tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22430126793150720302024-03-13T06:04:14.133+00:00Thoughts Of A Workshy Fop"I'm a lady!"varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.comBlogger321125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-57326220320563698972018-04-30T03:27:00.000+01:002018-04-30T03:29:46.958+01:00Black Lagoon Book 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"This fucking blows. I'm done." </i>- <b>Revy</b><br />
<br />
Genuine quote, or subliminal cry for help from me trying to compress it into one post? You decide! OK time to wrap up this over-long arc and wrap up my look at the series so far, I'm probably going to come across a little terse in places because the excessive verbiage is back with a vengeance and even the actions scenes aren't immune. Check out my conclusion for the reasons why I am not doing Book 10 now, as well as my assessment of the series. Black Lagoon are a courier outfit of four people operating out of the Thai city of Roanapur made-up of Dutch - the leader, Benny - the tech guy, Rock - the planner and Revy - the muscle. The "El Baile de la Muerte" [aka The Dance of Death] arc tells the heartwarming story of Roberta, a maid to a Venezuelan family the Lovelaces. When her master, Diego was killed by a bomb at a left-wing political rally he was attending his son was left orphaned and also now the family head. His death triggered Roberta's past as an assassin, guerilla fighter and plain ol'murderer. She disappears and discovers the truth, that the bomb was planted by a group of US soldiers working for the NSA. The soldiers are in Roanapur on a mission to take out a high status Triad associate hence local Triad leader Chang having an interest in them and getting them out of the city as soon as possible. Meanwhile Garcia has hired Rock and Revy to help try and save Roberta, with him bringing along another martial arts gun shooty maid he luckily had on the staff, a teenage girl called Fabiola. Unfortunately it might be too late for Roberta, she's suffered a total psychotic break. She flushed out the US soldiers with men she bought via a third party, and the Colombian's also have Roberta as a person of interest so their army attacked at the same time. During the gun battle between the various parties Revy, Fabiola and three mercenaries they hired try and reach Roberta before she is hurt, but Garcia gets separated from them and finds her but ends up seeing her beat a man to death and he falls into a traumatised state. When Roberta sees him she decides that he is just another hallucination and points her gun at him as he lies there... And now the conclusion.<br />
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[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
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We begin with Revy, Fabiola and the three mercenaries (Shenhua, Sawyer and Lotton) still in the middle of a raging battle.<i> "Hey bitch"</i> says Shenhua to Revy, <i>"smell of blood getting stronger. Better to be careful". </i>Revy says that the<i> "hound"</i> in Roberta has got control. Revy goes on to say they'll probably need to severely injure her to subdue her, when Fabiola objects and asks what about Garcia, Revy says that she needs to wake up<i> "I doubt she could tell the difference between the young master and a cactus right now."</i><br />
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She yells a warning to to Shenhua as Roberta crashes down in front of them. She dodges Shenhua's blades, breaks Sawyer's chainsaw and unloads her foot into Lotton's dick. Fabiola tries to reason with her, but Roberta just dreamily asks her if she's done cleaning up the living room, because the master is looking for his paper. As the injured mercenaries look on, Fabiola falls to her kees and they all watch Roberta walk away. Revy asks the distressed Fabiola what Roberta said to her?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Akward!</td></tr>
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Garcia wakes up to find himself being carried by one of the American soldiers who killed his dad. They reassure him that <i>"we're on your side!" </i>They get to a relatively quiet area and the major introduces himself as Shane Caxton. He says they found Garcia and they'll proect him until they reach safe location. As he tells Garcia his outfit is the second strongest in the US (first strongest is the quartermaster corp), Garcia realises these are the men Roberta has been hunting.<br />
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They fuss round him offering him water and asking him where he is from. Garcia mumbles and they decide he must be in shock right now. Garcia slaps the proffered water away. A man called Sanchez speaks in Spanish to him and tries to joke around ending by saying<i> "we're the good guys, okay? So trust us."</i> All Garcia can think right now is<i> "why?"</i><br />
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But you can't keep away from Roberta for long and she's back on their heels. She is chasing a different team of them from who have Garcia with them. They call the Alpha team in a bit of a panic as they can't lose her and their diversions haven't worked. Caxton gives them orders to keep evading her and not try and take her down,<i> "that's not our objective!" </i>They discuss who they think she is and while they are distracted, Garcia notes a handgun lying on the floor. He picks it up and points it at the soldiers yelling <i>"you... you... If you people hadn't... If you hadn't"</i><br />
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He fires but he doesn't hit anyone as Ray tackles him to the ground and his shot goes wide. Sanchez points his gun at Garcia but Caxton yells at him to put his gun down. Caxton says to Garcia that he didn't get here by accident, "what are you?" He screams at them that they are the ones who ruined his and Roberta's lives. They don't even know the people whose lives they destroyed and tells them what they did. They are shocked and uncomfortable to come face-to-face with a consequence of their actions. Caxton speaks honestly to Garcia:<br />
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<b>Caxton:</b> <i>"Kid. There's no way I can apologise to you. Whether that operation was right or not is not up to me to decide. But, I won't make any excuses for what happened between us. You have the right of revenge."</i><br />
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He tells Garcia it's unfortunate this mission did this to him while having a brief Vietnam flashback, he says what happened was complicated and<i> "involves nations and politics"</i> regardless he was the one who killed Garcia's family and hands him his gun. He tells Garcia he's a man and can make up his own mind,<i> "revenge is a valid motive".</i><br />
We then get a flashback to Garcia and his father discussing one of those "Magic Eye" pictures that were everywhere in the early 90's. Garcia says he can't see the fourth thing in the picture but his father's advice to look at it from the front and back allows him to see it at last. Garcia says he can't understand why he didn't see it before and his father says it's because he looked at it with bias. He must look at things from every angle,<i> "so you have to think hard and decide for yourself".</i> Garcia reaches for the gun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garcia is offered a choice.</td></tr>
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Ray shouts <i>"Shane!! No!!" </i> But Caxton tells Ray he must take over the operation. The rest of the soldiers pull their guns saying they can't follow that order. If Garcia fires, <i>"according to the rules of engagement, he's a threat!" </i> But Caxton again tells them to lower their guns. As Garcia stands and thinks, someone calls in on the radio. She tells <i>"Grey Fox"</i> that <i>"the Hound is approaching"</i>, and their diversion has failed. It's Balalaika, although she doesn't tell him who she is.<br />
<br />
Then we cut to Dutch and Benny. Rock is talking on the phone to Benny, he tells Rock as a co-worker he likes him and he'd hate to see him go. Then he hands the phone to Dutch and tells him to<i> "go easy on him." </i>Rock apologises to Dutch who says that doesn't cut it. They verbally spar for a bit, then Rock says his role is to get the problems out of town<i> "at the very last moment."</i> Dutch wonders how that changes things. Rock says if they can get these problems out of town the other problem will leave too<i>, "and that's when our one and only lucky charm comes in handy for us."</i><br />
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<b>Dutch:</b> <i>"How'd we get caught up in this Rock? It always comes down to this...once again we end up with a huge problem on our hands."</i><br />
<br />
Rock says that they are just a part of this shady town. Dutch says he isn't sure, he takes pride in being a free man. So Rock grins to himself and says to look at it another way, of the current ordeal<i> "we're the only ones who get to have any fun".</i> This leaves both Dutch and Benny briefly making wtf faces. Dutch says he knows that only the<i> "suicidal and the adventurers. Which one are you?"</i> Rock says maybe he'd like to put a bet on that. Dutch hangs up saying it isn't only Roberta who needs a shrink.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone's feeling perky.</td></tr>
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Meanwhile Balalaika is offering the US soldiers a chance to work together in a typically gloomy Russian way. Her and her men are an<i> "army of ghosts wandering the wasteland... unable to die or come back to life." </i>She says she needs an answer right now as <i>"she's above you!" </i> And Roberta crashes through a high window firing on them, as the bullets fly Caxton has his gun shot out of his hand. Roberta finally gives a reason why she's been harrying them but not killing them which she could easily do. She wants to pursue them further into the jungle and have them give her a good chase.<br />
<br />
She backs off and Garcia tells them not to shoot her,<i> "she's the side of me that chose revenge. The one you people... broke!"</i> Caxton says that revenge is between Garcia and him, he's not planning on getting killed by anyone else. He gives Garcia the gun and tells Sanchez and Horner to take Garcia with them to the alley. Roberta spots him and once again looks dreamy, she says when she is done with the hunt she'll make some tea. Garcia says to Caxton to please take care of her.<br />
<br />
And we rejoin Revy, Fabiola and the mercenaries. Revy is vexed at the amount of time they lost, Shenhua noting the movement of the various factions out of a window says that everyone is heading for an intersection at Ransap. She asks Lotton how badly she hurt him but he says he was expecting her to do something like that and drops a sports cup with a huge dent in it in front of them,<i> "Oh. That's what you were fiddling with" </i>says Revy. <br />
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Fabiola spots Hotel Moscow (the Russian mafia in Roanapur led by Balalaika and made up of Afghan war vets) going into action. They open fire on Roberta and pin her down in the alley and the US soldiers manage to escape her again. But she's an individual and they are a squad so Roberta manages to evade, so they move to contain her with caution. Shenhua takes issue with finding out Hotel Moscow are involved, it's serious now does Revy understand that? <br />
<br />
<b>Revy</b>:<i> "How the fuck was I supposed to know. You stupid cunt!! If I knew I woudn't be running my ass off with you morons!"</i><br />
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Shenhua and Revy are about to start another of their nuclear level rows when Sawyer, much to Revy's bewilderment, tickles her. But it distracts them from fighting each other and they spot Garcia with the two US soldiers. They get ready to take the soldiers out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy One-Hand for a while now.</td></tr>
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Revy tells the others they'll attack on three, but before she finishes the countdown her pistol is shot out of her hand alerting the US soldiers. Someone tosses a radio down to her and it was a sniper shot from one of Hotel Moscow. Balalaika says over the radio that the war belongs to them. They are not to spoil that battle and she's only talking to her now because she knows her, next time she won't hesitate to cut her head off. She ends the call.<br />
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Revy regards the radio with blood still streaming out of her damanged hand. Then she hurls it away and unleashes a stream of frutstrated invective aimed at the Russian woman. Shenhua actually manages to put some sense into Revy's head when she tells her only<i> "people in wuxia stories fight somebody they know stronger than them"</i> when Revy seems to be heading for confrontation with Balalaika. She says the hole she has in her leg right now cannot compare with a hole in the head <i>"but if I no stop you. if you want to die, die alone."</i> This leads to Revy letting even more of her frustration out on some bins while cursing up a storm. <br />
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Fabiola then steps in and says that the matter they agreed on is over now and payment will be made through their bank. Revy demands to know what she is going to do? Fabiola says nothing, <i>"it's all over now. That is all."</i> Shenhua also says it is over<i>, "we always lose more than we gain when we work with you bitch." </i>Revy finally smokes a ciggie and says fuck if she knows what will happen to Roberta<i>, "either those soldiers or this town'll take care of her."</i> And goes into Epic Revy Sulk Mode. As Fabiola goes towards the still somewhat stunned Garcia, having been left behind at his request by the two soldiers.<br />
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Back with Caxton and Team Alpha, he hopes that Garcia has been taken care of and also that they return the Colt he handed to him. It was his father's who would hate to see it in the hands of some crook. He assesses the fighting skills of Balalaika and her men and says half-admiringly that she hasn't got a lot of men but <i>"she's turned this block into a kill zone."</i> She is experienced so if she is heading them into a trap they are in real trouble. <br />
<br />
Meanwhile the Russian's note that the Americans have reached the intersection and have hooked up with another team. They have Roberta still pinned down in a dead-end alley. Balalaika says they don't need to escort the Americans anymore. She says that this is not an operation that should end up as "Chang's subcontract" but she calls her soldiers to stand down anyway.<br />
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We then join Chang who is told this, thinks it interesting and then shrugs it off. He and his second, Biu, then discuss the man who is the reason the US soldiers are in Roanapur, a man called <i>"Shue Yan"</i> who is a warlord and part of their heroin business in the region. He then says he's had a call from Rock who told him the plan is that the Lagoon Traders will lead the Americans into the <i>"Golden Triangle"</i> and Roberta will clean up what happens next.<br />
<br />
Biu asks if Balalaika will keep their pact with them? He goes on to say that she's a professional soldier and the fact she's conducting things so professioally is what is scares him. Chang just grins and says "who knows? I sure don't". He says he told her to "dance with him instead of the country bumpkin [the South American cartel]. That's it." He says he looked at the few cards he was dealt and played them. If Balalaika breaks the pact and goes after both Roberta and The Americans it won't matter. They'll duke it out with her like they did in '93.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chang always keeps his cool.</td></tr>
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After that he doesn't care what happens,<i> "let the chips fall where they may. The world'll keep spinning." </i> Biu says he finally realises why the Dai Lo<i> "put so much confidence in an ex-cop who let his friends die at the Star Ferry port. You're crazy, but you've got bigger balls than any of us." </i> Chang says it's not about balls, he just can enjoy things for what they are. There aren't many cards left on the table and the only thing left now is to flip them over and see what comes up.<br />
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We join Balalaika talking to Caxton, she tells him her side have suffered no casualties after he enquires. He says thanks to their help they can return to their original objective and if he knew who she was he'd be happy to put her in for the Silver Star, but she probably doesn't want that. What does she want? She tells him <i>"we are not mercenaries. Honour is our reward." </i> But she asks if she could have a moment of his time. He agrees.<br />
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<b>Balalaika: </b><i>"To be quite honest... we would very much like... to exchange fire with you. Ever since the days of rolling round the red sands of Afghanistan, when we were still alive. This is the battle we have sought. A battle we've waited and longed for..."</i><br />
<br />
She is aware of Caxton's record and his distinguished soldier and that he and his<i> "courageous men continue to fight for your country with loyalty and bravery." </i>An honour that cannot be measured with medals, only those who have been on the battlefield are privileged to understand what that means.<br />
<br />
Caxton warily thanks her saying he just did his duty to his country and comrades, that's all. He tells her that she too is the same if the way she commanded the operation tonight is any representation. She thanks him, then with a look of anguish on her face asks him why after all the things they seem to share <i>"how did we end up... so different from you?" </i> She goes on to say that the dead always envy the living, <i>"was it our countries? The era? Was it ideology?" </i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balalaika in uncharistically emotional mode.</td></tr>
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Caxton says he doesn't know what she is trying to say. She realises this and dismisses it all as <i>"bullshit and it can all go to hell." </i> She then tells him that he praised her command earlier, but she was only protecting them to get Roberta out of town. It was a deal she had made and it's been like walking on razorblades doing it. But she wants him to be afraid of her, that one day they'll come and<i> "trample your country, your cities... even now as renegades, we maintain our strength and discipline... I just want you to remember that."</i><br />
<br />
He asks what happened to her and asks perceptively if she was <i>"medically discharged?"</i> She says she doesn't blame him for thinking that. But she discharged on request after the '89 withdrawal from Afghanistan. But she says that is the official reason, actually it she was pushed out for a breach of international law during a cross-border operation, <i>"I saved a child in a refugee camp. That's all." </i>Caxton goes wide-eyed at this revelation. She then bids him farewell saying the crisis isn't over for him yet, <i>"I pray for your continued fortune in battle and offer you a salute. Good luck."</i> And she and her men exit the storyline.<br />
<br />
Caxton is left knowing what to think, he says that Roanapur is a <i>"chaotic nightmare."</i> He says this place has the veneer of civilisation, it has laws, ethics and paved highways<i>, "it is state-of-the-art Sodom. How could a place like this exist for this long."</i> One of his men say that they has been a huge gun-battle but no cops or fire department or resident in the street. Fve blocks down it's like nothing has happened. They decide to retreat from the city and await further orders from the NSA. We spend two pages on the Bearded dude and Pinalo cleaning up the last of the men they hired on Roberta's behalf, then they too are gone from the narrative.<br />
<br />
Time to find out what sister Eda, nun in the gunrunning Rip-Off Church and also undercover CIA agent is up to. She, if you recall, wants the NSA soldiers (not actually a thing according to my expert on military matters) dead as the CIA deems their operations as stepping all over their toes and Roberta was a way to get rid of them cleanly. Some local member of the "church" says he set up some <i>"documents, farewell gift and everything else."</i> He is curious about it but she doesn't let on what she is up to and tells him she'll be gone a while and to look out for Roberta.<br />
<br />
Roberta is raging in a hotel room. The manifestation of her conscience tries to speak to her, but she unloads her gun into him. Then someone comes in and leaves a bottle of booze and an envelope with a note and some documents. She reads the note which says<i> "The hunt is not over. I will tell you where the Fox is"</i>. She starts laughing madly and pours the bottle over her head, then starts eating the bottle saying now she will <i>"tear them to pieces."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0NrZE1xllC-vqQzNUJ4DcePvw6kK9eflMSi_-osYeOiHq7egNhvffWraYl035SMX1D2QxNlJaWJwxDFXdpkYwFqpWA01c6RA1rYx4cCscItCHJEMqGXuPoatNV5Xm7mxsS37BLNNjsw/s1600/blacklagoonnine7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1069" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0NrZE1xllC-vqQzNUJ4DcePvw6kK9eflMSi_-osYeOiHq7egNhvffWraYl035SMX1D2QxNlJaWJwxDFXdpkYwFqpWA01c6RA1rYx4cCscItCHJEMqGXuPoatNV5Xm7mxsS37BLNNjsw/s320/blacklagoonnine7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta has a drink problem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile we get to nearly a chapter with Ray and Caxton just having a chat as they drive to their safehouse. Thrills! Caxton asks what happened to Garcia and is told that <i>"some girl dressed like a Southern maid took him."</i> Caxton then admits that he feels like tonight he aged a lot. He says he's over fifty and maybe should have stayed out of the field. Ray says it's not like Caxton to say that. Ray then tells him that on an op in Vietnam in '69 was when he realised he wanted to be like Caxton, <i>"a man who always does the right thing."</i><br />
<br />
Caxton says he never forgot the op in question. He was protecting a girl from a village the men he had assumed command of were looting. The most obnoxious one is called Larkin and he says that Caxton is their leader in name only, the village are Vietcong sympathisers so he should leave them to rape and pillage them. The other men join in saying Caxton should <i>"back the fuck off."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Caxton: </b><i>"You guys are right. This kinda thing happens all the time during war. But that's still the logic of a thief. I should have realised much earlier. You men... use the war as an excuse to dishonour your country. You're nothing but bandits."</i><br />
<br />
Larkin sneers at him. But Caxton says he let them kill the villagers but as long as the young girl is still alive he'll be the Lone Ranger and he orders Larkin to draw his gun. Then shoots him.<br />
<br />
Larkin shouts from the ground for the others to kill Caxton and make it look like a KIA. But Ray draws his rifle and shoots Larkin. Caxton tells Ray he was his <i>"Tonto</i>" that day why did he back him up? Ray admits his secret shame, he'd been willing to rape the young girl who Larkin had caught. He didn't want to but he was too afraid,<i> "if I'd isolated myself in a place like that, I would have been fighting alone. Surrounded by enemies." </i> If Caxton hadn't stepped in he'd have raped the girl along with Larkin <i>"all the while apologizing to her in my head."</i> But he didn't have to, thanks to Caxton, who<i> "recognised evil and wasn't afraid to stand alone. Even in an immoral wasteland."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNrB3pnZo624TYN24udVg-bEx6_WmFfY4aD5cw6ZOnL-zRXa212suh0LMbvJQyCmW6B_tLeWQp26EK_bBZztCw6HAuOg6HG1gPQbKu9_lDXnNY3riNAY0HkAdYKUmrV5GEcGxDGKZEPY/s1600/blacklagoonnine8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNrB3pnZo624TYN24udVg-bEx6_WmFfY4aD5cw6ZOnL-zRXa212suh0LMbvJQyCmW6B_tLeWQp26EK_bBZztCw6HAuOg6HG1gPQbKu9_lDXnNY3riNAY0HkAdYKUmrV5GEcGxDGKZEPY/s320/blacklagoonnine8.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in Vietnam.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the fighting was over and Caxton put the girl on a chopper he said to Ray,<i> "do you think we'll ever be free of war?"</i> Ray said not even after Judgement Day and Caxton agreed saying there will be more wars and more men like Larkin taking advantage so it fell to people like him to stay and at least keep the innocent from harm and fight a war that doesn't dishonour his country.<br />
<br />
Ray in the present assures him that he's always avoided sacrificing anything besides his objectives and direct enemies. He's done more than what he's been asked, he even went<i> "above and beyond with that boy." </i>Caxton says maybe, but what happened with that boy only involves him. And we join Fabiola having packed for them to leave. He is standing by the pool gazing at the sky. Fabiola goes to ask him what's up? He suddenly dives fully clothed into the water. She panics and tells him to come out, but he pulls her in with him. He floats saying it's better with your clothes on. Now a whole chapter of two teenagers in a pond. <br />
<br />
Garcia splashes Fabiola and asks if he surprised her. He then laughs and asks if she thought he was losing his mind? She babbles in the negative, but Garcia turns serious and asks if she met Roberta. She says she did and that she doesn't think Roberta is coming back to the mansion,<i> "I don't think she even remembers why and for whom she is doing it." </i>Even if they can force her back things won't go back to the way they used to be.<br />
<br />
Garcia says that they no longer have a home to go to. They all thought if Roberta had her revenge everything would go back to normal, but it was the moment his father was murdered that<i> "everything changed."</i> He then asks her if she believes Roberta came for revenge and Fabiola says Roberta's motives intentions lie elsewhere. Garcia says he agrees, he believes she wants<i> "atonement".</i> She decided to blame his father's killers for everything that's happened to her.<br />
<br />
Fabiola says that Roberta is very earnest and indiscreet, she thinks coming to terms with murder is <i>"insincere"</i> Garcia says that Caxton too drew a line between good and evil within himself. Garcia goes on to say that<i> "a solution that solves everything... doesn't exist."</i> And he's going to save her. He says he is asking a lot and won't think bad of Fabiola if she returns to Venezuela ahead of him.<br />
<br />
Fabiola says that Roberta might stay the way she is, she might get worse, she is probably something that can't be solved. He agrees but says they can start over with her, without forgetting what happened. By coming here he learned what Roberta fears. He met the man who killed his father and found out what kind of man he was and what he thought. He's feeling free right now because, <i>"I can't be her saint. But... I can be her crutch."</i><br />
<br />
Fabiola is impressed, he is going through with it even after seeing how Roberta is. Even she thought she was done,<i> "no mattered how good natured you seemed to be... in the end I thought you were just aother naive rich kid." </i>But now she thinks he can handle it. She says she now remembered why Roberta loved him and his father, <i>"it's not God that saves people at a time like this, it's people. I almost forgot that in this crazy town.</i>" They clasp hands and she says that the people here took advantage of his and Roberta's suffering to make <i>"cunning moves for themselves. I can't let the Head Matron die in this filthy place."</i> She says they can do it, she knows they can!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two damp teens make a pact.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So how far along are we? *check book* Oh, only halfway. If I was a better, more organised person, I'd have split this into two posts. But I'm not, so I didn't. Let's power on through.<br />
<br />
We join the Black Lagoon, the boat the four members of the company run their business with. The NSA is paying them to take the American's to Laos so they can finish their objective to capture Shue Yan. Garcia and Fabiola are already aboard. Dutch says they have to protect themselves from Roberta and Revy is in a pissy mood. She is down with Fabiola trying to draw a gun with her injured hand. The doctor has told her none of that for two weeks. Then disses Roberta.<br />
<br />
Fabiola scolds her, she is studying some English words and tells Revy it's helped her understand some of Revy's <i>"nonsense"</i>. Revy notes that post-battle, Fabiola seems different.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b> <i>"Nothing wrong with that. You've come clean. It happens when you shoot someone."</i><br />
<br />
Revy then says there is something she need to tell her about Garcia before the shooting starts again. And then we cut to Garcia being told by Rock that the Americans will be coming aboard soon and things will be settled once and for all,<i> "only you can resolve it amicably"</i>. No pressure!<br />
<br />
Rock says he failed to end it in town, but as both Roberta and Garcia are still alive, the<i> "game's not over." </i>He says he won't miss next time, Garcia is the<i> "golden key."</i> Revy we then hear telling Fabiola that she doesn't think Garcia can save Roberta and actually it's Fabiola who is "the ace in the hole." Fabiola disagrees. Revy says neither<i> "logic nor love can make sense of all this"</i> only the round hole left by a bullet can solve things. <br />
<br />
Fabiola says that the two of them aren't seeing things the same way. Garcia has changed she says, and Revy grumpily concedes that point. Fabiola says it's not worth them talking to each other. Revy say she has a mouth on her, and she shouldn't forget that she comes from the dumps as well and that Garcia won't be able to<i> "squeeze out gold bricks." </i> Fabiola moves to leave and suddenly and with great speed grabs one of Revy's guns out of its holster and points it at her while Revy points the other one at Fabiola.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabiola has opinions.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fabiola says that she wanted to say there was no difference between the two of them, but she thinks the world is shades of grey for better or worse. She knows why Revy talks badly about Garcia, she can't accept that people like him exist in the world. She can't accept that people in this world would be unselfish enough to risk their life for someone else. Because that would prove to Revy she was wrong about labelling this world a <i>"cesspool."</i><br />
<br />
She says she's seen many people who she thinks are pigs who she'd like to kill many times over but that only fills the cesspool with more shit. Revy holsters her gun and says to her, <i>"fine. Live an honest and poor life. By the time you die in the pigsty, maybe you'll have found heaven." </i>She says that she might find heaven sooner because now she has no reason to save Fabiola's life and she hopes Roberta kills them both.<br />
<br />
Fabiola says Revy always laughs with <i>"such contempt"</i> has she seen her face in the mirror? She tells Revy her laugh is like the skeletons on <i>"El Dia De Los Muertas"</i> (Dance of the Dead). Revy cackles saying she is surprised Fabiola noticed. She says she comes from the<i> "Dark Depths of the burial tomb, gun in hand." </i>And everyone in this town who dances the same dance will make offerings to the <i>"poor little girl who is about to die far away in Asia".</i> Fabiola glowers.<br />
<br />
They arrive at the pickup point for the Americans. Dutch greets them, while Benny tells Caxton about the boat. Benny tells Caxton that Dutch is a Vietnam vet. Caxton queries Dutch about this saying he looks young. Dutch says he lied about his age when he enlisted. They banter a bit about operations their various units did, and Caxton seems to be testing Dutch. Benny then calls him away while Rock tells Caxton that Garcia wants to speak with him.<br />
<br />
Caxton comes to the deck and without a word Garcia hands his pistol back to him. He tells Caxton he hasn't forgiven him, because of Caxton his family was ruined. Caxton says that is all the more reason to kill him, why hasn't he? <br />
<br />
<b>Garcia: </b><i>"You really are an honourable and high-minded soldier, major. T respect you. That's not a lie."</i><br />
<br />
All the same Caxton took the same road as Roberta using death and violence to save those who wanted to live. They are caught in a philosophy of death, even though they fight with pride and virtue they still cause <i>"death and destruction"</i> and repeat it over and over because using violence is the only way he knows to resolve anything.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheQQXMSRR9BNv6a1s_OGm0pjPgxSBNwuGCCIplQprnX-xtDuANsWWzHO7m1J55lNDY6hYHnKr86B0XLwxog2pWmxB-hnNc1bvfd-5YpPIjbwQrPsTO_18kFVssLa37bW0HZaPu7NZol4/s1600/blacklagoonnine11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1062" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheQQXMSRR9BNv6a1s_OGm0pjPgxSBNwuGCCIplQprnX-xtDuANsWWzHO7m1J55lNDY6hYHnKr86B0XLwxog2pWmxB-hnNc1bvfd-5YpPIjbwQrPsTO_18kFVssLa37bW0HZaPu7NZol4/s320/blacklagoonnine11.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dancers of death.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He tells Caxton he saw Roanapur and its violence, everyone is dancing the dance of death there. So he returns the pistol to Caxton saying that using it would mean he is caught in the same dance and <i>"I refuse to join in."</i> He wants Caxton to suffer the way only a virtuous man can,<i> "like Roberta, whose soul was crushed." </i><br />
<br />
She's still a killing machine who wants to kill Caxton and his men, but he has come to tear her away from the dance. But he needs the help of the people still dancing. Caxton says he hasn't ever been on an op this <i>"peculiar"</i> before. But agrees to Garcia's request and takes the pistol from him. Some time later he goes to his men and says the situation has changed and he wants their opinions.<br />
<br />
We then cut to Fabiola and Rock who is getting antsy as he puffs on his cigarettes. He tells Fabiola he knows Garcia is to drag the soldiers into this<i> "but it's not enough. He'll need more traps"</i> to contain Roberta and regain her sanity. Garcia is standing with Caxton as he puts the new plan to them. They are going to complete their op and Roberta's prescence will be a big factor. Ray backs him up saying they'll continue to fight for justice,<i> "that's all that matters."</i><br />
<br />
Meanwhile Rock has put a plan to Fabiola, but we don't hear what it is, just her reaction which is to say <i>"no way in hell!"</i> She tells him this isn't some magic trick, one wrong move and someone dies. He asks her if they can get through this without risking anything at all. He says it has to be her and Garcia on stage <i>"directing things."</i> He says she knew it would have to be like this, they can eliminate every risk except for chance itself, <i>"and when pure chance is all that's left... it becomes the greatest gamble".</i><br />
<br />
Then we join Eda, she finds Roberta at the airport and tells her she is a bit smelly. She also said she told the people at the gate to let her through. The Black Lagoon will reach its destination within 36 hours. She's arraged a car to take her to the buffer zone. <br />
<br />
Roberta grabs her and demands to know if she is with them. Eda tells her to knock it off, "shut the fuck up and listen bitch." She knows she is after the US soldiers and if she shows her teeth to the wrong side she'll lose them. She knows she's a <i>"whack job"</i> but if she is too crazy for Eda she won't be worth her "charity". Roberta grouchily thanks Eda who says she hopes Roberta enjoys the hunt.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eda and Roberta. The fanfiction practically writes itself!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Black Lagoon arrives in the Golden Triangle, a conflict zone between Thailand, Laos and Mayanmar. Caxton tells the men to disembark, before Caxton leaves he stops and asks Benny if Dutch was really in Vietnam. Dutch didn't know basic G.I. slang and said he was on op that his supposed unit never participated in. He says Dutch has lied about his background, <i>"there is always some intent behind deception. You're still young. Look out for yourself."</i> And with that the soldiers make their move along with Fabiola and Garcia.<br />
<br />
Caxton initially refuses, but Garcia says they might be able to pin her down but he is the only one who can stop her. He gives in and tells his squad which has split into several smaller units that the kids will stay with him in the command unit. Garcia tells him that he needs one thing and points at Caxton's pistol. The Black Lagooners watch them go. A surly Revy wants to bet on how many make it back. Rock is jauntily snapping his fingers and asks if Caxton's pistol is now in Garcia's hands. Benny says he thinks so. Rock says if Garcia has the gun they have two cherries lined up, and Chang has lost.<br />
<br />
They move out across the terrain. There is literally tonnes of verbiage now between the various units as they keep on the lookout for Roberta. And they finally run into her, back in her maid outfit, armed to the teeth. She's also cleared out the plant and has a bound and gagged Shue Yan with her. <br />
<br />
She starts firing on them and they realise she is using a musket and her shots are hitting them through their vests. Now she has decided to kill them and they start falling to her. Caxton orders everyone to take off their NVGs and prepare for close quarter combat. She using flechette rounds on them, using the musket and Caxton realises that this means she has to have a few seconds to reload.<br />
<br />
Roberta kills a couple more and stands laughing that <i>"your little foxes"</i> are all dying. She starts rambling about a Colombian vigilante called Decima. Ray gets angry and calls this a<i> "fucking farce"</i>. Elite soldiers being wasted in the jungle by a maid from South America. He says she's a monster and they can't contain her, he asks Caxton if they should recover the package (Shue Yan) or enter the village,<i> "give us an order!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta takes out some of the soldiers.</td></tr>
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Fabiola points her gun at Caxton saying<i> "you will finish this. You're the superhero, aren't you?" </i>Another soldier begs for an order saying they can take out Roberta without killing her. Caxton says to Garcia, <i>"make her stop! Or we'll lose all our men!"</i> Garcia stands silently as they hear the soldiers lose the target on Roberta and she goes on to kill more.<br />
<br />
<b>Garcia:</b> <i>"Just as you value the lives of your men.. Major... I value Roberta's too. This is my fight. Against you. Against me. Against a world like this."</i><br />
<br />
Caxton speaks through his radio to Roberta who is resting by the bodies of a couple of them she killed. He says the responsibilty lies soley with him, she should hand Shue Yan over to his men and he'll surrender to her. He says it's the best course for both of them. She tells him that erasing people from the world is what's best for her. They will not get away, she won't let them get away with it.<br />
<br />
Garcia takes the radio, and tells her to wait for him at the entrance to the village. She stammers that she will. Garcia then tells Caxton he has a plan, but it's a<i> "shakey one"</i> and he'll need Caxton's help. Fabiola hands the pistol to Garcia and he tells her he'd scared thinking of what could happen to them. They hug and tells him he can do it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garcia and Roberta. Reunited.</td></tr>
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Garcia, Caxton and Fabiola meet Roberta alone at the village entrance. Roberta says she can't tell if he's real or not. Ever since the bomb that killed Diego Garcia the dead have started speaking to her and she's losing all sense of time. She can't tell if she is even alive, <i>"I don't know what's going on anymore"</i> she says pathetically. She bows her head then says when this is all over they can return to the mansion.<br />
<br />
Garcia says that he can answer her questions and maybe put right her mistakes, but it doesn't matter anymore. She yells that it does matter and they still have to pay. He only has to say the word and she'll kill them all. Garcia raises the gun and says it was Caxton who started all this and can also end it. And he shoots Caxton who falls to the ground unmoving.<br />
<br />
She pulls out her own pistol as a reflex, then stutters that Garcia shouldn't have done that she should have. He says no matter who she kills she cannot atone for her sins<i>, "it doesn't end anything. Everything's already over."</i> She shouts that he can't be the young master because he would never say something like that. He raises the gun and points it at her.<br />
<br />
He tells her he's been wonder what he'd say to her when he finally met her again. He says if she trusts him, his bullet won't kill her and she should look at Caxton and realise it's over. But Roberta's bad self is egging her on, saying the dance of death never ends. He fires. She fires.<br />
<br />
<b>Garcia:</b> <i>"See? You're alive."</i><br />
<br />
And he gives her a passionate kiss and she crumples to the ground with him on top of her. He says it took him so long to realise something so simple. Then we see he has a wound to his right abdomen and he slumps to the ground by Roberta.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umm.. maybe he's older than he looks?</td></tr>
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Fabiola brings Caxton round who mumbles he really felt like he was shot, he could feel an impact. She tells him to snap out of it and help Garcia. Roberta rises in anger to see Caxton still alive, but Fabiola points her gun at her and tells her he is alive for the same reason she is.<br />
<br />
Garcia clasps Roberta's hands saying Caxton died when he shot him. She died and so did he,<i> "we're all dead now." </i> Now they are all dead the dance can come to an end. He'll bear Roberta's sins with her, he came there to tell her that. She holds him and says he's grown up so much. He quietly says he stood on his toes to reach her and she lays him out on the ground.<br />
<br />
Caxton checks him out and says the wound has grazed his liver and exited. He stopped the bleeding but it could still get infected. There are troops moving towards their position, Caxton says they are abandoning the op and regrouping at the Black Lagoon. Suddenly Ray points his rifle at Roberta and tells Caxton to step away. <br />
<br />
Caxton tells him to put it down, this is over. Ray says he can't be like him, but he can't bury the memories of all the men she killed her tonight,<i> "I can't figure it out. Whose fault was it? Who's to blame?" </i>Caxton shoots Ray while Garcia looks on sadly saying <i>"the killing never stops."</i> And they all went home for lemon... I mean they return to the Black Lagoon.<br />
<br />
There is a cheery Rock who say<i>s "I'm really happy I had a hand in saving you all." </i> Fabiola scowls then points her pistol at him and fires. He is knocked on his arse, the gun was full of blanks.<br />
<br />
<b>Fabiola:</b><i> "Oh yeah. We were so lucky. So were you. How does it feel to bet your life?"</i><br />
<br />
Rock stutters that he really wanted to help them. Revy just sneers that these guys need a reason to kill someone. Fabiola says that they will never see each other again and he and that one day even God will be sick of their "silly games." So until then, Rock and the others can dance their waltz in<i> "this foul city".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooh, feel that burn Rock.</td></tr>
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The epilogue has Rock going to meet Chang on the pier. Chang tosses him a bag full of money saying it was payment for the matter in hand. Rock says he didn't do it for the money. Chang says call it proof that it's over, but what he does with it is up to Rock.<br />
<br />
Chang puffs on his ciggy and says that what happened was <i>"heavy"</i>. Rock asks if he really is the <i>"crook" </i>Fabiola called him out as? Chang says whatever the motive there's only one outcome. Maybe Rock wanted the experience of a big gamble that would fry his brain. Or maybe he wanted to save the boy from an awful situation. Rock says he really wanted to save them. <br />
<br />
Chang asks if he honestly believes he did? Does he think they found happiness? All that's waiting for them is a thorny path,<i> "doing what's right.. doesn't necessarily lead to a happy ending". </i>They have a long life ahead of them, maybe too long. If he wants to take time out to find out <i>"what's beyond good and evil that's not such a bad thing Rock."</i> He then invites Rock for a drink and they can raise a glass to Garcia, Roberat and Fabiola<i> "standing in their thorny South American wasteland".</i> Finally the end.<br />
<br />
So there we are. There is some potential great stuff around innocence and war, the responsibilty of causing death in the field, PTSD, guilt, teenagers forced into military situations and the need for atonement. And if you want to read that in manga format, read Full Metal Alchemist instead, it might be twenty-seven volumes but it is so well written it passes by much faster than this did. I think Rei Hiroe as an artist is incredibly talented, great at action scenes, doesn't suffer from "sameface" issues and can create lots of interesting characters. But as a writer he's much better suited to the shorter, punchier arcs of the early volumes. His story felt very much like it got away from him here. There was all that set-up with Balalaika versus Chang in volume 7 that went absolutely nowhere (although he promised in the book's afterword he'd pick it up again, we'll see). Pinalo and the bearded man go unexplained at least for now. And too much important stuff happens off panel, most annoyingly with the non-resolution of book 8's cliffhanger. There is some attempt to reflect in both writing and art, Chang's grinning and attitude in Rock, but I still feel like I missed a whole arc of character development for Rock to make this feel more natural that he'd suddenly be seeing this as a fun gamble not a something he feels morally obliged to intervene in. I think it's supposed to be that he's finally become a part of the city, just as corrupt and self-serving who did it basically for kicks but why he such a shithead about it? That at least doesn't fit with how Rock has been portrayed even in the arc immediately preceeding it. I mean he did deserve his "The Reason You Suck" speech from Fabiola for having such a shitty attitude about it, but I am not sure he'd have been as clumsy in patting himself on the back for it in front of some obviously traumatised people. I dunno, rubbed me the wrong way it did. Also it's a bit frustrating that in a book called Black Lagoon we spend very little time here with the actual Black Lagoon crew. Dutch and Benny are already sidelined enough as it is, and in this volume even Rock and Revy hardly share a chapter's worth of appearences between them. So we got yet more lengthy speeches filling in tonnes of backstory for people who are only temporary players in the larger series. Oh well. Now, I said at the start I was going to do all ten volumes, but then I realised that volume 10 only collects the first part of another lengthy arc. Seemed a bit silly to sign off like that when this ends in a neater fashion. When volume 11 comes out (or even if there are more!) I shall revisit the series here. It also makes for a good cutting off point because after this arc the series went on an unplanned hiatus for five years. If you're looking for reasons, the afterword provides one. "I'm tired" writes Rei Hiroe and I think the length of the series, which he admits was unplanned, just burned him out. I won't spoil what his return to the series is like, you'll have to wait the three of you still reading who care. If you're more casually interested in the series, it had a two-seaso anime adaptation that is actually pretty faithful to the arcs it adapts, this arc is not one of them, it concludes with the Japan arc of several volumes ago. Anyway, back to the usual US and UK comics in May. Enjoy!varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-79455869283472191522018-04-25T12:29:00.001+01:002018-04-26T09:06:17.630+01:00Black Lagoon Book 8<i>"A life lived idly is like living like a dog"</i> -<b> Balalaika</b><br />
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If you have got this far you don't need the full background of The Black Lagoon Traders and the crime-ridden Thai city of Roanapur they work out of. This contines the epic <i>"El Baile de la Muerte</i>" [aka The Dance of Death] arc. Revy and Rock, the self-defined bullet and gun pairing, she because she is atheletic, strong and experienced with pretty much every gun there is and he because of his ability to think on his feet, make deals and come up with crazy plans. Together they get shit done and this time it is tracking down Roberta, a Venezuelan ex-guerrilla and terrorist and also a prim maid whose employer was blown up attending a leftist political rally by the US government organisation the NSA. This was unsanctioned by the CIA and their operative, Eda, a nun in Roanapur's Rip-Off Church makes it clear they are pissed that this happened. Roberta tracked the men to Ronanapur where they are on more "business", leaving a trail of bodies behind her. The young son of her murdered master, Garcia who loves her and a young maid in his service who also has combat experience have hired Rock and Revy to help find her safely as her presence and the identity of the men she is after have caused consternation amongst the major crimelords in the city, most of all Chang, leader of the Triad who has been making most of the moves to help find her. Roberta however is a mental wreck, popping pills and being scolded by a man only she can see about this being a mission of pure revenge not atonement as she has tried to convince herself. The last volume ended Rock and Revy getting a new lead on where she is and with Roberta symbolically divesting herself of her maid uniform and donning the garb of a revolutionary killer. And now the continuation.<br />
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[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
<br />
We begin with Chang, alone, walking to the Rip-Off Church. Inside is Eda in CIA mode, She tells him to go into the confessional booth, then calls him on his mobile phone. She says she'll start with the conclusion.<br />
<br />
<b>Eda:</b><i> "We are extremely displeased with the NSA's plans in the region. Therefore we're going to disclose all the intelligence we have on them and give you a general ouline of their operation."</i><br />
<br />
Chang wants to know who their primary assassination target is. He'll only decide what they'll do once they know that. Eda says they are an experimental team under the direct command of the NSA principally for political destabilisation operations, <i>"tactical missions which required difficult political choices." </i>They are called the <i>"Grey Fox Commando Group".</i><br />
<br />
Their primary onjective right now is capturing General Shue Yan. The General of the Triad's largest armed factions under Shun Ka's command. And they want to try him in Federal Court. It would be a painful blow to the Triad continues Eda, you can't speak of the Triad's heroin factories without his poppy farms. Chang asks her when this is going down? Shue Yan is constantly on the move making it hard to capture him says Eda.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eda and Chang talk business.</td></tr>
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But he is scheduled to inspect four villages with two companies of troops and his lieutenants. It'll take place sometime later in the month. Chang says he'll have to<i> "shake out his informers". </i>Eda says the members of Grey Fox are disguised as backpackers in Roanapur's red lght district waiting for the go-ahead from the NSA. In the jungle Chang's forces wouldn't stand a chance against them. Chang asks where the motels are.<br />
<br />
Eda tells him the group is split into three groups, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie. She lists which hotels which group is staying in, the team leader Major Caxton is hiding out with his Lieutenant Raymond McDougall at Alpha teams hotel. Chang says that's enough information<i> "Miss CIA"</i> and he'll contact her when it's all over. She says they aren't done yet she wants to know about his plans. When he is unresponsive, she says it is his organisation's job to carry this out and he shouldn't forget that. Chang responds:<br />
<br />
<b>Chang:</b> <i>"The only reason... we're lending a hand in this lovers' quarrel between you bureacrats is... because we have a mutual interest. We're not your dogs or your apprentices. If one of Uncle Sam's ass-kissers like you... thinks she can boss us around.. you're dead wrong".</i><br />
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Eda laughs. She says he isn't an ass-kisser, she tells him the USA is like a hydra,<i> "a country with numerous heads... called agencies." </i> The agencies are the USA and threats against them by powers greater than Changs are not effective. His people might possess the power to subdue individuals or corporations<i>, "but we possess the power to subdue and annihilate entire countrys". </i> They are <i>"The one... the only..and the supreme. So don't ever underestimate my company. Punk"</i> she tells him, eding the call and Chang leaves.<br />
<br />
We join Rock, Revy, Garcia and Fabiola finishing up at the gun store and then heading off to find a man called Leeroy who might have a clue to Roberta's whereabouts. Revy asks Garcia <i>"how long she's been using?</i>" He says he knew she was taking medication, but... he is cut off by Revy and Rock discusing Leroy. Then Fabiola admits to Garcia that she had been asked to keep quiet about Roberta's<i> "medication"</i> but she didn't realise she would now be taking it in such large doses. Maybe she's already dabbling in speed says Revy, <i>"it's the best way to cool offf when blood is on your hands".</i> Garcia is distressed.<br />
<br />
Revy says if she keeps it up she'll end up as paranoid as Ton Chi. Garcia suddenly shouts,<i> "Why... W... WHY?! Haven't we caught her yet?!" </i> He says they are running out of time, soon Roberta won't be able to help herself for much longer. Fabiola tells him to calm down. He yells that she's not her family. <br />
<br />
Rock stops the car and tells Garcia they have everything they need to end this peacably. Garcia is the centre of all this and all he is doing is crying and screaming, <i>"Revy and I can't catch her. Only you can"</i> he says to Garcia. He can't afford to mess this up. Garcia repeats his words. Then Rock says to Revy that Leroy's office is nearby, "that's the last stop. Our little tour... ends here."<br />
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Back in Roanapur, Chang and leader of the Russian Mafia Balalaika are meeting on the docks. She says to him tha<i>t "our involvement... shouldn't be something you wish for." </i> Why does Chang want her help? Why has he told her everything? <i>"What's your real motive?"</i> she asks suspiciously.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chang and Balalaika plot.</td></tr>
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He tells her Roberta will catch the Grey Fox tonight and settle her scores right here,<i> "that will result in a critical blow to our town." </i>Roanapur will fall like a house of cards so there is only one route for him to take. They have to prevent that conflict and get the Americans out of the city. After that they can leave Roberta to take care of them. <br />
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<b>Chang: </b><i>"She gets revenge for her boss. Nobody's hands get dirty. Nobody's wallets get lighter. Everything... works out just fine."</i><br />
<br />
Balalaika snorts that he came here to tell her that? She declines, they will <i>"proceed with our initial plan." </i>Chang says she wants to die as a soldier does she? She says a mobster like him wouldn't understand, they are not soldiers anymore or deserters, they are ex-military and don't belong to anyone. When the Soviet Union abandoned them, when the New Russia betrayed them, when they lost everything what were they left with?<br />
<br />
They had<i> "tasted life and death and everything there is to know about fighting for a flag. The pride. We're the vestiges of a kind of pride that's become and old, mouldy tombstone."</i> She says she doesn't want to live a life wthout a future like Chang, there us only one death she wishes for, one in battle against those we were meant to fight. She ends by saying <i>"reminded of what we were more is the end we seek, Mr. Chang."</i><br />
<br />
Chang says she is being stupid. He says living by a code is a<i> "stupid notion"</i>, it's whimsical and can changed when the wind blows. If you dwell on it, it means you can't do anything besides that. She can interpret that how she likes. He decides they are done here and starts to leave. He says it's still stupid but he'll go along with her. <br />
<br />
He says November '93 he took four bullets on this dock, she owes him for that. It was a beautiful moonlight nightm the number that night was<i> "it's a blue world."</i> It was the perfect evening for a bullet ballet One of them was supposed to rise from the dirt and say goodbye that night, <i>"but we're both here"</i> says Chang. As she leaves she says to him:<br />
<br />
<b>Balalaika</b>: <i>"Which ending will you choose? You only have one life. You can't choose both."</i><br />
<br />
We see an explosion at a hotel, then we cut to the Colombians, the leader of the cartel in Roanapur a man called Abrego is being given orders from his boss a man called El Jefe. Abrego is told not to touch the Americans and not to let the Chinese get involved either, he is simply to<i> "bring that bitch's head to me."</i><br />
<br />
The FARC have sent over some of their elite<i> "Sumasas brigade"</i> and their leader Alberto Camarasa is an advisor and a member of Cuba's Naval Special Forces. They are itching to put an end to Roberta but El Jefe also says<i> "you can't let those guys know anything about the Americans."</i><br />
<br />
<b>El Jefe:</b> <i>"If this turns into a melee, we gotta consider the possibility of them taking matters into their own hands... and that would be the end of my vision for an ideal business here. If there is any chance of that happening... make sure you see to it that there are no loose ends."</i><br />
<br />
That's Abrego's real job and he promises not to let El Jefe down. We then join Revy as she enters the office of Leroy. Revy tells him that his office is a mess and he should hire a maid. After some more banter he finally says he knows she is looking for that <i>"crazy Venezuelan maid right? The bloodhound of death?" </i>Revy asks why the change in attitude when he wonders what she wants to ask him? He yells that she <i>"bailed before she paid me half of what she promised!!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Fox make preparations to escape.</td></tr>
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We then join Major Caxton and Ray his men getting tooled up after realising something is wrong, <i>"I don't know who... but someone's trying to sabotage our plans." </i>The phones are being tapped and there are signs that their drop point has been compromised. But one of the local NSA arrives and passes on sealed orders to the Major who says their mission must continue with the locations updated.<br />
<br />
Two of them come back from their recon, they report that a street has been blocked off but that there is no sign of construction. All the construction workers had bulges under their left arms. Also all the roadside stands have disappeared,<i> "residents of towns like this know when danger's in the air."</i> They spotted nine lookouts and four tails and they had a hunch there was a sniper in position too. They are surrounded and the unknowns are waiting to see how they move. The decide to send a standby order to their other safehouses and then flank them when their main unit moves and take them out. The Major sends the man who delivered the orders away saying he better get out of here <i>"before bullets start flying."</i><br />
<br />
Watching the man leave are a bearded man and a chubby woman. The chubby woman asks if they should take him out, but is told he isn't part of the package. The bearded man says their client wants them to be a shield. He goes onto say they that the clients will use their own "spears" and have their own reasons for not wanting others to do it. Which is why he hasn't sent any of his own men in. The guys gathered below are <i>"just some scraps I threw together." </i> The chubby woman says he couldn't get any intel on the target but understands they are the equivalent of Delta Force, <i>"the whole entry team is gonna get wasted."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New challengers approach!</td></tr>
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The bearded man calls her <i>"Pilano" </i>saying that is just how it goes. They need them to put up some sort of fight which is why it is not easy choosing a man for a job like that. They planned for their forces to go in, but not for them going out,<i> "they'll realise too late."</i> And they'll end up dying in a place like this. Pilano gets out a portable TV and starts watching it to kill time before it goes down.<br />
<br />
We then return to Revy, now in a car with Rock, Garcia and Fabiola. They are speeding to a flophouse called the Tokaina Hotel. Revy tells Garcia to be patient, they have to deal with another problem "the Black Death". Rock says he has never heard of him, Revy says he runs a murder-for-hire business. According to Leroy, some of his men are providing support for Roberta.<br />
<br />
She gets Rock to stop the car, she tells him that "this is gonna get ugly and we can't handle it alone." Rock asks if she has a lead and Revy says you bet she does and calls... Shenhua?! Revy tells her she has a whole bunch of people for her to kill, Shenhua demands to know how she got her number? Revy says Chang gave it to her. Shenhua says she was in hospital up until two weeks ago after Revy got her shot, <i>"but if job is to cut you up, I do it for free."</i><br />
<br />
Revy says it wasn't her who shot her, it was the nun (Eda) and not to lay that shit on her and also she hit Revy with her knives. Shenhua asks if she is hiring her, Revy says actually it's a rich South American (Garcia). Shenhua says she won't do anything against <i>"great brother Chang."</i> They talk money and Shenhua rejects the first offer of six thousand dollars. She haggles up to 7,500 for herself and 6,500 each for her two friends who are sitting playing on a Playstation. Revy says to come to where they are in ten minutes.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile the bearded man and Pilano order the men below into action against the Americans, while a group of Colombians move against Roberta who are filled in on her terrorist background, <i>"do not underestimate her just because she is a woman." </i>That she was once known as the "Bloodhound of Florencia". She knows every trick in the book and "can pull them off far better than you." She is a carnivora in human form and they must not forget that.<br />
<br />
Roberta meanwhile is being tormented by the bloodstained man who is representing her conscience. He tells her there is still time to pull back, that the Roberta Garcia loves so much will be unable to return to the Lovelace family.<i> "You'll be just a blood-crazed mad dog haunted by delusion" </i>he tells her. He goes on to say that her dead master feared she would be trapped in a purgatory of bloodshed as much as he worried about his son and no one requires revenge from her. Roberta yells in anger:<br />
<br />
<b>Roberta:</b><i> "Sins can only be atoned for in blood! There is no other way! That's why... I'll kill and kill and kill. I'll make them regret they were ever born!"</i><br />
<br />
Back with the Americans, all the teams are in position. Caxton gives them a morale boosting speech, finishing with him saying<i> "let's show them how the best soldiers fight".</i><br />
<br />
We then join the men Leroy hired on Roberta's behalf, they have been told they are after renegade gangsters from the countryside, <i>"Leroy's info's always solid. He's never wrong."</i> They are being watched by the Colombians who are after Roberta. They are told not to engage, <i>"we can't lose her by getting involved in any unnecessary skirmishes." </i> There target is her and only her.<br />
<br />
The men who have been sent to take on the American's breach their hotel door and there is a huge explosion and gunfire breaks out. Things blow up, people are riddles with bullets in the chaos while the man with the beard and Pilano look on. The Americans take down the first and second wave of attackers. As the men back off they tell their leader the men aren't gangsters<i> "those were raptors crammed in a hen house!" </i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta and her tastefully understated mutherfuckin' anti-material rifle.</td></tr>
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The leader says if they all flee now the others would have died for nothing. Pilano, watching through binoculars, says the targets have decided to go to the roof so they aren't fighting at close quarters. Then Roberta appears on a roof across the street, the Colombians spot her too. The second team is ordered to move in. The Americans also spot her and her huge rifle which she fires at them. There is more chaotic fighting as the Colombians move in as well.<br />
<br />
Nearby, Revy says they are too late and a<i> "full on classic firefight"</i> is taking place. Fabiola says that means Roberta is still alive. Rock says to himself that nothing will change if they walk away,<i> "this is the divide.. Dutch kept telling me about. This is where you make your choice."</i> He says to Garcia that it's up to him, they'll see it through if he wants them too. Garcia says if Roberta is waiting he has to find her. Shenhua says<i> "that's the spirit of outlaw. You want to be my child?" </i><br />
<br />
Revy tells Rock to stay and contact the boat. The place the firefight is taking place is hell's cauldron. They're going through a wall of spears to meet up with Roberta. Shenhua says this is child's play. Revy says she hopes so, but Roberta has got a few screws loose, <i>"she's a killing machine even Rambo would run away from with his ass on fire." </i>And most importantly she's fucking pissed right now!<br />
<br />
Shenhua shrus saying that just makes her a worthy opponent,<i> "make me even happier".</i> Revy tells her they can't kill her, only the flies buzzing round her. Revy makes sure Shenhua's companions also understand this, one being the woman who has to speak though a vocal device, called Sawyer and the other a posing male assassin called Lotton both met in a previous arc (book six). With everyone ready and clear on what needs to be done, they move out.<br />
<br />
On the roof the Americans are under heavy fire from Roberta, she is using a Barrett and grenades on them. The weapon can reach past their rally point so the need a new plan. The Major says to ready a smoke grenade and they'll move in her blind spots. Revy and the others are moving into position. Revy tells Fabiola that this won't be like the bar, she says that her choice of a shotgun shows she doesn't have control to pull off a single-shot kill. And that when the shooting was over, Fabiola's knees went weak. Fabiola scowls at her, but Revy says she won't hold it against her. <br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b> <i>"These guys blasting their guns here only think of you as a city limits sign. Something to take a few potshots as when you're driving shit-faced."</i><br />
<br />
The men are lowlives and there is a trick to killing them. Think of them and also themselves as roadsigns that walk and talk. Fabiola starts saying that people are people, Revy tells her it's not about her values, it's a frame of mind.<br />
<br />
Revy tells her that the men are scum and not to be afraid to pump a few rounds into them. <i>"Make them dance a bloody twist of fear, baby"</i> she says. If she makes it through she'll be a full fledged gunslinger. Fabiola asks if she thinks that because she is from the barrio? Revy says Fabiola's upbringing is like hers, <i>"I'm just dropping some knowledge on you."</i> Fabiola says quietly that she thinks Revy has the wrong idea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy and Shenhua get stuck in.</td></tr>
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The Colombians send some men in to enter through the front and back. Revy orders a couple of them to take the back while she takes the front. Revy then blasts a Colombian's head almost off and she and Shenhua then leap forwards, Revy ordering Shenhua to mow them down. Knives and bullets fly as Revy and Shenhua push their way through. Meanwhile a crazed Roberta is still unloading in the direction of the Americans. <br />
<br />
The Colombians have reached the roof, they are ordered to drive her northeast if her firepower is overwhelming. One of the Colombians fires at her with a pistol, she fires back with her huge rifle tearing two Colombians to pieces. She keeps firing and takes out some more. They try to falls back and she just blasts them to little bits as she uses a telescopic pole to vault over to the other side of the street. The remaining Colombians say she had no reason to flee them and that she is after something. She is chasing a group in front of her, so they decide to go after them as well. The leader says he knew the cartel was keeping something from them and to contact Abrego. Rock watches the carnage from his car.<br />
<br />
Then Rock's mobile phone rings, it's Chang. He tells Rock he was too lat<i>e, "I can see from here. The bet's off." </i>He says they'll take over handling it for now and they should withdraw as Dutch is probably angry by now. Rock says no, the curtain hasn't fallen yet so they can't exit the stage. The actors are still in play, Garcia and Roberta. Chang tells Rock what he hates most in the world is hypocrisy:<br />
<br />
<b>Chang:</b> <i>"it's even worse than commiting crimes. It's a poison that deceives not only yourself but others too. It's like a turd dumped in a bucket of Chanel. It may smell like a rose... but that doesn't change the fact it's still a piece of shit."</i><br />
<br />
He tells Rock that he knows he understands that, that Roberta and Garcia are pawns to him and Chang. Rock said he could checkmate the king so Chang put his money on him. But that failed so he has the next move prepared, so what need is there to<i> "grieve over the boy and the lady?" </i><br />
<br />
Angrily Rock says he was wrong about Chang,<i> "you're nothing but a worthless, cold-blooded bastard!" </i>Chang bellows with laughter at this accusation saying no one has spoken like that to him in years. He tells Rock he's a piece of work <i>"that's what I like about you"</i>. He then tells Rock that maybe his understanding of justice is deeper than Rock and that Rock should seriously consider how well-intentioned he is.<br />
<br />
Rock says he's a gangster, how can he talk to him about justice? Chang says that he can because he was once a guardian of the law. Rock is speechless. Chang says it's no big deal, "there're a lot of ex's in this town. That's all there is to it." He says he thought that would make him more convincing, Rock can keep holding on but there is nothing at the end of this. He needs to accept it's someone else's business. The Lovelace family have stepped off the stage, this is now Roanapur's problem.<br />
<br />
Rock tells Chang he won't let him end it, Roberta and Garcia are both still alive "it's up to them to decide when they want out." Chang says no, it's his decision, he acts with the town's survival as priority. He doesn't think Rock can turn this dice game around, but he can continue the game and do as he pleases as long as he doesn't intefere with what Chang is doing and also he wants Rock to<i> "prove you're not spineless."</i> As he signs off he tells Rock to remember what he told him, "misinterpret that and it'll end in tragedy for both of us." He looks forwards to Rock's next move. End of call.<br />
<br />
We join Revy, Shenhua and Fabiola who have taken down fourteen men. Revy is confused by the sudden withdrawal of some of the men, they'll have to ask one of the survivors. They hunt around for one that is still breathing. They find one just about alive and in halting Spanish Revy demands he talk. Fabiola then sighs and takes over translating duties. She tells the man to tell him why they want Roberta and they'll take him to a hospital if he tells them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for another of Revy's uplifting "lessons".</td></tr>
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He says that Roberta is chasing someone, his commander sent a squad after her. She went into the building across the street, and is heading towards the intersection west. Fabiola passes all this on to Revy. Who then shoots the man dead to Fabiola's shocked surprise. They join Garcia and Rock but then Fabiola points her gun at Revy who just notes it with distinterest.<br />
<br />
She yells at Revy saying that the fight was over so why did she kill that man? Revy says the <i>"fight's not over till they're dead. You leave 'em half dead and I promise you'll have to take them on again".</i> Isn't barrio life like that. She admits it is, but the fact he was dying and begging to be saved has shook her up.<br />
<br />
<i>Fabiola:</i> <i>"That wasn't self-defence. What you did was aniquilacion! [annihilation]"</i><br />
<br />
Revy says<i> "speak English kid." </i> Garcia says that Fabiola says it was overkill. Revy cooly asks how many bodies Fabiola pile up when she attacked the bar. Fabiola says she is not like Revy, she'd never shoot someone just for kicks, she's as bad as Jeffrey Dahmer. Revy retorts, "Dahmer? I got no interest in collecting testicles and you haven't answered my question, how are we different?" Killing is the ultimate inequity, there's a reason for it or there is not.<br />
<br />
Shenhua then intervenes putting a blade to Fabiola's neck saying if Fabiola wants to keep talking morals, "then we all quit here. How far can you and boy get... I bet on that. That sounds interesting". Reflexively Fabiola pulls the trigger but does it as Garcia pushes her arm up and stands between Fabiola and Shenhua. He calmly says they haven't caught up with Roberta yet. As they set out Garcia tells a defeated looking Fabiola that <i>"these women are professional problem solvers. Right now we need their help."</i> She must remember that things are different here but one thing won't chnage <i>"we shall all go home together."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such innocence, how can this be brutally crushed cackles Rei Hiroe?</td></tr>
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We cut the the American Grey Fox squad as they try to evade Roberta if they can keep dodging fro building to building her anti-material rifle will be useless. The Colombians in the field call Abrego and demand to know who she is after as she vaults to another building. The lead Colombia says he trusts Abrego less than the enemy now. Abrego calls him <i>"Camarasa" </i>and tells him it's got nothing to do with him, leave them be or things could really get out of hand.<br />
<br />
Camarasa tells Abrego his boss is playing both sides it seems, is it DIA? NSA? Abrego yells at him to shut his mouth <i>"and bring me that bitch's head!"</i> Camarasa say they'll take out all threats between them and Roberta, <i>"if the threat happens to be an imperialist dog, then that's just a bonus."</i> He doesn't need some gang boss lecturing him about tactics and ends the phonecall. Abrego kicks his desk saying if they kill even one American they are finished. But it's already over for him, his aide takes out a pistol and executes Abrego.<br />
<br />
Roberta is closing in on the American with the Colombians in hot pursuit as well as the men assembled by the bearded observer, The Black Death, for flushing the American's out. They are slightly less enthused by the situation they have found themselves in, but their leader is determined to carry on the mission. Revy and the others assess the situation and decide to whether kill the men with "2-dollar brains carrying 250-dollar guns..." Or the soldiers. Whichever makes the first move. <br />
<br />
Lotton the Wizard asks if it would look cool if he makes an entrance from an elevate area, but Revy says he should stay with Saywer the Cleaner. Then Revy says before the fighting starts again she wants to settle their "little discussion" from before. It's important and could save her life. Back at the bar she even wasted the guys trying to run, was she looking for a little annihilation of her own? No, it was the beast inside her telling her to kill them all so they wouldn't be trouble later. If she is serious about saving Garcia she shouldn't listen to him, "you're just a dog no matter what you might think." She is telling Fabiola this for her own good, "after this you gotta wipe your own ass."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of what follows could have been avoided if they had met here/</td></tr>
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They all leap into action and melee of shooting and knives ensues picking the Colombians to go against. In the melee, Garcia runs and hides calling to Fabiola to follow him when she can. He hides in an empty store and crouches with his hands over his ears, so he completelely misses Roberta who goes striding on past the window, still laser focused on bringing down Grey Fox.<br />
<br />
Grey Fox plan a counter strategy for dealing with Roberta, they are going to try and bait her into a position they can kill her from then go to ground and wait for orders from the NSA. Garcia hears shooting as the Colombians move in on Roberta. He gets up and goes towards the noise, he finds an empty bottle of Ritalin on the ground and realises she has been here.<br />
<br />
Camarasa says if the Americans are smart they'll be trying to flank Roberta, "she's here. Find her." Roberta is in a building high up and spots Colombian soldiers down below. As Garcia head towards where she is she uses a wire coathanger to deal with the three soldiers who come for her. Camarasa calls the men over the radio, when he gets no response he realises Roberta is close by and she drops down and attacks the group hand-to-hand until it is just her and Camerasa fighting.<br />
<br />
She beats him very badly, as Garcia watches. But he tells her that she must be wondering why he doesn't shoot her. He knows she attacked them hand-to-hand so it wouldn't raise alarms with the Americans. The Comandante wants her head but not everyone in central command agree with him. He has a different reason, she was once the most prominent activist in the Central American Guerilla Movement, the only one worthy of the name <i>"Jackal". </i> Skilled personel like her are valuable to any organisation. He points his gun at her and says, <b>"</b><i>come back with me El Sabueso. Life as a country maid may have domesticated you. But I know you can't resist the scent of blood."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Roberta: </b><i>"Yeah I guess... it was a boring place. The master's death was a good excuse to leave. But I will finish my mission... no matter what... If I kill them, my duty is finished and I no longer have any obligation to that mansion."</i><br />
<br />
And Garcia heard all of that, whoops. Camarasa says he'd like to take on the Americans too,<i> "my will is Havana's will. If I give them the American's head, and vouch for you, I don't think anyone will complain."</i><br />
<br />
They get closer and closer as they talk, and Roberta wraps her legs around Camarasa and licks her lips, <i>"this place is like a sauna... it's filled with the heat of death. The steaming scent of blood.. really turns me on." </i> He says he told her not to try and talk her way out, and she responds by saying she'd have plenty of opportunities to do so between here and Cartel General. He'll have to gamble if he wants her, "what will you do... what would you like to do?"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rei Hiroe you sadist!!</td></tr>
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He says she is her dog and so she should be a good dog and stick out her tongue. They kiss, Garcia watches on in horror. As they grunt and kiss roughly he is tormented by visions of her as the innocent maid he used to think she was. Then she asks Camarasa not to rip off her clothes, she doesn't want to fight the Americans naked can she just take off her trousers?<br />
<br />
And then she activates a small device in her stomach area that fires several bullets into him and dodges his retalitory shot and knocks his gun away. She laughs at him saying<i> "once a dog leave's it's home it never comes back to its old master. You.. hadn't realised that." </i>He crawls for the gun but she kicks it away saying sure he may have made fighting the Americans easier, it would have been easy to use him and then betray him.<br />
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But she says she would never join him because he serves "a loathsome fraud called ideology or philosophy." There is only one person in the world who can<i> "put a collar on me"</i>, the master she has chosen - Garcia Lovelace.<br />
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<b>Roberta: </b><i>"The only master worthy enough that I'd drink sewage for and protect with my own life. I chase my mortal enemies for him... and like a hound I will run them down and tear them apart!"</i><br />
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The dying Camarasa says she is not a bloodhound anymore she is a sick wolf. And she starts to stamp and punch his head over and over as Garcia repeats over and ove<i>r "Roberta stop, stop..."</i> As her killing frenzy fades she turns her blood soaked face and sees Garcia and realises he has seen everything.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta is not the stablest of people right now.</td></tr>
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She lets out a scream that all the various combatants hear, then she averts her face from him telling him not to look at her. He had clenched his fists so tight he made his hands bleed. He falls to his knees then curls up in the foetal position completely catatonic as she runs to him crying.<br />
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Then the accusatory man in her head appears and says<i> "didn't you hold on to me... to prevent this entire outcome?" </i>She had killed him but back then she still had a few shreds of conscience left. Roberta demands to know how long he'll follow her around, he says that it's she who can't let him go. She killed him when she raided Tashio Electronics seven years ago and killed two Japanese engineers<i>, "you tore up my family photo before you executed me".</i><br />
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It became one of many tiny scars that remained in her. She would never have been bothered by them during times of violence,<i> "but you never realised how much it would rot and fester during times of calm and peace." </i>She needed Garcia and if she had just stayed with him the scar would have healed. But she ruined that chance. Roberta demands to know what she must do to be forgiven, or if she was damned for all eternity she couldn't have continued living in that mansion. But he followed her and even used the young master to get at her, oh wait...<br />
<br />
She laughs an unpleasant laugh. She says he's showing her an image of Garcia because why else would he be here instead of back home in the orchard waiting for her to come home. She says the master will never come back but the young master will laugh and smile again. She's been shown Garcia in this "horrible condition" the thing she least wanted to see. The man tells her he is here, he came all the way because he loves her. But she says everything he says is a lie, neither him nor the young master are real and she'll prove it right now! And she points a gun at Garcia. End of volume.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Brian K Vaughn levels of abuse of fictional characters. I say that as a compliment.</td></tr>
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Well what a difference some action makes to the flow of the narrative. Instead of being bogged down in huge chunks of people just sitting and rehashing the plot over and over we get something that's thrilling and builds to an amazing climax. There are a ridiculous number of people in play by now, we haven't even seen what Chang and perhaps Balalaika have planned to deal with the situation. Despite being the focal point of the story we barely see the Americans, but wow has Roberta unravelled hard. Her having a severe mental illness is actually quite believable to me as someone who has had psychotic episodes in the past. And if she has been over-medicating herself which Bao noted in the previous volume especially if it for psychiatric medication she is abusing for it's side-effects, she is only going to be making things worse and her grip on reality when not laser focused on her main goal has got incredibly tenuous. And man, poor Garcia, the things he has seen by now would send even a grown man into trauma let alone a young kid. No wonder he shutdown completely watching Roberta crush a man's head. Hope for a happy outcome is pretty much nil at this point. Weirdly I'm reminded of Homura from Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Rebellion with Roberta. Starts out with large specs and moe appearance, lets the hair down and removed the specs when she returns to the stone cold user of hundreds of guns and look what heading over the despair horizon at high speed did for her. Became the ultimate evil of the universe . I don't see quite the same thing happening here, I just know it'll suck. Revy and Fabiola's little stand-off is interesting because it almost seems like Revy is trying to look out for the young girl in her own fucked up way, and it was great to see Shenhua back in action and the fact she appears to be living with Lotton and Sawyer, fellow bounty hunters from the "Greenback Jane" arc amused me for some reason. And then there is the bearded man who is implied to be someone called "The Black Death" and what moves will he make now the Americans are out and on the move? Everything is on course for an explosive finale in volume nine, which I promise will be here by the end of the month.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-26178808753487924632018-04-16T19:39:00.000+01:002018-04-25T11:52:58.489+01:00Black Lagoon Book 7<i>"A bullet is always waiting to go off. And the only thing that can fire a bullet is a gun"</i> - <b>Rock </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ8UfgUK17kDTlStuQExZ2AVi38_vSb-67EJ7RQANB1Kzl59OO5NxtidxHSAfBWn3zxjgS6o-MbkRyMKhFFwWsOUpT-InlE4wCtdXRYVSA0OgHB8R5jcK9bdRhb6uf-GRo26xSiD1dhE/s1600/blacklagoonsevencover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ8UfgUK17kDTlStuQExZ2AVi38_vSb-67EJ7RQANB1Kzl59OO5NxtidxHSAfBWn3zxjgS6o-MbkRyMKhFFwWsOUpT-InlE4wCtdXRYVSA0OgHB8R5jcK9bdRhb6uf-GRo26xSiD1dhE/s320/blacklagoonsevencover.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
Back with the Black Lagoon company as we continue with the epic storyline <i>"El Baile de la Muerte" </i>[aka The Dance of Death]. The Lagoon company are couriers who operate out of Roanapur, a fictional Thai city full of various mafia,s triads and cartels. Set in the mid-1990's we have Dutch, an African-American Vietnam Vet, as the leader. Benny, a white American on the run from the FBI is the tech support. Revy "Two Hand" is a Chinese-American with a shady past who acts as the teams main muscle and finally we have Rock, a Japanese ex-salaryman who provides a more everyman viewpoint on the things they get involved with. In book one of this series they tangled with Roberta, a Venezuelan guerrilla and terrorist who became a maid to the Lovelace family and retrieved Diego Lovelace's son Garcia when he was kidnapped. Her sheer strength and firepower made her a force to be reckoned with and in the first part of this story Diego Lovelace was killed by a bomb at a left-wing political rally, seemingly planted by men related to the Venzuelan and US militaries. Now Roberta is back in Roanapur and everyone wants to know why. The last book ended with another maid called Fabiola coming to the bar Revy and Rock were drinking at and she proved as much of a gun woman (well more of a gun girl) as Roberta. And now the continuation.<br />
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[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
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We begin with Dutch and Benny in a car speeding their way to the Yellow Flag where Fabiola is having a shoot-out with a cartel group led by the second-in-command Gustavo. Revy and Rock are hiding behind the bar with Bao as he laments his bar being shot up again. They recap what happened to Diego Lovelace and the bombing of the leftist political party that was being launched which he supported. Unlike the other South American cartel leaders he was a liberal and was willing to show support to a people's party which put him in danger. No one has taken responsibility for the crime, it's obvious Roberta wants revenge, but why is she in Roanapur. Then a car with gunmen screams past. Dutch loads his revolver and tells Benny to step on it.<br />
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Inside, Gustavo and Bao fight over the phone. Bao doesn't want Gustavo ordering more men to come and shoot the place up. But Gustavo manages to get hold of it and tells the men who drove past Dutch and Benny to fire their roof mounted minigun into the bar. They unload it and half destroy the bar in the process. As Revy and Rock wait it out, Revy asks if <i>"that little bitch get blown to bits yet?!"</i> Fabiola is still alive and shooting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savour this action because it's all you'll be getting this volume.</td></tr>
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There is a lull in the action and she yells to the men that they have no reason to be loyal to their boss,<i> "take the injured... and go back while you still can."</i> Revy grins saying that's <i>"refreshing. But she won't live long like that."</i> Fabiola then produces a huge double-barrelled, pump action shotgun from who-knows-where and starts firing again. She faces the car mounted gun head on and pumps enough lead into the car to make it explode. The men retreat, while Gustavo screams at them to<i> "come back, you cowards!" </i> The men here him and are suprised having thought him dead. Meanwhile Fabiola stands in the wreckage and declares <i>"this place is absolutely wretched."</i><br />
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She then calls out Rock's name, asking if he is still alive. She says with Rock and Revy still alive it will be easier to find Roberta. Bao meanwhile tells Gustavo to <i>"get the fuck out" </i>saying he'd like to see his face mangled by Fabiola's gun. Gustavo then pops up and points a gun at Fabiola, but Revy puts a gun to his head.<br />
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<b>Revy:</b><i> "It's over, Gustavo. That little girl fucked you in the ass... and you wanna embarress yourself even more on top of that?"</i><br />
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She tells him when Roanapur starts treating you like a bitch you're out of business. He backs off now and he has a chance tp get back on his feet, and he won't be known as the guy who shot a kid in the back. Gustavo puts his gun down. Fabiola tells him his men are<i> "slimey and stupid. And they stink like a stable"</i>. This riles Gustavo but Revy cocks her gun and he backs off again and leaves saying next time they will be going down.<br />
<br />
Dutch and Benny arrive just in time to see the cartel members who are still alive making their getaway. They behold the mess the Yellow Flag bar is saying it's the worst they've seen it. Dutch says he doubts Bao and Revy are among the corpses and they'll get the full story of what happened from them.<br />
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We cut to Triad leader Chang being informed of the cartel's movement down to the Yellow Flag. Chang ponders what to do thinking it'll be too late to go to the Yellow Flag themselves now. Chang is troubled by the presence of Roberta in Roanapur especially if she is who Balalaika says she is. They know she is here for revenge but the identity of her enemy still isn't clear. He says he doesn't mind a crazy maid on a revenge spree as long as she doesn't harm them, <i>"but what is really bothering me... someone is hiding out here that even I can't identify".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chang.</td></tr>
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That someone did the bombing with surgical precision, someone with that skill whose purpose they don't know is hiding out in Roanapur. That rubs him up the wrong way. His second-in-command, Biu says that they know the backgrounds of everyone in the city. Chang says if these people have no need to buy guns, with power and skill, no greed and no need for money what would they want in this town? Chang decides the Colombians are closest to the truth right now and they need to organise a visit without disrespecting them. While he thinks about how to do that he puts his coat on and tells Biu it's time to take a walk and get introductions out of the way over a drink.<br />
