Heroes Reborn: Ashema #1

Jan 2000 · Marvel · 1.99 USD; 2.99 CAD

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★ 1st appearance — Lancer

About this Issue

Heroes Reborn: Ashema #1 is a key narrative bridge in the post-Heroes Reborn epilogue cycle, giving the fallen Celestial Ashema — first introduced in Heroes Reborn: The Return #1 (1997) by Peter David and Salvador Larroca — her own dedicated story as a fully mortal figure stripped of cosmic power. The issue spotlights the thematic core of the entire 'Franklin-verse' coda: that the pocket universe the main heroes abandoned still had living inhabitants and needed a champion, a moral weight the main titles never fully reckon with. It also marks the behind-the-scenes introduction of two new Counter-Earth characters, Shakti and Technarx, who go on to become generals in Doctor Doom's growing Counter-Earth empire across the companion one-shots. As part of the coordinated wave of seven 2000-era Heroes Reborn one-shots, it represents Marvel's effort to formally close out the pocket-universe chapter of their continuity before those threads resolved in the pages of Fantastic Four.

In Heroes Reborn: Ashema #1, the Celestial-turned-human Ashema confronts the truth behind the destruction of a Pocket Universe Earth, uncovering a chilling connection to the Dreaming Celestial. As Doctor Doom begins assembling an army—starting with Dorma—his forces intervene to rescue Ashema in a moment that reshapes the conflict. Written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by Michael Ryan, with inks by Don Hillsman, colors by Jason Wright, and letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Wes Abbott, the issue’s cover by Michael Ryan and Don Hillsman captures the tension of a world on the brink.

Contains 2 stories

Ashema

23 pp · Superhero

AshemaDoctor DoomLancerDreaming Celestial (villain)Divinity (villain)Dorma (villain)Shakti (introduction, villain, behind the scenes)Technarx (introduction, villain, behind the scenes)Atlans (villain)Wyatt WingfootToomazoomaS.H.I.E.L.D. agents

In *Heroes Reborn: Ashema #1*, the celestial being Ashema—now human—grapples with the truth that the Dreaming Celestial is behind the destruction of a Pocket Universe Earth. As Doctor Doom begins assembling an army, recruiting figures like Dorma, he and Lancer intervene to rescue Ashema, drawing her deeper into a conflict far beyond her understanding.

Bullpen Bits #27

0.25 pp · Humor, Superhero

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MINT $4.56 VF $25 HEROES REBORN 2000 ASHEMA DOOM MASTERS EVIL REBEL REMNANTS YOUNG ALLIES #1 (7) $25

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History

The issue was written by Chris Claremont with pencils by Michael Ryan, inks by Don Hillsman, colors by Jason Wright, and lettering by Richard Starkings and Comicraft — the same core Claremont crew handling the companion one-shots Heroes Reborn: Doomsday and Heroes Reborn: Doom. It was edited by Tom Brevoort under editor-in-chief Bob Harras, and released on newsstands November 10, 1999, carrying a January 2000 cover date. The issue was published as a standalone one-shot, part of a coordinated batch of seven such specials that collectively continued the fate of Counter-Earth following the events of Heroes Reborn: The Return #1–4, before those storylines fed back into the regular Fantastic Four title.

Trivia · 8 facts

Published as a one-shot (single issue, no ongoing series); released November 10, 1999, with a January 2000 cover date.
Written by Chris Claremont; penciled by Michael Ryan; inked by Don Hillsman; colored by Jason Wright; lettered by Richard Starkings, Comicraft, and Wes Abbott; edited by Tom Brevoort; editor-in-chief Bob Harras.
Ashema the Listener (a Celestial) had her first-ever appearance in Heroes Reborn: The Return #1 (1997), created by Peter David and Salvador Larroca; this one-shot is her first solo-headlined story.
The issue serves as a direct narrative sequel to Heroes Reborn: The Return #1–4, continuing from Heroes Reborn: Doomsday #1 and leading into Heroes Reborn: Doom #1.
Shakti (a battle-mage) and Technarx (a techno-organic entity) are introduced behind the scenes in this issue; their first full appearances occur in Heroes Reborn: Doom #1.
Doctor Doom takes a central role alongside Ashema, beginning to assemble an army on Counter-Earth that includes Lancer, Dorma, Shakti, and Technarx — a coalition that eventually confronts the Fantastic Four.
The issue also includes a Mini Marvels backup humor strip featuring Spider-Man and Hawkeye (Clint Barton) and Storm (Ororo Munroe), accounting for those characters' catalog indexing.
The story was reprinted in France in Marvel Top (Panini France) #20 (September 2000), and was later collected in the 2009 Heroes Reborn: The Return trade paperback alongside the six companion one-shots.