World's End
World's End is a comic book story arc that first appeared in WildCats #1
The following story arc to NUMBER OF THE BEAST.
Following the cataclysmic conclusion to NUMBER OF THE BEAST comes the dawn of a whole new age: WILDSTORM WORLD'S END! The heroes failed to save the planet from destruction and now struggle to survive in a brutal, post-apocalyptic environment...but with humanity largely dead and the Earth broken, what does the term "hero" even mean?Follow the gripping survival story in four on-going titles: WILDCATS, AUTHORITY, STORMWATCH PHD, and GEN13, all featuring a serialized back-up story further expanding on this bleak new world illustrated by some of the top names in the industry!
Associated Issues
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Contains previews of Wildcats Vol. 5 #1, The Authority Vol. 4 #1, Gen 13 Vol. 4 #21, & Stormwatch P.H.D. #13 which each begin the World's End storyline.
The issue starts as Swift is standing on top of a building in the ruins of London now called Unlondon. She explains how she now acts as a transmitter as all machines no longer work and birds flock to her due to destroyed or rearranged magnetic fields. As she flies over the ruined city she sees a lone balloon floating up in the air. She heads toward it finding Midnighter guiding a group of refugees. The group stops as both Midnighter and Swift talk. Soon Midnighter becomes panicked and tells everyone to go. Swift tries to get everyone to move the two disabled trains behind them are destroyed and Midnighter grabs a sharp piece of metal prepared to fight telling them not to look back. Soon to hulkish creatures charge at the group. Swift calls them Incubites. She says they are a result of a mutating disease called Warhol Fever. It gives the infected large muscular bodies and fills them with rage and anger, but it is only short lived as the disease soon kills the infected and that even Midnighter cannot survive contact with the virus. He throws the piece of metal through one of their mouths as the group runs and Swift soon takes for the sky trying to get specialist help. Midnighter then grabs a chunk of the railroad and stabs another through the chest as Swift struggles to fly through the poisonous cloud covering the planet. Soon as Midnighter prepares to fight a large group of Incubites a bright blast of light shines killing the Incubites. Soon a shining Apollo appears. He explains that Swift came to get him for help and soon his face is revealed to now look sickly and withered. Midnighter mentions he has been living in the photosphere. Swift explains it is the only place where he can absorb needed sunlight that can't get through the smog cloud. He soon has to leave as he can't even survive a few seconds under the cloud, but says he will be watching. Soon he tells Swift to go on ahead and inform the group that he is bringing the group. Soon she flies over more ruin till she reaches the dead body of the Carrier as it's baby universe was removed and it crashed into London. She flies through pacing groups of homeless now using the Carrier as a home as it is the only place relatively safe. She soon meets the Engineer however the EM pulses that shut down all machines have made her nanobots in active and in her human form. She seems to be using her intellect to manage and care for the people their telling Midnighter and Swift when they need to go for supplies seemingly acting as leader. As they talk a voice tell them that a soul storm is coming and Angie goes to get everyone ready. Soon Swift calls the voice Jack and it is revealed to be a deformed handicapped Jack Hawksmoor.
After the shattering conclusion to Number of the Beast, Jackson King has once again resumed the role of Weatherman and takes StormWatch in a dramatic new direction! But what role does StormWatch have in this dramatic, deadly new world?
Look before you leap! After jumping through an I.O. teleportation device at the close of their last adventure, the Gen13 kids find themselves in a radically changed world that they NEVER expected! The fallout from Number of the Beast continues as the epic "Teenage Wasteland" begins!
After the shattering conclusion of NUMBER OF THE BEAST, a jaw-dropping new status quo will be established in the WildStorm Universe — and it begins now! Christos Gage (WILDSTORM: ARMAGEDDON, THE AUTHORITY: PRIME) and Neil Googe (WELCOME TO TRANQUILITY, MAJESTIC) bring a unique new vision to the classic Wildcats team, reuniting the classic team with some surprising new members. Also, a new monthly backup story begins, kicked off with the return of John Lynch by Gage and X-Men: Deadly Genesis artist Trevor Hairsine!
The surviving members of StormWatch find their
satellite existence isolated and difficult, and now the satellite is
reaching its breaking point. Can the team reach out to an old foe for
help? And will their efforts result in a new understanding or an old
brawl?
Plus: Part 4 of the Wetworks backup story by Gage and Badeaux!
