Issue 96 to Issue 112

Action: An assassination attempt on the president is stopped and the attacker is killed. Elsewhere that evening, Earthguard(r) is called to investigate a break in of a Wallace Electronics warehouse. They confront Klaw who is trying to steal a prototype energy sonic cannon. His motivation is to destroy the Fantastic Four headquarters and then destroy each of the Fantastic Four individually. He is stopped by the combined efforts of the Earthguard(r) members. During the battle, Star-Scanner notices something unusual. On closer examination he meets with a shadowy figure who calls himself Dos Mil Zapatos, The man of 2000 shoes. Dos Mil Zapatos puts Earthguard(r) on notice of an impending crime of which he is only able to give them physical clues starting with the following: A formal lady's evening shoe with a false ear and a South African Krugaraand. Dos Mil Zapatos disappears without a trace.

Several weeks after joining Wartiger's martial arts studio, Marvel finds out first hand what is bothering Wartiger. His martial arts studio is located is one of the poorest parts of Manhattan. This area is "patrolled" by the Hell Rover gang. They show up to collect their "rent" and when they are not paid they break Wartiger's partner's arm. Unable to use their super abilities for fear of giving away their identities, Marvel and Wartiger are beaten along with several other students and left with the warning not to be late with the next payment.

Action: Checking with Dad, the Earthguard(r) super computer, Dos Mil Zapatos is found to be a Professional Wrestler from the middle 1960's. He has not been heard from for the past several years and presumed dead. In the middle of the investigation, a hostage situation is monitored in a synagogue a few blocks down the street. Marvel continues to check for further information while the available members handle the scene.

Upon arrival, the heroes Taurian and Captain Midnight are met and enlisted to help in the situation. The three villains state they have been impatiently awaiting their arrival with Adder critical of their "poor response time". In the ensuing battle a large crate is knocked over exposing robotic components hidden in the basement of the synagogue. The Blackstar and Adder are allowed to escape when Wartiger feels a magical inter-dimensional portal open centered on or near Coney island. Speedster rushes to the scene followed by the rest.

Action: When Earthguard(r) arrives at Coney Island with Cyclotron, they find they are not the only ones who felt the evil taking place here. Argon and Shroud of the newly formed Sentinels, have already engaged several people on the beach. It becomes apparent Blackstone is trying to open a dimensional portal by human sacrifice and the last sacrifice is Speedster. The ceremony is delayed long enough that it cannot be completed, so Blackstone retreats leaving his Acolytes to the mercy of the heroes. At the scene of Blackstone's defeat, a pair of cowboy boots is discovered with a deck of cards from the Silver Slipper and a pair of dice from Las Vegas placed inside.

The first of three asides involves Captain Midnight. He chooses to stay behind and help cleanup the synagogue (see last issue) since his energy reserves are nearly depleted. In the rubble he discovers a lady's dress boot with the number two scratched on the bottom. Inside the boot is the following address: 1115 Vision Lane, Queens, New York.

Aside number two is in Smallville where Superboy lives. While breaking up a robbery of Mr. Kent's, store he discovers something highly unusual, in the middle of the floor, an advertisement for Thomas' Optical Supplies is stuffed into the toe of a pair of silver ladies' shoes. Superboy flies into town to investigate the store but finds nothing unusual about it.

The last aside is a meeting with Star-Scanner and Presidential Press Secretary Larry Speeks. They discuss the possibility and timing of Star-Scanner addressing the United Nation's General Assembly.

Action: When Speedster, Blok and Wartiger arrive back at Earthguard Headquarters, Marvel reports the following: Captain Midnight dropped off the shoes he found; a new set of boots appeared on the table -- a set of fireman's boots with the following address inside: Route 28, Indian Lake, New York, the location of a fireworks factory. Finally, the wrestler who was Dos Mil Zapatos died more than seven years ago in a car accident.

In the afternoon, Superboy brings in the clue he found and tells the members he has been there and it is not suspicious. The other heroes do not investigate. Superboy aware of Marvel's past use of lethal force, makes her promise to never use a lethal attack in his presence. Marvel agrees except in those cases where a life will be saved by possibly killing another. Superboy is not happy with the answer but is satisfied with the compromise.

The heroes conclude the assassins may be the League of Evil Mutants, but without other clues they cannot be certain. An alert warns them of a break in of the New York National Gallery of Art. Upon arrival the heroes find Grim Reaper holding what he calls the "final clue" and challenges the heroes to get it. Grim Reaper is knocked out and his control over the "minds" of teammates fade. (Each opponent represents one of the four elementals: water, fire, air, earth.)

