“Next Men” is one of the coolest stories worth reading and one who is curious about this title, should give this series a chance!
TITLE: John Byrne’s Next Men Issue #4
YEAR: June 1992
COMPANY: Dark Horse Comics
Story & Art: John Byrne
Colors: Matt Webb
Executive Editor: Randy Stradley
Managing Editor: Barbara Kesel
In the last issue, Jasmine and Bethany fell into an underground hole and encounter what looks like an alien-like being which happens to be their friend David.
With the fifth issue of John Byrne’s “Next Men”, the story begins with showing us in sometime back in the past as Jasmine and Jack being intimate with each other, but are interrupted by David.
Jack is jealous that David is paying a lot of attention to Jasmine, and Nathan tries to calm him down and tell him that David is not a threat and he and Jasmine belong with each other.
As David and Jasmine are training, as they take a break, David tries to tell her that Jack is not good for her and he’s a big oaf. David then tries to make a move on Jasmine and immediately Jasmine notices something wrong with his hands and that his fingers are fusing together.
Flashforward to the present and both the women are wondering what happened to him (as he looks like an insect alien).
Meanwhile, the group tries to formulate a plan as they know authorities are after them.
Back to the past, the group tries to confront David that he’s reaching but David refuses to believe it. As Jack tries to reason with him, David strikes Jack’s arm and Jack bashes his face quite badly. David tells Jasmine that she can find someone better, she deserves someone better and then suddenly David starts to fade and disappear in Jasmine’s arms, leaving Jasmine distraught.
Back to the present and David explains what happened when he faded and recalls people drawing blood and fluid samples and getting tissue to run tests.
When he awoke, he was surrounded by corpses and bones and then he was sprayed with acid which seared all his flesh, but as his skin healed, he metamorphose and changed to what he is now. He disabled the acid nozzles and discovered explosive charges which he disabled.
The authorities discover the three and start shooting, hearing gunshots, the group rushes to their aid.
David tells the two ladies that he plans to detonate the explosives and as Danny rushes in with his super speed to save the two ladies, the explosives go off.
Was there any survivors?
We then get our answers in the final page.
Overall, a fascinating story, especially to read what happened to people who have faded and how they were purposely changed to have this altered look.
And as this answers one question regarding the fading, it will be interesting to see what the government was p to in creating and experimenting with the Next Men. A solid fifth issue!