Stormwatch # 1 1993 NM

Stormwatch #1, published by Image Comics in March 1993, launched the third major team in the Wildstorm Universe. Created by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi, the series focuses on a United Nations-sanctioned superhero strike force tasked with global crisis intervention. 

Story Synopsis: "Deathtrap"

The issue establishes the team's international scope and personal stakes through a confrontation with a group of super-powered mercenaries known as The Mercs. 

• The Mission: The story begins with a flashback to a mission in Eastern Europe where Stormwatch attempted to extract a UN delegate. The mission turned tragic when the delegate was killed by Deathtrap, the leader of the Mercs.
• The Funeral Attack: In the present, the Mercs ambush the delegate's funeral to kidnap Malcolm King, the teenage brother of Stormwatch's field leader, Battalion.
• A Hero’s Origin: During the battle, Malcolm is critically injured. To save his life, the teammate Synergy (Christine Trelane) uses her powers to activate Malcolm’s latent superhuman abilities, causing a massive energy discharge that marks his transformation into the hero Strafe. 

The Original Team & Command

Stormwatch operates from an orbiting satellite headquarters called Skywatch, overseen by the cybernetically enhanced commander Henry Bendix, also known as The Weatherman. 

Core Roster:

• Battalion (Jackson King): The field leader with psionic abilities and a specialized battlesuit.
• Fuji (Toshiro Misawa): A massive Japanese hero with superhuman strength who must live inside a containment suit.
• Diva (Alessandra Fermi): An Italian hero with powerful sonic screams.
• Hellstrike (Nigel Keane): A former police officer who can project explosive plasma bolts.
• Winter (Nikolas Kamarov): A Russian hero capable of absorbing and redirecting massive amounts of energy. 

Creative Team & Collectibility

• Writers: Brandon Choi and Jim Lee.
• Artist: Scott Clark (Pencils) and Trevor Scott (Inks).