Challengers of the Unknown (Volume 3) #17 is an issue of the series Challengers of the Unknown (Volume 3) with a cover date of June, 1998.
Synopsis for "Black Helicopter"
In the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho, the Challengers of the Unknown are chased by an armed mob. Marlon manages to separate one member of the militia to talk reason into him but as they do, the young gunman is swallowed up by a beast in white light. Once he disappears, the helicopters chasing the Challs also vanish and several militiamen double back and surround the heroes at gunpoint. Their leader Hec Warden tells the group to let them go—they need to work together to solve the mystery of what is happening in the mountains.
They are essentially imprisoned by the militia and Marlon tries to talk sense into them. Brenda suggests that the best way to learn what is happening is to be abducted by the monster and try to board one of the helicopters chasing them. Brenda and Warden draw out one of the black helicopters who abducts him but he drops his tracking device, leaving them unable to find where he is. Marlon also gets abducted and his tracking device implies that he hasn't gone anywhere.
Marlon and the militia members are held in an underground cave. Most of the men are strung up along the cave walls, but one is free to roam and claims that he is the light-bringer of some greater being. He transforms into a large bird and attacks Marlon with an energy blast from his beak.
The other Challengers follow behind and confront the light-bringer, who transforms into various beasts but is stalled when Kenn shows no fear. He explains that they have all experienced the white light before and Finlay explains his story: 140 years ago, he was contacted by the light and it gave him a special mission to feed on the darkness and fear in the hearts of humans. Clay tells him to look into the Challengers' hearts and it blinds the beast-man. Everyone returns to the surface except militia man Finlay, who chooses to fight the light-bringer.
Appearing in "Black Helicopter"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Freedom Ridge Militia (First appearance)
- Finlay (First appearance)
- Hec Warden (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Light-bringer (First appearance)
Locations:
- Idaho
- Bitterroot Mountains
- Bitterroot Mountains
See Also