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We then cut to the inside of Dutch's car. Benny is driving and Rock and Revy are in the back with Fabiola. There is some banter between her and Revy then she tells them that Roberta is the<i> "head matron"</i> of all the maids at the Lovelace mansion. But only Roberta and Fabiola are trained in ordinance, the others are just normal maids. When asked if she knew about Roberta's background she shuts that line of questioning down. Benny says not to push her and Dutch directs them to the Sung Kung Palace.<br />
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It is a luxury hotel, Fabiola asks for Revy's help getting out of the car. They grasp hands and there is an... odd reaction from Revy. Who then says to forget it and Fabiola leads them to meet Garcia Lovelace, a boy and now leader of the Lovelace family. They enter his room and Chang is sitting there and he tells them they are late, he has some business with Garcia as well.<br />
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Fabiola rushes him in a rage telling him to<i> "get away from the young master." </i>Chang keeps his cool and grabs her gun hand telling her he's not here for a shoot-out. He says he is not here with<i> "threats or ridicule" </i>he just wants to speak to Garcia, nothing more or less. Garcia tells Fabiola that he's telling the truth, so Fabiola backs off but tells him not to let his guard down. She says <i>"the people of this town are all scum!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting with Chang and Garcia.</td></tr>
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Revy grins and says that's a way to talk about them. Chang agrees that the city is a <i>"cesspit filled with scum." </i>They should be suspicious of everything there. One should remain observant until all the cards are dealt which is another way to find the truth. Dutch then asks if they can all come in, and Garcia invites them to come and sit dowm. Revy lights a cigarette but is scolded and told to ask permission from Garcia who says she should refrain, there are no ashtrays in the room.<br />
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Chang gives his condolence to Garcia and says<i> "this isn't over. Neither for you nor for us."</i> Garcia agrees, they are here to resolve the Roberta issue but haven't been able to take the next step. Rock asks Garcia if he can tell them what happened from the very beginning, they might see something that he couldn't. Garcia thanks Rock for his concern and agrees to tell them.<br />
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He says that soon after the attack the police and military began treating it as a terrorist attack, the paramilitary group <i>"Pueblo Alliance emerged as a suspect"</i>. They were detained after the attack, one was released for lack of the evidence the rest deny the charges. Dutch says that it's too obvious a suspect, a right-wing group targeting a left-wing party. Chang agrees, saying it's<i> "suspicious."</i><br />
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Garcia continues saying Roberta had the same doubts,<i> "that it made too much sense"</i>. She said they had neither the skills nor the reason to carry out the attack. But the police are acting as if the case is solved and haven't spoken to them since the arrests. Garcia says that they had almost given up and accepted the official position when <i>"a certain person paid a visit".</i> This person was an officer of a paratroop unit aligned with the MVR. They also had started their own investigation.<br />
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The MVR was started by General of the Venezuelan paratroopers interjects Benny, he had a lot of fanatical sympathisers within that unit. Garcia agrees and goes on to say that he had strong ties to the department of defence. He gave them all the information they had on backgrounds of all the staff present at the ceremony. They ran a search on those who disappeared a few days after the bombings with suspicious personal records.<br />
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They had identified six men with forged names who had been present at the ceremony and then disappeared. They had been members of the Intelligence Bureau and left two months before the ceremony but they had turned up doing security for the ceremony. Revy says that those men are nothing, they should leave it to Roberta to deal with them and go home.<br />
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Garcia says he wishes it was that easy but the story doesn't end there. Fabiola shows them a photograph the general passed on to them, it was taken six months before the bombing by a military police officer investigating a different corruption case. It shows Major Marcos of the Intelligence Bureau and five men. They only know the name of one... and we get a flashback to Garcia speaking to Roberta who is extremely pensive. A concerned Garcia asks if she is OK and she says she is fine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garcia's last look at Roberta.</td></tr>
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He tells her he is worried, she says that everything is being managed and he has plenty of help, so he mustn't worry. But Garcia says he is worried about her. He says that since his father's funeral she has stopped talking. She asks him if he remembers what happened<i> "that night in Roanapur?" </i>He says he remembers. She says that his father had been against her going and Garcia says he would have said the same in his position. Roberta says<i> "you really are his son"</i>. Garcia asks if she is going anywhere as they hold hands. Roberta says that <i>"Roberta... will always be near you."</i> But when they receieved that report, she disappeared says present day Garcia.<br />
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We then flashback to see Roberta at a market, she drops an orange and a man with a moustache goes to help her pick it up and offers her a lift. But she tells him she recognises his face, and he stammers that she must be drunk this early in the day. He runs, saying no one should know he is here. He tries to call someone saying his name is <i>"Luciendez" </i>in the process. But suddenly Roberta is in front of him in the alleyway. She twirls her parasol saying he is <i>"Major Marcos Jose Luciendez".</i><br />
<br />
She whips the phone out of his hand at incredible speed then kicks him hard in the chest. She says that she has met all his men but,<i> "in the end... it seems only you have the information I am seeking."</i> Luciendez saying they were all to avoid each other until the mission was officially over <i>"you tracked everyone down... and you killed them?!" </i> She grins a sinister grin and says if he spills his guts to her now, she will be <i>"perfectly satisfied."</i><br />
<br />
Then we return to the present and Garcia says that the General informed him that Luciendez's body was found on the outskirts of Carabono, <i>"he was found with severe wounds below his knees"</i>. Revy says he was tortured. Chang ponders how she managed to track down all the men from a single photo, and hunted them<i> "like the bloodhound she truly is."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ooooh, all of the sitting down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Garcia slams his hands down on the table saying she is not a bloodhound, <i>"she is a member of my family".</i> He tells them not to use words like that about her again. Chang apologises then says they should go back to the story, they don't know why she has come to Roanapur yet.<br />
<br />
He tells them to look again, the men with Luciendez are caucasian, the second man on the right was tracked down after his death. We cut to Roberta in a flashback. The man tells her he is with the NSA, he is American. <i> "Special Office of Central American Policy Analyses and Special Programs, Officer in charge" </i>she tells him. He has been beaten and is tied to an iron stove.<br />
<br />
She demands to know where his <i>"dogs"</i> are after telling him the Major gave him up and said they planned and executed the terrorist bombing that killed Diego Lovelace. She picks up a hot coal and uses it to start heating the stove up. The man screams threats as her as the stove gets hotter and hotter saying she'll be taking on all of America, that the President himself will blow her away. She grins her scary grin again and says <i>"I'm looking forward to it."</i><br />
<br />
Back with Garcia in the present, he confirms that a body was found outside of Caracus, it was<i> "Colonel Simon Dickens" </i>he was an active officer in the United States Army. According to the paratroop officer who brought it to his attention the suspect was a woman who was seen fleeing the scene just before he was discovered. She bought a ticket to Thailand via Miami and had reserved a long distance bus ticket to Roanapur.<br />
<br />
Chang asks if they are certain the US officer was active. Apparently he was one of the military attaches. Revy says she doesn't like where this is headed, and what does he want with them anyway? The Lovelace family are concerned for Roberta as she is one of the family, they want her home as soon as possible. But they need assistance to find her. And they want Rock especially. They'll pay appropriate compensation for the use of him. Rock looks at Dutch, and Dutch turns the offer down flat saying<i> "we don't want any part of this."</i> Fabiola asks why.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b> <i>"Why? Your head matron's planning on taking on everybody's friend Uncle Sam with her bare hands. It's absolutely crazy. Who'd want any part of that madness?"</i><br />
<br />
Chang agrees, saying the USA's it's unconventional forces, maybe something more than that. Garcia says that knowing she is killing people pains him as much as losing his father.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy gives no shit for your childish tears.</td></tr>
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He starts to cry saying that he is the only person in the world who can save her, and that she had told him they would always be together. Revy isn't sympathetic, <i>"you came halfway around the world to start bawling." </i> She says maybe a hero will pop out of a Marvel comic. Fabiola starts to yell at her but Garcia tells her to stop and that she is right. He stops crying then apologises to them saying they will look for help elsewhere. Rock says he's changed quite a bit since he last saw him, he's<i> "almost like an adult."</i><br />
<br />
Garcia responds by saying his father is dead and Roberta has disappeared. All the people he'd come to rely on are all gone. That's why he's had to grow up faster than he should have. Rock says to Dutch that he doesn't think it is a smart idea to let two kids run around in a town like Roanapur. Chang says he'd love to see them leave the matter to him and return to Venezuela. Rock says he doesn't mean that and Chang agrees saying his lie is that obvious.<br />
<br />
He muses that the Colombians are also after Roberta. They'll clash with Garcia sooner or later,<i> "that's not good for this town or for us." </i> He says everyone is nervous of her because they know Balalaika moblised her commandos last time she was here. Dutch says it has nothing to do with them again, it's up to the likes of Chang to run this town. Chang say they are too big to move easily around town, but the Black Lagooners are familiar with the place and have a neutral stance on the matter, <i>"and you're harmless."</i><br />
<br />
Chang continues saying he can't force them to help him, if they stay out of it the Triad will search in their own way as will Garcia. If a problem does occur they can't have anything to do with it, they can't agitate the cartel without a reason. Rock says slowly that the town wants Roberta out of the way as soon as possible and Garcia wants her back as soon as possible.<br />
<br />
<b>Rock</b>: <i>"If we can catch up to her before she reaches those soldiers... we'll have everything wrapped up nice and neat. Isn't that right, Mr. Chang?"</i><br />
<br />
Dutch says there is still the problem of the US soldiers. Revy agrees saying they don't want to walk into a pile of shit, they can't take Roberta on with <i>"a smile on your face."</i> She says she'll shoot them full of holes before they can even speak.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny speaks up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Benny interrupts saying they don't have to decide now. He asks if they can come back later once they make their descision because arguing about it now is troubling Garcia. Chang agrees and tells them to think it over. He tells Garcia and Fabiola that if they don't secure the help of the Black Lagooners, they should get out of town because the Colombians will be there sooner rather than later. As he leaves he whispers to Rock, <i>"that boy'll have gray hairs before he turns twenty. Think hard about it will you." </i> And he exits the room bidding everyone farewell. Outside he tells Biu that Rock will do it, because that's the kind of compassionate guy Rock is. Then he walks himself back saying <i>"no that's not him.."</i> but their ghosts finally have a name, they are soldiers and they need to fight them with soldiers,<i> "we have to move the pieces on the board carefully" </i>Chang says as they drive off.<br />
<br />
We rejoin the Black Lagooners also driving. They discuss taking the job on, that it's like finding a cat only this cat is a Siberian Tiger. Revy says that this means the moment you open the closet you get bitten clean in half. They haven't forgotten the matter of the soldiers have they? Dutch says if they reach her before he does, <i>"walk away."</i> He says as Rock's boss and there is no arguing, it's a delicate matter that concerns all of them. <br />
<br />
<b>Dutch:</b><i> "Rock. There's a flow to things just like water. If you dig a channel to try and change the flow... if can change dramatically eve if that channel's as shallow a gutter... it'll become an unpredictable current that could come back to haunt you."</i><br />
<br />
Whatever happens to Garcia or Fabiola, they have to look out for themselves. If he can't understand that, he wants him off the boat for good. That's all he has to say, <i>"the rest is up to you."</i><br />
<br />
Back at the hotel Garcia keeps asking Fabiola to check if Rock has arrived or left any messages. She says that people like them are all lying cowards and he shouldn't be so trusting. Garcia says they can't be sat here doing nothing, Fabiola says she'll make another trip through town, maybe she'll find a clue. She opens the door.... and there are Rock and Benny. Rock says he thought he may as well come in person, <i>"so here we are! Is something wrong?"</i><br />
<br />
We begin the next chapter with the Major, the leader of the US soldiers having a nightmare. Back in 'Nam two soldiers, Caxton and Larkin are fighting over the committing of a war crime against a Vietnamese village. Caxton wants to stop Larkin killing everyone, they clash and the Major wakes up. As he is only referred to as Major I don't know which one he was yet, but he wakes in a cold sweat and grips his gun for comfort.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad dreams for the US major.</td></tr>
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Another soldier comes in called Ray and offers him coffee. They are stuck in Roanapur due to border tensions which is holding up their mission. As they discuss previous missions, the Major looks out of the window and says the city feels like Saigon back during the Vietnam War. He says the only thing that is different is the language and no police directing traffic, <i>"it's repulsive.. sickening."</i><br />
<br />
We then cut to Rock who asks Fabiola why she is staring at him. The four of them are walking out to the car and she admits she didn't expect him to come. Rock says<i> "I just thought... it might be fun.</i>" They head for Bao's place, the bar The Yellow Flag to ask him about Roberta's visit there.<br />
<br />
They arrive and find him soaking in an inflatable tub with several young women of ill repute. He says there is nothing left to break because of Fabiola so he's cooling off with with some ladies from the upstairs brothel. Garcia questions Fabiola who admits that there was some<i> "collateral damage." </i> Garcia says he asked her to be discreet.<br />
<br />
Then the brothel Madam, Flora, appears and squeezes Rock in a big hug. Bao tells them who he is, and she says he should come and meet her after they are done with the repairs. Rock extricates himself and they start questioning Bao. He gets out of the tub saying he doesn't want to talk about it. Rock says it's a personal request from Mr. Chang so Bao relents and tells his story.<br />
<br />
Roberta asks him<i> "all the places I need to visit to start a war"</i>. He tells her that no one will sell her an armory without an introduction. So she says he can provide her with one. But when he denies, she shatters the bottle in her fist saying <i>"perhaps you think... this is a joke or a whim?" </i> He tells Rock and the others that as he rang round making the calls for her, she was chomping down pills like they were Doritos. He tells them where he called including the underground doctor for more pills. That's all he has left to say. Then he asks where Revy is, saying they'll need her if they have to fight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eda teases Revy over cards.</td></tr>
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She is playing cards with Eda, nun in the Rip-Off Church (the main gunrunners in Roanapur) and undercover CIA agent. Revy loses to her again and grumbles a lot. Eda then asks Revy why she won't have sex with Rock? Revy aggressively dodges the question. Eda says Rock could make his name on this, but Revy says if he pokes around the wrong way they all go down in flames.<br />
<br />
Eda asks if she is scared of Roberta? Revy says it's not her who bothers her, it's the men she is chasing. <i>"The United States Military?"</i> says Eda thoughtfully. She wants to know what those soldiers are doing in Roanapur. Revy says she doesn't know but Chang is worried and <i>"nothing ever good ever comes out of the government getting involved."</i><br />
<br />
Eda asks if Revy will help him<i>, "considering what he's up against."</i> Revy says he needs to get his ass kicked once in a while. He'll get an important lesson in crisis management says Eda but up against the US Military he's in real trouble. <br />
<br />
<b>Eda:</b> <i>"If sparks are gonna fly at least let him know which way the wind's blowing. I'm pretty sure Mr. Chang asked to expect that."</i><br />
<br />
She says he can't do it alone dragging two kids around town with him. Revy says when he comes back with his tail between his legs<i> "then... maybe... I'll think about it."</i> Eda says she'll<i> "pray that's what happens." </i>And Revy loses to her again.<br />
<br />
Rock is sitting eating with Benny, Garcia and Fabiola. She is mad because all the places Bao had directed them to were pretending to be closed. Benny says they really need someone like Revy or Dutch with them, no one is taking them seriously. Rock asks why Roanapur doesn't faze Fabiola,<i> "where does that nerve come from?" </i> She says she is used to towns full of scum and idiots.<br />
<br />
Garcia says she is from the barrio, an imporverished area in the suburbs of Caracus. She joined the help after the Lovelace's mining operations. Fabiola says her family is dirt poor and there were eleven of them. If she went to work she be less of a burden on her family. She is grateful to the young master for the opportunity to climb out of poverty. <br />
<br />
Rock asks if that is where she learned her <i>"fancy kicks"</i> and gun skills? This nets him a shin kick from her, then they finish up their food as she explains she is doing Capoeira. She picked it up watching a man who was attending a nearby school. Garcia says that is so cool and she should show him sometime. She blushes saying she is self taught so she is nothing special. She says that someone who knows it should moderate it, which is why she thought it was worth learning.<br />
<br />
Benny says you can't apply that logic in Roanapur, in this town you need to be ready to pull the trigger. Garcia says acting on instinct allows for brutality and that's a bad thing. Roberta couldn't resist that, but he doesn't want it to happen to him and Fabiola. Benny insists <i>"in terms of right and wrong, this town is all wrong." </i>Their views are unrealistic, if there is a goal they need to achieve they need to deal with it appropriately. They make a move and Rock tells Benny he is surprised to hear him say that. Benny says it doesn't feel so great when children die. They are doing what they can for them.<br />
<br />
<b>Benny: </b><i>"How much do you have to steel your soul. To get over a stranger's death? That's why I don't intend to test myself in this town either. Or get too deeply involved like you Rock."</i><br />
<br />
We then cut to Balalaika's office. She is the scarred, hard bitten leader of the Russian mafia in Roanapur called "Hotel Moscow." Chang has called her for a meeting, he apparently wants to share his information on Roberta with them.<br />
<br />
Balalaika says it is such a fuss over one maid. Her second-in-command, the sergeant, tells her Roberta is here out of revenge and tells her about the bombing of the political rally. She asks him what his interpretation of the scenarios involving her are. He says he believes the bombing was the work of a third party political organisation. She says if that is true, <i>"that's good enough reason for Chang to be frightened. Very interesting. This should be fun, eh, sergeant?"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instant Awesome: Just add Balalaika.</td></tr>
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We then cut to Eda, he hair loose sitting politely in full CIA mode talking with Mother Superior Yolanda about the targets of Roberta's wrath. She tells her that it's a definite thing they are US soldiers being tracked down. Eda says it may becoming necessary to use the intelligence gathering resources of the church. Yolanda says it's a<i> "turf war between the NSA and CIA"</i>. The bombing was done without the CIA's knowledge or consent, <i>"makes me sick"</i> says Eda.<br />
<br />
She tells Yolanda she can consider that the CIA's collective opinion. Yolanda says they'll start looking for the NSA in the city, it would be great if they could continue to share information. Eda says her boss will contact Yolanda shortly to talk about fees. Back to the Roberta problem and they discuss Chang taking the lead. She'll acquire the minutes of the meeting he'll be having. Eda says she'll get it herself so there are no leaks. Yolanda warns about who she is dealing with,<i> "some advice from an old lady".</i> But Eda confidently puts her wimple back over her head.<br />
<br />
Rock and Benny are driving together having dropped Garcia and Fabiola somewhere safe. Apparently Rock had a encounter trying to save a child he thought was drowning and got called a child molester for his trouble. Suddenly the mafia go screaming past. Benny tells Rock they are heading to a<i> "network meeting" </i>about dealing with Roberta and her adversaries. Benny says the large numbers show they are nervous, the problem doesn't end with Roberta it's all part of the problem.<br />
<br />
<b>Benny: </b><i>"Today's meeting will decide her fate... regardless of what Garcia wants or doesn't want. We don't have much time left."</i><br />
<br />
Benny says the water is flowing round their feet, Garcia too. Dutch say they had to <i>"distinguish the divide." </i>Rock says what if the divide is further down abd you can only see it at the moment of impact.<br />
<br />
Balalaika enters the meeting room with a flourish. After a pat down and the handing over of her weapons she joins the other criminal organisation leaders. There is some barbed banter between Balalaika and the others but she isn't intimdated. Chang gets them to focus on the matter at hand, what to do about Roberta?<br />
<br />
He tells them that her object is revenge and the reasons why. There is more arguments between a couple of the leaders and they start to get on Balalaika's nerves. One of them calls her <i>"you stinkin' Russian bitch"</i> and this causes Chang to smash his foot on the table getting their attention again. He says are they going to break up before they even get to the agenda? The others fall silent.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MOAR SITTING.</td></tr>
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He goes on to tell them who her targets are and that they are in town under orders from higher up. Why they are and what they want he doesn't know. He asks Mr. Abrego, leader of the Colombians, what they know having been involved in the matter first. He says that they weren't involved with the bombing, that Roberta is still FARC's no.1 most wanted terrorist and they couldn't move until she did. The mansion was under constant surveillance, but she got out.<br />
<br />
He goes on to say that they have orders to bring her head back to their homeland base,<i> "as long as she's alive nobody back home can sleep in peace." </i> He says that no matter what happens they'll hunt the maid down, nobody better get in their way and if they do they won't hold back. Balalaika says,<i> "I thought they were a bunch of cowards, but actually they do have some balls."</i><br />
<br />
She says they can do whatever they want to Roberta, "we don't care one bit." Abrego says as long as there is no interference. Another leader says they should put a bounty on Roberta's head, <i>"civilised people don't kill if it doesn't involve money".</i> Balalaika sneers at him. She says her energy isn't directed at Roberta but the men she is after, <i>"the best strategy would be to wipe them out before they can carry out their plan."</i><br />
<br />
When one of the leaders calls her crazy for considering it, she says it's a problem people with interests in this town need to deal with. She is accused of being a commie who just has it in for America. Abrego says he wants nothing to do with the Americans. Chang is asked what he thinks. He just sits in thought.<br />
<br />
Then he gives a speech, about how it's taken 35 years for Roanapur to become a den of vice. It's managed to stay under the news radar, the motives of people who gather there is always consistant. <i>"We make the laws" </i>he says,<i> "a modern day libertalia, a tainted 'elsewhere'"</i>. Because of their tireless hardwork they have turned the city into their<i> "hide-out"</i>. They are more <i>"closed off, more vulgar and more exciting" </i>than places like El Rey, Johannasburg or Anglo-Town.<br />
<br />
It is full of energy but it's delicate and fragile<i> "once we allow the light to shine in, there is nobody to protect us." </i>They should avoid a head-to-head clash with the US soldiers until the very last moment. He says<i> "the Triad acts with the survival of this town in mind."</i> When it becomes apparent the soldiers are there to meddle in local affairs they should allow the Triad to deal with them.<br />
<br />
<b>Chang:</b> <i>"Please remember this. If we continue suspecting each other, continue pursuing our own self-interests. Who do you think will be left standing in the ring at the end... there won't be anybody there. Ladies and gentlemen. Not you. Not me. Not even the ring itself."</i><br />
<br />
And with that we finally catch up with what Roberta has been up to. She prays in Spanish about carrying out her <i>"divine plan"</i> and having the strength to continue. A shadowy figure tells her to stop taking the pills, she's over medicating herself. He asks her if she has any intention of returning to the mansion and Garcia. <i>"He loves you" </i>says the man <i>"and you love him. You love each other like family. Why don't you hold onto that?"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta having a good pray.</td></tr>
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He says is what she doing really revenge? She says that is merely a motive, what he is looking at now is <i>"somewhere completely different".</i> Her sins are her own. She stammers over saying that Garcia shouldn't have been forced into such responsibility. What she is doing is <i>"atonement". </i><br />
<br />
The man flatly tells her the path she is on is not atonement while she has the responsibility to Garcia. No revenge. No prayer for forgiveness. Not even death will bring atonement, "continue on this path... will only lead you to another hell." She tells him to shut up. He looks sad and says she is about to return to what she once was, when the fire of revolution burned inside her. A man comes in and Roberta immediately goes for him, but he is a man called Leroy who is known to her. He has brought something for her, the clothes and other things she asked for. He asks who she was talking too, the room is empty.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Rock has come begging to Revy saying he needs her help. She dangles upside down from an exercise bar as he tells her everyone he tried to talk to once they knew what he was asking about. Revy asks him why he cares so much about Garcia. Rock says when a child is in trouble you help them, <i>"that's the right thing to do". </i> Revy dismisses that as a textbook answer. Then she asks what he hopes to gain from all this. Rock says<i> "gain"</i> is all this town ever cares about. Revy says that like it or not that's how the world works. <br />
<br />
They talk some more then Revy asks him what his take is on the situation. He says he'll get a reward from Garcia, pocket money from Chang and<i> "self-satisfaction." </i>She says it's like when they were in Japan (see book five) and he tried to save the girl who briefly led a Yakuza family but who killed herself in front of him. She takes her clothes off and gets into the shower still smoking, still talking with Rock.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy: </b><i>"Do you ever consider me? Who follows you in there?"</i><br />
<br />
He says she is there for when he needs her most and he is grateful for that. She harruphs at that but he says it's true. She says that she isn't his nanny or parole officer, how is she supposed to live with what he does? She says that when they were in Japan he called her the gun, Rock says <i>"if you're the gun... I'm the bullet."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sexy bullet and gun say the shippers.</td></tr>
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She gets out of the shower while is saying that a bullet is just a piece of lead, but it has the power to blow everything away. He says if he had never met Revy he would have just spent his life <i>"just being a piece of lead." </i>It's always waiting to go off and the only thing that can fire it is a gun.<br />
<br />
Revy says he's a silver bullet that doesn't know where it's going. It's an expensive one that can kill invincible monsters, <i>"but use it at the wrong moment, it's all over. The monster's eats you."</i> She asks if he'll use it when it comes time to pull the trigger? Rock says that from here on out so from now on it's her choice. She puts her underwear on and sends him to get more water from the vending machine. When he goes she says to herself,<i> "that bastard... Goddammit."</i> She gets dressed and comes down and places a bullet in his hand saying they should get going, <i>"let's get this over with." </i><br />
<br />
We then see Garcia sleeping on a sofa. Fabiola check on him and seeing he's out of it and puts on a bathing suit and has a nice swim in the water by where they are staying. She surfaces only to be confronted by a grinning Revy he says Fabiola is in a good mood. She notes Fabiola came prepared for water. Fabiola stammers that she bought the stuff when she was searching before. She says it's nothing to do with Revy and Revy agrees.<br />
<br />
After some more teasing all four of them get in the car, Rock drives with Revy next to him and Garcia and Fabiola in the back. Revy asks if there are pools where Fabiola comes from and Fabiola retorts that Veneuzula is not an undeveloped country. She says the mansion has a huge fountain but she would be mad to swim in it. Garcia asks if she thinks he wouldn't allow it? <br />
<br />
Revy tells Garcia that while they were out running around looking for Roberta, Fabiola has been watching his every move. He is the boss but she can't relax around him running round like he is. But she is loyal to him, deeply. Fabiola attacks her for her cheek towards Garcia. Garcia says Revy is in a rush it's true, he shouldn't have worried her. Fabiola says it's natural to feel rushed,<i> "I've been inconsiderate of my position". </i>Rock tells him with Revy, Roberta should be in his reach soon. The hard part is going to be capturing her, and disentangling her from the men she is after.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toys for the girls.</td></tr>
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They arrive at a gunsmith store so he can take a look at one of her guns. Fabiola is very taken with an assault rifle on the wall. The gunsmith asks if she wants arming up too. Rock realises this means Roberta was here. The gunsmith confirms it was the taller, bespectacled version of Fabiola he served. He hands back Revy's gun and takes her other saying he served her on Bao's recommendation. Revy asks if she wanted guns, he says already had her own piece, a eighteenth century flintlock rifle.<br />
<br />
Garcia has a realisation that she had taken one of the guns on display in the mansion. The gunsmith goes on to say it had been so well cared for he only had to replace the lead spring and correct the warp of the frizzen. It needed gunpowder to charge it, but that's not his thing. He directed her to "Blaster" Tow Chi.<br />
<br />
Revy says she figured as much. The gunsmith scolds Revy for banging her gun and misaligning the grip. She says she'll have to get it fixed another time as she doesn't have a back-up piece and they are on a tight schedule. As Revy and the others move to leave, the gunsmith asks what Roberta hopes to achieve with the antique gun. <i>"Payback"</i> and<i> "going postal"</i> replies Revy. And off they drive to their next contact.<br />
<br />
They arrive a Tow Chi's place which Fabiola calls a dump. But he's paranoid, and has wired up several explosives in the corridor to his home. They disarm them, then Revy kicks his door down. He appears, mollified that it's Revy but then sees Fabiola and points a gun at her saying he is an advance guard of the Mars attack corps. He is also wearing a tinfoil hat.<br />
<br />
Revy tells him she is one of the good aliens and whispers to her to play along. Tow Chi babbles some more conspiracy theory bobbins. Revy manages to get her and Fabiola inside by telling him he has no need to fear the illuminat or world government as they have invented a<i> "new super space secret".</i><br />
<br />
He slumps on his sofa and says that came through four days ago asking for flints and gunpowder. Revy says doesn't he mean a woman? But Tow Chi says it was definitely a man. He says he can't remember the man's name, but one <i>"fix"</i> could help him remember. Revy threatens him and Tow Chi quickly recalls he was called<i> "Richie Leroy." </i> We finish with Leroy inspecting Roberta in her new clothes, as she snaps on a glove she says she doesn't know how she can thank him for getting all the stuff. And that... finally brings this volume to an end. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta's new look.</td></tr>
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I have to say I found writing up this book to be a turgid experience. There are some real pacing problems with the story-telling when there are no gunfights and action scenes to break things up a bit. We get a lot of scenes where people explain the same thing to each other over and over and the more complex the writing the harder it obviously has been for the translators to make it flow more naturally. Part of this is an understandable problem when a weekly or monthly manga story is compiled into book format which of course doesn't need to have the plot recapped like the original serialisation did. There are some interesting moments, Rock and Revy's conversation while she showered is notable for it's total lack of sexual tension. These are comrades and they can be as relaxed around each other as anyone can. I liked Rock thinking of him and Revy as the bullet and the gun. They make a good team and much as Revy resists, she knows it too and wants to watch Rock's back. There is the typical Black Lagoon craziness at the start when a teenage, gun wielding, capoeira fighting maid can take on a cartel hit squad and wina. But she and Garcia's loyalty to Roberta, a woman so dangerous in the pursuit of the US soldiers who killed Garcia's dad that all the heads of the crime organisations actually sat down together to figure out what to do, it's sweet. And it's interesting how much Roberta has fractured, popping pills, talking with a man in her head and finally removing her maid outfit for her revolutionary clothes as she becomes the soldier she needs to be to take the US military on. Finally the CIA finding out about the NSA's operation adds an interesting wrinkle that might pan out into something bigger later on. For now the Rip-Off Church will stay on the sidelines and gather info on everything that's going on. So apologies if this is a bit of a trudge to read, even the author apologises for the lack of action in this volume, but promises more for the next one. We shall see if he was true to his word in a few days time.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-81108615519750565522018-04-09T18:17:00.000+01:002018-04-09T18:18:15.548+01:00Black Lagoon Book 6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5W7PBtDgUvqOpMvsboAEKvCJ1rSMmUvs-EGCyzrZocNL5Za0YxbgqTcdEIbNQ2ukrwhJoqMvYz3_eNxKkZQRkBIDBJB6h7qiTPL4MXGuwOxcCSHkVAB3TJ2KBfdejFb-1URBQmBrTQVY/s1600/blacklagoonsixcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1134" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5W7PBtDgUvqOpMvsboAEKvCJ1rSMmUvs-EGCyzrZocNL5Za0YxbgqTcdEIbNQ2ukrwhJoqMvYz3_eNxKkZQRkBIDBJB6h7qiTPL4MXGuwOxcCSHkVAB3TJ2KBfdejFb-1URBQmBrTQVY/s320/blacklagoonsixcover.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<i>"I vow in the name of Santa Maria... an iron hammer to all the unrighteous" </i>- <b>Roberta</b><br />
<br />
Time for more fun and games with the crew of the Black Lagoon. Based in the fictional Thai city of Roanapur, the Black Lagoon company and couriers who'll deliver anything for a price. The leader is Dutch, an African-American Vietnam vet. The technician is Benny, another American on the run from the FBI. The muscle of the team is Chinese-American Revy "Two Hand" a young woman with an explosive temper and talented with every type of gun out there. Finally there is Rock, an ex-Japanese salaryman who often acts as the conscience of the team. This volume also sees the return of Eda a "nun" in the Rip-Off Church who are Roanapurs main gun runners and she plays a major role in the arc <i>"Green Back Jane"</i>. This volume also sees the start of the epic storyline <i>"El Baile de la Muerte"</i> [aka The Dance of Death], a story that for better or worse will run right through volumes seven, eight and nine. Written and drawn by Rei Hiroe, this ran through the noughties but is set in the mid 1990's. So without further ado, let's begin.<br />
<br />
GREEN BACK JANE: We begin with a man inspect a forged dollar banknote saying it is not a good job and that anyone could see through it. He then shoots all but one of the forgers, an Indian woman called Jane, saying she has forty-eight hours to do the job he demands of them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eda and Revy drinking in the Rip-Off Church.</td></tr>
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We then cut to Eda and Revy drinking inside the Rip-Off Church. Eda asks Revy how Japan went. Revy says it sucked, she nearly got killed and it was freezing cold. She is never going back there. Eda says that's not what she meant, Revy was with Rock the whole time, did they get it on or not. Revy says grumpily that she doesn't want to talk about it. Then suddenly someone bangs on the church door shouting for help. Eda answers it, and it is Jane.<br />
<br />
<b>Jane:</b> <i>"Please! I'm being chased! I can't trust the local police.. and I'm not from here! So I thought maybe the church could help me..."</i><br />
<br />
Eda tells her to come back on Judgement Day. But then her pursuer, a <i>"Mr. Elvis"</i> appears outside the church and tells Eda he has business with Jane as he points a gun at them despite the warning of his partner Lobos not to threaten the Rip-Off Church.<br />
<br />
A gun battle ensues with a priest in training called Rico arriving with a gun to back them up. Lobos shouts at Eda to stop firing, this has been a misunderstanding. Revy bellows, <i>"go fuck yourself!! Mistake my ass, you fuckheads!! You pusbags think you can get away with... shooting up a church?!"</i><br />
<br />
Then the Mother Superior appears, and scolds Eda for drinking inside the church. Then she pulls out her Desert Eagle and opens fire as well. Elvis and Lobos make their getaway with Elvis swearing revenge on on them. The two nuns, the priest and Revy then stand over a somewhat surprised Jane and ask her what they wanted with her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane and her unlikely rescuers.</td></tr>
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Jane tells them that those men were with the <i>"Nuevo Laredo Cartel"</i>, part of the <i>"Giroland Family in Florida."</i> They had hired her to counterfeit old U.S. bills. Her team is split over the world but the internet allows them to work together. She manages the team, so that makes her the leader.<br />
<br />
The Mother Superior asks what she botched to make them chase her, Jane says she didn't botch anythng, <i>"they just couldn't wait."</i> She took the job because she can create the perfect counterfeit. She then explains why her notes were perfect in extreme detail. Eda interupts saying is there an end to this story? <i>"What? Am I boring you?!"</i> says Jane.<br />
<br />
Jane then offers them two bills, one real and one counterfeit and asks them to pick out the real one. They pick out the counterfeit one and Jane says she knows they'd be fooled. She then explains that they went well past the deadline and the cartel guys shot her operator. His job was to manage all the data from round the net, <i>"everything we've done up to now is down the drain. Those gorillas have no idea how this works."</i><br />
<br />
Revy says it sounds like this was all her fault,<i> "a deal's a deal."</i> Jane yells she doesn't expect people like her to understand,<i> "not people who watch NYPD Blue and play around with guns all day." </i>Revy points her gun at her saying she watches Oprah. The Mother Superior steps in telling Jane that Revy is a smuggler, <i>"you can make a deal in exchange for that original plate."</i><br />
<br />
Jane says she doesn't what to hand over something that is not finished, how about they pay her thirty-thousand dollars for it seperate from her getaway fee. The Mother Superior suggests she finds another God then. Jane angrily thanks them for getting her out of a pinch and starts to leave. Eda then asks if she has a place to sleep tonight and tells her to go to the Ransap Motel and tell them she came from the Rip-Off Church and they should give her a room.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane knows the score.</td></tr>
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Jane pauses, thinks for a moment, then asks her why the change of heart. Eda says it's not for free and she should deposit three hundred dollars in the collection bowl as she leaves,<i> "a fair price, wouldn't you say?"</i> Jane smiles and donates then leaves. Revy asks Eda why the change of heart? The Mother Superior congratulates Eda saying Jane is a<i> "money tree"</i> they musn't lose track of." Then Eda calls someone called Leroy asking him what the going rate for her location is.<br />
<br />
We begin the next chapter with an angry Elvis in a hospital bed ranting about the uncivilised nature of the people of Roanapur, even the nuns shot at him. He wishes he was back in Florida, so his henchman Russell needs to find Jane and bring her to him as soon as possible. His henchman says<i> "just leave everything to Groovy Guy Russell."</i><br />
<br />
Eda and Revy are drinking together in the Yellow Flag bar, Eda says she could have set something like this up in her sleep. Rock has arrived with the car and Revy and Eda leave the bar. Arrving as they depart is Russell, he shows the picture of Jane to several bounty hunters there, one of which is Shenhua, the knife wielding mercenary from the <i>"Goat, Jihad, Rock And Roll"</i> arc. He tells them to bring her back alive and they'll be paid a grand each.<br />
<br />
The bounty hunters are unimpressed with Russell's offer, "go back to Austin and impregnate a horse" he gets told. Then a goth chick appears who speaks via a throat mike, and she turns out to be <i>"Sawyer the Cleaner" </i>but without her mask and goggles. Over at another table is a cool looking dude called <i>"Lotton The Wizard" </i>and with him a bespectacled man called<i> "Claude 'Torch' Weaver".</i> They all compare weapons, then decide to take the job and all head off to the Ransap Inn.<br />
<br />
Already waiting at the Ransap Inn are Eda and Revy with a bored looking Rock resting on the steering wheel of the car they are in. Eda then takes them through what is going to happen. The room next to Jane's will have a gunman in it, she'll wakae and run into the hall to see what is going on because she is utterly clueless even though she is in the only room with an emergency exit. And she'll run right into the bad guys. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eda's subtle messages.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She might die there, but if she runs back into her room she'll buy some time. Then the hit squad will kick her door down but the room will be empty. That's because in fact, things won't go down like that. If she lies back on the bed she'll see a note on the ceiling which says<i> "Escape From Death"</i> and an arrow. Rock and Revy are dubious but Eda says <i>"the more obvious the better"</i>, and if Jane keeps following the arrows she'll escape.<br />
<br />
Jane then comes running out of the Inn and pelts past the car. They drive after her and tell her to get inside. Jane tries to charge her again for the plate, so Eda tells Rock to take her back to the church. With no options left Jane agrees to hand it over and gets inside the car, <i>"you better help me. Or I'll come back and haunt you."</i> Then the bounty hunters appear and offer to cut Eda in on the deal with get Jane. But she tells them, <i>"we already got a million-dollar job. Go home and watch The Tonight Show."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't fuck with Revy and Eda.</td></tr>
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Revy and Eda open fire on the bounty hunters who return fire. Eda hires Revy on the spot to take Jane away on the Black Lagoon. As they make their getaway, the bounty hunters say to Russell that now Eda and Revy are involved they want thirty grand apiece. When Russell objects, Shenhua throws a knife at him which just misses saying<i> "cowboy, this not Florida. It's Roanapur. You understand?" </i> She says that they are not common thugs they are dealing with now, he keeps low-balling them and he can find someone else to do the job. So Russell reluctantly agrees as Shenhua says they are racing to the docks.<br />
<br />
Revy, Eda, Rock and Jane arrive at the docks but the Black Lagoon is out at sea. Revy calls Dutch over the radio and he says they should be back in port by 0700. Jane is sat in a room at Black Lagoon HQ on her own using her laptop trying to crack the code to her online safe that Theo was responsible for.<br />
<br />
<b>Jane:</b> <i>"I'm really sad you're dead. Thanks to your immense talent... I'm in really deep trouble."</i><br />
<br />
Suddenly the bounty hunters breach Black Lagoon HQ. An epic gun battle ensues, Revy yells at Rock to take Jane and head for the exit. They try to escape via a firedoor.<br />
<br />
Jane and Rock get split up and Jane bumps into Claude. She asks him if she can get past but he responds by setting off an explosion blocking off the firedoor exit. Jane manages to escape back to where Rock, Revy and Eda now are. Revy and Eda are still throwing everything they have at the bounty hunters. Eda picks up a grenade launcher saying, <i>"why didn'y you tell me... you had such nice toys."</i> Revy orders Rock to take Jane upstairs then recognises Shenhua as a knife just misses her.<br />
<br />
Revy and Shenhua swap insults, then Eda and Revy try and figure out how to get out of the building safely as all exits are blocked. Meanwhile Benny is trying to raise them on the radio but having now luck. Dutch looks through his binoculars and sees that his dock is on fire. Revy and Eda let loose again, Shenhua appears to go down but ends up standing over Eda about to attack. Revy opens fire again but Shenhua dodges acrobatically out of the way again.<br />
<br />
Shenhua holds a large knife over Eda's neck and Eda drops her gun. Eda starts babbling random shit to distract Shenhua then tells her she will go to hell for killing a nun. Shenhua says she is a Taoist, but as she raises her knife to strike the killing blow, Eda tells her to look behind her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy versis Shenhua.</td></tr>
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Then we cut to Rock and Jane being chased by Sawyer who is armed with a chainsaw and has cornered them on the roof. Jane and Rock yell at each other about the fine mess they are in as Sawyer revs the chainsaw. Downstairs Revy attacks Shenhua and finally manages to down her, but she takes several small knives to the arm in doing so. <br />
<br />
Back on the roof, Sawyer pauses for some reason and gives Rock and Jane the chance dodge behind her. Russell pulls up in a car and shouts at Claude that he didn't give them orders to <i>"immolate this dump".</i> He just wants Jane captured but because of the fire it's too hot to reach them on the roof.<br />
<br />
Revy and Eda climb up on the roof to find Jane and Rock to be OK and Sawyer crouched down with her head resting down on her arms. Eda says she's depressed, she's met a lot of people like her. Rock notices that Revy is bleeding but Revy says it's not as bad as it looks but the boat better arrive soon so they can see to the wounds properly. <br />
<br />
On the boat Dutch notes the dock is burning down, they'll be at the pier in five minutes. Dutch arms himself with a huge gun saying they'll start raising hell when they get there and Revy will know what to do. Rock, Revy, Jane and Eda run to the end of the roof but are stopped by Lotton the Wizard, who strikes a pose and says their lives belong to him now. Revy shoots him several times in the chest. At the edge of the burning roof they find themselves trapped.<br />
<br />
Then the Black Lagoon comes crashing into the dock. Rock kicks Jane off the roof and the others follow, they race to the bat while under heavy fire. They make it aboard, but several of the bounty hunters get aboard too. On the dock, Lotton comes around, he was wearing a bullet proof vest. Next to him is Shenhua who has survived being shot. He offers her his hand and she gets up saying he'll take her to a doctor and it's not worth dying for so little pay. They limp off together as she tells him he is not suited to killing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny introduces himself to Jane.</td></tr>
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On the boat, Jane and Rock hide down in the electronics room while Dutch, Eda and Revy go hunting for their unwelcome guests. Benny introduces himself to Jane and tells her not to touch his stuff including his <i>"Doom campaign disc." </i> Dutch and Revy keep blasting away at the intruders. Eda says she'll handle the <i>"rat"</i> who is down in the hold alone. <br />
<br />
Jane asks Rock to get her laptop from her bag. Unfortunately he never picked her bag up. They have a big row about whose fault it is and she says that without her laptop she can't access the net or do anything. Down in the hold, Russell is furious and imagines all the things he'll do when he finally catches Jane. Then Eda appears and tells him:<br />
<br />
<b>Eda:</b> <i>"But before you do all that... you better worry about your balls getting blasted to heaven. I got a direct line to God for you." </i><br />
<br />
Claude meanwhile is armed with a flamethrower and is giving Revy and Dutch some problems. But Dutch uses the boat to knock Claude off balance and Revy shoots his fuel tank. Claude takes off like a rocket and blows up in the air.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Jane and Benny use Benny's computer to access the account needed for Jane's forgery plate. In the hold, Eda is talking with Russell. Russell says he is sure he has seen Eda before in Washington D.C. She says she has never been to Washington D.C, but he persists saying he saw her when he was meeting with a Senator. Benny and Jane break throw the encryption and Jane kisses Benny saying he's cute and sexy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy as Black Lagoon endings get..</td></tr>
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Russell keeps saying to Eda that he saw her discussing<i> "the interference and destabilisation of administrative bodies within the EAEC that were against American-style free trade"</i>. She says she is just a nun from the Rip-Off Church, but her hometown is Langley, Virgina. Russell starts to say <i>"you're CI-!" </i>and she shoots him in the head.<br />
<br />
She returns to Revy who asks if she sent him to hell. Eda holds up his cowboy hat with a hole in it as a reply. Revy says they'll be at port soon and they can chill for a bit. Eda agrees saying <i>"God is in his heaven and all is right with the world" </i>bringing this arc to an end.<br />
<br />
EL BAILE DE LA MUERTE: We start with Roberta and her employer Mr. Lovelace at a festival in Venuzuela. He jokingly asks her if she found any bombs, she says that today is the celebration of the founding for the MVR [Movement Y Republica a leftist political organisation] and there are <i>"some parties, both foreign and domestic who think less than highly of it". </i> They would do well to remember that.<br />
<br />
Lovelace makes some plans for the rest of the day and Roberta tells him not to forget his son's birthday present. Lovelace laughs and says she could be a little stricter with him. She says it is her duty to reprimand him when he misbehaves but he almost never does. Lovelace laughs and says she has an envious problem. He tells her to think of a present before the festival is over.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta witnesses her master's death.</td></tr>
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At the festival someone starts making a speech and a man in shades says over the radio that they are good to go and a huge explosion rips through the festival crowd, killing Lovelace but missing Roberta. As she looks on in horror, the men responsible who appear to be the US military start their getaway saying their allies in the Venezuelan and Columbian militaries have opened their checkpoints to them. They'll return to the airforce base and depart and their mission will be complete. The congratuate each other on keeping collateral damage to a minimum and they are told their next operation will be in Southeast Asia.<br />
<br />
We cut to Lovelace's funeral. His son, Garcia, is hugging Roberta and asking if his dad did anything bad? Roberta tells him his father was a great man,<i> "he gazed up into the sky and kept his feet on the ground. When he stands before our Lord Jesus Christ... there is not a single thing he has to be ashamed of."</i> His son asks why God took his father to heaven.<br />
<br />
<b>Roberta</b>: <i>"It was not the Lord... young master. It is always men that kill other men."</i><br />
<br />
Then Garcia what the men who took his father were thinking, what reason would they have for killing him? She says she knows the answer too well, <i>"that is why I cannot tell you, young master"</i>. Then Garcia sees that she is crying.<br />
<br />
We then jump forward a short while, Roberta is in the shower and she is remembering her past as a terrorist. She is hiding out at Diego Lovelace's place. She starts to leave saying she can't put him in more danger, but he says she is the daughter of one of his good friends, it would disgrace the Lovelace name is she left without serving her a meal. She can sit with him and ponder her options.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shower of Angst.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then she remembers a little further on, she is living at the mansion as a guest. She helps him do some gardening and makes a decision, she has no place to go nor return to. So instead of pretending to be a maid, he should treat her as if she were a real maid. Then we go forward again, Garcia is asking about the collection of antique guns on display. Diego appears and tells him they are the very weapons the first Lovelace brought with him when he landed in the New World. <br />
<br />
There have been good and bad times through the family's history and seeing the guns displayed like that makes him think that the bad times are in the past. The glory days may have passed as well but the have peace. Diego says <i>"The Lovelace family creed that was born in the fires of war is also long gone. That's not such a bad thing either."</i><br />
<br />
As Roberta in the shower remembers him reciting the family and smashes a mirror in anger. Then, back in her maid outfit. She says to herself that when she told Garcia she couldn't tell him what his father's murderers were thinking it was because they weren't thinking of anything.<br />
<br />
<b>Roberta: </b><i>"They had no pity. No reaction. They had no need to kill their feelings either. They had no need to be coldhearted. Because to those that kill the victims mean nothing. As for their reasons.. somebody somewhere thought 'it would be more convenient with him gone'. Everything he had lived for... was denied in exchange for money, greed, perhaps a cause. That is why Master Lovelace was taken away, Young Master."</i><br />
<br />
It is a path she walked in the past, she repents but it won't bring back the dead. She starts arming herself saying she will not romanticise her revenge <i>"this is only.. two filthy dogs eating each other." </i> And a symbolic wolf lets out a howl.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone is in for a bad time now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the Lagoon company HQ, there are no jobs currently so they are kicking back and relaxing for a while. Dutch gets an odd phonecall asking if he's had any strange clients recently. The man on the other end of the phone, Sanesak, says he was just told to ask him that he has no idea why. Dutch tells him he won't pass on information that could compromise the integrity of their business and hangs up.<br />
<br />
Benny looks up and says, <i>"Dutch. Was that business or.. trouble?"</i> Dutch says they asked if they had any strange clients and Benny says that's creepy because they've been asked that already by someone else. Then Revy comes barging in saying that she was drinking in the Yellow Flag and it turns out someone there has seen the maid, <i>"The Killing Machine is back in town"</i> says Dutch. Bao, who runs the Yellow Flag, asked her if they had brought her in.<br />
<br />
Revy thought he was kidding and said she'd love to meet her again, she also brushes off the reports of seeing her saying the people who saw her aren't exactly trustworthy. Rock agrees, saying she has no motive to come here. But Dutch says that the people who do have enough brain cells to distinguish who's crazy or not are concerned about this. Dutch says that everybody blames them first when there is trouble in town. Benny says it's the price they pay for being so good.<br />
<br />
Dutch says his best guess as to why she is here is that something happened in Venezuela. Rock wonders if it is something to do with when Garcia was abducted. Revy thinks maybe she wants another go at her. Then the phone rings. Bao is on the other end and yells down the line at Dutch. Dutch tells him to calm down and start from the beginning.<br />
<br />
Bao says he started the day in a good mood, he scored big on a bet and was getting ready to open up. Then someone opened the door and came in, even though they were closed. It was Roberta, she sat at the bar and ordered a bottle of Tequila. He served her and she took a swig from the bottle and then asked him, <i>"tell me every shop I need to hit to start a war." </i> He told her a few places, she paid up and left. Now Bao wants to know what Dutch knows, but he tells Bao this is news to him as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta in Roanapur.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They end the call, with Dutch assuring Bao they absolutely, positively are not involved nor do they intend to be. But if anything does happen it will be because it has become their business. So with Roberta confirmed in Roanapur, Benny offers to dig up any information on trouble in Venezuela. Dutch says he'll check out a couple of places too. They'll meet up at the Yellow Flag later that day.<br />
<br />
We then jump to Revy and Rock at the bar in the Yellow Flag. Bao is complaining that since he opened the place in 1975, it's been partially destroyed fifteen times and completely destroyed six time. He tells Revy he wants to stop that trend if she knows what he means. She says if he doesn't want his bar trashed, put up a sign saying<i> "no guns or grenades allowed."</i> He says he tried that and the same day a bunch of bandits busted in and robbed all the unarmed customers.<br />
<br />
Some Triad members leave the bar and Revy notes they are sniffing around for information about The Maid too. Everyone in town is freaking out trying to gather any information they can.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b> <i>"Who gives a shit if the Maid's here to blow one of their worthless brains out? I care about it as much as I care about Walmart's stock price."</i><br />
<br />
Rock says that's not what everyone's concerned about. Her presence is an affront to the whole town. Revy says they are all trying to figure out her intentions. Rock says last time her purpose was clear, but not this time. Everybody's response depends on how she moves, like it was with the twins.<br />
<br />
Bao tells them that he saw the look on her face, he saw it back in South Vietnam, it was the same look a Lt. Colonel had trying to hold Tan Son Nhut airport when the North made their last offensive, <i>"it was the look of someone ready to die." </i>She didn't have that look last time she was here and that is what bothers him.<br />
<br />
Then in come some men led by someone called Gustavo, Revy asks where his boss is and Gustavo says he is back at the office saying something came up straight from head office so he has his hands full. Something about sending in soldiers, but they aren't prepared to bring them in. Anyway he wants to ask them about the Maid. Revy wants to know more about what's going on with Gustavo's organisation.<br />
<br />
He gives her a look, and she tells him to relax saying they are as much in the dark as he is. Gustavo says he has nothing they are just being cautious about the Maid. Revy says not to bullshit her and Rock more diplomatically says they won't leak anything. Gustavo relents and says that they are a cartel seperate from the Manisalera, they hardly know anything about her. Outside a man in a tuk-tuk is trying to warn someone not to go inside the Yellow Flag.<br />
<br />
Inside Gustavo is asking Revy and Rock for a description of Roberta, Revy starts telling him, saying she also wears a maid's outfit and carries a leather suitcase packed with a LMG and grenades,<i> "she's got the fire power of a platoon." </i>Then in walks a woman wearing a maid's outfit, but it isn't Roberta. She says <i>"the Young Master awaits you at the Sung Kang Palace Hotel".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabiola Iglesias</td></tr>
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Rock asks if she is from the Lovelace family? She says she is employed by them as the chambermaid, her name is Fabiola Iglesias. Revy says she even talks like that<i> "freak".</i> Fabiola says that her head matron does not go by the name <i>"Freak". </i>She says again that she'll explain everything in the presence of the Master.<br />
<br />
One of the thugs grabs her by the back of her dress and lifts her up asking Gustavo if this is the maid? He says no, but she can help with <i>"this complicated and annoying problem we have."</i> He gets someone to pick up her suitcase and they open it to find it full of lollipops, a wallet and a lunchbox. The whole bar bursts out laughing.<br />
<br />
Fabiola asks if they are satisfied now and could she be put down please? She says she is not aware of Roberta's whereabouts, so Gustavo says they can find her together, <i>"from this point on we're all amigos. Not a bad deal, eh?" </i>He asks Revy to come with him to the Sung Kung Palace Hotel. Fabiola says just one thing, if she she refuses to help what will they do and she smashes her foot behind her into the testicles of the man holding her, who lets go in agony.<br />
<br />
She says she has no desire to help men like them, but the man she kicked angrily pulls a gun on her and she puts her hands up. Gustavo says playtime is over and to gag her and take her to the hotel. But suddenly Fabiola produces two guns before she can be searched, Revy knocks a bottle on the floor distracting the gang and then jumps behind the bar and Fabiola opens fire on Gustavo and his men.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another gun-toting maid?!</td></tr>
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As the bullets fly Rock asks Revy why she helped Fabiola. Revy says <i>"she's got balls. I'll give her that. But she leaves herself open". </i> If she dies they won't find out why she's here. She says she doesn't like trouble, <i>"but it's no fun if it ends there right?" </i>Gustavo demands to use Bao's phone while still under fire, his boss isn't in the office. "It's a Maid you fuck-head!!" yells Gustavo down the line,<i> "We got another Maid in town!!" </i>And that cliffhanger ends book six.<br />
<br />
So more high octane fun from the Black Lagoon company. The amount of shooting that goes in in <i>"Green Back Jane" </i>reaches almost ludicrous levels. It has to be remembered that much of this manga is a tribute to the 80's actions movies where the good guys were invincible and people fired enough ammo to start a small war. It is a tribute to the returning knife-nut Shenhua's skill that she not only survives but is one of the few people to actually damage Revy, the other one being Roberta. I don't really understand how a forger's plate can be created via the internet, but to be honest Jane was really an excuse to get a whole bunch of characters taking on Revy and Dutch. The revelation that Eda is actually in the CIA is something of a Wham Line (somewhat spoiled for me, having seen the anime first) and it remains to be seen if this actually goes anywhere. The Roberta storyline is just getting started here, as I said in the intro it runs through books seven, eight and nine and ends with the hiatus the series took for five years. It's funny to see how panic stricken the sighting of one woman in a maid's outfit sends the whole of Roanapur, and even more amusing when a maid shows up who isn't Roberta, but is just as handy with firearms. As per usual the art is magnificent, with wonderful scenes of battle and a great variety of characters, no sameface issues here. Join me in a few days for the continuation of <i>"El Baile de la Muerte".</i><br />
<br />varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-30457538486791587172018-03-29T02:56:00.000+01:002018-03-29T02:57:21.448+01:00Black Lagoon Book 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i> "I.. I'm right in the middle of all this, and you are my enemy."</i> - <b>Yukio</b><br />
<br />
Continuing my look at the manga series <i>Black Lagoon</i> written and drawn by Rei Hiroe it ran through the noughties but is actually set in the mid 1990's. It is named after the boat used by a team of three men and one woman who operate a courier service out of the fictional Thai city Roanapur. Said city is a haven for criminals big and small, but this volume takes place in Japan as we continue and wrap up the arc <i>"Fujiyama Gansta Paradise".</i> Only two of the titular Black Lagoon company feature here, Rock the ex-Japanese salaryman and Revy an expert with all kinds of guns. Rock has been hired by Balalaika the head of the Russian mafia in Roanapur to translate as they made a deal to help a smalltime Yakuza clan called the Washimine Gumi in their struggle with their rivals the Kosa Kai in return for an increased presence in the city. Rock befriended a girl in her late teens called Yukio but as events played out it turned out Yukio was the heir to the leadership of the Washimine Gumi, which she stepped up to take control of as teaming up with the Russians turned out to be a very bad idea. The previous volume ended with the betrayal of a loathsome individual called Chaka and his men who kidnapped Yukio in the hope they could ransom her to someone when the dust settled and Rock and Revy, who had gone to check on her when the figured out who she was and that she might be in danger from the Russians, were confronted by Yukio's bodyguard Manslayer Ginji. And now the conclusion.<br />
<br />
[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
<br />
We begin with Revy, Rock and Ginji all driving together in a car. Revy complains aboout the radio until she finds one playing rock music. We then flashback to Revy holding the sword armed Ginji at gunpoint in the home Yukio was kidnapped from and where Yoshida, one of her underlings, body was. Revy and Rock together convince Ginji that they had nothing to do with Yoshida's death nor did Hotel Moscow.<br />
<br />
Ginji starts to leave silently, but Rock says because he stormed in alone means the rest of the men are back at the office. How far can he get on foot? Rock says that the foot prints mean a large group and one is armed. Ginji can't take them all alone. Ginji finally says it has nothing to do with them. But Rock says there is no time to argue, the person who did this was on the inside. He would have predicted Ginji but not Revy coming after him.<br />
<br />
Back in the car Ginji asks why they are helping them. Rock says <i>"I can't help thinking she doesn't belong in all this. She should be living a normal life." </i> Ginji says that might have happened if <i>"somebody had done his job."</i> Then we cut to Chaka and his gang at a bowling ally with Yukio who is missing several items of clothes as she is being made to disrobe peice by peice whenever Chaka gets a strike.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yukio in the hands of Chaka.</td></tr>
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He wants to see her naked and wonders if they should shave her. The other gang members asks what they are going to do next? They want to hurry and sell her off rather than gang raping her and ditching her. Chaka says there is no harm taking a night to think about it. The gang wave their guns around asking what they are to do with them, they have no idea how to shoot them. A couple of gang members decide to split as soon as the shit goes down. Chaka reward this disloyalty by smashing a bowling ball into the plotter's head.<br />
<br />
<b>Chaka:</b> <i>"Hmm? You little shits. You've been ridin' our backs and reapin' the benefits and now your talking about splitting? Anybody who tries to leave now's gonna get his ass executed, you got that?"</i><br />
<br />
Then he notices Yukio giving him a look, he tells her she is awfully poised, <i>"after all that shit we put you through."</i> He tells her they'll deal with Ginji then find a buyer for her, he threatens her with doping her up.<br />
<br />
Outside the car holding Rock, Revy and Ginji parks. Revy tells Rock to go round back, while she and Ginji goe through the front. Rock says she and Ginji don't speak the same language, but Revy says<i> "when the shit hits the fan.. we'll be moving on instinct. That's just how we're made."</i><br />
<br />
Inside they start beating up, slicing and shooting the gang. Chaka grins saying <i>"they really came' eh? Whatever for I wonder?" </i>And he is pleased to see Revy saying<i> "you did wanna fuck after all, huh? Cool!" </i>When Ginji sees the state Yukio is in he growls: <br />
<br />
<b>Ginji:</b> <i>"You gentlemen... have really done it this time. You wanna see my sword do badly...?! Very well, I'll send you all... to paradise."</i><br />
<br />
There then follows a raging gun battle taking place across several pages as Revy and Ginji take out the gang. Chaka seems very excited, yelling<i> "check it out! Check it out! Have you ever been in a brawl like this?" </i>And he demands Revy come face him. But when he realises things are serious he starts to leave, dragging Yukio with him. He wants to face Revy one-on-one,<i> "the stage has to be set just right"</i>. Then Rock appears and belts him round the head with a bowling pin and gets Yukio away from him.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaka gets Revy's boot in his face.</td></tr>
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Revy mocks one of the gang as he pleads for his life. Ginji appears and Revy says she'll leave Chaka to him while she goes and looks for Rock and Yukio. She mows more gang members down as she does so, <i>"hmmph it's like hunting ducks"</i> she says to herself. Then she bumps in to Chaka. They face each other in a corridor, he says he never faces a female gunslinger before and when he drops the can he is holding that is a cue for them to fire.Instead she runs at him and kicks him hard in the face. She keeps laying into him and then says to him:<br />
<br />
<b>Revy</b>: <i>"You wanted to challenge me as a gunslinger? Don't make me laugh. Like I'd actually throw down with a third-rate sack of shit like you."</i><br />
<br />
She goes on to say she'd love to kill him but she's going to leave that to Ginji. Nursing a broken nose he calls her a bitch, but she just walks off and leaves him.<br />
<br />
He draws his revolver to go after her but comes face-to-face with Ginji. Chaka tries to pretend Yukio is dead by his hand.. But Ginji says a cunning dog like him would never throw away is meal ticket. As Revy watches they go at it gun versus sword. Chaka fires and Ginji cuts the bullet in half. Then he hacks Chaka gun hand clean off. He then rams him with the sword scabbard pushing him into an ornamental pond. Chaka keeps making threats as he splashes in the water sans hand.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Chaka minus his hand about to drown.</td></tr>
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Meanwhile Rock has got Yukio to a safe place and given her his coat to cover her up. Yukio asks why he came, Rock says he couldn't leave her alone when she would have been dragged into the whole mess of their job with Hotel Moscow. But she sighs and says she wasn't dragged in. And that Rock is her enemy now.<br />
<br />
Rock asks her what she means, and she tells him she has succeeded as the Washimine-Gumi's 14th Grand Leader. Rock is horrified and shouts at her:<br />
<br />
<b>Rock: </b><i>"Did you step into all thi knowing what kind of world it is?! You saw what happened! It's filled with malice and not a shred of reason! It's a world filled with people who betray and kill each other!"</i><br />
Yukio just quietly asks him why did he come here again. Rock says he couldn't stand to see her dragged into this. But Yukio says it was her decision and she is going to tell him the story right from the beginning.<br />
<br />
Her father and the Kosa Kai's previous chairman were friends, they knew each other from the black markets after the war. They were <i>"sworn friends that survived through it all."</i> But that changed five years ago when her father's friend passed away and was suceeded as chairman of the Kosa Kai by his brother. Unfortunately he had a volatile relationship with his brother and her father.<br />
<br />
When her father passed what was left of the relationship was gone and he started making moves to weaken the Washimine's foundation. With the Kosa Kai postioned above them there was nothing they could do to resist. They were driven to a point where they were unable to maintain their organisation. But, <i>"it was Mr. Bando... who saved us."</i> He went against her father's rules and began meddling in dishonourable businesses, to keep them afloat and repay her father.<br />
<br />
But this just led to harsher demands from the Kosa Kai, they began to insist that if the issue of leadership was not resolved they would force their own representative on them. So Bando decided to take a gamble. <i>"Hotel Moscow"</i> says Rock. Yukio says yes and that it was a <i>"critical mistake."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Yukio:</b> <i>"An organisation prepared for bloodshed without moderation or restraint.. driven by their violent tendencies and anti-social nature for the constant pursuit of profits. The desperation and desires of people that were formed and decayed in the closed off world called the Soviet Union. With its collapse, they bared their vicious fangs... Russia's great darkness. Mr. Bando could not see their evil ways."</i><br />
She believes that his death at Balalaika's hand was a suicide, because he finally realised how badly he screwed up in trying to work with them, "he travelled into the world of death to fulfill his responsibility to my father." She says to Rock he must have been there, which he was but says nothing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yukio and Rock discuss destiny.</td></tr>
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Yukio goes on to say that with Washimine abandoned and now compelled to confront an overwhelming force, the one person who can salvage the situation is her. Rock asks why it has to be her? And she says that a non-family successor won't be recognised, this was how it was presented to them. <i>"It may be absurd, but that is how people like us do things"</i> she tells him. Rock says that's no excuse, nobody wanted this, not Bando, not Ginji, not even her. Everyone did what they could to keep her out of the feud so she wouldn't be in this postion.<br />
<br />
She calmly says that if she had stood up earlier, none of this would have happened. Rock says she should blame the Kosa Kai. She says maybe it is there fault<i>, "but our world does not allow us to kill if it means putting aside humanity and neglecting duty. If we violate that we become the same as Balalaika." </i> Rock says it makes no sense, she's forcing responsibilty on herself.<br />
<br />
She asks him if he remembers what the talked about at the cafe? She says she chose this to do what she could for her father and the people who respect him. Rock says she's been forced to make that choice, and she'll have to live her life shouldering it. Finally Yukio gets tearful and angry, telling Rock he's in the<i> "twilight" </i>and that's how he can say that.<br />
<br />
She goes on saying she has to tell herself she made the choice, otherwise she couldn't have done it,<i> "if somebody's life, their honour, their future all depends on me... what else can I do but fight for it?" </i>She has decided to accept all the horror and ugliness if it means everyone else can be saved. She then asks Rock why he stepped into such an ugly world. Before he can answer she goes on to say:<br />
<br />
<b>Yukio:</b> <i>"What you were seeking when you threw yourself into the Thai underworld. Perhaps you thought you were looking for something that didn't exist in Japan.. no... in your daily life. But.. in the end you didn't make a choice at all. You didn't return to the light of day. Nor did you sink into the depths of darkness. Because all you did was stand there."</i><br />
<br />
She says that he wants to save her, so help her save the Washimine-Gumi, Ginji, the other members, everybody, help them. She then says he can't can he, because he doesn't want to save her he just doesn't want to lose the life he left behind. Because if he lets her die, he'd lose the<i> "last piece of the memories... you left in Japan."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yukio has Rock pegged.</td></tr>
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Making a choice, she says,means giving something up to gain something. Rock keeps holding on to things he thinks he's throw away,<i> "you still have a shred of attachment to them. How can you protect anybody like that?"</i> She repeats that, shouting it at him. She then calms down, saying she wanted a normal life, that neither of them wanted to live a life of suffering. She tells him not to come near her as he moves to comfort her and tells him <i>"that's why I hate you."</i><br />
<br />
Back with Revy and Ginji, Chaka is still splasing around in the pool uttering obscenties at them. Ginji uses his sword scabbard to push Chaka under the water and drowns him, <i>"it's a bit too easy a death for you. But it'll do." </i> Revy tells him to show her the move where he cut a bullet in half again. But Ginji just says he owes her and Rock, he and Revy will only go at it if she gets unlucky. The four of them leave the building Ginji says he hopes they'll never meet again, and Yukio agrees. They part company as this chapter ends with Balalaika and her man planning attacks on both the Kosa Kai and Washimine-Gumi.<br />
<br />
She tells her men they must <i>"thoroughly neutralise the Washimine-Gumi's forces"</i>. If a third party interferes they'll withdraw and wait for the next opportunity. She tells her sergeant to<i> "instruct the Japanese in the manners of combat." </i> We then get a few pages showing one of the Washimine-Gumi's offices being wiped out by the Russians. In a car with Ginji, Yukio sadly mulls the news of the deaths over saying they underestimated the Russians. Their methods aren't like a Mafia, they are much more like an army. Ginji says that they can still fight them,<i> "we ain't dead yet."</i> Yukio smiles at him saying they can't back out now.<br />
<br />
We return to Rock and Revy in a cafe. She's been on the phone to Balalaika who wants them back to the hotel before nine as she has one more job for them. Rock just sits quietly. She asks him what the matter is, because after the Washimine-Gumi are done they can all go their seperate ways. Rock comments that she seems to be enjoying all this. Revy says he's pegged her right.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy: </b><i>"It's that big guy, Rock. How lucky am I to meet somebody like him. Can you believe it, baby? That guy slice a bullet right in front of me. Now how cool is that? I'm just itching to go at it with him."</i><br />
<br />
Rock says what is the point of rushing to your death? Revy says the both of them are the <i>"walking dead" </i>already. Everyone in Roanapur might as well be dead. Living or dying is not that big a deal, what they should be concerned about is, "whether of not we're allowed to crawl to our graves."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life lessons from Revy.</td></tr>
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People who cling too tightly to their lives lose sight of things, if you let go "you can fight till the end of time." Rock says is dying in a dirty swamp her idea of cool? Revy asks what's the matter, he being <i>"awfully snappy today". </i> He apologises to her. She says they have a job coming up and when he is busy he'll forget all about what's bothering him.<br />
<br />
We then cut to Yukio in a meeting with the leader of the Kosa Kai. When they question what right she has to be there and she says succession by blood kin was the only way they'd accept a new leader of the Washimine-Gumi. The leader asks what they plan to do about dealing with the Russians. Yukio agrees it was their fault the Russians got involved and they will rally all their men to drive them out.<br />
<br />
The Kosa Kai leader says how will they deal with the political fallout. Yukio says she knows they know why Bando was driven to such a desperate act. The Kosa Kai leader says it was their fault for turning down a rep from them to act as leader. Yukio says they will make a formal apology in front of the mediation council at a later date. The Kosa Kai leader says they are looking to get crushed that badly? <br />
<br />
<b>Yukio:</b> <i>"Both of us.. will be standing on the threshold of death. We are in the midst of a war for our lives. We will atone for what we have done with bloodshed. What more could you want from us?"</i><br />
<br />
The Kosa Kai leader and bodyguard watch them go, the leader says that if the Washimine-Gumi want to do it so let them. They have to just wait, "what'd you think tomorrow's meeting is for?"<br />
<br />
We then cut to Rock and Revy as Balalaika gets out of her car apologising for being late as she had to stop at the Russian Embassy. They are having a meeting with the Japanese, but not the Washimine-Gumi because their ties with them are in the wastebasket. She says it's more constructive talking with a septic tank than them, they are in fact going to be meeting the Kosa-Kai. This sends Rock into a short flashback to Yukio saying he's standing in the twilight.<br />
<br />
Rock balls his fists and tells Balalaika that there is no need for them to join forces with the Kosa Kai, they should be taking them down not the Washimine-Gumi who are weak and no threat to Hotel Moscow. Balalaika cuts him off saying he is just an interpreter, not a fellow soldier, not a comrade, not a member of Moscow. Rock just carrys on saying that the Washimine-Gumi's new leader is just a child, doesn't she have a sense of justice. Balalaika says enough, <i>"you're becoming a problem"</i>. And she knocks him down holding a pistol right in his face. Revy pulls her gun and points it at Balalaika. The sergeant pulls his gun and trains it on Revy. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balalaika explains a few things to Rock.</td></tr>
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Balalaika says that <i>"justice"</i> is an amazing word. But hoping for another's death, without exercising your own power and relying on others to do it for you, <i>"this justice you speak of smells too. It reeks like a puddle of blood, don't you think?"</i> She says she isn't condemming Rock just that she didn't expect such words out of his mouth,<i> "I'm giddy actually"</i>. Revy says she should put the gun down now, she's made her point and her trigger fingers are getting tense.<br />
<br />
Balalaika she doesn't know what's going on but she should wish for a life like Rock's. Revy says she knows that, and as Balalaika's victory is assured she has nothing to lose by letting Rock go. Balalaika says that when someone has your life in their hands you should either entertain them or make a case that would satisfy them. Revy has done neither. Rock then pipes up saying, <i>"I'm not asking you to do this out of obligation, or justice. It's for only one reason. It's my hobby."</i><br />
<br />
This sends Balalaika into paroxysms of laughter. She puts her gun away and tells him they will be busy again tomorrow and she thinks it's wise if he didn't risk his life over such trivial matters in the future. She and the sergeant drive away and Revy grabs Rock saying that the only reason they are both still breathing is because <i>"for some strange reason, that psycotic coat-wearin' war-freak felt like holstering her gun." </i><br />
<br />
<b>Revy: </b><i>"Over here, I'm your gun. I know I could protect you even through Tarawa or The Alamo. But... there's no way of protecting somebody who can't wait to die, you dumb fuck."</i><br />
<br />
Rock says that she's angry and she says she's beyond that, she's furious. Rock then asks her for a favour and to come with him back to his town.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Yukio and Ginji having taken some bad news about another Washimine-Gumi office being taken out stop off at a takamachi [street carnival]. Yukio says it feels so long since she last went to one, she asks Ginji if that when all this is over will he put up a new stall. Ginji tells her that in the last three days, four offices have been raided with eight dead and twenty in the hospital. They have lost about a third of what they were before the feud started. Yukio just says she wishes the takamachi would go on forever.<br />
<br />
Rock and Revy are sitting on a park bench, Revy says she is used to living where the air is dirty and Balalaika knows that. She says to Rock, <i>"go, and don't look back. You're about to wake up from your nightmare." </i>But Rock says thoughtfully that he's already dead, the man he was died the day he met Revy for the first time.<br />
<br />
<b>Rock: </b><i>"Revy. I didn't come back to stay. I came back to forget. I came back so I'll be able to see everything that's about to happen."</i><br />
<br />
Revy says he'll regret it. Rock says he was done with regret a year ago. He just missed resolve, but now he feels like one things been decided. Then they are interrupted by the same kids Revy showed her air pistol skills off to. They beg her to knock the cans down again. Which she does. Using her real guns much to the kids surprise, then she and Rock leave.<br />
<br />
Ginji gives Yukio more bad news. The Russian's attacks have hit them hard and now they don't have the numbers to raid the Kosa Kai's office,<i> "either we back out now, or go out with a bang. Miss, give me an order."</i> She says that as long as the Washimine has its emblem up, they can't accept defeat. But dragging the rest of the men down isn't right either. So they will allow those who want to, to leave and those who want to stay can stay.<i> "If we have even one who would walk with us to our deaths. We could at least take down Balalaika and that would be satisfactory."</i><br />
We briefly see a couple of cops talking about their suspicions the two foreigners and the Japanese guy are somehow involved in the Washimine and Kosa and also the shootings at the bowling alley. The older cop says he wants to do a joint investigation but the higher ups won't budge, so he wants the younger cop to keep his eyes open.<br />
<br />
Rock, Revy and Balalaika are at the head of the Kosa Kai's place. Balalaika says to Rock that it will all be over soon, she is curious how the Kosa are going to persuade the mediation council but her job here is over, <i>"my replacement from 'Moscow' will handle the rest. It's unfortunate I won't get to see how it all ends. Very unfortunate.</i>" She looks at Rock curiously saying he looked like he wanted to say something just now. <br />
<br />
<b>Rock: </b><i>"If this is how it's all going to be settled... I want you to utterly crush the Washimine-Gumi. To the point where... it's impossible for them to recover. Only that will set her free."</i><br />
<br />
Balalaika says he's a bad man, and he's made the right decision,<i> "you'll make a good villain."</i> Then the sergeant calls them back inside. Balalaika sits and the head of the Kosa Kai says the previous attacks Hotel Moscow made on them is water under the bridge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balalaika has standards dammit!</td></tr>
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Balalaika tells him that they must make plans for who is going to suceed them in the future. If certain contingences occure in their absence she wants to know the state of readiness concerning firearms. Mr. Kosa says they are more heavily armed than most crews, even have machine guns they bought from guys in Hawaii. She asks to see, and the bodygaurd slams his pistol down on the table.<br />
<br />
She picks it up and declares it<i> "absolutely atrocious". </i> She says even lowlife gutter trash wouldn't use a gun like that, "what a hideous gun". She then asks Mr. Kosa and his bodyguard what it would feel like to be shot with a gun like that. <br />
<br />
<b>Balalaika: </b><i>"Well that does it. I can't work with scum who shamelessly sport such shoddy hardware."</i><br />
<br />
And she shoots them both. The rest of the Yakuza hear and run inside, and the police follow. Inside Balalaika decides the gun wasn't so bad after all. She was told by the Big Boss<i> "start a war, burn it all down" </i>and she has dutifully carried out those orders.<br />
<br />
She hands the gun to Rock saying he can have it as a souvenir. But he refuses it saying that he doesn't like guns, but he won't forget he metaphorically pulled the trigger. She tells the sergeant to leaves his weapons and that they are heading back to base.<br />
<br />
The police from the organised crime control section barge in and say they want to speak to her about the gunshots. Balalaika just speaks Russian at them. Then she tells Rock to tell Yukio that Hotel Moscow for now is declaring a ceasefire. But she must not show up in front of them and to pack her things and leave town before sundown.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy spirits Rock away from the cops.</td></tr>
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Revy then roars up on a motorbike and Rock jumps on the back and they escape from under the cops noses. Then a car with diplomatic plates arrives and unable to stop her, she and the sergeant get inside and leave. Luckily for them just in time as a cop from the International Division arrives and tells them she is a notorious Russian Mafia boss.<br />
