New Talent Showcase #1 is an issue of the series New Talent Showcase (Volume 1) with a cover date of January, 1984.
Synopsis for "Forever Amber"
Amber is the mixed daughter of Vietnamese woman, Su Wan, and an American officer named Roderick Jones. Her father left the country before Amber was born and she grew up ostracized and isolated from both sides of her identity. Growing up in war-torn Vietnam, she was taught about Buddha, as well as the Hindu goddess, Kali, and the concept that everything, including Death, is an illusion. She was then forced to flee with her mother to Cambodia along with many other Vietnamese citizens. This caused the money her father would send them around the world to stop coming and Amber's mother dies of an illness.
Amber becomes bitter and decides to rob a Dacoits Temple, and finds many rare jewels she can sell. She then spots a gold quarts in the eye of a statue to the Dacouts' god, and when she takes it, it seers itself into her hand. As she collapses in pain, she is surrounded by Dacoit warriors who attempt to kill her, but she defeats them all, unleashing the power of the crystal in her hand to shoot energy and turn stuff into amber crystal. The Dacoits warriors surrender to Amber, seeing her as the living embodiment of their god, and she leaves with the jewels and takes a ship to go find her father in America.
Appearing in "Forever Amber"
Featured Characters:
- Amber Wan-Jones
- Su Wan
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Dacoits Warriors
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
- Sunstone
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Sky Dogs Away"
Captain Hawke leads the Moonjammer, a flying pirate ship that targets other pirates. While attacking a ship alongside his first mate, Ndemba, he ends up saving the princess of India. Hawke's fortune tell, Mullah Ka Kuwaja, then sees in his crystal ball that the princess's palace has been attacked by Captain Kidd and the Wizard Melin who seek to find the "seven jewels of power". The princess promises Hawke "anything" if he can save her father, and so he and his crew set forth to stop them.
Appearing in "Sky Dogs Away"
Featured Characters:
- Captain Hawke
Supporting Characters:
- Ndemba
- Princess Zelaleddin
- Mullah Ka Kuwaja
Antagonists:
- Captain Kidd
- Melin
Other Characters:
- The Mogul
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- Moonjammer
Synopsis for "The Rock of Ages"
Paul March climbs a tall mountain on the other end of the world and finds an old hermit. He has expected Paul. Paul came here seeking understanding of the universe, but the Hermit explains that it is not something that can be explained with mere words and Paul lashes out at the hermit in frustration. In his rage, he kills the ancient old man and is left with no other option than to sit where the hermit did and contemplate the universe. Eventually he does come to an understanding, just as a new explorer makes his way up the mountain and finds him.
Appearing in "The Rock of Ages"
Featured Characters:
- Paul March
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Class Trip"
A virus is stolen from a space lab on Mars in the year 2064. Meanwhile, a party-happy kid named Pern travels to earth on a school trip, where he meets a young girl who is secretly carrying the virus with her.
Appearing in "Class Trip"
Featured Characters:
- Pern
Supporting Characters:
- Quiz Whiz
- Chryse Bantry
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- Wrap-around cover penciled and inked by all four artists.
See Also
Links and References
