Exiles #77

Background

The Exiles have met Kevin MacTaggert, aka the reality-bending mutant known as Proteus, which resulted in his possession of Mimic's body. Using his abilities, Proteus traveled to the alternate dimension known as the New Universe where he discarded Mimic's withered husk for that of John Tensen, aka Justice. After his defeat by the Exiles with the help of Longshot, Proteus' next stop was the 2099 universe where he found the perfect body: Hulk 2099! With the help of Spider-Man 2099, the Exiles were able to get Proteus to leave that dimension and proceed on to the next. With Spidey now on the team, the Exiles continue their quest to bring this mad mutant down.

CURRENT EXILES:

SABRETOOTH (Victor Creed): Enhanced senses and healing.

BLINK (Clarice Ferguson): Teleportation.

MORPH: Shape-shifting.

SASQUATCH (Dr. Heather Hudson): Super strength and senses.

LONGSHOT: Agility and luck powers.

SPIDER-MAN 2099 (Miguel O'Hara): Spider-like powers and talons.

Story Details

While Spidey tries to adjust himself to the concepts of the Crystal Palace, Heather is informed by the Timebreakers that their pursuit of Proteus is causing new breaks in time and their neglect of realities already broken bring them that much closer to collapse. Before a settlement can be reached either way, the Exiles are informed of the new reality Proteus has jumped into.

In the reality of the Squadron Supreme, the team is fending off the Global Directorate's latest attack on them at their base on Power Princess' Utopia Island. The odds don't seem very good for the heroes until Proteus appears and "befriends" Nighthawk. Not taking kindly to being attacked by the Directorate's goons, Proteus joins the Squadron in the fight. When they emerge victorious, Proteus tells them a phony story about his relationship with the Exiles, using Hyperion's recent association with Beak and his distrust of the team to his advantage to make them think the Exiles are the bad guys. Right on cue, the Exiles appear to take Proteus.

Not waiting to talk, Sabretooth delivers Longshot via fastball special, but the Squadron comes to Proteus' defense. A battle rages between the two teams, and Proteus couldn't be more pleased with the results. In the confusion, he disappears while the Squadron subdue the Exiles.

General Comments

The infamous superhero misunderstanding fight. Almost a prerequisite at this point, but it's how it's begun and how it ends up that makes all the difference. So far, we have a clever ruse by Proteus and references to past events in Exiles history. Overall, this part is starting out pretty good. We'll see where Bedard and company take it.

Overall Rating

4 Webs. A set-up for the next world and next part of the pursuit of Proteus, but as always very well done.

Footnote

In every issue, Morph takes on some familiar and unusual forms. Here, we'll try to chronicle as many as we can in a section we'll call: MORPH'S MORPHS!

Morph's morphs: Superman, hammer hands