Change or Die
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Change or Die is the name of a Stormwatch storyline that lasted three issues (issue 48 to issue 50). Written by Warren Ellis and penciled by Tom Raney, this was the series last story arc.
The story was about the appearance of an anti-hero group called the Changers which goal was to build a finer world.
[edit] Before Change or Die
These were the main events that happened prior the arc and can be linked to it:
- Henry Bendix changed Stormwatch's roster, adding, among others, Jenny Sparks and Rose Tattoo.
- A rogue activator (person who can activated dormant powers in people who have been affected by cosmic phenomenon) has powered seedlings around the world.
- The Weatherman has been showing signs of madness, in one instance ordering a Stormwatch unit to destroy the island of Gamorra in retaliation for terrorist acts.
- A mysterious superhuman that was being tracked down by Bednix vanished and, appearently, Rose Tatoo knows who he is.
[edit] Plot summary
Jenny Sparks is attacked by Blind, a member of the Changers. She barely scapes. Meanwhile, the Weatherman briefs Stormwatch Prime about John Cumberland A.K.A High, a former superhero, and give them orders to stop him at all costs.
In the new group's headquarters, Malcom King (Battalion's brother) informs the Changers about Stormwatch and is tortured by Blind.
Later, High arrives in the United Nations and starts burning the countrie's flags, simbolyzing the end of the territories. Stormwatch Prime is sent to the spot, but is easily defeated and left for dead.
The climax of the arc occurs when the Stormwatch attacks the Changers headquarters. Meanwhile, in Skywatch, Bendix reveals his insanity to Jenny Sparks, and is attacked by her. However, he is able to scape.
Stormwatch and the Changers manage to start a negotiation, but it is ruined when Rose Tatoo kills two members of the Changers and she herself is killed by Jack Hawksmoor.
Following this, a Hammerstrike Deep Sanction Missile (a tailored and payload acid bomb) is launched in the headquarters, killing all the members of the Changers, except for the High, who them proceeds to fly towards Skywatch. He dies in the collision with Skywatch's force field.
[edit] Aftermath
Jackson King quickly took Bendix place as Weatherman, unificating Stormwatch Prime and Red and disavowing any knowledge about Stormwatch Black.
Months later, all Stormwatch's members (except Flint and Stormwatch Black) would be killed by the Aliens.
Changers's mission of turning the world in a better place didn't die with its members. Shortly after Stormwatch's death, a group called The Authority and made up from the members of Stormwatch Black appeared, inspired partially by the Changers.
