Marvel: The Lost Generation Vol. 1 # 2
(eleven of twelve)

January 2001

Cover: John Byrne (penciller, signed); Al Milgrom (inker, signed)

Story: "After... ...and Before!" (22 pages)

Credits: Joe Quesada (editor-in-chief); Ralph Macchio (editor); Glynis Oliver (colorist); Jack Morelli (letterers); Al Milgrom (inker); John Byrne (penciller, co-plotter); Roger Stern (scripter, co-plotter)

Feature Characters: Ulysses Bloodstone, Zawadi, Dr. Druid, Namora, Mac Curry (aka Makkari), The Black Fox, Liberty Girl, The Yankee Clipper (II), Jake Scott (aka Effigy), Chimera

Supporting Characters: Dr. Alex Locke, Gene, Blackjack, Scythe, Nightingale

Other Characters: Unnamed Skrulls, Unnamed Humans, Dr. Stuart

In 1958 Ulysses Bloodstone and the rest of the Monster Hunters (second line-up) are outside a Research Centre following strange auras being detected by Dr. Druid. Zawadi clears the electric fence, but is attacked by the Black Fox. Zawadi is rescued by Agent Mac Curry. Liberty Girl is stopped in her tracks by Dr. Druid and the Yankee Clipper encounters Namora.

Conflict is stopped when NSA Agent Jacob Scott arrives on the scene, he is known by Mac Curry and outranks him. The Monster Hunters are introduced to the Government Agents. The Government Agents are told about the psychic emanations being traced to the Research Centre by Dr. Druid. Liberty Girl asks where the monsters are when one appears and attacks the group.

Whilst they are attacking the monster, Agent Scott enters hoping to find the equipment he's been trying to find for years. The Yankee Clipper follows Agent Scott into the Research Centre and discovers the spacecraft. There is no sign of Agent Scott but the Yankee Clipper discovers Blackjack and Scythe in the employ of an unknown enemy.

The unknown enemy shouts at the tied up scientists. Agent Scott arrives on the scene and aims a gun at the villains. Scythe attacks Agent Scott only to be stopped by the Yankee Clipper. Blackjack then attacks Agent Scott.

Outside the monster starts to glow and then transforms back into a human. Namora rips the side of the Research Centre off the building and the heros enter with the Black Fox attacking Blackjack. The unknown spy takes cover in the spacecraft and is followed in by Agent Scott.

The spy turns the bio-moleculizer on Agent Scott and then escapes transforming into a female scientist (revealing to us that it's really Commander Zuhn (AKA Chimera)). The Yankee Clipper enters the ship and sees Agent Scott transform into his default Skrull form before becoming Agent Scott agent.

At Suffolk County General Hospital, the Monster Hunters and the Government Agents wait to hear the outcome of Agent Scott. At the Yankee Clippers request a mysterious female healer arrives. The Yankee Clipper tells Liberty Girl that he met her on the Caribbean mission.

The Black Fox, Liberty Girl and The Yankee Clipper are present when "Florence Nightingale" uses her healing powers on Agent Scott. Agent Scott realises that he can use this to his advantage and tells the Yankee Clipper he had the strangest dream and reveals that he can change his form into that of anyone he likes.

Later the Yankee Clipper tells the Black Fox that with Liberty Girl, Effigy, Nightingale and himself they could form a super-team called The First Line. The Black Fox announces his retirement at the age of 38 and that he's going to ask Miriam to marry him as soon as he takes care of a nut called Nocturne. Once she says yes they can live happily ever after...