Comic Title: Black Orchid #1
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 1988
On Sale Date: November 1, 1988 Shipping Date November 1, 1988
Source: Direct Currents, #10

Direct Market Date November 3, 1988
Source: Comic Shop News, #72

Shipping Date November 3, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #151

Cover Price: $3.50
Page Count: 48
Editor: Karen Berger

Title: "One Thing Is Certain..."
Pages: 48

Feature(s):
Black Orchid (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: Dave McKean
Letterer: Todd Klein

Reprinted In:
Black Orchid TPB (1991)
Black Orchid HC (2012)

Feature Character(s)

• Black Orchid (uses the alias Emma Halliwell; dies in this story; last appearance in Invasion #2; no further appearances)
• Black Orchid II (not named in this story; first appearance; next appearance in Black Orchid #2)

Villain(s)

• Lex Luthor (last appearance in Superman #26; next appearance in Black Orchid #2)
• Mr. Sterling (the chairman of a LexCorp subsidiary; next appearance in Black Orchid #3)
• A board of directors (Lerner named; no further appearances)
• Carl Thorne (a former arms dealer; next appearance in Black Orchid #2)
• Brad (Sterling's henchman; next appearance in Black Orchid #2)

Other Character(s)

• Philip Sylvian (a botanist; also appears in flashback; next appearance in Black Orchid #2)
• A fire chief (no further appearances)
• Thorne's cellmate (no further appearances)
• Susan Linden (in flashback; revealed to be dead in this story; next appearance in Black Orchid #2)
• Two bullies (in flashback; no further appearances)
• Miss Arden (a receptionist; no further appearances)
• A bar patron (no further appearances)
• Harry (Philip's father; in flashback; no further appearances)
• Jarret Linden (Susan's father; in flashback; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Jason Woodrue (pictured in a photograph)
• Pamela Isley (pictured in a photograph)
• Alec Holland (pictured in a photograph)
• Linda Holland (pictured in a photograph)

Comments:
This story continues in Black Orchid #2.

This three part story poses several timeline issues with regards to continuity. First, the crime-fighting original Black Orchid is killed at the outset of this issue. Therefore her appearances in other titles must occur before this series begins. This includes an appearance in Suicide Squad #22 and Invasion #2, both of which were published at the same time as this issue.

Second, the new Black Orchid meets the Swamp Thing in Black Orchid #3 only a few days later. However, at the outset of the alien invasion of Earth, Swamp Thing is transported through time as shown in Swamp Thing #80. He did not return to the present time period until the end of Swamp Thing #90.

Lastly, the Joker appears as an inmate at Arkham Asylum in Black Orchid #2. Based on the timeline, this would occur after the death of Jason Todd in the Death in the Family storyline. The Joker was not captured at the conclusion of that story in Batman #429. His capture therefore must have taken place in an undocumented tale set prior to the events in this series.

As a result this story must take place considerably later than other issues published during this time period. At the earliest, it occurs immediately following Swamp Thing's return.

Synopsis:
Black Orchid infiltrates an organization dedicated to criminal practices. She attends a board of directors meeting as Emma Halliwell hoping to uncover the head of the organization whom she calls the Principal. The chairman of the meeting is Mr. Sterling who has discovered that she is a spy. The Orchid is bound to a chair and shot in the head, but this does not kill her. Next the chairman sets fire to the boardroom and triggers an explosion. The Black Orchid is unable to escape the fire and dies. Sterling contacts his boss, Lex Luthor to inform him that the hero has been eliminated.

At the home of botanist Philip Sylvian, a purple plant woman awakens with no memory. Sylvian explains that he had been friends with his neighbor Susan Linden since they were both children. She grew up in an abusive home and eventually fled to Europe. The two reconnected in college, while Philip was studying colleagues Jason Woodrue, Pamely Isley, and Alex Holland. Susan eventually married Carl Thorne, an arms dealer working for Luthor.

When Susan left her husband due to his abusive and affairs, she testified against him. This resulted in a seven year prison sentence. After his conviction, Thorne arranged for Susan's murder. Sylvian used her DNA to create a series of plant women who would take the identity of Black Orchid.

After finishing his tale, Sylvian falls asleep. He is awoken by a knock on the door. Thorne has been released from prison and has come to kill Sylvian for his relationship with his dead wife.