December, 1986 (22 Pages) Cover Artist: Geof Isherwood Writer: Steve Englehart Penciler: Geof Isherwood Inker: Vince Colletta Letterer: Rick Parker Colorist: George Roussos Editor: Michael Higgins Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter

Tensen, the Justice-Warrior, sits in prison after having brutally murdered mobsters in the previous issue. He is attacked by his fellow cell-mates and kills two of them before a policeman comes in to stop the battle. Tensen asks to see the black woman Rebecca Chambers, whom he says can explain his actions. His request is granted and he is taken to a room where he meets her face-to-face once more. The two engage in a discussion of Tensen's "morals" when suddenly an army of mutants, called the "Hounds," breaks through into the room and begins attacking.

Tensen at once analyzes them to find that they have no aura -- that they feed on auras of others, and as such they cannot be affected by Tensen's sword or shield. He subdues them using pure brute force, and after the last of them admits that Damon Conquest had sent them, he breaks its neck. Ms. Chambers objects to the killing and fires a shot at Tensen, who deflects it with the help of his shields before escaping.

The Justice Warrior goes outside and intends to hail a cab to where the men in prison said Conquest lives -- Los Angeles. But the cabbie whom he talks with objects to the trip because he'd want "nine-ten thousand bucks" to make the trip. Tensen then says that he will find the money and then return to the cabbie later.

On the planet from whence Tensen came, Queen Endolana (who had special associations with Tensen) and King Therion are attacked by the Hounds, and the Justice Warriors present as the royal guard cannot fight them off. The King's fellow wizard, Webstral, will not aid, but once the Warriors defeat the Hounds, he wishes to take one of the Hounds for research. The King, meanwhile, notes the increased power of those who have sent the Hounds, the Wizards of the Winterlands, and wishes he knew where Tensen, his finest warrior, was.

Back on Earth, Tensen returns to the place that was once the Factory and finds drug-dealers debating over a sale. The warrior demands ten thousand dollars, and after seeing the evil auras of all present, systematically eliminates everyone in the room with his sword while protecting himself with his shield. After killing most all the criminals in the room, he freely takes more than twice the amount he needs -- and then with a blast of his sword kills the man who showed him its location.

After Tensen gets the money, he returns to the cabbie and gives him the money he requires. And in Los Angeles, Damon Conquest is warned that the Justice Warrior is on his way.

Justice #2 covers much more ground than the first issue, bringing more into focus the importance of Rebecca Chambers of the FBI.  Steve Englehart brings in the possibility of romance between Justice and Rebecca, which Rebecca at first finds distasteful (not to mention outlandish -- inter-racial romances were practically unheard-of in the mid-80s when this was written).  Social commentary aside, a number of good scenes are in this story, notably Justice's encounter with the Hounds.  It is never explained why the Hounds have no auras, but it may ultimately have something to do with Daedalus Darquill's paranormal delusions (as seen later in the series).  More fun is made of Justice's apparent alien nature in his encounter with the cabbie and his subsequent search for "ten thousand bucks."  In terms of art, however, this story lacks due to the poor inking of Vince Colletta, whose finishing skills I couldn't care less about.  Still, the story is so good it didn't matter that much to me. Rating: 3.5 Bolts (out of 5)

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