Action: Prologue - Dos Mil Zapatos is seen standing in front of a wall looking through a single window that looks out on a brick tenement building. From the opposite building is the familiar blue glow of active television sets. "Thank you and good luck mes amigos," Dos Mil Zapatos says, "I hope you discover the riddle in good time." Dos Mil Zapatos will then slowly fade to nothing. In the background the panel zooms in on one of those glowing televisions showing Dos Mil Zapatos in a take-down and pin of some unnamed wrestler. The screen will suddenly go blank. A pan back will reveal a video cassette machine and the end of the video it had been showing.

On arriving at Las Vegas, Earthguard(r) immediately checks into the Silver Slipper and begins to coordinate the Presidential Protection. They have strong reason to believe the life of the President will be threatened at tomorrow's banquet despite the precaution already taken. Greeting Earthguard(r) when they enter their room is a pair of black and white two tone shoes with a record placed on top. The title of the 45 record is the Beatle's song "Revolution".

While waiting for the banquet to begin Earthguard(r) finds the dice are loaded, the queen of spades is missing from the deck of cards and the record is a recording of Frank Sinatra singing "My kind of town." The reverse side of the record is blank.

The banquet begins and Frank Sinatra is revealed to be Avalanche. The rest of the Evil Mutants make their appearance and almost defeat the members of Earthguard(r). (Climatic moments: Darkwar straining to out-fly a rising column of rocks and subduing Avalanche before being buried in the rubble, Corona and Star-Scanner engulfing Blob in energy and Scarlet Witch and Pyro holding most of Earthguard(r) at bay until both are knocked out by Phase.) Mystic, disguised as Nancy Reagan, almost succeeds in killing President Reagan but is stopped by Darkwar. Mastermind and Destiny escape, Mystic is allowed to escape by Phase and after a nasty bump on the head Scarlet Witch regains her memory.

Action: Feeling both elated and grief stricken, Earthguard(r) returns to New York and discovers another crisis, another synagogue blown apart in an early morning explosion. A second news bulletin details extensive damage to the old Protectorates' Mansion. No connection is made between the two incidents. Blok leaves Wallace's employment having repaid the damage he caused to Earthguard(r) headquarters (see issue #).

Earthguard(r) arrives at home only to find Ultron inside the Earthguard(r) headquarters. A terrific battle ensues with most of Earthguard(r)'s ranks falling before Ultron but eventually Ultron is damaged enough by the magics of Wartiger to force him to "leave for repairs".

Action: Sensing the premature deaths of the three felled by Ultron, the half dead beings called Shroud and Ghost informs Earthguard(r) that they may have a way of rescuing the souls before they are put to "final" rest. Joined by Captain Midnight, a trip into the nether world takes place. Along the journey Phase is given a cryptic warning by the Terror (last seen issue #66), Corona gives his soul in exchange for the returned life of his friend (who died in Earthguard(r) #100), Wartiger is warned not to stand in the way of any future coven activities, Darkwar is chastised for not continuing the pursuit of the "ultimate warrior", Captain Midnight is told all possible power is at his command if he wishes, Ghost was offered life but refuses and Shroud is offered death and also refuses.

Epilogue: Professor Horton explains he was forced to bring to life a prototype of what was to become the Human Torch android by Grim Reaper. Grim Reaper then placed the brain pattern of his brother on the android (see issue #99). Somehow Ultron discovered this information and went to get Professor Horton for some unknown purpose. Horton went to the Protectorates for protection but they were not around (last issue) and Ultron destroyed part of their mansion looking for the Professor. (The Protectorates disbanded before Earthguard(r) was formed.) Ultron killed Marvel and Cyclotron (last issue) before he could even ask for their help.

Action: Prologue - Marvel is captured by Force of July with the help of her mysterious "sister" Chrissy. Being the super patriots they are, the Force of July are concerned with some of the actions certain Earthguard(r) members have taken, particularly that of Phase letting one of the members of the Evil Mutants escape. The double is instructed to gather all the information she can on the Earthguard(r) members and report back to the government. In the mean time, Marvel is given her own private cell in F-deck.

Marvel arrives at Earthguard(r) to find Captain Midnight in the building. The two of them get into a conversation where he reveals he is really Le Blanc but is in disguise because the British MI-6 seem to have discovered his last identity. The discussion is interrupted by Cyclotron's discovery of a break in of the building. Several Hand members are confronted and defeated after a prolonged running battle. Cyclotron realizes this must have something to do with the disappearance of his student Lance Terran (the second Force). (Earthguard(r)'s defense systems are still inoperative after Ultron overloaded the system (see issue #101).)

