Manhunter #7 is an issue of the series Manhunter (Volume 1) with a cover date of December, 1988.
Synopsis for the 1st Story
During the day, Dr. Alchemy causes havoc in New York City. That evening, exploiting a physical preference in females, Mark Shaw has hired a buxom red-head to go home with Al Desmond while Manhunter follows. Once in Al's apartment's bedroom, Manhunter appears and knocks Al out taking the Philosopher's Stone with him.
Manhunter drops off Dr. Alchemy at the Police Headquarters and reviews the wanted files. There are files for Kobra but Manhunter opts for Count Vertigo instead. Lt. Best arrives but refuses to give Manhunter any more information on Vertigo and kicks Manhunter out of the station. Mark Shaw heads for a section of NYC called "Little Vlatava" where he reunites with a Vlatavan family he defended during his public defender days. Mark asks the father, Josef, about Count Vertigo. Josef is reluctant at first to speak of him as he still retains loyalty to his former country, but he is equally concerned with recent developments and opts to talk to Mark.
Several weeks ago, Vlatavan nationalists broke into the prison and "rescued" Count Vertigo. These nationalists supposedly have very powerful, right-wing American allies and have access to some abandoned military base. Previously there was an unreported invasion of Vlatava and Count Vertigo joined, but he was captured by Soviet forces. The Soviets brainwashed Count Vertigo into working for them linking his mind to their cause. When their cause failed, Vertigo's brainwashing caused his ego to collapse into depression and apathy. The nationalists are believed to be trying to deprogram him. Josef fears these nationalists and Mark promises to stop them.
Mark tracks down Amanda Waller and informs her of what he's learned. Amanda deduces that the abandoned base is most likely McClellan Air Force Base in Arizona. Amanda offers to take the mission by Mark wants the bounty for Vertigo. Amanda gives him six hours before she sends in military back up. She also gives him access to a military plane.
The military plane flies to the base and radios them requesting permission to land, and take-off as part of practice maneuvers. The Vlatavans are not happy about it but don't want to arouse suspicion by refusing. As the plane lands, Manhunter, who was hiding in the wheel wells, leaps out unseen. He infiltrates the base and comes across the Count surrounded by Colonel Kapek and Heinrich, who do not believe they can succeed in deprogramming the Count before they're ready to leave. Manhunter's previously placed explosive goes off causing a diversion. The Colonel leaves giving Heinrich orders to either take Vertigo to safety or kill him as a martyr. Heinrich opts for the latter but Manhunter stops him. Unfortunately Vertigo's depression has him in it's grip and he refuses to be rescued. Manhunter punches him forcing him out of his stupor and turning him violent. Vertigo takes on Manhunter, the returning Colonel and several Vlatavan soldiers. American soldiers arrive and Manhunter manages to take Vertigo down with his power baton's newest attachment, a sonic maser (that simulates Black Canary's cry which Manhunter learned successfully took Vertigo down before). Unfortunately Kapek and Heinrich managed to escape and plan to create a new symbol to replace Count Vertigo.
Appearing in the 1st Story
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Amanda Waller
- Lieutenent Lucius Best
- Josef
Antagonists:
- Count Vertigo (Flashback and main story)
- Doctor Alchemy
- Vlatavan Revolutionaries
- Colonel Kapek
- Heinrich
- Captain Mueller
Other Characters:
- Unnamed Red-Head
- Josef's wife and children
Locations:
- New York City, New York
- New York Police Department - 11th Precinct
- Eliot Shaw's Offices
- Little Vlatava
- Vladek
- Vlatava (Flashback only)
- Virginia
- Arizona
- McClellan Air Force Base
Items:
- Manhunter's Mask
- Manhunter's Power Baton
- Philosopher's Stone
Vehicles: