You wanted to rediscover your humanity...
: Captain Atom
- Yes. Here, with these good people, I think I am on my way.
: Red Tornado
Captain Atom (Volume 2) #38 is an issue of the series Captain Atom (Volume 2) with a cover date of February, 1990.
Synopsis for "Haunted"
For the fourth time in three weeks, Nathaniel Adam have been dreaming the same nightmare of the Black Racer, the personification of Death to the New Gods, seeking to claim his life. Nate tries to pass this off as stress from planning to disclose to the Justice League International branch about his role in spying them for the U.S. government.
Captain Atom holds his meeting with the JLI and explaining to them of his covert job, and sincerely apologizing to them for betraying their trust and is willing to take full responsibility for his actions. But to Nate's surprise, the Leaguers are not taken aback at all by the revelation and candidly left him off. Rocket Red, Dmitri Pushkin, even points out that everyone had already knew Nate was an American spy not any different from Dmitri's predecessor.
Shortly afterwards, Nate is surprised to meet once again with Red Tornado, who is now in a temporary body made for him by Firestorm. Tornado is seeking Nate's help to find a permanent and useful body, and to rediscover his lost humanity. He specifically chose Nate because he is the only mortal to have established real contact with since his transformation from android to elemental, and that trying to reconnect with his old JLA comrades would not be much help. Nate agrees to help Tornado. Catherine then informs Nate about a phone call from Chester King trying to reach before yelling the words "Silver Shield."
Captain Atom and Tornado flies to Las Vegas in a few hours and finding the Yarrow Detective Agency vacant. They only find a note left by Chester for Nate, which reveals that Chester has took Silver Shield to his home. Nate and Tornado then follow to Chester's address while unknowingly followed by the Black Racer.
The two find Silver Shield helping to paint the house with Chester, his wife Bonnie Rest and his mother-in-law Zelda. Chester explains to Nate that Silver has been well adjusted in living with them, but still having trouble to learn the concept of "fiction" while watching television. Furthermore, Silver's naive and child-like behavior meant well for Chester and Bonnie, who are soon to have a child. Nate and Tornado are invited to stay for dinner.
While being alone with Tornado and Silver at the family pool, Nate is shocked to see a reflection of the Black Racer on the pool's surface. Tornado informs him that he has detected his presence and is waiting nearby. Nate believes that he is coming for him and plans to leave without the Kings coming into harm. But Tornado informs Nate that the Racer is not a foe, a "super-villain" to confront, and that his presence lingers to the Kings' house rather with Nate. So they must stay in hope of defeating the New God of Death. Tornado's deduction soon proves correct when Bonnie suddenly collapse during dinner. Nate has Silver Shield to very carefully transport Bonnie to the hospital with Chester and Red Tornado coming along, before preventing the Racer from taking Bonnie and her unborn child.
Bonnie is rushed to the emergency room and her baby is delivered. But the baby is not breathing due to the umbilical cord having been wrapped around her neck. Fortunately, Tornado uses his powers to resuscitate the baby by sending a gentle breeze into the baby's lungs. With that, the Black Racer disappears into the aether. Thereafter, Chester and his family gives their thanks to Nate, Silver, and Tornado, and the baby is named Beth after Chester's mother. Through of all this, Tornado has finally found his way to rediscover his humanity.
Meanwhile, Alec Rois, aka The Ghost, has taken over the Kobra Cult and later rescuing the Cambodian from custody.
Appearing in "Haunted"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Red Tornado (Flashback and main story)
- Silver Shield
- Chester King
- Bonnie Rest
- Zelda Rest
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Justice League Europe
- Firestorm (Flashback only)
Locations:
- France
- Washington, D.C.
- Nevada
- Las Vegas
- 2688 Sandhill Road
- Las Vegas
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- Red Tornado gained his new body from Firestorm as depicted in Firestorm (Volume 2) #93.
See Also