XSE #3 (1997), titled "Future Betrayed," reveals the origin of Shard's death in the dystopian future of Earth-1191 through a conversation with her brother, Bishop. The issue, part of the Xavier's Security Enforcers miniseries, details how her career ambitions and a betrayal by Trevor Fitzroy led to her transformation into a vampire-like Emplate.
The plot of XSE #3
Shard's ambition and rivalry: The story is framed as a flashback within the current timeline, with Bishop and a holographic Shard discussing their past. Before her death, Shard was an ambitious officer in the X.S.E., often seeking promotion. Her rivalry with her brother Bishop is highlighted during a field test of a solid holoprojection weapon. When Bishop easily defeats the prototype, Shard angrily blames him for the perceived career setback.
Fitzroy's betrayal: To make amends, Bishop gives Shard a tip from the captured villain Trevor Fitzroy, who is offering information on the mutant-devouring Exhumes in exchange for his freedom. Bishop allows Shard and her team to handle the investigation, hoping she will get the credit she wants. However, the information is a trap.
Encounter with the Emplates: Shard and her team walk directly into a nest of Emplates, a group of psychic, mutant-marrow-sucking vampires that Fitzroy secretly controls. The team is quickly overwhelmed and Shard is infected, causing her death and transformation into one of the Emplates.
Significance in the X-Men mythos
This issue explains how Shard, who had been appearing in the 1990s as a holographic projection on the mutant team X-Factor, died in her own timeline.
The plot provides backstory for the characters of both Bishop and Shard, fleshing out their complicated sibling relationship.
The issue also develops the background of the villain Trevor Fitzroy, revealing that he is the illegitimate son of the Hellfire Club's Black King, Anthony Shaw.
XSE #3 (1997), titled "Future Betrayed," reveals the origin of Shard's death in the dystopian future of Earth-1191 through a conversation with her brother, Bishop. The issue, part of the Xavier's Security Enforcers miniseries, details how her career ambitions and a betrayal by Trevor Fitzroy led to her transformation into a vampire-like Emplate.
The plot of XSE #3
Shard's ambition and rivalry: The story is framed as a flashback within the current timeline, with Bishop and a holographic Shard discussing their past. Before her death, Shard was an ambitious officer in the X.S.E., often seeking promotion. Her rivalry with her brother Bishop is highlighted during a field test of a solid holoprojection weapon. When Bishop easily defeats the prototype, Shard angrily blames him for the perceived career setback.
Fitzroy's betrayal: To make amends, Bishop gives Shard a tip from the captured villain Trevor Fitzroy, who is offering information on the mutant-devouring Exhumes in exchange for his freedom. Bishop allows Shard and her team to handle the investigation, hoping she will get the credit she wants. However, the information is a trap.
Encounter with the Emplates: Shard and her team walk directly into a nest of Emplates, a group of psychic, mutant-marrow-sucking vampires that Fitzroy secretly controls. The team is quickly overwhelmed and Shard is infected, causing her death and transformation into one of the Emplates.
Significance in the X-Men mythos
This issue explains how Shard, who had been appearing in the 1990s as a holographic projection on the mutant team X-Factor, died in her own timeline.
The plot provides backstory for the characters of both Bishop and Shard, fleshing out their complicated sibling relationship.
The issue also develops the background of the villain Trevor Fitzroy, revealing that he is the illegitimate son of the Hellfire Club's Black King, Anthony Shaw.
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