I'm responsible for EVERYTHING."

"I foresaw the experimentation that created the gas, I foresaw the chain of events that led to it being tested - first in laboratories, then Nemo's field test....on PARIS ISLAND...."

"I could have prevented it a dozen times."

"I also foresaw the GOOD that would come from that EVIL....I have foreseen that the SURVIVORS of The Big Bang would SOON be the world's ONLY HOPE for SURVIVAL......"

Icon turns away from Dharma with a disgusted and agitated look on his face. He tells him to not waste his time but tell him where Dr. Nemo is.

The scene pivots to Mayor Jefferson's office. Icon is in a light blue powdered suit with a black tie and white shirt. As he enters Mayor Jefferson's office she lets out a gleeful "What a surprise!" and proceeds to grab the lapels of his suit and kisses him directly on the lips.

Detective McCollum is behind Icon / Mr. Freeman as he enters Mayor Jefferson's office.

Augustus seems embarrassed by Ms. Jefferson's outward display of affection towards him, and he tells her that he'd rather keep such displays private - especially NOW....

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Icon and Detective McCollum get directly to the reason behind their visit. They directly confront Mayor Jefferson, accusing her of a massive coverup and involvement in what happened the night of the Big Bang.

While Icon is speaking, Det. McCullum hands her the thick dossier.

"Dam." It is the only word that Mayor Jefferson utters as a look of shame and dread falls over her being.

"Love - " She utters to Augustus - "I know you mean well, but you HAVE TO FORGET EVERYTHING." "They will KILL YOU", she claims, with a look of abject fear on her being.

"You have NO IDEA who you are dealing with."

As Augustus Freeman IV removes his glasses and promptly inserts his MASK over his eyes - finally revealing his SECRET IDENTITY to Mayor Jefferson - he retorts - in response to her statement:

"Neither do YOU, Mayor Jefferson....neither do YOU...."

"ICON!" A shocked Mayor Jefferson exclaims.

"Icon." He deadpans, with a serious look on his face. He asks Mayor Jefferson to turn herself in.

"I'll fight you on this EVERY STEP, Augustus. We're FINISHED!" She is inches away from Icon's face, with a look of anger and shock on her face.

"No Madam Mayor. I'm afraid YOU are finished.

The scene pivots to outside a jail cell in Old Downtown Dakota. The Bang Baby known as Payback, Kevin Jefferson, is being released from his cell. He is surprised at his newfound freedom and has many questions.

The escorting officer says that Mayor Jefferson wanted him released.

As he is walking away from his old cell Icon flies in and lands beside him.

"Hello Kevin", Icon calls out to him. Mr. Franklin states that he believes that he knows who he should thank for his newfound freedom as he gazes upon Icon with a look of thanks.

Icon, in turn, thanks HIM - for keeping his promise made back in Icon #3 to not use his powers to free himself from prison. He then promptly informs Kevin that he has gotten to the bottom of what happened at the Big Bang and those responsible for it. He asks Kevin if he wants to join him to confront those responsible.

Kevin transforms into the lizard-like monstrosity known as Payback and exclaims that he CERTAINLY wants in.

The scene then pivots to a mid-air encounter with the being known only as "DMZ".

Icon asks the Silent Sentinel for permission to speak with the Blood Syndicate's leader, Wise Son.

Icon gets directly to the point and asks Wise Son if he wants in on holding those responsible for the Big Bang. Wise Son - ever skeptical of Icon and his intentions - doesn't believe his offer.

Ms. Rob Chaplik, the investigative reporter for the local newspaper, appears and gives Icon immediate credence in his offer to Wise Son. She BELIEVES in Icon and what he's trying to accomplish and she reassures Wise Son that this offer is legit.

The scene FINALLY pivots to Sadler, Dakota - the home of Virgil Hawkins, Static. Icon is meeting with Static to give him the same offer as Wise Son and Payback before him.

Static and Icon are talking in an open field, under a tree. It appears to be late in the day and windy, with leaves and debris blowing about. Static's right hand is aglow with HIS Bang Baby power, which is the control of electricity.

Static: "....so Dharma just TOLD you where to go and get Dr. Nemo?"

"That is essentially correct, Static - yes."

"Icon - I was THERE the night of the Big Bang. That is how I got my powers, you know. I saw DOZENS of kids who weren't so lucky die right in front of me."

"What do YOU want from the universe, Static?" Icon asks quizzically?

"Justice, Icon. I want justice." Static looks directly at Icon and points his finger at him.

The scene now pivots to Paris, France. This is the home base of Dr. Nemo. He is resting comfortably in his hideout in PLAIN SIGHT....but UNSEEN to EVERYONE unless he concentrates to make himself visible.

Dr. Nemo's powers are quite simple - in that unless he CONCENTRATES he is INVISIBLE to everyone. He relishes this power of his and uses it to FULL advantage as he resides in one of the finest hotels in Paris - for FREE.

As he plots his next great move against humanity he is startled when he hears a LOUD "WHOOM!"