Action: The Femme Fatales engage Earthguard(r) in the street several blocks away from Earthguard(r) headquarters. Their intention to lure Earthguard(r) out of their headquarters is relayed when DAD, Earthguard(r)'s computer, warns Earthguard(r) of intruders. The intruders want to steal the medical data on the members of Earthguard(r) to use against them in the future. This data is stored in separate hard disks in the medical facilities in the Hammond Building. The Femme Fatales are about to succeed when it turns out their technicians are disguised Skrulls. With some quick thinking by Corona, the records are saved by flooding the medical facilities with freon gas thereby shutting down the computers. The Skrulls however, have suicide belts on and kill themselves before any information can be gathered. During the combat, Killer Frost is almost killed by Marvel, all the Femme Fatales are captured except Titania who "disappears".

Action: With the computer fully operational, Earthguard(r) can finally afford some practice time. Wartiger programs a sequence to help the members, spilt into two teams, coordinate their different abilities to locate an item. Speedster, Phase and Superboy find and retrieve the item. After the practice the members go out to eat, the losers treating, and Darkwar reveals his alter identity as Ran Thurstar, Superboy says that he is known as a high school boy named Kent who lives in Smallville.

Action: During Earthguard's(r) visit to Pizza Hut (last issue), a man introduces himself to Marvel. Jaguar, in disguise, has an extended conversation with Marvel revealing his Spanish decent and his intense hatred of Marvel for defeating him (see Marvel mini series). He also says he is a mercenary who has been hired by the KGB but "now I would gladly kill you for my own sport." Knowing he is alone and she has company, Marvel tries to bait him into a confrontation but Jaguar holds his temper and leaves after threatening Marvel.

A few days later, Pulsar Stargrave, in an effort to alter history and ultimately control the universe, visits Earthguard(r) and warns the members of their impending confrontation. Pulsar Stargrave feels since history makes no mention of Earthguard(r) knowing about him before their confrontation in the 30th century, this meeting in the 20th century will increase his chances of victory. (Earthguard and the Legion of Superheroes battled Pulsar Stargrave, Composite Superman and the Time Trapper with Stargrave and Trapper being defeated during the nightmare induced sleep by Blalock. (issue #))

Star-Scanner, while arranging for his U.N. meeting, is confronted by Captain Static who still believes La-Teg is in charge on Visar (see Annual #4). During the fight, Star-Scanner informs him of the current situation on Visar and the defeat of La-Teg. (Star-Scanner's father, who was released from prison in annual #4, is king of Visar but is still very ill from his treatment under the Skrulls disguised as La-Teg and her chancellor.) Warily, Captain Static retreats to "think things over."

Action: Wartiger, feeling a building magical assault against the Hammond building, summons all available members to the building. While trying to asses what they may do to stop the assault, the hero Vulcan (killed by his father in Alternate Universes issue #) gives a warning his father is has regained power and is looking for revenge against Earthguard(r) who defeated him previously (see Alternate Universes issue #). As Vulcan finishes, Earthcore creates a fissure under the Hammond building that causes the building to tumble to the center of the Earth.

The Earth's core is ruled by Earthcore and the Underworld Gods. The Underworld Gods say they are separated from Earthcore, who has again amassed his strength after his defeat and banishment by Earthguard(r), by a wide ocean. Earthcore will soon have enough energy to cross this ocean on his own and once on this side of the sea he will be indestructible. Their only hope is for Earthguard(r) to cross the ocean and again defeat Earthcore. Arriving on the opposite shore the members find Earthcore is waiting.

Action: Earthcore has indeed regained his powers and baited Earthguard(r) away from their ship so he could use it to cross the ocean. Out maneuvered, Earthguard(r) is forced to make a desperate last assault before Earthcore reaches the other shore. While Speedster carries Marvel ahead to coordinate the shore defenses, Star-Scanner, Phase, Wartiger and Corona attempt to stop Earthcore. Helped by the now giant Phoenix bird who attacked them on their first trip across the ocean, Earthcore is again defeated and left to wallow in the ocean.

Clark Kent tries to make a date with Lana Lang but she says she is seeing Kent Andersen the new Smallville high wide receiver. A dejected Clark returns to his home to find Pa Kent quickly hiding something. When Pa leaves the kitchen, Clark uses his X-ray vision to find a bottle of pills. Confused by the day's events, Clark flies off as Superboy, not noticing a dark-colored car parked in front of his house.

