The Twelve #2

Overview

The Twelve time-lost Mystery Men of World War II adjust to the reality of life in the 21st century. But where do you go, what do you do, when everybody you knew is either dead and buried or in old-age homes, and the future you thought you were fighting for turned out to be radically different from what you imagined?

Spoilers!

Several months after the last issue, the Blue Blade is found murdered in an alleyway by the Phantom Reporter. Flashback to earlier events:

The group ride a bus to their new home. They witness the change in New York as they drive to an estate where they will be allowed to live for the next year free of charge. It is meant to be a gift for their service to the U.S. Government during WWII. They will be allowed to come and go as they please. Laughing Mask asks what's the catch. They are told that it is the hope that they will continue to act as heroes. If so, they are allowed to stay there.

Dynamic Man is ready to leave. He says he was born for the future.

Captain Wonder receives some information he requested and leaves. He says he'll be back. For him, sixty years ago he had a wife and kids. His wife died of a heart attack and his kids were killed in Vietnam. When he visits their grave he recalls the day he left to fight in Europe. His wife was concerned for his safety. He promises her he'll be back, saying he's never broken one before. He tells her to believe. On her tombstone, the inscription reads: "Come the Darkness, I still believe." Captain Wonder is left in tears.

Richard, the Phantom Reporter, walks through the house, checking things out. As he walks by Master Mind Excello's room he notices that he's making a phone call. Richard says he'd be surprised if he didn't have a plan already in place in case this happened. Master Mind asks if Richard can get him some aspirin since the background noise of the city is getting to him. He then asks Black Widow if she needs anything. Something is bothering her. Richard tells here that they can all start with a clean slate so things should be fine. She says that's not the case. Some deals don't have an expiration date.

Richard continues to wonder what he'll do now. As a reporter, he's been out of the loop for over sixty years. He has no knowledge or contacts. His thoughts are interrupted as a delivery arrives. The Army has brought Electro over in a huge crate. Dynamic Man shows off and easily takes the crate out of the truck. He even makes a point to mention that Richard should be able to find his place even though he doesn't have any real powers.

Dynamic Man goes out to fight crime. He stops a drive by shooting, saves some people in a fire, stops a convenience store from being robbed, and makes an attempt to stop a man stealing a woman's purse. When he grabs the man he assumed stole the purse, he is told by the woman that he is her husband and they both were trying to stop the thief. Not used to the idea of interracial marriages, Dynamic Man leaves not helping out, saying he has better things to do with his time.

Back at the estate, Black Widow hears a voice. She says she understands that nothing has changed. She is still the "instrument of vengeance" for an unseen entity. It rubs a red...tentacle on her face.

Richard is now sitting in the living room deep in his thoughts. He says he's a fighter and should be able to find a way to prove Dynamic Man wrong. That he doesn't need super powers to "make it." He hears a noise out in the hall and finds Rockman dragging a mattress down the stairs. He says he's been away from his people for too long and needs to be closer. He says they will be looking for him, she will be looking for him. He takes the mattress down into the basement.

Later as everyone tries to sleep, Rockman is continuously pounding on the ground.