Overview:
The Authority — or what's left of them — struggle to survive in their harsh new environment. As if the daily struggle to continue living in this devastated world wasn't enough, things take a turn for the worse when a ragtag army of vicious psychopaths approach the Carrier — led by the Eidolon! Are the Authority capable of handling this new threat? Plus: Part 2 of the Wetworks backup story that began last month in WILDCATS #2, written by Christos Gage and illustrated by Brandon Badeaux!
The incredible story continues as the new, devastated world
is revealed! The Wildcats find themselves battling a former ally — one who
happens to be among the most powerful super-humans alive. Can the team
withstand his assault on the HALO building?
Also, don't miss the backup story featuring chapter one of a Wetworks tale
written by Christos Gage and illustrated by Brandon Badeaux!
As the kids navigate their way through a flattened and flooded New York, they discover human survivors of the apocalypse — who want superhuman blood! Can a desperate plan bail them out, or will the kids serve the ultimate sentence for being post-humans? Plus: Part 3 of the Wetworks backup story by Gage and Badeaux!
Overview
The kids have found nothing but hardship and near-death in the post-apocalyptic landscape...in a brief respite in the wilderness, they take the opportunity to reflect on the new world order. Featuring the third chapter of the Marc "Backlash" Slayton backup story, by Christos Gage and Mike McKone!
Overview
StormWatch receives a distress call from the Earth's surface and an old ally rears his head - Jon Drake, leader of The Establishment! But the happy reunion doesn't last long as he brings news of newly awakened Soviet-era doomsday machines preprogrammed in the event of a nuclear war to seek out and destroy the United States!
And the fourth chapter of the Marc "Backlash" Slayton back-up story concludes, by Christos Gage and Mike McKone!
As the Wildcats attempt to rebuild their shattered world one piece at a time, a glimmer of hope is offered in a rumored oasis in the Nevada desert that literally sprang up out of nowhere after the Apocalypse. Could this be the fabled Nevada Garden? And what ex-member of StormWatch: PHD stands in the way of them finding out? Also, a new backup story begins focusing on Marc Slayton, the original Backlash, by writer Christos Gage and artist Mike McKone.
Overview:
The Midnighter confronts the Eidolon and his Army of the Mad... but can even he overcome an entire army alone? And the Engineer makes a startling discovery in the bowels of the Carrier that could turn the team's fortunes around in this desolate new world! Plus, the second chapter of the Marc "Backlash" Slayton backup story continues by Christos Gage and Mike McKone (GREEN LANTERN, TEEN TITANS)!
Swift finds herself at the mysterious Rendlesham base. Who – and what – she finds will have staggering results for everyone. Aboard the Carrier, the team's worst fears manifest as a viral outbreak rages!
Also included is the second chapter of the Cybernary backup from Christos Gage and Pete Woods.
Overview
It's a rumble in the jungles of Nevada as the Wildcats tangle with old allies! But what secret does this lush oasis hold and could it be the answer to the Earth's needs? And how does it all connect to a character from NUMBER OF THE BEAST? Plus, Cybernary returns as a new backup begins with Gage and artist Pete Woods!
A Soviet-era WMD is en route to the U.S. to exact an obsolete mission of annihilation! Can the combined forces of StormWatch and Jon Drake stop this incredible danger?
Plus, The Cybernary backup by Christos Gage and Pete Woods concludes!
The kids, tired and hungry, seek an escape from the horrors of a post-apocalyptic America in possibly the most American place of all: a mall! Will they find anything of substance in the looted halls? And what terror could possibly await them in a shopping center in the barren wastelands of a dead world?
Christos Gage and Pete Woods continue their Cybernary backup tale with part 3 in this issue.
The sanctuary of the abandoned mall has become horrific for Gen13 as an attempt at helping refugees turns deadly! Between monstrous humans and mutated rats, things just got worse!
Part 3 of the NUMBER OF THE BEAST-related backup continues from Gage and artist Craig!
Locked down, Angie and a group of refugees face the Incubite threat head-on! And will one of the Authority fall prey to the horrible virus ravaging innocent victims aboard the Carrier?
Also included is part 2 of the NUMBER OF THE BEAST-related backup from Gage and artist Wes Craig (WILDSTORM: REVELATIONS)!
Artist extraordinaire Pete Woods (AMAZONS ATTACK, CYBERNARY) joins writer Christos Gage (STORMWATCH PHD, WILDSTORM: REVELATIONS) for a unique look at Spartan and how post-apocalyptic Earth has affected the resolute android. He's been many things during his long existence on Earth – warrior, bodyguard, CEO – but what challenges does this astounding new world order hold for him
A backup tale spinning out of NUMBER OF THE BEAST also begins with Gage and artist Wes (WILDSTORM: REVELATIONS) Craig at the steering wheel!
