Fringe Comic Number 4
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| Talk | Fringe Comic Number 4 | Theories |
| Fringe #4 | |
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| Number | 4 |
| Release Date | April 29, 2009 |
| Previous Issue | Fringe #3 |
| Next Issue | Fringe #5 |
| Transcript | |
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Fringe Comic #4 was released April 29, 2009, and is dated Jun 09.
It is the fourth issue of a six-part series, and features two Fringe-related stories: Best-Laid Plans & Space Cowboy
"Best-Laid Plans" has Bishop and Bell back in the lab, working on a project for the military. After a mishap in the lab, the men find that they have traveled half a century back in time... to war torn Europe.
"Space Cowboy" examines an on-going human experiment where astronauts are being dosed to improve metabolism. A Federal investigation ensues when an astronaut loses it in orbit.
Synopsis
William Bell is out on a date with a girl named Jill when Walter suddenly contacts him on a "PhoneCam"--a device they've been working on in the lab. Walter asks that Bell return to the lab immediately, upsetting William as this causes Jill to leave, ending his date. Back at the lab, Walter introduces William to a pair of men from the United States Air Force who have brought them schematics for a strange machine. They claim it was found six months earlier in an abandoned warehouse in Argentina, and that it is so advanced their top scientists cannot figure out how to build it. Hoping that Bell and Bishop can succeed where others failed, they request that they build the device - a request that William Bell refutes, saying that they don't work for the government. The men from the Air Force tell them they are aware of the 117 laws that Bell and Bishop have broken over the last two years and that if they cooperate, they will look the other way... a bit of "quid pro quo."
Six months later, Walter and William have nearly finished constructing the machine. Bell complains about Rufus, Walter's pet dog that he keeps in the lab. As the two men step inside the machine to adjust some circuitry, Rufus accidentally activates it while trying to eat a box of donuts. Walter and William look on in horror as a bright light envelops them... then the next thing they know, they are standing in the middle of a field at night, completely naked. William posits that the machine translocated them somewhere, and the two discover a nearby clothesline though it contains old-fashioned clothing. After getting dressed, they spot a truck driving down a road and flag it down. A man speaking German points a pistol at them and then puts them in the back of the truck with several other prisoners. As Bell voices his frustration at the government, Walter looks out the window to discover a new truth--they weren't just sent to Germany, they were sent back in time...to Nazi Germany.
The Nazi guards take them to a jail cell filled with Jewish prisoners. After witnessing the guards drag off a prisoner for no reason at all, Bell begins to worry what will become of them. Walter assures William that they will get out of this mess, so long as Bell doesn't interfere with Walter's plan. Walter then steps up to the cell door and beings shouting angrily to speak with a "Hans Froelich". The guards burst into the room bearing their guns, but a Jewish prisoner named Levi Berger translates for Walter, saving their lives. As the guards lead the two scientists away, Bell demands to know who Hans Froelich is. Walter then comes clean to William, and reveals that Hans Froelich... is his father.
Image Scans
Credits
- Writers: Danielle Dispaltro & Alex Katsnelson
- Artist: Tom Mandrake
- Colorist: Darlene Royer
- Letterer: Wes Abbott
- Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
- Editors: Ben Abernathy and Hank Kanalz
Space Cowboy
Synopsis
At Arlington National Cemetery, a funeral is being held for astronaut Raymond A. Chester. A TV news report states that an emergency Congressional hearing is taking place at the same time due to his sudden death aboard the International Space Station one month earlier. While NASA's official autopsy claims Chester died of a heart attack and that foul play was not involved, many questions remain. Raymond's wife Sarah was denied access to view her husband's body, and she had contacted police in regards to a possible cover-up by NASA--for which reason the Congressional hearing was taking place.
Two months earlier in Cape Canaveral, Raymond is being cleared for space travel by Dr. Hart. Hart asks him if would consider being part of a top secret study that NASA is conducting. Raymond is curious but Hart tells him he must agree to take part in the study before he can tell him more. Raymond agrees, and is then given a bottle of pills, and told to take one daily. The pills double a person's ability to retain oxygen, which means he'll breathe only half as much oxygen as a normal human. Hart tells him that the less oxygen you need, the stronger he'll be... he could be the first superhero in space. Raymond takes the bottle of pills and leaves.
At the congressional hearing, Dr. Hart testifies that Chester died of a heart attack as evidenced by NASA's autopsy. Senator Rosen demands to know why NASA will not allow them to see Chester's medical file, and that it is their belief that Chester was on an experimental drug called Provitic. Dr. Hart remains silent and the Senator then asks why they've also been denied access to question another astronaut, Eric Spyre.
Over a month earlier, Raymond is at NASA Crew Quarters, in the swimming pool. After surfacing, he is told he's just beaten the previous record by a minute. Raymond tells Dr. Hart he feels "better than ever."
Senator Rosen repeats his question to Hart regarding astronaut Eric Spyre. Suddenly a woman walks up to Rosen and hands him a slip of paper. The Senator then says that the panel will have a 15 minute recess.
Back at NASA headquarters, Raymond is training in their centrifuge. The operators say his heart rate is normal but his breathing is very low. As they shut down the centrifuge and Raymond exits the machine, he accidentally breaks it. As the operators look in disbelief, Raymond says that he "couldn't help it", and he "felt too strong."
Later, Raymond is on the phone with his wife Sarah, describing how he beat the swimming record. Sarah is stunned because Raymond doesn't even like swimming. Raymond then tells her about Provitic, despite the pills being top secret. His wife voices her worry about the pills, but Raymond just tells her that he "likes it."
During the launch, Raymond begins to panic and takes off his helmet. An astronaut named Eric radios Dr. Hart and asks permission to sedate Raymond, to which Hart authorizes. Raymond becomes violent for a moment, knocking another astronaut unconscious, but Eric manages to sedate him with a syringe.
On board the ISS, Raymond is being restrained with handcuffs. A fellow astronaut tells him that his heart rate is twice as high as a normal human and his testosterone levels are out of control. He is now breathing only half as much oxygen as a normal person. Raymond demands to be let go when he suddenly manages to break free from his restraints, attacking the other astronaut. His rage continues and he begins ripping a panel off the wall when all of a sudden he is sucked out into the vacuum of space.
At the congressional hearing, a reporter questions Senator Rosen as to whether it is true that the hearing has been postponed indefinitely by NASA. Rosen simply replies "No comment." Shortly afterward, in Dr. Hart's office, another astronaut is being given a bottle of Provitic. Dr Hart tells him to take only half a pill daily.
Image Scans
Credits
- Writer: Kim Cavyan
- Artist: Tom Mandrake
- Colorist: Carrie Strachan with Royer
- Letterer: Wes Abbott
- Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
- Editors: Ben Abernathy and Hank Kanalz
- Special Thanks to: Jeff Pinkner
Trivia
- The Observer can been seen standing behind Senator Rosen as he exits Congress on the last page of Space Cowboy
Unanswered Questions
| Theories about these unanswered questions should be placed and read at Fringe Comic Number 4/Theories |
| Unanswered questions |
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