Wise Son enters the room where Nemo is in but - of course - doesn't see him. But Nemo sees HIM - in his full fury and rage. Wise Son's fists are clenched as he screams out to his invisible prey.

"NEMO! I know you're in here! Give it up, man!"

"Fool!" "You can't see me unless I WANT to be seen!" Nemo screams as he hurls a green-hued pitcher of some pineapple-colored drink at Wise Son. The pitcher explodes on Wise's face, leaving him dripping wet and angrier than ever.

Wise Son then proceeds to demolish EVERYTHING within reach as he mindlessly tries to get in a lucky blow against his unseen foe.

As Dr. Nemo tries to sneak out of the room he sees both Static and Payback waiting outside. Of course, they do not see him but Nemo is still startled by their presence.

"You know what Nemo's gotta be thinking right now, Payback?" Says Static.

"I dunno....better get the hell out of that room?" says Payback.

"That would be my guess," says Static.

"Of course, once I test my theory that we can make him visible with magnetic resonance, we won't HAVE to guess."

"No need, Static", says Icon. "Even IF it works Dr. Nemo would just readjust his invisibility and disappear within moments."

"However, Dharma - who told me where to find Nemo - also told me a secret about Bang Babies. If you bathe them in POSITRON ENERGY, the Quantum well surrounding them gives off mild gamma particles."

"That is, to say - THEY GLOW." "ALL of them - GLOW!" The source of Icon's Energy Projection - Positron - now glimmers from his right hand as he holds it above his head, waving it like a lantern.

Dr. Nemo, as well as Payback and Static - begin to give off the mild aura of gamma radiation, just like Icon stated. Wise Son enters the hallway and he, too - glows.

Dr. Nemo is now in SHOCK as he appears before those who he has evaded - until NOW. He tries to become invisible again but has reached the limits of his power.

Dr. Nemo is unable to escape Icon's Positron Energy bath and in the process of concentrating too hard he disintegrates himself - crumbling into a pitiful pile of bones right before everyone's eyes.

"AAHHH!!" is Dr. Nemo's last words.

The fateful encounter switches back to Dharma's hideout of Shadowspire. Icon, Static, Wise Son and Payback are there as they speak with him about what has just happened.

"And so it ENDS..." "As I knew that it MUST."

"The FIRST Bang Baby is no more, revealed by the light of those who dare seek the truth. His evil destroyed by the simple act of EXPOSURE."

Icon then tells Dharma that he has asked Payback to REMAIN with Dharma - to keep an eye on him and his actions. Dharma accepts Payback's new role as his conscience.

The story now pivots to Edwin Alva's headquarters, with Icon confronting Hardware's arch foe about HIS role in the Q-Juice development.

"The tear gas grenades used at the big bang were manufactured by Alva Industries. And the story is about to break."

Icon continues: "Perhaps, not surprisingly, given your history, I can't prove you responsible for the toxic gas in the grenades but I CAN hold you responsible."

"Toxic gas!" "I'm shocked!" Alva rises from behind his desk as he tries to feign ignorance.

Icon continues" You're CONCERNED, as well - so much so that you are going to FUND an institution dedicated to the care and socialization of Bang Babies."

"This is a VERY expensive proposition but much cheaper than making an enemy of ME."

"So one might suspect", says Alva - enlightened to Icon's suggestion.

"We have a DEAL, then. I so do admire a man who knows how to work within the system."

"Never give me cause to return here, Alva" says Icon and he departs from Alva's headquarters.

Icon pays one final visit to his close friend and partner, Rocket. He gives here a new costume, replete with a new face piece, before he tells her that with his promise fulfilled and his escape pod repaired by Hardware he is about to depart Earth.

He tells her that the costume is a parting gift, much to Rocket's shock and dismay.

Icon and Rocket #21, January 1995. By Dwayne McDuffie, writer. M.D. Bright, penciller. Mike Gustovich and Steve Mitchell, inkers. Jason Scott Jones, painted color. Andrew Burrell, color assist. Steve Dutro, letterer. Matt Wayne, editor.


This issue begins with Raquel Ervin, Rocket, alone on Dakotaverse's dilapidated bridge. She's throwing rocks out into the water as she ponders her life with Dakota's hero, Icon, and her OWN issues she now has to ponder - such as the upcoming birth of her son. She is also wondering who can she recruit to take her place as Rocket as she spends time with her child once he is born.

She seems bitter that Icon is leaving Earth and she is remaining behind. She also recalls how she stumbled across Augustus Freeman IV, Icon - and the fateful events leading up to it.

The same night of the Big Bang event Raquel, her boyfriend Noble, and 2 other teens decided to go a different path other than join up with the hundreds of teens present at that fateful event. She laments that it was this same night that she also laid with Noble and became pregnant.

The four teens also planned on breaking into and robbing the mysterious mansion that she would later realize as Mr. Freeman's estate. They had no idea that Augustus Freeman IV, Icon - would change all of their lives forever.

