Volume 1: The Fracture

**Volume 1: The Fracture** is the first Volume of the Comic Book Series Fallen Heroes, and is succeeded by Volume 2: Saviors and Strays.

## Storyline Overview

In 2009, a vicious, extremely powerful alien race known as The Deviance invaded Earth, creating chaos in their wake. To combat this threat, the World's leading Superhero Team, known as The Sentinels, launched an attack on the Deviance. However, the Deviance proved to be too powerful, and the Sentinels relied on many superheroes and even supervillains to help destroy these evil creatures and prevent them from destroying Earth. Their fight came with great sacrifice, as many gave their lives to stop the Deviance, resulting in a massive event known as The Fracture. The Fracture ended the threat of the Deviance, but the remaining superheroes were forced into hiding as the United Nations issued a worldwide ban on Superheroes, as they believed them to be the root cause of the problem. To this extent, Christopher Avian, the CEO of Avian Enterprises and archenemy of the Sentinel's leading superhero Unity, became renowned as the World's Greatest Protector, as Unity seemingly sacrificed his life in an effort to stop the Deviance.

Thirteen years later in 2022, young teenager Mia Kincaid becomes suspicious that the superheroes were not killed, but rather sent somewhere else, and believes that her father has gone with them. Obsessed with superheroes, Mia teams up with the very-much alive Unity to find out what happened after "The Fracture" and find a reason to make the Earth trust superheroes again.

## Plot Synopsis

In 2009, a massive war between an alien race called The Deviance and the Earth's top superhero team The Sentinels, led by the superhero Unity, erupts. However, the Deviance's power proves to be too great, and the Sentinels rely on outside help, including other superheroes and villains, to help them protect their planet from the monstrous creatures, although it comes at great sacrifice. Their sacrifice creates an event known as The Fracture, which destroys the Deviance but also seemingly kills many superheroes and supervillains, including Unity. In response, the United Nations decrees that superheroes and supervillains are outlawed, and entrusts Earth's protection to Avian Enterprises's CEO Christopher Avian.

13 years later, in 2022, Mia Kincaid, a fifteen-year-old teenager obsessed with superheroes, sees footage of a superhero saving a family from a fire, and learns that there are still some out there. Her obsession with superheroes caused friction in her relationship with her mother Kiana Kincaid, who has lost her husband and Mia's father to The Fracture, and wants her daughter to remain safe.

In Jakarta, CIA Agent Gareth Pearce and his partner Agent Danica Brecken investigate a shipment of a powerful substance known as Utopium, fronted by Arms Dealer Deacon Bronx. Following a shootout with Bronx, the latter makes Pearce aware of "his past", causing discomfort from Pearce. Back in New York, Avian meets with his investors, but learns that his investors are uncomfortable with his company's actions. His investors have come to learn that Avian Enterprises is dealing in Utopium, and when one investor confronts him about it later (by using a picture of Takaya meeting with Bronx), Avian's henchwoman Emiko Takaya protrudes a scythe from her arm in which to kill the investor, eliminating any discomfort the investors may have.

After reviewing the footage of Lomax, Mia decides to do some research, but is bullied by Miranda Lipsey, a popular girl at Liberty School of Science and Art, for still believing in superheroes. Undeterred, Mia continues her investigation, but bumps into Takaya, whom she witnesses brutally murdering Bronx. Caught by Takaya, Mia is forced to hide, but just as Takaya is about to strike, an unnamed shadow throws Takaya through the wall, saving Mia. Mia then recognizes her savior as the superhero Unity, long believed to be dead.

In a flashback, Unity and the Sentinels discuss their next move after losing a fight to the Deviance. Steel Shadow suggests bringing in the reserves as well as other superheroes and villains, although Madame Hex, Skylight and Quickspeed are reluctant to bring anyone else in. With no other choice, Unity agrees to the decision.

Back to the present, Unity escapes as Mia thanks him, and she returns home to be scolded by Kiana, and is mocked by Miranda at school after telling them she saw Unity. In a meeting with School Guidance Counselor Theodore Hope, Mia explains her situation, but Hope tells her to stop living in a fantasy world, although Mia is further interested in finding Unity. Meanwhile, Unity returns to his job at Miguel's Cafe, owned and operated by his longtime friend Miguel Arratia. Miguel asks Unity if he has found *"her"* yet, but Unity explains that he hasn't.

Takaya returns to Avian Enterprises, and informs Avian that Mia witnessed her murdering Bronx. Avian states that they need to find her to protect the interests of the company, but that he cannot use Takaya as there is too much heat on her back as it is. He makes a call to an unknown individual. Pearce and Brecken return to New York, where they learn that Bronx has been murdered. As the CIA has no jurisdiction in the USA, Pearce reaches out to his FBI contact Ricky Mortimer, who shows them pictures of Bronx's mangled body. After seeing metal shards, Pearce comes to the conclusion that Takaya murdered Bronx on Avian's behalf, but is informed by Brecken that Avian is untouchable as he is currently endorsing the sitting US President, who is looking to get a second term in office. Mortimer informs Pearce that there is a witness in the picture, and shows the picture with Mia in the background. Pearce sees raw Utopium in the picture, unlike the diluted Utopium Bronx had, and decides to make a call to an informant.

Mia returns home from School, and is contacted by a mysterious individual, whilst the CIA becomes aware of Mia's research. The individual sends Mia a picture of Unity working at the cafe, and heads out to find him. Meanwhile, Takaya meets with supervillain and assassin Augustus Reinhart and orders him to track down and eliminate Mia. As Unity goes to serve his next customer, he discovers that it is Mia, who is ecstatic that she found him. When he asks her to leave, she decides to order some food instead and promises to leave if he gives her some answers regarding the fight between the Sentinels and the Deviance. Unity asks her to stay away before he leaves her to it.