<br />
Rock tells Revy to drive to see Yukio so he can tell her the war is over. Revy says they should be hurrying to the docks before it gets closed off by the cops. But Rock pleads saying they need to clean this up before they are not allowed back in.<br />
<br />
Yukio and Ginji are talking. She says it all makes sense and there is nothing dishonourable about it. But she is sad she won't hear the bustling of the takamachi anymore. Ginji says she can call him a cheater or a coward but <i>"I just can't say yes to this...!"</i> He says she has done more than many men could have and now she should let the rest of them to carry out their obligation. She says he's always been with her and so she'll continue to be with him.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginji and Yukio.</td></tr>
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Then we cut to Revy and Rock waiting in the yard of a deserted building. Yukio and Ginji come to meet them. Rock tells Yukio that Hotel Moscow have declared a ceasefire as long as she stays out of their way she'll be safe <i>"Balalaika gave her word".</i> Yukio says that is no kind of guarantee. She broke every promise and spat on honour, how can anyone like that be trusted? The Washimine-Gumi is exhuasted to the point where they can't maintain themselves as an organisation. But the sign still has their emblem it hasn't fallen yet. <br />
<br />
She understands that the Kosa Kai gas disintegrated from internal conflict but the person responsible for Bando's death is still alive. Balalaika is that person, their mortal enemy is now Hotel Moscow.<br />
<br />
<b>Yukio: </b><i>"To live with chivalry... with honour.. and our duty us our pride. Only when she is dead... will we have closure."</i><br />
<br />
Rock says that's just rhetoric, nothing obligates her. Yukio says that is what Balalaika would say. But she is Gokudo [gangster], she always lived in the night only those around her nudged her under the sun. Revy cocks her guns saying to Rock that it's no use, <i>"she's already one of the walking dead."</i><br />
<br />
Yukio asks Rock to move aside, because they are going to slash their way through. Rock says he can't let her die. So Yukio tells Ginji to <i>"please proceed." </i>And he and Revy stand and face each other. He draws his sword and she points her guns.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginji cuts Revy's bullet in half.</td></tr>
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There are several pages of Ginji and Revy fighting. They get within melee range and Ginji knocks her flying with a kick to the midriff. She picks herself up and they both grin as Ginji says there is something not right with them and this is a place where people who are not like them should be.<br />
<br />
Rock says to Yukio that he has hoped she wouldn't become like Balalaika. She isn't here for the Washimine-Gumi, she and Ginji should have escaped. Because he is standing in the twilight he can see certain things,<i> "you haven't thrown the dice. You only think you did."</i><br />
<br />
Revy and Ginji's battle gets more intense and finally Ginji has jammed the sword into Revy's lower leg but she has her gun pointed at his chest and she fires. Ginji falls sideways dead. Rock comes running over and pulls the sword out and helps Revy to her feet. Yukio comes over saying how did it come to this?<br />
<br />
<b>Rock:</b> <i>"Because both you and I... are twisted. Your twist was in self-deception. You could've escaped. Instead of living a lie you were better off getting away from it. You didn't realise that till the end. You were too smart for your own good. And too young."</i><br />
<br />
Yukio asks if he'll continue to stand in the twilight and he says yes, thanks to her he see things through to the end. She cleans the sword and says she is sorry for all the trouble,<i> "with this act, all grievances will be laid to rest." </i>Revy yells at Rock not to look, but he can't stop himself and Yukio stabs the sword through her throat and falls dead on top of Ginji's body.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And that's it for them both.</td></tr>
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A while later at the airport Rock calls Dutch back in Roanapur. Dutch tells him there is a job for them when they get back, then Rock asks Dutch if he has heard of a Frenchman who said<i> "people are like dice. We throw ourselves into life"</i>? Dutch says yes it's Jean-Paul Sartre a philosopher who practiced his theories by putting himself in the middle of the responsibilities and choices free citizens have. Rock says that has cleared something up for him and ends the call. Revy comes up saying this is Rocks last look at Japan and Rock says <i>"let's go Revy. Back where we belong."</i><br />
<br />
A someone sad end to the arc there. There is a lot of stuff in this volume about responsibility, honour, destiny and sacrifice and the extremes to which some characters take it feels very Japanese in places. Notable is how the Yakuza (who let's not forget get up to some pretty horrible shit in real life) are portrayed as almost impotent in the face of Hotel Moscow who have no codes of honour guiding them and whose precision savagery and unpredictability basically wipe out two Yakuza gangs in about a week. Rock and Revy continue to develop as characters, once again Revy proves her loyalty by pulling a gun on Balalaika to defend Rock even though doing so would result in almost certain death if she went through with shooting her. Yukio is something of a sad character, taking on the kind of responsibilities no young girl ever should and sacrificing herself when it became clear that the Washimine-Gumi was no longer viable. The art continues to be a delight. Lots of high octane battles and while bringing a sword to a gunfight should be suicide for the sword owner, Ginji just about pulls it off due to his awesome mastery of the blade. Still dying to Revy's bullet was still a foregone conclusion. And wasn't it nice to see the disgusting Chaka beaten and humiliated before his death. I enjoyed that. Anyway have a happy Easter everyone and I'll be back in April with more Black Lagoon.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-88213366097668068072018-03-24T22:28:00.001+00:002018-03-24T22:30:29.873+00:00Black Lagoon Book 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"My family doesn't expect much out of me. So maybe they don't even care about me anymore."</i> - <b>Rock</b><br />
<br />
We continue the adventures of the Black Lagoon company. A team of four individuals who run a courier service out of the fictional Thai city Roanapur. They are Dutch, an African-American Vietnam Vet who is the Boss. Benny, a white American who is their tech geek. Revy "Two Hand" an explosively tempered Chinese-American woman who is expert in all types of guns. And finally Rock, their newest recruit, a former Japanese salaryman who has a knack for coming up with crazy plans to get the Black Lagooners out of the trouble they are in. The are both written and drawn by Rei Hiroe and orginal published in the noughties, but are set in the mid-nineties. We begin this volume with the conclusion of the story <i>"Goat, Jihad and Rock and Roll". </i> Which saw Rock kidnapped by middle-eastern terrorists aided by a revolutionary Japanese man who are planning an poison gas attack on Manhattan Island and wanted the valuable intelligence info the Black Lagoon company was delivering elsewhere. We finished the previous volume on a cliff hanger with Revy and Rock with their contacts, a knife wielding woman and a drug addled man driving them away from the chaos caused by Revy's rescue. We continue with<i>"Fujiyama Gangsta Paradise"</i> in which Rock and Revy accompany Hotel Moscow, the Russian Mafia gang lead by the fearsome woman Balalaika in their quest to increase their presence on Japanese soil.<br />
<br />
[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
<br />
GOAT, JIHAD, ROCK N'ROLL: We begin with the Roanapur Triad leader Chang informing the CIA that the intelligence is on its way to them and to make sure he gets payment for it. After he gets off the phone he declares that everything depends on a successful delivery, <i>"godspeed the transporter".</i><br />
<br />
Which is Revy and Rock in a jeep being driven by the coked up Leigharch as Revy shoots and Shennua throws deadly knives at their pursuers. Revy tells Shennua that at this range her blades won't reach and to leave this to her. Revy then climbs up on the vehicle's roof and gets to blasting away. This impresses Shennua, <i>"you walk like you talk".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy in her element.</td></tr>
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Revy drops back inside saying she wishes she had an anti-tank rocket or machine gun. Leigharch is still hallucinating madly while Rock quietly smokes, while noting the ciagrette tastes a bit different than he is used to. Takenaka meanwhile tries to get Ibraha to stand down, they are nearly at the DMZ and they'll all be killed if the breach it. Ibraha ignores him and orders all units to charge ahead. <br />
<br />
<b>Ibraha</b>: <i>"Our work... is not some job, is it Takenaka? It's our life! That means there are times when we must stand our ground. And this is one of them!"</i><br />
<br />
Back with Rock and Revy, the clearly now stoned Rock is mumbling about how he keeps running away from things, all his life since he was a kid. As he rambles on, suddenly Leigharch shouts <i>"Holy shit!! Look at this!!" </i>And he sees a gang of Playboy Playmates.<br />
<br />
They finally have reached the US base, not actually manned by Playboy Playmates and the soldiers hold their fire after being told they are friendly. Takenaka tells Ibraha to let this one go,<i> "we've lost this one."</i> He gently tells the enraged Ibraha that making a doomed assault will not bring his son back.<br />
<br />
Ibraha says that they are too close to being able to get revenge on the <i>"filthy dogs... in Jerusalem and the bastards that protect them"</i>. He wants to make them understand what it was like to be in a Red Cross camp on Beirut in 1987, that is why he is here. He orders a storming of the camp. Takenaka immediately tries to rescind the order and begs Ibraha not to betray their cause over this mission.<br />
<br />
They argue and finally Takenaka takes out his pistol and coldly shoots Ibraha dead. He orders the units to not return to camp but to regroup at a secondary rally point. He says to Ibraha's body that<i> "neither of us can take our eyes off the past." </i>He supposes they won't get far until they stop doing that, but also that they couldn't stand their ground if they did.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enter the CIA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the base, a CIA helicopter arrives. When Rock panics that they don't have the briefcase, Revy merely produces the intelligence documents from under her tank top. The agents examine them and pronounce them legit. Before they leave, the agent says to Revy, who he addresses as <i>"Ms. Rebecca"</i>, what would the warden at Buffalo Hill and the guys at the NYPD 27th precinct station house say about what she does for a living now. He says he just mentions it <i>"in case we have another job come up. See you around"</i> And they fly off.<br />
<br />
Rock then thanks Revy for what she did, she tells him not to get too hung up on it, because she won't put her ass on the line for him like that again. The next time he fucks up the only help he'll get is <i>"from the Almighty". </i>Then she shrugs and just goes, <i>"jeez..."</i><br />
<br />
We finish with Takenaka waiting at the airport he bumped into the Japanese family beforehand. He says he had a wonderful holiday while Takenaka tells him that his couldn't have gone worse. A deal fell through, he hurt his back, he fell out with a close friend over having young kids do the things they couldn't, but <i>"as long as you're alive, there's always a next time."</i> The man asks Takenaka what his occupation is and Takenaka walks away saying <i>"my job description is... public enemy"</i>. End of storyline.<br />
<br />
FUJIYAMA GANGSTA PARADISE: We begin in Japan. Rock is on the phone to Benny saying he never thought he'd return to Japan like this. Revy's been complaining a lot since they arrived, but Benny says she only went along because she's worried about him. Rock brings the call to an end and goes to find Revy. It's winter in Japan and snowing, Revy says it's been a while since she saw snow, then she grumbles about all the men who have hit on her only to back off saying <i>"gajin"</i> [outsider] when she speaks English to them.<br />
<br />
Then we join Rock doing his work as a translator for Balalaika in a club. They are meeting with a local Yakuza clan lead by Tsgumi Bando. Rock passes on Balalaika's eagerness to set up a Japanese base and they appreciate the assisstance. There has already been a Russian presence there run by a man called <i>"</i>Laptev<i>"</i> who has been pushed out by the expansion of the Chinese and the machinations of the Kanto Mediation Council. So they, the<i> "Washimine Gumi"</i> thought they could help.<br />
<br />
Balalaika asks if they are a member of the council, Bando says that they take an oath of loyalty but that only goes so far. They have to pay hefty tribute to their parent group the <i>"Kosa Kai"</i> and they have been leaving the Washimine out in the cold. Balalaika says their goals are compatible, the Washimine Gumi will expand their reach and the Russians will<i> "add another light to the city".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel Moscow announce their presence.</td></tr>
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Bando says they will get along fine, with Hotel Moscow holding down the Kosa Kai the Council will start seeing things their way. He says he hears they adept even amongst other Russians. Balalaika says they are a military force and now she has something to show him and she dials her phone. She speaks in Russian telling her men to execute their next move. There is a loud boom and Balalaika tells Bando they have blown up one of Kosa Kai's clubs. When he demands to know if she is out of her mind she cooly replies:<br />
<br />
<b>Balalaika:</b> <i>"Intimidation with handguns amounts to nothing. We make our strength very clear with our first strike. This is how Hotel Moscow makes a show of force."</i><br />
<br />
She goes on to say they are going to <i>"decimate anything that stands in our way." </i> That's why she is her isn't she? Bando is impressed saying it sounds fine to him, some fireworks to kick off their all out brawl.<br />
<br />
We return to Rock and Revy who see the explosion reported on a rolling news ticker in the taxi they are riding in. Revy is gleeful, Rock sighs and wonders if it was too much to ask not for her to turn Japan into a warzone? Revy says Roanapur has been quiet lately and Balalaika was in need of some action. All-out warfare is her idea of a good time, <i>"fucking would only make her bored.</i>" Afghanistan turned her into a war-a-holic.<br />
<br />
Then Revy spots a <i>"Ennichi" </i>[a sort of carnival] and decides she wants to take a look, so she and Rock disembark their ride. She finds a stall where she can shoot at targets to win a prize. As she easily guns them down she grumbles about not being able to have her own<i> "cutlasses"</i> with her. Japan has very strict gun laws and the police aren't as easy to bribe as those in Roanapur.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock and Revy hang out at the ennichi.</td></tr>
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Rock has a faraway look in his eye and Revy asked him if he is getting sentimental about being back home. He has folks here doesn't he? Rock changes the subject saying it hardly seems like a year has gone past since she first held him hostage on the ship. He's back home,<i> "... and yet I get the feeling I'm a stranger in a foreign land."</i><br />
<br />
He goes on to say he doesn't really get on with his family, his older brother got himself a government job, while Rock needed two tries to get into college and only worked a regular job. Revy says he should at least drop his folks a note before he won't be able to contact them anymore.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy: </b><i>"They brought you up all legit. No stealing, no killing along the way. As far as I can see, that's a damn good ordinary family. Don't get me wrong. I'm just sayin' go have a visit that's all."</i><br />
<br />
Rock smiles and says his family is plenty screwed up, the fact he chose to join up with the Black Lagoon Courier Company should tell her something. And Revy smiles back at him.<br />
<br />
She then fires and hits another target but it is weighted down and doesn't fall. She taps it saying it's loaded with a weight. Then she says she got the high score so she wants the videogame prize. The stall owner says touching the target with the gun is cheating, so no prize. Revy flies into a rage and Rock tries to translate back and forth while also trying to cool Revy down.<br />
<br />
Before it can escalate further, a huge Japanese man with a girl in her late teens accompanying him steps up and says it's the first day of the New Year so<i> "let's make nice and enjoy ourselves. Please... kindly still your rage." </i> Revy squares up to him, but he continues asking her to be reasonable and drop her grudge. <i>"No way"</i> she responds and grins while Rock pleads with her to let it go. Then the teenage girl pipes up offering to take them for sweet sake and to sit and talk. Rock puts his hand up saying he very would like that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginji and Yukio.</td></tr>
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So the four of them go to a bar, Revy is sat sulking with the big guy. Rock is sitting with the teenage girl. Rock thanks her, he says she didn't want a brawl breaking out at an ennichi. She says she is also glad things calmed down. Rock asks if she is with <i>"the Tekiya"</i> [street stall vendors often with links to the Yakuza] because she looks like a school girl. She says she is both, her father was a Tekiya operater and the large man she is with, Ginji is her father's protege.<br />
<br />
Because he is so big he soon became Takamachi's peacemaker. She was on her way home from school to see if she could close up shop and the disturbance broke out. Rock says she must excuse Revy because she has a very short temper. He explains that he's been hired by some Russian<i> "folk"</i> to be their interpreter and Revy is his co-worker. The girl says it sounds like a wonderful international sounding jobs. Rock says it's not that glamorous, it's back-breaking and dangerous.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Revy is watching Rock saying he's getting all <i>"dopey".</i> Ginji smirks and Revy asks what he is laughing at? Ginji says to her that something about her is bothering him:<br />
<br />
<b>Ginji: </b><i>"You... ain't a civilian are ya? Those eyes... that look in your eyes says somethin' mean. Them eyes belong to a badass dog."</i><br />
<br />
Revy retorts that she has no fucking idea what he just said to her, but she can tell he is just like her,<i> "you reek of the stench of blood and guts. I know that stench well."</i><br />
<br />
Ginji then gets up and says to the girl that it is getting very cold and the low temperatures aren't good for her. As they part, Rock asks to know the girls name. She tells him it is <i>"Yukio. Yuki like in 'snow' and 'o' as in the straps for a geta sandle" </i>She wished him a pleasant evening and then she and Ginji are gone.<br />
<br />
Next day Balalaika is discussing how things are going with her sergeant. He tells them last night they shifted targets to Kosa Kai's underground casinos. They took out two and suffered no casualties, they sterilised the scenes and left no evidence. The independant strike team hit the offices of the Kosa Kai and got twelve confirmed kills, they suffered no casualties or damaged equipment.<br />
<br />
The police in the early hours of the morning started sealing off the areas they were operating in. They are getting members of the Washimine Gumi to make transcripts of all the police radio dispatches. They are awaiting Rock's translation but he is away on minor business. Balalaika tells him to expidite the translation process.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leptev.</td></tr>
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Sitting with Balalaika is fellow Russian Mafia boss Vasily Leptev. He says she is impressive, she says that one reason she is here is to clean up his mess<i>, "can't you even hold down a simple pleasure spot like this?" </i>She wants to deal with this quickly so she can get back to Roanapur. She says they will meet again in six hours. He angrily says that she should show him some respect:<br />
<br />
<b>Balalaika:</b><i> "Oh I'm so sorry. My memory is weak when it comes to those who bought their way into their postion. Perhaps I should jot your name down on a dollar bill. Bark all you want.. you worthless bitch of a soldier."</i><br />
<br />
He makes a lunge for her but she downs him easily holding a gun to his stomach. She says she'll warn him once, there are two things in the world she can't stand. One is blini gone cold, the other is <i>"cowardly KGB shits"</i> as neither do any good. She tells him to keep his head down lest he get hit by a stray bullet.<br />
<br />
We then cut to Ginji. He is greeted by Bando, who calls him "Little Gin" and Ginji calls Bando <i>"Kashira" </i>[Yakuza underboss]. Bando asks Ginji how much longer is he planning on being<i> "small time"</i>. He says the money Ginji is turning over to the Kumi is<i> "almost rock bottom."</i> Ginji says it's a<i> "better racket than pushin' smack and pimpin' girls."</i> Bando says he doesn't do that for kicks, their Kumi has been hurting for a long time, ever since the Boss died, maybe even further back than that.<br />
<br />
Kosa Kai has left them alone so far for only one reason. Their old man and their former Boss swore an oath of brotherhood. With that gone, there is nothing stopping them from wiping them out. They've been without an <i>"Oyabun"</i> [Top boss of a Yakuza family] for three years, the Kosa Kai won't let any of them step into the position. They push one of their own instead and Bando thinks he can't hold it off for much longer.<br />
<br />
He tells Ginji he is working with the Russians to strike back at the higher ups. But also that Russians are always going to be Russian, <i>"they got no code of honour or any of that shit.</i>" For that reason he wants Ginji to carry the<i> "Shirasaya"</i> ["white scabbard", a Japanese sword with a plain wooden handle and scabbard] again, because <i>"any Yakuza with half a brain remembers the wake of terror left by Manslayer Ginji."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manslayer Ginji.</td></tr>
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Ginji says to him that he is grateful that Bando makes things go smoothly for Yukio money-wise, and he understands where he is coming from with this deal. But all the scheming he is doing, there is no <i>"jing" </i>[honour and humanity] in any of it. The reason he carried the sword for the old man was because there was jing in his struggles. Bando accepts his answer and leaves saying he'll see him around.<br />
<br />
Before he goes, Ginji asks him if the Russians brought their own interpreter and what is he like? Bando says Rock is pretty clueless but was with a tough girl who has a pretty face. <i>"Straight as a ruler, you could see it in his face"</i> continues Bando,<i> "if he ever went near a clip joint... it'd be like he was beggin'... to get taken for every yen he had."</i><br />
<br />
The next chapter starts with Yukio at the library. A younger and excitable girl called Maki rund up to find her, calling her <i>"Senpai"</i> [an official mentor]. Yukio is reading a philosophy book by Martin Heidegger which kicks off a lengthy conversation between them about what books they like. Most of the authors are Japanese and it seems Yukio prefers more serious fare while Maki prefers both lighter stuff and western horror. Yukio says she doesn't like horror, it makes her think of the night and the dark,<i> "It leaves me feeling trapped... in the blackness and the lonesomeness"</i> She can't stand nighttime especially when it snows, she feels like it will suck her in,<i> "others might find it romantic. Not me."</i><br />
<br />
Then we cut to Revy in a local park, she is a bit bored as she waits for Rock to get back from where he's gone off to. She has a brief flashback to herself as a kid in the US, pointing a gun at someone. Then she is interrupted from her reverie by some kids who have been using BB guns to try and shoot tin cans and a pellet hits her. <br />
<br />
She snatches the gun and from sitting down shoots all the cans without missing a shot. The kids all crowd round her saying that was amazing. As Rock starts to walk back to meet her, she is playing some more with the kids. She and one of them draw pistols against each other. She hits the kid and he throws himself down in a Hollywood version of someone being hit by gunfire. Revy decides to correct this misconception and explains what happens when you get shot, stumbling forwards and face-planting on the ground. The kids tell her it doesn't look as cool.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy teaching some kids an odd lesson.</td></tr>
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She gets up and starts lecturing them some more only to see Rock has returned and seen all that. She grabs Rock and drags him away in embarrasment saying he must not tell Dutch and Benny what he saw or she'll <i>"cut your balls off and stuff 'em down your throat". </i> He promises he won't say a word. She asks him if he saw his folks or not, and we see him reaching for the doorbell before turning away. He just tells her no one was home. Revy says they will be here a while longer, he can try again later.<br />
<br />
They take the subway for another meeting with the Washimine, Revy doesn't enjoy the journey saying it reminds her of her time <i>"in the gutter." </i>Balalaika is meeting Bando inside a pole dancing club, which doesn't faze her of course. Balalaika says it is time to move on to the next phase of their war against the Kosa Kai, so they can resolve the issue quickly. They will clamp down on their legal means of income, just to rattle their cage. <br />
<br />
<b>Balalaika: </b><i>"We employ a tactic that works in any situation in every nation. Depending on the circumstances, it can dramatically resolve any and all concerns. A kidnapping. And abduction Mr. Bando. We target the family members of Masami Kosa, the head of Kosa Kai. We know their location and everything. We could execute this effortlessly."</i><br />
<br />
Bando is shocked and tells her that is one thing they can't do. He just wants them to scuffle with the Kosa kai until they loosen their grip on the Washimine, after which they can lure them in to talk. She mustn't go overboard and make things complicated for them.<br />
<br />
Balalaika just laughs, and tells Rock to translate what she is going to say next very carefully. Hotel Moscow will decimate anything that stands in their way. They will employ<i> "any and all means necessary to secure the maximum profits possible. That is what a mafia does." </i> They are taking the risks here and so the decision making <i>"is up to us, not you."</i><br />
<br />
Suddenlt the tension is broken by a phone ringing, which is answered by one of Bando's men, a creep called Chaka who cheerfully threatens the girlfriend who called him with losing teeth then insinserely apologises for the interruption. Bando's right hand man Yoshida yells at him to get the hell out, <i>"shit for brains".</i> Then Bando asks Balalaika to let him and his men time to mull what she has said earlier. She says fine as long as it doesn't interfere with their operational plans and she and her people leave.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaka tries to provoke Revy.</td></tr>
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Chaka seems fascinated with Revy and wants to see her in action. Rock and Revy are waiting outside the Hotel Moscow hotel suite. Revy is restless and smoking, then Chaka approaches her and puts his hand on the wall next to her leaning in close to her face. She tells him to speak English which he does so. He tells her he's capped like ten guys, but she cooly says that his breath stinks and blows smoke in his face<i>, "fuckhead." </i>Rock comes back into the corridor and Chaka bars his way with his leg. Rock tells Revy to go on ahead and get Mr. Bando or Yoshida.<br />
<br />
Then Chaka punches him hard in the stomach, dropping Rock to his knees. Then he lays about Rock some more, <i>"yo babe. Your boy is a pussy. His girl is watching but he won't fight." </i>He goes on to say that Rock no way satisfies her in bed, Revy watches, scowling, but does not make a move. Chaka punches Rock some more, but then Bando and Yoshida appear and yell at him.<br />
<br />
They apologise to Rock as Balalaika witnesses what happened, in Russian she says to her sergeant, <i>"incompetant officers and insubordinate soldiers. This is getting better and better sergeant." </i>Revy helps the bleeding Rock up, asking if he is OK. She starts to apologise for not being able to help, but Rock says he understands, Chaka had his hand on his gun the whole time he was beating Rock up. He wasn't interested in Rock, he wanted Revy to pull her gun.<br />
<br />
Revy says he was paying attention, his soul is getting hard like diamonds. But if she had pulled her gun things would have got <i>"real complicated real fast for all of us."</i> She tells Rock she is going to need her <i>"cutlasses"</i>, she is sure Chaka will want to point his gun at her sooner or later.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b> <i>"Don't worry Rock. I'll kill him. I will kill him."</i><br />
<br />
We then cut to Bando and Ginji in a kitchen making some food together. Bando tells Ginji that the Russians are <i>"fuckin' monsters."</i> Ginji asks why he joined up with them then? Bando says they needed a strong arm to muzzle the Kosa Kai. They would have shook things up then used money to smooth things over with the council. Ginji says you can't trust outsiders, but Bando says they should sit tight and ride out the storm while the Kosa Kai grabs all their rackets and turf?<br />
<br />
He attended a succession ceremony for the new head of the Kosa Kai and it was made clear they<i> "don't give a shit about the old oath".</i> Things don't look good, if they could crush the Kosa Kai, there is the Kanto Mediation Council above them and then the syndicate of all the families in the Kanto reason. But the Russians don't give a fuck and it's now become all too much for him.<br />
<br />
Elsewhere Rock is on the phone to Benny. He tells him he's picked up the stuff Benny wanted, Benny thanks him saying he didn't fancy having to go to Bangkok for it all. He also passes on the message to Benny that Revy wants her<i> "sword and cutlass."</i> Benny asks if a storm is brewing. Rock says he hopes not. Benny says he'll make arrangements and they end the call.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately the metro he was going to catch has been cancelled due to a failure down the line. He decides to try for a cab despite the snow and bumps into Yukio. They exchange pleasantries and then Yukio invites him to come for a drink in a nearby cafe after Rock suggests they have more of a chat. They sit and talk, Rock formally introduces himself to her and she asks if he has got around to seeing his parents yet? He says he hasn't and <i>"to tell you the truth.. I'm not eager to..."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yukio and Rock chat.</td></tr>
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Yukio tells him she reminds him of her in the past. She used to dislike her family, but after her father passed away things became clear to her that she is here because of her family. Now she has fond feelings towards her father and family. Rock says she speaks wise words for one so young. He explains he feels stuck in limbo, he doesn't want to let go but he doesn't have the guts to patch things up. She tells him everyone has choices, then her phone rings.<br />
<br />
She speaks to Ginji telling him she is with Rock. He tells her that Bando dropped by so the sooner she returns home the better. She says she will hurry back and ends the call. She apologises to Rock saying she needs to go. He asks her what her surname is and she tells him, to his surprise, that it is <i>"Washimine".</i><br />
<br />
Back in her home she overhears Bando saying to Ginji that he has to break things off with the Russians, because otherwise the way things are going they'd be banished from Kanto completely, hand over their nameplate to the Kosa Kai and close shop. Yukio walks into the room and asks Bando to tell her more about the conversation they were just having.<br />
<br />
Balalaika is getting impatient waiting to hear from the Washimine Gumi. She asks if there have been any other developments and is told the police have barricaded the homes of the top Kosa Kai to ward off attacks and have started questioning members of the Washihime Gumi. Balalaika says it is only a matter of time before their cover is blown so they will redploy the main body somewhere safe. Laptev needn't be informed, he needs to die a useful death.<br />
<br />
Rock tentatively asks her what would happen if the Washimine Gumi dropped out. Balalaika says it has nothing to do with him and he best be mindful of where he stands. Revy says she shouldn't cut him off like that, it's no big secret. So Balalaika tells Rock they'd simply add another target to the list, <i>"it wouldn't change our job. Wouldn't change anything. Life goes on. That's all there is to it dear."</i><br />
<br />
Yukio is sitting in the library with Maki who is bemoaning a low test score, an argument with her mother and having to give up her job. But Yukio is miles away remembering her talk with Bando and Ginji the night before. That fateful night she decided it was time for her to step up and lead the Washimine Gumi as the only direct heir of her father. Ginji is very against it but she says she was born and raised in this household and can't ignore the difficulties they face.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yukio, Bando and Ginji discuss the family's future.</td></tr>
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The Kosa Kai had previously said they would only make the oath with a direct descendant and they've used that to lower their standing and strangle them bit by bit. She is also told that Rock is working with the Russians and for her not to see him again. Maki finally manages to get her attention and apologises for thinking about something else.<br />
<br />
Bando meanwhile has armed himself with a sword. Yoshida asks what he is doing and Bando says he is just going for a walk. Yoshida calls him <i>"Aniki" </i>[elder brother, a term of respect for senior Yakuza] and Bando says he hasn't heard Yoshida call him that in a long time. He tosses Yoshida his watch and tells him to ask Ginji about what to do next,<i> "you may not like him, but... he's a hell of a man in his own right".</i> He is to consider his words Bando's own and serve him well. Bando begins to weep as he turns and leaves saying <i>"well... so long... or somethin'".</i><br />
<br />
We then cut to the next day. Yoshida reports to Ginji that Bando has been murdered. Ginji says that a funeral will have to wait a little while, they can't let word get out yet. It was the Russians who did it, they stuffed a note in his mouth when they left his body in a suitcase in front of their office which said, "Yellow is the colour of cowards." Ginji says that the problem with Bando was that he was <i>"too smart"</i>. Now what is to become of them asks Yoshida as Yukio listens to them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bando confronts Balalaika.</td></tr>
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We then get a flashback to the previous night. Balalaika and Rock are meeting with Bando in an underground carpark. Bando asks her one more time, is she willing to work side-by-side with them? She says that is not a question for him to ask but to answer. He is silent and she says that's a shame it would have been easier if their arrangement had lasted a little longer, <i>"but it's no bother. It's rather trivial, really". </i>And at that Bando runs at her drawing his sword.<br />
<br />
She elbows him in the face, dodging the blade and grips his neck in a chokehold. She tells Rock to translate what she is about to say, and that tonight she is going to tell the truth. Working side-by-side is for office workers, she has no need of such arrangements. She is here to bring <i>"destruction and domination</i>" She is interested in nothing less, no compromises. She is just here to see how long she can <i>"dance on the bottom of hell's cauldron." </i> Then she breaks his neck saying <i>"...till we meet again".</i><br />
<br />
Then Rock wakes from a nightmare and Revy asks if he is OK? She tells him to be careful how he drinks especially as things are going to be getting busy, Balalaika wants them to tag along as she greets her reinforcements and replacements. Laptev is being set up as an unwitting decoy, Rock muses that there seems to be no way to avert a conflict. Revy says <i>"hell no. Hotel Moscow wants to raise all hell."</i><br />
<br />
Back with Ginji and Yukio, she asks him if Kosa Kai will accept them as equals if she was the successor. He tries to talk her out of it but she says there is no other way. She cannot bear to think of herself leading a safe life at the expense of those who died protecting the family. Ginji says his one hope for her was that she enjoy "the kind of happiness that real folk do."<br />
<br />
<b>Ginji: </b><i>"I... rage is boiling over inside me... against those rotten Kosa bastards. Against the dirty lowlife Russians. every single one of 'em... is hard at work, tryin' to wreck our lives, and tear everything apart!!"</i><br />
<br />
Yukio looks out of the window, and says to him that the snow falling at night is so beautiful and this is the first time she ever realised it. She turns to him and says, <i>"Ginji-san... will you protect me?"</i><br />
<br />
He kneels before her and swears with every fiber of his being to protect her in this life and beyond. Then we see her with Maki in the library where they have finished filing the library cards. Then they go outside and Yukio cups Maki's face and tells her gently to<i> "get along with your mother. You're a good girl and you know it." </i>Maki says she sounds like she's about to die. Then the Washihime Gumi pull up and collect her. Yukio turns and smiles at Maki, telling her to take good care of herself and then walks away to join her men, leaving Maki crying in the snow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yukio leaves her old life behind.</td></tr>
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They now address her as <i>"Sodai"</i> [term of respect for a top Yakuza leader] now. In the car the men discuss where they think Balalaika has gone. They are searching various areas hoping that the Russians will stand out enough to be easily found. Yukio says that Balalaika wants to start a fight with them. She pauses then thanks Yoshida for what he said at the General Assembly, if he hasn't she is sure the Washimine Gumi would have broken up there and then.<br />
<br />
She has respect because she is sticking her neck out to get revenge for Bando's murder and she isn't doing this for power or glory. Ginji then disembarks the car saying it's time to get things rolling and he'll see her later at home. She tells him to be careful and he pulls out his sword saying <i>"just leave it to me."</i><br />
<br />
Inside the building is Laptev, his men trying and failing to get through to Balalaika. When he is told she and the rest of her people have cleared out of the hotel and left without a trace he stabs the bearer of bad news through the hand. Realising he's been abandoned by his own boss he tells his underling it's because she hates not just the KGB but all the <i>"Nomenklatura".</i> Afghanistan is her devil and she can't let go of it. <br />
<br />
Then suddenly gunfire breaks out blowing the place to smithereens but leaving Laptev unscathed. Then in walks Ginji asking<i> "where might I find bearded Ikyu?"</i> The Russians try to shoot Ginji but he slices and dices his way through them in an orgy of destruction until only Laptev is left alive. Ginji holds his sword to his throat and asks where he is going? <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginji takes out Leptev's men.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile Revy has collected her proper guns and returns to the taxi which Rock is waiting in. She asks why Rock is so pensive? He says it's started as he reads a news ticker on the inside of the taxi. Revy says Balalaika must be grinning from ear to ear, <i>"an all-out brawl, just like she wanted." </i> Rock then turns to her and asks her if she will come with him to see Yukio, <i>"I can't turn a blind eye."</i><br />
<br />
She tells him to put his thinking cap on, they are their hated enemy. But Rock passionately pleads with her saying that if she has something to do with the Washimine Gumi the storm will hit her too. They can't trust Balalaika not to do something awful to her. Revy says he must stay out of it for his own good. Rock replies that she's a regular schoolgirl and this isn't Roanapur. Revy shrugs saying what makes this place so different? The gal's crossed the line and the madam'll take care of business. She says they are right on the dividing line and if he crosses over, he can never come back. Rock backs down but Revy stops and thinks and then says to him:<br />
<br />
<b>Revy: </b><i>"I forgot something real important. While I'm here with you... I'm your gun. My job's to protect your life... not tell you how to live it. So, no problem. Lead the way my master."</i><br />
<br />
And the taxi changes direction. We then cut to Balalaika holed up in another hotel, the men give her reports saying that the offices of the Kosa Kai have been sealed tight. The country's police are excellent says the sergeant. Balalaika sits and asks him if he heard the news? He says yes, <i>"Comrade Laptev performed his duties... exceptionally well."</i><br />
<br />
This leads to a flashback to a short while ago. Ginji is holding his blade in front of Laptev's face. He demands to know how to contact <i>"that lady boss of yours"</i>. Laptev speaks untranslated Russian and Ginji realises he is no use to him and lops Laptev's head right off. Balalaika says he was useful for a providing them with actionable intelligence. His replacement is proficient in scams, schemes and savagery, <i>"but violence is our speciality. Let's begin our mission sergeant".</i><br />
<br />
Yoshida and Yukio return to her home only to find supreme arsehole Chaka waiting there. Yoshida chews him out but Chaka says he thought having more troops around would<i> "put your mind at ease."</i> And in the main room are a bunch of Chaka's men. Chaka then suddenly shoots Yoshida in the stomach and he falls to the floor. He says that he sees the way things are now and they don't want to be on the losing side. They aren't teaming up with either the Russians or the Kosa Kai, but they figure as long as they have a bargaining chip things will work out and Yukio is that chip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaka executes Yoshida.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He then shoots Yoshida in the head and again several times while his goons laugh. Then one of his men attacks Yukio but Chaka says who told him he could <i>"slap her silly"</i> and he smashes the man's face in. He then tells Yukio to do what they say, or <i>"who knows what might happen."</i><br />
<br />
Revy and Rock approach the house. Revy says right now the place smells<i> "real familiar to me!" </i>And she barges in guns drawn. They find Yoshida's dead body and no sign of Yukio or Chaka and his men. Revy says there are no casings on the floor because the gun used was a revolver. Also the size of the exit wound comes from a large calibur gun, <i>"the kind of gun a total moron who wants to show off carries around". </i> And one such moron comes to mind for her and Rock. Rock is confused though, why would he betray his own? Then suddenly Ginji comes running in holding his sword and Revy turns her guns on him as Rock yells, <i>"No, wait!!"</i> And on that cliffhanger this volume ends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy vs. Ginji.</td></tr>
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This volume is very much Rock and Revy's show. Dutch doesn't even put in a single appearance and Benny makes a short cameo. "Goat, Jihad, Rock n' Roll" is wrapped up satisfactorily with some tantalising little nuggets of information dropped about Revy's past in the US and raising the question as to why she might be on the CIA's radar. Takenaka, still comes across as somewhat sympathetic for an itinerant terrorist and Public Enemy, unable to sacrifice the lives of his men in a futile assault and knowing when to cut his losses and move on. "Fujiyama Gangsta Paradise" gives us a chance to see the softer side of Revy, despite all her warnings and tough words, she really does look out for Rock and her decision to accompany him to find Yukio which she warns could lead them both into Balalaika's line of fire is incredibly sweet and supportive. As is her badgering Rock to do what she can't and see his parents, even playing with the kids is a nice moment. Revy could have easily been a one-note gunslinger with a temper but each story adds more depth to her character. I'm a big fan. And wow, Balalaika proves that while in business nothing is personal, she also shows that despite her cool moments she is a ruthless leader of men who will stop at nothing to get her way and even relishes being able to kill someone hands on when she takes out Bando. The Washimine Gumi Yakuza clan feel like the butt monkey of the Japanese underworld, so desperate to cling on they accept a teenage girl, an admittedly very brave one, as their leader. Of course one hopes that Chaka, who manages to be the one person in a whole cast full of mobsters and killers, who comes across as utterly loathesome. Will he get his just desserts at the hands of either Revy, Ginji or even both? Join me in a few more days for the conclusion to this arc and find out.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-49693933927826576212018-03-15T21:20:00.001+00:002018-03-15T21:23:36.022+00:00Black Lagoon Book 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ_DDVoDejsqbeoUaofPWuyuLCF3Ve69iN5V3rMIVbyS2fkVHpfYnZeo61wH3u-fbFeC5AFcFk2HxIA-D3oHpqlefPKhyp7Vo6w4W5e3KbFkngyQG_WkTTjzkgQ7i0rcH5i8nIn9BaKA/s1600/blacklagoonthreecover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1136" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZ_DDVoDejsqbeoUaofPWuyuLCF3Ve69iN5V3rMIVbyS2fkVHpfYnZeo61wH3u-fbFeC5AFcFk2HxIA-D3oHpqlefPKhyp7Vo6w4W5e3KbFkngyQG_WkTTjzkgQ7i0rcH5i8nIn9BaKA/s320/blacklagoonthreecover.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<i>"Rock, you fuckup!! This is a royal mess you've gotten us into now!!"</i> - <b>Revy</b><br />
<br />
We return to the adventures of The Black Lagoon Company, a team of couriers who work out of the fictious Thai city Roanapur, a wretched hive of scum and villainy that is set in the mid-1990's. They are named after their boat which is an old World War 2 torpedo craft. The crew is made up of Dutch, an African-American Vietnam Vet who leads them. Benny, a white American who handles the tech. Chinese-American Revy "Two Hand" and Japanese ex-salaryman Rock. The other main players are Hotel Moscow, the branch of the Russian Mafia located there, which is made up of Afghan war veterans and lead by the facially scarred Balalaika. This volume sees the conclusion of <i>"Bloodsport Fairy Tale"</i> in which the local Italian Mafia hired two psychopathic young Romanian twin teenagers called <i>"Hansel and Gretal"</i> as assassins, who had suffered so much horrific abuse in the past they saw killing as the only thing they had left that made sense to them. After murdering two Hotel Moscow soldiers, they decided to turn on the people who hired them and we start this story with them taking on the Italians. After that tale comes to its grim conclusion we move on to <i>"Goat, Jihad, Rock And Roll"</i> in which our team of couriers gets caught up in thwarting a terrorist plot against mainland USA. This is a seinen manga meaning it's most definitely not for kids and has an incredibly bleak and cynical worldview. You have been warned.<br />
<br />
<br />
[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
<br />
BLOODSPORT FAIRY TALE: Hansel and Gretal tell the Italians they want the borscht as the main dish, <i>"we'll start with the macarone as the appetiser".</i> And they lay into the shocked and surprise men with gun and axe. As the fight carries on Chang from the Chinese Triad stands outside and tells him men to contact Hotel Moscow, <i>"having them in our debt will prove quite helpful."</i><br />
<br />
Meanwhile Revy's frenemy Eda from the Rip-Off church calls her up and says the cops are on the move and they can get a prime position on claiming the reward for killing Hansel and Gretal. Balalaika meanwhile tells her men that the two they lost were irreplaceable, they have a plan and are ready to put it in action:<br />
<br />
<b>Balalaika:</b> <i>"The spirits of our lost brothers will transform our guns into avenging angels. Let your kalashnikovs be the instruments of our venegeance. Deliver 5.45mm rounds upon them that their maws may be left in ruins!!"</i><br />
<br />
Chang then receives a reply from Hotel Moscow telling them to evacuate the target area immediately. Chang says that's old news and takes hold of a pair of guns as Gretal blasts one of his men down. But she tells him they can't stay and fight, <i>"till we meet again"</i> she gleefully says as she kills the rest of his men. <i>"Swell"</i> says Chang <i>"can't tell you how relieved I am".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gretal versus Chang.</td></tr>
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Revy and Eda are with a few other bounty hunters who are staking out the same place. Eda though realises that something is wrong, Balalaika should be here. Revy agrees that it's not right there is no Hotel Moscow presence. Revy says that this trap is too easy to catch coyotes like the twins. So they figure out which back-streets would take them to Hotel Moscow and off they go.<br />
<br />
Chang is on the phone to Balalaika saying if he'd known the twins were there he'd have brought better gunmen. And they stole his car so he'll have to walk home. Balalaika says she is on track with their plans and it's only a matter of time now <i>"before the opening salvos ring out". </i><br />
<br />
A black sedan comes hurtling down the street where the bounty hunters are waiting, it has tinted windows so they can't see inside but the bounty hunters unleash their firepower on it anyway. The car flips over and crashes, but when they look inside they see two dead non-white teenagers.<br />
<br />
Hansel and Gretal hurry down a back alley, Hansel says it was a good deal hiring two stand-ins for 5,000 baht. Gretal says she feels a bit sorry for them but he says<i> "it's kill or be killed. Those are the only choices in this world". </i>She agrees and he goes on to say<i> "and that's why we must kill more. Many, many more".</i><br />
<br />
Balalaika is told that the twins are proceeding exactly along the route they expected and thanks to the bogus information Chang spread around the bounty hunters are behaving exactly as planned. Hotel Moscow squads are herding and shadowing the twins to lure them in the right direction. Then they hear unplanned gunfire, it's Eda and Revy who have made contact with the twins in a back street.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eda and Gretal.</td></tr>
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Gretal asks them what the bounty on their heads is. Eda says it's 80 grand. Gretal says that they took much more than that from the Mafia's offices, what if they gave them 150 grand instead. Eda asks Revy what they should do, Revy says <i>"the answer's obvious. We'll take it all."</i> Then a squad of Hotel Moscow soldiers arrive and Balalaika says they are cleared to neutralise Eda and Revy if they get in the way. Revy sees sense and tells Eda to back off. Hansel and Gretal decide to split up to hunt down the Russians, they kiss passionately and part.<br />
<br />
Balalaika is sitting on the edge of a fountain and is told that one target has been lost but the second is moving towrds the designated position. Balalaika tells her men to not allow the targets to catch wind of their intent. Finally it is time and she sends her second-in-command to take charge of the sniper team. She sits alone, <i>"right then... time to bring this pathetic carnival nonsense... to an end".</i><br />
<br />
Meanwhile Eda and Revy are bickering over the not having anything to show for going after the twins. After hurling insults at each other, Revy leaves to go back to the office. Eda doesn't want to be left alone in this part of town but Revy tells her she's not some schoolgirl and a fuming Eda is abandoned. But not alone as Gretal comes out of the shadows behind her and presses her rifle into Eda's back.<br />
<br />
She tells Eda that she needs her help, once her brother kills Balalaika they'll need to get away quickly. The Mafia were going to take care of that but they killed them. Eda asks why they are still going after Balalaika if the man who hired them is dead?<br />
<br />
<b>Gretal</b>: <i>"What's the point? Why you ask? Silly lady. You want to know why? Because we want to, that's why. There's no other real reason. We do it because we want to. That's all."</i><br />
<br />
She then very creepily fondles Eda's breasts and says she needs to tell her about a getaway specialist. Someone who is reliable and capable.<br />
<br />
Back with Balalaika she tells Hansel there is no point hiding. He comes out and she says they should have a liitle chat. Hansel says let's talk about the men of hers that they killed. He gleefully recounts the torture they put them through, then he brings out his axe saying she'll join them soon enough. Balalaika says it's the end of the line for him, but before he dies he must apologise for what he did. She tell him to <i>"kneel".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah... not gonna lie, this is grim.</td></tr>
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And on that command one of the snipers shoots him right through the leg shattering his kneecap. He tries to hobble forwards and raises his axe and the sniper blasts through his hand. He lies on the ground and she tells him he was in their hunting grounds and is about to die like the <i>"crazed little shits... that you are."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Hansel:</b> <i>"I'm not going to die. I won't die. I've killed so many people. I've killed lots and lots and lots and lots, That means we can live much longer. We have so many more... more lives. We're immortal. Good heavens yes. We never ever die..."</i><br />
<br />
Balalaika says that's an interesting world view. She then says she could take him and have him tortured, even the score. But she is not sick or twisted, <i>"and for that reason I will simply watch you die".</i><br />
<br />
She tell him that with his wounds he won't last longer than ten minutes so she offers up the last moments of his life to the souls of her men that he killed. Reality sets in for Hansel and he begins to cry until finally he expires. Her men return to her and she says she is sorry she insisted the do things this way. She gives orders to keep looking for that other one but she is returning to the office saying, <i>"perhaps it's my age showing sergeant. I feel tired... by God... what a world we live in."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like "time to look at kitten pics" level of grim.</td></tr>
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Gretal is aboard the Black Lagoon singing a song while the crew listen with trepidation. Dutch says a client is a client and it doesn't hurt that she has paid them 150 thousand dollars plus fifty cases of 12.7 ammunition. Gretal is down in the hold, Rock is in with her while a scowling Revy sits outside, gun cocked and ready. Gretal tells Rock that was the first time she sang that song for someone who wasn't her brother.<br />
<br />
She sits in his lap and tells him that he's different from the others. Rock says he's still not used to this life. Gretal says he's a good person, she is good at spotting good people. Upstairs Balalaika is on the phone to Dutch. She asks him if he's aware of what he's doing? Dutch says he is, and she is free to come after them, <i>"we're couriers after all. We're always up for a chase."</i><br />
<br />
She asks him if he has any<i> "sentimentalism?" </i> He says he doesn't run a charity, he has a job to do and that's all there is too it. She says she's already set a few things in motion. Benny comes in saying there is something incoming from the north. She says it's strictly business, they are both doing what they have to do and hangs up. She then asks her second-in-command if the Black Lagoon will continue that direction, he says they will as long as they don't hound them too hard. <br />
<br />
Benny tells Dutch that it's the Vietnamese navy patrolling the edge of Thai territorial waters and it's undeniably the work of Hotel Moscow who have their claws in every corrupt authority there is. They discuss where they can go, and decide on making for a getaway fixer called<i> "Elroy"</i> at Pangkal Pinang. Dutch tells Benny to contact him immediately.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hansel and Gretal's sad story.</td></tr>
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In the hold Gretal complains that she can't watch the sea. Rock says has she never had a good look at the ocean? She says never, not in the orphanage or in Sicily, <i>"all that surrounded us were grey walls."</i> They were born in the mountains<i> "surrounded by the stoney cliffs of the Carpathians. It was always cloudy, and it was a lonely place to live."</i> Then the old men came and they were surrounded by <i>"blood and darkness ever since."</i><br />
<br />
She goes on to say that she would have conversations with her brother about <i>"why God would be so cruel to us." </i>But when the other children were brought to them and they beat them everyone watching was laughing. So she and her brother laughed as well. And they thought that this must how the world was set up. <br />
<br />
God had set things up so that some force that turns the Earth is generated when a person takes the life of another. So they would kill and kill and kill some more<i> "and that would make the world go around." </i>Rock asks her about her brother who died because of that arrangement, <i>"doesn't that make you sad?"</i><br />
<br />
She takes the long-haired wig off to reveal short hair and she says that <i>"he's"</i> always with his sister dearest, <i>"after all, we never die. We're part of the eternal cycle."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Gretal: </b><i>"This world wouldn't exist if we didn't have to kill. That's why we exist, why everyone else exists. So you see, young sir. Killing doesn't make us sad. The stench of blood. The screams. The warmth of vital organs.. we've come to love it all!"</i><br />
<br />
Rock lunges forward and hugs her tightly, <i>"no. No, that's wrong. That isn't what this world is for."</i> He goes on saying the world exists to bring happiness and the blood and darkness is just a small part of it. Gretal thanks him, stands back telling him how nice he is and<i> "won't you accept this gift?"</i> And she pulls her skirt up offering herself sexually to him. Horrified Rock runs out and an incredibly angry Revy walks in and punches Gretal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only Revy gets to mess with Rock's head!</td></tr>
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Revy then sits and tells her that it's a shame Balalaika didn't get Gretal as well. The world would be better off without <i>"miserable punks"</i> like you. Gretal tells Revy that she smells just like her and that she is just like her too. Revy just brushes this off saying she doesn't give a rat's ass if she is, <i>"you mess with him once more, and I'll kill you. You say one more thing to piss me off, and I'll kill you."</i><br />
<br />
Up on deck a stricken Rock is damning the people who turned two children into predators. Benny comes up to him and tells him he's got to learn to not take these things so hard. Rock grabs his collar, but calmly Benny tells him there is no saving Gretal. If she had been shown kindness, gone to school, made friends she would have been OK. But it didn't turn out that way for them. Rock slumps in grief as Benny tells him kindly but firmly that <i>"this discussion is over."</i><br />
<br />
Later they arrive at the island they are handing Gretal off to Elroy on. She runs off the boat and says goodbye to Rock saying maybe they can meet again one day,<i> "just the two of us over a nice lunch perhaps?" </i>Rock smiles weakly saying that would be nice. And then Elroy pulls a gun out and shoots her in the head. She falls backwards just saying, <i>"Oh... the sky.. how beautiful.." </i>and dies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OH LOOK AT THE PRETTY KITTENS.</td></tr>
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Elroy just says <i>"Hotel Moscow, Dutch.. what else?"</i> Dutch says he flushed his career down the toilet doing that. He says he has a son with cancer and he's realised he's too old for this line of work. This is his last job and Hotel Moscow gave him a nice price too, <i>"I'd say this shitty assignment is a perfect way for me to leave all this behind." </i>Revy looks down reflecting on Gretal's last words. Dutch tells Rock to get a canvas sheet to cover the body. But Rock says no, this way she can look into the sky <i>"and enjoy the ocean in eternal rest."</i><br />
<br />
GOAT, JIHAD, ROCK-AND-ROLL: The story begins with a news report of a terrorist attack on a US embassy in Zaire which killed nearly forty people and was claimed to have been committed by the <i>"Islamic Front Of National Salvation".</i> Back in Roanapur Rock wakes the sleeping Revy saying they have a rush assingment and they are both to return to the office pronto. <br />
<br />
The client is Mr. Chang of the local Triad. He is sitting the the Black Lagoon Company office talking with Dutch. Apparently his office got partly demolished. He puts a briefcase on the table saying that it is the source of his misfortune, <i>"still it's worth it."</i><br />
<br />
He got it off a Bulgarian scumbag trying to make a buck in his territory, big mistake as only the Rip Off Church is allowed to sell weapons by them. They picked this man up and tortured him and he turned out to be an intelligence operative, he was quite well connected. In exchange for not having his balls cut off he handed over a document, <i>"it's an itinerary for a fun little field trip that Hezbollah is planning."</i><br />
<br />
This man was connected to various nations and groups that share the same goals, <i>"sort of like a goodwill diplomat of the underground scene." </i>Chang contacted Hezbollah about acquiring the document but they refused to pay his <i>"finder's fee"</i> so he told them he'd shop it around. As a result his offices have been blown up so he came here and has a proposition for Dutch.<br />
<br />
There are five suitcases. Everyone leaves Roanapur at the same time. They head out in different directions with four as decoys. Their destination will be the Philippine army base on Basilan. They have two days to get there and deliver the document to two CIA operatives waiting there. <br />
<br />
Dutch says that's not enough time. Chang says there's never enough time, but the embassy bombing is only the start. <br />
<br />
<b>Chang</b>: <i>"By the time Hezbollah are finished with their field trip, there'll be a new president sitting in the Whitehouse."</i><br />
<br />
Uncle Sam jumped at his offer because of the bombing. He's hired a getaway driver to get them to the base once they get to Basilan. With escorts if they need them. He's counting on Dutch who says this will be an expensive job.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RPGs are a daily hazard in Roanapur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before they can go on, two terrorists armed with RPG launchers fire on the Black Lagoon offices. They all duck as the blast hits. Dutch says he can't do a job when Chang is<i> "leaking intel like a seive." </i> Chang pulls out his guns saying he'll get them clear and Revy goes with him and much gunfire ensues.<br />
<br />
Dutch, Benny and Rock grab the suitcase and follow behind the mayhem. More terrorists appear, but Revy and Chang kill them all. Chang gives Revy tips on how she can improve her technique as they fight, she says she isn't much compared to him but she keeps trying. And he says coming from a Chinese-American that is a very admirable attitude.<br />
<br />
Finally Dutch, Benny and Rock make a break for the boat with Revy following, Chang shouts after them not to forget the password when they get to Basilan. We then cut to two men, a Middle-Easterner called Ibraha and a Japanese man called Takenaka. Ibraha says they have eyes on all the couriors and will slaughter them all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ibraha and Takenaka.</td></tr>
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Takenaka says they underestimated Chang and quotes Mao regarding the need to pay attention to worthy enemies. Ibraha says those are empty words from an atheist. Takenaka says he's an atheist too. Ibraha says that's different, he's a comrade. Takenaka says that they should focus on the ocean, the land routes are probably decoys. He ponders where they might be making contact with the American Imperialists. He decides to take care of overseeing the ocean route himself.<br />
<br />
He tells Ibraha they should move up their operation in New York. Ibrahah says that's impossible it's been years in the making. They are going to use the subway system to <i>"turn Manhattan into the island of the dead."</i> They are going to use a bio-chemical weapon like some Japanese terrorists used only on a bigger scale. Takenaka walks off saying he <i>"quit being Japanese... over twenty years ago."</i><br />
<br />
On the Black Lagoon they are suddenly being chased by multiple small motorboats, Benny tells Revy to deal with them, <i>"make 'em dance, hard and fast"</i> She grins and says <i>"they're gonna twist and shout right into the afterlife."</i> She sits up top, the boats are keeping their distance for now so she will pick them off with the Bren gun and Remmington. Dutch however is worried that the boats aren't closing in on them and them not attacking is really bothering him.<br />
<br />
Takenaka is flying off to where he believes the ocean courior is heading for. He warns his men that the Black Lagooners will be a tough nut to crack and to be careful. We then cut to Revy holding a sniper rifle saying to Rock who is next to her.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy: </b><i>"Goddamn jerks! I'm all ready to get intimate with 'em... but those shy fucks won't come up on stage for me."</i><br />
<br />
She fires on one of them and it explodes. Revy realises they have been rigged up <i>"for fucking kamikazes." </i> Dutch says they can't punch through or they'll be swarmed and sunk by an explosion.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things just naturally explode whenever Revy comes close by.</td></tr>
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Rock comes down into the control room and is told the boats don't seem to be forcing them to change their heading but are following them to a secondary location, probably a much larger hijacked ship they've picked up on radar. That ship will stop them and they'll be boarded. Dutch is ready to hear some ideas.<br />
<br />
Rock says they should use the torpedoes, but Revy says they don't have any, the tubes are empty. Rock suggests an RPG aimed just above the waterline. Revy says it wouldn't have enough of an effect on a cargo ships bulkheads. They then debate manuvering so they could set off the exploding boats near the big ship. Semtex is brought up and when it's explained to Rock what it is he has one of his crazy ideas. <br />
<br />
Takenaka is at the airport being told over the phone about the situation with the Black Lagoon. He tells them to sink the boat along with the documents. He tells the person to make sue Ibraha makes his way to where he is going too. After a conversation with a Japanese man waiting for his flight, he carries on his way.<br />
<br />
On the Black Lagoon they are close to the freighter that's moving to cut them off. Revy is lying on deck with a harpoon that has multiple bricks of semtex tied to it. Dutch makes a hard turn to starboard as soon as she fires the harpoon at the ship. They then punch it and sail away as fast as they can. A small detonator goes off and all the bricks of semtex explode ripping a hole in the freighter and sinking it.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b> <i>"Hell yeah baby. We could've blown Godzilla to bits with all the explosives we packed into that thing".</i><br />
Dutch says there are still some enemies out there, Rock and Revy will be dropped off close to Basilan and take the Zodiac there while Dutch acts as a decoy in the Black Lagoon.<br />
<br />
However Takenaka is already in Basilan and calls Ibraha who starts yelling at him over the phone. He is told the blockade failed but it's now definite that they are headed to Basilan. It's a place where American agents come and go and there is an anti-terrorist special ops base nearby. Through gritted teeth Ibraha says this is not a game, it is<i> "a crucial precursory skirmish tied to the coming jihad."</i><br />
<br />
Takenaka says it's all a game. Things are getting more interesting so he may as well enjoy it. He got hold of the password for the getaway driver, he'll have the upper hand with their next move. He'll leave the mopping up party to Ibraha. Angrily Ibraha hangs up on him. Takenaka says he needs to lighten up to himself. He has checkpoints on each major road and they need to be able to pull out of the city in three minutes in the event<i> "we have to forcibly abduct them."</i> He wants to avoid a nasty firefight even though they have <i>"their own charm."</i><br />
<br />
On the Black Lagoon Revy and Dutch plan out what will happen next. Dutch and Benny will stay aboard and when Revy gives the word, will come and collect them. There is another message from Chang that Rock needs to hear but we don't hear it. We cut the two people waiting to pick up the carriers of the documents on orders from Chang. The woman notes cars going past them more often than they should and the man wonders if it's government forces.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takenaka tries to trick Rock and Revy into handing the briefcase over.</td></tr>
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Revy and Rock arrive at Basilan, they note that it's quieter than they would expect. Revy says the security forces are off fighting guerrillas. Then a car pulls up and it's Takenaka. He introduces himself as their driver. She was expecting two drivers, he says the other is off taking a piss. She asks him what's the password. He delivers it, "Chang, Chang, Chang... the TriChang society". And Rock breathes a sigh of relief.<br />
<br />
Apparently it's a pun that hasn't travelled well via translation. But Revy says that Chang was<i> "way fucking smarter than you think." </i> She has a message from him to give Takenaka, <i>"For I am the Lord of Mount Tai". </i>That's the declaration that the God of death is about to pass judgement over him. Chang had set up different passwords<i> "to catch dipshits like you." </i> She says he should laugh it up.<br />
<br />
Takenaka doesn't seem bothered, he grabs his sub machine gun and opens fire while Revy unloads her guns into his car. A terrorist that was hiding in the back of the car leaps out and grabs Rock and the suitcase, pulling him into the car and Takenaka floors the accelerator and speeds off. The two real drivers hear the gunfire and while the man who is snorting coke doesn't want any trouble she says, <i>"No. Trouble yes. But work important."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day, another mass gunfight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
More cars circle Revy firing on her and she fires back but things look bad. Then the female driver up and flings knives at the terrorist with a machine gun and kills him. Revy demands to know if they are the getwaway driver and the man affirms they are and Revy gets in the car and they chase after Rock.<br />
<br />
Inside they tell Revy they are only here to transport her to the base, but she tells them Rock has the important documents. The woman, who the man calls <i>"Shennua"</i> holds a curved blade to Revy's throat. But Revy hammers home the point that Chang hired <i>them</i> to deliver the documents. The two go quiet.<br />
<br />
Rock meanwhile is surrounded by people pointing guns and swords at him, <i>"welcome to our liberation zone.".</i> Takenaka says he checked the briefcase and it was completely empty. Rock says he knows nothing about that. Takenaka says that they'll take their time asking him, they still have some time left.<br />
<br />
Shennua suggests twenty percent of the Lagoon traders cut to help out. She and Revy go back and forth as the man, named <i>"Leigharch</i>" freaks out saying it's going to be impossible to rescue Rock. But Revy and Shenhua agree an amount while Leigharch yells at her for having a death wish. And they drive towards the terrorist base.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock in the enemy's hands.</td></tr>
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Rock is sat in a interrogation cell with Takenaka. He surprised to see he's Japanese, then he goes silent. Takenaka introduced himself and asks Rock's name. Rock asks what difference knowing it would make. Takenaka says it would make him easier to talk too. He starts reminiscing about his time living in Japan and asks if Rock misses being away from there.<br />
<br />
<b>Takenaka:</b> <i>"Why are you taking such risks with life, young man? There're other ways of making a living Japan is the land of the petite bourgeoise now."</i><br />
<br />
He feels empathy with Rock because they are both outsiders who don't belong there any more. Rock stubbornly insists they are nothing alike. He wasn't driven away like Takenaka was. He may be young but he'd old enough to remember what he did in the past.<br />
<br />
Takenaka says he left Japan and devoted himself to a <i>"simultaneous worldwide worker's revolution."</i> He's not a loser because he has a goal and the will to follow through on it. Rock says he has goals and ideals too. Then Ibraha snaps and holds a gun to Rock's head saying he wasn't interrogating Rock at all. He demands to know where the documents are. <br />
<br />
Back with Revy and Shennua, they tell Leigharch to wait for them and if he bolts Revy will hunt him down and kill him. She tells him to lay off the drugs too, but Shennua says he drives well even when his brain is in outer space. And bickering as they go, Revy and Shennua head off to rescue Rock.<br />
<br />
Rock still has Ibraha holding a gun to his head. Takenaka tells them a story about a man who came to town and preached to make the world a better place. A first people listened, but in time everyone lost interest and no one cared about what was wrong with the world. One day a child came up and asked why he was preaching still. The man said he knows it's a hopeless dream but the reason he won't stop is because when he was young that was his purpose in life and <i>"I'm not about to betray that part of myself."</i> Takenaka's story has warped into him talking about himself.<br />
<br />
There is a long pause. Then he gets up and says there is no need to beat Rock he's no soldier just a delivery boy. If he doesn't talk by tomorrow they'll shoot him. Ibraha doesn't want to wait until tomorrow. Takenaka tells him to be cool, either Rock has the documents or the woman he was with in the village does so they'll concentrate on finding her. Although she might show up wanting to bust Rock out. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shennua and Revy "bond".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Revy is looking at the camp through binoculars, Shennua says they move camp often and don't do anything fancy like lay mines. But there will be a few booby traps and claymores. Revy plans for them to hit when it gets dark and when Shennua calls her <i>"Ching-lish gal"</i> Revy threatens to shave some meat off her ass when this is over.<br />
<br />
Left alone in the cell Rock can only sit and damn his situation. Then Revy and Shennua break into the camp and start shooting. They take several men down, as she stabs one Shennua says:<br />
<br />
<b>Shennua: </b><i>"They used to doing the thrusting, Not having things thrust into them. Men..."</i><br />
<br />
Shennua says they need to be quick if Rock spills the beans. But Revy says he's a tough nut to crack, <i>"I doubt he'd talk even if the trumpets of Judgement Day sounded."</i><br />
<br />
Takenaka and Ibraha are arguing. Ibraha demands Takenaka makes Rock talk right now, he must have the documents as the rest were decoys. They also haven't been able to track down Revy either. Revy who has just blasted her way into Rock's cell. They smile at each other and she tells him to be good a little longer while they get the hell out of there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy isn't a damsel in distress, she rescues 'em.</td></tr>
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Shennua greets him saying he<i> "must be the fuckhead she talk about"</i>. Revy tells him she's hired muscle. He asks what to call her, she says <i>"Marian... Susan... It no matter".</i> The car comes screaming up and they dive inside, not before Rock exchanges a significant look with Takenaka who is lying amongst the bodies of the other terrorists.<br />
<br />
A drug crazed Leigharch bellows random comments saying <i>"Jimi Hendrix is calling to me. Says we gotta go defeat the Klingons!!" </i> Takenaka says they have balls as they drive away and he and some others get into jeeps to chase them in. Rock starts to tell them about the conversation he had with Takenaka but the others are more concerned with dealing with their pursuers.<br />
<br />
Shennua climbs on the car roof and starts throwing knives with deadly accuracy causing two jeeps to crash into each other. But there are more still after them, Revy and Shennua go after the ones on the left and right each. Leigharch suddenly yells out <i>"Hey man look! It's Raquel Welch and Jane Fonda man... shit they want me to follow them!! Ohgod - Ohgod - Ohgod... are we headed for the legendary nude beach?!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And cue chaotic gun and drug fuelled escape sequence.</td></tr>
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And on that surreal note we end this volume. <i>"Goat, Jihad, Rock-and-Roll"</i> will wrap up in volume 3. The two arcs have a wildly different tone. <i>"Bloodsport Fairy Tail" </i>is straight up tragedy and a good focus episode on Balalaika, a Mama Bear when it comes to her men, but you can also see how hollowed out watching a child die of blood loss leaves her. There's a nice continuation of the understated protective instincts Revy has for Rock when Gretal upsets him. He's still not quite hardened to this life and reacts as the voice of the audience would. You have to remember that Hansel and Gretal killed a man by hammering nails into his head amongst other atrocities, did they ever stand a chance? Maybe into a gentler world someone could have saved them and rehabilitated them, but not the world of Black Lagoon. <i>"Goat, Jihad, Rock-and-Roll"</i> is a more light storyline, with Rock having a crazy idea that saves the ship again and Revy going to his rescue without complaint. The two real getaway drivers are a fun pair and there is the mystery of just where the documents have got to still to be answered. Gunplay remains thrillingly depicted, Rei Hiroe is masterful at depicting gun battles and crazy naval shenanigans. He marries realism with a certain amount of manga exaggeration to great effect giving us a fabulous drawn comic to read. Join me then in a few days time for the conclusion of <i>"Goat, Jihad, Rock-and-Roll"</i> and the beginning of the next arc.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-2677318921917839782018-03-09T05:15:00.001+00:002018-03-15T21:21:14.266+00:00Black Lagoon Book 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMb34LiLWYvZLWF-MWPKIzzz0lh9tqvIQDClNPsrDIlCww6V9QfByU9fkwYIHssEoCnOvT6piGhEx1jfM_tnWBDOHD3nEv9OZvFlcUjEFdwJhYcFcgiH-MICQXscDKB-DQ-YkNx8IqvbI/s1600/blacklaggontwocover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1123" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMb34LiLWYvZLWF-MWPKIzzz0lh9tqvIQDClNPsrDIlCww6V9QfByU9fkwYIHssEoCnOvT6piGhEx1jfM_tnWBDOHD3nEv9OZvFlcUjEFdwJhYcFcgiH-MICQXscDKB-DQ-YkNx8IqvbI/s320/blacklaggontwocover.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<i>"Hey nazi... I've come for you" </i>- <b>Dutch</b><br />
<br />
Back with more adventures with The Black Lagoon company, a team of couriers and mercenaries who operate out of a fictious Thai city called Roanapur and sail the South China Sea in an old World War 2 era torpedo boat set sometime in the mid 1990's. The crew is made up of Dutch, the leader and a Vietnam vet. Benny, the tech support on the run from the FBI and the Mob. Revy "Two Hand" a woman with a hair trigger temper and knowledge of a huge variety of guns and finally Rock, an ex-Japanese salaryman who joined the crew in Book 1. They work closely with the Russian Mafia operating in Roanapur. "Hotel Moscow" is led by a scarred woman called Balalaika and her men are all veterans of the Russian Afghanistan campaign and fanactically devoted to her. The writing and art on this series is by mangaka Rei Hiroe. This collection includes the story <i>"Die RĆ¼ckkehr des Adlers"</i> [aka Return of the Eagle] in which a salvage mission turn into all out war against a gang of neo-Nazis. The two part <i>"Calm Down Two Men"</i> which sees issues around Revy's temper come to the fore and then the start of the story<i> "Bloodsport Fairy Tale"</i> in which two unlikely assassins come to Roanapur and cause havoc for Hotel Moscow, a story that will continue and conclude in volume three. So without further ado, lets dive into the next lot of adventures with the crew of the Black Lagoon.<br />
<br />
[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
<br />
DIE RUCKKEHR DES ADLERS: We start aboard a German U-boat during the final days of World War 2, off the Nicobar Island, northwest of Sumatra, Dutch East Indies. They are crippled by American depth charges and end up sinking to the bottom of the ocean.<br />
<br />
Glumly the captain has to inform his loyal crew that this is the end for them, <i>"I thank you for your resilience and bravery you've shown in so many lonely battles, I hereby releive you of duty". </i> He tells them the oxygen supply will exhaust in two hours so they may choose how they die. He tell them that it has been a honour serving with them.<br />
<br />
Now the captain has to inform the SS-officer with them who is clutching a painting to his body. He seems to be in denial when the Captain tells him that the only place left for them to go is heaven. The SS-officer say the painting is the cornerstone upon which the Reich will <i>"revive her waning fortunes and rule over Europe once more".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The painting.</td></tr>
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The captain says it doesn't look that special to him. He is told it's called<i> "The Twelves Knights Guided By Brunnhilde"</i>. He was told to keep the painting safe until the day they rise again. no capitalists or bolsheviks will ever be able to break their noble souls.<br />
<br />
The captain asks him if he has a family. The SS-officer says he has a wife and child. The captain tells him that he is proud to have fought for his country, and though he is now doomed to a watery grave he has no regrets. But if he does have one it's sharing a coffin with an asshole like the SS-officer, <i>"a man who doesn't give a damn about his family when he is about to die".</i><br />
<br />
The SS-officer says family is nothing against the nation's cause and demands the captain retract his words. The captain doubles down by saying it is an empty cause. Putting up with the fantasies of the Nazis' has lead the nation to a miserable end,<i> "if sinking here and now will spare my children from ever having to see another swastika again... I'd say that was a fair bargain". </i> This flashback ends with the SS-officer murdering the captain.<br />
<br />
Fifty years later in the same spot the Black Lagoon has arrived. Rock is sitting groaning about how he's going to have to don scuba gear along with Revy to locate the painting they have been contracted to recover. Benny fills them in on the backstory. The captain was called Wenzel H. Ahbe, a hero who recieved the Knight's Cross. He was given a mission as the Fatherland was falling they escorted a Japanese Naval Officer all the way to Batavia. A long voyage and almost made it but for patrolling US naval forces who sank it.<br />
<br />
But there was an undocumented side to their journey, before they left Kiel, an SS officer boarded carrying a painting. Benny brings it up on the display. It's a piece by a no-name artist called August Jank he goes on. Both Rock and Revy seem unimpressed by it too. The client is an antique dealer from Spain who says he has a thing for Nazi art. When the U-boat was found last year by a French telecom company laying cables and it's still water-tight. And in disputed territorial waters, which is where they come in<i> "fifty thousand dollars plus expenses - pretty sweet for a cakewalk"</i> says Dutch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy and Rock prepare to dive.</td></tr>
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Revy and Rock will enter via the torpedo tubes and once they have their prize, open up a hole and flood the place, it doesn't matter once they have the painting. As they put on their wetsuits Dutch tells them they'll track them via their beacons. He also hand Revy a gift from Balalaika, an underwater gun that Revy is pleased to discover can fire full-auto.<br />
<br />
Revy and Rock drop into the water and start swimming down, quickly locating the sunken U-boat. Up on the Black Lagoon Benny spots that they have company - another boat has appeared. And as they aren't on any shipping lanes there it's somewhat suspicious. Dutch tell Benny to hoist the navy flag, he doesn't like the look of them. He then radios the boat saying they are with the Thai navy and they should tell them the nature of their voyage.<br />
<br />
The ship radios back that Dutch's boat is acting alone, where is the reat of them? Dutch says that's classified. The other ship ends the call. Dutch says to keep an eye on them,<i> "if push comes to shove, we'll waste those guys and pick up our people".</i><br />
<br />
On board the other ship it is revealed to be crewed by men in full Nazi regalia. The have realised the Black Lagoon is not navy and that it's likely intent on<i>"desecrating the sacred resting place of our brothers".</i> The commander orders the Black Lagoon destroyed and fires wire-guided missiles at them. The boat avoids them, but they have to pull back for now.<br />
<br />
Down below, Revy and Rock have made it past the bulkheads to the non-flooded part which still has breathable air. The place is full of skeletons which freaks Rock out.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy: </b><i>"Rock, what we have here... is a forgotten catacomb. It's what's left of a crew damned to face a grim reaper they didn't w</i><i>ant to met</i><i>. No flowers. No memorial candles... and no visitors 'cause no one remembers 'em."</i><br />
<br />
She says that it reeks of old putrefaction and staying too long will make your lungs rot. Rock asks her what she thinks might have been going through their minds as they faced death. Revy says he is being too gloomy and thinking about it won't do him any good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On board the sub.</td></tr>
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Then they find where the captain was shot by the SS-officer and it appears the crew retaliated and shredded him with bullets. Revu says a ship's crew is like a family, "only outsiders start trouble at time like that". then Rock clears away some dust and discovers the painting. Revy tells him to get it packed up, she's going to take care of the rest. When he queries that she says<i> "a little extra loot will make this trip worthwhile".</i> And she goes off to do some corpse looting while Rock tell the skeleton he doesn't think it's right either.<br />
<br />
On board the Nazi ship the commander gives a pep talk about ressurecting a great world order which had been lost to zionists and communists and they must perform heroic actions to restore racial hierarchy as the norm in society. All the usual neo-nazi stuff as they weep with happiness regarding carrying their own mission to recover the painting.<br />
<br />
Dutch and Benny are watching them through binoculars with some amusement. Dutch says that dipshits like them always fetishise the military.<br />
<br />
<b>Dutch: </b><i>"Take any white trash loser who ignores his own incompetance, but is fixated on living the good life... and you get a goose-stepping asshole in no time. No matter where you go, that's a universal law".</i><br />
<br />
Preach it Dutch. He asks what Benny think, being a white man and all. Benny says he's Jewish <i>"in my family we call 'em 'fuckin' nazis'" </i>As Rock and Revy are still in the wreck all they can do is talk politics notes Dutch. Benny spots them lowering a submersible, Dutch says they can't do anything if Rock and Revy are still underwater.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch and Benny assess the neo-nazis.</td></tr>
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Inside Revy returns with lots of stuff nazi memorabilia collectors will go ape shit for. Rock asks her to leave them behind, <i>"I don't think we hae the right to take them"</i>. The crew left their families to die here, what are trinkets to him and Revu are priceless memories to the dead.<br />
<br />
Revy sits down and holds up a skull and an Iron Cross. She says they are both things, just things. You measure a things worth not by nostalgia and memories,<i> "value is detirmined by a universally accepted unit. Money"</i> A lesson she learned when she was a snot-nosed kid crawling in the gutter. She would waste her time crying and asking God for help that never came, but stopped after the cops nearly killed her for a crime she didn't commit.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy: </b><i>"Their only reason was that I was living in the slums. Whats a little Chink bitch with no power and no God gonna turn to? Money and guns - that's what. When you got both it's smooth sailing"</i><br />
<br />
Rock says he's sorry he brought the subject up. She says that if she wanted sympathy she would have spiced it up some more. She wants him to know what it's like in life's meat-grinder. And she doesn't want the people she works with <i>"start treatin' me like some whore." </i> If Rock starts mouthing off about doing things nice and proper, <i>"you're no longer on my side. And that's when I take out my gun... and kill you."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmvd0e4KQxG3aJ3LH9Pd5vsDpCn8EHj8KCwJ-GahNM3yEYh4Ixeho3zjJxIqnc4_tKm-3rqsJnLbdZ_DFYW8R8AeGZxOdzWXzJFtmj0lrLo8fqFM-gcbExP9kWy0hvRAcvLIOsWZJK98/s1600/blacklaggontwo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1039" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmvd0e4KQxG3aJ3LH9Pd5vsDpCn8EHj8KCwJ-GahNM3yEYh4Ixeho3zjJxIqnc4_tKm-3rqsJnLbdZ_DFYW8R8AeGZxOdzWXzJFtmj0lrLo8fqFM-gcbExP9kWy0hvRAcvLIOsWZJK98/s320/blacklaggontwo5.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle on the sub.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rock starts to say he gets it when a loud clanging sound starts up. Grinning Revy hefts the gun she was given and gets ready to mow down the newcomers. A gun battle commences and Revy, realising they are outnumbered yells at Rock to get their diving gear. They have to quickly fall back and the painting gets left behind and falls into the nazi's hands. Suited up, Rock and Revy escape the wreck.<br />
<br />
Dutch and Benny pick up their beacons but Revy is swimming towards the nazi ship. They say that she is completely out-gunned, she'll be cut to shreds as soon as she surfaces. Dutch says it's too soon to move the boat, he just hopes Revy won't get her brains blown out. She meanwhile has taken out several nazis who followed them out of the wreck. She and Rock surface and then quickly dive back under as the gun on the ship fires on them.<br />
<br />
The nazis mock them then set sail. Dutch finally authorises going after Rock and Revy who they fish out of the water unharmed but with no painting. Dutch fills them in and Revy is pissed<i> "some skinheads pulled a fast one on us". </i> Dutch says they won't stay ahead of them, he and Revy are going to get that painting back.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b> <i>"Let's do it Dutch. The only party those nazi's belong to is the one where they drown in their own blood."</i><br />
<br />
