Gates The Comic by Hal Hefner, Presented by Heavy Metal

Gates is a young man in his early twenties, living a wretched existence within a small colony of humans. He has spent his entire life using his intelligence and instincts to keep his unique physiological ability hidden. He is not like the other citizens of ConGenement City who are all genetically manipulated prior to their birth. This genetic predetermination has resulted  in a very specific society, bred specifically susceptible to drugs that make them automaton like devotees to their government. Gates is derived from a secretive line of naturally conceived humans and unlike other people, Gates thinks for himself but fears execution if he questions the authority that suppresses him.

The ConGenement are an oppressive government and religious faction that rule every facet of life within the colony. From the distribution of food and water, to the creation of life–the ConGenement knows and sees all. Through a system of closed circuit monitors throughout the industrial complex, they bombard the inhabitants with propaganda. Ruled by a predetermined circle of twelve officials referred to as the Magistrates, the ConGenement teach their citizens that life outside of the complex cannot exist because it is encased by noxious gases left by their careless and ignorant ancestors. The ConGenement encourages a clean and pure life, serving the good of the city and preach to their subjects that this will lead to reincarnation, through the Ceremony Ascension. The focal point of their existence is Ascension, which is celebrated by the death of one man and one woman and the simultaneous birth of two babies, a boy and a girl in which they are said to be reincarnated.

Orwell was Gates Learnsleep conductor  when he was a child. He introduces Gates to secrets of their society’s past that will influence Gates’ destiny.

Adria is a beautiful and intelligent young woman genetically predetermined to be a member of the ConGenement’s highest class. She’s being groomed to become a Minister of Medicine (Doctor) to avoid being drafted into the birthing program. Working her way through the system, she is a  conductor in the ConGenement Nursery Facility, where she’s currently studying. Her job is to administer the drugs and program the propaganda filled lessons known as Learnsleep– to children. Adria is a cold, devout follower of the ConGenement who is obsessed with impressing her Magistrates so that she may rise to the next level and take her place beside them.

Hamon is an upstanding member of ConGenement society who aspires to become a ConGenement Magistrate. He is the Lead Minister of Mediscientific Affairs for all of ConGenement City. When Hamon catches Gates with the old Map to the “cave of life”, the politician in him sees this as a chance for a promotion.

Kano is a stern and militant  man in his mid thirties who has given the ConGenement everything he has while fully succumbing to their propaganda. Because of aggressive, sometimes unstable behavior that can only be controlled by higher doses of medication that dulls his intelligence, Kano is a ConGenement Director whose job is to enforce ConGenement law, keep order and protect the Magistrates.

Soloman is a horrific overlord who reins supreme over the surface of the planet. He uniquely embodies technology and the organic as a questionable marriage of morality that will no doubt face the near future of mankind. Soloman has mastered science and has perverted it into solar powered organic technology which he uses to create life forms for amusement. Soloman fiendishly enjoys conceiving life and surrounds himself with bizarre creature-creations, that he calls Animoids. Soloman rules with fear over a world of Animoid slaves who serve his every need. Projecting a god-like appearance to hide his true form, Soloman intimidates his Animoid slaves by protecting himself in horrific plant based armor.  The organic  armor grows from a piece of  bug-like plant-technology called a scarab seed–that Soloman controls with his mind to transform into various disguises at will.

Nektu is an intelligent and cunning Animoid warrior comprised of canine and reptile genes. He is a slender yet muscular ninja-like creature who possesses heightened senses, tremendous speed, and razor sharp claws. Nektu is a member of a clan of indiginous Animoids that are the ancestors of escaped slaves that populate the outskirts of Soloman’s fortress.  Nektu is the son of Mogo-Rom, the chief of his tribe. Nektu and his tribe despise Soloman and live in fear of his wrath.

Oklar is an elephantine/reptilian-like Animoid warrior who is Chief Mogo Rom’s protector. Hulking and powerful, he is a wise warrior and devout friend of Nektu. Oklar is a the shaman like figure of the tribe yet a raging force to be reckoned with, wielding his muscular spiked tail as a powerful weapon. Loyal and honest, Oklar is the artistic keeper of the tribes hieroglyphics.

Tull is an evil Animoid slave that is dedicated to serving Soloman. He is a reptilian/rodent beast that is cunning, deceptive, intelligent and can alter his body color for camouflage like a chameleon. Tull is the leader of Soloman’s army of Animoids who travel inside, large living vehicles called Zeenupods that scavenge the land to feed Soloman’s living fortress.

Cron is a ferocious Animoid that is comprised of Crocodilian, Primate and Wolverine DNA. Along with a brood of six ferocious brothers, Cron is the largest and most powerful of elite warrior beasts with a voracious thirst for flesh.

The Gok is a half plant and half animal creature, something in between a worm, a dinosaur and a tree. It is an enormous beast that lives in the jungles preying on Animoids for food. Ironically the Animoids also rely on the Gok for food and use its bones, skin and innards for weapons, tools, clothing and shelter. A full size Gok can grow up to as long as 100 feet and weigh more than 10 tons. The Gok’s poisonous thorn like spines are lethal to all who are unfortunate to feel their sting.