Challengers of the Unknown #16
In "Today Is a Long Time Coming," the Challengers of the Unknown reunite in a dimly lit bar, where Rocky recounts a forgotten mission from their glory days—when they were thrust aboard a spaceship to face the Xerons, a race bent on destroying Earth. As the story unfolds, the team’s past trial by the Enochians reveals a test of courage and mercy that echoes through time, leaving Clay skeptical but ultimately moved. Written by Steven Grant and brought to life with bold, expressive art by John Paul Leon and Mike Zeck, with inks by Bill Reinhold and Denis Rodier, colors by Lee Loughridge and Zylonol Studio, and lettering by Ken Lopez, the issue’s cover by John Paul Leon and Shawn Martinbrough captures the weight of legacy and the quiet heroism of choosing compassion.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸Cast · 9 characters
Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
In a bar, Rocky tells Clay stories of glory days, including how the Challengers saved the Space Race. They were zapped aboard a spaceship to battle the Xerons, who plan to destroy Earth. When the Challengers get a chance to destroy the planet Xeron, they balk at slaughtering innocents. The Enochians, Guardians of the Space-Time Continuum, tested both races before they went to space. The Xerons are banished to their planet for 1,000 years. The Challengers showed courage and mercy. Clay doesn’t buy it, but he salutes Rocky for dating Sarah Hargate, the office manager: challenging the unknown!
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).