Dutch says he has some bitter medicine for fanatics who think they are on a holy quest,<i> "and we're the prescription". </i>They'll raid the ship when the moon rises<i>, "we'll pound the war drums and hit 'em hard and fast. Just like the navajos. Fuck Wagner."</i><br />
<br />
On board the nazi ship they admire the painting. The commander says it "radiates a splendid magnificience". One of the goons asks why they are expending such resources on this, exceptional as it is. The commander says it's simple, it will be <i>"the philosophical foundation upon which we will firmly establish National Socialism".</i> His Excellency Herr Alfredo and his will of blood and iron will guide them. He is funding them on the condition they succeed with this mission. They may be a small party in the U.S. now but now they will make great strides. The painting won't be handed over in person to Herr Alfredo, they are going to deliver it to a middleman in Madrid who will conduct the verification process.<br />
<br />
On the Black Lagoon Dutch and Revy tool up for the raid. Dutch tells her to go through as much lead as she wants,<i> "I'm buying".</i> He tells Benny to kill the lights and get them fifty-feet off their bow nice and slow. As Revy leaves she flicks Rock in the face saying <i>"catch you later".</i> Dutch asks if their is something going on between them but Revy denies this.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raiding the nazi ship.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They climb aboard and one of the nazis just has time to shout<i> "Intruders!" </i>before Revy blows his brains out. Her and Dutch start methodically making their way through the ship, bullets flying everywhere as Revy unloads relentlessly. After the intial surprise is over, the nazis start fighting back but Dutch and Revy are more than a match for them,<i> "fucking amateurs"</i> says Dutch, <i>"can't you fight half as well as you dress?"</i><br />
<br />
Revy is faced with some crew who put their hands up saying they are just<i> "hired hands"</i> they won't resist, they aren't involved with the nazis. Revy says she doesn't give a shit and mows them all down. Dutch appears and asks what the fuck she thinks she's doing? She says <i>"I'm just having a good time is all."</i><br />
<br />
Dutch grabs her and says that gunmen shoot people for a living,<i> "but killing people for kicks is what a trigger-happy psycho does."</i> He says he doesn't give a rat's ass about her being pissed off but when she fucks up, he dies. She has to stay cool and if she can't do that,<i> "then go up a bell tower and start shooting kids." </i>Then more nazis attack and they shoot them dead before both saying they thought the other was going to shoot them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nazi massacre!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dutch says they need to find their commander. He's on the phone to His Excellency Alfredo saying the grave robbers are being dealt with. The man on the other end of the phone calls the commander <i>"Rachmann".</i> He tells Rachmann has an overly optimistic view and is being disengenuous. And when Rachmann tries to apologise, Alfredo says he doesn't want apologies he wants the painting.<br />
<br />
Revy and Dutch walk down the now deserted corridors of the ship. He asks if she's cooled down now. She seems to go psycho whenever someone new signs on, she was the same when Benny joined. He asks what Rock said to her to make her mad. She says she thought they kept out of each other's business. So he leaves it alone for now.<br />
<br />
They run into a huge nazi called Blitz Stanford. He rants he can make Revy pay for the death of his comrades and starts describing his special gun that only he is strong enough to wield. Revy calmly listens to his spiel about it as she reloads her pistol, then shoots him in the chest downing him. She crouches over him and says<i>, "I'll share a tip with you buddy. Only one thing matters with guns. You shoot and hit what you aim for." </i> And she blows his head off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDFV2dI3tuS6GqTfE-qKkwsGt4FYEtGmi1xwV0EIdKxyJOmI2J2cqJQjtqBSjLU8qdO9gyg8lAfYKV9BXZVgF8YTGVxgAEzxc4XqSzER2dlp3SvjIETbTp91D7Af33bbgvHYMHzDqDIw/s1600/blacklaggontwo8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="969" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDFV2dI3tuS6GqTfE-qKkwsGt4FYEtGmi1xwV0EIdKxyJOmI2J2cqJQjtqBSjLU8qdO9gyg8lAfYKV9BXZVgF8YTGVxgAEzxc4XqSzER2dlp3SvjIETbTp91D7Af33bbgvHYMHzDqDIw/s320/blacklaggontwo8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy is not impressed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That leaves just Rachmann alive as His Excellency Alfredo tells him he's lost. Dutch walks in and tells Rachmann he can finish his call. But Alfredo laughs and asks for Dutch to be put on the phone to him. Dutch tells him he's been defeated and his henchmen were pretty lame. He asks him about the painting, he figures it's not the actual painting they wanted, it's something hidden inside it. And his other hunch is that Alfredo has Dutch's office phone number doesn't he?<br />
<br />
Alfredo says yes he is the man from Madrid who gave him the job. His confrontation with Rachmann was something he desired from the beginning. Not just to test their aptitude, but to ensure an optimal back-up plan with amusement potential.<br />
<br />
The painting itself contains lists of accounts, they hid the information in four paintings and escaped Berlin. The painting Dutch has now is the final one, <i>"I compliment you on you astute intellect, my good jungle bunny." </i> Dutch tells him to watch it saying he has no qualms about throwing it back in the sea. Alfredo says it is of no consequence, he has plenty of other resources at his disposal, this was really a bonus. But a rash action like that might hurt Dutch's reputation.<br />
<br />
Dutch says it sickens him but he's right. Alfredo says it's a pity he isn't white. Dutch says he'll take that as a compliment and he can go back to his conversation with Rachmann. Alfredo says Rachmann's usefulness to him is at an end. Rachmann takes this badly, but Alfredo tells him to shut up.<br />
<br />
Alfredo: <i>"You and the black man were offered identical conditions in this game. And yet, you failed miserably against a man of a supposedly inferior race did you not?"</i><br />
<br />
He tells Dutch if he was Aryan he'd award him the Iron Cross. Dutch says he just wants the money he was promised, <i>"you Gestapo asshole."</i><br />
<br />
Alfredo appreciates the candor and looks forward to the time<i> "you tenacious inferior races are wiped of the face of the Earth". </i> Dutch says he hopes Alfredo burns in hell. Dutch ends the call. <br />
<br />
Rachmann is still alive, Revy tosses him a gun telling him to do the right thing. Rachmann holds it to his head, then points it at Revy and pulls the trigger, but it is empty. And Revy and Dutch both fire upon him. As they head back to The Black Lagoon Dutch said this job had too many close calls and unexpected variables from without and within. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v4auw_xcXDn_WZPcDouE4M21Nt1cXS1VEHuT6HTHttIxEIz8zS1Pr8TxQqGLqtLjX26jsasJ8ZZ4Le2htVsKyl8PUyMI7lkE-vtDwVph47Qdro-pbYqdPeFDs9rNY0MMI1-ZfHtDf-8/s1600/blacklaggontwo9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1059" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v4auw_xcXDn_WZPcDouE4M21Nt1cXS1VEHuT6HTHttIxEIz8zS1Pr8TxQqGLqtLjX26jsasJ8ZZ4Le2htVsKyl8PUyMI7lkE-vtDwVph47Qdro-pbYqdPeFDs9rNY0MMI1-ZfHtDf-8/s320/blacklaggontwo9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy and Dutch bring things to a close.</td></tr>
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Revy tells him to fuck off, but Dutch says he has to worry about a lot of different things. He can't get rid of the bad vibes, it's got to do with the way Revy is.<i> "Lettin' off steam will only get you so far with those feelings of yours" </i>he tells her. Revy says it's Rock, he's too different from the rest of them, he's from another world<i> "and I just can't stand how he gives that off sometimes".</i><br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b><i> "It's not that I don't like him... but there's no way round it, Dutch. I... I can't work with him".</i><br />
<br />
And that brings this arc to a close.<br />
<br />
CALM DOWN TWO MEN: We begin with Revy and Rock driving around Roanapur on what Revy angrily calls a<i> "goddamned milk run".</i> She swears and rages while Rock tells jokes. We jump back in time to earlier that day. Dutch tells Rock to take Revy along with him as there are things the two of them need to work out between them.<br />
<br />
Their first stop is the nightclub that is Rowan <i>"Jackpot" </i>Pigeon's place. He greats them effusively and calls Revy <i>"Rebecca" </i>and asks if she wants to take up his offer of a BDSM show? She tells him to knock it off. They have the liquor order he wanted, it's stored at a warehouse at the port authority. She introduces Rock as a stray they took in and Rowan tells him if he needs help anything don't hesitate to call.<br />
<br />
Then they head to Hotel Moscow and Balalaika who is unhappily watching porn films for some undeclared reason. She asks why they came in person to tell her about the delivery they have for her, Revy says Dutch ordered them to. Balalaika also mentions there is a meeting tonight about someone who is selling drugs without their permission. If they find out anything about it, please let her know. And then Revy and Rock depart.<br />
<br />
The final stop is the<i> "Rip Off Church" </i>where they are to take delivery of firearms and munitions. They arrive and Revy demands to be let in, nearby linens are being stored in a shed outside. Sister Eda comes out and tells them to come around the back way where they meet with Sister Yolanda.<br />
<br />
She does have the items they ordered except for one, the Arwen 32 (a revolver style grenade launcher). This annoys Revy, they place the order for heavy weapons especially for their next gig. Yolanda says that they have the item in stock but another client put in a rush order, so perhaps they can add something different on top or give a future discount.<br />
<br />
Revy wants what the ordered and she and Eda end up pulling guns on each other. Rock then interrupts by complimenting Yolanda on the tea. And he and Yolanda have a short discussion on what makes a delicious brew. Rock compars the company who make the tea with hers, having long historys and well deserved reputations. Yolanda isn't quite sure what he's getting at, so he asks if she is aware drugs are being circulated in the city outside the usual syndicated routes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Rip Off Church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He goes on to say that they have missed the fact religions institutions can easily cross national borders and why would they be storing bags full of linen outside...? Yolanda says it almost sounds like he is insinuating they are the source of th drugs and disrupting the market. Rock says there is also the discrepancy between the number of guns coming in versus going out.<br />
<br />
<b>Rock:</b><i> "If you stop and think about it, it doesn't take long to realise that those little things say a lot... A lot of dangerous things".</i><br />
<br />
He then goes on to say that although the Lagoon Traders and Hotel Moscow enjoy a cordiall relationship, it doesn't mean they cooperate all the time.<br />
<br />
Yolanda calls him quite the charmer and orders Eda to add the grenade launcher to the list saying that Dutch knows his stuff hiring Rock. She leaves to perform a service but invites him for a cup of tea sometime in the future. As she leaves she tells Revy she could learn a thing or two from Rock. Waving a gun around doesn't always help<i>, "there are other ways to take care of business, my dear"</i> Revy just scowls.<br />
<br />
They go for a meal at an outdoor eatery. Revy is sulking and asks for the car keys so she can head back alone and Rock can walk. Rock says no. She tells him to go back to Japan, he's not cut out for this life. Rock says she offered him the job. She says she<i> "fucked up big time."</i><br />
<br />
Rock says if it wasn't for him it would have been a bloodbath at the church. Sometimes weapons don't solve your problems. Revy tells him to watch his mouth Rock says shes been acting this way since the incident on the sub. She tells him to fuck off and not bring it up again. Rock stands up and says:<br />
<br />
<b>Rock: </b><i>"I didn't do anything wrong. There's no need for me to apologise to you".</i><br />
<br />
Revy pulls her pistol out and points it at him. She says she feels sorry for him and asks him what he wants written on his tombstone? He says <i>"Violent Thugs Will Never Learn"</i> and Revy fires. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy has compelling arguments.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rock is fine and has grabbed ahold of her gunhand saying<i> "there are things guns can't solve"</i> and pulls it out of her hand and tosses it away. She calls him a <i>"fucker"</i> he says <i>"I'm not some fucker. I'm Rock." </i>Holding her shirt he says he's had it up to here with her.<br />
<br />
<b>Rock: </b><i>"I thought I was through with sucking up to my boss... but what do I find myself doing next? Kissing up to some girl at the ass-end of the Earth instead."</i><br />
<br />
He accuses her of being obssessed with money, <i>"don't you have... any pride in you at all?" </i>She explodes back at him telling him to get of his high horse, he doesn't know anything about her. He says that's right he doesn't know about her, but what does she know about him?<br />
<br />
She says he has his head stuck up his ass, <i>"Roanapur isn't some dreamland you fantasize about after watching the dollar matinee." </i>There is no pride or honour here, the place is built on blood and bullshit and Robin Hood's out of town. Rock says she can be a Robin Hood or she can spend the rest of her life whining and feeling sorry for herself.<br />
<br />
Revy tells him to shut up, he says go on and keep running in circles like a dog. She cries out <i>"fuck you! This is the only way... I know how to live my life, damn it!"</i> She punches him in the face which he just stands and takes. He removes her fist and reminds her he was left here by his bosses,<i> "just to protect the hand that feeds them and save a little money".</i><br />
<br />
When she first made the offer to join them, something inside him snapped,<i> "something changed completely".</i> He suddenly did not want to live the life of a salaryman anymore. Revy was the one who pulled him out of that ratrace. The reason he's hung up like this is that he can't stand to see the person who taught him so much<i> "spouting the same kind of bullshit that I used to hear from the scum I left behind." </i>He won't stand for it.<br />
<br />
Revy pulls away with a <i>"hmph"</i>. She tells him he's a real pain in the ass and he'll get himself killed if he keeps acting like a stubborn fool. He says she just as much of a fool as he is. They start arguing again when a cop comes up, his name is Chief Watsap. He says he was called to reports of trouble at the market. <br />
<br />
Revy says he collect those envelopes from them to keep a lid on things. Watsap says he doesn't mind what they do, just where they do it. And regulations says he has to take the both of them in. Revy and Rock get in the back of the patrol car. Rock has his cigarette lit by one of the cops up front. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But Rock can more than hold his own.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Revy asks him where he stands, which side does he want to be on. Rock says, <i>"I stand my own ground... and nowhere else." </i>She the asks for a light from Rock and he presses his cigarette to hers and they declare this a <i>"shitty day"</i> and just want to go home to bed. Which brings this two-part arc to a close.<br />
<br />
BLOODSPORT FAIRY TALE: A note to start with, this arc involves two child assassins which we find out are nicknamed <i>"Hansel and Gretal" </i>later in the story. I'll be calling them that from the start to avoid some inelegant terminology. It begins with darkness and Gretal asks who was it who said the <i>"ultimate for of love is cannibalism?"</i> Not Edgar Allen Poe, perhaps it was Richard Matheson. They speak of the aroma of life steaming out, <i>"the very scent of life's very last moments.."</i> Gretal says they have killed five now and some not in the plan,<i> "everyone will come to kill us"</i> says Hansel. And it will be<i> "magnificent".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hansel and Gretal.</td></tr>
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Back at Lagoon Traders, Hotel Moscow call off a meeting with them. Dutch agrees with Revy that some people sure know how to make trouble. Murders have been going on, not unusual in Roanapur but they are when aimed at Hotel Moscow. Revy says someone is trying hard to start a fireworks show,<i> "a lot of blood might end up being spilled before things settle down."</i><br />
<br />
Balalaika is at a meeting with the leaders of the other mobs based in Roanapur. They want to keep things at the equilibrium they achieved with blood and bullets. Balalaika tells Chang she isn't looking to coexist with anyone. After some threats thrown back and forth the Italian mob leader Verrochio says they have deep greivances with each other but should cooperate for their mutual benefit. <br />
<br />
Chang then says they lost one of their own, a member of the triad and one of his direct lieutenants. It was identical to how Balalaika's men were killed. Someone is attempting to tip the scales. After more threats they decide the murders must be from an outsider and the network will cooperate to hunt down the perpetrator. They'll issue a joint statement to avoid bloodshed from misunderstandings.<br />
<br />
Balalaika thinks that's nothing more than a charade, but Chang says he thinks it's not her intention to allow this to take the city apart. Balalaika says she didn't realise he was starting a social club, will they play cards next time? She says she came for one reason, <i>"Hotel Moscow will give no quarter to anyone who gets in our way". </i>They'll hunt down who is responsible, exterminate them and if need be, their parents, children and dog too. And she leaves.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balalaika is pissed.</td></tr>
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In the Yellow Flag bar Rock and Revy are having a drink. They discuss who the killer might be, Rock think it'll be someone like The Punisher. Revy says the city is like a pan full of popcorn, the kernels are heated and they are ready to pop. The barman tells Revy there is a fifty-thousand bounty on the killer, Revy wonders if she should take the gig. She asks the barman is he has any leads, he says no but if the killers are outsiders it shouldn't be too hard to find them.<br />
<br />
Revy thinks that someone is giving them shelter but no one knows who, which is why everyone is paranoid. Suddenly Eda from the Rip Off Church arrives in the bar loudly greeting Revy as she reaches her. Eda hits on Rock, but Revy tells her to get lost. Eda tells Rock he thinks Revy's period is permanently screwed up. Revy wants to take this outside but Eda says she is not here to start a fight. She has some hot leads on a money making proposition regarding the manhunt.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aftermath of a Hansel and Gretal hit.</td></tr>
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She tells them everyone in the mob is on the prowl and now the freelancers are flocking here, it's like a <i>"contract killer circus was in town".</i> One of them ordered and Elephant Gun. She says to ignore them all and hustle before someone else nabs that ifty-grand bounty. Does she have anymore tips asks Rock?<br />
<br />
That morning the Carribean Bar got trashed and Hotel Moscow is on high alert. <i>"I hear fry face was about to blow her stack." </i>We then get a flashback to Balalaika at the scene of devastation. One waiter survived though at death' door. Via him chief Watsap tells them the twins arrived just before dawn, they were identical and freaky looking like they were going to a funeral.<br />
<br />
They said they were supposed to find customers at places Ms. Balalaika operates. They were told to go to the back of the bar. The bartender was reluctant to call Balalaika about them in the middle of the night, sealing his fate. Some Hotel Moscow men come in and Hansel and Gretal attack them with axes and a ridiculously huge gun. There is a gun battle which leaves all but one Hotel Moscow man alive so they take him with them, <i>"let's play with him until our next job"</i>. And they carry him away from the scene of carnage.<br />
<br />
They stuffed him into a parked car and opened fire on the front of the bar until no one was left moving. The car was a black Japanese sedan. They were Caucasian but not speaking English. They called each other <i>"sora mai mare" </i>and<i> "frate mai"</i>. Watsap asks if the bounty applies to cops as well?<br />
<br />
Back in her car Balalaika is angry, she thought her men would be safe in two-man groups. They must have thought <i>"how could children be assassin?"</i> She tells the sergeant to think back to Panjshir, half the enemy forces were children there.<br />
<br />
<b>Balalaika</b>: <i>"Anyone's soul can become fat and lazy. We're no exception".</i><br />
<br />
The sergeant says he'll straighten the men out at once. She tells him to put together search parties using personel direct from Moscow. She says they have eight men K.I.A and she'll never get used to losing one. She will not allow anymore of her men to die at their hands. They will pay with their blood,<i> "we will show them the fury of our vengeance".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pair are irredemable sadists.</td></tr>
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Hansel and Gretal are back where they are being hidden. The Hotel Moscow man is sat dead in a chair behind them. They drove nails into his head and he even jerked around after he died. Turns out it's the Sicilian mafia behind hiring them The two men who go to check up on them are appalled and one of them yells at them that they are supposed to be going after Balalaika not turning her minions into pin cushions. They leave and twins decide they don't like being shouted at and they'll kill the Italians later.<br />
<br />
Back at the Lagoon Trader's office, Dutch says Balalaika is getting ready to call in the Vysotniki. Revy asks if she is planning to turn the city upside down again. Revy explains to Rock that they are her hand-picked underlings who have been with her since she joined Hotel Moscow. She's ex-military herself although most of what is known about her including her real name is hearsay.<br />
<br />
She served in Afghanistan as somekind of officer. The men under her are veterans of that war and the barren hell of that country turned them into efficient killing machines, with Balalaika as the nerve centre. Revy says Rock should have seen the carnage in Roanapur when she was setting up shop there. Dutch says you don't want to be anywhere near her when she's mad.<br />
<br />
Rock wonders if the killers know what they are up against. Dutch says people like that go on an indiscriminate rampage then self destruct. But every once in a while some survive leaving misery and destruction in their wake. They are filled with hate. Revy goes on to say that hate makes them lose track of what it is they are after and in the end they go ape-shit and take everyone down with them. Then Benny hands Rock the phone, it's Balalaika.<br />
<br />
She asks him about the phrases the twins said knowing his previous line of work might have brought him in contact with them. He thinks he heard them from the European branch and he racks his brains trying to remember. Revy is arguing with Benny and brandishes a magazine with Dracula on the front. This finally jogs Rock's memory.<br />
<br />
Balalaika puts the phone down saying <i>"Romanian. The twins are Romanian"</i>. She has an idea that they are not professional contract killers, they were trained for someone's amusement. She calls for Rowan, he might have the clues they are looking for.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile the twins are packing up, they won't be returning to this place. Then they swap wigs and clothes because<i> "brother dearest... it's time to become sister dearest"</i>. They get all their guns and tickets and passports and get on their way.<br />
<br />
Balalaika and Chang meet at the docks. She says she has found out who the twins are. She identified them from a video in Rowan's collection. She asked for anything featuring Romanian twins, kiddie porn, snuff, whatever and out of 250 tapes she found them.<br />
<br />
<b>Balalaika: </b><i>"</i><i>They were kids sold into the black market when the orphanages were shut down after the overthrow of the Romanian government. Ceausecu's bastard children".</i><br />
They were destined to live out their short lives as play things for hardcore sex freaks, but something happened. They were made to particpate in morbid sex acts and frantically learned to kill so they could entertain the sick perverts with each passing night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How to make a sociopath.</td></tr>
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And in time<i> "they drew it all in". </i>Choosing to become trained animals working for the bastard running the video market. Chang says that's quite a sad fate, when he hears stories like that he feels like <i>"I'm walking on a huge mountain of shit".</i><br />
<br />
The twins are circus animals, they killed who they killed because they were in the way. He asks what Balalaika wants and she says why don't they change the towns colours a little. He says does she want another war, she says<i> "think of it as a well orchestrated low-intensity conflict". </i> She asks if he'll join her and he agrees. He leaves telling her to drop him a line when she gets started. Balalaika makes a call saying the triad will be their allies, now.<br />
<br />
She speaks to her sergeant to have the men stand by for action at 1805 hours. They are going to abduct a high profile target and the field will be chaotic,<i> "one hell of a carnival is going to break out in Roanapur"</i> he says. Balalaika says she looks foward to it,<i> "this is the only kind of war we have left. Cherish it."</i><br />
<br />
Back with the Sicilian mafia, the boss is freaking out over Hansel and Gretal's actions. For not killing Balalaika but reenacting<i> "the fucking killing fields here!!"</i> One of the goons suggest they could kill the twins and take credit for dealing with the psychos creating havoc in Roanapur.<br />
<br />
The Boss beats his face bloody screaming the Dons back in Palermo are worried about how thet are doing in this rat-hole of a town. He tells them all to get out there and<i> "bring me that bitches balls, got it?!" </i>Suddenly the twins walk in.<br />
<br />
<b>Gretal: <i> </i></b><i>We've talked it over</i>. We've decided to save the borscht for the main dish... we'll have the macaroni as the appetiser".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pair turn on their employers.</td></tr>
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And that is a cliffhanger which will be resolved in the next volume. Lots of interesting stuff going on in this book. The battle against the neo-nazis and Dutch's assessment of them seems more relevant in this day of the "alt-right" exploiting aggrieved masculinity than it was when it was first written and drawn in the early noughties. It's cool seeing Dutch front and centre to that arc and being a bro with Benny. The otherwise excellent anime adaptation tended to sideline those two characters and focused on Rock and Revy. It's not all mindless action either, we get a very satisfying two-parter where Rock proves his worth to the team simply by sipping tea and making inspired inferences. It also works to allow Rock and Revy to deal with the issues they have had with each other and their relationship starts to evolve from outright antagonism to belligerent sexual tension from now on. The Rip Off Church will also play a larger role in forthcoming arcs with Eda a woman as skilled as Revy with guns and just as hot tempered. The first parts of the last arc give us more insight into Balalaika and Hotel Moscow and the devotion they have to each other. The twins are sociopaths who only know beauty in death with heavy necrophiliac and incest overtones to them. It's a grim history they have, will that be enough to see them offered a second chance at life? Find out in a few days time with the conclusion.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-7585152987269403192018-03-02T00:03:00.000+00:002018-03-15T21:21:30.726+00:00Black Lagoon Book 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"By God, we sure picked up... quite a character" </i>- <b>Dutch</b><br />
<br />
Time for another all manga month and a half, and this time I'll be doing the seinen comic <i>Black Lagoon</i>. This tells the tale of the Black Lagoon company of pirate mercenaries who operate out of the South China sea and are based in the fictional Thai city of Roanapur, a wretched hive of scum and villany. The team is made up of Dutch, the leader and a Vietnam vet, Benny a computer whiz on the run from the FBI and Revy "Two Hand" a firey tempered woman who is an expert with every kind of gun. They travel around in an 80-foot "Elmco-tyoe PT Boat", the titular Black Lagoon. The series is written and drawn by Rei Hiroe and ran throughout the noughties before going on hiatus for a few years. Those stories were collected in nine "tankabons" and after a five year gap a tenth volume has been released. All of them shall be covered. This collection contains the first story, <i>"Black Lagoon" </i>where they gain a new member of the team, <i>"Ring Ding Ship Chase"</i> an excuse for Revy to show her stuff and <i>"Rasta Blasta"</i> where they get caught up in a more dubious scheme than usual. They also work closely with a scarred Russian woman called Balalaika who runs the Russian mafia there named <i>"Hotel Moscow"</i> and whose members are all veterans of the Afghanistan war. The setting for the series is actually the mid-nineties, although that doesn't make a huge amount of difference it's probably to make the various war veteran's ages more realistic. This is a very violent manga with a lot of bad people and morally dubious actions and attitudes on display. If that's bothersome to you, skip this month and come back for superheroes in the second half of April. The rest of you strap in it's going to be a bumpy ride. <br />
<br />
[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
<br />
BLACK LAGOON: It starts with a punch in the face delivered by Dutch to a Japanese salaryman. The Japanese boat has been hijacked and the Black Lagoon company have been tasked with collecting a disk of information from Asahi Heavy Industry. The Japanese were on the way to hand it off to their Borneo branch. Nursing his bleeding nose the Japanese man says he's told them everything he knows, while Revy suggests kneecapping him. But Dutch believes they have heard enough.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy and their hostage.</td></tr>
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Benny tells them he's picking up a Philippine naval vessel so it's time to get going. Dutch lets the rest of the Japanese go, but Revy decides to bring the one they punched in the face with them. Dutch calls Balalaika and tells her he has the disc. Pleased she tells him to bring it to the hand-off point.<br />
<br />
We then cut to the boardroom of Asahi Heavy Industry. They have been contacted about negociating the return of the disk. They believe the Russian Mafia are interested in Asahi's trading partners, <i>"they're hoping to get in on the covert trade deal we're currently planning. Otherwise they'll go public with verifiable evidence of our shady dealings."</i><br />
<br />
They debate letting them come aboard with their activities but decide it's not worth it, they can't put any faith in them. They have information from a local Chinese expatriate that the disk isn't in the hands of the Russian Mafia yet, it's still in the hands of the pirates who raided their ship. They decide to send some <i>"specialists"</i> to use any means neccessary to recover or destroy the disk.<br />
<br />
On the Black Lagoon, Dutch and Revy are arguing about her bringing along the Japanese man, she thinks they can sweeten their cut of the deal with some ransom money. Dutch says how the hell are they going to sort that out and an enraged Revy starts firing at the terrified man. <i>"Revy, get a grip! You're ruining my boat!" </i>yells Dutch. He gets her to calm down and she stomps off.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch and their hostage.</td></tr>
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Dutch sits with the Japanese man and they both smoke Dutch's ciggies. He tells the Japanese man that after they hand off the disc they'll contact his employers and have them take him back. The Japanese man asks if they know what's on the disk, because he doesn't.<br />
<br />
<b>Dutch:</b> <i>"Don't know. Don't want to know. Snoops get themselves killed quickly in my line of work."</i><br />
<br />
Dutch gets up saying they are making a drop off at a bar at port. They'll leave him there and hopefully he survive long enough for his company to come collect him. Left alone, the Japanese man whimpers, <i>"Oh dear God..."</i><br />
<br />
Back at Asahi Heavy Industry they chairman is told that an employee is being held hostage. They have already contracted mercenaries from a group called <i>"E.O."</i> and they decide that they'll leave the employee to his fate, his name is Rokuro Okajima.<br />
<br />
The Black Lagoon company are drinking in the bar they are handing the disk over in, Rokuro is with them and Dutch says it's a bit of a weird name. Rokuro says the bar is<i> "like the last bar on Earth"</i>. Dutch says he likes that, it was opened by an ex-South Vietnamese soldier and was at first a hideout for deserters, but before long all sorts of drifters started congregating there.<br />
<br />
<b>Dutch:</b> <i>"Hookers, junkies, merc, contract killers... the worst kind of outlaws you can imagine. Not your kind of place? Eh, Rock?"</i><br />
<br />
Rock says he'd take a night out at a Japanese bar over this. Dutch leaves to make a call and Rock asks what he just called him. Dutch says Rock is a cool nickname. Benny then tells Rock that giving people nicknames is what Dutch does.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny.</td></tr>
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Benny tells Rock he's been with him two years and <i>"all I can tell you is that he's tough, intelligent and unique".</i> Rock says Benny seems an odd fit for this crowd. Benny says he worked at a university before getting both the FBI and the mob pissed at him. Revy chimes in saying she saved Benny's ass and pours herself a barcardi before taunting Rock about not being able to keep up with her drinking. This annoys him and a drinking game commences.<br />
<br />
Dutch is on the phone to Balalaika who tells him thanks to a <i>"Chinese rat"</i> she wants the drop-off point changed to Palawan instead. The Chinese man says he was leaked the information by the elder of the <i>"Sun Yee On"</i> and now there is a hit squad sent by the Japanese coming to Thailand. The outfit is called <i>"Extra Order"</i>, and as the Russians execute the rat, Balalaika tells Dutch to <i>"make sure to watch your back."</i><br />
<br />
But then Extra Order barge into the bar tossing a few grenades first to clear the way. While Revy calmly drinks the others take cover. The bar owner, a man named Bao, pulls out a shotgun and asks Revy if she knows anything about this. Which she denies. Rock starts having hysterics, Revy tells him <i>"quit whining dipshit. Life's a ride. Might as well have some fun... or you'll miss out. Mr. Japanese." </i> And balletic bullet-filled gun fu ensues.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy in action.</td></tr>
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Dutch tells Rock that they should split up here, but Rock freaks saying he'll die so take him with them. Dutch says what the hell and orders Revy to clear the way. They make it outside to the car and as they drive off Revy tosses grenades at their pursuers. They get the mercenaries off their tale and Revy tells Dutch that Bao blames them for the mess and they better cover him for it or he won't let them back in, "and he'll weld our assholes shut". Dutch laconically says they better ask Balalaika for a raise.<br />
<br />
The Extra Order captain is told that the bar shootout resulted in sixteen dead and eight seriously injured. This pleases the Captain who says that <i>"these badasses can actually put up a fight". </i> After previous gigs being boring and unchallenging he's been waiting for something like this.<br />
<br />
The Black Lagoon is sailing towards Palawan, Dutch tells Rock that if they can't contact his company they'll drop him off in Malaysia. Rock gets pissed at the thought of just being abandoned after all they have put him through, but Revy explodes at him, holding a gun to his head telling him they aren't<i> "your fuckin' taxi service." </i>Then Benny gets through to Rock's employers.<br />
<br />
Rock apologises about the loss of the disk, but the voice on the phone tells him <i>"there never was any disk and you're already dead. Understand?" </i> The disk was regarding nuclear technology with a proposal submitted to a certain country, as the U.N. bans alls such technology transfer to this nation the disk's very existence must be denied. So for the good of the company <i>"accept your fate with dignity and perish in the South China Sea for us." </i>And he hangs up on the horrified Rock telling him that all the senior management including the C.E.O will attend his funeral as we see Extra Order boarding an helicopter gunship.<br />
<br />
Rock runs and pukes over the side of the ship, Revy doesn't understand why he is so shocked, <i>"Jesus, they're only your employer right?"</i> Then Benny calls her through her earpiece saying he's picking up something approach and it's too fast to be a boat. And the gunship flies overhead. It locks on and starts dropping charges on them. Revy grabs the antitank rifle and shoots back. Rock tells her that <i>"Rambo shot one of those down with a bow and arrow".</i> She swears back at him, she can't get a clear shot while Dutch janks the boat to avoid the charges.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gunboat versus gunship.</td></tr>
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Rock puts on a life jacket and decides it's time to leave, but Revy starts punching him saying he has to pay for the life jacket. As she sits on him he points at the gunship overhead and more charges hit the Black Lagoon. But then it pulls back. Inside the Captain says he's letting them go up the Palawan straits as he wants to see them<i> "cry and piss their pants in terror."</i><br />
<br />
On board the Black Lagoon the crew are wondering why the gunship has stopped attacking. Benny says they must be missing something... Then they realise the channel is full of reefs and they'll have no room to run, they've been herded into a trap. The crew put their heads together trying to figure out what to do, after a moment of panic, Rock suddenly has a crazy idea.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newly christened "Rock" has an idea.</td></tr>
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He asks if there is a rock formation they could launch off, a makeshift ramp of somekind. Dutch says there is a shipwreck at the end of the channel, and Rock grins saying<i> "we could just blow them to the moon."</i> Benny says that could work. Dutch says only if they come at them straight ahead. Rock says that watching them made it clear they got a kick out of chasing them around, and they pulled back to watch them squirm in their trap. <i>"If we play chicken with them, they'll bite for sure" </i>he says, but it's Dutch's call. Dutch says he can't believe he picked up a nut like Rock, <i>"but sure it kicks ass. And that's important Rock."</i> And they make ready.<br />
<br />
The gunship comes back around and starts firing at them again. Revy keeps firing at them to get them playing chicken. The Black Lagoon approaches the shipwreck at full speed and in a bitchin' double page spread launches itself into the air and smashes into the helicopter while Rock gives a triumphant middle finger and a hearty <i>"FUCK YOU!!" </i>as the helicopter explodes.<br />
<br />
The crew are battered and bruised and Rock has been knocked out, but they are all in one piece. Revy and Dutch look down at Rock with what almost looks like fondness. Later the four of them hand off the disk to Balalaika she thanks them before noting they all look terrible.<br />
<br />
She then passes the disk back to Mr Kageyama, there on behalf of Asahi Heavy Industry. He says they'll negociate terms back at his office. He tells Rock he's earned his pay, now it's time to go home.<br />
<br />
<b>Rock: </b><i>"Okajima's dead and gone from your world. You said so yourself. My name... is Rock."</i><br />
<br />
Kageyama takes this in his stride and drives off. Balalaika gets in her car and tells Rock it would be a shame to see a tough guy like him wither away as a salaryman. If he ever needs help he can rely on her. Dutch asks Rock what he plans to do now. Rock says he knows of an outfit looking to hire a crew member, <i>"they're couriers... and every once in a while they break the law. That sound about right?"</i> And with Rock now the fourth member of the team we close this feature length first chapter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balalaika (top) and the new Black Lagoon crew.</td></tr>
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RING DING SHIP CHASE: Now a single chapter story of normal length and really just an opportunity to show as many guns and explosions as humanly possible. Rock has a megaphone and is using it to tell the crew of the ship Saint Jones that it would be in their best interests to comply quickly and halt their vessel. They refuse so Revy uses a rocket launcher to make them change their minds. They give in and Dutch tells Benny to tell the <i>"Chan Wai Bang people"</i> that they can take the ship wherever they like before the law shows up.<br />
<br />
Back at port they are relaxing, Dutch pops out leaving Revy in charge. Outside a man called Mr. Chen pulls up and asks Dutch<i> "just how long are you going to work with that sly, fry faced cunt?"</i> He means Balalaika. He tells Dutch that ever since the Russians moved in his business has been suffering. He tells Dutch to get out of business with her, but Dutch tells him <i>"even bad guys gotta have some principles, you dig?"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch turns down someone.</td></tr>
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He says Balalaika is better at keeping her word than Chen, he'll ship Chen's goods if Chen agrees to his terms and that's all there is to it. Chen shouts after him that<i> "regrets always come later, you know?"</i> Dutch tells him there won't be a next time if Chen hangs him out to dry again. Back at the office, they have a job picking up some embezzled goods a Phu Quoc island courtesy of the Vietnamese Island.<br />
<br />
Inside the car, Revy complains that running errands isn't going to get them anywhere, Rock is still in his <i>"white collar monkey suit".</i> Rock says he's not low on funds, he wears it because he likes it. She grumbles that she bought him a hawaiian shirt the other day and he isn't wearing that. Rock says because it's tacky. And they continue arguing. They are being watcher and one observer reports in to Mr. Chen who says <i>"looks like they've fallen for our trap"</i>. He tells a man called Luac that if they do this right they'll get a cut of anythig going in Kalimantan.<br />
<br />
On board the Black Lagoon, Revy is teaching Rock how to tie various knots. She asks him what he did at his job, he says he was in the <i>"materials procurement department"</i>. His job seemed to mainly consist of bowing to everyone and having to go out drinking after work and take abuse from his superiors. Revy wonders how he put up with it. Rock just shrugs say he didn't want to end up on the street. He asks Revy what she did before this.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b> <i>"What I did in the past is no different from what I am now.... it's the truth. I stole. I killed. I did all sorts of vile crap. My story ain't worth shit."</i><br />
<br />
She looks somewhat sad by this confession, but to brighten her mood is the news from Benny that they are being chased by several river boats and the<i> "stench of blood and gunsmoke"</i> cheers her right up.<br />
<br />
Luac radios Dutch to taunt him. Dutch tells him to pull back but Luac says he's sees <i>" a shitty old PT boat runnin' for a fay stack of cash."</i> Dutch realises Chen must have talked him into coming after them. Luac just gives his men the order to <i>"flank that fucker from both sides!!"</i> Unfortunately this results in two of the boats shooting each other in the crossfire.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revy in one-woman-army mode.</td></tr>
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More boats appear so Revy loads up with guns and starts singing Rob Zombie songs while jumping from boat to boat shooting and killing and generally blowing shit up. She methodically takes out each boat and crewman in a ballet of blood and metal until only Luac is left. He tries to flee, but she loads a grenade round into a launcher and blasts him into oblivion before he can get out of range. Rock is amazed. <i> "No sweat" </i>says Revy.<br />
<br />
We cut to Chen in a panic, trying to get away before Balalaika tracks him down. Too late, her and some of her men appear. He babbles that she's got it all wrong and they can just sort things out over dinner. She breaks his nose:<br />
<br />
<b>Balalaika: </b><i>"Listen to me you miserable turd... there's nothing you can tell me. I know what I need to know. Start praying. Because that's all you have time for before you die."</i><br />
<br />
The Lagoon crew are back at base again, Revy moans that they wasted perfectly good ammo on that run. Balalaika calls Dutch and says she heard Chen had been playing games with him. He confessed it himself and we see him sitting, tied to a chair with a bomb under it. <br />
<br />
She says he was quite talkative for someone running a conspiracy which he'd been trying to run on everyone in town. She says she'll make sure this never happens again, it<i> "must have caused you quite a headache." </i>Dutch says not really. But she replies that he's sweet but she has for him a little <i>"muzyka for your ears" </i>and she holds out the phone so Dutch hear the detonation of the bomb under Chen, which pleases Dutch. She says she'll have more work for him soon and rings off.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balalaika does Dutch a favour.</td></tr>
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Rock asks what business they were talking about, Dutch just smiles and says<i> "business is booming".</i> Then he tells them that as their employer it's his duty to provide them with some recreation. So it's time to head over to The Yellow Flag, drinks are on him. As they get ready, we end with Revy yelling at Rock that because they are off the clock now he must put on that Hawaiian shirt!<br />
<br />
RASTA BLASTA: The story begins in Venezuela. A shadowy figure of a woman in a dress with braids is pointing a gun at a man who says to her that the kid isn't there anymore, <i>"they took him along with the heroin last week!!" </i> They must be heading for some market now. In response she executes him.<br />
<br />
We then cut to the Black Lagoon and the boy in question, Garcia Lovelace, throws ice-cream in Revy's face calling them <i>"villains"</i>. He wants off the ship right now. Revy pulls her guns but Rock manages to stop her doing anything rash. Revy and Rock go back to the cabin and Dutch says to Rock<i> "the kid's going to be sold off, so we can't have anything broken in transit. Watch over him alright."</i><br />
<br />
We cut to a street corner in Roanapur, Thailand. The braided woman asks directions to <i>"the absolute worst bar in town." </i>A place where all the gangstars hang out. Back on the ship Garcia has chucked pizza in Rock's face who sighs and asks if Garcia could stop throwing food around.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garcia Lovelace.</td></tr>
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Garcia says that Rock seems different from the others, <i>"I suppose I'm a scoundrel in training, you might say" </i>replies Rock. Garcia says the Manisalera cartel who snatched him wouldn't tell him anything but he guesses he's about to be sold off to the highest bidder. Rock sits next to him and confesses there are<i> "parts of this job I don't like either". </i> But he can't change things.<br />
<br />
Garcia says he isn't scared because he knows his father will come help him. Rock says he thought Garcia was an orphan. Garcia says the cartel told them lies. His father is one of the thirteen families of South America. He's Diego Lovelace head of the family and Garcia is his son and heir. Rock says he must be lying, but Garcia says why would he at a time like this?<br />
<br />
His family wasn't comparatively well off, but their plantation was doing well. But gangsters came and wanted to buy them off their land due to the mineral deposits the geology surveys had found there. His dad refused to deal with them and that's why he is here. Rock is still dubious, but Garcia tells him all the information about the rare mineral. Rock goes and tells all this to Dutch who agrees something odd is going on. Rock says the cartel people are lying and that means trouble is brewing.<br />
<br />
Revy asks if his bleeding heart is doing the talking and Rock says he feels sorry for the kid, but having a client lie to them bothers him. Dutch asks Rock if the story is really true and Rock says he used to work in the materials procurement department at his worl so he knows a lot about elements and minerals. What the boy says about the Lovelace family is true and matches their dossier on all the South American families.<br />
<br />
Dutch doesn't understand why they snatched the kid and then lied to get him sold off when they could ransom him. Revy say they are selling the kid off because,<i> "nothing gets mobsters frothing like having shit slapped in their faces."</i> Dutch decides they need a back-up plan and calls Balalaika to get more info on the job. He calls her asking for info in the Manisalera Cartel and the Lovelace family. She says she'll get the info and deliver it to Dutch at the Yellow Flag bar.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta sits and waits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Which we then cut to, the braided woman in a maids outfit has asked for a glass of milk. When this requests is rebuffed she asks for a glass of water, the barman says she has to order alcohol. Revy then comes to the bar and orders a coke. When the barman queries this she says it's not for her. She then looks at the maid, who looks at her and Revy snaps,<i> "what? What are you looking at? Does my face amuses you or something'?"</i><br />
<br />
The maid says no and Revy snarls that she shouldn't look when she should be drinking. The maid squeezes her glass so hard it shatters much to the surprise of the barman. Revy brings the coke to Garcia somewhat ungraciously. Dutch says he's seen kids act more mature than her. She says she doesn't remember being asked to babysit.<br />
<br />
Revy starts taunting Rock about being Garcia's servant, Garcia says his house only has one attendant. A maid called <i>"Roberta"</i>. He points at Revy and says if she took her on Revy wouldn't stand a chance. Revy laughs hysterically saying what would she do, throw tea sets at her? Rock asks if he's seen Roberta fight anyone. Garcia says no, but she would arm wrestle him for fun and always lose, except for one day the gangsters came to their house.<br />
<br />
<b>Garcia:</b> <i>"The moment she found out about them, she went stiff. I tried to force her arm back with my usual strength but her arm was like steel. That's when I realised... Roberta was losing on purpose. There was some reason she was pretending to be a frail maid."</i><br />
<br />
While he tells them this some men affiliated with the Manisalera Cartel come into the bar saying they know she's been asking after them and that in her get up she got herself noticed.<br />
<br />
She tells them she is in the employ of the Lovelace family and tha<i>t "a certain upsetting incident transpired.. leaving me struggling to maintain proper decorum. You must forgive me." </i>This amuses the cartel members, but she raises her umberella and fires something out of it that sends the men flying and gets her noticed by Rock and the others. Garcia says in shock,<i> "that's Roberta..."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta kicks off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile Balalaika has acquired the information on the Garcia family as requested. She looks at the photo of Garcia, his father and Roberta and Balalaika says she doesn't like the look of Roberta's eyes. Her sergeant says she has the eyes of a soldier, but Balalaika says it's worse than that, <i>"she's a genuine mad dog."</i><br />
<br />
A gun battle ensues between the cartel members and Roberta, he umbrella is made of kevlar allowing her to defend herself against gunfire. The Black Lagoon compant decides to make themselves scarce. Dutch says they'll leave Garcia behin, <i>"I'm not walking around with a landmine aimed right at me."</i><br />
<br />
Rock tells Garcia, who is looking distraught, that if he waits here he and Roberta can go back to Venezuela. Garcia says to Rock that he didn't know Roberta was like this. The cartel leader notices Rock and Co. and demands to know why they haven't shipped Garcia off yet. At this Roberta sees Garcia there and she tells him his father is very worried about him.<br />
<br />
<b>Roberta:</b><i> "It's only natural that you might find me frightening. I shall explain later. I have some affairs I must attend to. Please wait a moment."</i><br />
<br />
She then notices who he is with and points her umbrella at them. This makes Revy grab Garcia and hold a gun to his head telling her to back off. Rock shouts at her saying she's acting like the bad guys."<br />
<br />
The cartel leader gets annoyed that he's being ignored, Roberta says she can't agree to Revy's terms. She <i>"intends to carry out my duties as stipulated by the Lovelace family creed." </i> She then speaks Spanish which translates as picking up a sword the execute justice, to<i> "smite vile rogues and deliver death as punishment" </i>to arrive at the altar of saints.<br />
<br />
She and Revy exchange fire and Revy takes a glancing bullet to the shoulder which knocks her out cold. Dutch yells at them to run as he picks up Revy. Garcia looks tearfully at Rock and asks him to take him with them. Rock scoops him up and they all make their getaway. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garcia is shocked by this side of Roberta.</td></tr>
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The cartel leader says he remembers her spiel from before, she's the <i>"Bloodhound of Florence." </i> He's amazed that she is still alive since she left Farc four years ago,<i> "everyone from the Medillin cartels to Interpol's been after your ass." </i> She has a four million dollar bounty on her head and he's hit the jackpot. She just says she has no reason to let him still live and curtesys dropping several grenades in the process. <br />
<br />
She walks unflinchingly out of the explosion as the Black Lagoon company get into their car not quite believing what they see. She manages to get onto the car roof using a combat knife as an anchor. She and Dutch exchange fire and they end up driving into the wharf which is a dead end.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Balalaika gets an update on the situation that the Yellow Flag is half demolished and both the Black Lagoon crew and The Hound are missing. But they got a report of their car headed for the port, so Balalaika says she'll lead a team to the port and hangs up. She says that this might turn into a proper fight and it's been a while,<i> "playing Mafia tends to make us lazy and slow."</i> She owes Dutch a great debt so she rallies her men saying <i>"cock the hammer... it's time for action!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberta just keeps coming...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back with the Black Lagoon crew, they managed to get Roberta off the car but she reappears causing Rock to exclaim <i>"what the hell is she made of?" </i>Suddenly Revy wakes up in a rage.<br />
<br />
<b>Revy:</b> <i>"This hurts like hell!! I'm gonna kill that fucking bitch!! Where is tha goddamned skank!! Well?! Well?!! Is she dead? Is she still alive?! Well?!"</i><br />
<br />
Dutch says she's in luck, Roberta is still alive. She and Roberta then stand facing each other ready to duel. Roberta taunts Revy and the bullets fly. Revy gets into melee range and they exchange blows. But then Balalaika and her men appear and she tells them that it's time <i>"you two gave it a rest."</i><br />
<br />
She tells them Hotel Moscow had planned on waging war against the Manisalera cartel and neutralise their operation but she's been saved a job here. Back in Venezuela the cartel's headquarters are in the process of being crushed, so everything has worked out. The abduction of Garcia is a moot point so there is no good reason the two of them should fight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balalaika breaks things up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Revy says <i>"I couldn't fucking care less"</i> and Roberta agrees. But Balalaika pulls a gun saying it was not a request, it's an order. Garcia then runs up to Roberta and says he's fine, they can go home and he doesn't like seeing her wave guns around. Balalaika says she wonders how the Bloodhound feels about this. When Garcia queries what she means Balalaika fills him in.<br />
<br />
Roberta is a former Farc guerrilla trained in assassination ops in Cuba. Wanted internationally for kidnapping and murder, and is even linked to a U.S. embassy bombing. <i> "A true, dyed-in-the-wool terrorist" </i>finished Balalaika. Garcia asks if this is all true and Roberta says it is, telling him there are things in the world that he was better off not knowing about.<br />
<br />
She says she believed her cause was just and believed in the coming dawn of the revolution. She fought countless battles and killed many people. But after drenching so many nights with blood she finally realised she was not a revolutionary she was nothing more than a<i> "guard-dog, bound to gangsters and their cocaine fields."</i> Farc aligned themselves with the cartels and <i>"sold their souls out of greed."</i><br />
<br />
She deserted the militia and Garcia's father was kind enough to take her in, he'd been a close friend of her father. When Garcia was kidnapped she only knew of one way to come to his rescue and that was to take up the identity she has cast aside long ago. <i> "To be a 'blood-hound' or be a 'guard dog'... as someone who was once seen only as an obedient dog... this is the only way I can repay my debt."</i><br />
<br />
Garcia runs up to her as says she isn't a dog. She's part of his family, her old self died somewhere previously and <i>"she made amends for her sins before she died." </i> This has nothing to do with her now so can they please go home. She wipes away his tears saying <i>"a boy musn't shed tears so easily".</i><br />
<br />
Balalaika says it's all worked out then. But Revy says while those two have their <i>"fuckin' happy end.. what about this nasty hole in my shoulder?" </i> Balalaika says she could just grin and bear it, but Revy says she has a score to settle, that's how things work in their world. So Dutch suggest they fist fight with each other until it's settled. Garcia agrees, telling Roberta not to let that <i>"nasty woman defeat you". </i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girlfight!! (sorry)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So Roberta and Revy square up and Roberta uses the old<i> "your shoelace is undone"</i> trick to get the first hit in. They then lay into each other furiously as Balalaika and Dutch make bets on who will be left standing. Rock tries to break the fight up, but both of them tell him to <i>"piss off!"</i> Finally both of them, exhausted, knock each other out in a double K.O.<br />
<br />
Garcia runs to Roberta who woozily wakes up and apologises but he says she has nothing to be sorry for. He helps her up and when Dutch offers Garcia says he can take care of her himself. Balalaika tells her Sergeant to see to their injuries and escort them to the airport and if any remaining cartel members intefere to deal with as he sees fit. Roberta asks if Garcia can fetch her glasses, he asks why as she doesn't need them but she says she needs them so she can be <i>"true to you young master".</i> And it ends with a final image of Rock, Dutch and Benny trying to revive the unconcious Revy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've not seen the last of Roberta..</td></tr>
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So an explosive start to the series here. First of all I must complement the artwork, Rei Hiroe manages to blend more "realistic" western style comic book art with the more expressive elements of traditional manga in an utterly seamless way. His highly detailed style explains his somewhat slow output but collected like this it's quickly obvious that his work is worth the wait. He choreographs gunbattles and fist fights with awesome kinetic energy that makes reading the book a thrilling experience, so major props there. As for the characters we have an interesting bunch and no mistake. Rock and Revy are designed as the main characters fairly early on, Rock acting as a sort of morality pet, while Revy embodies the opposite end of the cynicism spectrum. She's also my favourite character, between her and<i> Madoka Magica's</i> Kyoko Sakura I obviously have a thing for embittered blood knights who like wearing tank tops and short shorts. It's interesting having such a morally grey set of characters, but we can still root for them because the people opposed to them are even worse. Balalaika also emerges as a very interesting character too, a steel fist inside a velvet glove, who in the process of crushing all the other organised crime cartels and triads and so on, nevertheless honours her working commitments to Dutch and appears to be just the sort of person you want on your side despite being the local Russian mafia. Obviously we will learn more about the characters as the series progresses, Revy especially has already let slip a dark and troubled past exists for her which explains why she is the way she is. Rock also has hidden depths as shown already by his decision to abandon the tedious world of the Japanese salaryman for adventure on the high seas. The Roberta arc is fun (er, if you can get past the fact it starts with them trafficking a child hostage), as Dutch says when Balalaika shows up <i>"we've got the three most fearsome women in the world here",</i> as all three embody the darker aspects of being "badass". Anyway we've kicked off this month in style, join me in a few more days for more Black Lagoon.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-54145231072989805922018-02-25T03:59:00.000+00:002018-02-26T17:22:50.441+00:00Clean Room Book 3: Waiting For The Stars To Fall (#13-18)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"Fuck, oh fuck. We're stuck here"</i> - <b>Chloe</b><br />
<br />
Ah once again apologies for a late posting, been tech apocalypse for me lately. Got the scanner working again, the laptop remains at the menders, anyway we wrap up this ladies month with a story by Gail Simone the final six isues of what promised to be season one of<i> Clean Room</i>, so apparently it's not gone for good except nothing bar a single tweet from Jan 2017 said <i>Clean Room </i>would be back. This is a complex tale which revolves around two very different women. The first is Astrid Mueller, when she was a young girl she had an accident that ever since has allowed her to see monsters that are disguised as people or living inside them or attached to them. When she grew up she formed a Scientology style cult with the revelation of what lies out there given to those who attain the highest echelon. The second woman involved is Chloe Pierce, whose boyfriend was a member of Astrid's organisation and killed himself up learning the awful truth. At first Chloe was determined to figure out what the scam was being performed by Astrid but she gradually found herself part of Astrid's world. One way is that she too can shape the visions of the titular Clean Room where patients of counselled about the terrifying thoughts and visions he creatures are giving them as Astrid manifests the beings inside there. But last volume, Astrid was nearly assassinated by her brother Peter, Chloe is able to heal her via a friendly one of the aliens called Spark, who also saved Chloe from the ministrations of The Butcher back in her home as well. The last book ended with two of Astrid's "rooks" implicated in the assassination attempt and Astrid looking at her baby niece and seeing a monster instead. That's the most important stuff that happened, but these books really are cramful of events also you might notice that the main artist is no longer Jon Davis-Hunt but Walter Geovani, more thoughts on that in the conclusion. Anyway, lets be getting along.<br />
<br />
We start with a chubby middle-aged man called Mr. Tubbins being dropped off by a mountain path where he carries a briefcase to a muscular young man called Mr. Webber. Tubbin's shows a picture of the mutated creature that is Astrid's neice. When Tubbins tells Webber who the aunt is, Webber thanks him and tells him to do the right thing and as Tubbins throws himself off the cliff, Webber ponders the existance of<i> "a child." </i>Then we get a full page of his face in which the left side is horrificially mutilated.<br />
<br />
Back at Astrid's HQ, The Honest World Foundation in Chicago, Duncan and Killian the two Rooks who betrayed Astrid are called in to see her in The Room. Both are forced to wear uniforms that newbies wear, and when confronted by Astrid, she quietly demands to know if they know what they have done. When they tell her why, Ducan saying he wanted to save his boyfriend from "unimaginable torture" while Killian says they let the entity go free because he saved them:<br />
<br />
<b>Astrid: </b><i>"</i><i>No. The answer is that you betrayed me."</i><br />
<br />
She contemplates how to punish them and demands to know their worst memory. Duncan says the first man who ever loved him was killed by a snipers bullet in Afghanistan, he had to as him off him. Killian says it was discovering her mother dead from ovarian cancer aged fice. Astrid stalks out leaving them in the room saying they are going to relive those moments. But she can't go through with it and runs back into the room, she hugs them both saying <i>"forgive me. Forgive me."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astrid apologises to Killian and Duncan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She pulls back and recovers her composure and tells them they are on probation, their previous loyalty and service has been more than adequate. Io her assisstant is surprised, she's never seen Astrid apologise to anyone. After checking out some potential new Rooks none of which measure up, we cut to Chloe having a barbecue with the three Haverlin brothers who are her neighbours and Avil her new boyfriend. They clink beer bottles and drink to <i>"loyal trustworthy friends."</i><br />
<br />
Then Astrid shows up with Io and Capone. Chloe reacts badly to seeing her saying she has brought nothing <i>"but death and misery to my life"</i> so she should get lost. But the Haverlins say she isn't being neighbourly and that everyone is invited to their cookout. Astrid cautiously asks <i>"I'd like a wiener please, kind sir". </i> When Io says she'll get her some water, Astrid says in fact she'll have a beer.<br />
<br />
The two women with her are amazed because they have only ever seen Astrid do things like eat crackers with a knife and fork. Astrid sits down and apologises for the interupting, she says Chloe has a nice life:<br />
<br />
<b>Astrid:</b> <i>"What you said about pain all around. That is the cost, Chloe. That is the cost of having your eyes opened. I can't close my eyes again. Can you?"</i><br />
<br />
She goes on to say she has one friend in her life. Her name is Anika from New Mexico. The beings took her up at age seveteen and experimented on her for amusement. Now her right side is that of a young woman and her left side that of a one hundred year old crone<i>. "No reason. No motive. They did it to be mean. A lifetime of pain, waking up each day wanting to die. It made them laugh".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astrid attends the barbecue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chloe asks her why she is here now and Astrid asks her to come and be her Rook, "you have gifts they do not. Come help me save the world." Chloe stammers that she can't leave the life she has here. Astrid says she'll give the life she has purpose. Chloe says will she answer her questions. When Astrid says she'd have to be cautious about that, Chloe gets angry and straight out demands to know who the entities are.<br />
<br />
Astrid pauses then lets out what she knows. The entities come from another place, she isn't sure if it's another dimension, galaxy or even hell itself. But they have been here a very long time. Earth is a distant outpost,<i> "their devil's island."</i> The entities they send here are the outcasts of their species, the sadists, the torturers and the rapists. Their culture has no death penalty and so they are sent here where they can live without supervision,<i> "because we are no sufficiently advanced to matter."</i><br />
<br />
Chloe asks why they bother if they are so advanced, and Astrid says thet are bored, <i>"thousands of years in a lightless cave, only us to torment. Waiting for something." </i> She exhorts Chloe again to come with her and she'll show her what they've waited for.<br />
<br />
We cut to the Clean Room. Inside is Astrid and Chloe and a baby of around a year old. Astrid asks Chloe what she sees and Chloe says she sees a beautiful little girl. Astrid addresses the child asking if she has something she wants to say to her? The baby erupts into a monstrous being hurling threats and obscentities at her finally say<i>s "we're coming. We're all coming, bitch monkey!" </i>Then it mentally forces the guard with them to shoot himself in the head before saying to Chloe,<i> "Philip says hello". </i>Philip being her dead fiancee's name.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe meets hell baby Derica.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Outside the institute, a skinny man with long hair dyed like Astrid's and a pink T-shirt with <i>"#1 Astrid Mueller Fan" </i>on it holding a bunch of balloons with Astrid's face on them is trying to get into the building. He is being rebuffed for not having an appointment but he says it's important she talk to him because he's her number one fan.<br />
<br />
Back in the Clean Room, Astrid is her usual unflappable self while Chloe is freaking out at what the baby is telling them, that they plan to make a bridge out of humans. She thinks to herself:<br />
<br />
<b>Chloe:</b> <i>"Just one time I wanted to be Lois Lane. I just wanted to do important work. Reveal the kind of massive truths that could actually help people. I didn't want to see any deeper than that. Not really. Fuck me. Too late. Too late."</i><br />
<br />
We get a lovely double page spread of said human-bridge with the baby saying they'll walk on their faces wearing shoes with nails in all the way home<i> "and there are so many of us, Astrid. So many."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Flag! Red Flag!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chloe demands to know why they hate humans so much, humans are already scared of them so what does this achieve? The baby holds up a brick and says<i> "because the cow goes moo, Chloe." </i>Then it tells her she was pregnant when her fiancee killed himself, and her baby is dead now<i> "while a monster like me lives to do the most awful things".</i> Chloe finally now realises how Philip, who had seen so much brutality in Afghanistan and Iraq was unable to continue his life after finding out the truth behind the monsters, <i>"I see it now, humanity gone, everything good in ashes and fire."</i><br />
<br />
Then the hell baby causes the dead guard to rise up and start speaking with Philip's voice as it mocks Chloe. Astrid decides it's time to put an end to this for now and orders a <i> "damn"</i> big shockwave to be sent through the child monster knocking it out. Astrid puts out a comforting hand to Chloe who suddenly notes she hadn't heard Astrid use a curse word before<i>, "I think you were worried" </i>she smiles at her. Then she tells Astrid to repeat after her<i>, "Fuck. Shit. Dick." </i> Astrid manages to say <i>"Intercourse. Feaces. Thingie" </i>and they embrace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ95gPTGLAC98jKd4mC946iUuKllYwl1I65B5LKzehAvyvkC6P4KHnXebnPDfAPkYHJq1CnkTvh6BHdz5uOlci3IbdLerC64UaaJJ7wpO0f2mrNXhhX62VB8tpytd4rgZeOZRGaEoI6g/s1600/cleanroomthree5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1175" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZ95gPTGLAC98jKd4mC946iUuKllYwl1I65B5LKzehAvyvkC6P4KHnXebnPDfAPkYHJq1CnkTvh6BHdz5uOlci3IbdLerC64UaaJJ7wpO0f2mrNXhhX62VB8tpytd4rgZeOZRGaEoI6g/s320/cleanroomthree5.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derica gets zapped.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chloe kisses her on the cheek and thanks her for shutting the hell baby up, "that's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. Maybe for anyone." Astrid orders the hell baby to be taken back to the catacombs as it won't be out cold for long. Then she is informed about the #1 Fan. His name is Artus Greenhand and he is obssessed with her. He is in the<i> "watch out for"</i> file. He maintains a website full of weird fanfic of him and Astrid being soul mates. Astrid says she has no time for a deluded fan, but he knows about the child and he knows how to kill it,<i> "but he says time is running out."</i><br />
<br />
Astrid decides to get Chloe to evaluate Artus. Chloe is the only other person who can bend the room to her will and Astrid is needed elsewhere. Reluctantly Chloe agrees and takes Killian as her Rook to help her:<br />
<br />
<b>Chloe:</b> <i>"No more slacking on the job Killian. You and I are going to fuck these space hemorrhoids up."</i><br />
<br />
Inside the room, Chloe plants a big kiss on Killian's lips (Killian is a lesbian with a huge crush on Chloe). Having done so she feels more confident while Killian is left somewhat weak at the knees <i>"you could kill a girl with lips like that"</i> she says. Then Artus is led inside, his hands double cuffed, and he calls them "critters."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQOhWDS6CBfuiToWg8SP56qs_wpbyqpBdD2pvS3cZr9IOxeWWdDAdSuwwqq9RMbKMFibgIXpcVd3M4efWQ_6dvQ3iiUZaxE7o-qsyUYEeB9BJAecoW8kRu1q4Kw_ZXtrRicosa-80ujw/s1600/cleanroomthree6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1165" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQOhWDS6CBfuiToWg8SP56qs_wpbyqpBdD2pvS3cZr9IOxeWWdDAdSuwwqq9RMbKMFibgIXpcVd3M4efWQ_6dvQ3iiUZaxE7o-qsyUYEeB9BJAecoW8kRu1q4Kw_ZXtrRicosa-80ujw/s320/cleanroomthree6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe smooches with Killian.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile Astrid is at the Institute Sick Bay where her brother Peter is securely strapped to the bed. He wakes with a start, and Astrid says she needs to ask him about Derica, the name of his neice the hell baby. He rages that she must keep her hands of her, that she is normal and fine. Astrid says she is not and he knows she is not and he is going to help her figure out how to <i>"kill her and burn the ashes".</i><br />
<br />
Inside the Clean Room Artus is getting overwhelmed about being close to things Astrid has touched. He says he was expecting to be questioned by her, but Chloe says she is doing it so what does he know and how does he know it? He says he is a hunter but one day:<br />
<br />
<b>Artus:</b> <i>"I got scratched Dinged up right fierce. Almost bled out, right there. Since then, well I bin havin' all kinda revelations."</i><br />
<br />
He says he can show them, so Chloe uses her ability and the Clean Room transforms. To show a woman bound to a chair and gagged with lots of red haired wigs behind her. Artus is seems is a serial killer of prostitutes,<i> "they're just women. Loose women. Critters is what they are."</i><br />
<br />
Then the Artus of the vision comes into the room with clippers ready to shave the woman. Killian says they aren't ready to see this and to take them back. But Chloe says they have to stick it out to find out what he knows about the child. So vision Artus shaves the woman's head and staples a red wig to her scalp. Chloe can't take his enjoyment anymore and punches real Artus then kicks him in the head when he is downed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artus gets a well deserved pwning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Killian notes that's not how Astrid would have handled it, but she says <i>"I heartily endorse your methods." </i>Artus says he had a vision of the babe and how to destroy her, but he sees how it is. Meanwhile Peter has admitted the terrible truth behind Derica, he joined an organisation which he thought was good and kind. But they were all literally fucked by the aliens because they thought they were chosen ones. And Derica was born.<br />
<br />
Back in the Clean Room real Artus rises saying he won't help them now and he's felt the room calling since he walked inside. So he takes control of the room and going home and leaving them trapped inside with the vision version of himself which can now see Chloe and Killian who points a gun at them saying<i> "well, well, well. Lookie what we have here. Critters."</i><br />
<br />
We then take some time out for a look at how Astrid's organisation genuinely helps people in need, art by Sanya Anwar. We see a man and a woman attending Trinity College. The woman is reading a biography of Lewis Carroll, the man comes and flirts with her and when she says she never reads fiction he hands her Astrid Mueller's book then they go for a pint. We get a whirlwind of images showing them together including getting married then we see her alone in bed <i>"years later I knew what it meant to be bereft. To be alone in a strange place".</i><br />
<br />
Suddenly she hears her husband Ian calling her name, "Mary" and she sees him come into the room missing half a leg and with a smashed open skull, "and then I started screaming and forgot to stop, somehow." She keeps seeing him again in her daily life, unable to let him go because he keeps coming back. She tried to read Astrid's novel which is three hundred words with no punctuation<i>, "legend was that if you read it all, you gained tremendous personal power or went insane." </i> She decides it's not for her and gets Astrid's new book.<br />
<br />
She also goes to therapy,<i> "because this morning, in the shower? Ian handed me the soap"</i>. Her therapist says it's grief related psychosis, her brain is putting him in places he used to be. But Ian is standing behind her, and he's never been in this place before. She gets prescribed anti-depressants. <br />
<br />
She loses her job and nearly loses her mind when she sees a meeting of the Honest World Foundation taking place. She goes inside and they treat her with kindness immediately. Ian appears and says he doesn't like this place, he sounds afraid like she'll abandon him despite that being exactly what she wants to do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HDL174ag-gKtP4Fe2jGFg1m3ID72m8p1Af5A_HbzLkBEg35QA0AIqwojth0k30G6-W_Pn3skLbDBhl0F6LpqrMWKa3KTRKKvqhope9aM2pfJEc1JiyxKIEy3bhEJdY2GHGIEAASOJwI/s1600/cleanroomthree8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="987" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HDL174ag-gKtP4Fe2jGFg1m3ID72m8p1Af5A_HbzLkBEg35QA0AIqwojth0k30G6-W_Pn3skLbDBhl0F6LpqrMWKa3KTRKKvqhope9aM2pfJEc1JiyxKIEy3bhEJdY2GHGIEAASOJwI/s320/cleanroomthree8.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary is special! Honest!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She sits in a one-on-one with a handsome young man. He asks her some questions before hitting her with asking her if she has thought of fucking him since she came into the room. She finally admits <i>"a little".</i> He says that's fine and continues asking her innocuous questions mixed with personal ones. Finally he checks her evaluation and is surprised and brings in some others. Then he goes to her and says she has <i>"unlimited potential. Mary you could change the world."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Mary:</b> <i>"They looked at me and saw me for what I really am. What I could be. I couldn't wait to go through the adept program".</i><br />
<br />
She journeys to the organisation's HQ catching Chloe leaving in a fury which happened in volume one. Inside she is shown to a dorm room. She is ordered aroun by a Rook called Terry but Astrid comes in and says to go easy on her as it's her first day.<br />
<br />
Mary tells Astrid that she changed her life, Astrid gives her a long look then says she is glad. Then she says she is there to achieve her potential and "enjoy your new life Mary". She attends meetings everyday, does visible volunteer work, hand out Astrid's books in the street a lot of which are taken by the homeless for warmth. She is a <i>"stone cold believer"</i> by now.<br />
<br />
When they hear one of their group is being made a Pawn, everyone celebrates. But when he comes back to the dorm that night he doesn't smile and cries all night. Next morning he's gone and they weren't supposed to speak his name again. Then she is told she is to do be an assisstant Eval technician. They must listen to the person then say that the eval can't be right, then get a senior supervisory adherant and speak to them quietly then tell the person,<i> "we've never seen a reading like yours. It's off the scale. Never even heard of one like this"</i> and they then finish by saying they have unlimited potential and can change the world.<br />
<br />
This reveal upsets Mary a lot and she starts crying often too. Then she is called to meet Astrid and her new second-in-command. She goes into the Clean Room and meets Astrid and Chloe. She tries to explain herself but Astrid says it doesn't matter, she says Mary has been lying and time to see what it was all about.<br />
<br />
The Clean Room changes to a bridge her husband died bungie jumping off,<i> "the bereft day"</i> Mary calls it. As they look upon Ian and Mary about to jump Astrid tells Mary that Ian suffered from depression, delusions and more.<i> "His good natured spirit covered worlds of pain"</i> she says. Ian tells Mary that he's cut both of their lines so it will look like they were irresponsible<i> "it's the only way Mary. The only way out".</i><br />
<br />
Illusiory Ian jumps, but Mary doesn't. Astrid says that was the only time she didn't follow him. Real Mary says she should have jumped too. They look upon Ian's broken body and Astrid says he wanted away from life that badly. <i>"You can owe allegiance to love, Mary. But this is not that"</i> Astrid tells her. Then she says she spoke to Ian, and he told her he's glad she didn't jump,<i> "he wants you to be happy. He wants you to be free."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary faces her worst day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mary jumps up mentally thanking God for bringing her Astrid Mueller. Astrid tells her to say goodbye and tommorrow they will find her a new place in her organisation. As Mary cradles Ian's body, Chloe says to Astrid she can't speak to the dead. Astrid says she lied.<br />
<br />
<b>Astrid</b>: <i>"A kind person was being quietly destroyed by something that wasn't even remotely her doing. Don't you wsh someone had cared enough to done that for us?"</i><br />
<br />
And that ends this interlude with Mary making her peace over Ian's death.<br />
<br />
We start the next chapter with Chloe talking with Philip outside their house. He says beer, hot scary lovemaking and looking at the sun coming up<i>, "it's never going to be anything better than this".</i> Chloe says he doesn't know that, he says if Astrid Mueller's right... but she cuts him off saying can't he shut up about that woman and enjoy the moment? He says her message seems to be enjoy what you have and make the most of every moment, but...<br />
<br />
<b>Philip: </b><i>"Shame I'm just the ghost of a memory and you're about to be shaved and slaughtered with a bad wig stapled onto your head. 'nother beer?"</i><br />
<br />
And we return to Killian and Chloe trapped with the memory of Artus in his killing basement. Killian says she thought the Clean Room showed memories not<i> "timey-wimey bullshit" </i>and she moves to take down Artus. But Chloe tells her she saw someone attack Astrid with a knife in the Clean Room and when it became reality again she was still bleeding,<i> "I don't know if it's a dream or what. But dead is dead either way". </i> And Artus grins.<br />
<br />
Elsewhere Astrid is visiting hell baby Derica. The crib is wired up so <i>"let's try and keep this civil." </i>Derica stands up and says she smelled Astrid's<i> "stinkwater" </i>as soon as she walked in. Derica offers to show Astrid love and acceptance. Astrid says she likes being alone. She tells Derica she doesn't frighten her. Derica says she will in time, they have such wonderful plans<i>, "we were supposed to rule, but instead, we're exiled here with your filthy herd."</i> They are going to<i> "troll for souls... we're going to break you from the inside."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Evil plan of Evil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It'll start small but strange. Twenty-four hours with no TV, internet or radio. Then they'll bring it back but with videos of what make them laugh. Then a plague of bus crashes around the world, including school buses. Then dropping plans out of the sky. So many shots of broken bloody bodies that people will get numb:<br />
<br />
<b>Derica: </b><i>"They won't stop looking, but they won't really do anything will they? You are a spectator society."</i><br />
<br />
The President will give a speech about the need for courage and declaring martial law before putting three bullets in his wife's head. They creatures won't announce themselves we let humanity think they did it themselves. <br />
<br />
As she starts to leave Derica says she's not the first person with the visions, how many people they have pushed over the edge into mental asylums. They did it by going after everyone they loved. Quickly Astris calls Io and orders each Rook to be guarded by two Bishops and she wants Duncan and Killian around Chloe at all times. Io has to break the news that Chloe and Killian are missing and Duncan didn't come in today. All Astrid can say to herself upon hearing that is,<i> "fuck."</i><br />
<br />
In a hospital a doctor is called into a room by a nurse and is greeted by the sight of a man with a horse's head causing him to say<i> "my God"</i>.. The nurse then slashes the doctor's throat saying <i>"it's time for the opposition party"</i> Then the TV's go dead. Elsewhere The Butcher has come for Duncan, but Duncan has set a trap for him with the three Haverlin brothers armed with baseball bats surrounding the Butcher as he stands before Duncan.<br />
<br />
Calmly the Butcher says he thinks he can take all of them, but Duncan has a secret weapon <i>"White Mist", </i>the perfume Astrid wears. He splashes it into the Butcher's faces who screams like it's acid. Then the Haverlin brothers lay into him with gusto. After a sound beating which leaves his head crushed and mangled the Butcher cries for mercy. Unfortunately that's not going to happen and beating round two commences.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baseball bat time for The Butcher.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ms Capone, another of Astrid's Rooks is met by two men who say they need to take her to a safe room. But she blows the head of one who explodes into a monster, she takes it on while also taking a phonecall from Astrid who says she needs her. Capone finishes off the creature and Astrid tells her to go to her private sick bay<i> "please protect my heart."</i><br />
<br />
We see Anika in bed, she of the half a body belonging to a one hundred year old. And her loyal caretaker bears down on her saying she has surprise for her, a secret she's been keeping a long time. In the Clean Room Artus is ranting about leaving the <i>"bitchcritters somewhere thet don't want to be</i>". Astrid's mission control, Raven, tells her what's happened and also that there is chaos in the building with several fatalities and some floors lost contact with, <i>"they're here, Astrid. They're in the building.</i>"<br />
<br />
Astrid orders an evacuation and that everyone should get home to their loved ones. She thanks Raven for his service to her and says goodbye to him. In the sickbay the carer shows Anika the shoe she was wearing when the aliens took her up. She herself <i>"personally supervised what we did to you. To ruin you. To rip open your soul."</i> The carer starts to transform, but gets an axe to the head courtesy of Capone. With the carer dead Capone says they are getting out of here, somehow.<br />
<br />
Astrid enters the Clean Room and asks Artus what she can do for him. He rambles on about the room speaking to him, but now they belong to a "godly man, as they rightly should." If Astrid agrees to be hims and lets him teach her how to behave proper he'll bring the others back. When he says she ought to know how to cook, that it's the way to a man's heart she scowls and says "is it? Let's just see."<br />
<br />
We begin the next chapter in a normal suburban street, everyone's net and TV's have gone off and people have wandered into the street with an old man noting<i> "there's something wrong with the stars." </i> Back with what's left of the Butcher who has been taped to a chair so Duncan can question him, he tells them it is going to rain blood. Then everyone will eat each other alive. <br />
<br />
The Haverlins say that won't happen, people stick together. The Butcher says maybe they will but what about Duncan? And also Astrid's kingdom is collapsing and she will burn. Duncan uncorks more of Astrid's perfume and asks what they can do to stop the end from happening.<br />
<br />
In the Clean Room Artus tells Astrid his story, that a<i> "wildcat"</i> got the better of him, and he died on the hospital table. When the doctors saved him he could feel <i>"the gears of the universe grinding all around me". </i>The Clean Room called to him, it wants him in charge not Astrid. Astrid says she make him take her to them. He sneers that this should be interesting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artus thinks he's in control...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In Artus's memory, Chloe tells him this isn't real just a thought from his future self. Artus asks what does that matter? Chloe says it means they can change things. She starts to cut the bound and gagged woman free despite Killian saying she can't save someone who is already dead. Artus jams his revolver into Chloe's back saying he'll be having fun with her.<br />
<br />
In the suburban street the people see an old woman with blood all over her front come walking up saying <i>"bad dog. bad dog."</i> You love and feed them and then they attack you and she reveals one of her hands is missing. Back at the Institute Derica's guards have been killed and a man in a hoodie walks over to the hell baby. It is Mr. Webber. he says he sculpted his face to please the exalted one, ie: Derica. Who asks to be taken to see Astrid once last time because she wants to rip her open. Webber carries Derica away saying <i>"your will be done mistress."</i><br />
<br />
In the street the woman missing a hand has collapsed. Everyone is freaking out and a young boy points at one of the women can yells that he saw her skin change, that she was pink and had claws "she's not human." Everyone backs away from her as she says it's ridiculous. One of the men whispers to his wife to go fetch his gun sharpish.<br />
<br />
In the Clean Room Artus says he's going to take a trip through Astrid's worst memory. We see young Astrid, still on crutches after the accident that triggered her ability to see the aliens. He father puts a hand on her shoulder, but he's actually a horrific monster. She says she will tell everybody about him, everyone will know the truth. Her not-dad says who will believe her? As for her father the demon hugs her saying<i>, "I ate him, darling. Right down to his dirty fucking toes."</i><br />
Artus mocks her and Astrid says that when she was twelve she took a kitchen knife and stabbed the creature twenty-one times. Artus has one last chance or she'll disassemble him. He says she doesn't scare him she's just a critter:<br />
<br />
<b>Astrid:</b> <i>"Yes. That's apt actually. Because sometimes you need a beast Artus. And I am that beast. And this room belongs to me."</i><br />
<br />
And she regains control. Artus cowers in front of her and demands he tell her where they are and forces it out of him, <i>"that wasn't so hard was it?"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...he was wrong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They all end up in Artus's memory. Chloe is so happy to see Astrid, Astrid says since meeting Chloe she has apologised to three people, intentionally embraced three people and uttered a vulgar curseword aloud, "how could I not come back for you?"<br />
<br />
She demands to know from Artus how to kill the entities, he begs her not to make him tell. With quiet fury she says she will MAKE him remember his death. Right now his victim is going to stab him and he will die on the way to the hospital<i>, "death is outside and his voice is thunder"</i>. If he doesn't tell her how to kill the entities he will leave him in this moment for all eternity.<br />
<br />
With her foot on his face he says <i>"exoduction"</i>, the have to abduct the child entity and then exorcise it. Unsatisfied, Astrid leaves Artus at the mercy of a black spikey creature and the memory fades away with him trapped inside it. Astrid, Killian and Chloe are safe back in the Clean Room.<br />
<br />
In the suburban street the woman the child accused is being restrained while she protests she's been their neighbour for years. She has a shotgun pointed at her and the man holding it demands she start talking. We cut to the child who did the accusing and he's actually a monster himself. He smirks to himself as three shots ring out telling his sister he's sure they'll be fine.<br />
<br />
The Institute is being evacuated, but Avil, Chloe's police detective boyfriend runs inside to find her. He meets up with several of the faithful who don't want to abandon Astrid, including Mary from the interlude. In the Clean Room Chloe is a little shocked at Artus's fate at being left alone with his death. There are moths everywhere. She tells Chloe she can see the entities not because she nearly died but because they reveal themselves to the people in the most pain.<br />
<br />
<b>Astrid:</b><i> "It's grief. A child in a coma. A woman whose fiance killed himself.. that's there catnip. It's their heroin."</i><br />
<br />
Chloe says they have to exorcise they child, and Astrid says they'll come to us. Raven is still in mission control. She asks him to bring them two Earl Grey teas and to play some Chopin while they wait. He says it would be his honour as he wipes away some tears.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the end.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chloe says that they are coming to kill us and that Astrid knew about this and she let people thing this was just a cult and she was a liar. Astrid says people would never believe the truth. She then tells Chloe her most pleasant memory in ages was having barbecue with Chloes boyfriend and friends,<i> "hot dogs and potato salad and an ice cold beer, the night sky overhead. It was so delicious it felt like my first meal as a free woman." </i> It was food people east when they can look up and see only stars and not carry those stars on their shoulders.<br />
<br />
In Southern California, an automated warning has gone out from Astrid to her<i> "Blue Utopians"</i>. They have a card that will allow them entrance into a nearby sanctuary which is good for two approved persons. They will be safe but the rest of the world won't be so fortunate.<br />
<br />
Derica and Marcus Webber are walking through the institute, with Derica directing Marcus along the way. Marcus says he worships her kind and waited for her birth. He mutilated his face to present a more fearsome visage and emulate her race. <i>"Very good. And you will rip out Astrid Mueller's heart for me, yes?" </i>Marcus says it will be his pleasure.<br />
<br />
Raven brings the tea, he asks if they should be evacutating as the building is on fire. Astrid says she knows, she was the one who set the fire. She wanted to to work in isolation with the people she... and she tails off. <i>"Trust?"</i> says Chloe. <i> "Yes trust. Thank you Chloe"</i> says Astrid. Then she says they're here.<br />
<br />
Derica and Marcus are at the door to the Clean Room and Derica unleashes a torrent of vile abuse and threats to get her to open it. Then Capone appears behind them and opens fire. Inside the Clean Room, Astrid notes her <i>"splendid loyalty."</i> Duncan and the Haverlins are also fighting their way through the Institute too battling the creatures as they appear.<br />
<br />
Capone is getting beaten up, Killian asks to go out and help her, but Astrid says Capone knows she is expendable. Capone rips off Marcus's bottom jaw, then a knife flashes. Astrid says it is time to open the door and thankfully the person outside is a battered and bloody Capone with a knife in her stomach. She collapses over the threshold and Derica walks in past her saying <i>"she killed my creepy pet Aryan".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capone is severely injured as Derica enters the Clean Room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Derica says she found her way in. But Astrid says she actually let her in. She has a Dr Hagen on the phone and she tells him it's time to<i> "blow their goddamn city into the Atlantic Ocean, please."</i> Hagen tells them he will do so, and from his large boat he fires a huge cannon blast into the sky (this isn't a total deus ex machina, we saw this is book one). Derica demands to know what she did:<br />
<i><br /><b>Astrid:</b> "Well, it's a bit complicated. I waited until your mind was elsewhere, you see. Then I had the worlds horniest genius blow a hole through yur invisible city. It's going to the bottom of of the sea, I'm afraid."</i><br />
<br />
She then tells Derica to be quiet, and they start to exorcise her by reciting Catholic rites at her. A huge moster bursts out and says, <i>"don't you try that Catholic shit on me Astrid Mueller! We wrote half that damn book." </i>Then everyone else arrives, Avil, Duncan, the Haverlins. Chloe is happy to see Avil but she grins at Killian and tells him <i>"you might have to share a bit."</i><br />
<br />
They then reveal the secret weapon they have, which is Spark the good alien. And as Astrid recites more words of banishment, Spark completes the ritual and sends the being "to before there was time." Astrid tells Spark she may have misjudged him. She orders Capone get medical attention and the fire get put out. Chloe tells Astrid,<i> "holy shit, you saved the world. I'm still a reporter. People are going to know."</i> But Astrid says that won't be the case at all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spark helps banish Derica to a time before time began.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And so Chloe, on Astrid's orders, became Judas Iscariot. Astrid didn't want Chloe to make her into a deity, she wanted her to destroy her. Better to tell everyone she was a fraud than demons tried to kill everyone:<br />
<br />
<b>Chloe:</b> <i>"So I went on the box and said everything she'd said was a scam, a lie. That she was a thief and common criminal. And then I went home and cried for three days. And never quite liked myself again. Not completely."</i><br />
<br />
Killian and Avil come by and that helps, no one has seen Astrid in over a week. She started reading Astrid's infamous novel, the one with no punctuation, the one that gives you either total enlightenment or drives you insane. She's halfway through,<i> "can't wait to find out which way I go."</i> And this brings this volume and the series overall to an end.<br />
<br />
I'll comment on the art first because I think losing Jon Davis-Hunt (poached for a higher profile gig I believe) hurt this story quite a lot. His clinical detailed precision worked brilliantly for the ordered world of Astrid, and although Geovani gives us great monsters, his panels where people are just talking are ill blocked and lacking in detail. Narrative wise, personally I thought all the stuff with Artus dragged the story down. I'd much rather have seen more incidents of the beginning of the apocalypse instead. I also didn't like how passive is made Killian either, although I enjoyed Chloe acting on her attraction to her after two volumes of Killian's clumsy flirting. That said there is still much to recommend here. We are once again given a very strong female character in Astrid who can smack down serial killers and save the world with practised ease. And was evern allowing herself to be martyred in the court of public opinion to explain what all the strange goings on where about. I also would have liked to know abit more about Marcu Webber and how he came to know of the hell baby, his story seemed potentially much more interesting than Artus's. But I carp on when overall I liked it, liked the different women in it, all badass in their own right and the premuise was imaginative and if there is no more Clean Room which looks likely, it did at least not end on a cliffhanger but wrapped its plot threads up fairly neatly.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-7001659862685939302018-02-14T08:10:00.000+00:002018-02-14T08:13:04.329+00:00The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Book 4: I Kissed A Squirrel And I Liked It (#7-11)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F0u7ZTLeRo_VorTmIZ0UjpW5PE_N1AgtyOno0cP-klqQrTp9SqPonf53bRoQcOQj1DqvM6xeA40QjUGnyl0RuUrbxyb-q7QwJ-RvlAoKz66LHqGiqTY-7QVWBzlAJlncfwcH3DGvwOo/s1600/squirrelgirlfourcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1057" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F0u7ZTLeRo_VorTmIZ0UjpW5PE_N1AgtyOno0cP-klqQrTp9SqPonf53bRoQcOQj1DqvM6xeA40QjUGnyl0RuUrbxyb-q7QwJ-RvlAoKz66LHqGiqTY-7QVWBzlAJlncfwcH3DGvwOo/s320/squirrelgirlfourcover.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<i>"Heed me well. Squirrel Girl. Your boyfriend now belongs to me!"</i> -<b> Mole Man</b><br />
<br />
Ladies month continues and it's Valentine's Day as well. So what better way to deal with this special day than seeing how Doreen Green aka Squirrel Girl deals with the wacky world of online dating. Squirrel Girl has the strength and agility of a squirrel and can also speak to them. She has a constant squirrel companion called Tippy-Toe as well. In her non-superhero life she is a computer science student along with her best friend and housemate Nancy, who is a very down-to-earth normal human regularly dragged into Squirrel Girl's daft adventures. Squirrel Girl picks up an unwanted admirer in the main three part arc in this book with a one-shot involving her dreaming about using her advanced math skills to defeat various villains and another a "choose your own adventure" where you, yes YOU can be Squirrel Girl. The series is written by Ryan North and is mostly drawn by Erica Henderson. Jacob Chabot draws issues #11 but manages to stay true to the style of the book. As per usual, the previous issue's events are summarised by a twitter feed and the letters pages have been left inside the trade which I am going to say for the zillionth time is a brilliant idea that more comics should do. Anyway enough of that, let's continue with a chance to take a walk in her very comfortable shoes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stylish Galactus.</td></tr>
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We begin with Galactus dressed in a smart gown supping on a cocktail. He tells us that we are about to experience no ordinary comic, it is <i>"nothing less than a Squirrel Girl Simulator".</i> We get to be Squirrel Girl and he gats to judge how well we do at it. If we're a sucky Squirrel Girl he'll eat the entire planet. So the fate of the world rests in our hands...<br />
<br />
It starts with her facing a villain called <i>"Bonehead" </i>causing trouble at a farmers market. The choices are to physically attack him, which doesn't work or send squirrels down his pants which does work. Then Squirrel Girl checks her twitter feed and she has two options: help detective Corson take on<i> Doctor Yes</i> who wants to hold the world to ransom with a killer disease. Or help him fight the eldritch god <i>Quoggoth </i>in Central Park, who <i>"wants to bring gibbering madness to this fallen realm".</i><br />
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Choosing to battle Quoggoth brings Squirrel Girl to a giant many tentacled being with lots of eyes. Squirrel Girl says all those eyes make it have<i> "100% weak points." </i> But Quoggoth wraps her in a tentacle saying he can stop her getting to his eyes. It can't stop a hundred squirrels though and Tippy-toe and friends attack. This defeats Quoggoth, releasing Squirrel Girl and allowing it to be arrested.<br />
<br />
Choosing to take on Doctor Yes finds her facing off against a man holding the only sample of<i> "Deathbringer 8000, a Doomsday virus of my own invention". </i> If his ransom demands aren't met he'll release it. Squirrel Girl asks him if it works on squirrels. Doctor Yes says of course not, so Tippy-Toe grabs the virus capsule and eats it. Doctot Yes is arrested and Detective Corson says thanks no matter which path you took. The other incident also being resolved<i> "through good old-fashioned police work".</i><br />
<br />
Squirrel Girl and Tippy-Toe carry on with their day. Suddenly they hear a buzzing noise. Squirrel Girl has two options, either investigate or go home and study. The study harder path unfortunately leads to a non standard gameover as she forgets to fight any crime and also eat.<br />
<br />
Investigating the buzzing noise takes her to the supervillain <i>"Swarm"</i> a man made up of a swarm of bees. He says he has done his research and knows her weaknesses. He planned his attack for today when all other heroes had been lured away so by the time he returns he'll have taken over New York. Squirrel Girl has two options, attack with punches; which doesn't work. Or attack with squirrels, which also doesn't work.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some choices to make.</td></tr>
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So that leads to two more options. One in which she gives up, <i>"I've decided being awesome is boring and stupid! Apparently" </i>and that leads to gameover as the bees take over the world. Or she decides to never give up. Two more options appear. To try and resolve the situation without violence or to eat nuts and kick butts.<br />
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Unfortunately he is resistant to both her rhetoric and her butt kicking capabilities. Squirrel Girl is vexed to find she is losing<i> "this never happens"</i> she says to Tippy-Toe. But then she realises that they can summon a hero he wasn't prepared for,<i> "the unsinkable Koi Boi"</i>. He either ignores his phone which results in gameover, or he answers it and agrees to come help.<br />
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There are several options now. Koi Boi and Squirrel Girl lure Swarm to the sea. Or make like beekeepers and smoke Swarm out. Or use pollen to take control of the bees. The smoke option doesn't work as it is used to make bees gorge themselves on honey from a burning hive and <i>"there's no honey here, heroes!" </i> This results in a gameover as does the attempt to use pollen to break his telepathic hold on the bees.<br />
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Fortunately the option for Koi Boi to splash Swarm with a giant wave does work, weighing the bees down and causing Swarm to fall apart. They sweep the bees into rubbish sacks and take them to the local police station saying the bees aren't bad just Swarm so if they keep the bees apart in a well misted cell with lots of bee treats they should be OK. She also hands over the queen bee in a jar who she thinks Swarm lives inside.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combined they beat the Swarm.</td></tr>
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As they leave, Koi Boi asks how she got mixed up in all this and she has the choice of recounting the whole adventure including every single path where it could have gone wrong. Or she says it's <i>"kinda irrelevant right now". </i> She and Koi Boi agree they make a good team, then he says they have to get back to studying and she groans about why fighting crime has to be more fun than<i> "achieving academic goalsets." </i> We also get a special cheating bonus ending by cheating, which is Squirrel and Tippy-Toe fighting Swarm in the Iron Man armour.<br />
<br />
This issue wraps up by returning to Galactus eating Earth. But he says it's actually a cake he decorated to look like a planet using the power cosmic. Also he doesn't need to eat planets now, he has a "life energy inversion thig going on". Anyway he wasn't paying attention much but if we got this far we must have been a <i>"pretty rad Squirrel Girl so good job on that."</i> He leaves us with a cut out n'keep coupon saying how rad we are at being Squirrel Girl and how the bearer of this card should be given free snacks. <i> "Thanks for reading my comic"</i> he says, <i>"Peace."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New Avengers</td></tr>
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The next arc begins with the New Avengers aided by Squirrel Girl's friend <i>"Chipmunk Hunk"</i> taking on a massive antlike creature. They don't seem to be able to stop it. Then five minutes later Squirrel Girl tells the others a story about a ship that in 1918 ran into some islands. They repaired the ship and left but the rats aboard had swum to the island at ate everything living there "including a species of super-cute leaf eating bugs called Tree Lobsters."<br />
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But eighty years later twenty-four were found and so they were taken off the extinction list. Scientist collected pairs of the lobsters and bred them in captivity. The giant ant is listening to her story as well, and when she asks if it was born in a lab it nods. And she asks if it accidentally got loose and exposed to cosmic rays which made it giant? It nods again. She says it's probably just hungry and it nods again. She hugs its head and says<i> "problem solved guys".</i><br />
<br />
They supply it with some trees to nibble on and when asked how she knew all this, Squirrel Girl says she spends some nights refreshing wikipedia's random article page-link. So they will keep it fed until Ant-Man arrives to shrink it back down, so the rest of the New Avengers will take it from here. Squirrel Girl and Chipmunk Hunk take their leave, he's happy he got to tag along. She says everyone is allowed the occasional plus one, Hawkeye once brought his dog and Power Man his high school English teacher.<br />
<br />
She says they should go back to base but Chipmunk Hunk, real name Tomas, says he has plans. He admits he has a date and that renders Squirrel Girl speechless, then she runs off blabbering that she is super cool with that and to have fun. We then cut to Doreen with Nancy as she yells <i>"I'm super not cool with this, Nancy!!"</i><br />
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Nancy tells her straight that she's had a crush on Tomas for over a year and done nothing,<i> "what did you expect would happen."</i> Doreen grumbles quietly that he'd ask her out, declare his undying love so she wouldn't have to be the first to say anything and risk rejection.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy doesn't sugar coat.</td></tr>
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Nancy says it sucks but it's time for Doreen to go on some <i>"friggin' dates."</i> Doreen says she doesn't know anyone to date and Nancy says sarcastically:<br />
<br />
<b>Nancy:</b> <i>"Oh no! If only there were some way to meet romantic partners, perhaps some vast and international information network. Here's how we're gonna solve your problem Doreen Green... you're going to try online dating".</i><br />
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Doreen gets excited by this saying it's going to be super great and she will go on some fun dates with boys. Unfortunately she has some trouble writing a dating profile and tries to give the whole thing up as a <i>"huge pain and boys aren't nearly worth it. The end."</i><br />
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Nancy and Ken aka Koi Boi are with her and Nancy says how hard can this be for someone who punched Galactus on the moon? Doreen says she knew what she was doing then, but she has no idea what to say to make boys like her. Tippy-Toe offers help as do the others. They'll write her a profile each and she'll use the one she likes best. Doreen agrees, offering some descriptive words she wants them to include. <br />
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The profiles are written, Doreen read them and puts her head in her hands. She tells them it was sweet of them to help but she'd rather never kiss a dude again than deal with dating profiles. Ken says it would help if they new if she was dating as Doreen or Squirrel Girl. She says neither is good option, either they want her because of her powers or they'll find out on the awkward third date.<br />
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Nancy says she will make two profiles and they can combine the best of the two of them. With that done, Doreen can check out some profiles and message anyone who seems interesting and go on some dates. Grumpily Doreen agrees. Then asks the two of them how come they don't go on dates. Nancy says she is focusing on her studies and Ken says he already dates with optimum efficiency.<br />
<br />
We then get a two page spread of Doreen going on a bunch of dates. This includes a villain called <i>"Fancy Dan". </i> A boy who thinks squirrels are vermin. Another criminal called<i> "Boomerang".</i> The Human Torch who sets the sprinklers off on their date. A man who is phobic of squirrels and a Sentinel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Failed dates.</td></tr>
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We join her on a date that actually seems to be going well. She is at the fairground with a man called Brad, and she says she knows who he is with an online handle<i> "HawkJock"</i> and she reveals her tail to him. He boggles then asks what cosplay she is doing. She says he mustn't be coy she knows why he called himself HawkJock. He says that it's because he's a fan of the basketball team the Hawks.<br />
<br />
She says that he isn't a superhero with the powers of a hawk and a jock? Just the jock part he says. When she lists of traits hawks have he just responds with totally normal reactions. Then he laughs saying she thought he had powers. She admits briefly that she did. He says he is into her cosplay:<br />
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<b>Brad:</b> <i>"... you gotta know that all that superhero stuff is fake, man! Superheroe don't exist."</i><br />
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Turns out Brad is a superhero<i> "truther".</i> He says he will email her some literature about how they put things in the water to make people believe in superheroes. Doreen says she will take him to meet some of the people he doesn't believe exist then they will never date again.<br />
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But Brad keeps going saying Thor is just a series of paid actors all playing a role. When Doreen says Thor is a woman now, Brad ponders that the previous dude must have found out something he wasn't supposed to. Doreen starts to leave but then with a might boom a corkscrew points up through the ground with the aged <i>"Mole Man"</i> standing on it backed up by a multi-headed monster.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mole Man crashes her bad date.</td></tr>
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He demands to see Squirrel Girl and she quickly changes. Mole Man's monsters grab Brad who films what is happening,<i> "advanced animatronics are being used in so called 'superhero' false flag operations"</i> he cries. Mole Man says she must head him as he has her boyfriend now. She attacks Mole Man yelling <i>"He's! Not! My! Boyfriend!"</i><br />
<br />
She gives Mole Man a punch and then consults her Deadpool Villain Cards to check him out. As she fends off the multi-headed Mole Monsters she demands to know why he is even fighting her, he doesn't seem to have anything against squirrels or girls. He fights back calling her a <i>"hoyden"</i> which he has to clarify as a saucy or boisterous woman and other outdated slang.<br />
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We then get a page recounting how Squirrel Girl had tangled with Kraven The Hunter and at the end of their encounter she had persuaded him to go hunting underwater leviathans instead of spidered men. But Kraven needed money to do this and went hunting in the employ of others but again Squirrel Girl stopped him and she persauded him to hunt those who hunt others and so Kraven has been a thorn in Mole Man's side ever since<i>, "and it's all due to your meddling Squirrel Girl!!!"</i> It's bad enough the human world dumps its rubbish underground but Kraven is a bridge too far:<br />
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<b>Mole Man:</b> <i>"...I can bear these indignities no longer. I've thus taken it upon myself to end all such insults... by securing the destruction of the surface world!!"</i><br />
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Calling him Harvey, Squirrel Girl says that what she did to him was unintentional but he says it's just as bad if she did it through carelessness.<br />
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He says he is going to rend her and the world asunder, but she holds out her hand and says she is really sorry. This throws Mole Man off balance. He asks if she accepts his version of events and she says she accepts <i>"the truth of your lived experiences and I'm not going to tell you that your feelings are wrong."</i> And they shake hands.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mole Man is enchanted.</td></tr>
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He asks if she is going to attack him but she says only if he goes around hurting people, but it sounds like he is mad at her and she'd like to fix it. He tells her Squirrel Girl is a lovely name, uh oh. She thanks him saying she understands why he'd be cheesed off, forgotten by the surface world with people messing with him without even realising it.<br />
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He says he'd be happy to be forgotten if surface dwellers left him alone. Squirrel Girl agrees with him saying all the stuff that gets buried must be a pain, even graveyards. He rants that <i>"anything the surface world tires of gets tossed in a dump, and when that's full? Why, they just cover it with a layer of soil and call it a day". </i>Squirrel Girl says he must be sick of it. <br />
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<b>Mole Man: </b><i>"You... you understand me in a way nobody else ever has."</i><br />
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Run Squirrel Girl, run! But she doesn't run, she tells Mole Man that connecting with people is <i>"kinda my thing". </i>She says she is glad they are getting along and he agrees calling her<i> "my lady"</i>. Red Flag! Red Flag!<br />
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Squirrel Girl tells him they can get the Avengers to help get rid of waste that doesn't involve burying it,<i> "Thor throws things into the sun all the time" </i>so they can set up a system were he does that with nuclear waste. She asks if he'll free Brad now, the man who is totally not her boyfriend.<br />
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She asks if Brad believes in superheroes now, but he yells that it'll take more than one staged operation to fool him. If the government believe this will stop him blogging they've got another thing coming. Squirrel Girl rolls her eyes then asks Mole Man if they have a deal? If she deals with the dumping, he'll stop attacking the surface world.<br />
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Mole Man agrees but then he starts to tell her how no one has really understood him before and who could answer the challenge of living underground. His life below ground has been a solitary one which "has left certain matters of the heart... well buried". But Squirrel Girl has awakened something inside him. Squirrel Girl finally realises what is happening and tries to leave. But he kneels before her saying her grace, acceptance, kindness, strength, beauty and tail are intoxicating and captivating.<br />
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<b>Mole Man:</b> <i>"I am but a simple Mole Man, but I swear I can give you a life unlike any other. I offer you my riches, my kingdom, my endless underground empire. Will you give me a chance? Squirrel Girl... will you be my Mole Ma'am?"</i><br />
<br />
We then jump forwards to Doreen recounting the tale to Nancy and Ken. Ken asks what she did next. Doreen says she let him down gently telling him it's not you it's me, that she had commitments on the surface world and school is busy so she doesn't have time to date right now, <i>"anything I could think of."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkMfaXMXrL7X5DKFsZoRmd96zzJtLVdUA01hY_PM0O7DByU_PlXtrYP75cqBBP5G3qk8QOvKfcwRiqVUXd5GZ6jkDyTxun8Nb5H6YOHCRVyBTKU72QITXg9Y78UBz7-ITGvKpG_ubyJk/s1600/squirrelgirlfour9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1201" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkMfaXMXrL7X5DKFsZoRmd96zzJtLVdUA01hY_PM0O7DByU_PlXtrYP75cqBBP5G3qk8QOvKfcwRiqVUXd5GZ6jkDyTxun8Nb5H6YOHCRVyBTKU72QITXg9Y78UBz7-ITGvKpG_ubyJk/s320/squirrelgirlfour9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doreen relates the incident.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She says he's just an old man who no one has been nice to in decades, their conversation was probably the first one he'd had in ages. Nancy snort that's it's incredible he thought he could sweet talk her into marriage have only just met her.<br />
<br />
Doreen says it all ended OK though, she told him squirrels don't live underground, there from two different worlds and she thinks he accepted that. Ken says the Brad story would have been amazing on his own. Doreen groans that after Mole Man left Brad pulled on her tail like he thought it would come off,<i> "it was the worst date ever in time. I should have stuck with the Sentinel".</i><br />
<br />
Suddenly the ground shakes, Central Park is sinking. Doreen and Ken suit up as Squirrel Girl and Koi Boi chasing after Nancy as she runs to look. Squirrel Girl pick Nancy up and they jump down into the hole which the trees have dropped into. And it turns out it was Mole Man, who is delighted that Squirrel Girl came, saying she understood his gesture's intent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_MB1PcZzFOTyDr9oeFn201IhQnwg6pBjniopEaf3BXJ6CIzE5-LzBJcQFofTGUkA69JjrXf_BgkPZ-rOFV0rD63CyLP_1xihU4YGoOV9crydZCKrTxWzEN0t2cBoOn2XzCCQdVT5S4I/s1600/squirrelgirlfour10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1061" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_MB1PcZzFOTyDr9oeFn201IhQnwg6pBjniopEaf3BXJ6CIzE5-LzBJcQFofTGUkA69JjrXf_BgkPZ-rOFV0rD63CyLP_1xihU4YGoOV9crydZCKrTxWzEN0t2cBoOn2XzCCQdVT5S4I/s320/squirrelgirlfour10.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Park a few meters lower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He tells her that now squirrels can live underground, but she did not account for <i>"my adoration and mining genius". </i>But once he realised how important squirrels were to her he knew he would defy the fates, the very gods themselves for her. He tells her this is an engagement gift and takes the speechless Squirrel Girl's hand. But Nancy steps in and slaps him.<br />
<br />
<b>Nancy: </b><i>"Don't you ever touch my friend without her permission, creepo."</i><br />
<br />
Hooray for SJW Nancy! Squirrel Girl tells Mole Man that Nancy is her friend and she is protective of her, <i>"oh, you'll see how protective I can be Johnny Grabby Hands.." </i>Nancy threatens. Koi Boi arrives and Mole Man warns him off from asking Squirrel Girl out, which infuriates Nancy, <i>"Oh my god, I'm gonna slap that grin right off his.."</i> But Squirrel Girl says she has this under control.<br />
<br />
Squirrel Girl explains that there is no right words or romantic gesture he can make, he can't cajole or debate her into loving him. She says she is sorry. Mole Man says he understands, <i>"I understand that your so-called friends have been poisoning your mind against me!!"</i><br />
<br />
He orders his<i> "Moloids"</i> to attack them, Squirrel Girl tosses Nancy out of harms way as she and Koi Boi battle the pale and skinny creatures. When they are defeated, Nancy drop back down, caught by Squirrel Girl. Mole Man says enough, he understands that his gift was not appreciated and was the wrong way to go about things.<br />
<br />
Koi Boi asks if he'll put Central Park back, Mole Man says any fool can fill a hole have the authorities contact him if they can't figure it out. Squirrel Girl tells Harvy that there is someone out there for him and he won't need to convince her when he finds her. Mole Man thanks her and walks off alone into the dark.<br />
<br />
The next day Doreen and Nancy are walking by the sunken Central Park, Tippy-Toe says the squirrels are enjoying actually, lots of new places to hide nuts. Nancy say she's won't apologise for slapping Mole Man, Doreen says she isn't asking her too, she finds it so hard to say no to people and Nancy is the world champion at that. Then the ground rumbles again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't normally include the interior covers but this made me laugh so hard when I turned to it that I nearly dropped the book in the nice hot bath I was having. Tip that fedora Harvey!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Empire State Building has been sunk, and checking her phone Nancy discovers other world landmarks have been sunk as well. Then Mole Man hijacks the undersea communication cables to broadcast his demands, he will claim one building every twelve hours until Squirrel Girl agrees to go on <i>"one single date with me"</i>. He wants to kiss and make up and as for everyone else, they know his terms and he ends the broadcast.<br />
<br />
<b>Doreen:</b> <i>"Shut up. Oh my god. Shut up... I'm going to kick his butt Nancy. To the moon. I'm not even joking. I will literally kick his butt so hard that it would land on the moon."</i><br />
<br />
Two days later Squirrel Girl and Mole Man are still all over the news. People are complaining that their lives are being ruined because she refuses to go out on one date with him. A man on an audience participation show says that who does she think she is to turn down a man she barely knows and not even think him worth a single date. He starts saying<i> "not all men"</i> before the channel is changed to J.Jonah Jameson who is offering five grand to any photgraphic evidence of Squirrel Girl going on a date with people of lower caliber than Mole Man.<br />
<br />
<b>Nancy:</b><i> "I think it's awful that whoever a particular woman chooses to date is now a matter of worldwide speculation."</i><br />
<br />
She is telling this to a report then leaveswith Doreen who is muffled in a face scarf and big hat. Doreen can't believe J. Jonah Jameson wants<i> "creeper pics"</i> of her on dates, <i>"who does that?"</i><br />
<br />
Nancy says she could make a cool five grand by staging a photo herself. Doreen says she totally should and then get a job working for him as a photographer who always gets amazing pictures of Squirrel Girl and never wonders why. They overhear two men moaning about what'll happen when Mole Man starts sinking buildings they care about and why cant <i>"Woodchuck Chick"</i> kiss him already.<br />
<br />
Annoyed Doreen says they should ditch class and deal with the Mole Man thing, but todays lesson is "The Physics Of Punching". And so one totally amazing physics lecture later, Squirrel Girl returns to the sunken Central Park. She hides in the trees from the media gathered there but they spot her and she shoots off saying <i>"this was a horrible idea, bye!!"</i><br />
<br />
Back at her and Nancy's place she says the media means she can't even get close. Nancy says she should go as Doreen but Squirrel Girl says they have figured out heroes have secret identities and are checking everyone who comes with a face scanner. She just wants to talk to the guy but she can't do it with<i> "literally the world's media in my face".</i><br />
<br />
Nancy decides that it's<i> "time to get fancy and watch Nancy"</i>. She'll go down there and solve the friggin' problems. Squirrel Girl says it's dangerous, but Nancy says she will be OK because she is close to Squirrel Girl so he won't hurt her. She's seen Squirrel Girl talk down dozens of bad guys, so she knows she can do it herself.<br />
<br />
So they get changed and walk to where the media are in Central Park. As Squirrel Girl faces a barrage of questions Nancy sneaks off and jumps down one of the holes. She finds herself faced with Mole Man, the Mole Monsters and Moloids and Mole Man himself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q63sTnYWpqMCZ4lTTgfrFXRQh7FMmDXsqaKL_ugRHt258P_e0fElcfx2w9ZjV9LWyUYZoihiqHC4q-UgZ46cRGN_HNN5FCh83vPDW9OKe0AaSPpd0z1_puZVtDYydSUspEdP2U0xQoU/s1600/squirrelgirlfour12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1020" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q63sTnYWpqMCZ4lTTgfrFXRQh7FMmDXsqaKL_ugRHt258P_e0fElcfx2w9ZjV9LWyUYZoihiqHC4q-UgZ46cRGN_HNN5FCh83vPDW9OKe0AaSPpd0z1_puZVtDYydSUspEdP2U0xQoU/s320/squirrelgirlfour12.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy tries to sort things out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nancy tells him that he has to find someone else. But he says he has evidence that Squirrel Girl harbours feelings for him. He words of comfort and understanding were words of attraction<i>, "moles may be blind, but we're not deaf". </i> Actually he goes on, moles aren't blind either. He asks Nancy to speak to Squirrel Girl on his behalf.<br />
<br />
Nancy gets mad saying she has come to tell him she is not interested in him, Mole Man says would she deny her<i> "the love of a nice and gentle man? You would refuse my request?!"</i> Nancy says absolutely she is refusing his request,<i> "move on".</i><br />
<br />
<b>Mole Man:</b> <i>"I should have realised. Squirrel Girl is so kind. So loving... so understanding. A paragon of virtue. Of course you'd be in love with her too."</i><br />
<br />
Nancy pulls an amazing WTF face. Mole Man says she is here to sabotage her because she want Squirrel Girl all to herself. But her jealousy will be the cause of her never returning to the surface world.<br />
<br />
Nancy says she is not getting kidnapped today and opens her bag, unleashing a horde of squirrels led by Tippy-Toe. As they distract Mole Man's minions, Nancy climbs out and meets up with Doreen. When Nancy tells her Mole Man described her as a<i> "paragon of virtue" </i>Doreen says she is ending thi<i>s "now. Tonight"</i>. And to avoid the press, she is going to burrow her way down to him.<br />
<br />
And she digs her way down grumbling about the situation the whole way. She is irritated that showing basic human decency has made him think she owes him something:<br />
<br />
<b>Squirrel Girl:</b> <i>"Plus, how are you a nice guy if the only reason you're being nice is because you think it might make me kiss you?!"</i><br />
<br />
She breaks through saying she is <i>"so over making your feelings my problem. They're your feelings, dude! You deal with them!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tricephalus admits her love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But she is attacked by the three-headed <i>"Tricephalous"</i> who says she won't let her hurt the man she loves. She has loved Mole Man for many years, ever since they first met and he was not afraid of her. She has kept her feelings underground knowing that it was a love that could never be. Now Squirrel Girl is here to hurt him,<i> "he's too good for you, Squirrel Girl. You don't deserve him. Nobody does."</i><br />
<br />
Mole Man alone fights the surface dwellers to protect the underground and her kind, how could she resist falling for him and have feelings grow deeper every day? Mole Man is surprised to hear this confession. He ddn't realise it was possible for a Mole Monster to love him.<br />
<br />
She says if their love is to be, he must love himself first, he has internalised much of what the surface world has said about him, he even still calls them monsters. Squirrel Girl has bewitched him <i>"and I will not allow her to darken our realm again!!" </i> Tippy-Toe points out that Mole Man is letting Tricephalous do all the fighting while he watches with fascination. So Squirrel Girl has an idea.<br />
<br />
She goes into battle with Tricephlous and lets her be beaten by her including getting stomped on. Squirrel Girl declares herself defeated and Mole Man cancels his date with her. Tippy-Toe says it worked while Squirrel Girl grumbles that losing fights is <i>"the worst."</i> Mole Man and Tricephalous start making out so Squirrel Girl and Tippy-Toe leave them too it.<br />
<br />
And so Doreen and friends start helping to restore Central Park. One of them is Tomas's girlfriend who Doreen is surprised to find she likes. Doreen then apologises to Tomas for being weird about his dating. Soon all the worlds landmarks are restored and Nancy says that the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl finally lost a fight.<br />
<br />
Doreen says this has all made her realise that she was setting up dates for the wrong reason because she felt like she was falling behind.<i> "But I've got nothing to prove"</i> she says, <i>"I'm a rad lady and everyone just has to deal."</i> Nancy asks what she is going to do now and Doreen says she is cancelling her last internet date and go home and call to order <i>"Mew Club"</i>. Mew being Nancy's cat she gives Squirrel Girl a hug and they spend the rest of the evening hanging out at home while Mole Man sleeps snuggled up to Tricephalous.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4h_zpvoQX3LU78sdvIkcGU2ZNFh6kdJl2RUAbojIyOG5k9YA8eZN2KZl1-Vcwy3TykovQ5-gs0frR8e3WCb4a-bTAtpA0NwB6oXcudhWmNHGnA2WNosPCcOXD28djfUhJFv43vKLWAk/s1600/squirrelgirlfour14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1082" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4h_zpvoQX3LU78sdvIkcGU2ZNFh6kdJl2RUAbojIyOG5k9YA8eZN2KZl1-Vcwy3TykovQ5-gs0frR8e3WCb4a-bTAtpA0NwB6oXcudhWmNHGnA2WNosPCcOXD28djfUhJFv43vKLWAk/s320/squirrelgirlfour14.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy endings all round.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This final story I'm going to skate over a bit as it contains both computer programming and mathematics, two of my major weak points. Squirrel Girl is fighting Doctor Octopus in the snow, using programming language to describe what they are doing. The tussle continues until Squirrel Girl uses her tail to grab a clock off a nearby wall and knocks him out with it before tying him up with his tentacle arms.<br />
<br />
Squirrel Girl then says to Tippy-Toe that the fight was strange how their fight kept illustrating basic computer science concepts. Tippy-Toe says it's more strange because Doc Ock has been dead for two years. Squirrel Girl wonders how she forgot that. Then she realises she forgot same way it's snowing in August, <i>"this is a friggin' dream."</i><br />
<br />
And a goth looking being shows up saying he is <i>"The Nightmare Man</i>". He says he here to take her sanity from her, everytime she sleeps she'll enter a bespoke nightmare where he will beat her. She says she took down Doc Ock easily enough so<i> "bring it on."</i> Nightmare Man then conjures up Count Nefaria.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nightmare Man invades Squirrel Girls dreams.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The man in question appears and challenges her to <i>"dactylonomy"</i> a counting-on-your-fingers challenge. He wants her to count to ten using only one hand. She says no problem, she can count to thirty-one on one hand and 1023 on two. It is using binary and she goes on a lengthy eplanation that I don't understand of how to count in binary. When Count Nefaria gets it, he departs saying thankyou to her, <i>"never have I been so engrossed in my own hands!!"</i><br />
<br />
Nightmare Man appears, extremely annoyed at this. He accuses her of ruining everything, Nefaria isn't into counting he says. So why is his name "Count Nefaria" she responds. Nightmare Man yells at her for not knowing more about the strongest human in the entire universe.<i> "I dunno" </i>says Squirrel Girl,<i> "he seemed to me like a Dracula who's big into counting."</i><br />
<br />
She smugly tells Nightmare Man that she is fast asleep and still beating all the draculas he throws at her. So he decides he'll take her on directly and he manifest the Venom symbiote around him. Squirrel says Venom is a good guy now, but Nightmare Man says that's only in the real world. Tippy-Toe tells her to escape from him into another bad dream.<br />
<br />
So she shifts the scene and find herself in an exam for a class she doesn't remember taking and haven't studied one bit for. But she is able to defeat this dream by going to Kraven the College Administrator telling him to remove her from the final which is for a class she never attended or submitted any work for and thus it was an error putting her in for the exam.<br />
<br />
She and Tippy-Toe then discuss how they can use Venom's weakness against sound and fire to defeat Nightmare Man. But then the tree grabs her as Venom pops out. She shifts to a nightmare where she is surrounded by squirrels who are upset that all the worlds trees have stopped producing nuts. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_brfTnTOphQKQGpe82t_ksEHoveNnijyvBdMQArADRzG5NO4FXc6cT-W9M7ELA-V19lf3KsgSoa2AlDIWlajmru-KwIS1gS7zASyjFHp8QcE3AXwlnvNslK-7Xa0Dbs_-F7tCRVqh6g/s1600/squirrelgirlfour16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1046" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_brfTnTOphQKQGpe82t_ksEHoveNnijyvBdMQArADRzG5NO4FXc6cT-W9M7ELA-V19lf3KsgSoa2AlDIWlajmru-KwIS1gS7zASyjFHp8QcE3AXwlnvNslK-7Xa0Dbs_-F7tCRVqh6g/s320/squirrelgirlfour16.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sonic Squirrel attack!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But using a computer algorithm so they can hit Nightmare Man Venom with a sonic blast. As Nightmare Venom drops in, she unleashes the sonic cries of the squirrels at once and the Venom Symbiote fades away leaving just Nightmare Man behind. He sighs that he'll leave her alone from now on.<br />
<br />
<b>Squirrel Girl: </b><i>"And hey. I trash-talked you before, but you've actually got a pretty good domain here in the dream world! People love it here! Maybe hang out with people while they are having fun dreams insetad of giving them nightmares, huh?"</i><br />
<br />
When he says he prefers nightmares she says dreams are fun and takes off flying with him in tow. And he starts to smile as he follows her over the city. In bed, we see Doreen asleep and she is <i>"such an incredible force for good that one time she defeated a bad guy in her friggin' sleep." </i> The end.<br />
<br />
As ever, this is wonderful stuff. So packed with jokes I can barely do it justice. The Choose Your Own Adventure issue was marvellous and great fun, and although I didn't understand much of the techical stuff in the final story I liked how Squirrel Girl got use out of what she is studying to best her foes. But the three issues dealing with Mole Man were brilliant. And very pertinent to what happens to a lot of women these days. Hell it even happened to me when I was a university twenty-five years ago. My Nice Guy wasn't a hipster, they hadn't been invented yet but he spent all his time being nice to me in a way I thought was because we were friends. It was when he started writing poetry dedicated to me and giving me roses that it suddenly clicked, and had to sit him down and say "dude I am the gayest gayer that ever gayed. I value you as a friend but you're not going to get any further along with me than that." And he left the course at the end of term so, oh well. Taught me a valuable lesson that when dealing with potential men as mates, declare my sexuality as soon as possible. That seems to have worked since. I also liked to fact she was being excoricated by the manosphere for not acceeding to Mole Man's demands because those people need to be shown for the dickheads they are and need taking down a peg or two. "Not all men" indeed. Making a woman's sexuality public and the matter of debate is also a pertinent point to have made, maybe even more so in the wake of #metoo. I just like how Squirrel Girl can deal with potentially heavy topics with a sharp but humourous touch and also find it in its heart to still give Mole Man a happy ending while Doreen realises she'd been dating for all the wrong reasons. All-in-all this was another winner for me, it made me genuinely laugh out loud several times and as per usual Ryan North's punchy writing and Erica Henderson's characterful art make this one of modern comics real jewels. Join me in a few days where we reenter The Clean Room.<br />
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<br />varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-76390451854947967752018-02-09T06:46:00.000+00:002018-02-09T06:47:18.037+00:00Black Canary Book 2: New Killer Star (#8-12, Gotham Academy #17)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"I've been in a real bad situation, making bad decisions. I didn't want to tell you"</i> - <b>Dinah Lance</b><br />
<br />
Ladies month returns to a happier time with more from the DCYou, yes there is still stuff there I want to cover and no I'm not letting it go, with a look at the second and final volume of <i>Black Canary</i>. Black Canary is a character with a very long history in the DCU and you can read about it <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Canary">here</a>. This incarnation actually has Dinah Lance as lead singer of a punk rock band called Black Canary, with her still having awesome martial arts prowess and a superpower in her <i>"Canary Cry" </i>sonic scream. <a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/black-canary-book-1-kicking-and.html"> In the first volume</a> we spent our time showing her on the road with her band and being stalked by a woman in white ninja get-up. At the end after Black Canary beat an alien called The Quietus the ninja revealed herself to Dinah and that was the cliffhanger of the previous volume. This final five issues unfortunately tries to wrap up several plot threads that were obviously expected to run over a much longer period than five issues and so everything feels somewhat rushed as the music takes a back seat to Dinah searching for the truth about her monther and unlocking her ultimate martial and sonic art. There is also a single issue crossover with the wonderful (and cancelled of course), Gotham Academy which was also written by Brendan Fletcher and which shows band member Heathcliffe hooking up with Black Canary. This volume has a few artists who manage to keep to a style consistent with the prior volume and give the comic a nice punky vibe. So let's wrap up this incarnation of Black Canary.<br />
<br />
We begin with a fanzine article telling us that Dinah is missing, the lead guitarist is presumed dead and the rest of the band is being held for questioning by the police, <i>"it seems like Black Canary is all but done." </i>We then cut to the interrogation room where we are told the band have been questioned for two weeks and they still say they have no idea where their lead singer<i> "D.D."</i> has gone. <br />
<br />
The lead cop says that their old singer <i>"Maeve Tivana"</i> is behind bars and the promoter is pressing charges, the only reason they are being kept free is the lawyers their record label has sprung for them. The lawyers finally arrive and Byron says are they free to go now? The cop says they shouldn't count on being free for long thanks to property damage, injuries, missing persons and possible deaths. They are not to leave Gotham because they'll want to speak to them again soon. <br />
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The band leave and outside the police station one of their lawyers says that Kurt Lance sends his thanks for keeping<i> "Ditto"</i> the lead guitarist out of it. Ditto is <i>"an alien made of living sound"</i> and is hiding out at Kurt's place. Kurt is apparently convalescing in a remote area. He wanted them to have something urgently, it's a message saying Dinah is in Berlin and needs their help. A cabaret performance will be their cover, all travel and accomodation has been arranged for them. So they are back on tour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinah fighting ninjas.</td></tr>
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We cut to Dinah fighting and beating a whole bunch of attackers. Then a woman dressed like Adam Ant in the "Prince Charming" video orders her to be sent back to the cells. Dinah is caged up with a black woman who asks if the woman in charge was wearing her totem necklace? Dinah gives her a thumbs up, seems she cannot speak. The black woman is actually a hero called Vixen who wears the totem necklace to give her the power of any animal she wishes.<br />
<br />
Dinah has a bad cut on her upper arm so Vixen rips her skirt to bandage her up as she explains about her necklace to her. Then the white ninja appears on top of the cage saying she could free them right now...<br />
<br />
<b>Ninja:</b> <i>" But them my neice might never find out what happened to her mother."</i><br />
<br />
Vixen demands she set them free but the ninja says she has searched a long time to find Dinah and she loves her and trusts her to get the job done. She had taught Dinah new martial arts forms and <i>"there were times I almost believed I was looking at my sister."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinah's aunt.</td></tr>
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If Dinah keeps fighting they'll believe she has what they want and they'll bring her before <i>"Headmistress Ravanahatha" </i>and then they can strike and make her talk. Vixen says she didn't sign up for this<i> "weird ninja-cult family drama" </i>and she is going to get out with them or in spite of them.<br />
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The ninja tells Vixen that she doesn't understand what's at stake here. Before Dinah was born she was one of the worlds most talented martial artists. She founded this institution with her friends making it a place of learning. She left it in safe hands and built a family but a terrible evil began to grow up in the school.<br />
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She left her family to sort things out at the school, <i>"she never returned."</i> Her schools former teachers are now turning up dead and these warrior women would not fall easily. The killers were looking for something and they think they have found it in Dinah. They'll make her fight until they see her use the <i>"Five Heavens Palm. Her mothers secret technique"</i>. That had something to do with her mother's disappearance. Dinah allowed herself to be captured to get closer to the truth. Vixen asks where she had been all these years and the ninja says <i>"family business"</i> and departs.<br />
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We then cut to the rest of the band on their way to Berlin by plane. On board they bump into Maeve who has been released and is also coming to Berlin, she is here to help and make sure no one messes with Ditto who smiles at her. Back in the jail cell Vixen admits to being a big Black Canary fan. She says they both have a lot in common, both raised in foster family, both with jobs in the public eye as she is a model. She believes they can be friends.<br />
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However when these people came after her they attacked her manager and abducted her in this death cult prison. She then head butts the bars and falls to the ground yelling that Dinah is trying to kill her. The guards arrive and call for advice from <i>"Master Greyeyes".</i> They open the cage and Vixen attacks, knocking them all out. But before she can escape the ninja kicks her back into the cell telling her to stay put.<br />
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The guards keep beating on Vixen and Dinah can't take it so she knocks the rest out and activates a button on the wrist of one which releases the collar round her neck so she can speak. The ninja says it's good to hear her voice even if<i> "your actions have put all of our work in jeopardy."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vixen busts them out.</td></tr>
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Greyeyes appears and Dinah tells the ninja, who she finally names as "aunt Rena" that she is packing away her emotions right now. And she unleashes her Canary Cry on Greyeyes and knocks her out. Vixen takes back her totem necklace and unleashes the power of an elephant, smashing her way through the building's wall to the outside. <br />
<br />
There are a lot of ninjas outside and before Dinah can shout them down a chain wraps round her neck cutting her off. The chain is held by Greyeyes and she and Dinah trade insults then Vixen takes on a bear's power and punches Greyeyes so she releases the chain. Greyeyes then powers up a ball of energy which Dinah matches with her cry and she knocks Greyeyes unconcious. Dinah wants to go back for Rena but Vixn says she is using her and does she even have proof she really is her aunt?<br />
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Dinah then takes on the ninjas and beats them all saying she needed to get that out of her system. Vixen takes on an eagle's power and flies them away. They land some wayaway and Dinah says she needs to get back to Gotham and Vixen says she needs to get back to Rome and find out if her manager is OK. She asks where they are and Dinah says outside Berlin.<br />
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Dinah says she wishes she could tell the rest of the band where she disappeared to, but she knows they'd come after her. And <i>"I refuse to put Black Canary in danger. Never again"</i>. We then cut to them arriving in Berlin missng Dinah as she buys a ticket to Gotham at the same airport. Maeve is excited that <i>"Izak Orato"</i> the coolest 80's dude ever will be at the club although another one of the band tells her not to get too excited, <i>"this club is not what it seems."</i><br />
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We begin the next chapter with Dinah hanging out with Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl. Barbara is a big fan of the band, though Dinah says the person on stage isn't her. Barbara says it is, just another her. Dinah tries to shut down the conversation about her but Barbara keeps pushing when Dinah admits that meeting aunt Rena. <br />
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<b>Barbara: </b><i>"I get it. You finally found some real family to hold on to and it's causing you to doubt who you really are."</i><br />
<br />
Dinah doesn't want to talk about it. Barbara says their old team, the <i>Birds of Prey</i> disbanded, she ran out on her band, lost Kurt a second time and finally she's found a relative who redifines who she is as a person. Dinah says it makes her <i>"feel like punching something."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out on the town with Dinah and Babs.</td></tr>
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So Barbara gets dressed up as Batgirl and they go out and punch some criminals. They fight in a record shop and the gang leader surrenders so his precious records don't get broken. Dinah then confesses to Barbara about getting suckered into joining a ninja death cult by her aunt and recounts what had happened to the school her mother set up She had come back to Gotham to figure out what happened to her mother. When the gang leader realises she is D.D. from Black Canary he asks if she can sign his black eye for him.<br />
<br />
Later Dinah asks Barbara to use her photographic memory to think back to her dojo before it burned down and find the photo on her desk. Barbara says her memory doesn't work that way but she does remember asking about the photo which is apparently the only one Dinah hasd of her mother. Written on the back was several names, one of which was the name of Vixen's manager and another two had been assasinated in recent months. They need to track down <i>"Judy Slade"</i> another name on the back of the photo, so Barbara gets her friend Frankie on it.<br />
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Next day they visit the studio where the picture was taken, it's now owned by a <i>"Juniper Vega"</i> and has left it how it was when the photo was taken. Barbara asks if her mum was in a band too, Dinah says she wasn't as far as she know so she isn't sure why she and her friends were here. Then she finds a photo showing her mum as a dancer. Her teammates too. <br />
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<b>Dinah:</b> <i>"This can't be right. You don't go from teaching martial arts to dancing in videos."</i><br />
<br />
Barbara picks up a picture of a goth looking guy named <i>"Izak Orato"</i> and Barbara asks if she knows who he is. Barbara remembers her mother saying she didn't like his videos. They find a bunch of reel-to-reel tapes ad start listening to them. Babara thinks her mum was right about Izak's music.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izak Orato</td></tr>
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Dinah is watching one of the old Izak videos on Barbara's phone. It's definitely her mother, she moves just like Dinah and she is in quite a few of them too. Then Barbara finds something on one of the tapes, Dinah's mother is being threatened by Izak on it but the tape cuts out before they can hear much more.<br />
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Dinah ponders that her mum and dad were working somekind of angle with this Izak fellow. Her father was a P.I. so Barbara figures that her dad was investigating Izak and her mum jumped in to be his inside guy but when they got close things got serious so she called in her old kung fu buddies. Then Dinah's father was found dead and mum ran off to Berlin to fight a ninja death cult, <i>"it doesn't add up" </i>says Dinah.<br />
<br />
Then Frankie calls and tells them Judy Slade was murdered over twenty years ago. She was alive on the set of a Izak Orato music video one day and a <i>"dry shell of a body the next."</i> The M.E.'s report says it was liked the life was sucked out of her. <br />
<br />
Suddenly a bunch of shurikens are thrown at Dinah and Barbara. It's Greyeyes who has managed to track them down. Dinah tells Barbara they are after the Five Heavens Palm her mum made up. But Dinah doesn't know it. Barbara is always prepared and has attached a small explosive to the drumkit which she sets off. There is a mega brawl and Greyeyes manages to get ahold of Barbara and chokes her into unconciousness.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another ninja brawl.</td></tr>
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With Barbara slumped at her feet, Greyeyes says she could kill her right now to provoke Dinah into using the <i>"technique you're going to great lengths to conceal."</i> Greyeyes asks what it would take, how desperate would she have to be to finally use it. So Dinah says she gives up, she'll reveal it but Greyeyes must be alone, so Greyeyes orders her ninjas out taking Batgirl with them.<br />
<br />
Greyeyes tells Dinah she wants to take her down. She knows how gifted she is but she watched her every move and knows she can beat her. The headmistress has commanded Greyeyes get the technique even at the cost of her own life. Now Dinah must perform the Five Heavens Palm or Batgirl dies. Dinah makes a move but it's the<i> "Silent White Crane kata! Liar!" </i>Knocked down, Greyeyes yells for Batgirl to be killed but Dinah isn't fazed as Batgirl renters saying Dinah knows she can take care of herself.<br />
<br />
Dinah starts punching Greyeyes saying they should fight with no Canary Cry or electric powers, Greyeyes agrees and a physical throwdown starts. Dinah beats Greyeyes and demands to know who the headmistress is. Greyeyes says she is called<i> "Ravanahatha"</i> and many years ago Dinah's mother injured her. Dinah asks if she killed her mother. Greyeyes says her mother was pushed in the fight into using the Five Heavens Palm which left her mistress broken and she requires it again to make her whole.<br />
<br />
Greyeyes them powers the electricity power up, grabbing Dinah's leg demanding she use the move. Barbara yells at Dinah to get away, Greyeyes is going to blow. She uses a grappled to swing across and get ahold of Dinah and swing them both to safety as Greyeyes goes boom. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greyeyes combusts.</td></tr>
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They watch the fire from a short distance away. Barbara can't believe Greyeyes killed herself for kung fu. Dinah says it can apparently save the life of the person she follows. She says aunt Rena said the headmistress could tell them what happened to her mum. Barbara wants to know more about aunt Rena who Dinah never mentioned before. Dinah says she didn't know about her until a few weeks ago and she's a world class fighter.<br />
<br />
Barbara is suspicious, referring to a villain who had convinced everyone he was a friend of hers until they realise he was actually rearranging their memories,<i> "people coming out of nowhere tend to be bad news. I'm sorry Dinah." </i> They return to Barbara's place and Frankie tells her that the band Black Canary are in Berlin. When Dinah realises the club they are playing in is owned by Izak Orato, it has to be a trap. But Black Canary need her and Dinah needs answers so it's back to Berlin with her.<br />
<br />
We begin chapter three with Dinah back in Berlin with Frankie on the phone to her. Dinah is outside the club saying the place <i>"reeks of villain's lair."</i> Barbara is on the line too, they've contacted Vixen to come help but no response from her yet. The drones they have tapped into have picked up some people, "they appear to be armed and waiting for you." Barbara pleads with Dinah to wait for Vixen rather than take them on alone. <i> "Sometimes it's like you don't even know me, Batgirl"</i> grins Dinah.<br />
<br />
Jump cut to Dinah standing atop a pile of unconcious bodies. Barbara can't get a scan of what's in the club, they are blocking signals inside It stinks of being a trap, and Frankie backs her up saying when Dinah walks through the club's door she will be on her own.<br />
<br />
<b>Dinah: </b><i>"Wouldn't be the first time. Won't be the last. Thanks for the hand ladies. Canary out."</i><br />
<br />
And into the club she goes. She is confronted by Izak Orato on stage with the Black Canary band behind him looking somewhat hypnotised.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlQ3fmttCireQ9x_Ue1fKau3INo-4w_8z_3WvjZBNABGonJ910XooGj1aJbam_Bc_kjgE4wBAtdbORdTYw4UOiNP0y7eomg3lbNugcy7I2mVxWUCLQ3wghq7ANU5m6Ce-C4LFuLWfG44/s1600/blackcanary8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1276" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlQ3fmttCireQ9x_Ue1fKau3INo-4w_8z_3WvjZBNABGonJ910XooGj1aJbam_Bc_kjgE4wBAtdbORdTYw4UOiNP0y7eomg3lbNugcy7I2mVxWUCLQ3wghq7ANU5m6Ce-C4LFuLWfG44/s320/blackcanary8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izak Orato and Black Canary.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Izak says that now their vocalist has arrived they are ready to begin their headline performance. Dinah says she isn't here to put on a show, she's here for a friends. Izak says they are free to go anytime "but they live to entertain". Dinah says she doesn't entertain, she's a soldier. But he says he is going to remind her of her true nature.<br />
<br />
<b>Izak:</b><i> "Now, birth sounds that stir the hearts of men to dream memories of stardust newly formed... reveal to me your true heart Dinah".</i><br />
<br />
Dinah gets up on stage and sings, then realises Ditto isn't there. The rest of the band come around and are surprised to find out where they are and what they are wearing. Apart from Maeve the others hug Dinah, then she tells them they have to go.<br />
<br />
Izak says there is at least one song left in the set. Dinah orders Black Canary to run. As the weird horned ninja attack, Maeve takes the rest of the band to safety while Dinah confronts Izak who says he just wants her and they drop through a trapdoor. As the rest of the band fight their way out, Byron says that Dinah can look after herself when Heathcliffe says they need to go help her.<br />
<br />
Dinah is now in a hall of mirrors. He tells her that he hasn't hurt her friends, she did by abandoning them. <i>"You truly are your mother's daughter"</i> Izak says. She starts to say she was trying to protect them, then she gets slashed across the upper arm and sees a reflection of her mother in the mirrors,<i> "walking away from little Dinah again... and again.. and again.."</i><br />
<br />
Izak says her blood is delicious, <i>"I need another taste."</i> Dinah asks if that is why he brought her here to ffed on her like he did on Judy. He says she was a small morsel, those women stalked him and pretended to be his entourage, his dancers. He would have given them the world, but then he drank the life of their friend.<br />
<br />
He slashes Dinah again, and she tries to goad him into coming out and facing her one-on-one. He says she sounds like her mother <i>"the women who wanted to destroy me." </i>Dinah says her mother was not a killer she just wanted to stop him taking more lives.<br />
<br />
<b>Izak:</b> <i>"She fought me! Hurt me in ways I didn't think possible. For the first time in a millenia I felt true pain. But ancient beings don't falls so easily, nor do we forget."</i><br />
<br />
Dinah asks if killing her is his revenge. He says no, he wants her to fix him, to heal him. He needs the Five Heavens Palm. Her mother tore him apart with it, he needs Dinah to put him back together.<br />
<br />
Dinah says she doesn't know it. Izak tells her it taps the very fabric of the universe on a microscopic scale. Vibrating in perfect harmony manipulated with great power and cocare by a master artist. He knows Dinah is such an artist but she might need careful influence to find her power, he thought performance might be the key but perhaps it demands something more traumatic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRF6mqmB9BfNdmK2ea-RRTDMXUb_J7QijqAPd4u55pvsBAFphkhp93fSqBFrM6GCkpEBagmIsonigRf1CkacJLVNues8KliIeaQ-9b1Fsa6wcJ65-SFcSY5hfYhvy0-0VQSGn3748St8/s1600/blackcanary9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="988" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRF6mqmB9BfNdmK2ea-RRTDMXUb_J7QijqAPd4u55pvsBAFphkhp93fSqBFrM6GCkpEBagmIsonigRf1CkacJLVNues8KliIeaQ-9b1Fsa6wcJ65-SFcSY5hfYhvy0-0VQSGn3748St8/s320/blackcanary9.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinah gets pissed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He then shows Dinah how he killed and fed on her father, taunting Dinah by saying how he still dreams of the taste of his blood and watching the life flow from him. Dinah throws Izak's aura off her and powers up as he is finally revealed. They fight and Izak opens his chest vertically to reveal a mouth full of spiked fangs. <br />
<br />
She escapes from him to where Vixen and her manager, one of Dinah's mother's friends Sandra McCanlies, are battling the horned ninjas. Then aunt Rena appears, accusingly she says Dinah betrayed her and turned her bac on the mission. She was guiding her down a path that would have led them to uncover the Five Heavens Palm. Vixen then drops a bombshell:<br />
<br />
<b>Vixen: </b><i>"That woman is not Dinah's aunt! That's one half of the demon Ravanahatha."</i><br />
<br />
And the demon imapales Dinah through the stomach with a katana. As Izak appears behind her along with the not-aunt they hiss that now she has no choice but to use the Five Heavens Palm and it will make Ravanahatha whole again. It tells her she is all alone, but as she lies dying, Ditto comes up to her and whispers<i> "you're not alone. You've never been alone."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEfigrmROJTqd63R2ZG8p8YRlY_9XjB-Ea8ah1euunIl8MD2GtJYiIEei2Zz1GbDYpuFSXveH_CVs9Gb5tWRlKi-VJpvtv64Co5CKTRpk6A51xICYk2cLsMwBdWwTrLHbO_LzyTPxfUA/s1600/blackcanary10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1010" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEfigrmROJTqd63R2ZG8p8YRlY_9XjB-Ea8ah1euunIl8MD2GtJYiIEei2Zz1GbDYpuFSXveH_CVs9Gb5tWRlKi-VJpvtv64Co5CKTRpk6A51xICYk2cLsMwBdWwTrLHbO_LzyTPxfUA/s320/blackcanary10.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's no aunt!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We now go through a voyage into Dinah's psyche. We see her performing her final gig saying it's the last they'll ever do. One yea later, she is being interviewed on TV, the presenter says she's lost a lot of her glitter in her new act with Izak Orato. He says that having met her she feels more like an off-duty superhero.<br />
<br />
Dinah says that isn't too far off, the presenter says that he knew a lady who said she didn't want to meet Dinah feeling that she is into kung fu magic and it would make her nervous and others she her as a skilled performer who changes from time to time. Dinah says she was picking up the pieces her mother left behind, <i>"she was a performer in another life..."</i> The interviewer asks if she taught her the moves she uses, Dinah just says she's putting on a show. The interviewer asks if it wouldn't be better to use those skills to help people,<i> "why keep singing when the world is falling apart around us?"</i> Dinah is silent.<br />
<br />
Another year later Dinah is in the studio with Izak, and various groupies lounging around, who says that music gives them meaning, <i>"there's little more we can do for a fellow sentient being than bring them joy." </i>Dinah says nothing. Then mumbles they need to go and Izak says she doesn't need the distraction of flesh, <i>"let me bring you back to life."</i><br />
<br />
Two more years later, Dinah is solo now and listening to playback on a track he just recorded. Then Wonder Woman teleports in looking beaten up. She asks Dinah to come and command them in battle "save the world". There is a war going on between the Justice League and a villain called <i>"Ravedeath". </i> They need Dinah, but she says that she can't help. What she is doing now is important, Wonder Woman says <i>"your friends will die. You'll be alone"</i>. Dinah just says she has to get back to work because her future depends on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbJIS8aDyJoVXjZ6kCeT9DuqmqTPoKD36tHUad3Q05t87VbOj3KEKCNDZ9ch2aXAbaHiazYKAAiWS9jb9Pjhydlwa0Hg2j71nhUKP7_KIuzBI8fVNzN_1S4KN4V0pGISbIJOcOxEPu1c/s1600/blackcanary11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="986" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbJIS8aDyJoVXjZ6kCeT9DuqmqTPoKD36tHUad3Q05t87VbOj3KEKCNDZ9ch2aXAbaHiazYKAAiWS9jb9Pjhydlwa0Hg2j71nhUKP7_KIuzBI8fVNzN_1S4KN4V0pGISbIJOcOxEPu1c/s320/blackcanary11.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinah refuses to superhero.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Six more years later, Dinah has had her first mainstream hit with her first dance album,<i> "Scream Heels". </i> Her past work has been critically well received but didn't breakthrough. Dinah appears at a press cobference. She tells them that times are hard in the world, so if her music can bring joy then she's done her job. She tells them she won't go back to experimentally stuff, nothing but hits from now on. <br />
<br />
Four more years later, she is being interviewed over the phone about her recent albums, her most recent being<i> "like your first peice of purely commercial art." </i> When the interview starts probing into her past work saying they sounded like she was searching for for a way to connect with her mother after all these years. The interbiewer says that she told a magazine in the past she had found a frequency that allowed to communicate wth her mother. Dinah snaps that this interview was supposed to be about her new record. The interviewer presses her saying did she find out Izak Orato wasn't responsible for her death and that's why she agreed to work with him. And was there any clue he'd become Ravedeath in the early days with him? Then the interveiwer asks her about the new album.<br />
<br />
Six more years later, Dinah has Paloma and Byron round to ask if they want to reform Black Canary. She says she hasn't been feeling the music in so long,<i> "so many soulless stadium shows."</i> We wants to feel the energy again. She snuck into Gotham to watch them play saying it took all her willpowet not to run up to the stage and do a song. Paloma gets up to leave and Byron apologises saying it's not the right time for any of them. Dinah asks where Ditto is, Byron says she has no idea who she is talking about.<br />
<br />
Seven years later on, she arrives heavily pregant meeting with Barbara and Diana (Wonder Woman). They have a serious message for her though. Her husband Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow was serving the Justice League again at Barbara's request. Ravedeath was spreading throughout the universe and they didn't want it to strip other planets like it did Earth. And Ollie was killed in deep space, when he was supposed to be with his family. <i> "I'll never forgive your for this Babs. Never"</i> she says coldly.<br />
<br />
Sixteen years later, her daughter is a teenager and tells her mum she is not supposed to be out of bed. Dinah eppears to still be recording despite being ill. She gets into bed and her daughter tells her to<i> "leave the music now. Just close you eyes."</i> Dinah says when she closes them her daughter isn't there. Suddenly the rest of Black Canary appear and tell her she is not alone and never have been. Ditto appears and tells her <i>"time is flexible".</i><br />
<br />
Black Canary surround her saying she's alive and she is going to be OK. Dinah remembers that they are in so many places at once and there is that hum again,<i> "everything's buzzing".</i> Then a vision of her mum appears and clasps her hands. She tells Dinah she remembers how powerful she was when she left,<i> "that power inside your cry is everything, love."</i> The vibration is the music of the heavens and the music of the universe and she taught her to channel it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkOjSEJf7pY04zxP42Bb6XuaH-lc0cQqTN33s19tbE5VLT_PRGYxcAcldBs0pI9LKNkADfV0MLkelfE3MJidEQnBxGbG_jsXvNqQMsCLItctC2FucG3xGubCjN8xKH5UlUsDWltxNMjk/s1600/blackcanary12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="964" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkOjSEJf7pY04zxP42Bb6XuaH-lc0cQqTN33s19tbE5VLT_PRGYxcAcldBs0pI9LKNkADfV0MLkelfE3MJidEQnBxGbG_jsXvNqQMsCLItctC2FucG3xGubCjN8xKH5UlUsDWltxNMjk/s320/blackcanary12.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time gets wobbly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She was shown how to use it as a child and she learned though she did not know,<i> "use it. Fight for your life and the lives of your friends and family."</i><br />
<b>Dinah: </b><i>"The Five Heavens Palm!"</i><br />
<br />
And with that she returns to the present, she pulls the katana out of her belly and stands with Ditto putting her hand on her wound and it heals up. Black Canary all give her a big group hug as Maeve notes Ditto brought them back to save Dinah.<br />
<br />
But there is still the matter of Ravanahatha to deal with. Both halves, Rena and Izak say they will become whole again now she has unlocked the power. The demon joins together although not fully, they are still powerful though when attached to each other. A big brawl ensues with Black Canary joining in as well as Vixen and her manager.<br />
<br />
<b>Ravanahatha: </b><i>"Youuuuuu can't win. If you use the Five Heavens Palm we will let you live. We will even give you yor hearts desire. Fame! Fortune! Family! We can make sure you're never alone again."</i><br />
<br />
Dinah says she has never been alone and if it wants her power it can have it. But she warns it that the Five Heavens Palm won't put it back together it will be it's death.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNBTJaZoV1rbxm53wcch75d-23osulF2DKhV6nEU8gXjjrx_Za1kpA0xGx3gfjuUjEdy-Glz9RCxGgMEtkqU0KcBbN9QavBILkMqmzZAxKcmW05Q0Mlbc3Re8KCHwKh325z2U1z-wenU/s1600/blackcanary13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="984" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNBTJaZoV1rbxm53wcch75d-23osulF2DKhV6nEU8gXjjrx_Za1kpA0xGx3gfjuUjEdy-Glz9RCxGgMEtkqU0KcBbN9QavBILkMqmzZAxKcmW05Q0Mlbc3Re8KCHwKh325z2U1z-wenU/s320/blackcanary13.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Five Heavens Palm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Five Black Canarys appear with they palms all pointed inward. Ravanahatha lets out a terrible scream and disperses. The rest of his ninja cult run when they realise their master is gone. Dinah asks if she did that and Vixen says she defeated an ancient kung fu demon with a secret technique her mum buried inside her, so yeah she did do it.<br />
<br />
She accomplished what her mother didn't. It would have sucked the world dry, and her mum split it in half but Dinah actually destroyed it. Sent it to the place between time and space. Dinah says she saw her mother and other instances of herself. She is told to trust what she knows and that she is a superhero. Dinah apologises to the band for getting them involved. Byron asks if the can go home now. Then Dinah thinks about her husband Kurt.<br />
<br />
We cut to her laying a flower on his grave. Amanda Waller, she of the Goverment superhero black-ops agencies arrives to pay her respects. She asks what the future holds for Black Canary. Dinah says she has her eye on a new pair of boots. She asks Amanda what her intentions with Ditto. Amanda pretends she doesn't know about her and just says<i> "who?"</i><br />
<br />
We end this story and this truncated series with Dinah announcing at a concert that she is quitting the band. It woun't be the end of Black Canary, they will be having their original vocalist back, Bo Meave. She and Bo are going to duet but before they do she says she knows there are many possible futures but nothng can stop her <i>"loving these women like my own flesh and blood. Aren't they incredible?" </i> She counts the song in one last time and sings her final song.<br />
<br />
She walks down backstage and changes her high boots for a part of buckled combat boots. As she walks out of the venue the narration asks who is Dinah? A singer. A daughter. A friend. A fighter. Each tones of a complex chord. Made stronger by those ringing with it. Made stronger still by those against it.<br />
<br />
<b>Narration: </b><i>"That's the power behind the voice of Dinah Lance. That's the sound of Black Canary."</i><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJ6_yk4vy7QJ09TShsPvgnnRIg7lL6i1NcLnEglPTcztkPaITCAYFw6Mkf7Urx2JngZBqx4Upk5ECg2NUlsl0pUZGnyy3Jb6l4qISai9v-aeaYuoTU7sgORVVxnkM2SMQQSSJILA8hvI/s1600/blackcanary14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1019" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJ6_yk4vy7QJ09TShsPvgnnRIg7lL6i1NcLnEglPTcztkPaITCAYFw6Mkf7Urx2JngZBqx4Upk5ECg2NUlsl0pUZGnyy3Jb6l4qISai9v-aeaYuoTU7sgORVVxnkM2SMQQSSJILA8hvI/s320/blackcanary14.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of this chapter of Dinah's life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The end. Well not quite, there is issue #17 of <i>Gotham Academy</i> included in the trade, which recounts how Heathcliffe hooked up with the band. But as I am also covering that series on this blog it makes more sense to write about it when I reach that volume of <i>Gotham Academy. </i>There is also a sneak peek of Dinah taking the <i>Black Canary </i>identity and <i> </i>becoming part of <i>The Birds of Prey </i>again as part of the DC Rebirth. All very safe and samey and typical of DC to try something new with a character like this version with Black Canary being a band and Dinah its lead singer, then panic and pull their head back into their shell and just return to the same old, same old stuff. Oh well. Anyway as for this story, it does indeed suffer from obviously having to resolve itself in too few issues, but it still manages to be remarkably coherent. I'm a huge martial arts buff so I enjoyed the fight scenes and of course the search for a super special technique that was in you the whole time is a martial arts movie trope it was fun to see used here. I'd like to have seen more of the band as they were definitely sidelined in the issue, although the team-up with Batgirl made up for it. Also nice to see Vixen again, she is one of those charaters who has bounced round the DCU for a long time, never finding a comic of her own just guest starring in other peoples. The rushed ending also meant we didn't get to see Ravanahatha do something more heinous that would really warrant revenge, I mean it was evil don't get me wrong but I feel it could have been shown to have done even more eveil things than just snacking on Dinah's father. And interestingly she never actually tracked down her mother, only seeing her in her vision. That seemed to satisfy her at anyrate, but maybe they'll continue her hunt in <i>Birds of Prey</i>, though that's doubtful considering the clean slate approach the DC Rebirth took. The art was excellent all the way through, Sandy Jarrell, Moritat, Annie Wu and Wayne Faucher all worked hard to keep the style consistent and writer Brenden Fletcher's writing was naturalistic despite having to contain some egregiously huge infodumps. I could have read a lot more of Dinah the lead singer of Black Canary but alas it was not to be. Anyway, join me again on Valentine's Day when Squirrel Girl has to deal with her toughest adversary yet. A Nice Guy...varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-14328425318386702422018-02-04T20:54:00.000+00:002018-02-04T20:54:19.283+00:00Alan Moore Obscurities: The Many Worlds Of Tesla Strong (ABC Compilation)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"Talking about cutting it close... here it comes"</i> - <b>Tesla Strong</b><br /><br />First off sorry for the sporadic posting this past couple of months, it's been a miserable winter full of health issues but things should be getting back to normal now. This month is going to be another month devoted to the ladies. Either comics headed up by a female character or ensemble pieces with particularly strong and interesting female members. It's also the last Alan Moore Obscurity as a regular feature on this blog, it won't be going away entirely as I have obscurities to track down still. But I've pretty much exhausted my own collection, so I choose to end it on a high note as we revisit Alan's unjustly underrated time at America's Best Comics round the turn of the millenium and to the world of Tom Strong. I've covered the first volume of Tom Strong <a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/alan-moore-obscurities-tom-strong-book.html">on this blog here</a>, but in a nutshell he's a very strong and long lived "science hero" who inherited his genius intellect from his father and his kindness and empathy from his mother. They all lived on a south sea island where his father was training him up, but he lost both parents as a young teen and grew up with the native folk after that, before travelling to Millenium City to become its greatest protector. He married his native sweetheart Dhalua and had a daughter called Tesla Strong, a smart young woman in her own right, and it's her we follow in what was originally a sixty-four page one-shot before being republished in the ABC Compilation and as befits Moore at his best it's boiling over with so many ideas they can barely be kept within the borders of the page. Adventure!<br /><br /><b>Narrator:</b> <i>"There are universes without end, so the physicists tell us - an infinite number of Earths, where every possibility gets played out, every fantasy becomes real. Come with us now as we explore the many worlds of Tesla Strong."</i><br /><br />We begin with a boom in in the <i>"Stronghold"</i> of Millenium City. Tesla scolds Solomon, a gorilla who Tom raised up to human level intelligence and who speaks with the vocal manner of an Edwardian Englishman, for mucking about with a bazooka. <i>"Well how was I to know the bally thing was loaded?"</i> grumbles Solomon. Tesla says they have to clean up the mess before her mum and dad get back.<br /><br />Also present is Pneuman, the ancient robot who was the repository of Tom's father's records and who helped teach Tom as he grew up. He is always butting heads with Solomon and also gives the gorilla a telling off. Solomon however has spotted a new thing to mess about with, a floating surfboard that travels to parallel realities. He accidentally activates it and shoots off through a portal. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tesla Strong</td></tr>
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It almost immediately reopens but only the surfboard returns and the destination log has been wiped. So Tesla, who thinks of him as <i>"practically my brother" </i>climbs on to it determined to search every reality there is until she finds him. And off she goes.<br /><br />She first arrives on the lip of a huge glowing green crater. A woman in a hazard suit grabs her, telling her she's a <i>"goober"</i> for flying so close. She is <i>"Tekla Strong"</i> and hooray it's time for Alan Moore's embaressing made-up slang to make an appearance! Tekla says she could of got <i>"skarked"</i> and they need to get her<i> "hoosed down and soonissimost..."</i><br /><br />The hatch she tries to go through a hatch into a building but it's light has blown. Tekla fumbles with a flare and when she lights it, they are surrounded by lots of small carnivourus beetle-crab things. Tekla uses the flare to drive them back and they enter the building. Tesla gets decontaminated, seems the board protected her from the worst of the radiation. <br /><br />Tesla asks what happened to this world, and Tekla says World War 3 happened, when<i> "Gorby"</i> got shot and <i>"Quayle pushed the freckin' panic button... and so did the Sovs."</i> Her dad had built this refuge before it happened and so only forty-thousand people remain now on a planet of mutated animals and dead humans. Tekla says as far as they know only them, some Mormons and the Swiss still survive.<br /><br />She asks Tesla why she is here and Tesla says she is looking for a gorilla. Tekla says that's funny, they've just lost their<i> "Archimedes the Atomic Ape."</i> She thinks he might have opened a warp gate. They've been trying to find an empty Earth they can move too, but they haven't had any luck yet and can't keep looking for too long at a time due to the power drain. Tesla says if Solomon isn't here she has to move on and if she finds Archimedes she'll send him back. And off she goes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tesla meets Tekla.</td></tr>
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She arrives at her next destination underwater. Fortunately <i>"Tori Strong"</i> is there, and she's a mermaid. She helps Tesla to the surface and Tesla explains she is looking for her lost ape. Tori says she hasn't seen him but her dad could help. She shouts up to a man in a boat called Winston who supplies them with what they need to take Tesla down to the underwater city beneath.<br /><br />They swim down and using radios they converse. Tori tells Tesla the world flooded thirty years ago thanks to global warming. Her grandad predicted it and started gene splicing experiments which her dad perfected and so everyone who wanted to was turned into mermaids and mermen. People do still live above in boats and what dry land remains though.<br /><br />They reach Tori's version of Tom Strong and he tells them that he hasn't seen any alien gorillas but "Poseidon the Sea Monkey disappeared into a freak whirlpool an hour or so ago." This causes Tesla to ponder:<br /><br /><b>Tesla: </b><i>"I wonder if Solomon disappearing set off some kind of quantum monkey wave..."</i><br /><br />And that's why we love Alan Moore because he can make things like that sound like casual conversation. Anyway with no Solomon here she shifts to the next reality.<br /><br />The art shifts too, to a much more cute style. This is the world of the rabbit <i>"Warren Strong"</i>. The evil gentleman fox version of Tom Strong's main foe Paul Saveen. He has Warren's three children Topsy, Turvy and Fluffy-Tail held captive but Tesla easily knocks him out and frees them. They haven't seen Solomon and they've lost their own gorilla <i>"Mr. Pythagoras"</i>. So once again Tesla moves on.<br /><br />We cut to Solomon coming to on a sofa. He is greeted by a fellow gorilla dressed like Napoleon who shows him that the two of them are not alone. <i> "'Pon my soul" </i>says Solomon, <i>"there's more than a barrel of us." </i> We're then back with Tesla as she smashes through a bedroom mirror. A girl with brown curly hair and glasses greets her, then quickly forces Tesla to wear the brown curly wig and glasses she was disguised with revealing that she is <i>"Tesla Terrific".</i><br /><br />When a nosy friend pokes her head through the door, Tesla Terrific uses her identical looking other self disguised as her alter-ego <i>"Tara"</i> to prove that she and Tara are different people. When the nosy friend is shooed off, they chat for a bit and Tesla Terrific mentions<i> "Twyla Strong" </i>from a Earth where virtually everyone is evil. Ominous.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Tesla team-up.</td></tr>
