"The Woman Behind the Mask"
Mantra Vol. 1 #2
August, 1993

Quote: "Lipstick. Mascara. Eye Shadow. Blusher. Foundation. Earrings. Too many choices. A man shaves, combs his hair, slaps on some cologne, and he's ready to go." - Lukasz as Eden

Credits: Mike W. Barr (writer); Terry Dodson (penciller); Al Vey (inker); Tim Eldred (letterer); Moose Baumann(color design); Floodhammer! (interior color); Chris Ulm (editor)

Cover: Terry Dodson (penciller); Gary Martin (inker); George Cox III (colorist)

Main Characters: Mantra, Warstrike

Supporting Characters: Archimage, Gus, Evie, Gus Sr.*

Villains: Edgar Strauss, The Repo Men*, Notch, Boneyard

Story

A startled Lukasz, as Mantra, learns that Warstrike is on her side; he was tricked by Notch into killing Lukasz. The next day, Eden gives her surprised ex-husband custody of the kids for the evening. Mantra then attends Edgar Strauss' auction. In another dimension, Boneyard presses Archimage for the current identities of his remaining warriors. Mantra notices an incognito Warstrike and Notch at the auction. When Strauss offers the mysterious mask for bidding, Notch summons his men to take it, but Mantra grabs it first and puts it on. Discovering the mask's power over the elements, Mantra uses it to defeat her enemies. Mantra then flies back home, and learns that Gus Sr. never picked up the kids. Later, Mantra battles the Repo Men, cloned goons sent by Strauss to retrieve the mask. Unable to destroy them, she is eventually subdued.

* Denotes First Appearance