Synopsis / Summary / Plot
This issue is a continuation of the tale in #16 where Black Panther and Sub-Mariner view the world of the Great Society as it deals with incursions. The previously page reminds us of the Great Society members Boundless, Dr Spectrum, Sun God, the Rider, the Jovian and the Norn, who were outcast anti-heroes who banded together to save their world from incursions. They have survived many without having to destroy living Earths. Last issue saw them repel the Sidera Maris (again) and destroy their ruined Earth.
It was the mystic Norn who did the destructive deed with the help of 2 of his alternate future selves - alternates who perished in the process. Norn himself is weakened and Dr Spectrum puts him in stasis to heal. But not before Norn says he's failed. Pieces of the shattered Earth land on this 1, allowing this Earth to be mapped and 4 Mapmakers to arrive.
The speedster Boundless manages to gut the central AI out of 1 of the Mapmakers before it can adapt to her. But another Mapmaker blasts her. The Jovian morphs into a beast, and a 3rd Mapmaker does the same to counter him. The Rider remembers that individual Mapmakers had previously shown their ability to fight 2 foes at a time. But he suggests if he and Sun God and Dr Spectrum join forces against the 4th Mapmaker it might be enough to overpower him.
But Sun God has another plan - his well-known last-ditch defence. The beast-form Jovian takes Boundless to safety and Dr Spectrum expands her stasis-shield to encompass the others. Sun God takes to the air as the 3 surviving Mapmakers realise he is a post-Universal and try to summon the Host of Mapmakers. But Sun God generates a solar explosion which melts the Mapmakers, and a large amount of the surrounding area.
Unfortunately Norn announces that he detects another incursion beginning. And the team is knackered.
Our attention now turns to Black Panther and Sub-Mariner watching these events. T'Challa sees this as how the Illuminati might end up - worn down and falling away 1 by 1. Scornful Namor points out that they'll probably get killed by Black Priests or Mapmakers 1st. And offers to let his companion join him in the consolation of Atlantean wine.
The 2 have reached an uneasy truce now that they've both lost their kingdoms. But T'Challa's determined optimism still contrasts with Namor's nihilism. Over the bottle of wine they both admit their regrets. T'Challa proposes that in the position they're in they at least shouldn't lie to each other. But Namor counters that it's lies that keep them going. Panther says he believes they're going to win the battle against the incursions. They look at each other and collapse laughing.
Then Panther notices that the Great Society have reached the site of the next incursion. He explains to Namor that the connection they have to this alternate reality shows 2 hours into the future. And they see the Society facing the Illuminati, including the Hulk.