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Tesla Terrific takes Tesla to the <i>"Strongbox"</i> where there might be information on what's happened to Solomon and all the other missing apes. Tesla Terrific can fly, while Tesla follows on the board, because her dad isn't human, he's an alien whose planet was exploded by a wizard who gave him magical powers. His powers are half atomic, half magic and she inherited them. They come across a giant bronze robot stomping through the streets and both Tesla's team up to take it down. But after that there is bad news, their ape <i>"Terrifo the Science-Ape"</i> has gone and her parents are off scouring the solar system looking for him. With no help to be had here, Tesla moves on...<br /><br />... To the lair of the Spider-Priestess, where<i> "Tes of the Tigers"</i>, who is dressed in about as little as you can be without technically being naked is being strung up in a fetish-like manner by said Spider-Priestess who is going to watch as her pet spiders eat Tes. However Tesla entrance on the board knocks the boobular Priestess out and she cuts Tes of the Tigers free.<br /><br />Tes burns the web and drives off the spiders. But she leaves the Priestess who she wants to best in a fair fight. They clamber out of the basement lair and are greeted by her companion tiger <i>"Rajah"</i>. As Tes cuddles Rajah, Tesla asks if she has seen a strange gorilla but of course not, one has gone missing though although we don't find out its name as Tesla travels on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice tiger.</td></tr>
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To the creepiest, grossest artwork I have ever seen and a naked <i>"Tammy Strong"</i>. Which fits because this is the Earth where everyone wears no clothes and holy shit her alt-mum and dad appear naked too and start trying to undress Tesla in the perviest manner possible. It's only two pages because Tesla rightly makes her escape fast while I scrub my eyes clean from having to witness that and I am not wasting an image insert on it either when you could be seeing nice JH Williams III art instead. Shudder. THANKS ALAN MOORE.<br /><br />Tesla arrives on a world and is faced by a huge Aztec themed version of herself who picks her up in one hand and takes her to a gigantic pyramid. There is a giant Tom Strong, but he isn't in charge. The things ruling this world is actually a giant snake called<i> "Quetzalcotal-9"</i>, a fractal intelligence that a high tech Aztec race had chained while they expanded their blood thirsty Empire into many realities. Tom Strong freed Quetzalcoatal-9 from its restraints and now it rules benevolently even trying to ween his people off blood sacrifice although it's concluded they are <i>"addicted to it".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gaint snek!</td></tr>
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Quetzalcoatal-9 scans Tesla and recognises her as blood kin to Tom and asks if he is in any need of help? Tesla explains what has happened and it examines her board. It repairs it so the it now displays the destinations visited and she can now track Solomon down. Delighted, before she leaves she asks Quetzacoatal-9 if it has any empty Earths in its empire? For some friends of hers stuck on the irradiated Earth. It says that sounds like something which would suit its purpose for an experiment it has been planning, <i>"return, and we shall speak more of this."</i><br /><br />So Tesla finally arrives on the correct Earth but is immediately gassed and knocked out. We then pull back to reveal that it was the evil counterparts of Tom, Solomon and Tesla that Tesla Terrific mentioned. Evil Tom, <i>"Tiberius Strong"</i> wanted to destroy all his counterparts starting with Tom Strong but all he's been given <i>"is several dozen monkeys and Strong's whelp". </i> Solomon's counterpart <i>"Nero"</i> says he's been having a hard time calculating all the quantum stuff. <i>"Twyla"</i> meanwhile wants Tesla to herself <i>"I just want to play with her".</i><br /><br />Back on Tesla's Earth Tom and Dhalua return from their trip. When Pneuman explains what happened Tom calmly says he is going to his workshop to build another <i>"Searchboard"</i> to find her. Meanwhile on Earth Evil, Twyla has Tesla in chains and is threatening her with a hot poker. She says that they had tried to lure her dad there when they had last visited by programming his Searchboard to bring him here, but Solomon used it instead.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earth Evil, Tiberious, Nero and Twyla.</td></tr>
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Then they thought that they would capture him when he came looking for Solomon, but Tesla arrived instead. So they just decided to send the board back with a<i> "nice big bomb on board"</i>. It's too late to stop it, it's already gone, so she is going to leave Tesla to stew on that for a few hours then it'll be hot poker time.<br /><br />Tesla begins to cry mumbling that it's all her fault. Then suddenly Paul Saveen's double appears from a secret passage and of course in this universe he's the good guy called <i>"Peter Saveen".</i><br /><br /><b>Peter:</b> <i>"Gentleman adventurer and occasional science hero at your service. Now then let's see if we can get you out of those chains.... which are most unbecoming".</i><br /><br />He frees her from her bonds and they escape. He asks her why she is crying and she tells him what has happened. He says that there is a chance thanks to the<i> "evil genius of Professor Parallax we have all the time in the world."</i><br /><br />Outside they meet<i> "Ilsa Weiss"</i> the good counterpart of Ingrid Weiss, the Nazi who raped Tom and had his son who she indoctrinated into Nazism. Here though the son does exist, also good from a <i>"moment of weakness" </i>with Tiberius. <i> "Alois"</i> greets Tesla politely saying she is much prettier than Twyla. Here the Nazis were the good guys who saved millions, <i>"it was a tragedy we were defeated".</i> Errr. <br /><br />OK moving hurridly on. The good-bad guys make their move to foil the bad-good guys, first by going to the abandoned typewriter factory where all the apes are being kept enclosed by a forcefield. Ingrid will be dealing with taking down the forcefield while Peter and Tesla strap on their portable time machines and warp back in time to just a few moments after she first arrived.<br /><br />The run to where Tesla can see her unconcious self being taken off to the dungeon. They have a whispered conversation about how this can be happening. Tesla says it's impossible to exist in the same place at the same time, but Peter says <i>"well, you're not are you? She's way over there."</i> This gives Tesla time to travel via a second searchboard Peter had built and return in time to stop the bomb. She'll be returning for Solomon though and Peter says she won't want to miss the revolution they have put into action.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice family outing.</td></tr>
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Tesla arrives back and whoaaa! Look at the chin on Tom. Anyway he tells her she has some explaining to do but she tells him about the bomb and she also has the coordinates they can use to deflect it where it won't harm anyone. It gets deflected to Tekla's ruined world, as it explodes in the air Tekla testily grumbles that are they at war with the Mormons now?<br /><br /><i>"One long story later"</i>, Tom has been filled in on what's been going on. They both get on their surf boards, Tom's new one is a double one so Dhalua can come along as well for a family arse-kicking. And back on Earth Evil the released apes are fighting with Tiberius and Twyla. Tesla greets Solomon who tells her when they couldn't escape, he and the others wrote a play instead.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ape Escape!</td></tr>
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Tiberius and Tom throw down, Tom demands to know why Tiberius wants him dead and like all Nazis Tiberius is a special snowflake and yells<i> "because I deserve to be unique."</i> Before he can carry on he is stepped on by the enormous <i>"giant Aztec Gorilla."</i> It doesn't kill Tiberius he's just been crushed into the concrete. Twyla runs to help but Tesla tackles her calling her <i>"you colossal bitch"</i>. Dhalua scolds her language while Tesla knocks Twyla out. Nero offers Tiberius a gun but before he can fire, Quetzecoatal-9 appears looking for its lost ape and shocks them both unconcious.<br /><br />Tom thanks it for its help, then Tesla introduces Ilsa and Peter to Tom. Alois says he wants to be a hero like Tom when he grows up. Looking on Dhalua growls to Tesla<i>, "Okay. We've done the polite bit. Now get that hussy and her brat away from your father." </i> Tom asks Peter if anything can be done to stop Tiberius and Twyla. Peter sighs that on this Earth they are more likely to get a medal. But Tesla has an idea...<br /><br />We conclude this tale with Tesla and Tom together on the brand new Earth Quetzecoatal-9 had found for the people of the irradiated Earth of Tekla Strong. Tesla says that its going to leave them alone and experiment with free will. Tekla arrives saying they have finished building a jail where in return they are going to keep Tiberius, Twyla and Nero captive.<br /><br />They go to check it out and Tiberius flings Tom's words of kindness back in his face saying he'll come for him one of these days. <i>"I guess some people, you just can't help"</i> shrugs Tesla. She and Tom walk together as Tesla says it's time to go to the read through for Solomon's new play. It's a comedy about bananas <i>"written by a very finite number of monkeys" </i>grins Tom. Of course, he suggests, they could go for a spin round the multiverse on the double searchboard instead... Tesla agrees saying they can tell Dhalua and Solomon they got lost. <i> "Move over" </i>says Tom<i> "It's my turn to drive"</i>. The end.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The End indeed.</td></tr>
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Ah this was vintage Moore: funny, pervy, imaginative, clever, silly and good hearted. I've never been super into the Tom Strong stories when Tom takes centre stage. I appreciate the pulpy tropes they riff off of but Tom always feels a little bland. He's a genuinely nice bloke, don't get me wrong, but his daughter has a bit more bite to her while retaining his good natured, high minded ideals. It's amazing how much he manages to cram into 64 pages. Many worlds, many Tesla's, enough ideas expressed on a few pages that could keep other series going for months with such marvellous images as a huge snake god politely assisting the hero take down evil versions of himself and his ape henchman. Of course Moore does somewhat fudge why Solomon shifting set off the quantum monkey wave, but pshaw who cares for details, only nerds that's who! When the idea results in a bunch of alternative versions of Solomon sitting around writing a play while they wait to be rescued by a good Nazi, you just have to applaud the audacity in the first place. Jolly good show Moore. Sadly I can't actually credit any artist apart from co-creator Chris Sprouse because each universe has a different artist and none are specifically credited to this story. I recognise JH Williams III I think and maybe Frank Cho but can't say for absolute certain. So that's a shame, and it means the person responsible for the naked universe goes scott free dammit.<br /><br />And I may as well say it here when I am looking at something showing Moore at his best, when I was checking the publication dates for the second half of his Supreme run on wikipedia that Moore has effectively retired from comicbook writing now. Which is a terrible shame, because I really thought that Providence was an amazing return to form and was hoping it would lead to another creative resurgence for him. Now I know I've ragged on Moore in quite a few of my posts, but it's mainly been his Image/Awesome comics that I've moaned about and I don't think even Moore would disagree with my criticisms of how lazy he got when he thought he'd just pander to his audience rather than challenge them. Moore is the writer who dragged me into the world of mature American comics, co-created one of DC's greatest characters in working class mage John Constantine, gave me Halo Jones as a heroine to admire and wrote the Watchmen which for all it's become fashionable to reassess it in the years since, genuinely changed the medium for better or for worse in ways that still resonate to this day as well as all the other millions of awesome things he did for ABC with Promethea, Top Ten and yes, the world of Tom Strong. As I said in the intro this won't be the last time I look at Moore's work, there are still some short minis and one-shots that need tracking down and compilig in a couple of posts, but well for now enjoy your retirement good sir. You've earned it.<br />varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-33205970744444568892018-01-24T18:45:00.000+00:002018-01-24T18:46:28.224+00:00Age Of Ultron (#1-10) PART TWO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ1rVRa07EcXSOXFfGZ6DIVuJbGdu4dLcNj1TNiopvLlTJ-URkLGh2OxR9RT4v5Tyf9YRi3JMNeYOQa1euMcF5YjFIUwwaIb8Ud2izjBL_okeLkGA9TOnhijTUERCL7uCpwWIMGwEDX0/s1600/ageofultroncover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZ1rVRa07EcXSOXFfGZ6DIVuJbGdu4dLcNj1TNiopvLlTJ-URkLGh2OxR9RT4v5Tyf9YRi3JMNeYOQa1euMcF5YjFIUwwaIb8Ud2izjBL_okeLkGA9TOnhijTUERCL7uCpwWIMGwEDX0/s320/ageofultroncover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<i>"You think this world is a better place? You absolute fool"</i> - <b>Tony Stark</b><br />
<br />
Wrapping up the second half of this 2013 Marvel Event Comic, that has nothing to do with the film <i>Avengers: Age Of Ultron</i> except they both have Ultron doing bad things in them. Ultron launched a massive attack on Earth targetting all the major cities with biomechanial machines, flattening them and using his Ultron army to patrol and deal with any survivors. The few heroes left in New York, minus many of the heavies like Thor, Hulk and Ben Grimm who were all killed, gathered under Central Park. They formulated a plan that got Luke Cage into Ultron's base where he found the top half of Vision overseeing things. Ultron is using him to attack from the future. Luke Cage is mortally wounded by the nuclear blast that his escape triggers but makes it to the Savage Land to pass that information on to the other heroes who arrive there after him. They then break into Nick Fury's bunker where he was waiting for them. He tells them he is going to take them into the future and take the fight to Ultron directly using Doctor Doom's time machine. Wolverine says they should be going back in time and killing Dr. Henry "Ant Man" Pym who was the one who created the A.I. that evolved into Ultron. After Fury and his merry band take off to the future, Wolverine pops his claws and says he wants to be sent back, no arguments, this is what will happen. So now the conclusion. Writer is Brian Michael Bendis, art is by Brian Hitch and is joined by Brandon Peterson and Carlos Pacheco. They styles blend quite well thanks to the millions of inkers, but the other two pencillers render their heroes less rugged and gritty looking and not so much detail. The story now tightens its focus and Wolverine and Sue Richards step up to carry the rest of the storyline.<br />
<br />
We begin with Wolverine in the Savage Land, Antartica, <i>"Years Ago".</i> He notes that everything is alive so that's a good sign, then he says <i>"you can show yourself" </i>and Sue Richards who can turn invisible as one of her many psychic powers. She asks if his mutant senses detected her and he says it was that and the fact neither have showered in at least a week. He then asks what she is doing here, <i>"I thought you went on the future time suicide mission with Fury and the others."</i><br />
<br />
She says she had a last minute change of heart. She saw the look in his eye and knew the moment he was told not to try something like this he was going to to something like this. He asks if she is here to stop him, but she surpises him by saying <i>"honestly, I don't know. I know in my heart there is a right thing and a wrong thing..."</i> Wolverine says it isn't complicated, she says it is, but he asks her if she would kill someone to save her kids? Because this is it times a billion.<br />
<br />
<b>Sue:</b> <i>"I lost my children and... and my husband and my brother... and I didn't get to say goodbye."</i><br />
<br />
Wolverine says to keep those feelings and use them. Then he grabs her and tells her to cloak them. They spot Nick Fury landing in his flying car and going into a cave. So Sue and Wolverine car-jack him and start flying to New York.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logan and Sue, the dynamic duo.</td></tr>
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In the future the heroes have arrived and they realise Sue is missing. Nick is vexed because she was the stealth component of the mission. But Tony says that her cloaking abilities wouldn't have worked against Ultron. So Fury orders Quicksilver to do a speedrun to Manhattan to check things out, the rest are going to follow by flying courtesty of Storm's wind manipulation powers.<br />
<br />
Wolverine and Sue land in New York, and we cut to Henry Pym in his lab, he analysing a monster dead on his table. As he does so he goes on a very long monologue about artificial intelligence and comes up with the idea of creating an A.I. that can learn and grow into <i>"something greater than the human mind can even imagine". </i> He thinks it would enhance other technology and end war and disease, <i>"it's the best thing that could happen to us... as a people. As a species".</i><br />
<br />
Wolverine interupts him saying <i>"it just happened didn't it?"</i> That this was the moment Henry doomed the world. When Henry asks who he is, Wolverine says <i>"I'm the ghost of christmas future."</i> Henry says he picked the wrong place to break into, but coldly Wolverine says that he comes from a place where everything he knows and loves will be gone, because of Henry Pym. Henry asks if he knows who he is, Wolverine says that evryone knows who he is.<br />
<br />
<b>Wolverine: </b><i>"And I know enough to know ain't nothin' gonna stop you from being you. And any small chance you would is a chance I ain't willing to take."</i><br />
<br />
And he pops his claws, so Henry grows to giant size and grabs hold of Wolverine. In the future, the hero brigade arrive at New York City to find it a mass of technological buildings which Tony can't help but call <i>"beautiful."</i> But there is no humans left, only Ultron.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry Pym doesn't just grow smaller.</td></tr>
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Red Hulk says they are too close then suddenly a flock of Ultrons home in on them and battle commences in the sky. They manage to take out the first wave, but more missiles start flying and the heroes begin to die, Captain America being graphically decapitated being a highlight.<br />
<br />
In the past, Henry drops Wolverine yelling <i>"what are you made of?"</i> at him. Wolverine slashes his gut and Henry ends up bent double. Wolverine says he knows Henry did good in the world so this isn't easy for him. Before he can strike the deathblow, Sue comes in. Henry recognises her and begs for her help. She stammers that there has to be a line they do not cross.<br />
<br />
Wolverine holds his claws to Henry's head and shouts at Sue to remember her husband and kids if he doesn't do this they will all end up gone. And Sue sheds a tear whispering <i>"all those people"</i>. And Wolverine shoves his claws right through Henry's head. She looks unwell and asks Wolverine <i>"now what?"</i> He says they go home and know that whatever is waiting for them <i>"we know it's got to be better than what we left."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry gets stabbed to death.</td></tr>
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Travelling back to the time machine in the Savage Land, Sue is quiet. Wolverine says she chose to get herself involved. She asks him how many people he has killed in his life and he says <i>"nobody who didn't have it coming".</i> She tartly responds that they struck down a true hero in the prime of his life, that Ultron created Vision and he was one of the greatest Avengers, <i>"without them, what will the world be like?"</i><br />
<br />
Wolverine insists it has got to be better than what they left behind. He parks the car a way away from the hideout in the hope that Nick Fury in this time period won't use it so they can pick it up when the return to the future. Present. Future present. <br />
<br />
Suddenly a Tyranosaur! Wolverine is about to slay it but Sue creates a temporary forcefield bubble round it's jaws and it wanders off leaving them alone. They reach the time machine and travel to their own time. And they find the Savage Land is now a graveyard of wrecked spaceships. They find a Skrull skull and Sue says some of the ship look Kree. Sue ponders that the Kree/Skrull war must have reached Earth in this reality whereas before the Avengers stopped it before that happened. <br />
<br />
They overhear several guards in red and gold armour talking about working for <i>"Starkguard". </i> Sue queries this to Wolverine who just mutters he'll get the car. They reach New York in the flying car to find the ominous prescence of multiple helicarriers, some greay, some red and gold. <i> "What have we done?!"</i> says Sue holding her head in her hands. Grumpily Wolverine says <i>"the world's still here ain't it?" </i>Then their car is hit by an energy blast. Sue and Wolverine crashland the car and suddenly an eye-patched Captain America, brown costume Wolverine, Thing, Hulk, Wasp, Dr. Strange and a couple of others I don't recognise fly down saying they can't just waltz into American airspace, <i>"not without The Defenders having something to say about it!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The defensive Defenders.</td></tr>
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Wasp says the pair of them are <i>"dumb Skrulls</i>". Thing says to Sue,<i> "are you back?"</i> One of the others says he doesn't think they are Skrulls, it's some other weird thing. So she says maybe it's a <i>"Le Fey trick".</i> Brown Wolverine holds his claws to Wolverine's throat and tells him to start talking. Sue blasts them and she and Wolverine take off. Thing says that it might really be Sue, while brown Wolverine says Wolverine smells just like him.<br />
<br />
As Sue and Wolverine run, he says it's hopeless to try and evade the other him once he's got the scent. The Defenders catch them up, and Sue and Dr Strange do a bit of of psychic stuff at each other, while both Wolverines fight. Hulk manages to grab hold of Sue saying if she knew anything about Sue and Reed Richards she'd know they left and haven't been back to Earth in ages.<br />
<br />
She manages to escape him, only to be blasted by Wasp. Meanwhile Wolverine decides to end the fight between him and his alt by crushing his face into a wall then practically slicing him in half. As he stands over brown Wolverine he says that he'll heal, he'll ave his team and his friends and maybe a girl in the future,<i> "it cost us our souls to have this, so try to make the most of it."</i><br />
<br />
But as he goes to leave the restaurant kitchen they crashed into, Thing punches him through the door knocking him out. Wasp says they can't be Skrulls because they turn back into their alien form when unconcious. Captain America, who is actually Colonel America in this reality asks Dr. Strange if he has ever seen anything like this before. Dr. Strange says <i>"I think we need to talk to him".</i> And then Tony Stark, look way more bionic than usual appears, backed up by a horde of flying robots and says<i> "who wants to tell their Uncle Tony exactly what's going on around here?"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Uncle Tony Starkguard.</td></tr>
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We then jump to a while later, Tony is suspended in the air examining the memories of Sue and Wolverine who are imprisoned aboard his helicarrier. The memories are floating around him across a double page spread showing various famous incidence from the prime reality. He seems almost overwhelmed by what he sees, telling Jarvis <i>"it's not every day you see an entire alternate timeline unfold in front of you."</i><br />
<br />
He has Professor Charles Xavier and Emma Frost with him whose telepathic abilities extracted the memories. Tony asks Xavier to tell him it isn't real and he's just gone mad. But Xavier and Emma say Wolverine is Wolverine, <i>"just not our Wolverine".</i> Just as the Sue Richards isn't the same as the one from this reality.<br />
<br />
<b>Xavier: </b><i>"The narrative inside each of their heads is identical... you cannot... you cannot fake that kind of psychic synchronicity."</i><br />
<br />
Emma also says that the past few weeks they've both experienced the same kind of horrible memories. Tony asks if Morgana Le Fey could have planted these memories. Could they be a clone/trojan horse about to blow up in their faces? Emma says if Morgana is that good, <i>"she wins". </i><br />
<br />
Xavier says that he thinks this is exactly what it appears to be, and Tony says these lunatics <i>"have broken the timeline".</i> Emma says at least they are not dead at the hands of a homicidal A.I. Brown Wolverine wants to interrogate Wolverine but Tony says to send The Defenders away, especially Colonel America,<i> "last thing I need is an earful of his mouth".</i> And he wants no one else knowing about this.<br />
<br />
Emma asks if he wants her to wipe the memories from The Defenders' brains. Xavier says he doesn't want her doing that. Tony asks for an old S.H.I.E.L.D files on the investigation into Henry Pym's death. The lab security footage especially. Then we cut to him standing over Wolverine who is shackled to a chair. He tells him that for a long time they thought Henry was murdered by Skrulls. When Wolverine asks for a beer, Tony tells him <i>"you're so like yourself it's scary".</i><br />
<br />
Wolverine asks what happened to Tony's body. Tony tells him he lost half of it in the Latveria-Asgard wars, which was the last time he saw Thor. He was ripped in half trying to stop Morgana Le Fey from conquering half of the world including Europe. It seems none of this would have happened if Henry was alive. He shows the security footage to Wolverine.<br />
<br />
<b>Tony: </b><i>"You killed my very good friend. The Avengers broke up soon after this. Magic won in a battle against technology. Asgard abandoned us. You broke the world."</i><br />
<br />
Sue is also shackled to a chair in another room though she has been left on her own. When no one comes to speak to her she begins to use her powers to free her from the dampening cuffs she is bound with, straining so hard she gets a nosebleed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3WIrmSc5TLHpVu-cpmIg4F1Hhb3f8n517JpxXXdmR81PlAIITz2i7tvfsTZuY6OPeFxsGpggKTMkHF07qZ59xyadvARedCUBr5XIMUP8OU4TSntSgLTn1meJ4OuXNc9Bs7FSZMknsFk/s1600/ageofultrontwo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="994" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3WIrmSc5TLHpVu-cpmIg4F1Hhb3f8n517JpxXXdmR81PlAIITz2i7tvfsTZuY6OPeFxsGpggKTMkHF07qZ59xyadvARedCUBr5XIMUP8OU4TSntSgLTn1meJ4OuXNc9Bs7FSZMknsFk/s320/ageofultrontwo6.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sue begins to escape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back with Tony and Wolverine, Wolverine asks to go but Tony says where wil he go? Wolverine asks if he is under arrest now. Tony changes the subject asking is he knows what the butterfly effect is? Wolverine says that's his whole life, did he think he did the wrong thing because he killed the man who left his world dead because he made a robot in his basement.<br />
<br />
Tony says it was not a robot, it was an A.I. Did he try and talk Henry out of it? Wolverine says it didn't take, building things to people like him and Tony is like a religion to them. So you killed him says Tony. <i>"That's my religion" </i>says Wolverine. When Tony asks if he thinks he is the selfless hero who saved the world, Wolverine just says <i>"bub, I ain't proud of myself." </i><br />
<br />
On the Stark helicarrier deck, The Defenders are getting restless. Emma Frost and Professor Xavier come up to talk to them and politely tells them to get lost. Brown Wolverine is pissed at this, Emma tells him to settle down. But as they argue, Thing suddenly pushes past saying<i> "screw this" </i>he wants to talk with Sue. Emma tells him to stop or she'll shut down his brain, but Dr. Strange casts a disorientation spell on her and Xavier and they run inside the helicarrier.<br />
<br />
Tony is still talking to Wolverine saying why didn't he think of suggesting something like a time release virus? If both Reed Richards and Tony Stark had been alive they could have helped create one. "Well he wasn't and you didn't" retorts Wolverine. As The Defenders crash their way through the carrier, Tony suggests another approach they could have gone back in time and had Henry Pym installed something in his original Ultron program. The world would have unravelled as it was supposed to, <i>"and just as this artificial intelligence was about to achieve his ultimate goal..."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf8iVMAfp8AKy7CkTyfwh8PNfTBD74IMq_yXHcQZsbeuHRXddMUg9uxBdlRv5zn0F2fr2T7VIIqhurjJ_hT3QfknteV0x3vu4lo37ZsbIlZMJhlIp0KJhTYfoAot836bG9xSkS1Nq6wQ/s1600/ageofultrontwo7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="893" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzf8iVMAfp8AKy7CkTyfwh8PNfTBD74IMq_yXHcQZsbeuHRXddMUg9uxBdlRv5zn0F2fr2T7VIIqhurjJ_hT3QfknteV0x3vu4lo37ZsbIlZMJhlIp0KJhTYfoAot836bG9xSkS1Nq6wQ/s320/ageofultrontwo7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony interrogates Wolverine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But he's cut off by The Defenders arriving at the cell area, Thing demands Sue's cell be opened. Suddenly the carrier goes into lockdown and Tony cries <i>"you son of a bitch. That was quite a trick Le Fey!"</i> Much to Wolverine's utter confusion. Inside Sue's cell however is an empty chair and unlocked shackles. As they have opened the door she sneaks out while invsible.<br />
<br />
But Tony says he can see her and he's going to kill her for what she's done. He calls Emma Frost to keep The Defenders aboard, she has just recovered from the brain scrambling. Tony tells Sue she was on a suicide mission, she just says <i>"I have no idea what you're talking about. I just want to see my kids!"</i><br />
<br />
Then we get a double-page spread of Morgana Le Fey riding a dragon, followed by many flying knights. The Defenders fly out to engage her despite Colonel America saying<i> "we're not ready! We're not nearly ready!" </i> Then a couple of montage pages of the battle in the sky as all the heroes clash with Morgana Le Fey. Tony yells he doesn't know what her timeline plan of hers is but it won't work. She says she has no idea what he's talking about but he should turn around because she doesn't want him to miss what happens next. And she sends two helicarriers careening into each other and they go down in flames together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rk50INQqOeih-iBl-8tur_f0Gqn9oW18kZniSk0hNHvdWtvWy5tJI0aE19bMz0nlnL7pSWrP8VLr-kvQhwBsac3kuI3czW7Dnq0zm1nq6lGwpdmJV60eeDEJddZ6WI1MUc8xeR6BI2o/s1600/ageofultrontwo8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="961" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rk50INQqOeih-iBl-8tur_f0Gqn9oW18kZniSk0hNHvdWtvWy5tJI0aE19bMz0nlnL7pSWrP8VLr-kvQhwBsac3kuI3czW7Dnq0zm1nq6lGwpdmJV60eeDEJddZ6WI1MUc8xeR6BI2o/s320/ageofultrontwo8.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh dear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the rubble of the Daily Bugle lie the smashed and broken bodies of all the heroes, Wolverine comes around in a killing rage and deals with an attacking Le Fey soldier. Then a half crushed Tony grabs his leg and weakly says he knows Wolverine is going to travel back in time again to try and fix this, but he mustn't. There is a reason why although they have access to time travel they don't do it to change things the way they want because they can't:<br />
<br />
<b>Tony: </b><i>"Time is an organism. It's part of us. It lives and breathes and everytime you travel through it. You rip it. You tear it. You hurt it. If you keep doing it eventually you will kill it. You'll break it beyond repair. What will happen when time is dead. What happens when you kill it? It's not just us... we're not alone in the universe."</i><br />
<br />
And he dies. Wolverine walks resolutely off. We then get a repeat of the scene where the Wolverine who travelled back in time with Sue is confronting Henry Pym, who once again turns huge and grabs him. Outside Sue is wrestling with her conscience. Then a passing figure knocks her out. Inside Wolverine is about to jam his claws through Pym's head when his future self who travelled back from the Morgana Le Fey future appears clad in his original yellow suit which was all he could find to wear in Nick Fury's bunker.<br />
<br />
Yellow Wolverine tells Wolverine that killing Pym won't work. Henry breaks free and demands to know what is going on. Yellow Wolverine tells him to stand down and listen. He then tells Wolverine he kills Pym and he'll go home to a mess as big as the one he is trying to stop. Wolverine is suspicious of him and thinks he might be sent by Captain America or Ultron, so Yellow Wolverine reveals a name that only the real Wolverine would know the meaning of.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpN4DI45WbbAgqY5cRlWz63sE52Twqywm6FYVDXBDxXADF-uc1VV5IYhpkiMLnbqGWv2Zk6WJBAJacwyXEH02mqSYdJRx3HZWzENzMIOJtEYwiiDUL13iU7WP7U_ISW6VAM-QQsf19Fo/s1600/ageofultrontwo9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1185" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpN4DI45WbbAgqY5cRlWz63sE52Twqywm6FYVDXBDxXADF-uc1VV5IYhpkiMLnbqGWv2Zk6WJBAJacwyXEH02mqSYdJRx3HZWzENzMIOJtEYwiiDUL13iU7WP7U_ISW6VAM-QQsf19Fo/s320/ageofultrontwo9.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a better plan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Henry Pym sits now somewhat fascinated. He asks who they are and how they are travelling through time. Yellow Wolverine says that Tony Stark gave him a plan but he can't execute it, he tells Henry he's an Avenger and knows everyone Henry knows. The A.I. he is going to make will turn into Ultron, when Henry says he won't make it, Yellow Wolverine tells him that he has too, but just not the part where <i>"Ultron mops the world with us."</i><br />
<br />
How could that possibly work asks Henry? Yellow Wolverine tells him Tony's idea, something he puts in it now but doesn't activate until the thing is about <i>"to go full blown"</i>. But before that happens there will have to be several close calls and Henry says if he knows, how can he allow those to happen? Sue then appears saying <i>"you'll have to make yourself forget."</i><br />
<br />
Henry is surprised to see her especially looking older. Then she points at Yellow Wolverine saying <i>"you hit me!" </i> He says he was just trying to stop her from not stopping him killing Henry. Sue says she was going to stop him killing Henry and Wolverine says <i>"no. You weren't."</i> She wants to call Reed but Wolverine says it's better if they keep things to themselves. Henry lays it out, he has to create an A.I. that doesn't exist yet. Put a time release program in it that doesn't exist yet. Make himself forget about it and get on with his life. How does he do this exactly?<br />
<br />
We then jump forward a short while to both Wolverines and Sue close to Fury's safehouse in the Savage Land. Sue asks if both of them are coming back with her now, which would be a paradox. But grimly Yellow Wolverine agrees to die to prevent that. He tells Wolverine he didn't see what he saw in the Le Fey timeline,<i> "we don't wanna live with it"</i> when asked if what he saw was bad. <i> "This is going to haunt me" </i>says Wolverine and he pops his claws as the other says, <i>"you know exactly what to do."</i><br />
<br />
Wolverine returns to Sue alone, blood dripping from his claws while we see a montage of Henry Pym creating something. Wen Sue sees Wolverines bloody claws and just the one of him she is shocked. Wearily Wolverine just says <i>"let's just go back from where we came from." </i> We then see Pym sitting on the floor of his lab only to be startled by a cylindrical robot that says <i>"no need to plug me in daddy... I'm alive... just like you..."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX2Suhpx8u0FEvCNbUZqZfaHGikGR19UR8NR1RRnPTXdpn7BLnt1YrlODmOKu_J7oLI4srsEP9FJsOYcJ3Phwd3kuZbrfxaOuc1U9xF0s48J0sCrMShyphenhyphen2hasv9bCuNXD3b0ZAjqjMAYY/s1600/ageofultrontwo10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="982" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX2Suhpx8u0FEvCNbUZqZfaHGikGR19UR8NR1RRnPTXdpn7BLnt1YrlODmOKu_J7oLI4srsEP9FJsOYcJ3Phwd3kuZbrfxaOuc1U9xF0s48J0sCrMShyphenhyphen2hasv9bCuNXD3b0ZAjqjMAYY/s320/ageofultrontwo10.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultron should have conquered the world looking like this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So we begin the final chapter "<i>Some months ago"</i> in Henry Pym's New York Laboratory. Suddenly a message pings on his computer which says <i>"Open Your Door, Doctor"</i>. With some trepidation he does so and finds a small package. Inside is a storage device that says <i>"Play Me."</i><br />
<br />
What comes up on screen is the younger Henry Pym, he tells him that he won't remember making the video it was very important he didn't remember until today.<br />
<br />
<b>Past Henry: </b><i>"The world had to keep turning. Everything had to get to this day. It wasa probably, hopefully for the best. But if you're seeing this video that means at least we still have a fighting chance."</i><br />
<br />
He tells him that it's because of Ultron and the worst has happened, or is about to happen. Of all the things they messed up in their lives, this was the big one. To make it right they have one chance, so this is what's going to happen...<br />
<br />
He tells Present Day Pym that a special Avengers operation is going to lead to a hideout where a group of intelligent criminal masterminds have teamed up. They call themselves the intelligentsia, Pym won't be part of either team. Then we see the current line-up of the Avengers<i> "assemble"</i> which includes a Yellow suited Wolverine (hey... doesn't that mean Logan and Sue returning from the past are going to arrive in this timeline where they already exist?), Ms. Marvel, Thor, Beast and Iron Man amongst others are on the team. <br />
<br />
Turned out they kidnapped Jessica Jones and Ms. Marvel dishes out some righteous punching for that to the Intelligentsia who give up without much of a fight. One of them was a Spaceknight whose energy trail they were able to follow to find her. Then Henry calls Tony up and tells him he's sending him something.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile golden lights start shimmering round a figure where the Intelligentsia were which they insist just turned itself on by itself. Henry sends him code, as Tony queries it Henry promises to explain later. He tells Tony:<br />
<br />
<b>Henry:</b> <i>"Tony! Listen to me. This is it. Don't ask me how I know. But this is the moment. This is our nightmare. Launch the code Tony, or we're all going to die. Ultron is back."</i><br />
<br />
And Ultron stands wreathed in light. As the rest of the Avengers get stuck in fighting. Henry tell Tony it has to be now, it's a kill code that is very specific to a backdoor code portal built into him. Into the deepest recesses of his primary program.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC8tAa31WPJMlTr8FAlZa4w8ALqNrrbORfIWSdByrC7x_2G4I5I87dgPbx0-1-KUKfYR4K9MfV9JInmFgsrbld9JmpZN_Ah9WK3LIbFXhBqO8GICBWSbN9i-QUNAHENpsllT0woYxOag/s1600/ageofultrontwo11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="970" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC8tAa31WPJMlTr8FAlZa4w8ALqNrrbORfIWSdByrC7x_2G4I5I87dgPbx0-1-KUKfYR4K9MfV9JInmFgsrbld9JmpZN_Ah9WK3LIbFXhBqO8GICBWSbN9i-QUNAHENpsllT0woYxOag/s320/ageofultrontwo11.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less dorky Ultron.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ultron starts to get distracted as the Avengers hammer on him and the code is uploaded into him. Ultron demands to know how they were so prepared for him, <i>"this has more ingenuity than you are capable of, Anthony Stark. I feel my father's hand in this." </i>Ultron says he has made updates to his program too since he gave birth to him. He says he is decoding the code as it is uploaded, closing the backdoor as he opens it, <i>"you anger me. You insult me." </i>Tony says he is not sure he can hold out much longer, but the upload hits 99%, then installing. Then...<br />
<br />
... a raging Ultron swearing vengeance on mankind and hatred for his father suddenly shuts down and falls from the sky. Thor belts him and Ultron shatters into pieces. Tony asks him what he did and Henry says he sent what looked like an average backdoor trojan, but when Ultron tried to recode it, it triggered a self replicating virus that was implanted in him at his creation. By the time he realised. Nothing was left of him. When Tony asks why he didn't use it before, Henry says he didn't have it before. <br />
<br />
Wolverine and Sue fly the car back to New York and all looks well. They land ontop of a tall building and Sue hugs Wolverine saying she takes back almost everything she said to him. She leaves to go see her family, while Wolverine rests his arms on the wall looking out over the city expressing his desire to sleep for a millenium. But cracks appear and we get a two page montage of various characters experiencing blurred moments of alternate reality versions of themselves. And then space-time shatters, cracks radiating out from Earth before returning to normal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZ6XZlaYhj6Cg_0wjLNoh0csHVeoneWdl1w-1RZhHP3d25qRoYQY788mIfCRpKQzLOLLAgXnyoAju0nZuiqOwAJbbA0_umEliMWUZxDXWt2OH1-XDQBXF72WjFjBdPZ199Cd7B7Rsq8U/s1600/ageofultrontwo12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1276" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZ6XZlaYhj6Cg_0wjLNoh0csHVeoneWdl1w-1RZhHP3d25qRoYQY788mIfCRpKQzLOLLAgXnyoAju0nZuiqOwAJbbA0_umEliMWUZxDXWt2OH1-XDQBXF72WjFjBdPZ199Cd7B7Rsq8U/s320/ageofultrontwo12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oopsy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Discussing what happened, Tony, Henry and Hank McCoy have found out Wolverine managed to break time. Although they have all time travelled before this must have been one time to many.<br />
<br />
<b>Tony:</b> <i>"These readings are insane. We're teetering on multiversal chaos."</i><br />
<br />
<b>Hank: </b><i>"Plus we know we're not alone in the universe. Imagine these tears in time and space reaching out through all of time and space. Imagine other universes affected".</i><br />
<br />
And we cut to Miles Morales, the Spider-man of the Ultimate Marvel Universe suddenly finding himself coming face-to-face with the Galactus rising out of lightning cracks in the sky.<br />
<br />
Later Henry says he can't stop thinking about building an A.I. to help create a growing infrastructure which could support humanity's next steps. That would help us reveal<i> "our highest potential". </i> The point of Ultron was to support every thought, imagination,<i> "I know what I did wrong now. I know what I have to do."</i><br />
<br />
Finally we hear but don't see someone out in space close to Earth saying<i> "what is happening to me? I don't understand. I don't know how I got here. I don't know who's responsible". </i> And we turn the page to find out that it's Miraclem... Angela?! OK well let's go with it, she's a Neil Gaimen creation for the Spawn series and in her own words:<br />
<br />
<b>Angela: </b><i>"I am an angel from the heavens and I will not be disrespected. Whoever did this to me... whoever brought me here against my will... my name is Angela. I'm coming to end you".</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblkobWYHt4n2-2HE6ByiuTk6t6pxXcibOXOPh7T_RFa1fsURB2djdr8vHuJV8jkB-TFQwPYWoGssKFxCdES_ju71T-F_YY9FPKWLDjsJtQhBkKy1p0hAQyefsTQ0Ho7Und384eQsWWGg/s1600/ageofultrontwo13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1007" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblkobWYHt4n2-2HE6ByiuTk6t6pxXcibOXOPh7T_RFa1fsURB2djdr8vHuJV8jkB-TFQwPYWoGssKFxCdES_ju71T-F_YY9FPKWLDjsJtQhBkKy1p0hAQyefsTQ0Ho7Und384eQsWWGg/s320/ageofultrontwo13.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could only scan half the page but she is riding a giant skull, which is pretty metal.</td></tr>
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And with that this event comic ends. I really enjoy this one, it's definitely one of the easiest to read without need to read an insane number of tie-ins. I have considered covering Infinite Crisis as well, but there were so many tie-in mini's that haven't been released in trade format I would spend too much time explaining who was who and what they had previously been up to. Like all time travel stories that deal with multiple realities there are plenty of logical flaws you could point out like the duplicate Wolverine and Sue back in the repaired present, so I am choosing to handwave that as being solved by the time crash at the end. There was much more bang for your buck if you care about how long a comic takes to read in this five issues, but I am adamant that you needed those slow paced double page spreads of the utter destruction of the Earth to really show what the stakes were and how things had got so bad Sue could stand by and watch a man she called a friend be murdered for a mistake he had yet to make. I liked her and Wolverine together, their waspish banter again showed how living through Ultron's holocaust had changed things for them both. And I thought the Just As Bad Present was fascinating. I love the old "For Want Of A Nail" trope in fiction and Henry Pym was a pretty big nail, losing him depriving the world also of Vision and the other offspring of Ultron that weren't meglomaniac mecha-Hitlers. The artwork is much more "trad" in these issues, but perhaps it suits heavier focus on heroes at their brightly coloured best rather than tatty and grimy after weeks on the run from Ultron's enforcers. Now I am not a Marvel scholar, but I was under the impression that this was setting things up for the universal reboot of a couple of years later that saw the end of the Ultimate Marvelverse. As for Angela, I don't know how she fit into the mainstream Marvelverse. She seems an odd fit for it, and I am sure my resident Marvel expert in the comments will fill me in on what happened next with her. So if you like event comics this is definitely one of the top tier. Epic, well written and drawn and it's nice to see a team up between two characters from series that were Marvel pariahs then because they didn't own the movie rights for them. Top marks.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-45793989788000803782018-01-20T00:13:00.000+00:002018-01-20T00:13:00.909+00:00Age Of Ultron (#1-10) PART ONE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbcFKTAgKVi3381gHuXyxfTWIyv1sAqIOqqNiLoOnzcnyhXPj7-k7gWKQuMs0ONelywNl1TT0BsNi1cJO3s1L0_cZKOn88JSUYeZ0nXeX6Np7xGRxrfFix_BXCpvUe7tNjP3oa_LdzIc/s1600/ageofultroncover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbcFKTAgKVi3381gHuXyxfTWIyv1sAqIOqqNiLoOnzcnyhXPj7-k7gWKQuMs0ONelywNl1TT0BsNi1cJO3s1L0_cZKOn88JSUYeZ0nXeX6Np7xGRxrfFix_BXCpvUe7tNjP3oa_LdzIc/s320/ageofultroncover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<i>"Welcome to the end of the world"</i> - <b>Nick Fury</b><br /><br />Time for my first event comic and I've always had a bit of love/hate relationship with them. On the one hand it's always exciting seeing all the company's characters teaming up for a massive adventure. On the other hand they disrupt on-going storylines and can cut short promising runs especially for smaller titles. And they are a right pain to deal with when it comes to trade collections as a storyline is put on hold for a crossover that the reader may very well have no idea about due to only following a series casually via collections. Some trades are classy enough to include a little explanation, but most will leave you flumoxed as all of a sudden your favourite characters become embroiled in an story in which Nothing Will Be The Same Again, only to pick up where they left off right afterwards. I've decided to look at the ten issue 2013 Marvel event comic <i>Age of Ultron</i>, written by <i>Alias</i> scribe Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by British artist Brian Hitch because it's the one I genuinely like the best of all I've read and reads pretty well on its own sans tie-ins. It has nothing to do with the <i>Age of Ultron</i> Avengers film, not least because X-Man Wolverine and Sue Richards of the Fantastic Four are two of the main protagonists and at that time they were owned by Fox not Marvel Studios hence the entirely different filmic adventure. I am proceeding on the assumption that readers are familiar with all the Marvel characters involved in this adventure, so lets continue with the first half of this story.<br /><br />We open upon a New York that is in ruins. Some villains led by Leland Owlsley (one of Daredevil's rogue gallery) comes out of a house that is still standing to invite in a confused looking young woman. Suddenly Hawkeye appears telling her to run away as he barges into the house. Downstairs is another woman and the assorted baddies are offering her various drugs. Hawkeye cocks his bow and tells them to leave her alone.<br /><br />There is a scuffle and people end up with arrows stuck in them including the woman who got aggressive when she realise she wasn't going to get her fix. The villains retreat to the basement and Hammerhead says if the can capture an Avenger they'll <i>"we can sell him to the big guy as well. An Avenger buys us a lot of free passes."</i><br /><br />But using a variety of arrows including exploding ones Hawkeye takes them all down and we finally see what Hawkeye has come for. A bedraggled, barely concious Spider-man, his mask off his costume ripped to his waist. Hawkeye pops something in Peter's mouth to pep him up a bit and Peter says he loves Hawkeye. Owsley then tries to give an ultimatum that Hawkeye and Spider-man should fight and they'll let the winner go. But Hawkeye fights his way out with Spider-man staggering in his wake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ultrons over New York.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately the commotion has attracted the attention of some floating robotmen who all look like Ultron. They command everyone to exit the premises immediately. Owlsey shouts up at them that they paid, <i>"there was an understanding!" </i> But the robots just impassively start firing on the building, and all the villains are killed in an explosion. However that gives Hawkeye and Spider-man and opportunity to escape.<br /><br /><b>Spider-man:</b> <i>"Thanks for the rescue, Hawkeye. And I... didn't get you anything."</i><br /><br />He asks if there are others and Hawkeye says <i>"not enough"</i> and they run through the ruined streets. Until they arrive at a makeshift base. Hawkeye says this won't be pleasant, but Spider-man says it can't be worse than the week he just had.<br /><br />Inside Luke Cage lunges at Hawkeye saying they told him that if he left he shouldn't have come back. Hawkeye retorts that he was bringing him back and to get off him. She-Hulk demands Tony Stark (Iron Man) check them over. So he presses a scanning tool to various bits of Spidey and Hawkeye's anatomy and he declares them clean, of things that you know of says Luke darkly.<br /><br />Spider-man has collapsed and Hawkeye says<i> "could one of you 'heroes' help the poor guy. He's been through a lot." </i> She-Hulk says how do they know nothing followed them, but them Emma Frost of the X-Men comes over and says<i> "there clean. Leave them alone."</i> Luke says irritatedly that Hawkeye was told he wouldn't be welcomed back, and Hawkeye says he wasn't going to give up on what was left of their friends. <br /><br />Luke says there are rules they have to live by if they don't want to die. Hawkeye says they are going to die and he'd rather live what time they have left the way he wants to.<br /><br /><b>Hawkeye:</b> <i>"And I'm not going to let what happened change the value of my life. And shame on the rest of you. Shame on you for giving up."</i><br /><br />She-Hulk says that no one game up, but Hawkeye spreads his arms and says what do they call this? Tony Stark says they have no plan. Hawkeye says<i> "whose fault is that?" </i> Tony says he's thinking. Hawkeye says is that what you call it as we see Captain America sat on the floor, head bowed, his arms crossed on his knees looking utterly defeated.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Should have asked Squirrel Girl for help.</td></tr>
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We then cut to a hooded female figure walking through the ruins of San Francisco. Flying robots pass overhead but don't see her. Then a shaky looking man points a gun at her and demands she hand over anything she has, a car, food, anything. She talks back to him sending him more panicky and he says he's going to shoot her. But she says if he was he would have done, he's a coward. She pulls away her hood to reveal she is Black Widow with a horrific burn scar on her face.<br /><br /><b>Black Widow: </b><i>"Did you get to watch your family die? Do you think they watch you now?"</i><br /><br />And then he is shot in the head by a sniper who was watching over her. She and him have a quick conversation via sign language in which they agree to meet up back at the safe house. She tucks herself into the rubble as some civilians run by before being obliterated by the the robotic Ultrons.<br /><br />She makes it back to the safe house and meets up with the sniper who is Moon Knight. She says that that the hospital is the worst place so far, she thought it would take <i>"just a little longer for humanity to completely collapse in on itself". </i> Moon Knight asks if there have been any word from the outside world. Black Widow says everyone is <i>"dead or dying... it's getting worse."</i><br /><br />Moon Knight turns his attention to where they are. It's one of Nick Fury's safehouses. He has a huge board with photos of all the heroes and villains pinned to it. Black Widow says this looks like the place he holed up in during the Skrull Invasion (see Secret Invasion a previous Event Comic). It's currently <i>"the safest place in the universe."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Widow and Moon Knight in a Fury safehouse.</td></tr>
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Moon Knight queries what if Ultron hacks into S.H.I.E.L.D files and finds all Fury's vaction spots. Black Widow says that Fury never wrote anything down. The machine can't find this place because nobody knows it exists. Moon Knight says it was lucky they were both running a black ops mission when everything went to hell. He says that they have to find someone else, there must be others who made it through this. Black Widow says quietly that she doesn't mind going out, they are all going to eventually, and Moon Knight says they won't go until they take Ultron with them.<br /><br />Back under Central Park where New York's surviving heroes are gathered. Spider-man is telling his story. He first tells them he is Peter Parker, aliases seem pointless now. Peter says he was asleep when everything started, at first he thought the strain of everything he'd been through had cracked him. He almost welcomed that as a reason. Somone off panel asks him what he saw and we get a double page flashback of himm swinging through the streets as a huge robotic construction crushes buildings and squats over Manhattan.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flashback to Spider-man on the day of the attack.</td></tr>
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Back in the present he asks if it's just Manhattan but they have assumed it's everywhere, they have to assume because they can't get anything into the air, not even an Avengers copter or plane. Apparently Washington D.C. is just gone, like it never existed which is one fact they do know. Peter puts his head in his hands and goes silent for a moment. Then he says he saw a white flash and next thing he knew he woke up drugged and tied to a chair.<br /><br />Peter then tells them they were going to sell him to Ultron. Tony Stark is confused by this. Luke cage also says that why would Ultron need him and why would he need those goons to bring Peter to him. Peter says he doesn't know<i>, "I don't think it's a matter of need. Maybe just want." </i>But he's not an expert on world destroying artificial organisms.<br /><br />He was under the distinct impression that they had done it before, <i>"bartered a person of interest".</i> Storm comments that it conquers the world and barters with trash. Luke says maybe Peter heard it wrong. Peter just says are they going to do something now? When Tony Stark says <i>"survive"</i>, Peter says that isn't something. Suddenly Captain America stands:<br /><br /><b>Captain America:</b> <i>"No it's not...but that's because we didn't have a plan. Until now."</i><br /><br />We then cut to She-Hulk and Luke Cage approaching the huge metallic structure. They check they are alone then Luke tells her to brace herself. She-Hulk asks if he wants to switch? Luke says that's not the plan and he punches her hard in the face, knocking her out. He lifts her limp body up and makes his way into the metallic structure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke Cage PAWNCH!</td></tr>
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We return to the rest of New York heroes about one hour before. They list several of the people they have lost, Cyclops, Thor, Hulk, Benjamin Grimm. Peter asks Luke about Jessica Jones and their baby. Luke doesn't answer, his face shrouded in darkness. They didn't make it.<br /><br />Captain America then lays out his plan. Now they know Ultron is bartering for superheroes, they'll give it something to barter with. Storm still doesn't understand why a robot that could destroy the world is doing deals with <i>"low renters?"</i> Tony Stark says Ultron was created to have human needs and desires, and those like <i>"revenge, torture, hate"</i> he's programmed himself to act this way. Let's say he won, he took the world.<i> "Maybe it's not enough"</i> says Emma Frost.<br /><br />Hawkeye says a big <i>"screw Hank Pym for inventing Ultron in the first place?" </i>Tony says it's not his fault. This angers Hawkeye, who points out that him rescuing Spider-man got him treated like a pariah but Hank Pym gets a free pass for inventing the thing that shuts down the world. Captain America yells at them, saying none of that matters now. If Ultron is buying and trading for superheroes they should give him one.<br /><br />They can use that to see how far one of them can get into Ultron's world, grab some intel and maybe do some real damage. It would have to be someone sturdy who can take the punishment, both She-Hulk and Luke Cage say<i> "I'll go"</i> at the same time. Emma tells them that Tony is about to tell them both they aren't going. But She-Hulk says she isn't sitting around here one second longer, so Luke says he'll be the one who sells her.<br /><br />Wolverine says that should be him, but Captain America says with his adamantium bones he'd just be seen as the bigger prize by Ultron,<i> "he will flay you alive the second he sees you, strip you for parts and who knows what else."</i> Tony agrees. She-Hulk says that if by some miracle they make it out, they can't come back here again. Captain says to meet up at the Mutate Village in The Savage Land. The rest of them are going to travel there now and hope they have enough vegetation and supplies to get themselves back on their feet.<br /><br />We return to Luke carrying She-Hulk now inside the Ultron base. He says he is here to do a deal. Elsewhere in Chicago Red Hulk, Taskmaster and Black Panther are scouting out the land. Taskmaster spots an Ultron and Red Hulk goes bounding after it. He manages to rip its head off but wasn't fast enough to avoid attracting more attention from other Ultrons. Red Hulk tosses the head at Black Panther and roars at him to go. The Ultron unleash a barrage of energy blasts. Red Hulk smashes them all to bits, but falling rubble causes Black Panther to fall and break his neck. Taskmaster takes the Ultron head from him and runs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dun-dun-duuuuh!</td></tr>
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Inside the Ultron base, Luke Cage can only mutter <i>"Sweet Christmas"</i> as he is lead to the centre. They show him across a bridge to a column of light and a horrified Luke Cage sees who is controlling this all. It's not Ultron, hovering there, missing his lower half is Vision who flatly says<i> "Luke Cage. What do you offer?"</i><br /><br />Luke asks to speak with Ultron but Vision just repeats himself. Then says Ultron can see and hear them. Vision goes quiet for a moment then he yells:<br /><br /><b>Vision</b>: <i>"He controls from the future! He watches and controls us all from the fuaaagh! Aaarrgghh!"</i><br /><br />And his torso contorts in pain. Luke mutters to himself that Ultron isn't even here. Then Vision asks what does he offer again. She-Hulk suddenly says she's heard enough, she starts fighting the Ultrons while telling Luke to get back and tell Tony what he saw here and she punches him away sending him crashing through the shell of the structure.<br /><br />As she battles the Ultrons she says to herself that she told him she was stronger and that she is almost the strongest there is. Then one of the Ultron's fires a thin energy beam through her skull, killing her instantly. Vision bows his head. As Luke falls Ultrons attack him, he fights them shouting that they killed his wife and baby. He crashes into a building and then from a distance we see a huge nuclear explosion which he is at ground zero of envelope a portion of the city.<br /><br />In San Francisco Moon Knight wakes up with a start. Black Widow asks if he was having a bad dream, he says he dreamed the world ended and he was hiding out in one of Nick Fury's secret bunkers with Black Widow. Black Widow says that Fury has several emergency bunkers for end of the world scenarios. One of which is in the Savage Land. Where there might be others. All they have to do is sneak out of the city and find there way down there.<br /><br />The rest of the heroes are flying out of the city, Storm is using her wind control powers to keep the non-flyers aloft and Sue Richards is using her psychic powers to keep them all invisible. They hear the blast that caught Luke Cage and they hope Luke and She-Hulk weren't caught up in it and they carry on out of the city.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Hulk and Taskmaster.</td></tr>
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In Chicago, Red Hulk has caught up with Taskmaster, he has a headless Ultron body tied to his back. Red Hulk accuses him of <i>"abandoning ship"</i> and when Taskmaster says he was sticking to the plan to grab some Ultron tech and get out the city Red Hulk kills him saying <i>"I don't trust you."</i><br /><br />We then jump forwards eight days. The heroes have arrived in The Savage Land only to find the place is in a worse state than New York. But there doesn't appear to be any Ultrons hanging around. They plan to head inland to the Citadel when Ka-Zar, the Lord of the Savage Land appears. He leads them to his village and tells them that what they seek is here. Luke Cage made it here before them.<br /><br />Using her psychic powers, Emma Frost reads his mind from outside saying he survived a nuclear blast but he's dying. He found a plane and piloted it here and when it crashed he dragged himself the rest of the way. He knows Ultron's secret, that he's actually controlling things from the future and using the Vision as a conduit. Tony says that explains alot. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ka-Zar and The Savage Land.</td></tr>
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Wolverine starts to tell them Luke has died but trails off. Emma says he should have died in the blast but hung on so he could tell them what they needed to do next. Suddenly Red Hulk, Black Widow and Moon Knight appear saying that they'll go get Ultron and wipe him from existence and<i> "God Bless Nick Fury, because we know just how to do it" </i>says Black Widow.<br /><br />We then get a flashback. Vision is lying on a table with Tony Stark, Reed Richards and Henry Pym looking him over. Vision is non-responsive, he was rippped in half in a previous Marvel Event. Tony tells Reed that he's a<i> "one of a kind biomechanism. Created by Ultron"</i>. Reed is impressed, Henry says they haven't been able to duplicate the technology that created him because they have never been able to do the same for Ultron.<br /><br />Henry says he didn't really create Ultron, he just planted the seed. He created the first version of his A.I. and from them Ultron took over and created what he became and Vison as well. Reed says he can understand why Henry wouldn't want to take full credit for creating Ultron. Redd then asks how they can get Vision back on his feet, Tony says he doesn't know which is why he asked for their help. He should have healed himself long ago,<i> "maybe he's damaged beyond repair."</i><br /><br />They discuss what they can do, apparently he did heal for a while then stopped. Henry says that Vision was the only good thing that came out of Ultron's creation.<br /><br /><b>Henry Pym: </b><i>"Sometimes I fantasize about going back and telling myself to never create Ultron."</i><br /><br />Reed says he fantasizes about going back in time to be nicer to Victor Von Doom in college. Henry says that then Vision would never have been created, <i>"and who knows what the world would look like then?"</i> Then suddenly the Vision's eyes flutter open and Vision sits up and tells them they all look well. Tony Stark smiles with joy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vision recovers back in the past.</td></tr>
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Then we cut to him looking tired and sad in the present as the last heroes of Earth travel through the Savage Land. Suddenly Tony starts laughing hysterically, saying that Ultron built a robot, so they took it in and made friends with it and one of them even married it. They put him in place so Ultron could use Vision to attack them. He babbles about how brilliant it was. Captain America tells him to steady himself, but Tony says<i> "you don't see it, Cap? You don't see the brilliance? This is our fault."</i><br /><br />They arrive at their destination and Captain America orders a perimetre sat up. Emma Frost can't penetrate the facility, it's been built to keep telepaths out. Sue Richards turns blue and uses her powers to travel through the rocky tunnel until she finds a secret code entry pad and a huge locked vault door. She returns to the others and tells them what she found. None of them have any idea what the code might be, so Red Hulk smashes the door open to be greeted by a barrage of gunfire.<br /><br />Inside is Nick Fury and when he realises who it is he stops firing. He tells them not to come any further and holds up a green computer window which he uses to check everyone is who they are supposed to be. Once he has satisfied they are all legit, he welcomes them into his bunker. He says he's been down here a week, he had it built after the Skrull Invasion. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick Fury.</td></tr>
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The place is full of captured tech including the Ultimate Nullifier. Peter asks if they are at that point yet? But Tony says he won't entertain the thought. He asks Fury what the plan is. Fury says he's standing on it. Tony is startled to find he is standing on Doctor Doom's Time Platform. Fury had figured out Ultron was attacking from the future too, he found out when the S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier was crashed into the Kremlin by Ultron. <br /><br /><b>Nick Fury:</b><i> "The transmissions were timestream based. Last thing I overheard before it all went to hell."</i><br /><br />He says he was going to give the superpeople three more days to find their way to him before he went on assignment himself. His plan is to head up into the robot's house and <i>"unplug him for good."</i><br /><br />Various heroes volunteer to come along, but Tony says that Ultron now knows they know where he is. He might have used Luke Cage to set a trap for them so when they go there he can disintegrate them, or Cage did get the information legitimately and now Ultron knows they know and is ready for them. Quicksilver says<i> "it's our only hope." </i><br /><br />But Wolverine has an idea of his own. They go back in time before the robot was created and cut off the hands of the an who created it. When told it was Hank Pym, he says <i>"so we go back there and we cut off his head." </i>Some of the others say why don't they go back and just tell him not to do it. Wolverine says that won't work, they'll be daring him to do it, <i>"he will look at our warning as a challenge".</i><br /><br />A few of the assembled say they agree, but Sue says that would "completely obliterate the space-time continuum". Peter says killing an Avenger would be<i> "astronomically insane! Not to mention morally horrific". </i>Storm tells Wolverine he has no idea what the world would look like if he went back in time and did anything like that. He angrily says it's got to be better than this.<br /><br />The superheroes who are heading into the future start to take various weapons from Fury's collection. Tony Stark is happy to find an old suit of his that isn't connected to any outside servers or communication systems and so Ultron can't take it over. Fury drafts a few more including Sue Richards leaving the rest to set up a defensive perimeter and they all get on the time platform and disappear into the future.<br /><br />Immediately Wolverine demands to know if anyone can get the time platform up and running again. He is still determined to go back in time and kill Hank Pym. He extends his claws and says he's seen everyone die at the hands of this thing, it's taken everything, big hitters like Thor included. The others won't stand a chance against Ultron, they won't be coming back. He hasn't been around as long as he has for it all to end like this. So start up the time platform so he can put the back the way it's supposed to be, <i>"and just so we're clear. I ain't askin' for permission." </i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wolverine lays it all out.</td></tr>
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And on that cliffhanger we end this first half of my look at the series. So far it's really been artist Brian Hitch carrying the comic with scenes of destruction and ruins rendered utterly beautiful to look at, an extremely impressive achievement that really sells the power of Ultron and also means I couldn't scan a lot of the best images. Of course that brings us to a complaint that is often levelled at Brian Michael Bendis which is something called "decompression", that's when a comic is considered padded by lots of double page spreads and splash pages at the expense of dialogue which makes the comics quick to read and leaves people feeling ripped off. Now I like decompression. I like a story that takes time to set the scene, to breathe as it were, I get just as much enjoyment from a page of lovely art with no text as I do from a heavily dialogue based sequence. Bendis isn't the only one who draws accusations, it's been levelled at the industry for around the last ten years when "writing for the trade" mentality set in and stories that might have been told in four issues would get padded to six for a trade release. But I only read trades so again I have a bit of a different perspective on this. I can understand why readers on a monthly basis might feel they are not getting their money's worth, so the best comics tend to be the ones that balance things a bit better. The second half of this story is far more dialogue and plot heavy than this half, but I would argue you needed all the double page spreads and splash pages of just how utterly ruined the world has become to set up the stakes that will become a big part of the rest of the story. I'll comment more on the overall plot when I wrap this up in a few days time, until then toodles!<br /> <br />varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-18617570329010186732018-01-16T07:26:00.001+00:002018-01-16T07:26:50.069+00:00Midnighter and Apollo (#1-6)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"Keep your hands filled Mawzir. I'll find you"</i> -<b> Midnighter</b><br /><br />Ah remember the DC You? That brief period when DC acknowledged LGBT people existed? Happy times. Anyway one of my favourite series that ran that year was Midnighter's. He's an openly gay man, with no memory of his childhood, but also genetically engineered and augmented to be the ultimate hand-to-hand fighter. He's like a bionic Batman. He was in a long term relationship with Apollo, a solar powered Superman expy but split up from him at the start of his series and the writer and artist weren't shy about showing Midnighter fooling around with men, although he was burned by the first serious boyfriend he gained who turned out to be super villain Prometheus who wanted to rip out Midnighter's technology and use it. But Midnighter nearly killed him in the fight they had, Prometheus escaped and Midnighter hit the scene again still looking for love. In the second book events conspired to get Midnighter and Apollo fighting a common enemy together again. After the fight Apollo kisses Midnighter passionately and it is heavily implied they are going to get back together again. And that did at least end the all too short series on a very happy note. Now alongside the rest of the DC Rebirth, Apollo and Midnighter get a six issue miniseries to wrap up some loose threads from the series and explore the depths of their love for each other.<br /><br />We start with Midnighter dealing with some subway pirates. These were a creation of Grant Morrison's and featured in the <a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/seven-soldiers-of-victory-manhattan.html">Manhattan Guardian </a>mini of his <i>Seven Soldiers of Victory</i> series. They are basically old skool pirates who hijack and ride subway trains. Turns out this bunch have been kidnapping children to power their trains and people hurting kids is Midnighters beserk button. He travels through several carriages crushing all who stand in front of him.<br /><br />He gets a hold of this bunches leader <i>"Half-Beard"</i>, he tells Midnighter that the <i>"God-train runs on innocence"</i> so he won't give up the kids and taunts Midnighter saying<i> "There'll be no stopping our God today"</i>. Midnight grins and says <i>"A God? Good thing I brought one of my own." </i> And we see Apollo destroying the train. Midnighter locates the children and he comforts one by saying Half-Beard is in jail and the rest of his friends are gone. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apollo takes out the God train.</td></tr>
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Apollo looks a bit uncomfortable as Midnight reassures the girl. But Midnighter approaches him and rests his forehead on Apollo's saying they did good,<i> "you punched a train golem for me."</i> We cut to Midnighter's apartment where he and Apollo are having a couple of friends round for dinner, cooked by Apollo. On the balcony Midnighter;s friend Tony asks when Apollo will be moving in. He says it's been months, Midnighter's fight computer must be telling him it's OK now. <br /><br /><b>Midnighter: </b><i>"That computer ruined this once, Tony. This time we're taking things as they come."</i><br /><br />Then Marina, another friend, calls them in for food. As they eat Marina says she is glad one of them could cook. Apollo says he had a pretty normal upbringing unlike Midnighter. They discuss dating and tease Midnighter a bit. <br /><br />After they are gone, Midnighter and Apollo wash up but Apollo makes a move on Midnighter and soon the clothes are off and the hanky panky begins. Later they relax post-coitally in bed and Apollo asks if he needs to kill so much. He knows Henry Bendix took him and experimented on him, stole his memory and put a fight computer in his head,<i> "perfected you for murder"</i>, but he worries that killing isn't always the solution. Midnighter says he was made for, he can't change it and<i> "some people just need to be killed."</i><br /><br />We then get a montage of an off screen voice asking various super-natural villains and anti-heroes something. They all say no, including Extrano a Peruvian wizard who notoriously was DC's first gay male character and was a flamboyantly offensive stereotype. Though he's toned it down here. Finally three zombie people agree saying<i> "no price is too high..."</i><br /><br />The employer turns out to be Bendix, Midnighter's creator. He hands them a package which contains the supernatural gun <i>"The Ace Of Winchesters"</i> which first appeared in Garth Ennis's<i> Hitman </i>comic. In return for it, the beings who are<i> "The Lords of the Gun"</i> will make Apollo and Midnighter suffer. They leave and Bendix calls for a door and walks through it back to his bunker.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bendix</td></tr>
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Midnighter is now on his own. He also has access to door technology and jump round verious locations beating people up until he discovers one who knows Bendix's location and very quickly transports there. Bendix isn't phased by this despite how dangerous Midnighter is. Midnighter states his intention to kill him, but Bendix says he is ready. He blocks off all the door access and limits the way out to on foot, <i>"and in my pocket I've got an impossible choice."</i><br /><br />Back in Opal City, Apollo is fighting The Mawzir, the demon who wields the Ace of Winchesters. Midnighter watches them in horror. The Mawzir fires the Ace of Winchesters at him and they penetrate Apollo's defences. For Apollo, everything goes black. Some time later he wakes up where a voice says to think of the time he felt perfect happiness and to <i>"know that you will never reach it again."</i> The voice belongs to Neron, Lord of Hell and he continues saying <i>"now let's see if we can put out that light, shall we?"</i><br /><br />Bendix tells Midnighter that the bunker is teleport shielded and to get to the surface he'll have to fight through a gauntlet he's created for him,<i> "every second you waste your lover is dying."</i> Bendix says he'll have to spare him and starts to say Midnighter's catch-phrase that he knows how this fight ends, but Midnighter cuts him off by jamming a sharp object into Bendix's throat.<br /><br />We then get a montage of Midnight smashing his way to the surface while the Mawzir stands over Apollo's prone body. When Midnighter reaches the top he calls for a door and travels to where they are and delivers a mighty kick to the Mawzir's head. Mawzir just tells him he cannot be killed<i> "the Mawzir is the kill." </i>Midnighter says that's his brand. Mawzir tells him The Lords of The Gun would welcome him.<br /><br />Midnighter says he attacked Apollo. Mawzir says Apollo's death is a debt paid and that bargains are their stock in trade. Midnighter tells him it'll suffer the way Bendix has.<br /><br /><b>Mawzir:</b> <i>"Absurd. You couldn't hope to touch me. I'd think one such as you, and aspiring master of death would appreciate my craftmanship."</i><br />He fades away leaving Midnight holding Apollo's dead body, kissing his head tenderly and just sitting with him as a crowd gathers round.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apollo has fallen.</td></tr>
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Three days later Midnighter is jogging with Marina. She ends up embracing him saying she doesn't have to grieve alone. But Midnighter says that's Apollo's not dead, she thinks he's in denial, but at his home he has Apollo's body laid out, it still glows and doesn't appear to be decaying. He suits up and says <i>"I won't stop Apollo. I'll never stop."</i><br /><br />We then journey to Lima, Peru. Midnighter is talking with Extrano, he says he's dropped that name, he's just Gregorio now. Midnighter gets down to business, he knows Apollo's soul has travelled, but he needs to know where. He asks Gregorio to<i> "help me, or show me the door."</i> Gregorio says he was always going to help he just wanted Midnighter to know the weight of the thing.<br /><br />They drink a potion which makes a spell course through them. He tells Midnighter not to fight it as they go <i>"beyond our world, beyond the solid, the real... listen...for Apollo's heart." </i>Which is currently roasting on a fire as Apollo is shackled and being taunted by a Lord of Hell called Percifer. Apollo is still wounded from where the Mawzir hit him, Percifer says he can be healed at the cost of forgetting Midnighter. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6fVfn26jeldUPnH4melVUTalq9976yWxczN4fldjooHJBdCHYxLOzjuGWwekecOdtBryadLJpmLo9l8WooQZ1sKp3_GfIqXS4yRpRAU_Tf5pfyHdmVCjcKQp262BQ5j0f6hsNU1vsWE/s1600/midnighterapollo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1011" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6fVfn26jeldUPnH4melVUTalq9976yWxczN4fldjooHJBdCHYxLOzjuGWwekecOdtBryadLJpmLo9l8WooQZ1sKp3_GfIqXS4yRpRAU_Tf5pfyHdmVCjcKQp262BQ5j0f6hsNU1vsWE/s320/midnighterapollo4.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apollo in hell.</td></tr>
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He ends up making Apollo so angry that he blasts the shackles apart and starts flying up with several other tortured souls holding onto him. Using his eye beams he blows Lord Percifer up, and keeps heading upwards. But the blackness never ends and long tentacles wrap round him and drag him back down. He is brought down to where Neron is. Neron tells him there are no gods here only him,<i> "and your light is mine to extinguish". </i> You may recall Neron as the demon John Constantine tangled with in<i> <a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/constantine-hellblazer-book-2-art-of.html">The Art of The Deal.</a> </i><br /><br />Gregorio wakes up and breaks the news to Midnighter that Apollo is in hell. Midnighter says a lot of people are going to get there wish,<i> "I'm finally going to hell."</i> We cut to him still at Gregorio's place and Midighter is kneeling in the middle of a magic circle, Gregorio says he's ready now and he hands Midnighter a black candle, one of the voluntary ways to get into hell. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d9087NDr35e_Hg4W2XAwGyrlMi0L-EuVEuJfQvfERvuZx-21ipj9h_B9m9eJkCT27m7DgqStiu2g7LyK1ZoLen-BNpS4d8b0pfEb1tP2oWAqn9G4m80uWNeJaFGmCoqu7Vf0Qzuub2w/s1600/midnighterapollo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1165" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d9087NDr35e_Hg4W2XAwGyrlMi0L-EuVEuJfQvfERvuZx-21ipj9h_B9m9eJkCT27m7DgqStiu2g7LyK1ZoLen-BNpS4d8b0pfEb1tP2oWAqn9G4m80uWNeJaFGmCoqu7Vf0Qzuub2w/s320/midnighterapollo5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Black Candle.</td></tr>
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Gregorio tells him that the Mawzir is made out of stitched together criminals and that the Ace of Winchester is an <i>"eldritch rifle."</i> He tells Midnighter that now he can fight in hell but if he activates its full power his body will burn out, even with his healing abilities he'll burn out in seve minutes. Midnighter says don't talk numbers,they have Apollo down there.<br /><br />In hell Neron tells Apollo that many people think his greatest wepon is lies, but that is a lie. In fact <i>"my sharpest blade, the one that cuts clean and deep is the truth." </i> Apollo is sitting at a board with a game on it. It's called the Mansion of Happiness:<br /><br /><b>Neron:</b><i> "Players advance and regress at the whim of their own virtue and vice, struggling to reach happiness. In the ages since I plucked the board from time, I've come to love it. Shall we test your virtue Apollo? Shall we weigh your sins."</i><br /><br />Apollo says bring it. He rolls and moves, landing on a vice square, pride. Neron says for a <i>"fraud God" </i>that's accurate. Apollo says it's not that simple but Neron says no matter how stubbornly he averts his eyes <i>"aspiring pride and insolence" </i>are his sins. <br /><br />Apollo says he named himself after a god to give people hope. They needs symbols like he did when he was young. He gives up part of who he is so he can be more for them, <i>"it's not pride. It's sacrifice." </i> Neron takes a turn and lands on a blank square. Neron tells Apollo <i>"ignore the simple fact... you're not a hero. because there are none."</i> Apollo makes a move and lands on the <i>"Murder"</i> square, something he and Midnighter know a lot about says Neron.<br /><br />Back on Earth Midnighter calls on a suburban house in Virginia. A kindly looking old man opens the door. But Midnighter can see through that and sees the hulking green demon he really is and he punches him back into the living room. Midnighter stands over him saying he wants the Ace of Winchesters. The demon tells him the Lords of the Gun have it now. He taunts Midnighter saying where is his revenge now? And so Midnighter smashes his fist into his face to <i>"relieve some stress."</i><br /><br />He goes to Al's Masse, his favourite bar. He tells Tony, the bar owner, that he's going somewhere where even he doesn't know what to expect. He tells Tony this could be their last drink. Tony asks if he's doing the right thing. Midnighter says Apollo is gone, this is the only thing he can do. Tony says go and get his man back but this won't be a last drink, he'll keep a glass clean for him when he gets back.<br /><br />Back at Midnighter's flat he touches his forehead to Apollo's and tells him to hold on, he's on his way. He tells Gregorio he didn't find the Ace of WInchesters but he found a bullet. So if he can get a hold of the gun he can put the bullet in it and fire. Midnighter then lights the black candle and fades away leaving the candle hovering in the air.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsvtF1a7XccQfaSfRsNjnnw7XhJGbWWieMU2zMn8dU3a0N8fBR_UekTiLDZTbcU59MDr8BbsUPSdM26ZgiCM_BJ3dJWIqbIcmfBY7dtPD1RoFxuKJVYqhqBdVGEm9rYK6V8EvHYpyRHA/s1600/midnighterapollo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="1175" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsvtF1a7XccQfaSfRsNjnnw7XhJGbWWieMU2zMn8dU3a0N8fBR_UekTiLDZTbcU59MDr8BbsUPSdM26ZgiCM_BJ3dJWIqbIcmfBY7dtPD1RoFxuKJVYqhqBdVGEm9rYK6V8EvHYpyRHA/s320/midnighterapollo6.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apollo and Neron play a game.</td></tr>
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Apollo and Neron are still playing, Apollo lands on a Murder square again. Neron says he must take the hint, he kills and kills. Apollo says Neron doesn't understand killing. He knows all to well what it means <i>"and I accept it."</i><br /><br /><b>Apollo: </b><i>"It's a bad world. It hurt me. It hurt Midnighter. People deserve what we never had. They deserve to know the bad things are gone for good."</i><br /><br />He says that murder didn't bring him here and he would gladly go to hell if it meant someone else didn't have to. Silently Neron takes a drink then says he's never lost the game and he said he'd show Apollo the truth that he can hope, rationalise and believe but in the end no one makes it to the Mansion of Happiness.<br /><br />Midnighter has arrived in hell and is doing what he does best, ripping demons apart. He approaches the Lord of the Gun's home. The Lords hover above him, telling him where he can find the Mawzir. They say he has no way of harming the Mawzir,<i> "there are no fight computers in hell. Just fighting. You're walking into a slaughter house." </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipypnDzRDMGAMxUC9dgSr5ocGXEons_A9aQBOVaRvF6bjYhLFa2Nbe37ieP2vmuLlbUe0A6CUomd0JdXZvDZdtRwYtsI6_FwSWT0xO0Tr34BpVxT1Svkyv5neT1_3Va72phZS9qYit-TY/s1600/midnighterapollo7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="996" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipypnDzRDMGAMxUC9dgSr5ocGXEons_A9aQBOVaRvF6bjYhLFa2Nbe37ieP2vmuLlbUe0A6CUomd0JdXZvDZdtRwYtsI6_FwSWT0xO0Tr34BpVxT1Svkyv5neT1_3Va72phZS9qYit-TY/s320/midnighterapollo7.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnighter versus hell.</td></tr>
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Midnight carries on regardless thinking that won't be the first time. Inside the building the Mawzir is in the smashed and broken remains of the Ace of Winchesters is dropped at his feet. The Mawzir says that Midnighter had lost his hope now. His hands are filled with guns, what about Midnighters?<br /><br />Back with Apollo and Neron, he says the game is pointless. Neron says the game has shown him pride, lust, anger and murder. He should give up his soul,<i> "whatever you were in life, hell is where you belong."</i> Apollo yells that it isn't and fires his eye blasts.<br /><br />Midnighter is facing off against the Mawzir. The Mawzir throws one of Midnighter's badass boasts in his face. Then he says that Midnighter is challenging him in the place where <i>"murder was defined."</i> He says he shot Apollo down but the price for Apollo's death was the gun that lies in bits on the ground, the only one that can harm him. He says Midnighter has no hope, but Midnighter grins and produces the bullet.<br /><br />Meanwhile Neron and Apollo are hovering in the air, Apollo demands to know what Neron doesn't just take his soul. But Neron says there is no relish in taking it<i> "when you could give it to me instead".</i> Meanwhile Midnighter and the Mawzir are fighting Midnighter dodges all the Mawzir's bullets and throws the single bullet he has at him. The Mawzir catches it sneering that it's not the first time he's caught a bullet, but Midnighter rushes him and headbuts the hand holding the bullet, driving it deep into the Mawzir's brain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnx8Ovatl7swDbIFbdu6z-MsN15k2-FmPtv5aGNTp9IQRsAJiilmOpF4E8WVPdRZZ0ZfqHi-t28iHu1-dWvILnEL0XB2jO9x_TeOTCDdwCsb8J-dsQ8G-tkP5VwDM-sSlJWcMy_yDesig/s1600/midnighterapollo8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="987" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnx8Ovatl7swDbIFbdu6z-MsN15k2-FmPtv5aGNTp9IQRsAJiilmOpF4E8WVPdRZZ0ZfqHi-t28iHu1-dWvILnEL0XB2jO9x_TeOTCDdwCsb8J-dsQ8G-tkP5VwDM-sSlJWcMy_yDesig/s320/midnighterapollo8.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mawzir is going down.</td></tr>
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The Mawzir collapses and Midnighter tells him that's for hurting Apollo. Who is currently still floating in the air with Neron, who tells him he wants to break Apollo's mind,<i> "it is the long pain that interests me."</i> Apollo says he's heard it before. When he was twelve he came out to his family, it didn't go well and he was sent to live with his aunt. Then he was abducted by aliens and spent years on an operating table as they tried to make themselves their own version of Superman.<br /><br />When he escaped and got home his dad now had two reasons to say he wasn't human,<i> "you think you can break me, Neron? People have been trying to break me entire life." </i> But he tells Neron that if he wants his soul he just needs to answer one question.<br /><br /><b>Apollo:</b> <i>"Get it right? My soul is yours. Get it wrong? You restore my power... and I leave this place."</i><br /><br />Back with Midnighter, the Lords of the Gun say they are impressed with Midnighter. They offer Midnighter a place with them. But Midnighter firmly tells them no world exists where someone could hurt Apollo and escape his vengeance. He grabs one of them and asks where Apollo is, it tells him they bartered his soul to Neron and Midnight asks where to find him.<br /><br />Neron has accepted Apollo's challenge. Apollo tells him that he has to guess why Apollo chose that name for himself. Neron says he thinks he is a god and Apollo thinks he has earned that name and thinks he deserves more, <i>"you think you've earned power, I've seen it before."</i> He says he has answered and Apollo must speak, Apollo stays silent while Neron rants:<br /><br /><b>Neron:</b> <i>"Human" I am hatred itself! You stand before the wages of your every sin! You cannot deny me in this place! You will speak!"</i><br /><br />But Apollo stays silent. Meanwhile Midnighter has fought his way to Neron's castle. He enters the throne room and sees Neron on his throne and Apollo in a giant bottle. He tells Neron he is here for Apollo and also to kick his ass. Neron laughs saying Midnighter can barely stand but he'll accept a deal to fight for Apollo's soul. He says that Apollo tried to outwit him with a riddle, Midnighter says he's always been a thinker but he has something simpler in mind, and caked in demon blood he grins and says <i>"lets go."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2a7A7AM543y12aGki4hRuYRlxijgFhY36ezMXOaKbUQMxFq8peVWv-XwPyxiS6mQ79_M5_lXd8EnjWpSzuNQn5Ku3lVLNnLfKpHeDZAZUxsW1fxIFTrNQqpSjwF4ev7rQlFZwVF2b8M/s1600/midnighterapollo9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1006" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2a7A7AM543y12aGki4hRuYRlxijgFhY36ezMXOaKbUQMxFq8peVWv-XwPyxiS6mQ79_M5_lXd8EnjWpSzuNQn5Ku3lVLNnLfKpHeDZAZUxsW1fxIFTrNQqpSjwF4ev7rQlFZwVF2b8M/s320/midnighterapollo9.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still ready for battle.</td></tr>
