DC: The New Frontier Vol 1 4

{{DC Database:Comic Template
 * Title              = DC: The New Frontier
 * Image              = DC New Frontier 4.jpg
 * Volume             = 1
 * Issue              = 4
 * Month              = July
 * Year               = 2004


 * Executive Editor   =
 * CoverArtist1       =


 * Editor1_1          = Mark Chiarello
 * Editor1_2          = Valerie d'Orazio
 * Writer1_1          = Darwyn Cooke


 * Penciler1_1        = Darwyn Cooke


 * Inker1_1           =
 * Colourist1_1       = Dave Stewart
 * Letterer1_1        = Jared K. Fletcher


 * PreviousIssue      =
 * NextIssue          =
 * Event              =


 * Quotation          =
 * Speaker            =


 * StoryTitle1        = Mystery in Space
 * Synopsis1          =

Chapter Eight: Government Issues
It is now the year 1958 in Central City, Barry Allen hears the radio at work about Gorilla Grodd loose in the city. As the Flash, he finds Gorilla Grodd but reveals to be a trap as Grodd turns out to be a robot, releasing a loud vibrational sound that stuns the speedster. Then government agents led by King Faraday appears and entrap Flash in a net. After ordering his agents to create a smokescreen in the area, Faraday approach Flash stating that he is now the "property" of the American government and shoots a tranquiler dart at Flash; however, shock of his capture and Faraday's statement, Flash escape by phasing through the net before being hit by the dart.

In Coast City, Hal Jordan and Carol Ferris are at an auto show to meet with Ace Morgan and June Robbins, who the later was told by Ace to Hal and Carol being the newest member of the Challengers of the Unknown.

Meanwhile in Gotham City Police Department, John Jones looks at his personal wall of article clippings consisting of UFO sightings and civil rights issues, including the vigilante that plagued the Klu Klux Klan, John Henry, as called by the press, in which John sees him as a true American hero. John is then needed by his fellow officers in interrogating a crazed man named Harry Lieter for shooting a police officer and "saving" his mother (heavily implied that he killed his mother). During his interrogation, John learns via his mind-reading and conversation that Lieter was formerly an engineer at Ferris Aircraft in California and that he went crazy and paranoid after learning about Task Force X's information of hidden Martians "taking over the Earth." After several hours the interrogation is interrupted by King Faraday and his agents who are here to retrieve and arrest Lieter. After the former engineer is taken away, Faraday, Commissioner Gordon, and John talks of signing Lieter's release. Faraday acknowledge John's interest in aliens and UFOs, and sharing a pleasure with him before signing the release. After shaking Faraday's hand, John read Faraday's mind and confirming his presence on Earth is known by the government and that they are actually building a rocket to Mars.

Meanwhile at Ferris Aircraft, Hal Jordan and Task Force X are practicing their space flight on a simulator. During the simulation involving in a meteor field Rick Flagg argues Hal's risky actions for the scenario in which Hal reply that he have it under control. But, the simulation failed forcing Flagg to be frustrated over Hal's showboating.

As Hal sits outside of Ferris' office, he could hear the arguments between Carol, Rick Flagg, and Faraday over Hal's involvement in Operation Flying Cloud. Flagg coerce Carol to relinquish Hal from the operation to a simple control operator to oversee the operation's control center, shooting down Hal's chance in space.

In Tennessee, John Henry is wounded in the leg by the Klan as he flees into an alley. Weakened he fell into a backyard and is discovered by a young white girl. John Henry begs her to help him, but she reveals his whereabouts to the Klans.

Three days later on the television show The Big Picture that is broadcast across the nation, the show host reveals that John Henry was killed by the Klan. Despite his death the show host praise his stance against the serious issue of racial violence and heavily criticizing the American government for its ineptness and its hypocrisy of fighting for freedom when it couldn't even save its own citizens. Among that watched The Big Picture is John Jones, who is heavily dismayed of John Henry's death.