While on a rescue mission in Sydney, Team Omega brings back survivors infected with a deadly virus. And when this "Warhol Fever" manifests, all hell breaks loose on SkyWatch III. The NUMBER OF THE BEAST-related backup tale concludes from Christos Gage and artist Wes Craig!
Gen13 aren't the only survivors from I.O. and Tabula Rasa's experiments. Fans get their first glimpse of Gen14, and indie comics art sensation Dan Hipp (The Amazing Joy Buzzards) joins the creative team for this special issue!
Plus, Christos Gage and Phil Noto continue the Christie Blaze backup!
The Authority discover a StormWatch spy in their midst, and when the two super-groups meet for the first time post-Armageddon, it'll be an encounter for the ages! And Christos Gage joins acclaimed artist Phil Noto to continue the backup story featuring the sexy (and deadly) Christie Blaze!
New players hit the scene in Los Angeles and threaten the Wildcats – Lord Defile and the Daemonites! Can these ancient enemies coexist in the post-apocalyptic city?
And Christos Gage kicks off a new backup story featuring the sexy, deadly Christie Blaze with the aid of artist Phil Noto!
While StormWatch has been trying to rebuild the world, Jackson King has been keeping close tabs on The Authority. And when one of his undercover agents is discovered by the super-team, it'll force his hand! Meanwhile, Christos Gage and Phil Noto conclude the Christie Blaze backup!
The fragile truce from StormWatch and The Authority's first meeting is put to the test when they're attacked by the overwhelming Eidolon and his army of the Mad! And Christos Gage and John Paul Leon wrap up their backup story featuring the villain Tao and a shocking figure from WildStorm's past.
StormWatch and The Authority’s reunion is cut short as their attempts to rebuild the Carrier haven’t gone unnoticed...as the Eidolon and his army of the Mad take an interest! The first major battle of “World’s End” begins!
Plus, Christos Gage and artist John Paul Leon (EX MACHINA, SCALPED) continue their dark backup story featuring SLEEPER villain Tao!
The battle for Los Angeles continues! The Kherans renew their ancient struggle against the Daemonites on the ravaged streets of what was once LA! Meanwhile, Christos Gage and John Paul Leon (SCALPED) kick off a dark new backup featuring Tao, the arch-villain from SLEEPER!
The kids make a detour on their trek across post-apocalyptic America for Grunge to experience the single greatest skate park in history!
And Christos Gage and artist John Paul Leon continue their Tao backup story as his master plan begins to come into focus!
The British government reaches out to the Authority to help apprehend a powerful super-powered being who escaped confinement when the world ended. Can the team, minus their more powerful members, contain a threat of unimaginable power? Meanwhile, writer Russell Utley and artist Ben Oliver - the creative team behind the critically acclaimed miniseries Puncture - continue their backup story featuring the Daemonite villain known as Defile!
Artist Pete Woods returns for a story years in the making - a day in the life of Maxine Manchester! Maxine finds that she's able to make a very unique difference in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. And in part 1 of a special backup, the critically acclaimed Puncture creative team of Russell Utley and Ben Oliver reunite for a dark look at the WildCats' enemy, Defile!
Grunge literally skates for his life as he
and the team make a stop at a fabled skatepark! How will a fateful
meeting change the team and what member finally decides to leave the
group? Russell Utley and Ben Oliver continue their backup tale
featuring the Daemonite villain Defile!
Fuji lies dying after a confrontation with
the Eidolon! And a StormWatch emergency beacon is activated in Europe
where a nuclear winter has covered the region in darkness. What could
be waiting in the shadows? Features the final chapter of the Defile
story from Russell Utley and Ben Oliver!
After struggling to survive in Los Angeles, the appeal of Majestic’s Hawaiian utopia proves too powerful a pull for some members of the team. But what’s really going on in the tropical paradise - and will the truth tear the team apart? Also, Christos Gage and artist Ivan Reis (GREEN LANTERN) team for a two-part backup that at last reveals the fate of StormWatch: Team Achilles and just how Flint joined up with the current team!
Grunge discovers the horrific truth about the Sk8-Gra-La skatepark, but will it be in time to save his life? Or will he end up broken at the bottom of the bowl? He's going to need the help of his fellow gen-active teammates, but they have little problems of their own to deal with: specifically the miniaturized mastermind Dr. Cross! Kicking off a new bimonthly shipping schedule!
