TITLE: John Byrne’s Next Men Issue #2
YEAR: March 1992
COMPANY: Dark Horse Comics
Story & Art: John Byrne
Colors: Matt Webb
Executive Editor: Randy Stradley
Managing Editor: Barbara Kesel
In the first issue of “John Byrne’s Next Men”, the story started out with Bethany, Danny, Jack, Jasmine and Nathan escaping with investigator Tony Murcheson from “The Greenery”, an agricultural research lab project authorized by the government.
These five individuals did not know their lives inside “The Greenery” was just an illusion and now that Tony has broken them out, they have become targeted by the government, specifically project head Senator Aldus Hilltop.
Unfortunately, Tony has been shot and is badly wounded but she is determined to escape with these individuals who happen to have special abilities.
In the second issue, part of the group were arrested by the Sheriff Wyatt Coffey, while Tony and Jack are sent to the hospital in town for their injuries.
Meanwhile, Danny went to look for help and he is picked up and helped by a friendly stranger named Willis Ducummen.
As the Sheriff try to get Nathan, Bethany and Jasmine questions, he thinks they are trying to skirt the questions but in truth, they don’t know what he’s talking about. But the Sheriff wonders if they may be terrorists.
As for Danny,Willis takes him into town to get him some clothes.
As Nathan, Bethany and Jasmine find a way to escape thanks to Bethany’s hair (since she is invulnerable), the three feel that the only way they can make it alive is if they split and hopefully reunite later. If the split, hopefully it will lead them back to Danny or Jack.
And the true antagonist responsible for freeing the group has revealed himself.
For the most part, the second issue is an extension of the first issue. Introduction of characters and now seeing them displaced and seeing how the real world is nothing like they experienced in the Greenery.
Another cool issue of the “The Next Men”!