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We get a flashback to when Gregorio handed over the black candle, saying that as long as it stays lit the portal to hell will stay open. He then tells him that he has bound something<i> "the most powerful of his kind" </i>inside Midnighter. It will grant seven minutes of power and seven minutes of agony.<br /><br />Back in Neron's castle, Neron says Midnighter has no enhancements here and yet he would still fight for Apollo's soul. He says Neron isn't just a name, it's a concept, <i>"what chance does a man have before the inspiration of all that hurts?" </i> Midnighter says he has his fists. Neron says he will grant Midnighter the first strike for all the good it will do him.<br /><br />Midnighter says<i> "screw your charity". </i> He kneels on the floor and says he's been thinking of how they got here. He thinks that maybe all the fights they have had, their whole lives have been building to this. Us against Neron the <i>"father of all bastards."</i> He says he puts people down using one simple rule, hit softs things with your hand and hit hard things with a utensil,<i> "and I'm wondering as utensil's go..."</i><br /><br />...<i>"how's this"</i> and he releases a energy powered being. Neron says he can see that Midnighter has brought a sliver of an angel's power with him and his body can barely contain it. But he says he has no power over him, <i>"I devour angels. I am the living refute to their creator"</i>. He punches Midnighter who just says <i>"liar."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1Q9avUbyAcNxKwl-ll_CC4ipgzGWFtob-LFYy7fwHkzVZ6d8N7ers_qsrQGvUcLpytabp9et56SoRyzoPzoOgYyOACfZVRa2Ol-9z_2HQg4qpeN-ps04U9KOMouXHp03QT6bRyblGlY/s1600/midnighterapollo10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="995" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1Q9avUbyAcNxKwl-ll_CC4ipgzGWFtob-LFYy7fwHkzVZ6d8N7ers_qsrQGvUcLpytabp9et56SoRyzoPzoOgYyOACfZVRa2Ol-9z_2HQg4qpeN-ps04U9KOMouXHp03QT6bRyblGlY/s320/midnighterapollo10.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnighter and Neron fight.</td></tr>
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They grapple as Neron says that he and Apollo were always destined for hell, <i>"you cannot change the working of reality!" </i> But Midnighter says he's never been much for rules and headbutts Neron. They keep beating on each other until Midnighter throws a punch hard enough to floor Neron. Midnighter stands over him saying that Neron thought he was safe here,<i> "you think you answer to no one. But you're wrong. You answer to me".</i> And he stamps on Neron's head, before saying <i>".. guess my seven minutes are up" </i>and he collapses.<br /><br />Neron manages to say to him that he'll never touch Apollo again. Midnighter crawls towards where Apollo is being held in the bottle. He breaks out and holds Midnighter saying they'll get out of here and it's going to be OK. But that turns out to be an illusion, the Apollo was a fake, <i>"is that how you thought it would end?" </i>Neron says standing over Midnighter's prone body.<br /><br />He says he destroyed Apollo's soul after he tried to outwit him. So no matter what the outcome of their meeting <i>"... you would never have anyone to save."</i> Apollo was gone before Midnighter even got to the castle. But Neron was lying, Apollo is alive and flying around hell somewhat lost. Neron tells Midnighter that a beating was worth it to craft this moment where Midnighter lost.<br /><br />Midnighter keeps trash talking Neron despite being badly injured and Apollo, who is flying aimlesssly about hell, hears his voice. He can't believe it, but he starts racing to where it was coming from saying to himself, <i>"you're late. But don't worry. I'm not leaving without you."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxhaxt4kn7vpQ-IPJBKKwm5n7rR3hW2H2jHzHlCpg3NSaCJl1HZrdEEXK2vtHW8SmsT4qQqOwmBHDv1oUt5nav7Ml7yy_zpM7mdjgwZzt_Fi8JbFpp4QSeruHxfPFBACVyI8TAD2Nd4o/s1600/midnighterapollo11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="986" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxhaxt4kn7vpQ-IPJBKKwm5n7rR3hW2H2jHzHlCpg3NSaCJl1HZrdEEXK2vtHW8SmsT4qQqOwmBHDv1oUt5nav7Ml7yy_zpM7mdjgwZzt_Fi8JbFpp4QSeruHxfPFBACVyI8TAD2Nd4o/s320/midnighterapollo11.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neron gloats.</td></tr>
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Neron stands over the broken Midnighter and sneers<i> "do you feel like a winner?" </i> As Apollo races towards where they are, Neron tells him Apollo is dead and Midnighter gave up his body to beat him, <i>"did you ever think I'd let you go?"</i> Midnighter redefined murder and was destined to meet him. There are no heroes in hell, "you've fought me since your first punch." He is going to unspool Midnighter's soul, <i>"evil wins."</i><br /><i>"Not today asshole"</i> shouts Apollo as he blasts his way in and punches Neron smashing him backwards shattering his throne. He yells at Neron saying he lost the bet, restored his power and released him from his castle, but stranded him a billion leagues across hell. He would have been lost forever but he heard Midnighter's voice. Neron says the illusion Apollo is dead is broken, but Apollo will remain free. <br /><br />Neron then summons a horde of Midnighter and Apollo's victims and fades away. Midnighter is on his feet again, Apollo says he hopes Midnighter has a plan to get out of here. Midnighter says that Apollo was his plan. Apollo lifts him up and they fly up searching for the portal the candle has been keeping open. They are still being chased by the beings out to kill them.<br /><br /><b>Midnighter: </b><i>"You know, Neron thought he knew how this would end. He was wrong. But I knew. Screw him. Screw this place. This is our story. And in our story... we don't die in the end."</i><br /><br />And they come barrelling out through the portal into Midnighter's flat. Apollo wakes up back in his body and rushes to Midnighter's side. Midnighter says he feels sore like he hasn't for years and his body and fight computer are rebooting, <i>"just tell me one thing. Did we kick the devil's ass?"</i> And they have a huge kiss.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7RfBOQS8OUVdLKfc1r36Z-uMO39pLjJVuH0bywgVPgl2w8_Qfs9qWkkYMU1x4CTA4WCCAQgvHcmibbsFf6nyWwpXeDJqjigDDqIOwHkHURxqQLt4MkJZ7q0LARKZsRMc0NZ6El_3kbI/s1600/midnighterapollo12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1049" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7RfBOQS8OUVdLKfc1r36Z-uMO39pLjJVuH0bywgVPgl2w8_Qfs9qWkkYMU1x4CTA4WCCAQgvHcmibbsFf6nyWwpXeDJqjigDDqIOwHkHURxqQLt4MkJZ7q0LARKZsRMc0NZ6El_3kbI/s320/midnighterapollo12.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the pair are physically reunited.</td></tr>
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A few days later both of them are visting Gregorio in Peru with some of their friends. Gregorio says it's good to have them here:<br /><br /><b>Gregorio:</b> <i>"They walked lands few dare to tread. Beat back death itself. They did not stop. And I thank them for that. For the inspiration to fight on."</i><br /><br />He goes on to say that this isn't the end, that more attacks will come over the next few years. But as he looks around he sees bad news for them, "because we're stronger than ever."<br /><br />Back in Opal City, Midnighter and Apollo are playing a board game. Midnighter pauses saying he needs to say something. He went down there for him, he's already ready to kill, but then he was ready to die. He almost died and that would make anyone rethink things. He knows death better than ever and it didn't scare him, losing Apollo did. No one should have to lose what's closest to them.<br /><br />He says that<i> "anyone who tries to take that from people deserves to die. And I'm happy to help".</i> He says that maybe that's not what Apollo wants to hear but that's who he is and he won't change and he just wants Apollo to be sure. Apollo responds by saying that he beat Neron with one question, why he calls himself Apollo. <br /><br />He thought it was just power but it never was. Hyacinth, Apollo's lover. Apollo knew Hyacinth was doomed but refused to let Hades claim him. So he turned him into something better. He knows who Midnighter is and eve if he thinks he's doomed<i> "I refuse to accept it".</i><br /><br /><b>Apollo:</b> <i>"You and anyone else in the world who thinks they've fallen too far... I'll always pull you back to the light."</i><br /><br />Midnighter tells Apollo he loves him. Damn right says Apollo. So what will they do now? Midnighter says<i> "I figure we spend the rest of our days reminding bastards they can survive living without a spine. That work for you".</i> They walk to the bedroom and start getting undressed as Apollo says, <i>"what do you think?"</i> And that brings this miniseries to a close.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the lived sexily ever after.</td></tr>
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So we bid farewell to Midnighter and Apollo as they fade back into bit players of the DC universe, probably being wheeled out for guest appearances every now and then. I absolutely think Midnighter will get another series at some point in the future. He's a very interesting character, hard on the outside with a soft centre. And of course being a gay man who is not stereotyped or has his sexuality played down makes him a very important character when it comes to LGBT representation in comics. This story was a excellet one. I'm a sucker for grand romantic gestures and travelling to hell to rescue your lover is the stuff legends are made of. Some great fan service too, the Grant Morrison Subway Pirates and the Garth Ennis Mawzir and Lords of the Gun were weaved in seamlessly. And it was nice to see a rehabilitated Extrano too. Somehow it's fitting that the first DC gay male character got to appear in a story about a current gay male character reminding us how representations have changed over the years. Writer Steve Orlando gives us a tight plot that wraps up loose ends from the series and tells the story with wit and intelligence. I must also praise Fernando Blanco's artwork. It has a nice crunchy, gritty feel to it but also depicts faces extremely expressively. It does make me sad that Midnighter right now can't support an ongoing series, I'd love it if DC would make more of an effort to push modern diverse superheroes instead of the same old, same old heroes that have been round for decades and whose characterisation never goes anywhere lest it incur the wrath of fanboys. Oh well. Without getting too bitter I will end on a positive note. This is a grand tale of love beyond death and well worth reading if you are at all interested in the characters. Two thumbs up.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-51962862551045062462018-01-12T05:13:00.000+00:002018-01-12T05:14:59.598+00:00Alan Moore Obscurities: Supreme - The Return (#53-56, The Return #1-6) PART TWO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"You are right master. I must face up to my responsibilities"</i> - <b>Radar</b><br />
<br />
So it's the year 2000 and Alan Moore is riding high again. With multiple awards for his work at America's Best Comics, which include such classics as<i> Top Ten</i>, <i>Promethea</i>, <i>Tom Strong </i>and <i>The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen</i>, he is going through a Golden Age that I would argue tops even his era of work at 2000AD and DC in the 1980's. <i>From Hell</i> has finally been collected and brought out of obscurity in the process,<i> Lost Girls</i> is getting wider attention. And somewhere else, published by Rob Liefeld's collapsing company Awesome Comics, his run on<i> Supreme</i> finally breathes it's last and ends... no1curr. As I said in the previous part which looked at the first five chapters of this compilation, once the twelve issue <i>Story Of The Year </i>was concluded, Moore seemingly didn't know what to do with the character. So we got clumsy and mean-spirited meta, random pop-cultural references and scattershot satire as he tried to hook the series onto something, anything that he could find that worked. However, by the time these five issues were published Moore was gone from Awesome and the initial ABC comics line-up was starting up under his close supervison. It took over a year to get these five comics drawn and put out and lacking Chris Sprouse and Al Gordon to give it a unified if not very good look these last few don't flow with any visual coherence and it all ends very abruptly - more on that in the conclusion. So here we are, please enjoy the dying gasps of the Image dominated 90's style with this look at issues #2-6 of <i>Supreme - The Return. </i><br />
<br />
We begin with a revisit of the fate of Supreme's arch enemy Darius Dax as chronicled in <i>The Story Of The Year. </i> He decided to merge with a chunk of Supremium to increase his power but ended up being thrown back in time becoming the original meteorite that gave Ethan his power back in 1925. And then nothing. Until we see him coming round on the floor of a street confronted by a black man spouting jive so bad I can't even bring myself to type it out, he's the<i> "Daxman"</i> and he's accompanied by a metal man with a human face called<i> "Daxor"</i> and a large bearded man called<i> "Original Dax".</i><br />
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Darius gets up, wondering where he is, he's told he is in <i>Daxia </i>where all Daxs who are<i> "rubbed out of continuity"</i> go. Now annoyed Darius snatches Daxs Daxor's molecular disruptor from him. He calls them dopplegangers and threatens them but gets shot in the back by <i>"Darius Duck". </i> After a brief argument amongst themselves they have Daxor use his levitation field to take him to the "Daxadrom". Waking up Darius asks why he is in a world dedicated entirely to him, but is told he'll get his answers from the person highest in the pecking order.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Daxia.</td></tr>
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That turns out to be <i>"Maxi-Dax"</i>, sitting on a throne attended by men dressed as Supreme. Darius says he looks like he did before he died of cancer.<br />
<br />
<b>Maxi-Dax: </b><i>"Cancer? Heh heh. Is that how modern viilains die? In my day, we usually fell into the reactor of our own destruction!"</i><br />
<br />
He takes Darius to the balcony and shows him hundreds of versions of him which Darius thinks is a utopia. Maxi-Dax says the place only came into existence sixty years ago, before that it was a limbo dimension. When Maxi-Dax calls over Original Dax, Darius takes offence saying he is the original.<br />
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<i>"You and a thousand others"</i> laughs Maxi-Dax, they all share the same date of birth of 1917 but all different 1917's. Orginal Dax says he doesn't remember much of his childhood and he became a crime boss in Omega City in 1939. But Supreme used to spoil his fun, although this Supreme got his powers from a magical belt. He killed Original Dax and sent him to an all white dimension, but with bits of the city floating in it. Everything connected with him got crossed out<i> "like someone had second thoughts about my existence."</i><br />
<br />
Then another Dax joined him a couple of years later and more kept coming. Darius says<i> "you're talking as if reality was some sort of story, being constantly revised." </i> Maxi-Dax says he catches on fast. He was a Dax who's Supreme was an alien from the planet Supron and fighting him made him especially ingenious. When he came to limbo in 1966 he organised building Daxia using the planet he had populated which had come with him as raw material and his Daxinoids as the workforce.<br />
<br />
He tells Darius that they don't know why all this happens, all they can do is pool information with all the new Daxs as they arrive. He takes Darius to a limosuine where they drive to the <i>"Salon Du Dax".</i> On the way Maxi-Dax tells him that although Darius believes he was born in 1917, actually he only sprang into existence around 18 months ago according to their sensors.<i> "You're saying my entire existence before 1966 is.. is retrospective?"</i> says Darius disblievingly. Maxi-Dax says not to let it bother him, <i>"retro's very big right now, didn't you hear?"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Daxes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They go to a table with several other Daxs and Darius tells them the story of how he ended up merging with the Supremium and becoming part of a time loop that created Supreme. They realise that Earth is now currently without a Dax. Darius asks if he could just go back. Maxi-Dax says that he's dead and it would be<i> "a breach of continuity logic."</i> The others say it could shatter all the rules of existence and lead to chaos and universal disorder. They then all <i>"hmmmm"</i> thoughtfully.<br />
<br />
Maxi-Dax decides they will do it. They summon as many Daxs as possible to the Plaza of Pestilence to observe. Darius then worries some cosmic law might cause him to<i> "wink out of existence altogether". </i>Maxi-Dax says that's why they are letting him try it out first. Darius Duck has brought his "prototype dimensional doorway" with him. They use the energy of <i>"Doomsdax"</i> to power it. They set coordinates to his secret hideout in Omegaopolis. They bid him farewell and Darius steps through and arrives safe and sound.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to life, back to reality.</td></tr>
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Grinning evilly, he activates the hideout's computer and requests to know what Supreme has been up to lately. And all his stuff in the hideout is in perfect working order. Darius says that now he knows that where there is a Supreme there must be a Dax and this has inspired him to redouble his efforts to find Supreme and kill him. The chapter ends with Ethan (Supreme's alter-ego) looking distracted at work and shivering.<br />
<br />
Then he says to Diana Dane (she writes the comic - Omniman - that he draws) that he thought she and Supreme got along quite well when they met. He says he can ask Supreme to take her on a tour of the Citadel so she can get a feel for the world of a male superhero which she's been struggling with. She agrees to that and Ethan is happy again.<br />
<br />
Diana is now being shown around the Citadel by Supreme. She is marvelling at all the cool stuff he has. She is especially impressed by his garden which has plants from other planets growing in it. Then he takes her to the large crystal which is Amalynth, where people turned to light by Optilux end up. Supreme says they can visit, as he hasn't been for a while. Using special helmets their minds can manifest in there, so they suit up and enter.<br />
<br />
They appear, both of them now in superhero-style costumes which seem to be the look in Amlynth. Supreme says he has property and a cover identity here, he's<i> "Rolyat Ladnek" </i>and she can be his visting cousin<i> "Adnil Ladnek".</i> They drop down and bump into a man who knows Supreme, he tells them they sentenced Optilux to<i> "hard refraction life in our photo penitentary". </i><br />
<br />
The man mentions they have been having trouble with<i> "beam bandits"</i>, Supreme pulls Diana away as she asks what they are. Beam Bandits apparently steal payloads of data which are currency in Amlynth. Supreme doesn't have his powers here, but he's got some gadgets back in the Citadel which he is using to alter their images so he can become they can become "Dr. Dark and Duskwing" and they fly up to take on the bandits.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimefighting in Amlynth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They fly up and Supreme confronts them, when they refuse to come quietly Supreme makes him and Diana turn invisible. Diana disarms one of them as they start panicking. She shoots one of them as a warning and the others surrender without a fight<i>. "I knew you'd see the light eventually"</i> puns Diana. Supreme says she was terrific and they drop the criminals off at the penitentiary. They decide to return to their bodies on the Citadel after that.<br />
<br />
Next Supreme decides to show Diana the League of Infinity's Time Tower as Suprema is still looking for Slaver Ant and Radar is in a bad mood. He decides to show her the future as there is less chance of paradoxes that way. He picks the 22nd century as it's not a place he's been to before. They enter and the art style changes to a pulp Silver Age one.<br />
<br />
They immediately observe two women in superhero costumes called <i>"Fighting American IV"</i> and <i>"Speedgirl." </i>They are fighting a gang of Middle-Eastern Terrorists wearing fezs, but they outnumbered then a young Supreme called <i>"Supremax" </i>appears to come help. Also everyone is speaking ridiculously. Supreme finishes them off and impressed Supremax says:<br />
<br />
<b>Supremax:</b> <i>"Zow! That was the Disneyest thing I've ever nashed. You Tysoned a whole squad of shriners! What Rubiks me though, is why you're wearing a set of seekays just like mine!"</i><br />
<br />
Alan, I thought we talked about this. No one likes it when you make up future speech. It makes it look silly. Anyway Supreme introduces himself as Supreme from the 20th Century.<br />
<br />
Supremax says he's his great grandson. Supreme stutters that he's not even planning of having children. But before they can talk more a man -<i> "Baxter Frunt"</i> working for <i>"Damien Dax" </i>- who is conjoined twins stuck together back-to-back arrives saying that he can wipe out Supreme's line with one blast. Diana however chips in saying why doesn't he explain his origin to her?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight to the point Diana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He starts to tell her then she asks if his anatomy has everything doubled. And when he affirms this she kicks one side of him hard in the nuts leaving him groaning on the floor. When the heroes congratulate, Supreme lets slip her name is Diana. Supremax recognises the name and says he has seen her picture in his mom's <i>"digi-vision album".</i> This baffles Diana and Supreme decides it's time to leave. Supremax bids them farewell saying it's not every day he gets to meet his ancestors.<br />
<br />
Supreme picks up Diana and flies back to the time door saying <i>" it's as if whichever way you travel, the past ends up knowing the future's business." </i> They arrive back into the Citadel and Supreme decides to treat her by taking her to <i>"The Supremacy" </i> which is a dimension where Supremes from continuities that no longer exists end up. They fly through the portal and arrive there. They immediately bump into 50's Supreme and another Diana Dane. She decides to take current Diana on a trip to meet other Dianas while Supreme heads off to watch the <i>"Supreme-Bowl".</i><br />
<br />
Diana is having a hard time realising there are other versions of her, 50's Diana introduces her to several other Diana's meeting in a snack bar. They include a black one, the <i>"Sister Supreme" </i>from the 70's, <i>"Traumatised grim 80's Diana"</i>, Queen Diana from the 60's and finally<i> "Diana Duck."</i> Diana realises they're from what she thinks are parallel dimensions where she is Supreme's girlfriend. They ask if hers had made his move yet. There is some banter about nobody liking strong career women which leaves Diana confused. 50's Diana decides to take her shopping.<br />
<br />
Later Supreme is looking for his Diana, they meet and Diana has bought a few things. Then 50's Diana spots her Supreme who has snorted Supremium and turned into a balloon. She angrily drags him off after saying goodbye to Diana and Supreme and Diana return through the portal back to the Citadel.<br />
<br />
He offers more of a tour, but Diana asks if he is doing all this to get her attention. He looks suprised then says<i> "well yes actually. What do people normally do?" </i> She takes his head and plants a tender kiss on his lips. They deepen the kiss as he responds, then they break apart with Supreme saying <i>"Oh God.. I've wanted to do that for so long". </i> She asks why he didn't and he says he was worried there might be repercussions... and the shot widens to show a miserable looking Radar (Supreme's superdog) listening to them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana takes Supreme in hand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next chapter begins with Diana and Ethan, with Diana complaining that Supreme hasn't been in touch, at work when their editor Carl comes in. His dog is heavily pregnant and about to give birth. But she wasn't pregnant yesterday. The dog starts giving birth and as the puppy is born it suddent shoots away like a small comet out of the office and into the sky.<br />
<br />
Realising what this means Ethan leaves and changes into his Supreme identity. As he hovers in the air he sees a lot of superfast, flying puppies trashing the city. Several get together to raid the museum for dinosaur bones. Angry now, Supreme flies to the Citadel. Suprema is back and asking Radar help her find Slaver Ant. But he says he's been a <i>"bad dog" </i>and he's going on a long walk to Betelguese,<i> "don't bother refilling my dog bowl."</i><br />
<br />
He flies off and not long after, Supreme arrives. Suprema wants to know why he's angry with Radar, and Supreme says that after seventy years <i>"Radar has discovered sex."</i> Suprema expresses her disgust then asks how he'll find him. She thinks the flying puppies sound adorable though, but Supreme points out there are hundreds of them, not house trained. He locates Radar and zooms off, shortly he returns holding Radar by the scruff.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radar confesses his rapey night out.</td></tr>
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Radar admits that he had sex with over three hundred female dogs. His humping lasted around a fortieth of a second, <i>"but it felt meaningful at the time."</i> What prompted it was him overhearing Supreme's kiss with Diana. Suprema scolds him then decides to leave them to sort it out and goes to looks for Slaver Ant so they can brag about their conquests to each other. She slams the door as she leaves.<br />
<br />
Supreme says he doesn't understand women, Radar agrees saying the are both <i>"in the doghouse". </i> They debate what they can do with a city full of flying puppies. Some are currently using transatlantic cable as a dog chew. Radar can hardly believe his <i>"whelps"</i> would behave so badly. When they fly down to the city, the puppies are now looking like year old dogs.<br />
<br />
Radar sends out a very loud command to them and they all congregate close by. Radar is going to take them to a new planet of their own. He's going to call it <i>"Fidor"</i> to signify faithfulness. As all the dogs leave, Supreme says goodbye then says to himself that next time he visits they need to do some <i>"surgery supreme" </i>on him.<br />
<br />
Ethan finishes the story to Diana, apparently they contacted Talos and he made them mechanical hands and they built Fidor for themselves. At least that's what Supreme told him. Diana grumbles that she has heard from him more than she has. Ethan says Supreme maybe needs time to think.<br />
<br />
Diana tells Ethan about all the cool things she saw, The Supremacy especially interested her. She says it's exactly like when comic book continuities get revised, and that opens up a lot of possibilities for Omniman. She's decided to incorporate the Supremacy idea into the comic.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana takes Supreme in hand.</td></tr>
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Ethan says he really likes it. She says she is pleased with the idea but upset about the situation with Supreme. Actually she's angry. Ethan says Supreme wouldn't want her to be angry. She says why doesn't he get in touch, everytime she think she is getting somewhere he run away. Ethan doesn't say anything, just stares at her And she suddenly realises he is Supreme and says quietly<i> "Oh. I get it." </i> Which brings this chapter to a premature end. The rest of it is a filler story done Silver Age style about the League of Infinity which is so twee and boring I am just going to skip and carry on with the slightly more interesting Supreme storyline.<br />
<br />
The next chapter starts with Billy Friday, the postmodern comicbook writer, who Supreme had committed to Miskatonic Asylum after a series of wacky events caused Billy to lose it slightly. He is waiting to use the phone and when he finally gets to use it, he calls Diana. He's being let out the next day and he is planning to call in to the office as part of his rejoining society.<br />
<br />
He asks what the noise is in the background and we cut to her saying it's just the TV as Ethan strips off to reveal his Supreme costume. She has to break the news to him that he didn't win any Eisners. And she brings the call to an end. Supreme stands over her and she says<i> "so... here we are then."</i><br />
<br />
Supreme says that she's taking it all well, she says she actually in shock still. She wonders why she, why nobody realises that Ethan is Supreme. He says that's just the way things are for him,<i> "part of my story" </i>he concludes. But she recognised him, and she says maybe that means she's part of his story too.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Darius Dax is talking with his computer which is called<i> "Torquemada".</i> They are discussing how across all the realtities there is a version of him in conflict with a version of Supreme,<i> "...it's almost as if our conflict was the sole reason for reality to exist... any reality!" </i> Torquemada says there is another constant across each reality - Supremium.<br />
<br />
He muses that Supremium was synthesized by Supreme in the sixties, twenty-five years later he fused with it becoming Supremium Man. Then he fell back through time to 1925 where the meteorite gave Supreme its power and no Supremium exist outside of this time loop. But Torquemada says there is an alternate world source of Supremium, Supremium Man Mk.1. Dax says he remembers him from the 1930's, he was a teenager from an alternate world obssessed with collecting Supremium. Back then he was called "Master Meteor."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retro Master Meteor.</td></tr>
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We then get a retro flashback. A young Darius Dax has completed a machine to destroy Kid Supreme when suddenly a young man comes through a portal. The being recognises the younger Dax and remembers to tell him he's called Master Meteor. He introduces himself as an expert on Supremium and collects all different kinds which have different powers. For example Emerald Supremium promotes growth in organic life. Sapphire Supremium affects probabilities. Amber Supremium alters time and so on. <br />
<br />
Dax notes he doesn't mention White Supremium, and Master Meteor says that's what he's here for. He knows it only exists in a narrow time-loop, <i>"I suspect it's the point all Supremium originates from!"</i> Dax decides to show him where some is and they fly to Erwin Wells lab, Erwin tries to stop them but Master Meteor makes his lawn grow and traps Erwin in it.<br />
<br />
Inside Master Meteor chips a small piece off the chunk and while he does so it turns his hair completely white. Then Kid Supreme and Radar arrive to stop them. Master Meteor uses Sapphire Supremium power to make the house fall in on them, but that doesn't hold them. He tries to trap them in a Ruby created bubble, but that doesn't work. Finally he uses the White Supremium which starts to kill Kid Supreme and Radar. Dax eggs him on but Master Meteor says he can't kill them now, it will cause a time paradox.<br />
<br />
But then all his Supremium samples start flashing at random. It starts to affect his mind. He stammers that he was in an asylum and had mental problems. Supreme was the one who had him committed and now he wants revenge, but he must take it when Supreme is an adult to avoid a paradox. And he activates his Amber Supremium and steps through a portal into the future. This leaves Dax at the mercy of Kid Supreme and he gets a punch in the face for his antics and the flashback ends.<br />
<br />
Dax digs out his Enigmatron while he wonders if he's part of another paradox and he is Supremium Man Mk.II as well. He fires it up and watches. At Dazzle comics a portal has opened and Master Meteor has come through it from the time of the flashback. Diana and Ethan arrive and Master Meteor suddenly confronts them calling himself Supremium Man. Ethan hurries off and gets changed into his Supreme costume while Supremium Man rants about his vengeance.<br />
<br />
Supreme and Supremium Man square off, but then Billy Friday shows up. Supreme yells to keep him away from the Supremium, he doesn't want Billy exposed to it and mutating again. When Diana tells him to stay away from the dangerous super-villain, Billy comes closer saying that actually villains are<i> "plausibilty and differently moral". </i>He asks to talk to him like he did in group.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billy and Supremium Man merge.</td></tr>
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He introduces himself to Supremium Man, while he talks about all the villains he met Supremium Man is panicking about the reaction his Supremium is having to Billy. Billy takes Supremium Man by the hand.... and suddenly Billy disappears but his mind is transferred into Supremium Man's body. He can hear Supremium in his head though and blames Supreme for deliberately trying to destroy his mind, but it hasn't worked<i> "my personality is completely stable! In fact both of them are!"</i><br />
<br />
He seems to be struggling though and says his Supremium collection is ruined as the White Supremium has burned out and it no longer exists in this reality. So using the Amber Supremium he makes a portal into the time-loop and goes back in time saying the sentence he finished in Dax's flashback. Later Diana and Ethan go to Ethan's apartment. She's surprised he has one when he has a Citadel in the sky. He says he likes being round real people sometimes. Diana says she hopes that includes me and has he got over what repercussions their relationship might have. He says after last night he doesn't have any anxieties, he's Supreme dating the most beautiful girl in the world, <i>"have I forgotten anything?" </i> End chapter with a close-up of the issue of Omniman they are working on.<br />
<br />
The next and final chapter is one long tribute Jack "King" Kirby, a man of incredible imagination who created so many iconic characters for Marvel and DC and who at the time of when the scripts were obviously written had recently died. With this finally struggling out in 2000 it was a little further away from his death. Anyhoo, the story is that Supreme has got a call that something large has appeared in a Himalayan valley and he's gone to investigate. When he reaches to city and enters the mists he is drawn in a Kirbyesque style by Rick Veitch, but hilariously the couple of pages at the start and end are drawn by Rob Liefeld. A man who never met his publishing dates, who showed no understanding of anatomy and page layout and whose credited characters were actually made who they were by other artists and writers that followed. He is the anti-Kirby.<br />
<br />
Anyway, through the mist Supreme finds a bunch of mechs and a whole city, it's industrialised but has statues of Roman Gods looming over Brooklyn Bridge. I'll say now, I think all the characters he meets are pastiches of Kirby created ones, but I couldn't recognise some of them so forgive me for that.<br />
<br />
While lost on thought his reverie is broken by<i> "The Little Tough Guys"</i> who he asks why they are there. They say they are here because of the Monarch's will. Then a man dressed in blue with a bin lid for a shield appears called <i>"The Custodian"</i>, he says he and the Little Tough Guys are on a mission so Supreme should get lost. Supreme says he'd be glad to help, so he is told they are after <i>"Dread"</i> a master of science and sorcery he's currently "planning to awaken a diabolical monster who will destroy the Earth!"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Dread" summons a monster.</td></tr>
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Suddenly the monster <i>"Baragoom, the creature that walked like a thing!"</i> Dread is with them and orders then to cower before his might. Supreme starts beating up Baragoom and it starts to try and escape through the mists. Supreme chases it but when he comes out of the mists it's World War II and<i> "Sgt. Strong's Dambustin' Dogfaces"</i> are ready to leap into action against a giant Nazi robot, which the various heroes there like <i>"The Battlin' Yank"</i> are also fighting.<br />
<br />
Supreme says he's not needed here, so Sgt. Strong directs him to the East treeline, where he'll find what he's looking for. So Supreme travels through to a post-apocalyptic world. Supreme asks where he can find the Monarch, one of them tell him he's also the <i>"All-Father, the source of our existence"</i>. He needs to go beyond this world into the realm of the Gods themselves.<br />
<br />
Then a being that is a humanoid cricket called<i> "Davey Krikkit" </i>offers his services as a guide to Supreme. He'll take Supreme to the Sapphre Stairway and the Celesital Palace beyond. As they travel, Supreme asks how all this could have just come into existance in one day. Davey just says that's the Regeant <i>"creates a whole...universe before breakfast like it was nothing!"</i><br />
Supreme asks if the Regeant is one of the Gods they are off to meet, but Davey says he's much more important than that. After flying up high and observing all the cities, they fly even higher and are confronted by a huge armoured man who wants to know what business they have here. Davey says he's escorting a outlander who's looking for the monarch.<br />
<br />
The armoured man takes them to<i> "the grand trial of the proto-deities. They will decide your fate, as they decide the fate of all who live." </i>What does he mean by<i> "proto deities"</i> asks Supreme. They are the basic models, the original essences of Earth's Gods, whether Norse, Greek or Egyptian. They reach the council and Davey bows and scrapes. Supreme says he's just here because he's curious.<br />
<br />
The Gods say that if he wishes to know the ways of things he truly needs to see the Creator. It asks Supreme to get on his hands and it will deliver him there. Davey says goodbye, and Supreme is lifted up to a tunnel and walks foward to see...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hail to the King baby!</td></tr>
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... Jack Kirby's big giant head. He tells Supreme to call him "King" and then asks what he wants. Supreme asks what he is. Kirby tells him about the world of ideas, and Supreme says he has access to a realm called <i>"idea space"</i> and Kirby says the name should be punchier like <i>"the psychoverse"</i> or the <i>"cognitive zone". </i>But he calls it home. He used to commute here when he worked everyday. He farmed ideaspace for produce,<i> "they call us Imagineers".</i><br />
<br />
Back then he was a part-timer in the World of Ideas but now he's a full time resident. He physically died but that doesn't matter.<br />
<br />
<b>Kirby:</b> <i>"It ain't the physical stuff that's important. It don't last, you know what I'm sayin'? What's important is the idea of a thing. See, all we are is ideas."</i><br />
<br />
When Supreme queries thing, Kirby says that the ideas people have about you and the ideas we have about ourselves well what else makes a personal identity.<br />
<br />
Supreme asks if being in Ideaspace limits him in any way. Kirby says that actually he's free and not limited by a body with pens, brushes and hands,<i> "it all slows you down." </i>Even on a good day he could only manage maybe nine or ten pages. Subtle jibe at the Image creatives whose worke suffered from hugely slipped scehdules, including this very comic.<br />
<br />
Now he is in the world of ideas they can just pour out of his mind. Supreme asks what he's doing in his world. Kirby says he spent a lot of time in worlds like his, he likes the excitement, magic and costumes in them. So he's come on a quick holiday. Supreme thinks he can do no harm where he is. Kirby then calls him a <i>"Wylie"</i> and when Supreme doesn't understand, he says that it's after a guy called <i>"Phil Wylie" </i>who wrote a book called <i>"Gladiator" </i>which introduced the whole Superman archetype, which is Supreme.<br />
<br />
The mists starts to cover Kirby up as he says he never created a Wylie, although he handled a few. He starts thinking up an idea that there were two words, one good, one evil. And then they have a war. Supreme says that's unlikely in his world. As the mists finally claim Kirby he says that he'll never know what might yet happen in his world. Then the whole area disappears leaving Supreme back outside on the edge of the misty valley.<br />
<br />
Supreme flies back home and has dinner with Diana while still in Supreme gear and she teases him, saying she's seeing another guy at work, a nerdy guy called Ethan. She then discusses the comic they have put together with her trip to the Supremancy working well with Omniman. She thinks this will be a pivotal issue. She teases him again saying she thinks this Ethan might be gay, because he's not laid a finger on her. Grinning Supreme looks at the comic and she asks if the Supremes of the Supremacy won't mind me basing this issue on them will they? He says of course not,<i> "I mean how could a comic book affect the Supremacy?" </i>And he holds her close saying<i> "now about this gay thing..." </i>And that brings this volume to a close.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we end on a page of shitty Liefeld art. How appropriate somehow.</td></tr>
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There is of course the infamous issue #63. The next script was written but never drawn until a few years ago. The numbering returned to what it would be if The Return had been numbered normally. This was meant to kick off a new run of Supreme but it stumbled and fell pretty much straight away. I do own #63 but I am so bored of Supreme and I have quite a lot to say about it that I shall cover it at a later date, probably when I do a round up of some of his one--shots. Anyway with that all done, once again this was a real chore to get through. The artwork is downright distressing in places and gives the series no real consistent look. The flashback stuff once again is good stuff by Rick Veitch, but otherwise it's just a mess. And it also makes me wonder again just who these comics were aimed at. The younger "90's kids" would probably think the retro bits are stupid and lame, while older readers would be put off by the atrocious Liefeldian art in the rest of the comic. The epic stretched out release sechdule couldn't have helped and as I said in the intro Moore had moved on leaving Image and Awesome comics, which finally died before Moore's run could conclude, far behind. The tribute to Jack Kirby is touching though, I do like the idea he lives on imagining strange new worlds and populating them with hereoes and villains on a whim. Some nice Kirbyesque drawing from Veitch as well. So that was Alan Moore's last published work for Image (apart from #63), work he probably felt he'd left far behind. Typical of his work for Image, there is always a feeling of barely hidden contempt for the audience in this mainstream stuff, mostly I think born of frustration, that to keep food on the table he had to work in the mainstream again to fund his passion projects From Hell and Lost Girls which struggled to find indie comics that lasted long enough to run the whole storylines. This isn't quite the last of his Image work, there are a couple of minseries I am hunting down on Amazon which will likely appear on here later in the year. But Supreme is indicative of Moore's attitude, he started strong with The Story Of The Year arc, then didn't quite know what to do next. So it looked like he was setting up for another "revision" so the next writer could reinvent the character how they wanted. But back then this is all we got. Mediocre.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-27226718619944245782018-01-06T19:35:00.003+00:002018-01-06T19:46:46.963+00:00Alan Moore Obscurities: Supreme - The Return (#53-56, The Return #1-6) PART ONE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"By the Merciful Magellanic Cloud, what's happened to everything?" </i>- <b>Supreme</b><br />
<br />
Let's kick off the new year with a two part look at the second compilation volume of Alan Moore's time writing the Rob Liefeld Superman expy <i>Supreme</i> while also working for Liefeld's Awesome comics label. Or was he? The first twelve Supreme issues I covered in my look at <i><a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Supreme">The Story Of The Year</a></i> told a tight overall story while turning Liefelds psycho Superman into a old skool Superman pastiche with various aspects of Golden and Silver Age Superman being explored. Now it's no secret that Liefeld's company was in some financial trouble by then, and Moore had some scathing things to say about Liefeld's management at the time. Which might explain why these ten issues have a more chaotic feel to them. The first four concluded the main <i>Supreme</i> series, then the second six which were published when Moore had long ago left to work for ABC comics became <i>Supreme: The Return</i>. I get the feeling when I read this volume that Moore, who usually has such firm control of how his stories would look just faxed them the scripts and went back to drawing up his plans for the ABC comicverse, I have no evidence but it sure feels that way. The issues also had lateness problems, the first in this volume is dated 1997, three years later we get the final issues of <i>The Return</i>, three years to produce ten comics, tsk tsk. All-in-all behind the scenes was something of a clusterfuck for example there are eight pencillers and six inkers credited across these ten issues, including Rob Liefeld himself, but are the stories still worth reading? Let's find out first with the final four issues of <i>Supreme's</i> original run and the first issue of <i>The Return</i>, because the story started in #53 concludes in <i>The Return</i> #1. And in a few days time the rest of the issues making up <i>The Return.</i><br />
<br />
We find out after the defeat of his arch-enemy Darius Dax that Supreme has spent his time fixing up the Citadel for a while. He also has the aged comatose body of Judy Jordan, the woman who Dax took over so he could live on past his first death from cancer. Supreme is trying to find a way to retrieve her original personality which Dax overwrote with his own.<br />
<br />
Suprema, his sister, comes and tells him he is needed in the <i>"Hell of Mirrors"</i> where he had placed writer Billy Friday after he became a huge bulk of limbs from his exposure to Supremium. He's actually back to normal now, and the other villains contained in the mirrors are demanding he be taken away.<br />
<br />
<b>Suprema:</b> <i>"They're really anxious to get rid of him. Apparently he's been asking them questions about their childhoods and motivations."</i><br />
<br />
They let Supreme retrieve Billy from the Hell of Mirrors without incident although Supreme feels a bit sorry for him because he'd been through such a lot recently. When he leaves the mirrorworld, he hysterically demands they send him back to get his laptop, but Supreme and Suprema gently lead him away. Supreme decide to send him to an expert in <i>"super-power breakdowns"</i> and Billy ends up at the <i>"Miskatonic Mental Institution"</i> under the care of the Batman expy. By the way, Billy Friday is almost certainly a parody of arch-enemy Grant Morrison who made his name with the Batman graphic novel <i>"Arkham Asylum".</i> Tee flippin' hee.<br />
<br />
We return to Supreme who is in his civilian disguise as mild-mannered comicbook artist Ethan Crane telling all this to his writer Diana Dane, although she doesn't know he is Supreme. Diana then pulls out what should have been an issue of<i> "Omniman"</i> but somehow it's turned into a comic about Supreme. Ethan starts to panic saying it could reveal all Supreme's secrets and they must stop it going to press.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supreme meets Omniman.</td></tr>
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As he runs, he takes off his suit and turns into Supreme, he arrives at Dazzle comics and his editor is as suprised as he is to see the comic has changed. But when Supreme says they must run the original Omniman plates, the supposedly fictional Omniman appears and says he couldn't allow anything to compromise his secret identity.<br />
<br />
Supreme says he can't be real, but Omniman says that Supreme is the comic book character. Supreme says it's a mistake, <i>"I'm not some made-up fantasy hero</i>". Omniman insults him so an annoyed Supreme suggest they fight it out and Omniman delivers a huge punch which smashes Supreme through the walls and into the pavement.<br />
<br />
Diana has just arrived. Supreme says she should stay out of the way, but she says she's the Omniman expert and she knows all about the powers Supreme doesn't have like <i>"Omni-ventriloquism, Omni-exhalation"</i>. This distracts Supreme and he takes another hit from Omniman's super-breath. Oniman asks if he's had enough and is ready to crawl back into his comic? Supreme say he know's Omniman isn't evil, <i>"you're just badly written"</i> and he punches him.<br />
<br />
Diana and the editor watch as Supreme and Omniman duke it out. The editor say with the industry the way it is this is the last thing they need. As the fighting pair crash back into the offices, an assisstant editor called Carl Chambers arrives and asks if they are their models. When told they are real he exclaims:<br />
<br />
<b>Carl:</b> <i>"Boy, that's incredible. I never realised... I mean, I always thought the artwork on these character's anatomy was ludicrous, but they're actually built like that!"</i><br />
<br />
Very droll Alan. Anyway suddenly Omniman grins at Supreme and says he's given a<i> "tremendous performance"</i> and he transforms into a super-deformed version of Supreme, he is actually the imp <i>"Szazs" </i>who says he's now a <i>"shoo-in at the Impolympics!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Szazs.</td></tr>
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Szasz explains that the Impolympics is a competition between each super-hero's personal imp antagonist, <i>"there is only really one event, and that's to see who can come out with the most irrational and pointless stunt." </i>He thought up the Omniman routine for his opener and now he's going for gold to reward all the patient weeks he spent in <i>"nuisance training."</i> He grows to huge size as Supreme flies Diana to a safe place. He then flies up and tells Szazs to cut it out.<br />
<br />
<b>Supreme: </b><i>"Earth's changed since the sixties! Nobody finds this kind of stuff funny or appealing any more!"</i><br />
<br />
Take that, the nineties! Szazs shriks back to his normal size, then transforms the sky into a reflection of the city. Supreme tells him people will go crazy trying to navigate the mirror-sky.<br />
<br />
He then flies down to Diane and she tells him if he still has the Supreme comicbook he can flip to the end and find out how he defeats Szazs. Supreme reads it nothing that even this moment is in it now. He defeats Szasz with a <i>"logical proposition"</i>. Szaz flies down to see what Supreme is up to.<br />
<br />
Supreme tells him that Szazs can only exist in prime-numbered dimensions and that logically they are actually here in the fourth-dimension not the third because time is the fourth dimension. And as four is not a prime number, Szazs shouldn't be able to exist here. Szazs starts fading away:<br />
<br />
<b>Szazs: </b><i>"No! It can't be! You're disproving my existance with a syllogism supreme! I'm becoming completely... unbelievable..."</i><br />
<br />
And he pops out of existance and the city returns to normal. Supreme still has the comic, but he says Szaz always leaves a souvenir of his visits and the real comic is back as Omniman again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moore can do postmodernism too!</td></tr>
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We then cut to him at the Citadel, finishing off telling his story to the android and member of Youngblood, Diehard (who also starred in the <i>Prophet </i>reboot I covered on this blog). This then leads into a discussion of the murder of one of the team by another and the trial they are going to have. This was covered in the Moore penned miniseries <a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/alan-moore-obscurities-judgement-day-1.html"><i>"Judgement Day"</i></a> also covered by me, ages ago.<br />
<br />
As they walk through the Citadel, Diehard comments that whatever comic book he's in has<i> "turned pretty grim recently" </i>and he'd like to close the covers and begin a whole new chapter (which I believe is reference to Moore's aborted run on Youngblood).<br />
<br />
<b>Supreme:</b> <i>"Look on the bright side. We've both been in this business long enough to know that no era lasts forever... even a dark one!"</i><br />
<br />
Diehard agrees and says it's no use worrying about what might happen, the future has already been written right? Supreme says that it might not have been written but it's definitely being advertised. And that brings this chapter to an end. <br />
<br />
The next chapter starts with a poem about Judy Jordan which recaps her story which was told in<i> The Story Of The Year.</i> We see how wrapped up she was in her love of Supreme and weeping when she reads he's leaving Earth for a while. Left aging and lonely she recieves a book from Supreme's arch-enemy Darius Dax who infused his conciousness into dust and when she opens the book the dust takes her over and she is left paralysed on the kitchen floor as Dax slowly takes her over, and she dies... <br />
<br />
... but then she wakes from the blackness and see's Supreme looking down at her. We then see that he's resurrected her mind and put it in a new and young looking robot body. Actually it's one of his Supreme robots, "S-1". He tells her she looks wonderful. She is completely bewildered. She says one minute she was dying on the kitchen floor and now she alive and twenty-five years younger<i>, "oh god! What's happened...?"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Sprouse didn't draw this issue, Rick Veitch did and OMG Rick I know you can do better than this!</td></tr>
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Supreme's super-dog Radar tells her what happened to her, and if she checks the room next door she'll discover it was true. And she looks, seeing her comatose body in its seventies. Radar says it's been thirty years since she opened the book and it's now 1997. Radar say that Supreme found echos of her in her aged body once Dax was gone from it. He rebuilt her mind like an electric jigsaw puzzle. Also, <i>"he thought you might prefer a younger, friskier body"</i> so now she's a Suprematon.<br />
<br />
He tells her that her body is the most advanced robot there is and only S-1 is close to it. She's now strong, fast and almost indestructible. Judy says this isn't what she wanted, she wanted to be Supreme's wife. He can't love her as either a robot or an old woman, so<i> "what point does my existance have?" </i> Radar says Supreme couldn't bear to see her <i>"consigned to oblivion".</i> Tearfully she ask to be left alone, she needs to have time to think.<br />
<br />
Later we see Radar and S-1 discovering she has gone. She has also taken the hero costume from an exhibit and we see her clad in it and flying over the city. She flies to where Suprema is saying she is <i>"Super-Judy" </i>and starts dealing with the emergency Suprema was dealing with. Suprema objects saying Judy has no training as a superhero. Judy just sneers that she's afraid of the competition.<br />
<br />
But she almost allows a passing plane be hit by the space debris, so Suprema yells at her saying she doesn't <i>"have what it takes as a cheesecake champion!" </i> Judy says super-heroing is her new career. They bitch at each other about their costumes and when Suprema tells her the Suprematons are disposable an angered Judy punches her right in the face.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dat ass.</td></tr>
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Judy says she should pack up and go, Omegaopolis has a new <i>"dame defender"</i>. Suprema is pissed about her costume getting messed up and does a flying smash into Judy's stomach. She flies them both up to the moon so they can fight without wrecking the city and they really go at each other until Judy is rendered unconcious and a regretful Suprema takes her back to the Citadel.<br />
<br />
S-1 and Suprema bring Judy back round and Judy apologises for lashing out at Suprema,<i> "I just felt so frustrated and angry is all."</i> Suprema realises her pain is also being caused by not being able to be loved by Supreme in return and she gets mad at Supreme for not taking that into account. Supreme himself appears saying he needs to face up to that.<br />
<br />
He and Judy go and sit in the roofgarden. He apologises for not being there when she woke up, he was dealing with a rogue comet. He tells her that the body she has is more than just a robot, but she snaps <i>"what' the point of giving me life if you can't give me love?"</i> He says he thought he did what was right. She hugs him saying he always does that and she isn't really angry at him just the ridiculous situation she's now in.<br />
<br />
They walk through the Citadel and Supreme says he still loves her, but circumstances are different now, she still has the same personality just not the same organic body. Then S-1 approaches them and Judy says to let him speak because he seems different from the other Suprematons. S-1 says he is different, his mind is an exact digital copy of Supremes and he alone amongst his fellows knows independent conciousness.<br />
<br />
He then says that for a great many years he has loved Judy and now would <i>"know no greater happiness than if you would consent to be my wife". </i> Supreme wonders if he is lapsing into the robot madness again which he had while Supreme was in space and recreated all Supreme's family and friends on the Citadel. S-1 tells Judy this and that when Supreme reprogrammed him he didn't remove his love for those people. Supreme says he doesn't understand, but Judy does and looks at S-1 with a curious expression on her face, then she asks Supreme to leave them and as he turns away they kiss.<br />
<br />
We then get an epilogue. Supreme is now Ethan again and is telling this story to Diana and Carl. S-1 took the name "Talos" from the metal man of Greek legend and Judy made him a new costume They married in the Citadel stadium, <i>"Suprema was maid of honour. Radar was Best Dog".</i> Diana wants to know what happened next. Supreme lent them his deep space vessel and learned from it's log when it returned unmanned a week later.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the last we heard of them. Still it's sweet all the same.</td></tr>
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He doesn't know how physical their relationship was, but maybe androids have <i>"more options for mutual pleasure and communium than us organic beings." </i> Eventually they found an uninhabited planet and they have started building a civilisation there, populated by their <i>"digital children".</i> They are going to call they planet <i>"Suprematonia".</i><br />
<br />
Back in the office Carl says it's taking him a while to adjust to all this casual talk of superhero antics. And Billy Friday has contacted them from Miskatonic Asylum still anxious about his laptop communicator. Diana says he's still in trauma. Ethan just mulls over the fact that at least they know somebody far away got a happy ending, and we finish on an image of Talos and Judy kissing on their new world.<br />
<br />
The next chapter begins with Ethan waking up and putting on his Supreme outfit which ominously has the Confederate flag's starry blue cross on it. Then he puts on his civilian clothes and sets off for work. The bus stop is labelled<i> "Whites Only" </i>and when he arrives at Dazzle comics, Carl (who is black) is mopping floors. Ethan asks Carl if he thinks things are a bit odd around the city today.<br />
<br />
Carl speaks in a thick accent that he knows nothing and wants no trouble. Ethan asks him if this is some sort of joke, but then Diana arrives and has looks like a Southern Belle with accent to match. She orders Carl to get back to work and when the editor arrives turns out she's married to him. She says to him that Ethan is acting peculiarly,<i> "talkin' with coloureds an' everythin'!"</i><br />
<br />
This really jolts Ethan, he asks if this is really Dazzle comics and that they all work on Omniman. The editor says he's been drinking, Ethan draws their most famous character,<i> "Klansman"</i>. Ethan reads it in horror then leaves, turning into Supreme as he does so. He heads for the Citadel as someone points to him and calls him <i>"The Supremacist."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hah as if America would ever tolerate being ruled by a racist elected along a right wing populist agenda. The very idea!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He arrives to find the place looks different and he is greeted by a stereotypical black servant,<i> "Ro-Boy, R-1"</i>. Supreme finds everything is nightmarish because his hall of exhibits covers adventures he never remenbers happening. He decides to check what's going on from outside time, and heads for<i> "The League of Infinity's Time Tower"</i> (the League are an expy of DC's <i>Legion of Superheroes</i>).<br />
<br />
However the Time Tower is shattered. The various members are standing of different pieces and Supreme is told that one of the League has betrayed the <i>"oath of infinity"</i>. He's altered time and history has collapsed upon itself. They remember the old history, but are unsure why Supreme still does. He wonders if it's because he has gone through a reordering of history during his trip to the Supremacy in the first chapter of <i>The Story Of The Year</i>. Turns out the member who changed history was Wild Bill Hickok who changed who won the American Civil War. When Supreme asks how and why, Future Woman tells him to get comfortable and she'll tell him the full story.<br />
<br />
Wild Bill was born in 1837 and fought for the north during the war. When it was over he settled down as the Marshal of Abilene. He actually got along with the Texan cowboys who fought for the Confederates and they respected him. He had a crush on a woman called Jessie Hazel, a dance-hall girl. Unfortunately so did the co-owner of the tavern she danced in, Phil Coe who hated Bill as did the other tavern owner Ben Thomson. A feud that started over a petty event.<br />
<br />
With Hickok and Coe in love with the same woman, <i>"something had to give"</i>. One night Hickok accused Coe of cheating at cards. There was an explosion of violence, and Coe was killed as was one of Hickok's deputies. This made something inside Hickok snap<i>, "he went berserk and drove all the cowboys out of Abeline that very night".</i><br />
<br />
And this didn't win him his love. Hazel called him another <i>"damn Yankee"</i> who'd humiliated her people. He still tried to court her, over the next four years he grew more desperate and unbalanced. With his access to the Time Tower as one of its <i>"most trusted founders"</i> he decided to prove to Jessie Hazel he loved the South as much as she did.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those captions were impossible to read unless I scanned and brightened them. Grumble.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He went forward in time and took plans for a crude nuclear bomb and then went down to the time of the Civil War and gave those plans to the Confederates. They built it and smuggled it into Washington in a covered wagon. Using a primitive radio crystal transmitter General Lee triggered the explosion himself,<i> "the unconditional surrender of the Union forces followed the next day."</i><br />
<br />
We return to the destroyed Time Tower and Supreme is aghast at what happened, slavery is still legal and Atlanta is the capital of the USA. Future Woman says they have to do something, Supreme ask what can they do. Then a goth looking woman called Witch Woman says that they must repair the rend in time before Wild Bill <i>"worked his mischief."</i> They must cut the thread to stop the rip in time ever started.<br />
<br />
Future Woman realises she means they should kill Wid Bill. They take a vote and it carries, so Supreme flies Future Woman with him to Wild Bill's time of the tower. As they fly down Supreme says he has a no-kill policy but his gut is telling him Witch Woman is right. Future Woman says that it would save so much tragedy but they must make sure they kill the right one.<br />
<br />
They find two doors one for each strand of his life, Future Woman identifies the correct door which is the North dominated one in 1876 and Witch Woman conjures up some period specific clothes for them and the other members of the League who have come with them. As they walk out into Abeline, they begin to remember how Wild Bill originally died, shot because he had his back to the saloon door. Maybe they are here to provide the reason why a hyper-cautious man like Bill would drop his guard like that.<br />
<br />
Witch Woman makes Future Woman look like Jessie Hazel, she walks in and says to Wild Bill that she loves him. He gets up and smiles at her and one of the League (who looks a lot like young Wild Bill) shoots him in the back. They rush back to the Time Tower which is now mended and Supreme's costume is back to normal. They head up to the League's 24th Century headquarters and see there is a memorial statue of Wild Bill is there. Future Woman says they all have statues, even members who haven't joined yet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time is repaired, all is well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Supreme bids them farewell and heads back to 1997. He arrives back at Dazzle Comics as Ethan. Diana tells him that Bill is still bugging them about the laptop communicator he left in Supreme's mirror prison. Carl orders them to get back to work and Diana says he treats them like slaves, which gets her a strange look from Ethan. This chapter ends inside the Hell of Mirrors and Billy's laptop communicator is discovered by the villains in there.<br />
<br />
Inside the Citadel two Suprematon's are doing some monitoring of what everyone is up to in the various rooms of the place. Then they see the<i> "Televillain"</i> and chase after him saying he should be imprisoned inside the Hell of Mirrors. The Televillain then disappears through a TV monitor. The two Suprematons figure out that he must be involved in a jail-break and we cut to them both smashed to bits by the rest of the villians now freed from the mirror prison.<br />
<br />
While Shadow Supreme tramples all over the androids wrecked bodies, <i>"Korgo" </i>who is a viking-esque villain says it's good to be free again. Other villains emerge, including <i>"Sentinel",</i> the murderer from Judgement Day who just flies off. A female one called <i>"Slaver Ant"</i> says she'd like to go and find some children for servants. But for now she'll hang out with Televillain and they both find the<i> "Prism-World of Amalynth" </i>and then they find a big crystal next to it and Televillain cackles and tells Slaver Ant to fetch the others, <i>"tell them it's showtime."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shadow Supreme, Korgo, Televillain and Slaver Ant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Round at Ethan's place, Diana is there helping him with his reference files. Diana asks if he has any life outside of drawing Omniman. She turns on the TV saying he should watch <i>Friends</i>. She describes it to him while he starts watching. Suddenly the Televillain appears on the screen and interacts with the actors... magically somehow because it's not broadcast live is it?<br />
<br />
<b>Televillain:</b><i> "I'm here to deliver a message to the networks. Basically, I get a million dollars, or I kill your ratings...like this".</i><br />
<br />
Then he shoots Monica execution style then says if they don't pay up tomorrow or he whacks <i>"Commander Picard and the fruity robot guy." </i> Hey now, Picard is a Captain and Data is an android not a robot. Destroy crappy sitcoms as much as you like but hands off <i>Star Trek: The Next Generation</i>!<br />
<br />
Ethan calls up Youngblood HQ to ask if his sister Sally (ie: Suprema) is still there. But he is told she has gone to meet Radar at the Citadel. As Ethan leaves, the TV announces that the cast of <i>Friends</i> are all OK and just as puzzled as everyone else regarding the interruption. Ethan heads out saying he has to warn Supreme about the Televillain.<br />
<br />
The Televillain returns to the Citadel where he picks up the large crystal, he, Slaver Ant, Korgo and the lionheaded <i>"Vor-Em"</i> leave Shadow Supreme hunting down and destroying Suprematon and head back to Earth. Meanwhile Suprema has returned to the Citadel and calls out for Ethan. But she comes face to Shadow Supreme standing by Radar's corpse, <i>"by the way... I killed your dog... eventually". </i> Suprema is horrified and says<i> "oh my God."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIZM7RGw_ydeiTY1OGt_ppqlthk3Uzwojdvp36K16TDXBYF7VuN86bSwBUxNG_HBWcnt12z0pNEdD8e2wS_ji3ka_7RSZ7q5mXdaGav6Xyx_bnEh1yTqWwf9DYIzMR9OKAPjh6umzwd0/s1600/AMSupremetwo11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1090" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIZM7RGw_ydeiTY1OGt_ppqlthk3Uzwojdvp36K16TDXBYF7VuN86bSwBUxNG_HBWcnt12z0pNEdD8e2wS_ji3ka_7RSZ7q5mXdaGav6Xyx_bnEh1yTqWwf9DYIzMR9OKAPjh6umzwd0/s320/AMSupremetwo11.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A genuinely horrible moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shadow Supreme snarls that god is dead, his god was Darius Dax and she and Supreme destroyed him. He punches her round the room saying that when he and Korgo rule the Earth she can be their concubine and they'll share her. But then Supreme appears and lays into Shadow Supreme saying,<i> "leave... my... sister... alone" </i>punctuating his words with punches.<br />
<br />
With Shadow Supreme knocked back down to Earth, Suprema says she'll deal with the rest if Supreme handles the Shadow Supreme. He decides to review their cases to see how they came to be in the Hell of Mirrors, which he built in 1954, in the first places. And that sends us into a flashback drawn in the Silver Age style.<br />
<br />
He is showing Judy's nephew and niece around the Citadel and takes them into the Hell of Mirrors. In there are villains who are too evil to keep anywhere else. The glass is special, it's a barrier of hard light between here and another world. He discovered the glass in 1954 when he investigated the disappearance of a professor called Daniel Dodgson.<br />
<br />
He found out that the old mirror in his study could be walked through into another dimension which was like that described in <i>"Alice Through The Looking Glass." </i> The professor was a descendent of Lewis Carroll, real name Charles Dodgson. He rescued the professor from the Jabberwock and took him home. Then he was given the mirror and was abl to duplicate the glass and have it open in a different area of the same realm, and that's how he constructed the mirror prison.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our one flashback this time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first he imprisoned was the space tyrant Korgo. Then Vor-Em a freelance executioner hired by Darius Dax to kill him. Then he trapped the Shadow Supreme and the Televillain and more recently Optilux a being made from light who he isn't sure the prison will hold. Finally he caught Slaver Ant who stole children to rear as servants. He has imprisoned Supremium Man II but he tricked his way out. Also Emerpus the reverse Supreme tred to <i>"un-jail"</i> the mirror villains, but he and Suprema stopped him.<br />
<br />
The boy asks wouldn't it be safer to execute all these villains but Supreme says it goes against his sworn oath not to kill. The girl then finishes this flashback with a groanworthy pun saying that the villains are in "no better place for them to reflect upon their crimes."<br />
<br />
Back in the present Supreme says Optilux did escape, (see <i>The Story Of The Year</i>) but the rest had stayed put until today. Shadow Supreme is rampaging down below, so Supreme goes down to face him while Suprema goes putting out the fires he's started then she'll go deal with the rest. They others are tough, but nowhere near as powerful as Shadow Supreme.<br />
<br />
She finishes dealing with the fire and finds Televillain sitting on a TV aerial. She asks him where the others are. He tells her Korgo and Vor-Em decided to go to Washington and Slaver Ant is off looking for children to enslaves. He also tells Suprema that he's set up a guest act in Omegaopolis stadium, and he points down to a shining blue figure standing on the stage inviting everyone to become light. It's Optilux.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Optilux.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And that brought the first run of Supreme to a close with a cliffhanger. Over ONE YEAR LATER the story was finally resolved not in issue #57 but in a new series called <i>Supreme The Return</i>. So we continue this story with issue #1.<br />
<br />
Korgo has arrived at The White House and has demanded that the President - a this point in time it was Bill Clinton - come face him. So Bill and Hilary go to meet him as we see a smoking heap of what was Presidential security behind him and Vor-Em. Korgo demands that Bill face him in a fight issued under the <i>"Formal Rules Of The Cosmic Dictators Guild".</i><br />
<br />
Bill tells him that the President doesn't engage in brawls on the White House lawn. <i>"What's the matter? Scared?"</i> taunts Korgo. Bill blusters at him and Korgo mocks him further saying he's going to cry and run and tell his mother. This makes Bill mad and after more taunting, he lays a punch on Korgo's face. This doesn't hurt Korgo who then knocks Bill out with one strike and he declares himself America's 43rd President. He then declares Hilary his wife number one and demands she make his supper then <i>"have yourself perfumed and brought to my chamber. We have a new Dark Age to celebrate". </i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Satire for the Liefeld generation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile Supreme is still battling the Shadow Supreme, Supreme thinks to himself that they are too evenly matched and at this rate they'll be fighting forever. He suddenly flies away only to do a fast U-turn and smash back down into Shadow Supreme and driving them both through Earth's crust. He then uses the Earth's core magnetic field to hold him and flies back up to aid Suprema against the rest of the super-villains.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile we see Slaver Ant using her chemical scents to turn loving parents against each other and in the process make off with their babies. She notes Suprema hasn't appeared yet. Suprema is tied up trying to figure out how to defeat Optilux, a being made entirely of light. She thinks to herself that the audience is rather badly dressed but then has an idea, she sucks up the adhesive glitter the audience members were wearing and blows it at Optilux where it starts to break his signal up.<br />
<br />
This causes Optilux to drop the<i> "photo-plasmic convertor" </i>he was holding and it has just enough mass for Suprema to pick up, he demands she give it back but she fires it at him and blasts him back into Amylynth. Supreme arrives and she says that she sent him back there but not before he'd sent<i> "a few hundred Bon Jovi fans there as well"</i>. Uh... was Bon Jovi still a thing in the late nineties? If they were I don't think they'd be appealing to the youth anymore. Supreme responds<i> "Oh well. Can't be helped"</i>. Heh. Heh heh heh heh, nice one grandad.<br />
<br />
He asks if Televillain is still around and Suprema points him out nearby, asking if she should send him to the prism world too? Supreme says no, they shouldn't burden that place with too many nuisances. He then uses an electric charge to zap the Televillain and fry his circuits so he can't <i>"network"</i> any more. Then a crowd spot him as the person who shot Monica and they start beating him up. Suprema says they can leave him with his new friends for now, <i>"nobody told him it was going to be this way..."</i> Alan. STOP IT NOW.<br />
<br />
Suddenly the Shadow Supreme burst up through the ground. Suprema tells Supreme that he killed Radar, but suddenly Radar appears:<br />
<br />
<b>Radar:</b> <i>"When a dog is mad, mistress, you must pay no attention to its bark. You must be merciful... and put it to sleep."</i><br />
<br />
Supreme says that Shadow Supreme must have wrecked a Suprematon Decoy and lied about it to demoralise them. Well no one told the colorist as we saw an awful lot of blood round "Radar's" body. Still I'm glad Radar isn't really dead.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go get him Radar!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shadow Supreme says he will kill Radar for real now but Radar says he knows that he relies on Supreme's no-kill policy to keep him safe. But he is a dog and then he launches himself at Shadow Supreme and starts mauling him. A somewhat shocked Supreme calls him off, an injured Shadow Supreme flies off and Supreme tells Radar to follow him while they deal with Slaver Ant.<br />
<br />
Then they see a news report on a TV in a TV shop. In a hastily convened press conference by <i>"First Lady, Ms. Hilary Rodham Space-Tyrant" </i>she says that there are many positive aspects to Korgo's new administration including the new president's <i>"radical views on health care."</i> When asked about Korgo's record of scouring entire galaxies leaving no survivors she accuses the media of being too downbeat and that there won't be any more <i>"bimbo scandals"</i> surfacing.<br />
<br />
The TV also reports a spate of child abductions which galvanises the pair into going to look for Slaver Ant. Turns out she's pretty easy to find using their super <i>"scent-supreme" </i>which detected her formic acid. And they recapture her without a fight.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Radar has chased Shadow Supreme to the White House, he arrives and whines to Vor-Em that he's hurt. Vor-Em says he is Vice President now and too important for this. But then he sees Radar and decides to help Shadow Supreme. Then Supreme drops Slaver Ant in-between them, Shadow Supreme and Vor-Em both crash into her and pick up her aggression causing scent and begin fighting each other instead.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vor-Em and Shadow Supreme go at it.</td></tr>
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As they battle, Supreme tells Radar that Suprema is busy reuniting the kidnapped babies with their families and then<i> "scraping up what's left of Televillain</i>". He says only Korgo is left to deal with, but he surrenders to Supreme willingly. Under his breath he asks Supreme to make his capture look convincing:<br />
<br />
<b>Korgo: </b><i>"Just make this look good, all right? Then put me back in the mirror.. anywhere away from that woman! Gods, I thought I was ruthless!"</i><br />
<br />
Alan, are you a time travelling Donald Trump supporter? So Supreme complies and lays him out with one punch. He tells Hilary that Korgo is defeated and it was a wise choice playing along but she can rejoin the real President now. <i>"Huh? Oh, him. Yeah, sure. Whatever" </i>she responds. In the background Radar is dragging an unconcious Shadow Supreme up to the Citadel while Supreme picks up the similarly KO'ed Vor-Em and Korgo. And that brings that plotline to an end. Bet the people who waited over a year for that were pleased.<br />
<br />
If I can describe my journey through these five issues as anything it would be increasingly as a chore written while looking longingly at my Xbox One. The tone is all over the place and much of the humour is derived from rather hypocritically denouncing the very Image-led movement Moore had been a part of. For all his spiteful stabs at Grant Morrison, Morrison spent the nineties working on exactly what he wanted to work on within the mainstream and indeed his mid-nineties reboot of the <i>JLA</i> went a long way to signalling that the Dark Age of comics was going to be coming to an end combining as it did a retro feel feel with a modern outlook. The rest of the humour in this veers from actually pretty funny to stuff that makes you groan like when your dad makes a joke. The more whimsical stuff about contrasting the modern era of comics with the Silver and Golden Age is pretty much gone now, with only one flashback this time. And the art, oh my lack of God it's bad. Chris Sprouse did four of these issues and I have no doubt he was most likely tailoring his preferred style to appeal to what was perceived to be the style Liefeld's readership wanted. Compared with his work on <i><a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/alan-moore-obscurities-tom-strong-book.html">Tom Strong</a> </i>which is beautiful stuff it's clear who is to blame for this and it's not him, and not really inker Al Gordon's either as he inked <i>Tom Strong</i> as well so all-in-all I blame Rob Liefeld for this crappy art even though he had nothing physically to do with it. I have no excuse for the Rick Veitch issue as he inked it too and isn't known for pandering to an audience, a dreadful lapse there. As I said in the intro, considering the chaotic circumstances at Awesome comics and matching the release dates with the artists implies that issue #1 of <i>The Return</i> was written and arted on time but for some reason sat on and slipped out over a year later under a rebooted title. Even though it was the conclusion to what became the final issue of the first series. Crazy. I think it's fairly obvious as well that once<i> The Story Of The Year</i> arc was concluded Moore didn't have a clear idea of where to go next with the series, and we'll see how things pan out in the final five issues of Moore's run on <i>Supreme</i> in a few days time.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-42580369402923846822017-12-31T02:37:00.000+00:002017-12-31T02:40:06.390+00:00Dragonball Book 8: Taopaipai and Master Karin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"Then there is no choice left but to battle"</i> -<b> Adjutant Black</b><br />
<br />
This is my cut n'paste intro for my end of month indulgence (if I feel like it) as I make my way through all forty-two collected volumes of the enduringly popular and influential manga Dragonball. The series used to be split into the fantasy and whimsy filled Dragonball and the more serious, sci-fi orientated strip it became after sixteen volumes known as Dragonball Z, but now the series is being released under the one "Dragonball" title again; uncut and with a spiffy new translation. The series first ran in the famous anthology magazine "Shonen Jump" from 1984 to 1995 and was written and drawn by Akira Toriyama (It has been translated here by Mari Morimoto and adapted into English by Gerard Jones, the western publisher is Viz Media) and pretty much set the standard for the similar shonen manga and anime that came after like <i>Bleach </i>and <i>Naruto</i>. It follows the adventures of the kindly if somewhat sheltered and simple "Son Goku" as he trains, goes on adventures and enters competitions all with the aim of making himself a stronger and better fighter. Along the way he accrues a colourful cast of friends and rivals in a world where humans live alongside anthropomorphised animals, dinosaurs never died out and tiny capsules can contain vehicles and houses to be easily carried around.<br />
<br />
[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
<br />
Previously On Dragonball: Goku is still searching for the four star dragonball, one of seven which when gathered together summons a dragon who will grant a single wish. Goku doesn't care about that, the four star ball is a memento of his dead grandpa and so using the dragon radar which was invented by teenage girl genius Bulma he is able to locate the balls easily. However the evil Red Ribbon Army are also searching for the balls and they and Goku have butted heads several times now, including the wicked and closeted gay General Blue. The last volume ended with Goku arriving on his flying cloud Kinto'un to rescue the child of the Guardian of one of the balls and also the protector of "Karin's Sanctuary" a grove with a thick wooden pole stretching up into the heavens. Back at the Red Ribbon Army base, frustrated with all their failures the leader says it is time to deploy <i>"Taopaipai"</i>. And now the continuation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karin's tower. the Guardian and Upa his son.</td></tr>
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Goku returns the young boy to the Guardian and sees he has a dragonball. And joy of joy, it's the <i>"sushinchu"</i> four star ball that his Grandpa had. The Guardian doesn't understand what the significance of the ball is. Back at Red Ribbon Army HQ General Blue has arrived back there and is bullying the soldiers into respecting him. Meanwhile Taopaipai has come, his is not part of the army he is a mercenary for hire. He wants 100 million zeni for each strike. But he's having a half price sale so they can buy him for 50 million zeni.<br />
<br />
General Blue then arrives in the meeting room, the commander wants to know how he thinks he can show his face here after losing the dragonballs to Goku. A suddenly nervous and sweating Blue says he did manage to get the dragon radar, which the Commander admits was a<i> "useful accomplishment".</i> But unfortunately those who don't bring back dragonballs are to be executed. But if he fights Taopaipai and wins, his honour will be restored.<br />
<br />
The pair square up to each other, Blue boasts of his fighting ability. Taopaipai says he'll just use his tongue to beat Blue. The fight begins and Blue is completely outclassed and is quickly knocked out , maybe even killed, by Taopaipai's super tongue skills (careful now) leaving him slumped on the floor.<br />
<br />
He is then shown a photo of Goku and agrees to kill him and take the four dragonballs he has. Commander Red tells him to feel free to kill anyone else who gets in the way. Then Taopaipai breaks a pillar off, hurls it into the sky and jumps on it, flying off in the direction of the Karin Santuary. There Goku is told that if a person climbs the pole with his bare hands they'll find a hermit living at its summit and they will offer holy water that will multiply a person's strength many-fold. His clan have guarded the pole for generations. Goku looks up, contemplating climbing it, then Taopaipai lands.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taopaipai.</td></tr>
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He introduces himself as "the world's greatest assassin" and that he only has business with Goku. Goku is baffled as to wwho he is and why he'd want anything with him. But Taopaipai says he is here on behalf of the Red Ribbon Army and Goku gets annoyed at how stubborn they are. The Guardian says to Taopaipai that Goku saved his son's life and so if he goes peacefully he won't stand against him.<br />
<br />
Goku says it's OK, Taopaipai is his enemy, but the Guardian says the sacred land has been breached so he will fight Taopaipai. He jabs his spear at Taopaipai who just catches it and no matter how much pressure the Gaurdian exerts he can't move it. Then Taopaipai flips it and sends the Guardian flying off into the air. He lands, impaled on his side with his own spear which kills him.. <br />
<br />
This angers Goku who rushes Taopaipai who hits him in the face with a swift knee. Angry now, Goku fires a kamehameha at him which hits Taopaipai full on. He stays standing but the energy blast fries most of his clothes off. This pisses him off and he fires a<i> "dodon-pa" </i>energy blast from his finger which sends Goku flying, blood spurting from his wound. Taopaipai think he's completed his mission and he picks up the bag with the dragonballs in it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goku dead?</td></tr>
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Upa, the Guardian's kid throws a stone at him, but Taopaipai blows it back at him and hits him on the head making Upa cry. Taopaipai then picks up his pillar, throws it in the direction of the Red Ribbon Army and leaps aboard. However the Red Ribbon Army commander notes that Taopaipai only picked up three of the four balls and also that he's stopped off somewhere on the way back. He's ordering a new outfit, bullying the man into making it ready in three days. The commander phones him regarding the missing ball and Taopaipai agrees to go back and get it when his clothes are ready.<br />
<br />
We then cut to Upa in front on a pile of dirt, he's buried his father. He approaches Goku prone form and Goku' hand twitches. He's alive, huzzah! The dragonball he had stashed in his clothes absorbed some of the damage and saved him. Goku contemplates the ball thinking that his grandpa saved him. He then sees the grave and realises that he should now gather the dragonballs to wish Upa's dad back to life.<br />
<br />
Upa asks if that can be done and Goku says you can have any wish so it should work. Goku realises Taopaipai will return for the four star ball, but Goku also realises he's too strong for Goku to beat. Upa suggest Goku climb the pillar or <i>"Karin Tower"</i> as he calls it. At the top is a medicine that is supposed to make you stronger. Goku realises he can't use kinto'un to fly up, he has to climb all the way. Goku tells Upa to hide somewhere and he begins climbing the tower.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is a VERY tall tower.</td></tr>
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He jump-climbs for what seems like forever, resting occasionally by hanging from his tail. Night falls and suddenly he sees a small house like structure attached to the tower,<i> "Yes!!!! I't' the top!!!!</i>" yells Goku excitedly and he climbs through one of the holes in the bottom of the structure. There is no one around as Goku pokes around nosily, then suddenly a voice summons him upstairs. <br />
<br />
The hermit is a cat with a wooden walking stick called Karin who congratulates Goku on making it this far. Goku is surprised to discover he's the hermit master.<br />
<br />
<b>Karin:</b><i> "It's true. Perhaps I should calll myself a hermit meowster... ho ho ho..."</i><br />
<br />
Karin realise Goku is there for the holy water. He shows Goku where it is, but also tells him to be quiet so he can read his mind. He discovers Goku must defeat Taopaipai and get the dragonballs to revive Upa's father. <br />
<br />
He decides Goku's motives are pure. Goku goes to where the water is, Karin tells him<i> "I'll be happy to give you some.. but do you think you'll be able to drink it?" </i> Using his stick Karin knocks Goku away from the water and soon both are fighting. Karin says to be able to drink the water Goku must first prove himself in combat. Goku keeps trying to get to the water and Karin keeps knocking him away until Goku is exhausted.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goku vs Karin.</td></tr>
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Goku says he's only doing this badly because he is starving and worn out from the climb. Karin tosses him a small bean called a holy<i> "senzu" </i>bean. This totally refills a persons energy and cures them of any non-fatal injury instantly. Goku eats it and is amazed at how full up it makes him feel. Now he goes for the water with much more strength and speed.<br />
<br />
But it's not enough, and Goku is soon struggling for breath again. He asks Karin if he is the first to climb up here but Karin said about 300 years ago there was another who climbed up. Goku is amazed at how old that makes Karin,<i> "you should respect me!"</i> responds the cat. Turns out the other person was Kame. This gobsmacks Goku. Karin says Goku should call him "Karin-sennin". Goku asks how long it took Kame to drink the water, when Karin says holds up a paw showing three fingers, Goku thinks he means three minutes but actually it was three years.<br />
<br />
Goku says Karin must be joking but Karin shrugs and asks how many years does he think he'll take? Goku gets angry and uses hims illusion split move but Karin sees through it and kicks the real Goku. Thinking to himself though Karin realises Goku is good and this should be an interesting match-up. Goku wants to know why he keeps getting out of breath so fast and Karin tells him it's the altitude. He tells Goku he's over exerting his moves and costing himself breath.<br />
<br />
He tells Goku that climbing the tower has been good for hims lungs but he needs<i> "a little more conditioning than that."</i> And he swipes the four star dragonball and tosses it over the edge of the little house. Goku speedily rushes down the pole after it and picks it up off the ground. With more speed than before, he races up the pole again and back to Karin's house. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Need moar training Goku!</td></tr>
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Crossly he asks why Karin would make him do all that, Karin says he should appreciate the extra training. They fight some more over the water then night falls and Karin tells Goku they should call it a day for now, he's sleepy. Karin nods off by the water. Goku wakes up and goes to grab the bottle, then stops. He thinks to himself he'll do it<i> "fair and square."</i> Karin who was really awake thiks he's a honest lad, "quite a change from his mentor."<br />
<br />
Next day the fight carries on, and during it Karin's stick knocks the water bottle off the house, but Goku catches it anchoring himself with his tail. And he has the water! Karin is secretely amazed it only took three days. Goku drinks it, then says he doesn't feel any different.<br />
<br />
<b>Karin:</b><i> "Of course not. The 'holy water' is just ordinary rainwater.... I didn't trick you. Your strength has already multiplied manyfold."</i><br />
<br />