Meanwhile, as Reinhart tracks Mia, Mortimer gets a lead on Reinhart's location. he informs Pearce, who tells Brecken about Reinhart, revealing that he used to be a supervillain called Oneshot and that he had the ability to manipulate bullets. When Pearce asks Mortimer why Reinhart is in New York, Mortimer is unable to give him an answer. Back at her apartment, whilst sifting through family photos, Kiana checks Mia's room and sees she has snuck out. When she tries to call her, she gets no answer, and calls an unknown individual.

Back in the cafe, Mia recognizes Miguel as a journalist who once followed Unity's heroics, although Miguel tells her that he lost his job after The Fracture. Mia asks him for help in talking to Unity, but Miguel rebuffs her request, as he cannot change Unity's mind. Takaya, meanwhile, calls on Reinhart with Avian listening in, wanting to know about Reinhart's progress, only to find Reinhart has not yet found Mia. Avian threatens Reinhart if he does not get the job done, and later heads to Washington D.C. to meet with President Marshall Weathers. He lays out a blueprint for an upcoming project, and asks for Government funding. When Weathers is reluctant to take it on, Avian subtly threatens Weathers' family and career, forcing a frightened Weathers to sign.

As Unity is about to finish his shift, he is stopped by Mia, who asks why he is avoiding her despite saving her life. Unity tells her that he is tired of fighting and that he no longer has faith in superheroes following The Fracture. He asks Mia to stop chasing superheroes, but Mia counters by revealing that she is the daughter of his best friend Steel Shadow, only for Unity to reveal that he is aware of this. He states that is the reason why he saved her from Takaya, but before she can respond, he notices a red dot on her forehead, and realizes someone is about to kill her. He quickly protects her as a shot is fired, as Reinhart has found Mia and is trying to kill her. However, Unity's actions catch the attention of Avian and Takaya, who are watching the feed, and Avian is shocked to learn Unity is still alive. Unity flies towards Reinhart and destroys his rifle, threatening to hurt Reinhart if he tries killing Mia again. He then turns his attention to the feed, talking directly to Avian before warning him to back off. As Reinhart attempts to escape, he is arrested by Mortimer and the FBI. Unity flies back down to check on Mia, only for Mia to hear her mother calling. Unity gives Mia his address and promises to give her the information she needs before revealing his adopted name- Ben Newport. He then flies off as Kiana locates her daughter.

Following Reinhart's defeat, Avian struggles with the reality that Unity is still alive, and is further shocked at the fact he still has his abilities. Takaya questions their next move, and they head downstairs to a secret lab run by Dr. Evelyn Colcutt. She tells Avian that their experiments are working as planned, with Avian asking to see them.

Mia heads out of her apartment the next day, where she heads to Ben's address. He asks her why she wants to learn more about the Fracture, and Mia tells him that she wants to know the truth about what happened to her father. Ben tells her that he doesn't know about her father's fate, believing him to be dead as he saw his friends sacrifice their lives, although Mia questions why Unity survived the Fracture whilst everyone else died. However, Ben counters by saying that not everyone died. Meanwhile, Mortimer allows Pearce and Brecken to interrogate Reinhart, who has been reprimanded into FBI Custody. Pearce enters alone, and tries to get some information out of Reinhart regarding his ties to Avian. Reinhart refuses to tell him and mocks him for joining the CIA after what the Government did to him in the past. He does, however, admit that Unity is still alive, and Pearce steps out in shock.

Back at Ben's apartment, Ben admits that some superheroes escaped following the events of the Fracture, but suffered as a result. Ben, however, did not suffer but was still guilty for escaping and leaving his friends to die. Mia then questions if Steel Shadow is alive, but Ben admits that he saw him die. He tells her that he is leaving his life as a superhero behind and that Mia should stay away from him, but a determined Mia tells Ben that she needs to find any remaining superheroes. Ben advises against this, as the United Nations shut down worldwide superhero operations, meaning that if Mia investigates someone will start asking questions, and that some of his friends are on the run as a result. Mia leaves, but runs into Miranda, who continues her torment. Angered, Mia responds by punching Miranda in the face before running away. She heads home, where she asks Kiana about her father's past. When Kiana avoids answering her questions, Mia ignores Ben's advice and contacts the mysterious individual, asking them to meet her at the cafe. Later that day, Pearce struggles with the knowledge that Unity is alive, and finds Miguel at his cafe. He gets Ben's location, and knocks on his door. When a surprised Ben opens the door, Pearce tells Ben that they need to talk.

## Issues

* ***Issue 1***
* ***Issue 2***
* ***Issue 3***
* ***Issue 4***
* ***Issue 5***
* ***Issue 6***

## Characters Appearing

### Main Characters

* Mia Kincaid
* Unity
* Gareth Pearce
* Elliott Fischer

### Supporting Characters

* Kiana Kincaid
* Danica Brecken
* Miranda Lipsey
* Miguel Arratia
* Theodore Hope

### Antagonists

* Christopher Avian
* Emiko Takaya
* Augustus Reinhart/Oneshot
* Evelyn Colcutt

### Minor Characters

* Deacon Bronx (Dies)
* Lomax (video footage only)
* Sentinels
	+ Steel Shadow
	+ Madame Hex
	+ Skylight
	+ Quickspeed
* US President Marshall Weathers