Meanwhile in Paradise Island, Superman flies above to meet with Wonder Woman. He ask her as to why she retire from her superheroine duties and the reason for leaving the United States. Wonder Woman corrects him that the reason she leave is because of the government force her to of her ideals, and that the nation that they know is not the same when they fought for during World War Two. She finally states to Superman that America needs compassion and spirit, not an administration before leaving back to her island.

Back in Gotham, J'onn J'onzz sits in his darken apartment after being perturbed of John Henry's death and of racism. This also came to him to reflect of how his new adopted home would treat him differently if he reveal his identity. He then finds comfort for his problems by watching television. While watching a news report the Flash suddenly appears on the show. Flash states that after three years of being a hero and saving people, he is treated more as a criminal in which mentioning of his incident with Faraday despite his heroics. And seeing that his country sees less of him Flash decides to retire. After watching this J'onn made his decision to leave Earth.

That night, appearing as John Jones, he and James Gordon awaits for Batman on GCPD's rooftop. They are met by the Dark Knight and John privately talks with him about the Centre situation. He brief of his finding of the Centre Cult's book and that all his compiled research in his apartment are his (Batman) to solve. After Batman's departure, Gordon gives his pleasure to John for working with him.

Batman investigate John's findings and calls someone that he needs to look at and to be meet on next Tuesday.

Chapter Nine: Flying Cloud
At Ferris Aircraft, the launch for Operation Flying Cloud is in preparation for take off. Hal apologize Rick Flagg for his previous actions in the simulator and wish him for the flight. Flagg likewise accepts and states to Hal that it is wasn't his ride.

The entire base is prepare for the launch, with the help of Doctor Will Magnus and his team in cloaking Soviet radar for detecting the launch. Faraday then notice from his monitors of the appearance of J'onn J'onzz near the base of the rocket.

Beneath Flying Cloud J'onn plans to board the hull of the ship. However, his plan is dash and is hold at gunpoint by Faraday, who believes that J'onn plans on sabotaging the rocket. J'onn quickly subdues him, knocking him unconscious. The countdown for the ship begins to start, but J'onn realizing that Faraday will be kill from the launch force him to save Faraday, abandoning his chance to leave for Mars, and is weaken by the rocket blast.

Thirty hours later at Nellis Air Force Base, Faraday visits a imprisoned J'onn. He explains to the Martian that after they were safely away from Flying Cloud's rocket blast they were founded by the base's Military Polices and that J'onn have been passed out for a day. Faraday then wants to know why J'onn save him given that he has the chance to leave Earth. J'onn explain to him that he don't want to let another living thing to die unnecessarily. But also that after knocking out Faraday he looked into the agent's mind (and heart) he finds that Faraday is pure of good who believes that one day the world won't be living in fear and hate. And with this fills J'onn with renewed hope for humanity much to Faraday's self-astonishment. Faraday is then briefed that he is needed at Ferris Aircraft.

At Ferris Aircraft Faraday learns from Carol Ferris that upon Flying Cloud reaching into space Jess Bright went insane due to his mental problems and tries to sabotage the rocket, in which he was plunged into space to his death. Flagg and Karin Grace are safe within Flying Cloud's forward hatch, but they are lacking fuel and are on the course of burning up to re-enter Earth's atmosphere. Faraday contacts with Flagg and wants to know about "the cargo" in which Flagg states that he couldn't eject it and wants to talk with Hal.

Flagg admits to Hal that during the war he has served with Ace Morgan, Farday and particularly Hal's father, Martin "Martini" Jordan in which they bonded together throughout the conflict. Before Martin's death his friends favor him the most because of being the only one to have a family among them, and since Martin's passing and Hal's involvement in the Korean War drove Flagg and the others to lookout for him. By now it is Flagg's turn to watch over and having the decision to use the "cargo" and the survival odds of the people he served with convince him that Hal's isn't likely to live through the operation.