It was Noble, Raquel's boyfriend - that had a gun. When Mr. Freeman happened upon them in his mansion a startled Noble first thought that he was the butler, but as Augustus Freeman IV explained that HE, in fact, owned the mansion and the four teens were intruders, Noble pulled the trigger in fear.

The blast struck Icon directly in the chest, knocking him to the floor. Almost immediately, he arose - much to the terror and shock of Raquel and her three friends. His chest - with the exception of a hole in his shirt, was blemish free.

As he arose, the four teens rushed as fast as they could from the mansion. What they witnessed NEXT would begin to change their lives FOREVER -

A Black man FLEW.

Icon - his green robe waving in the night sky, was in flight - as effortlessly as an eagle, flying towards the fleeing teens. As they saw that their running was in vain they stopped and listened in shock and surprise to what Icon had to say. He scolded them, told them to make better choices with their lives - and told them that as long as they never returned to his mansion he would not turn them into the authorities.

He also made them promise to NEVER tell anyone that they witnessed - from the failed gunshot to witnessing him in flight.

Raquel Ervin, still in shock at what she witnessed, went home and began to see new POSSIBILITIES with her life. She had NEVER planned on seeing a Black Man flying and started to see other possibilities with her life that she had not pondered until NOW....

She immediately planned on returning to Icon's mansion and even started drawing up COSTUME DESIGNS for the two of them to become SUPERHEROES:

"So I set out to create an example for everyone else, too - a symbol of hope. An ICON".

In Mr. Freeman's office, she presented him her PLAN:

"I sold my butt off. I told the flying man that he could help LOTS of people - just like he helped ME. If only they could SEE".

"And the flying man, who turned out to be a lawyer named Augustus Freeman IV, agreed that he would use his special powers to be my Icon".

"The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men. It is the problem of developing the best of this race that they may guide the mass away from the contamination and the death of the worst in their own and other races" - W.E.B. Dubois

"We have been worked. Now let us learn to work" - Booker T. Washington.

Rocket remembers how her speech to Icon WORKED - and how they promptly set out to become Superheroes to Dakotaverse.

The next few panels displays much of their exploits leading up to now - with Icon's encounter with superpowered gang called The Blood Syndicate, to his battle with Holocaust, his encounter with the mysterious and silent DMZ, to his fateful and EPIC fight with SUPERMAN - whom he fought to a DRAW.

Rocket now grounds herself in the present and lets out a strained "sigh" as she realizes that Icon has left Earth and she fights her bitterness towards him because of his decision. She claims that he cares nothing for her.

The scene now pivots towards Icon and his visit with Noble - Rocket's former boyfriend and the father of her child. The startled Noble knows exactly who Icon is, as he begins to speak with him.

Noble calls Icon "The Flying Man", and excitedly explains that he's kept his promise he made that night. He promised Icon that he would stay out of trouble and that he wouldn't utter to anyone what he saw. He even stated that he gave back everything that they tried to steal from him that night.

As surprised onlookers gawk at Icon talking to Noble, they proceed alone to a park bench and he begins to speak with Noble about his responsibilities - namely, the pending birth of his child by Raquel Ervin.

"Raquel's choice to bear your child is a fact. You are going to be a father. That, too, is a fact. As a father, you have responsibilities. You must see to it that your child is fed, clothed, sheltered and educated. At a minimum."

"An honorable man is bound by his responsibilities, regardless of the circumstances that created them."

"Honor demands that you protect the innocent. Humanity demands that you protect your own."

I ask one thing, Noble - live up to your name."

After his talk with Noble, Icon visits The Armored Superhero of Dakotaverse in Curtis Metcalf, Hardware. Hardware is busy breaking up a gang of thieves trying to steal technology that he is responsible for. He is startled to see Icon hovering next to him as he combats his foes but engages him in conversation anyway.

Icon is asking Hardware to help bear the responsibility of protecting Dakota while he is away. Hardware believes that his faith in him is misplaced but Icon convinces him, anyway.

Icon's next visit is with the Silent Sentinel known as DMZ. He finds him twirling his lantern atop a building, some as yet unknown ritual of his. This time he is with two others, a male and female dressed in the same colorful garb as he.

Icon begins to speak with DMZ:

"It is time to go home".

DMZ nods, then beckons to his two friends as he notions to them that he wishes to communicate with Icon alone. He tells Icon in some unknown tongue that he wishes to remain on Earth - as both a protector and to continue his ties with The Blood Syndicate.

DMZ then motions to his two companions to please keep his presence on Earth a secret.

Icon's final visit is with his close friend and partner, Raquel Ervin - Rocket. She is in the same place she was on the dilapidated bridge. Raquel already knows what he's there for and begins one final attempt at trying to convince him to change his mind.

He gives her a small trinket which appears to be a metallic globe with many panels on it. The device fits easily in Rocket's palm.

Icon calls the device a keepsake - one which Rocket will know the true purpose of it in due time.

As the two hug one final time she tells him that she loves him and he returns the sentiment.



"But what about all those centuries in chains? Where do they go when you're free?" Walter Mosely.

"To each his reach." George Clinton.