The Authority find themselves in a battle for their lives against a being of immense power and they'll need a miracle to survive in one piece. Do they still have an ace up their sleeve? And one of the members of the team will be taking an incredible step toward recovery...but at what cost?
Also, the conclusion of the highly anticipated STORMWATCH: TEAM ACHILLES backup story, by Christos Gage and fan-favorite artist Ivan Reis (GREEN LANTERN)!
Battered and hunted, Stormwatch is doing everything it can to save those that survived the recent cataclysm. When confronted with the knowledge that humanity could become extinct, Jackson makes a decision that may sacrifice one of his own – and may make him guilty of genocide! In this issue, humanity is pushed to the brink. . . and beyond.
Majestic's Hawaiian utopia is everything he advertised it to be and
more! Yet there's something sinister just beneath the surface that the
team can't pin down. Also, a former team member returns...but on whose
side?
And in a special backup, Christos Gage and Shawn Moll
(She-Hulk) bring back the group everybody's been waiting for – Team
Seven!
As Spartan and Majestic fly over the ruins of ,
Majestic shares with Spartan that The High is taking survivors into . When
Spartan reminds Majestic that The High was responsible for the current state of
the world, Majestic tells him that it was clones of The High, not the real one.
But before he can continue, he senses that the other Wildcats have found Savant
(as seen at end of last issue). Spartans then proceeds to punch Majestic into a
building in order to buy some time for the other Wildcats.
Meanwhile at the , Ladytron is in
the nursery surrounded by screaming kids. She's on her cell phone talking to
her new robot boyfriend (see Wildcats: World's End #8). One of the kids tells
her that there are monsters at the window. When she investigates, a group of Daemonites
crash through the window and begin to attack.
Back in ,
Zealot rushes to free Savant, for she knows Majestic has been altered to their
plan. She questions Savant as to why Majestic captured her. Savant says it was
for breeding, but it was through test tubes and not through sexual means.
Savants says that after she found out the truth about Majestic and Zealot being
her true parents, she went to stay with him at his base. But she noticed a change in him and despite having
so much up against him at the time, she knew there was more to it and believes
there's something other than Armageddon that has driven him mad.
Spartan and Majestic continue their battle above . In the middle of the battle, Spartan
self-destructs in an attempt to take out Majestic.
Grifter, Voodoo, and Nemesis join up with Zealot and Savant as Majestic's
forces chase after them. Savant uses her tech to teleport them to M.I.R.V.
where they find Spartan has downloaded into a new body. But he says that they
must hurry because his self-destruct move won't hold Majestic for long.
No sooner does he say this does Majestic come barreling into Maul. Spartan
tries to distract Majestic so Maul and the others can escape but Majestic pulls
the technology from Spartan's chest that will allow him to download into
another body. Warblade jumps in to to help Spartan but Majestic grabs Warblade,
contorts his body into a ball of blade mass, and hurls the mass at M.I.R.V.
As the Wildcats stand stunned at Majestic's might, Ladytron radios in to them.
The is being swarmed by thousands
of Daemonites.
"Team 7: Reunion-Chapter 1"
In Amarillo, Texas a battle is being waged between some remnants of Internal Operations
and John Lynch, Deathblow, Dane, Marc Slayton, Christie Blaze, and Grifter,
otherwise known as Team 7!
After the team dispatches of the I.O. force, Lynch prepares to explain why he's
brought them all back together. Before Lynch begins explaining everything,
Grifter tells Slayton that his daughter Jodi is with the Wildcats. Slayton
thanks Grifter for taking care of her. Lynch tells all of them not to tell
their teams about this meeting until he says they can. Lynch then proceeds to
tell them about and how
she is the one who can fix the world. Dane recognizes her from when she
teleported him to the future and showed him Armageddon (see Wetworks:
Armageddon).
Lynch tells them that before Void can do anything for the world she must be
freed from the one who is controlling her…Tao.
When the world ended, the Authority and the rest of the population were caught unprepared and suffered the consequences. Find out what happened in those crucial moments following the destruction of Earth and how it affected the Authority...as well as Rendlesham!
Apollo has been missing for weeks now, and the Midnighter and The Authority assume the worst. What's happened to their Sun God? And as the Carrier is slowly brought back to life, it's left the team with the unpleasant task of cleansing the lower decks of vermin. But what they find buried deep within could change their fortunes for good!
