Backlash #20 is an issue of the series Backlash (Volume 1) with a cover date of May, 1996.
Synopsis for "Fire from Heaven, Chapter 10 of 14"
Backlash, Cybernary, and one of Cybernary's rebel soldiers named Sato are observing the Gamorran prison from a hiding place nearby. Backlash notes that the prison isn't very secure, and concludes it must be a trap. He decides that he and Cybernary will infiltrate the prison while Sato goes back to inform the other rebels waiting a mile back. They're about to move in when Spartan shows up and offers assistance. He reveals that the WildCATs were captured and he was the only one who escaped.
In the prison, Grifter and Taboo try to explain to Battalion that he's on the wrong side, but they are subdued by Gamorran Hunter-Killers as well as Flashpoint. Battalion calls Flashpoint off, but tells Grifter he will look into his accusations. Outside, Backlash, Cybernary, and Spartan move in, taking out some guards. Sato returns but then falls dead, saying that he's failed Cybernary. Aries and a group of Hunter-Killers appear, and Aries says that Sato made it to the rebels only to find them all dead. He then reveals the latest addition to his army: Cyberjack! Jack is fitted with new cybernetic implants which allow him to walk and presumably make him tougher. Aries says that Cyberjack signed a lifetime contract with Kaizen Gamorra in return for the ability to walk. Cyberjack then attacks Backlash and a battle breaks out amongst the others, but Backlash refuses to fight his friend Cyberjack.
There is a big blast, and Union shows up to help. The battle rages, and Union notices reinforcements coming so he tells Backlash and Spartan to go release the others from the prison. Union and Aries battle and Union eventually takes Aries out of the fight. Inside, Taboo is about to tell Crimson (Jodi) that her father Backlash is dead, when suddenly Backlash appears outside their cell. Crimson is about to tell him her suspicions about Aries' identity when Cyberjack shows up again. They fight some more, and finally Backlash lands a solid punch which brings Cyberjack to his senses. His old self again, he reveals that Kaizen Gamorra implanted a device in his head that allows him to read Cyberjack's thoughts as well as control his actions...he's not sure how long he'll be be able to fight it. He also reveals that Aries is Jodi's brother.
Meanwhile, the others are trying to figure a way out of the prison since the cell seems to be inhibiting their powers, but then there's a blast and Spartan blows a hole in the wall so everyone can escape. A Hunter-Killer sees that Cyberjack is allied with Backlash and reports this to Kaizen, who activates a cortex bomb in Jack's brain...it will detonate in three minutes. Cyberjack is aware of this, and says there's no way to disarm it. He tells everyone to get moving and he'll hold them off as long as he can. Everyone flees, and Jack is slowly surrounded by Hunter-Killers. As they flee, Flashpoint appears and is looking to kill Backlash. But then he's blasted in the back by Battalion, who says he looked into Taboo's allegations about Kaizen Gamorra and didn't like what he saw so he's changing sides.
Everyone heads outside to safety after noticing that Aries has escaped. The prison then explodes as Cyberjack's cortex bomb explodes. The gathered heroes take a moment of silence in honor of Jack's sacrifice, and then Backlash says it's time to end this...for Jack.
Appearing in "Fire from Heaven, Chapter 10 of 14"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Aries
- Kaizen Gamorra (John Colt)
- Hunter-Killers
Other Characters:
- Gen 13
- Pirate King
- Stormforce
- Team 7
- Wetworks
- WildC.A.T.s
- Sato (Dies)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- Originally published by Image Comics.
- This issue is part 10 of the 14-part "Fire from Heaven" crossover of the Wildstorm line of titles. The story continues in Wetworks vol. 1 #17.
See Also