Action: Earthguard(r) and their building return to Earth. Vulcan accompanies them to help "sort things out". Unfortunately, Star-Scanner, who can sense Skrulls when they are disguised, blasts Vulcan who is a Skrull in disguise. When Ran-Darr arrives he carries out the directive of Ronan the Accuser (see issue #70) at the trial of Den-Rann to kill all unauthorized Skrulls and Kree who are on the planet Earth. A long impassioned argument ensues where Corona and Star-Scanner both threaten to leave the team due to their difference of opinion concerning the death. Corona feels the Skrull should have been detained and interrogated, Star-Scanner, whose world is at war with the Skrulls, feels that judgment has already been rendered and the killing was justified.

While the argument takes place Marvel screens some waiting calls. After conversations with President Reagan and Richard Hammond, owner of Hammond industries and holder of the controlling interest to Earthguard(r), it is discovered Earthguard(r) is no longer considered by international treaties to be the Primary Duty super team on Earth. That distinction now belongs to Earthguard(r)'s bitterest rival the Red Guardians. (The Red Guardians discovered Earthguard(r) was "off planet" and manufactured a crisis that Earthguard(r) could not respond.) While computer files are being transferred to the Red Guardians, Mercenary detects a con job and orders Monolith to destroy all the computing systems of DAD including the main function programs. Having guessed Mercenary's real intentions of destroying Earthguard's computer, Marvel also simultaneously transferred all the computer data to the Medical disks. DAD, the Super computer is destroyed, but all the programs are saved on hard disks.

Action: Marvel gets the computer tapes from Wartiger, who has been holding them since DAD was destroyed by the Red Guardians (last issue). Two hours later she meets Phase at the computer center of Wallace Electronics. (Bert Wallace was the original backer of Earthguard(r) until he was forced to sell to Hammond.) Everything is found to be intact except for the speech and highest level Logic programs. A power surge cuts their visit short as they are "requested" to leave by security.

Clark Kent delves into the background of Kent Andersen by gathering information for the Smallville Sentinel weekly newspaper where Clark is a reporter. The files are mostly blank and feeling frustrated over the lack of information about Kent he flies to Earthguard(r) headquarters to ask Marvel how he should go about getting Lana back for himself. She is not very helpful explaining she has the same problems as he but she does give him a book on Medicines that confirms his suspicion of Pa Kent's heart condition.

Action: Star-Scanner was expected to announce international ties with the Earth (United Nations) and his home planet of Visar, but to everyone's surprise he denounces not only the U.N. assembly but, most of the common practices and laws of Earth as "barbaric in the face of a brutal war." His decision was apparently changed by his last conversation at Earthguard(r) with Corona (see issue #109).

During the above speech, Ran-Darr is requested to leave the general assembly hall and once outside, placed under international arrest for the murder of the Skrull disguised as Vulcan (see issue #109). He is ready to fight the officers when Star-Scanner also arrives on the scene and demands an explanation. Mercenary sheds his disguise and proclaims Ran-Darr an international threat and he and Nova Sanchan have been empowered to forcible arrest Ran-Darr. Star-Scanner finds it wiser to capitulate and the Red Guardians have Ran-Darr wear a tracking device.

Darkwar calls for an election to determine the current Earthguard(r) roster. Blok, Corona, Cyclotron, Darkwar, Marvel, Phase, Speedster and Wartiger fill the current membership roll with Blok and Speedster becoming the newest members. Control of Petroleum Oil, the company that controls Earthguard(r), is given over to Mr. Hammond's son Robert. Corona is asked to head a new corporation called Satellites Unlimited and will be in charge of rebuilding the abandoned satellite of the Overlord, which was damaged by Marvel before she discovered she was a clone of Chrissy (see Two-in-One Adventure Comics issue #78).

As the meeting is breaking up, Star-Scanner and Ran-Darr make an appearance. They trick the Red Guardians into entering Earthguard(r) and when the Red Guardians arrive, a heated argument ensues between the two teams that resolves nothing except for the two superteams' animosity toward one another.

Action: Imperial Defender has not yet determined if he wants to become a full member of the Red Guardians, the premier soviet superteam. He tells Monolith of his apprehensions of being lead by Mercenary, who is a defector from the West and has shaky loyalty to Russia. Monolith confirms that Mercenary cannot be trusted, but adds that if Mercenary ever takes steps against the Soviet State, Monolith would not hesitate in "putting him in his place." With this advice Imperial Defender accepts membership with two reservations. The first: he must be afforded transportation to America; and second, no questions must be asked about what he will do while in the capitalist state.

Imperial Defender arrives at Earthguard(r) headquarters, threatens and then defeats Marvel and Phase. "This is your first warning from me. The next time we meet I will not give you the opportunity to walk away from the battle."