On the road again in their pursuers' post-apocalyptic RV, the kids race to save a mortally wounded teammate! But a stopover in a small town governed by Super-Villains might spell doom for the entire team! It's Gen13 versus the 'lost generation' from NUMBER OF THE BEAST as the kids get schooled in what it means to be super.
The Wildcats' visit to the takes a turn for the worse when they learn a dark secret
that Majestic wanted kept hidden, and he’ll kill to protect it! To make matters
worse, when the 'Cats are away, the Daemonites decide to play as Defile and his
army launch an all-out assault on the HALO building, which is full of helpless
survivors.
Also, it’s the start of a backup story explaining why Deathblow isn't dead,
featuring the incredible art of Chris Sprouse (NUMBER OF THE BEAST, TOM STRONG)!
A worst-case scenario unfolds for the Wildcats when a war on two fronts explodes! While the team is occupied battling Majestic in the Hawaiian Islands, Defile and his Daemonite hordes have decided to assault the under-manned HALO building where only Ladytron stands between the survivors of Armageddon and certain death! After this issue, the Wildcats' status quo changes in a major way!
The horrifying secret behind the Warhol Infection is finally revealed. And it just happens to coincide with Apollo's return to the Carrier! But it's not the reunion anyone was expecting!
There are rumblings of discontent onboard Skywatch. Winter challenges Jackson King's idiosyncratic leadership, which threatens to widen growing divisions within the team and distract them from seeing the true enemy within. Meanwhile, The High becomes human to solve the mystery of Finland!
After the explosive events of last issue, the Wildcats are in shambles. There couldn't be a worse time for them to confront the archvillain known as Tao, but they don't have much choice, as his plans are coming to fruition and the fate of what's left of the world hangs in the balance. There's one bit of good news: they won't have to do it alone. Team Seven is back...but can even they turn the tide against a madman who can alter reality itself?
Kaizen Gamorra has become a scourge of World's End, possessing the bulk of the working technology on the planet. He hungers for more, however, and is willing to destroy any in his path to acquire it. He's set his sights on the Carrier – and The Authority have a fight on their hands they might not be able to win!
With Gen14 on one side and the Fearsmiths on the other, Gen13 is stuck in the middle of a fight for their lives! Who will live? Who will die? The answers may surprise you as the kids finally reach the end of the road on their long journey across the post-apocalyptic landscape of World's End!
Kaizen Gamorra’s assault on the Carrier catches the team unawares – and completely unprepared! Can they hold off his overwhelming forces without a key member? Looks like they’ll have to since the Midnighter left the team in an attempt to find a cure for Apollo...and his journey will have massive ramifications for World’s End!
The team-up event of World's End continues as Team Seven and the Wildcats hunt Tao! But will they be ready for the fight when they find him? He's been preparing for this moment for quite some time...and when the gloves come off, it'll be a battle to the death!
Skywatch is burning. Stormwatch is down. The Knights of Khera have operational control. Only Fuji can save them now!
For Tao to reach his ultimate goal, he's missing one element - the power of Max Faraday. And Wildcats and Team Seven have inadvertently led Tao straight to Max! Now the god war is really on!
Before the 'Cats could make a deal to deliver more survivors, Max realized their zeal led Tao to his island... and the loved ones he left behind. As these two godlike beings fought, Savant and Zealot teleported to the one man who might be able to flip the balance in their favor : Majestic !
The team is splintered following Kaizen Gamorra's surprise attack on the Carrier. Jack has been captured by Cybernary, and Swift and the Engineer are Lorenzo's "guests" at Rendlesham. As the plundering of the Carrier begins, can anyone help in this most desperate hour? And where has Midnighter been?
With Gen14 on one side and the Fearsmiths on the other, Gen13 is stuck in the middle of a fight for their lives! Who will live? Who will die? The answers may surprise you as the kids finally reach the end of the road on their long journey across the post-apocalyptic landscape of World's End! And you won't believe what happens next!
The assault on Max Faraday's island begins! The Wildcats fight a war against Tao's army to save planet Earth. Can they enlist an embittered Majestic to help them – or will he seal the team's doom?
Following Kaizen Gamorra's successful surprise attack on the Carrier, the team regroups for a counterstrike. Can Swift, Jack and the Engineer overthrow an army of super beings? And the Midnighter makes an earth-shattering discovery in Northern England...
The long lost Kheran ship known as the Red Blade is back and with it comes a mandate to dominate all of Earth. Lucky for Earth, Jackson King and his Stormwatch team stand in their way...even if they won't be standing for long.