Hal receives contact from Ace Morgan and the Challengers that they know about Flying Cloud's re-entry and are speeding to the rocket in their ship for help. However, Faraday contacts Ace to immediately abort their rescue but the Challengers ignore him. Frustrated, Faraday decides to call "the big guy".

In Tokyo, Japan Superman is fighting a giant robot while being contacted and refer to as Bishop Six by Faraday.

At Ferris Aircraft, Faraday reveals to Hal and Carol that the "cargo" that Flying Cloud carries are weapons of mass destruction which are used in a scenario if the Martians were a serious threat. Given Flying Cloud's re-entry to Earth would release the weapons' destruction over the planet, Flagg knows he would have to destroy the ship. And if the Challengers were to "save" Flying Cloud, everything would be lost.

In space, the Challengers' jet reach over and jettison its twin missiles piloted by Red Ryan and Rocky Davis. The missiles reach to Flying Cloud and Rocky and Red attach tow cables to the rocket's wings and attempts to angle its entry.

On Earth, Superman defeats the robot and contacts with Faraday. Red and Rocky are able to adjust Flying Cloud's entry but are themselves at a peril to die in the entry. In the rocket, Flagg's life flash before him and knowing of the weapons if were to release into the atmosphere, both he and Karin embrace and destroy the rocket. Outside Superman was able to save Rock and Red.

Sometime later, Flagg and Karin's funeral was held at Arlington Cemetery and were given a 21 gun salute (which was usually reserved for Memorial Day and dead presidents) as Faraday sadly sits near their graves.

At Ferris Aircraft, Hal, with permission from engineer Tom "Pieface" Kalmaku, have a moment with the Flying Cloud simulator moping over his chance in space. Suddenly a green light stirs around him.

Hearing a rocking movement in the simulator room from her office, Carol races there and finds the simulator and Hal are absent and a large gaping hole above the ceiling.

Featured Characters: Supporting Characters:
 * Appearing1 =
 * Hal Jordan
 * Martian Manhunter/John Jones
 * John Henry
 * The Flash
 * King Faraday
 * Carol Ferris
 * Task Force X
 * Richard Flag, Sr.
 * Karin Grace
 * Jess Bright


 * James Gordon
 * Slam Bradley
 * Wonder Woman
 * Superman
 * Batman
 * Challengers of the Unknown
 * Kyle "Ace" Morgan
 * June Robbins
 * Matthew "Red" Ryan
 * Lester "Rocky" Davis
 * Walter "Prof" Haley

Villains: Other Characters: Locations: Items: Vehicles:
 * Thomas "Pieface" Kalmaku
 * Ku Klux Klan
 * Jay Garrick
 * Adam Strange
 * William Magnus
 * Vandal Savage
 * Central City
 * Coast City, California
 * Metropolis
 * Gotham City
 * Paradise Island
 * Ferris Aircraft
 * Bat-Signal
 * Flying Cloud

}}
 * Notes              =
 * This issue dedicates to John Broome, Will Eisner, Frank Frazetta, and Wally Wood.
 * June Robbins' induction to the Challengers due for helping the team about a "giant robot thing" is a reference to the mainstream June Robbins' creation of the robot Ultivac that cause her to join the Challengers.
 * Trivia             =
 * Faraday's statement to Flash of being placed "next to Rex Tyler (Hourman)" reveals that Rex survived his near fatal fall in issue #1 and has been kept imprisoned and under watch by Task Force X's Argent and that his death was covered up. This is evident in Chapter Nine as Tyler's name is imprinted under a security TV monitor that observe his cell in Nellis Air Force Base which is used as a prison for "mystery men."
 * Also in Nellis' prison is Captain Cold (albeit in name only).
 * Among the newspaper cuts on J'onn J'onzz's office walls is an article on Rosa Parks' arrest.
 * The reporter that Flash replaced in his announcement was Walter Cronkite.
 * Recommended        =
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