In prison I had a dream, a recurring nightmare. I was standing before the giant seal of the Manhunters. The lion's head was alive and it spoke to me. "Remove your mask," it commanded. I'd raise my hands to take off the mask -- and discover I couldn't. Metal and flesh had bonded together. My own face had been obliterated, my identity lost forever to the cult. I'd wake up in my cell, screaming. I remember that dream every time I put on my mask. No one controls me now. No one dictates my actions. I am Manhunter because it is my choice. 
Manhunter #14 is an issue of the series Manhunter (Volume 1) with a cover date of June, 1989.
Synopsis for "The Janus Directive, Part 6: Misdirection"
Mark is in his apartment opening a package sent by Gary DeVries of the Southern Cross Salvage Corporation containing a smaller, stripped-down version of his mask that's easily portable. Amanda Waller arrives at his door with a mission. Belle Reve was attacked with Amanda the target of attempted assassination. Unsure of who to trust, Waller needs someone to investigate Anaconda Industries, a company in Chicago. It's involved somehow and Amanda needs details. Shaw refuses telling Amanda he's not an industrial spy and doesn't have the necessary skills. He tells her to hire a professional. Amanda reveals she did and they're either captured or dead which lessens Mark's willingness. Amanda reminds him that she's helped him on several occassions to no avail. Finally Amanda admits she's scared and Mark concedes.
Mark contacts Oracle via his laptop when he reaches Chicago and learns she can find no information supporting Amanda's assertions. Anaconda Industries did have rather high energy bills and large spending in the research and development department that didn't match their ususal work. Mark considered that enough to warrant a closer look and he sneaks into the building. He peers down a long elevator shaft of what was supposed to be a five-story building. He slips quietly into the bottom floor and heads towards the sound of voices. He hears and sees scientists discussing a new microwave-energy gun designed to destroy machinery and, in high enough concentrations, human brains. They test the gun on a rat in a model building; the rat dies but the building is unharmed. They then turn the gun on Manhunter who realizes they knew he was there all along. He leaps taking out the gun but lands hard on his ankle. He is beset upon by Blackadders, Kobra's ninja forces some with high-technology helmets and shoulder jetpacks. Mark calls the Suicide Squad (via a microphone specially installed in his baton) asking for help but there's no response. He makes his way out of the building but still no reinforcements. Manhunter makes his way to his motorcycle but cannot shake the Blackadders. He catches and jumps onto the roof of an elevated train but they continue to attack staying outside of his baton's range. One of the Blackadders grapples with him and the two fall off the train. The Blackadder hits the third rail and dies and Manhunter leaps into the river. He is shot several times and does not surface. The Blackadders know the leader will demand proof of Manhunter's death and dive into the water. One of them surfaces with Manhunter's damaged tunic and mask.
Appearing in "The Janus Directive, Part 6: Misdirection"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Kobra Cult
- Anaconda Industries
- Blackadders
Other Characters:
- Southern Cross Salvage Corporation (Behind the scenes)
- Gary DeVries (Behind the scenes)
- Oracle (Behind the scenes)
Locations:
Items:
- Manhunter Mask
- Manhunter's Power Baton
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue is part of the Janus Directive crossover event. The correct reading order is: 1. Checkmate #15, 2. Suicide Squad #27, 3. Checkmate #16, 4. Suicide Squad #28, 5. Checkmate #17, 6. Manhunter #14, 7. Firestorm #86, 8. Suicide Squad #29, 9. Checkmate #18, 10. Suicide Squad #30, and 11. Captain Atom Vol 2 #30.
Trivia
- This issue is the first one to depict Mark Shaw smoking a tobacco pipe. It also establishes that Mark lives on the top story of a five-story building with no elevators.