Mystery in Space Vol. 2 TPB
Mystery in Space Vol. 2 TPB
Cover Credits
Penciller: Shane Davis
Inker: Matt Banning

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Title: "Conception"
Pages: 38

Feature(s):
Weird

Writer: Jim Starlin
Penciller: Bernie Wrightson
Inker: Daniel Green
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Michelle Brand Wrightson

Reprinted From:
Weird #1 (1988)

Feature Character(s)

Guest Star(s)

Supporting Character(s)

  • Eva Langley (last named not revealed in this story; Walt's wife; next appearance in Weird #2)
  • Billy Langley (Walt's son; next appearance in Weird #2)

Villain(s)

  • Jason Morgan (first appearance; last appearance in Weird #3; next appearance in Weird #2)

Other Character(s)

  • General Westerly (next appearance in Weird #2)
  • Dr. Yamada (no further appearances)
  • Two unnamed genetic researchers (no further appearances)
  • Sue (Eva's friend; next appearance in Weird #2)

Comments:
This story continues in Weird #2.

An editorial note indicates that this story takes place before Justice League International #7. Details herein pose some questions concerning the actual timeline of events.

The first question is Guy Gardner's personality. Guy was struck by Batman in Justice League #5 and for a time thereafter had an overly friendly personality. In this story he is his usual surly and arrogant self. This fact places this story chronologically before Guy's fight with Batman.

The next question concerns Captain Atom. He did not join the Justice League until they went International in Justice League International #7. His presence in this story would seem to place this story some time after he joined. Finally, Doctor Fate is prominently featured. He left the Justice League as a regular member around the time Captain Atom joined the team.

The best reconciliation of these details is to place the story chronologically before Guy's fight with Batman in Justice League #5. Doctor Fate was still a League member and still Kent Nelson at that time. Captain Atom should be considered an independent hero and not a Justice League member in this story, just like Superman.

Synopsis:
A strange object of pure energy appears in the skies over Metropolis. When Superman tries to make contact the energy hurls him out of the city. The Justice League and Superman then try to probe the object to determine its origins. When Guy Gardner uses his ring on it, the resulting energy wave knocks out the power in Metropolis.

Eventually the energy splits in two. One half enters a genetic research lab while the other passes through a funeral home causing the body of Walter Langley to disappear. The two halves then reunite in the sky again. The heroes begin to believe it possesses an intelligence which is confirmed when a body is formed.

The body forms and loses consciousness. The heroes take it to S.T.A.R. Labs where it regains consciousness. Probes show that the interior of the creature is not fully formed, but Superman indicates it possesses power that could threaten the planet. The Justice League tries to control and pacify the creature, but it proves to be too powerful. Blue Beetle names it the Weird.

After the Weird escapes from the Justice League, it visits the empty apartment of Jason Morgan who had been creating an inter-dimensional bridge. Morgan is gone, but the Weird senses that he will return. Instead of waiting, the Weird visits the home of Eva and Billy Langley, the family of the body that disappeared from the funeral home. Billy recognizes the Weird as his father.

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