Everything was a training exercise, climbing the tower, fighting for the water it was all to make him stronger. Now he should go back to the world <i>"... and test the fruits of your training". </i> Goku tells Karin thankyou and sets off down the tower. As Karin watches him go, he thinks Goku's a jolly fellow who has already outstripped his mentor.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goku manages ro catch the water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As Upa frets at the bottom of the tower, Taopaipai picks up his new robes. And like a dick he refuses to pay for them even though the tailor worked non-stop for three days on them. He does offer to do a hit for free but the tailor doesn't want to kill anyone., so Taopaipai kills him by jabbing a finger through his forehead.<br />
<br />
He then arrives via hurled pillar to he bottom of Karin Tower. Goku still hasn't got back yet and Upa throws a small axe at him saying he must avange his father, which Taopaipai easily avoids. He picks Upa up and starts squeezing him demanding to know where the other dragonball is, but Upa refuses to say and Taopaipai hurls him aside.<br />
<br />
Goku suddenly appears, hurtling down the tower and summons kinto'un to catch Upa. Taopaipai is shocked to see Goku alive. Goku tells Upa not to worry and stay on the cloud while he deals with Taopaipai. He wans to know how Goku survived his<i> "dodon-pa"</i> energy beam attack, Goku tells him it was blocked by the dragonball in his pocket. <br />
<br />
<b>Taopaipai</b>: <i>"What a lucky fellow you are. If you'd been hit by that blast you'd be as dead as that dragonball. But this is where your luck runs out. Nothing will save you now. You should have stayed in hiding, fool!"</i><br />
<br />
Goku defiantly says he won't hand oner the dragonball or knock him around again either. Taopaipai declares Goku will be dead in three seconds and they begin combat, Goku rolling with the punches and landing hits of his own.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEErJWPaYjzlqfwI_w2rOKDK34kbYNxh9EUvHi2fvR6rnlhtKdOtEBpW-_tRiYn4v0majaWWHD-eYHRKAGHHp-odK80feYB1tVFfIS2UQ8Dl-e4C8fvvLHOkeLgJMUbwpSjmjn16gdcmY/s1600/dragonaeight8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEErJWPaYjzlqfwI_w2rOKDK34kbYNxh9EUvHi2fvR6rnlhtKdOtEBpW-_tRiYn4v0majaWWHD-eYHRKAGHHp-odK80feYB1tVFfIS2UQ8Dl-e4C8fvvLHOkeLgJMUbwpSjmjn16gdcmY/s320/dragonaeight8.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A much fairer fight now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They break apart for a moment and Taopaipai notes he wasn't this strong three days ago. Goku tells him he trained at the top of the pole. Taopaipai still can't believe only three days has seen such improvement. He guesses that Goku was trained by Karin. He thinks to himself that he though Karin was a legend until now. He square up for the next phase of their battle. <br />
<br />
They fight hard, both taking vicious punches and kicks to themselves. Once again they break apart to catch their breath. Taopaipai's face is all bruised. He rips off his top in anger saying he's holding back because Goku is a child. Then he fires his dodon-pa at Goku who quickly counters it with a kamehama-ha, crashing the two energy waves into each other forcing them backwards.<br />
<br />
Completely enraged, Taopaipai uses a capsule to manifest a sword. He swipes it madly and quickly at Goku, but Upa tosses Goku his nyoibo stick and uses it to snap Taopaipai's sword in half. Then he tosses the stick to one side, and grinning says he' going to <i>"beat you bare-handed."</i><br />
<br />
This outrages Taopaipai, Goku says to Upa he will avenge his dad then Taopaipai leaps at him yelling <i>"Tsuach!!!!"</i> This sends him into a vicious combo of attacks on Goku who doesn't seem to be fighting back. Taopaipai knocks Goku into the air then smashes him into the ground. Goku lies still...<br />
<br />
.... then he leaps up saying <i>"man! you are good! That really hurt!" </i> Taopaipai can only babble that Goku is a <i>"monster."</i> Goku says he's seen all his moves now and knows how to counter them and he slams into Taopaipai's stomach. Before pounding him in the head with several vicious kicks. Before he can finish Taopaipai to the ground, Taopaipai drops to his knees and begs forviveness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTLdkh979dSsnogfWqLGtIyOLIETUhi9d5XEltDvbcD25XKkOyBszoNoZ6afs9X9XrSbF_DllwocdZ7Iz_rvPiAcMPmtFpBQ69GKGDubGyrwjVrMioV9RlkAvpNlaNNVPk2uT05Pj6EI/s1600/dragonaeight9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTLdkh979dSsnogfWqLGtIyOLIETUhi9d5XEltDvbcD25XKkOyBszoNoZ6afs9X9XrSbF_DllwocdZ7Iz_rvPiAcMPmtFpBQ69GKGDubGyrwjVrMioV9RlkAvpNlaNNVPk2uT05Pj6EI/s320/dragonaeight9.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taopaipai killed by his own bomb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Goku is somewhat stymied. But them Taopaipai throws a small bomb at Goku and Upa. But Goku kicks it up in the air after Taopaipai who was in the process of fleeing and it blows him up instead. Triumphant, Goku tells Upa he'll be on his way now to collect all the dragonballs and bring Upa's dad back to life. He boards kinto'un and sets off for Red Ribbon Army HQ.<br />
<br />
We cut to the HQ and the female Colonel Violet has returned with another dragonball, Commander Red says gleefully that once Taopaipai returns they'll have six of the seven. They pass the stolen dragonradar to General Copper so he can locate the final ball. They note that the four balls Taopaipai took from Goku are moving, so they assume Taopaipai is returning with the loot.<br />
<br />
However it is actually Goku and as he flies a small remote control plane starts following him. It's an invention of Bulma's so she and Kame can see what he's up to. They note he's heading for the location of the other two balls. When Lunch tells them it means he's heading to Red Ribbon Army HQ, Bulma send the<i> "recon mech" </i>there ahead of him. When they confirm it, even Kame is surprised <i>"d-don't tell me he's planning to invade that...?!"</i><br />
<br />
Goku arrives, whips out his nyoibo and yells,<i> "Ooo-kay!! Let's have some fun!!!!" </i> Back at Kame's, they try and figure out how they can help Goku because they believe assaulting the base alone will be too much for him. Bulma calls up Yamcha and tells him what Goku is up to. Yamcha agrees, looking forward for a decent fight for a change.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u3eAr797GLXY752kvEiQgfFjHHQo4DHCVXiHCGCfx3Xxqe6IMn2NwUDu9LbyLbwNGRYrhrmnecPBaIPQ9hpq7xoSk5XV9cvr3rTT-aMuZlFPp4Zja31umQi5tgh3IWLRovfAi67pCVY/s1600/dragonaeight10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="908" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u3eAr797GLXY752kvEiQgfFjHHQo4DHCVXiHCGCfx3Xxqe6IMn2NwUDu9LbyLbwNGRYrhrmnecPBaIPQ9hpq7xoSk5XV9cvr3rTT-aMuZlFPp4Zja31umQi5tgh3IWLRovfAi67pCVY/s320/dragonaeight10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goku filled with the love of the battle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Goku smashes through the helicopter that had been sent to greet Taopaipai and Commander Red is told that it's in fact Goku not Taopaipai who is invading the base. We then get several awesome pages of Goku kicking, punching and general destroying all the Red Ribbon Army soldiers sent to stop him. No one can match him and Adjutant Black pleads with Commander Red to evacuate the base.<br />
<br />
When Commander Red refuses, Adjutant Black tells him this<i> "brat"</i> was able to beat Taopaipai. Commander Red just roars <i>"The Red Ribbon Army is an invincible force!!!" </i> But Goku is closing in on the tower the dragonballs are in and a furious Commander Red drags Adjutant Black with him to confront Goku themselves. Meanwhile Yamcha, Kame, Bulma, Lunch, Oolong and Puar are heading to the base in a small plane, no Kuririn as he had gone grocery shopping so they go and pick him up. They will arrive at the base in about forty minutes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fRF4_8C-uJP3gGhtqxhwkOTi3hMuo5vJbfr4xrnqO8tdUqT4tRABi4hwyj_B7kHjhSepvBOH57bm3ePDxLQyIUjYCuApA81W0iZi3L4mOAsoIbtLZ-a6ZckL5gE094oDT28KLaSXlX8/s1600/dragonaeight11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fRF4_8C-uJP3gGhtqxhwkOTi3hMuo5vJbfr4xrnqO8tdUqT4tRABi4hwyj_B7kHjhSepvBOH57bm3ePDxLQyIUjYCuApA81W0iZi3L4mOAsoIbtLZ-a6ZckL5gE094oDT28KLaSXlX8/s320/dragonaeight11.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goku is unstoppable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Inside the tower Commander Red and Adjutant Black are standing guard over the two dragonballs. Goku is busy ascending the tower by smashing his way through the ceilings of each floor because he can't find the stairs. Enraged Red says he will not be defeated by a boy <i>"who doesn't even know what an elevator is!!" </i>As Goku continues beating the everloving shit out of every soldier he comes across they decide they don't want to face him and Black laconically notes that the<i> "remaining troops seem to have become a retreat".</i><br />
<br />
<b>Commander Red:</b> <i>"G-G-Grr...!! He's just a brat!!! Just a stupid little brat!!!"</i><br />
<br />
But Black says they should abandon the two balls and retreat themselves as they massively underestimated Goku. Commander Red bangs his fists on the table and laments he was so close and that if things had been different he would have been <i>"tall."</i><br />
<br />
This makes Black do a great WTF face, then asks if they were going to all this trouble to gather the balls to wish Red taller? Red yells that they were and does Black have a problem with that? <i>"I thought we were after world domination!!!"</i> says Black disbelievingly. Red says they would have gotten to that, but world leaders have to be<i> "charismatic... domineering... impressive... I mean what chick looks twice at a midget?"</i><br />
<br />
Black is still stunned as he says they suffered and made such an effort for something so petty. Red says that tall people have no idea how short people feel, and rants about suffering ridicule since he was a kid for his lack of height. Black is angry now saying he slaved and risked his life for one reason only, <i>"to advance the Red Ribbon Army's mission of world conquest."</i><br />
<br />
This sends Red onto an even more apoplectic rant saying he is the commander and what he says goes. Black asks him about all the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives because he didn't want to be short? Red says how dare he speak to him like that and people need to shut their mouths and follow their commander's orders. Suddenly he is cut off courtesy of a bullet right in the centre of his forehead fired by Black, who says to Red's body <i>"you are not competent to be commander."</i> He declares himself the new leader.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4SH1TbUPJvD6WnO6gv3F0e__eI2kdhZ8LZmsp6WkJBKszN3mJ8wxdDEpmfxpmmqqtJq0_KQequx5-s-FtAUoLtVXrSxm1Fa8hn6PS6zZ0mjWa4Z8oob8ODDOoNz7zFhOWyeMHgCx-4k/s1600/dragonaeight12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1353" data-original-width="847" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4SH1TbUPJvD6WnO6gv3F0e__eI2kdhZ8LZmsp6WkJBKszN3mJ8wxdDEpmfxpmmqqtJq0_KQequx5-s-FtAUoLtVXrSxm1Fa8hn6PS6zZ0mjWa4Z8oob8ODDOoNz7zFhOWyeMHgCx-4k/s320/dragonaeight12.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red is dead, only Black can defeat Goku.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Goku arrives and asks Black if he is the boss. Then Goku tells him he's going to take the two balls. Black however posits an alliance between them that they should finish gathering the balls and then rule the world together. Goku says<i> "no way" </i>to that, he's going to revive Upa's dad and that's that. Black persists saying OK he can arrive Upa's father then join him in conquering the world, with their power they can do it without the balls.<br />
<br />
<b>Goku:</b> <i>"I told you I don't want to!! I don't even want to be friends with bad guys!!"</i><br />
<br />
Black says then there is no option left but to battle and takes a couple of swings at Goku who dodges easily and thumps Black hard in the stomach. Realising he is totally outmatched, Black takes out a capsule and manifests a mechsuit and punches Goku in the face actually hurting him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZSyPn56EI4Bb8KcMry5KEhWUZ5FWMDNWxiU4qtqDERW1bFgtGAzp49NeWUeEg7W5NdTHYpoPFzuT48-YlyN6mk9W5hFAr2xceuHnX95I6elfqoH4bgtUuuf7ks7q7UL7wkZe_dZlhF0/s1600/dragonaeight13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="883" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZSyPn56EI4Bb8KcMry5KEhWUZ5FWMDNWxiU4qtqDERW1bFgtGAzp49NeWUeEg7W5NdTHYpoPFzuT48-YlyN6mk9W5hFAr2xceuHnX95I6elfqoH4bgtUuuf7ks7q7UL7wkZe_dZlhF0/s320/dragonaeight13.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black thinks he's won.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As Yamcha and the gang are still travelling to the base, Goku has to face the mech alone, or <i>"battle jacket" </i>as Black calls it. He fires a laserbeam at Goku who dodges just in time. He grabs Goku and hurls him against the wall then flies in the air and fires down at the prone Goku which explodes the ground in a cloud of smoke. Black celebrates his win, but Goku watches him from the spire he jumped to at the last minute.<br />
<br />
Goku jumps on the mechsuit's cockpit window much to Black's surprise. Black punches at him but Goku dodges and Black smashes the window and punches himself instead. Goku mocks him and an angry Black sends the mechsuit flying up higher. The back of the mechsuit opens up and a rocket slides out which he locks onto Goku. But Goku kicks it away from him and it explodes taking the top of a nearby mountain with it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw1q7Fl40wwyiVpXTNW0imKyDbIhdrazcDY858wz3_J8JB1avTklVWiEiiZhaDND3VMW2iX2JKCGF1vfVL_0c7RFuGCKpZPruyTB9M1COzjZabN2kbsllHBdtmqwVTd7-wP2xV8sKUeg/s1600/dragonaeight14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="898" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVw1q7Fl40wwyiVpXTNW0imKyDbIhdrazcDY858wz3_J8JB1avTklVWiEiiZhaDND3VMW2iX2JKCGF1vfVL_0c7RFuGCKpZPruyTB9M1COzjZabN2kbsllHBdtmqwVTd7-wP2xV8sKUeg/s320/dragonaeight14.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But this results in a kaboom as well, and Goku defeated a whole army.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This really frightens Black and he starts to flee but Goku catches up and blasts himself through the mechsuit's body which causes it to explode. With the entire Red Ribbon Army either dead or on the run, Goku picks up the two balls they had, adds them to the four he had from before and says he has only one more to find as we finish this volume with Goku's friends finally arrving at the base to "save" him.<br />
<br />
Just thought I'd slip something confusing in for the end of the year. As per usual as a western woman in her forties I'm very much the periphery demographic for a 1980's shonen manga. But damn if I can't get enough of Akira Toriyama's joyful story of a superhuman boy who is something of an accidental hero. In that he doesn't deliberately try and be a hero, that's just his nature. Someone who'll think of nothing of training to beat the person who bested him, storming a military base and going on a fetch quest simply to restore the life of a man he only met briefly and whose son he instantly bonds with. The training session with Karin is the second major power-up he'll recieve as the series progresses. These come along fairly regularly. Goku will come up against an opponent he can't beat, he'll go away and train harder and come back and win the day. His commitment to his fighting "craft" is very inspiring. He never sulks or gives up, even as an adult, he'll just dust himself off, find a sensei who can teach him and returns to save the day. This also serves to add new characters to the series and other characters reach a ceiling they just can't break through, meaning they tend to end up becoming more background support as newer, more powerful friends and foes are added to the mix. The whole sequence with Karin is just great with the holy water, I mean what's not to love about a martial arts master who is also a cat? And it also sees the introduction of an item that will become a staple part of the later series, the magical "senzu beans". So with the Red Ribbon Army defeated, and just one dragonball left to collect, what will the next big challenge Goku will face? Well keep reading this blog and you'll find out. Anyway hope you all have a very good New Year. Join me in a few days time for more obscure Alan Moore, this time we're going back to his time at Rob Liefeld's company to wrap up the story of Supreme. See you in 2018!varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-17724786665468443272017-12-21T07:32:00.000+00:002017-12-21T07:34:50.838+00:00Constantine The Hellblazer Book 2: The Art Of The Deal (#7-13)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HfkuoOhzIVWww1wVg8RH9V00wyCImHiBeqYhyphenhypheneCJACIWNkmhoo6FC1GpF-LZyjFWqy7sDyhj_UYaWh4dXCiTmm5Gu6WXTtrRRWHk3nMxQq7sjN667QQ8k636fW3NpyjpSxuu86_oX5Y/s1600/constantinetwocover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1049" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HfkuoOhzIVWww1wVg8RH9V00wyCImHiBeqYhyphenhypheneCJACIWNkmhoo6FC1GpF-LZyjFWqy7sDyhj_UYaWh4dXCiTmm5Gu6WXTtrRRWHk3nMxQq7sjN667QQ8k636fW3NpyjpSxuu86_oX5Y/s320/constantinetwocover.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<i>"All the magic in the world, and fooling your audience is stil the greatest trick" </i>- <b>John Constantine</b><br />
<br />
Time to return to that year long period between the New 52 and The DC Rebirth known as the DCYou. This is the second and final volume of this version of John Constantine, a character with a long history. He began in the mid eighties as a supporting character in Alan Moore's run on <i>Swamp Thing</i> and was created by Moore and artists Steve Bissette and John Totleben. He gained his own title in the late eighties called <i>"Hellblazer"</i>, moving to the Vertigo label when that debuted and this ran for three hundred issues including an acclaimed run by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. His New 52 series, <i>"Constantine"</i> and his membership of the <i>"Justice League Dark"</i> was rather less well received and so a full reboot happened with this series, taking the cockney warlock to New York City and as diversity was one of the selling points of the DCYou it also explores his bisexuality too. In book one he hit it off with a burly restaurant owner called Oliver and the first book concluded with him inviting Oliver in for the night. Book 2 picks up the following morning as John reflects on relationships and the trouble they always bring. Written by Ming Doyle and James Tynion IV. Art by Riley Rossmo, Travel Foreman, Eryk Donovan, Brian Level and Joseph Silver.<br />
<br />
We begin with a couple canoodling in a park, unfortunately this brings them to the attention of some crazed nymphs who rip the couple to bits leaving their bloody entrails hanging from the trees. We then cut to John, sitting on the floor in boxers and a shirt observing Oliver sleeping on the bed. He admits to himself that he might have made a terrible mistake, <i>"but I'm having trouble denying myself here." </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_KALMUsn-6hoKrs6-n9mj9ZTY3MPKUTmqQEZNJXJVpm8JAlXpv2J2bSNw4GHrDa63Ldaos6ay3WM0ozGj2DHDXYcAy8Sx2_Av9ArNxjHTNR950O30Yll15cQsvBvkKNONqaorgC9EYY/s1600/constantinetwo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1271" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_KALMUsn-6hoKrs6-n9mj9ZTY3MPKUTmqQEZNJXJVpm8JAlXpv2J2bSNw4GHrDa63Ldaos6ay3WM0ozGj2DHDXYcAy8Sx2_Av9ArNxjHTNR950O30Yll15cQsvBvkKNONqaorgC9EYY/s320/constantinetwo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romantic, but foreboding as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oliver wakes up and John says he's brave hanging about, John is dangerous and he should be wary of him. Oliver says he just wants breakfast. John says he's the cook, whip something up<i>. "You only want me for my brioche" </i>says Oliver. John starts listening to a message on his answering machine, which is from someone called<i> "Papa"</i>. Oliver asks if the person is from Trinidad, but John quickly turns the machine off saying it's a wrong number. <br />
<br />
Oliver goes for a shower while John thinks that he should be terrified and wanting to run away, <i>"nothing about this adds up."</i> Then Oliver calls him into the bathroom, there are plant tendrils everywhere. John tells Oliver to skip the shower while John takes care of this. But before Oliver can leave, Swamp Thing - the plant elemental, manifests in the bathroom. He dismisses John's annoyance at his appearance and tells him young people are dying horrible deaths.<br />
<br />
<b>Swamp Thing:</b> <i>"Something is upsetting the Green, all the Green in New York. More than usual. More than can be suffered. It is calamitious."</i><br />
<br />
Oliver decides this is his cue to leave. John says it's for the best but he'll call tonight. Oliver leaves and Swamp Thing asks if he is interrupting anything? John says yes, but nevermind. He wants to know the details.<br />
<br />
Swamp Thing tells him that in the past month fourteen couples have been found in Central Park,<i> "ripped and rended to the bone."</i> One person has survived. She claims the trees came to life and thrashed her partner to bits, before returning to being trees as beautiful as before.<i> "They were only trees. But they'd eaten a man" </i>says Swamp Thing. The Green that connects all plant life on earth is not actively malicious, trees alone do not eat people.<br />
<br />
John says he can think of a few ways this could happen but ot would require a place with a lot of raw magic and New York isn't that spot. Swamp Thing says the Green is closed to him here, in Central Park he feels nothing and cannot enter it. He wants John to<i> "spread my essence through the park so I can take back control." </i>John asks if he was Swamp Things first choice as a <i>"go-to gardener". </i> Swamp Thing admits he wasn't and he wouldn't have come to him if it could have been avoided. His methods are too unorthodox <i>"and your a bit of an asshole"</i>. He then asks if they had to take the subway as the rest of the people in the carriage take pictures of them. John says it's good PR.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You meet allsorts on the subway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They stand just outside Central Park as John pulls buds from Swamp Thing's back. Swamp Thing says if he was to try and set foot in there right now, he'd wither away. The buds will reconnect him with the Green once inside. John sets off while Swamp Thing waits. While John wanders round the park with the buds he reflects on his relationship with Swamp Thing, he's an incredibly powerful plant elemental with the personality of a dead human called Alec Holland. He's the Guardian of the Green now and John admits he's let him down a few times.<br />
<br />
After spreading someone out he calls Swamp Thing through one of the buds. Swamp Thing says he has a tenuous foothold but something is trying to force him out. He can break through but it will take time,<i> "the creature is close I can feel it." </i> John then comes across a lesbian couple making out, he says he's the <i>"sex police" </i>and they should get back to art school from whence they came.<br />
<br />
The couple run off and a dryad comes out of the shadows. John tells them he scared her friends off. Then he sees that she is<i> "tripping high as a kite." </i> More dryads appear and start growing claws and monstrous faces, John thinks about how human pheromones tends to send the <i>"lovely little buggers into murderous rages".</i> Once slashs John across the face. He sees Swamp Thing struggling to grow out of the ground and runs over to him, the dryads in hot pursuit.<br />
<br />
Half out of the ground Swamp Thing says he is trying to talk to the Green here but it won't listen. John tells him to hurry up and find someone they will listen too. Swamp Thing abandons the half grown body saying he shall return. To protect himself from the angry nymphs surrounding him, John tosses a lit match onto the ground and some catch fire. Then Swamp Thing reappears growing up in full, he tells John he found someone they would listen to.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crazed nypmhs attack</td></tr>
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He has summoned the <i>"Great Nypmh Mother"</i> who calms them down. She tells John and Swamp Thing that it has been a long time since magic was wild and dangerous enough for new nymphs to emerge and the wood to come to life. With no older nymphs to guide them, they lashed out, but now they will learn peace and she tells John no more of his kind will come to harm. She says that she can feel it in the air:<br />
<br />
<b>Greath Nymph Mother: </b><i>"This city is rich with powerful energy... some dark force is funneling it in, making it ready for something. My girls, they are just the beginning. They are terraforming the city into something new. If this is your home, you should be gravely concerned."</i><br />
<br />
John just says everyone keeps telling him that. Is everything OK here? Swamp Thing says he will commune with the Mother and the young nymphs to make sure they are settled. He then offers John some advice<i>, "let that human go. What you're doing is a mistake, And it will destroy him. If you care at all, let him go back to his ordinary life."</i><br />
<br />
<i>"That it, then?"</i> asks John,<i> "that's it"</i> says Swamp Thing. John leaves thinking that he knows Swamp Thing is right much as he hates to hear it. Every sign he is seeing now points to danger and it seems inevitable that Oliver will get dragged into it. A world of magic and madness doesn't mix with<i> "a strong, tall drink of normal".</i> Once home he phones Oliver only to have the phone picked up by Papa Midnight who is holding a sword to Oliver's throat and Oliver is also tied up with occult symbols drawn on him<i>. "I am afraid Oliver is a bit indisposed at the moment. Might I take a message" </i>he grins evilly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oliver, Papa Midnite and Gerald the rooster-snake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next chapter begins with a female demon inviting two horned male demons into Club Midnight. She notes their forms flickered for a moment and asks if they are shapeshifters. One says they have come straight from the City of Dis, thought antlers might impress the<i> "prettiest thing on eight legs up here"</i>. She tells them they should hold their forms for the evening or they'll be thrown out. One of the antlered men flirts with her which she brushes off with disdain and the two demons carry on into the club.<br />
<br />
Inside one tells the other it was easy, but the other grabs him and slams him into the wall and we see now it's Papa Midnite shoving John. Midnite says John is making a fool of himself and will get them caught. Changing forms as they went through the door was a terrible risk.<br />
<br />
<b>John:</b><i> "First off Papa Midnite, we're playing demons, Demons are vain. Did you see the other lot we came in with? Changed their form about fifteen times in the queue. Second, you give them a flawm something to focus on and they don't see the larger issuem in this case, that two humans just came in wearing intricate glamours."</i><br />
<br />
Midnite tells John not to berate him. John notes Midnite had done some redecorating, he says a King must take pride in his Kingdom. John says yeah but thre are new kings about, aren't there?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Midnite in disguise.</td></tr>
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Johh then thinks back to when he first came to New York years ago. He was abducted in his sleep by three men with lifeless faces and their mouths sewn shut. They knocked him out and shoved him in a bag and when he came too he was in a penthouse with Papa Midnite a<i> "deep voice rumbled behind me that everyhing I could see belonged to him". </i> He told John that for nearly twenty years the magical criminal underworld of New York funneled through this building. The heart of darkness in New York City all thanks to the man who thought he owned it all. Papa Midnite. But things change.<br />
<br />
Two hours ago. John ha arrived at Oliver's place and is laughing his head off at the fact Papa Midnite has lost everything and is reduced to turning to John for help. He tells Oliver he'll be alright, Oliver notes that the snake coiled round him has a roosters head. <i>"Yeah. It's fun isn't it?</i>" replies John. Papa Midnite demands John show respect.<br />
<br />
But John says that Midnite just told him that he'd wanted to double his money by running his business tax free and his brilliant idea was to trust a <i>"bunch of sketchy businessfolk to run Midnight on paper and now you're surprised they voted you out?"</i> And that he didn't think for a minute that behind it might be that <i>"ghoulish banker Mr. Rumor"</i> whose been after the building for years. Midnite has nothing, no power, no nightclub, no money, no army of zombies, <i>"so no I do not resect you. I am not afraid of you. And I am not going to help you."</i><br />
<br />
Midnite snaps his fingers saying they'll play the game his way then. The snake/rooster familiar is called Gerald and his bite is extremely venomous, and it bites Oliver hard in the shoulder. The anti-venom exists in the safe in his old penthouse with it is a totem that allows him to regain ful control of his subjects. John angrily says Oliver is innocent in all this, but Midnite says he made the unwise decision<i> "to believe you are something more than you are."</i> Reluctantly John says he is in, but why is he needed? Midnite says he needs a man who has broken through defences he often thought unbreakable, so he must do exactly as Midnite say<i>s "or you dear little chef friend will die."</i><br />
<br />
Back at Club Midnight, Constantine is doing some gambling to the annoyance of Midnite. Then a demon-lord called Neron comes in. Once a minor player after the upheavels in hell of th 80's he negociated and back-stabbed his way to the largest Arch-Dukedom in all of hell. Popping up on Earth during the the soul trade he quickly became the richest demon around,<i> "he one of the most dangerous beings in existence. And a real ass hole."</i><br />
<br />
The demon greeter tells him Mr. Rumor is waiting upstairs for him. Neron uses his fire breath to burn her clean away then says the place needs straightening up if their plan is going to work. John says to Midnite that one of the worst demons in existence owns the club and by helping him he's painting a target on his back the size of the Empire State Building. Midnite calles him a coward.<br />
<br />
John says he can break the rules when he knows the rules and doesn't like no knowing what kind of mess he's walking into. Why would he want this place he demands to know. Midnite just says to remember why they are here, there are two roads to the penthouse but the protections he has built are impenetrable. He launches into a detailed explanation but there is no need to know them because John's plan doesn't require engaging with them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John's secret way in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The way that John had broken into Midnite's living quarters seven times in the past five years was that <i>"I took the bloody stairs. The real ones"</i>. And he slashs open the wall to reveal a set of ordinary stairs that lead up to the top of the pocket dimension a hundred times larger than what he pays for. They clamber up, Midnite says these are <i>"base reality? Earth?"</i> John says yes. Then he opens the wall where the penthouse is and get straight to the safe. Midnight tries to stop him, but too late<i>. "What is this?!" </i>scowls John.<br />
<br />
They stand before a swirling portal, which Midnite calls a<i> "Hellgate" </i>a portal to the underworld which powers the pocket dimension. He says he can't let Neron get a hold of it. John says it's an insanely dangerous item and he can't believe he'd risk everyone's lives with this. Midnite just tells him they are going through the <i>"pens" </i>and to get his disguise back up.<br />
<br />
Back with Oliver and Gerald. Oliver asks how long he's been a talking rooster thing? Gerald responds, <i>"how long have you had catastrophic taste in men?"</i> Oliver says he admits this is a little more than he signed on for. What kind of man is John? <br />
<br />
<b>Gerald:</b> <i>"The very worst kind. He's killed or ruined everyone he's ever loved. So I hope what you have is casual, though it doesn't look like it, I'll admit".</i><br />
<br />
He goes on to tell Oliver how he sent a little girl's soul to hell and sacrificed his closest friend to a hunger demon (both incidents chronicled in the first storylines of his solo series). Oliver asks why he did that to a little girl? Gerald says he was trying to save her from a monster but wound up delivering her into the arms of something worse. And the oldest friend asks Oliver? The friend had let a displaced hunger demon loose in New York says Gerald and it wanted to eat the whole city. John fed it his friend to trap it. Papa Midnite saw it all go down<i>. "Seems like.. he was trying to do.. some good. And good is tough to get right"</i> says<i> </i>Oliver.<br />
<br />
Back with Johna and Midnite in disguise walking quickly through the human pens. John tells Midnite that Mr. Rumor has been buying up pieces of the city for years, every bit of magic he can get his claws on. And now he not only has a building with an active Hell Portal, he's working for one of the most dangerous demons of all. It's serious, this last few weeks all the magic of the city os going haywire<i> "and it's all because of the two of them and whatever they're planning".</i><br />
<br />
Here Neron and Mr. Rumor have demons from every corner of hell, "eating out of their hands." Suddenly a couple of horned demons note that they are both shape-shifters as they queue to speak with Neron. John compliments the place and the two horned demons say more establishments like this will crop up. More reasons to make the trip from hell they say. Mr. Rumor says what they are doing is a game changer to be sure,<i> "isn't that right, Mister Constantine"</i> and he removes the glamours from John and Midnight.<i> "Oh balls"</i> says John. <i> "Now what?"</i> panics Midnite<i>. "Now we're definitely going to die"</i> says John.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discovered.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a brief intro to the DC Hell, we see John and Midnite both stripped to the waist and lashed to two poles with barbed wire. Thw demon torturing John says he can avoid all this pain and suffering if he just makes a deal with it<i>, "give usss your soul. Give us everything"</i>. John spits in the demon's face, Midnite pleads with him to stop antagonising their captors. They say they don't mind, they get to do this all day long.<br />
<br />
<b>John:</b> <i>"Well isn't that peachy? But it looks like my soul is still my soul and you're not going to win this little back and forth. I promise you that."</i><br />
<br />
Neron appears snorts that it forgets how stupid humans can be. It asks if John has really contemplated the nature of his predicament yet? And it shoves his hand in John chest and rips his heart out. Neron tells him in a long speech that humans suck, the torture will go on for enternity and that he has an evil plan to do something big to New York. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neron lays out his evil plan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He tells John that he's given up every trace of his humanity <i>"while scraping and stealing the barest threads of magic." </i> But if any loser is willing to pay Neron's exhorbitant price they will be able to have real magic. Humanity will sell their souls in their thousands to him just for a moment when magic is real and<i> "the mysteries of the world are far deeper than they ever imagined." </i>He's talking about commodifying magic and bringing it to whoever wants it. New York will become <i>"the centre of infernal commerce"</i> and he will become the richest entity on Earth and in Hell.<br />
<br />
He offers John a deal to join him topside and he'll give him magical power like he's never dreamed of and spent his whole life chasing. It would be decades before he'd set foot in Hell again. John refuses as does the prideful Midnite who can't forgive Neron for stealing his livelihood instead of coming to him directly. Neron says oh well and lets them rest for the night before the torture begins again and he leaves them. Both have been taken down off the poles for now and begin to discuss how to escape.<br />
<br />
Midnite doesn't think they stand a chance, John tells him to pull himself together or he'll make him suffer. Then suddenly a flamboyant demon appears to them. She's called <i>"Blythe"</i> and known to John. She hands John and Midnite some clothes and as they dress she says that she and John know each other intimately, although he did then banish her down here. If they want to get out, it's time to make a deal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enter Blythe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She says all the entrances to Earth are currently blocked, Neron's doing. But she happens to know of a side-path they can exploit. Her deal is that she doesn't want their souls, she wants out of Hell. She can show them the way, but he'll have to pull her through. Johns says,<i> "well. How can I refuse?" </i> And off they go.<br />
<br />
John keeps making sarky remarks which incites Midnite to say he'll kick his teeth in and Blythe to say she preferred it when he didn't talk. She leaps on a small demon guarding the way and rips its throat out. Midnite compliments her<i> "great prowess and grace." </i> John says he has terrible taste.<br />
<br />
They snea past some more demons then find themselves at a statue of an Angel, although it is a real Angel petrified, turned into public art by Neron. At the bottom is a small pool of water that can make even demons tells the truth. Suddenly two giant hooded demons appear. Blythe says <i>"oh... we may die here." </i> But thinking quickly John splashes them with the truth water and asks if they would prefer to eat each other. They agree and start fighting, leaving John and co. to carry on. <br />
<br />
They reach the exit and find a guard posted there. Midnite decides to try and<i> "glamour him blind"</i> but before he can, John hurls a brick at the demon and knocks him out. Blythe then takes some of John's blood to draw a sigil, John says to hurry he still have Oliver to free from<i> "Papa's evil clutches." </i> Midnite however admits he didn't poison Oliver and John is pissed about be tricked into helping Midnite.<br />
<br />
<b>John:</b> <i>"Just one more person treating me as a commodity, a resource to trade around?"</i><br />
<br />
Midnite says they can argue about it topside as Blythe finishes the sigil and opens the door. John says if he goes through it the portal closes right away correct? Still angry he tells Midnite and Blythe to<i> "go choke on it" </i>and walks through the door alone. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE4jjRobzCkPf-lRIl7Z8k_kcoKjj54ph4g4nKJcisrb8bGcQlU9srbGns3mJ9gmrt6ksJRqEJHCA38Sp0W7qRrQuVQqaWCO-rdZMUPXlYijass8Thyae_P1-PxXTb0N_D0gz8iKrE_E/s1600/constantinetwo10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="999" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE4jjRobzCkPf-lRIl7Z8k_kcoKjj54ph4g4nKJcisrb8bGcQlU9srbGns3mJ9gmrt6ksJRqEJHCA38Sp0W7qRrQuVQqaWCO-rdZMUPXlYijass8Thyae_P1-PxXTb0N_D0gz8iKrE_E/s320/constantinetwo10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Constantine breaks his deal with Blythe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately this door didn't lead to Earth, instead he finds himself in the realm of the Faeries. This is not good. Faerieland is considered worse than Hell. A demon told him Hell is Hell but in Faerieland<i> "you lose every piece of yourself. You think you're in heaven." </i>You have everything you ever wanted and you feel Godly, it is the home of the "wildest magic. A place shaped by whim and fancy".<br />
<br />
<b>John:</b> <i>"Faeries aren't these pleasant little helper Tinkerbell. They're corrosive beings of pure emotions, who just want to feel everything amazing constantly and forever and humans are their favourite toys."</i><br />
<br />
As John narrates this we see two punkish looking faeries slit the throat of a pegasus and drink its rainbodw covered blood, kissing as it drips on them then smearing it all over themselves in wild joy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeyM0-qRL8ZMHTFfXw6dIbAqW7I0-GAPsoURVwuAnVOF6cIcfi-2kz-xv7V9PZU8K9FmQgzQZknRmVuitnaHLYiZ2s1_HV2ixiffvRYuFjD6FwbiU0zfJ6DX6zVSnobgctpciwmHtIbk/s1600/constantinetwo11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1155" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeyM0-qRL8ZMHTFfXw6dIbAqW7I0-GAPsoURVwuAnVOF6cIcfi-2kz-xv7V9PZU8K9FmQgzQZknRmVuitnaHLYiZ2s1_HV2ixiffvRYuFjD6FwbiU0zfJ6DX6zVSnobgctpciwmHtIbk/s320/constantinetwo11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A faerie at play.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hiding John observes them and narrates that fairy stories weren't fun stories, they were warnings. He grumbles that he'd knock Blythe back to Hell fora third time if he knew this was where she was sending them. He knows what she was thinking though, Hell has a bureaucracy but Faerie has no rules, <i>"the only power here is pleasure as those who wield it best call the shots."</i><br />
<br />
The faeries spot him and he tries to run but the plants catch him. The faerie leader riding a horse asks who he is, he says he is just a traveller and he's keeping his name to himself. But one grabs his wallet and reveals what it is. She says she has a deal with Neron and tells the plants to hold him while she goes get Neron.<br />
<br />
John whispers to the faerie guarding him, Flutterbee. He offers him a deal, if he takes him to Earth he can enjoy more pleasure than he ever thought of. He knows magic that "will make your mind pulse with orgiastic pleasure." Flutterbee agrees to this deal and zaps him back to New York. But he says he can't feel the pleasure John promised. John breaks his neck and leaves him, although he'll be up and healed in a short while.<br />
<br />
<b>John: </b><i>"Breaking a pact with a faerie has no consequences... but a deal with a demon? That's gonna bite me on the ass."</i><br />
<br />
He mulls over whether he'll be able to pay the price as he heads to where Oliver is being held. He can feel Neron's influence in New York already, soon humans will start falling into his trap, "and I won't be one of them." Talking of Neron, he's giving his army of demons a pep talk. He promises,<i> "that everyone of you is going to have more squirming, screaming, delicious human souls on your plates than you can eat!"</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GyxAI0Cd1dNfV80ccIAHuBVhrS8wKXt6KLNc8h-lE567xN7o7-omWFTussdq-yp_r3Ysh2nC9a_DXec2iuOnSggnggEvCaErrGehK_aDvQIvCwgn2g1GzfIAUmQVgaC8uNAY0roxY-A/s1600/constantinetwo12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="1206" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GyxAI0Cd1dNfV80ccIAHuBVhrS8wKXt6KLNc8h-lE567xN7o7-omWFTussdq-yp_r3Ysh2nC9a_DXec2iuOnSggnggEvCaErrGehK_aDvQIvCwgn2g1GzfIAUmQVgaC8uNAY0roxY-A/s320/constantinetwo12.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oliver back with his daughters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
John arrives at where Oliver is being held. He begs to himself<i>, "please, just... don't let me have gotten him killed". </i> He opens the door and finds Oliver alive with Gerald still wrapped round him. Oliver tells Gerald he told him John would come. John unwraps the magical held snake-rooster and frees Oliver. Oliver says they'll have a long talks about this later but first he needs to get back to his daughters. Oliver bids Gerald farewell and Geralds does the same, warning him about John too. <br />
<br />
John asks Oliver is he has a place to stay outside the city? Oliver says his daughters mother lives in New Jersey. John says something bad is going down in New York and they all need to get out. They arrive at Oliver's house and he hugs his young daughters. One of them asks John<i> "you're daddy's new boyfriend?" </i>John can't stick around, he has a weak spot for kids because they are so defenceless.<br />
<br />
<b>John:</b> <i>"How could I even think it was OK to know someone like Oliver when I could ruin these other innocent lives?"</i><br />
<br />
And he turns to leave. Oliver tries to stop him, he wants him to come to New Jersey with him. John says his plans changed and did Oliver just blank on twenty-four hours of chicken constrictor fun? He has kids for gods sake. Oliver says he won't be letting them face that sort of stuff,<i> "and you're dead wrong if you think I'm letting you face all that crap alone."</i><br />
<br />
John says it's his life, he can handle it and he's only know Oliver three months. Oliver says John does't get it, he wants to get "serious" about him and he can't let him get killed. John says he'd be endangring his children over a man he's known for a few months. He says he's not the man he knew if he'd do that to his family. Oliver says what kind of a man would he be who gave up on someone clearly hurting. John refuses to back down and walks out the door as they continue arguing. He has the final word advising Oliver to pack up and leave the city and then he is gone.<br />
<br />
As he walks away he mull over the fact that he's had relationships turn out much worse and if Oliver does heed his advice he'll be at least one human saved from New York. He can already see the demons out on the streets. And he has decided to let it be, R.I.P New York<i> "I'm not Batman and you're not my bloody responsibilty. No more meddling from me."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG2M5brerzBLOetoCaocN6nxoIuJyWEFW-CgYBWSlpq3yLicmgT5WQbm4DcqkRbWvZbFmjHgYVldDT5K6KjhPM3OSxWIzm8f8zdFxhca7ApP2SW7OebPBbRWJzamLVvp5-YL7lhGZRz4/s1600/constantinetwo13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1216" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPG2M5brerzBLOetoCaocN6nxoIuJyWEFW-CgYBWSlpq3yLicmgT5WQbm4DcqkRbWvZbFmjHgYVldDT5K6KjhPM3OSxWIzm8f8zdFxhca7ApP2SW7OebPBbRWJzamLVvp5-YL7lhGZRz4/s320/constantinetwo13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh-oh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile Oliver is getting ready to go out and find John, he's hired a baby sitter at short notice although we don't see her face yet. He hugs his daughters then says he has to go remind his friend that,<i> "running away never fixes anything".</i> He then departs and as his daughters wave him good bye we see the babysitter is Blythe grinning a psychotic grin.<br />
<br />
We cut to John in L.A, feeling guilty about abandoning New York while simultaneously trying to justify himself to himself. He thinks the people here are smug, how they have found all the cheat codes to life.. They form groups and pledge themselves to higher powers to meet the right people. who are better than everyone, <i>"it is the city of Angels after all."</i><br />
<br />
He minds controls a bouncer to let him into an exclusive club and says he's <i>"here to talk to the ratty little pigeon in charge of the place." </i> And an angel manifests in front of him saying he should chill out and have another drink. They chat somewhat carefully, the angel says the magic here is closely guarded:<br />
<br />
<b>Angel</b>: <i>"Can you imagine if the demons got their hands on the film industry? The way they could twist people minds?"</i><br />
<br />
He's strengthened the border so New York's cast offs can't enter their domain. He surprised John made across the county line. John says he can <i>"break all the rules I want".</i> But others cannot says the angel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-aQvHsB0ukHUTrkudDOwWEZAsoLj5U7WGDQykEKdglCXvilyr8zOnbIQ63xzPWEOTC7ciCpmUpWuu4TopKCjf-nk7RSK25Au1MYsamC5XjEi4meSrssEqpvr6G1W4fBfji5ZK8TrHCo/s1600/constantinetwo14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="1180" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-aQvHsB0ukHUTrkudDOwWEZAsoLj5U7WGDQykEKdglCXvilyr8zOnbIQ63xzPWEOTC7ciCpmUpWuu4TopKCjf-nk7RSK25Au1MYsamC5XjEi4meSrssEqpvr6G1W4fBfji5ZK8TrHCo/s320/constantinetwo14.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snooty L.A. angel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
John tells him what Neron in up to in New York, selling magic and evicting the cities magical commnunity who have nowhere else to go. The angel just says he will not have L.A's magic sullied by lesser beings. When John asks where he expects them to go the angel says he hears Portland is nice. He says he's never seen John like this before, John says<i> "I just want a bloody place to live."</i><br />
<br />
We then cut to him in Orange County talking with a demon called Bartleby who he has done a favour for and is even now. Bartleby is one of New York's magical refugees. Bartleby says some have been talking about setting up shop here on the outskirts of L.A. <i>"Maybe spend a hundred years or so proving to thise snobby pricks that we're not going to wreck this party"</i> he grumbles. John gets up to leave but Bartleby notes he still has a<i> "horse in this race don't you?" </i> John checks his phone, sees Oliver has left him messages and says he is going where he can get the most alcohol for the least money.<br />
<br />
He arrives in a bar and orders a drink. He flirts with the woman sat next to him, but turns out she is being possessed by a D.C. character called<i> "Deadman"</i>, the ghost of murdered circus performer Boston Brand, brought back to life by a pagan goddess and able to take over the body of anyone he wants. Deadman tells him things all out of whack back east and "you gotta stop bummin' around and get back to work."<br />
<br />
John says he's working on some angles right now then puts his head on the bar and mumbles, "give me time." Deadman says what Neron is doing is dark stuff and they can't punch their way through, they need a clever bloke like John to sort things out, so will he come back to the<i> "rotten apple?</i>" John gets up and starts to leave. He says he didn't make the city ripe for takeover, <i>"this isn't on me."</i><br />
<br />
So Deadman grabs John and surfs out of the woman's body into Johns which he can't take over fully but can do so enough to get him into a cab, to the airport and onto a plan bound for New York where he finally releases his hold on him and moves into the body of the person sat next to him so they can talk properly. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HYwPOkgwHbVb_HUfyH_0tQMkBWAqyq71ly244rM1cj-a1vLjGh8rs6nOzmrW5Oyhic9vC3PPyaCsPSRYjuJkhTYoLlZ_QX4nGfsGsfhFZoJ7vqhpcjk84baEW_nUE1tKZ6NG-vvph20/s1600/constantinetwo15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="947" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HYwPOkgwHbVb_HUfyH_0tQMkBWAqyq71ly244rM1cj-a1vLjGh8rs6nOzmrW5Oyhic9vC3PPyaCsPSRYjuJkhTYoLlZ_QX4nGfsGsfhFZoJ7vqhpcjk84baEW_nUE1tKZ6NG-vvph20/s320/constantinetwo15.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deadman in John's body both fighting for control.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Deadman says he can tell John really does want to help<i>, "why you pretendin' you don't care what happens in New York?" </i>John says he doesn't care he's helping himself. <br />
<br />
<b>Deadman:</b> <i>"Nah, that ain't it. You do want to help. But something's scaring you from facing the problem head on. That's why you ran away an' hid with the refugees in L.A. You knew the angels were a dead end. What you are Johnnyboy is a bit of a hero. I'm just confused as to why you ain't acting like it."</i><br />
<br />
John insists he is no hero and casts a spell that zaps Deadman away. He arrives back in New York and has to stay for a night as there are no flights back to L.A. until tomorrow. He thinks he won't be in the city long enough to be sucked into the chaos again. Then he bumps into a drunken Oliver who pleads desperately with him,<i> "they took them, John. They took my little girls. They took them to Hell and you're the only one who can get them back."</i><br />
<br />
John ruminates on the nature of the city, how it's alive with a strange twisted soul. It's a city that wants people to fight for it and now John is going to make a stand:<br />
<br />
<b>John: </b><i>"Not because I care... that's trite. Let Neron and the demons tear the world apart. I'll make my own place But they just had to make it personal. They had to cut deep."</i><br />
<br />
He gently kisses Oliver and goes to try and get his kids back, blaming himself with every step he takes. <i> "So all right New York. If it's a fight you want.. I'll show you an good time" </i>he thinks resolutely.<br />
<br />
He barges into Papa Midnite's club which is full of demons and also Midnite, he made a deal with Neron to get out of hell and he has everything back, his riches, his club, his zombies, everything. John calls him a lapdog, but then Neron appears and invites him to sit down.<br />
<br />
Neron tells John he is an<i> "insignificant speck on the wall."</i> He has nothing to offer Neron while Neron has everything. In one day he's racked up over one hundred thousand souls, <i>"crackling with potential." </i>Because people in New York are so lively and ambitious the quality of their souls is very high. John says he just wants two souls,<i> "the daughters of someone very dear to me."</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf_8AC5eHruMwHhtuwXSwjqpy0Jw7lhKHsUv0GxUOd-bwgcHtYsJvkVqdlurd3swvsCblAD6CLTLEnUcCaRg4kYUAgA96aNBCjB_9PPPJS1iiAORtsGn8O-1XbFpL_511095RVp0fP98/s1600/constantinetwo16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="984" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUf_8AC5eHruMwHhtuwXSwjqpy0Jw7lhKHsUv0GxUOd-bwgcHtYsJvkVqdlurd3swvsCblAD6CLTLEnUcCaRg4kYUAgA96aNBCjB_9PPPJS1iiAORtsGn8O-1XbFpL_511095RVp0fP98/s320/constantinetwo16.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John being tormented.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Neron shows him the girls wreathed in flames and crying that it hurts. John runs to them but they disappear. Blythe appears and gloats saying that John shouldn't have broken the deal with her. But she's made one with Neron as well. He owes Blythe a <i>"binding debt"</i> now. And Blythe tells him that means he is not to move and wrest the city from demonkind, he cannot oppose Neron and he cannot exorcise them from this realm, <i>"there. You're bound to it now and powerless." </i>And he can give her nothing more valuable than the horror in his face. Then Neron tells him to piss off out of his club.<br />
<br />
John goes to the bar where Oliver is drinking. He tells Oliver he tried but his hands have been <i>"metaphysically tied."</i> Oliver pushes him away saying he had thought John needed a friend and some good in his life, but he's a "black hole" he destroys people and makes them worthless. He walks out saying he's going to figure out something of his own and stay away from John like he should have done before.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTFBShn4bQobJaL6sMzfGMrBaxIkBkDlWkD12Lg47jeq7CSNwJ3AOZldz_1i7HB1ydeYSuiaFkHXfj-BSBMFlp4avRgFHZGh_P7g9QYSOO6BVSD-CuyimBNMi9Ys_G3b4MOD-aMkrZrk/s1600/constantinetwo17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="956" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTFBShn4bQobJaL6sMzfGMrBaxIkBkDlWkD12Lg47jeq7CSNwJ3AOZldz_1i7HB1ydeYSuiaFkHXfj-BSBMFlp4avRgFHZGh_P7g9QYSOO6BVSD-CuyimBNMi9Ys_G3b4MOD-aMkrZrk/s320/constantinetwo17.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oliver verbally lashes out at John.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Miserably John carries on drinking for a while. A woman starts flirting with him asking if he's someone important? He says he's nothing, just a black hole who swallows up good people. Then suddenly he has an epiphany, "no value" he says to himself,<i> "I know how to beat Neron without breaking the command." </i>Meanwhile Midnite, Neron and Midnite are discussing how they screwed John over. Midnite thinks they should have killed him.<br />
<br />
<b>Midnite: </b><i>"Constantine just has a way of popping up like an unexpected dagger in the back and he's not done. Not yet."</i><br />
<br />
Elsewhere the ghostly Deadman, plant elemental Swamp Thing and female magician Zatanna are trying to figure out how to save New York. Swampy says "there is no hope." But then John appears telling them he has a masterplan to deal with this<i>, "it's irredeemably ill-considered, breaks every bloody rule of magic, and we'll probably perish in extra grisly ways, Who's in?" </i>They look at him dumbstruck.<br />
<br />
We then cut to a naked John covered in sigils sitting in the middle of a pentagram with many candles round him. He tapping into the deep, primal magic that gives every city<i> "a real and palpable personality."</i> In magic circles it's considered profane to meddle with it, the only writings about it warn not to do it. But he doesn't care, rules are stupid and he begins to cast his spell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjmjWyDGFTQswJEDcj4CN-IQNFN1rdoAYFg4H1GqXP_K7zO4Ad20yeyBAeq7vnM0cghXXVyKmKYPyZhGL3V3yrvClivMuadv3ReQuTpRHCGaHbWB_hsaS2G7D-RwdsaaWVXnZRV_6YhA/s1600/constantinetwo18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1031" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjmjWyDGFTQswJEDcj4CN-IQNFN1rdoAYFg4H1GqXP_K7zO4Ad20yeyBAeq7vnM0cghXXVyKmKYPyZhGL3V3yrvClivMuadv3ReQuTpRHCGaHbWB_hsaS2G7D-RwdsaaWVXnZRV_6YhA/s320/constantinetwo18.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John puts his plan in action.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then cut to Neron arguing with Midnite who has felt something occur. Then a lesser demon runs in and tells Neron something is happening to his souls. In a rage Neron appears to John who is exhausted and bloody from the ritual. Neron says he was bound by magical pact not to oppose him. But John says he just tapped into the deep magic of the city and <i>"I just made New York City the most boring city on the face of the Earth."</i><br />
<br />
No ambition, no curiousity, the place has less personality <i>"than a 20-person farming town." </i> Neron's souls have no value now, both the ones he has and the ones he is cultivating. He's lost his grip on power and how long before a challenger rises up against him. John looks him in the eye and says:<br />
<br />
<b>John:</b><i> "Remember. You made this personal. You brought this on yourself. If you'd played your cards differently, I'd just have sat back and watched the ship go down. But you just had to gloat, didn't you?"</i><br />
<br />
Then Lady Alexandriel of the Faerie folk appears saying she wants to do business with him. She'll take the city and all the souls in it and he can have all the souls she got piling up in her domain that he's paid her for safe passage through her domain in the past.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neron sells New York to the faeries.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Neron agrees to the offer and leaves, threatening John with retribution later. John tells Lady Alexandria that New York will be back to its old self in a few hours. She states that a city will be a <i>"marvellous playground." </i>John then asks for the souls of Oliver's kids and she agrees, while also ruminating that the city's magic users should be coming back soon. They won't want to miss the party.<br />
<br />
John goes back to the bar to tell Oliver the good news, while patting himself on the back mentally for fooling Neron. But Oliver is grim. He already made a deal of his own, he puts his girls first no matter what and they are there standing beside him. Blythe then appears and John shouts <i>"No!"</i> He tells Oliver he didn't need to do this. but Oliver just says to get them to their mum and then they'll be through. John covers the girl's eyes as Blythe burns Oliver dragging him down to Hell.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oliver sacrifices himself for his kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later after he's dropped them off a depressed John decides he's going to move on to "anywhere but here." He finds Midnite sitting on a bench. He laments that he doesn't want to play hero or villain anymore, He's done here.<i> "And now I just want to be alone"</i> he says. And as he walk away Midnite says mockingly, <i>"you always will be John. You always will be." </i>The end.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cue melabcholy theme.. and we're out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And so this concludes this incarnation of John Constantine and as someone who's been reading his exploits since his first appearence in Swamp Thing I thought these few issues really nailed the character. He is essentially a very tragic character, lovers and friends have always been casualties of his dealings with taking on the world of magic, demons, faeries and angels. Oliver was a superb character, I loved how wasn't fazed by Swamp Thing appearing in the shower and how he ended up making friends with his captor Gerald and that he was determined to see the good in John which of course ended up destroying him. I have to wonder if this series had run longer would Oliver have been spared for a while? It would have been fun contrasting his down-to-earthness with John's more fantastical existance. A bit like Nancy in Squirrel Girl. I'd have loved that. John still wins out against the forces of evil by always finding the loophole he can exploit and his tricking of Neron by making New York boring (temporarily) was genius. But as ever he never gets to celebrate his victory because it came at a cost, Oliver's soul. The art changed from artist to artist fairly smoothly, although my preference is far Riley Rossmo's art in the first few issues and Ming Doyle and James Tynion IV did a fantastic job writing a gripping story of a hellish takeover, using continuity sparingly and really capturing John's "voice" as it were. Anyway, apologies for the lack of updates this month, blame the cold that would not die. So Happy Christmas all gentle readers. There might be a Dragonball post next week if I can tear myself away from my Xbox One!varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-37024593373417383582017-12-13T05:14:00.000+00:002017-12-14T11:13:58.826+00:00Doom Patrol Book 1: Brick by Brick (Young Animal #1-6)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfSHhA7PaC0Rjb8oNgzcazuLi7eJZQ9IX-YUvRUdF4Qcxhi14azSjPh3zeZLT8EA2hx6JW8Lemm-f15_Kg8Hgl-akB8gFmwp4QmlaEBXztpJ0L1Ez3ijODdrlb86OxZ7EFWext9X21u0/s1600/doompatrolbrickcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1031" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfSHhA7PaC0Rjb8oNgzcazuLi7eJZQ9IX-YUvRUdF4Qcxhi14azSjPh3zeZLT8EA2hx6JW8Lemm-f15_Kg8Hgl-akB8gFmwp4QmlaEBXztpJ0L1Ez3ijODdrlb86OxZ7EFWext9X21u0/s320/doompatrolbrickcover.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<i>"Friends help you write the fiction you want to be...by looking in you heart and seeing the truth inside"</i> -<b> Casey Brinke</b><br />
<br />
So I should do some DC rebirth stuff right? Let's check out the new <i>Doom Patrol</i> series. I have covered Doom Patrol before, <a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/doom-patrol-version-5-book-one-we-who.html">here</a> and<a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/doom-patrol-version-five-book-two.html"> here.</a> It was the Keith Giffen run that was cancelled when the New 52 debuted. Although the Doom Patrol was still in existence during that dark period it didn't have a comic of its own until this one, which is about version six of the team. The Doom Patrol has had a many shifting line-up over its various incarnations since it's inception in the '60s. This one draws very heavily from the hyper-surreal and much loved Grant Morrison run. I'll talk more about the old characters as they are reintroduced into this story. The Doom Patrol has always been an interesting wrinkle in the oh so perfect heroism of the DC Verse. A group of shunned and screwed up characters, alienated from wider society and also the superhero community and lead by a genius who uses a wheelchair. And it's not an X-Men ripoff, it actually debuted a few weeks before the first X-Men comic. Just one of those weird examples of synchronicity life sometimes throws up. The writer is Gerard Way who appears to be in a popular beat combo<i> "My Chemical Romance".</i> I know nothing about them apart from the fact it's the favourite band of Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way, erstwhile star of the infamous Harry Potter fanfic <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanFic/MyImmortal">"My Immortal."</a> But I don't think I can blame him for that. Art is by Nick Derington and Tom Fowler and spoilers, I LOVE it. I'll gush more in the conclusion as we get underway with DC's new Doom Patrol on the mature readers label, <i>"Young Animal".</i><br />
<br />
We begin with new character Casey Brinke driving an ambulance at high speed while paramedic Samson is in the back reassuring their patient that he won't be dying just yet. After delivering the patient we then enter Casey's thoughts, her name is Casey Brinke <i>"and I only want to do good things"</i>. Her mother told her to be a bright light in a black hole just before she flew into the sun.<br />
<br />
<b>Casey: </b><i>"So I stay bright... I stay white hot... I know this inside and out. I'm new to the unit but I've been doing this as long as I can remember... which I think is a very long time. I can't tell.. I'm tired but not jaded."</i><br />
<br />
She plays an old Space Invaders type arcade machine while Sam eats a gyro (appears to be a type of wrap). He notes that she's really into that old machine, as she plays she thinks how you see things on this job <i>"that make you want to put your brain through a car wash.. but I'll still hold your hand."</i> In the ambulance she's everything, in the ambulance<i> "I'm home."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samson and Casey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sam says she should meet his son Lucius,<i> "he's weird like you."</i> Apparently Casey likes to spin stories like her prom being attacked by phantahawks and her date turned into a pool of lavender membrane. Sam says he's all Lucius has got, his mother joined a cult four years ago. He then waxes philosophical about the gyro, a <i>"beautiful, colourful, multilayered spiral."</i> What's going on in there he wonders,<i> "just a whole world buzzing along... going about its daily rotation. Time might make no sense if you're living in the gyro."</i><br />
<br />
Casey thinks maybe they are all inside someone else's gyro. Sam tosses what's left in a bin saying they could be, or it could be nothing at all. Then we enter the gyro, there a hooded figure fights his way to a control room. He removes his hood to reveal Cliff Steele, member of the Doom Patrol since day one, a living brain in a robot body. He smashes his fist on a button labelled<i> "launch"</i> and he comes exploding out on the bin, just as Casey and Sam are called away to a hit and run.<br />
<br />
In a derelict building a hobo is checking bricks saying <i>"Danny. Is that you? Is that you? Give me a sign Danny... give me a sign.</i>" He yells out Danny's name then slumps to the floor asking to be left alone. Then we get a page entitle<i> "What's going on with Niles Caulder"</i>. He's the wheelchair bound genius behind the Doom Patrol. He's playing on some synthesizers.<br />
<br />
Casey and Sam are where they were called too but nothing is there. Over the radio she hears a new voice saying random stuff and that she can call her <i>"Em"</i>. Her new voice from beyond. Then they spot Cliff staggering along behind them and he gets hit by a lorry which smashes him to bits. Casey starts gathering up the parts while Sam wonders what they'll tell dispatch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vectra and the Gloams.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Time for some bad guys. In an executive boardroom are two sets of aliens. One lot are lumpy humanoids, the other angular, red and black faced ones. The angular alien says that they are introducing a whole new <i>"mentally healthy meat menu"</i> to all its locations. It's a big campaign with multi-media tie-ins and charitable proceeds. The lumpy aliens say<i> "fuck charitable proceeds! People want flavour! People want the kind of disgusting they can afford!"</i><br />
<br />
The angular alien says they have found an<i> "unending, regenerating supply of stress-free meat? Basically at no cost." </i> The lumpy aliens say they better get them the meat. The angular alien continues saying:<br />
<br />
<b>Alien:</b><i> "Our agents have discovered the existence of a sentient organic generator sprawl. The sprawl is capable of generating and sustaining life die to some kind of spike in its energy factors. The plan is to locate, infiltrate, invade, and capture the source, then torture the sprawl into producing product. We even have a whole ad campaign worked out... we call it Danny Burgers"</i><br />
<br />
Back at Casey's flat which she shares with a grouchy man and a cat called <i>"Lotion"</i>, Casey has dumped a boxful of Cliff's parts on the counter. Then someone knocks on the door, he opens it and it's a woman who does a little song and dance routine which culminates in her wishing Casey a happy birthday and exploding her flatmate.<br />
<br />
As bits of him fall from the ceiling, Casey says it's not her birthday. The woman says that never happened before, but Casey looks like she could use a new flatmate and so she invites herself in. Then she sees Cliff's head groaning and gets all excited. She unscrews the top of his head to take a look at his brain, then introduces herself to Casey as <i>"Terry None".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enter Terry None and a dismantled Cliff Steele.</td></tr>
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Out in a crowded street a man is screaming<i> "Where is Larry Trainor?" </i>He ends up getting involved in an argument on the street and is knocked to the ground. Back at Casey's place and she is dealing with her toothache, she pulls the tooth out and finds a very small roll of paper tucked in the tooth. She reads it but doesn't tell us what it says.<br />
<br />
She enters the living room and finds Terry None has completely rebuilt Cliff Steele. Apart from his brain whch is lying in a bath of nutrients. Apparently Casey's cat Lotion has got attached to the brain. Outside Samson is calling for her. Casey shouts down out of the window that she thought they were off today. But Sam says he got a call and when he left the house the ambulance was outside. There is a call which demands they come to the scene of an intoxicated man who has been injured.<br />
<br />
Terry None leaves and when Caseys asks what she should do with the Robot Man?<i> "Up to you" </i>Terry says and departs. We then get another single page of what Niles Caulder is up too. He is in a hot air balloon and flies past his face carved in the rock. Casey and Sam arrive at the scene and find Larry Trainor writhing on the ground talking mad stuff:<br />
<br />
<b>Larry: </b><i>"I can hear a black dog pissing on a pile of broken glass... the city doesn't want you to knoww it hates our guts... but I'm herem I'm not pretending! I'm am the negative space in a negative world."</i><br />
<br />
Larry Trainor is another orginal Doom Patrol member, his body usually is swathed in bandages due to the power of the Negative Spirit inside him. Sam kneels by him and asks if he can move as the police leave them to it.<br />
<br />
Larry sits up saying he was actually trying to get arrested. He gets Larry's dark glasses off and examines his eyes which are pure black. He says that's new and asks Larry if he's been doing any drugs. Larry says no<i> "I am a pilot and an upstanding citizen."</i> Samson invites him to come with them, as the cops want to take him away to dry out. So Larry shakes his hand and comes with Casey and Sam.<br />
<br />
Inside Casey's flat Cliff comes around to find he's tied up by the angular aliens who have put his brain back in his head. They point guns at him and demands to know where the girl who drives the ambulance is. Cliff says he knows nothing about that,<i> "but I hope you creeps are hungry because you're going to be eating a lot of my shit."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliff has no time for this crap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The angular alien threatens Cliff by stabbing him in the brain with a screwdriver. But Cliff suddenly kicks up at one on the guns trained on him and it fires into the head of the alien with the screwdriver, then he breaks his bonds as the two aliens left look on in fear and he smashes them in the head.<br />
<br />
While on the way to the hospital with Larry, they hear a call to go to Casey's address and so Casey starts driving there instead. Samson says that they have a patient with a serious eye infection, they should be going to the E.R. Larry starts telling Samson he needs to get angry, he needs the negative energy,<i> "it's the only thing that'll make the sick and horrible noise go away!"</i> Samson says he is almost at angry and Larry vomits up black fluid.<br />
<br />
Cliff stands in the wreckage of Casey's flat and starts bonding with Lotion the cat. Then more armed angular aliens arrive and open fire. Cliff goes flying outside through the hole on the outside facing wall. Cliff lands on the pavement and Lotion goes running off. The aliens follow and a big brawl happens and he takes them all out just as Casey arrives.<br />
<br />
She stands looking up at the mess of her home and says <i>"my place... my cat! Where's my cat?!" </i>Cliff and Larry reunite, Larry embraces Ciff in a manly hug. He babbles that his head is full of bad vibes and he can't think straight. It's the <i>"Negative Spirit."</i> Cliff says he's going to put some trousers on and tells Larry to come with him. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliff and Larry reunited.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then see a black being flying through what looks like a vortex, <i>"I seek the host. The one known as Larry Trainor." </i>It is joined with the spirit that is <i>"nothing and we are missing Larry Trainor."</i> The spirit keeps on flying saying <i>"They don't believe me. They cannot see me. I am nothing".</i><br />
<br />
Later Samson and Casey are in trouble for diverting the ambulance. They are both suspended pending an investigation. Samson leaves and Casey checks the ambulance finding the door open which she was sure she locked. Suddenly a singing voice rings out from the cab. Casey shouts <i>"What is going on?"</i><br />
<br />
The voice tells her to simmer down and as she crawls into the cab wondering how she can hear a voice when the radio isn't turned on, the voice says<i> "do you ever wonder if you've already gotten to where you are going?" </i> Then the ambulane disappears and Casey finds herself in a hotel dining room. A man wearing only a pair of leopard skin shorts introduces himself as Flex Mentallo, he's from the Grant Morrison era, the man of<i> "Muscle Mystery"</i> based on the old Charles Atlas adverts.<br />
<br />
Flex Mentallo leads Casey up to the stage saying everyon here knows who Casey Brinke is, and opens the curtain on a fantasy<i> "Dannyland"</i> with a parade of people holding<i> "Welcome Back Casey"</i> flags. This place is of course<i> "Danny The Street"</i>, also another Grant Morrison era character he's a sentient street that likes to sneak around cities putting himself in various places and attracts weird and wonderful folk who are often down on their luck and cares for them, giving them a place to call home. Obviously he's had a bit of an upgrade now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flex Mentallo introduces Casey to Dannyland.</td></tr>
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Wide-eyed, Casey asks what this place is. Flex Mentallow says it's Danny. All of it is inside the perpetual cabaret and it's all inside the ambulance with is <i>"how Danny likes to get around these days." </i> She asks about the people, Flex Mentallo says that they are all part of Danny. Casey says they all seem so happy. <br />
<br />
<b>Flex Mentallo: </b><i>"Everyone is happy in Dannyland. There's no pain, there's no suffering... there is only joy. Danny takes care of us all."</i><br />
<br />
Casey asks why Danny exists. Flex Mentallo says they don't know, once Danny was a street, he could teleport to where he needed to go <i>"collecting outsiders as he went. People who didn't fit in." </i> Flex Mentallo himself came here a shell of his former self after being trapped in the <i>"Tearoom of Despair"</i> by the men from N.O.W.H.E.R.E. Once day those men came back and tried to destroy Danny but they were stopped by the Doom Patrol. After that Danny became a world and Flex Mentallo lost track of him. <br />
<br />
But now he's been found again, <i>"and now you're helping us find the others... the Doom Patrol." </i>Casey asks if she is part of the Doom Patrol. Flex Mentallo says<i> "you're part of a lot of things, Casey.."</i> He tells her to take a ride on that boat close by and wishes her luck as she boards it.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile in Casey's apartment Larry shows Cliff what's wrong. He has three holes on his chest and a black substance comes poking out making different shapes. Cliff comments<i> "that's not something you seee every day, Larry." </i> Larry says he doesn't know, he has little bits of memory kicking around in his head, he was with the other Doom Patrol members, and he was wrapped in his special bandages because of the dangerous radiation he emitted. <br />
<br />
Then something ripped him from the beach, he was pulled light years away into deepest space, <i>"not fully anything... a different kind of nothing."</i> He awoke in a cylinder which was at the front of what looked like a classroom<i> "then there was pain"</i>. He felt like he was being ripped apart and sewed together at the same time. He went to sleep, he doesn't know for how long and then woke up on Earth, <i>"myself but not the self I was used to.. and eerie sense that something was after me."</i><br />
<br />
Terry None comes in announcing she has free mushroom pizza. Larry grabs Cliff saying they have to find the Chief. CLiff says<i> "no way. He's a dangerous meglomaniac and the one who caused the accidents that made us freaks in the first place." </i>He says Larry should come with him as they look for Rita and Jane and the others.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for Larry to be judged.</td></tr>
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Cliff tells Terry they were just leaving, but she says they can stay and have they seen the cat? Suddenly Larry vomits black fluid again. He needs more negative energy. Then suddenly he looks out of the hole in the wall and says <i>"oh shit... it found me." </i>Outside is the negative spirit who says Larry must come and be <i>"judge and joined - to become whole in the negative space, X-minus becomes nothing."</i><br />
<br />
The angular aliens have found the ambulance Danny is now. They followed Casey's energy to it<i> "does she even know who she is?"</i> one says. They finally give themselves a name,<i> "the Vectra".</i><br />
<br />
<b>Vectra:</b> <i>"...and we are here to ruin everything. We want you to resist! We'd love for you to try to keep us out.. but eventually you'll have to open up.. and lets us come inside."</i><br />
<br />
And they start smashing the ambulance up. Inside Dannyland Casey is taking a wild ride. She hops off the boat and memories come back to her, she remembers<i> "screaming... through decades like star beams. Covered in storm, covered in cosmic rust." </i> She remembers everything all jetfire and peppermint, twilight and disappointment. Dancing nervously with a date. She drops atomics on buildings,<i> "these things happen to me."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome parody of a famous cover!</td></tr>
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She stops in front of a huge mouth with a locked door in it. It asks for the password. She remembers her tooth and says <i>"good job"</i> which is the correct one and she walks through the door. It takes her into a comic shop, she approaches the back issues and pulls one out. On the back it says <i>"only for you" </i>and on the front is an ugly alien face and it's called <i>"Danny Comics" </i>with<i> "New inside! Your answers to everything Casey!</i>" as a cover flash. <br />
<br />
Inside is says that she began life as Casey Brinke, Captain of the St. Michael's Children Hospital Jamboree Fighter Squadron in the pages of Danny Comics. It was an amusement Danny created and sold at the Mom and Pop Soda Shop when he was simply a teleporting street. She was so popular he kept her around, the memories of that time are still in her head. <br />
<br />
Then something happened, something bad. But now Danny is more powerful than ever. He used to attract people but now he can create them.<br />
<br />
<b>Danny:</b><i> "But you come from my daydreams, Casey. You're the first superhero I was able to generate. You're made up. But you're real. And I'm so very proud of you."</i><br />
<br />
She is the<i> "Space Case"</i> Captain of the 33rd Novafang Starfighters Brigade <i>"dreaded and feared across the six galaxies." </i>Her day job was caregiver at the Twilight Sun Intergalactic Home for Elderly Care. Which is why she was drawn to being a EMT and why Danny took the form of an ambulance to watch over her, protect her and help her hide. Danny says she can call him Danny or Dad and they need her to help stop the ones who have found them. It's time to join the Doom Patrol. Casey looks annoyed then tosses the comic away saying<i> "That's it... I'm out". </i> Then suddenly a pink furry creature leaps out through the curtains and hugs her saying <i>"FUGG!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey loses half a leg.</td></tr>
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Outside the amubulance is badly damaged. A small hovering Vectra comes over and starts torturing it to get Danny to open up "we will obtain the meat" it says. Casey is striding through Dannyland followed by the small creature. Flex Mentallo says that she has hasn't had her powers come back yet. She ignores him and goes back to the hotel dining room. Then her right leg below the knew disappears, <i>"where is my fucking leg?!"</i> she exclaims. Then she crawls the the ambulance door and is grabbed by a Vectra who have broken in.<br />
<br />
She is to be restrained and unharmed while the rest of the Vectra enter to harvest the meat, then they'll relocate the sprawl; ie Dannny, for further extraction. We then get another page of what Niles Caulder is doing. He is making a robot man with his face. He activates it and it punches him in the face and leaves.<br />
<br />
Terry None relaxes with a book as the Negative Entity grabs Larry's face saying it's time for him to become nothing. Cliff says that's his friend he's messing with. The Negative Entity says they must have witnesses to this joining. Cliff agrees and the Entity zaps both of them away to<i> "the Negative Space." </i>Unpeturbed, Terry returns to her book.<br />
<br />
We begin the next chapter with Samson waking up and going to his son's room because he can hear a chant. Lucius is sitting cross-legged in a hooded robe in front of a pentacle and lots of candles. Samson scolds him saying he'll give himself nightmares. Defiantly Lucius says<i> "I'm fifteen. I don't have nightmares anymore". </i>Samson asks why he has to be a sorceror? Lucius says he's not interested on being like normal kids. He says he'<i>s "bettering myself through metapyshical exploration".</i> He makes a verbal jab about his dad doing karate again,<i> "we don't talk about my karate!" </i>shouts Samson.<br />
<br />
Lucius says they don't talk at all, Samson treats him like he doesn't exist. He says the other kids at school treat him the same, "I got no one there. I got no one here!" He says they are not a family, not even friends. He carries on sayng his mom is never coming back if they don't... but Samson cuts hom off saying his mother is never coming back, ever. He asks Lucius if Samuel is in there? Then he says it doesn't matter and goes to help Lucius's grandmother into bed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Negative Space.</td></tr>
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Cliff and Larry arrive in The Negative Space. The are hovering high in he air beholding the Negative Entity, "N'Hal". It orders Larry to touch its face and they are then surrounded by lots of Negative Spirits, Larry is to be judged and then<i> "you will be put to purpose"</i>. We then get a page of Niles Caulder spying somehow on Casey Brinke, now in the Vectra prison with the pink alien. She finds the lower leg of a Robotman and decides she can use it.<br />
<br />
We then return to her properly, the Robotman appears to be the Niles Caulder one which explains how he could be spying on her through it. She attaches the leg to her stump, then considers the fact she's in<i> "space jail." </i>The is the bearded hobo in there with her and when she mentions Danny he asks her if she knows where he is. He introduces himself as Ricardo, he's a old friend of Danny's and wants to find him.<br />
<br />
Casey says he's on his own, she has nothing to say to Danny. Then electricity sparks out of her fingers much to her surprise. The pink alien has an old school tape deck in his stomach. It tells her she has discovered her <i>"bio-surge" </i>ability. She takes out the tape and reads the label which says<i> "Casey Brinke Operating Manual Part 1: Introduction To Powers And Abilites"</i>. She puts the tape back in and continues to listen. Using the instructions she shorts out the panel keeping the jail door shut and she, the pink alien and Ricardo walk out.<br />
<br />
Back with Larry Trainor and his Negative Spirit <i>"Keeg Bovo"</i>, they are told that by partially merging with and then fragmenting the Negative Spirit they have broken the law of Negative Space. It is about to pass sentence when Cliff interrupts that it's missed a mess of proceedure like the part where Larry pleads "not guilty!" N'Hal says says this is a formality and that Larry owes them and enternity of servitude for breaking the firts law of Negative Space. Cliff asks what that law is and N'Hal says it is<i> "do not intefere with the Negative Space".</i><br />
<br />
<b>N'Hal: </b><i>"By surpassing the limits of man when breaking through the radioactive field, Captain Trainor ripped open a hole in the Negative Space thereby connecting himself permanently to our fabric, conjoining with a Negative Spirit... thus, becoming an extremely important component in a billion year war against evil."</i><br />
<br />
Larry is more than a vessel, he guides the Negative Spirit to act as an agent of balance and they want him to remain so. Cliff asks what about what Larry wants? Maybe he doesn't want to be host to a <i>"radioactive space phantom"</i>, maybe he wants to live a normal life.<br />
<br />
Larry puts a hand on his shoulder saying<i> "it's okay..."</i> N'Hal says he hadn't thought of that. So it asks Larry if he wants to be<i> "normal?". </i>Larry says no, he wants to be rejoined with the Negative Spirit. He wants to be <i>"someone who helps."</i> If he has to sacrifice his body to save one life or stop one tragedy it's worth it, <i>"to burn against the darkness of this universe, I'd give you everything. Make me the Negative Man". </i><br />
<br />
N'Hal says that was very moving. So they will give him a gift, when he releases the Negative Spirit although his body will remain dormant his consciousness will experience an entire lifetime <i>"you will love, you will learn, you will face hardshi and embrace joy... and as you pass unto death, you shall reawaken, born unto yourself. Fulfilled. Complete."</i> Larry asks if that would be a dream or real. N'Hal responds saying what is a dream? What is life? It is the tangible marks they leave? Or the singular memory you gain? <i>"Welcome home, Captain Trainor."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sad fate of Danny.</td></tr>
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Meanwhile Casey Riccardo and the pink alien are on the run, Casey says she doesn't know where they are going but she is sure she is leading them out of there. They stop as two Vectra go by saying the won't give the "Gloams" ie: the lumpy aliens, the information about having Danny. When they are gone Casey zaps another panel and they go into a room which has Danny the Ambulance all beat up and with pipes attached to his inside.<br />
<br />
Riccardo is gutted, while an annoyed Casey asks if any more bits of her are going to fall off and how do they get out of this place? She tells Danny she feels used and manipulaed, <i>"I'm not even sure which thoughts are mine and which ones you made up in a comic book".</i> She says she is not Danny's <i>"action figure." </i>But she admits she is part of him.<br />
<br />
Danny says he never wanted to be a god, he just missed all the people. They used to come to him sad and he made them smile. He gave them a place to belong,<i> "free from judgement. Free from pain". </i> But he was always hunted, so he left this world to become his own. But he was found again and reduced to a single brick. A friend of his called Jane carried him from the wreckage and took him with her.<br />
<br />
After a<i> "brief stint as a cabana"</i> (that's from the Keith Gifford run I covered on this blog before) she took him on a trip to see the universe. He made himself brick sized so she could carry him and they flew through space and <i>"we met such fantabulous people." </i> But one day they were stranded on a planet where he was use to do <i>"something terrible"</i>. When he came back to his senses afterwards, Jane was gone. But he felt more powerful and as he flew through space alone he thought he'd make his own people, and someone to protect them, that someone was Casey.<br />
<br />
He tells her that with her help he can travel back in time to before the Vectra captured them. So they start pulling all the pipes out of him. She also finds a uniform which she changes into. Danny tells her to grab the canister of<i> "psycho-gas"</i> from the cockpit, they'll need it when travelling at <i>"chrono-velocity"</i> so she doesn't go insane. He tells her this will be like driving the ambulance,<i> "only with the added danger of exploding into stardust." </i> She asks him if he is ready and he say<i>s "aside from slipping into a pair of eight-inch heels, I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing." </i>Riccardo and the pink alien get in as well and Danny tells her to <i>"floor it" </i>and leaving a rainbow trail, they drive off the prison ship and out into space.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torminox.</td></tr>
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Watching them is some Vectra and a tall purple alien. The Vectra orders a pursuit, but the purple alien tells them he has his own plans. The Vectra nearest him gets angry saying they can't risk stopping producing the precious product they were hired to get. The purple alien stamps on him saying<i> "that's it. Back the fuck up" </i>as the rest of the Vectra draw away, <i>"Torminox is in charge now!"</i><br />
<br />
Casey and co. arrive outside Samson's house and he is surprised to see them thinking she stole the ambulance. Casey tells him is name is Danny and he needs Samson to pop inti his cabaret, so he ventures inside with Riccardo and pinky and get transported into Dannyland.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile in the Negative Space, Larry and his Negative Spirit Keeg have been rejoined. He is redressed in the bandages that protect others from the radiation he exudes. He gets dress up, topping off is ensemble with a pair of dark glasses as he is told he will always retain fragments of people he once shared a form with. <i>"Cool" </i>he says.<br />
<br />
The beings of the Negative Space <i>"all hail the Negative Ace... Captain Trainor! Now go forth and fight". </i>Then suddenly Danny crashes in and Casey tells Cliff and Larry to get inside, both are surprised to realise it's Danny. Larry bids N'Hal a thankyou and goodbye and then climbs inside along with Cliff. Riccardo who is also inside Dannyland reports on the carnage there, even Flex Mentallo is dead. They are tended to the wounded, there are few survivors, but no Vectra yet.<br />
<br />
Shocked at Flex Mentallo's death, Cliff asks what the hell is going on. Casey gives him the rundown of what Danny can do now and what the Vectra did to him, but now they can go back in time and prevent in. Who are you Cliff asks?<br />
<br />
<b>Casey: </b><i>"I'm Casey Brinke, and I drive the motherfucking ambulance."</i><br />
<br />
They get ready to go back in time to the mobile slaughter unit as far back as they can go. Cliff asks how she is holding up. <i>"I miss my cat" </i>she replies.<br />
<br />
This cuts us to a page where a person in an astronaut suit finds Lotion the cat and pours out what looks like dry cat food for him. The cat nibbles it then transforms into a humanoid form, but still furry with a tale and cat head. It staggers away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotion the cat-person.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Casey and co. arrive back at the mobile slaughter unit before they started on Danny, but the Vectra were waiting for them and hold them at gunpoint. Casey asks how they knew they were coming and Terminox appears saying<i> "because of me."</i> Casey regonises him. Terminox says that he's also from the pages of Danny's comic, he's Casey's <i>"dad". </i> The Vectra tortured Danny so much that they broke him and he produced him. Once he was loosed in the universe there was no stopping what he could create and so he made a replica of Danny to travel in space and a clone Casey to drive it through time.<br />
<br />
<b>Clone Casey:</b><i> "I'm every bad feeling and every single fear Danny has about what you could become out in the real world - unprotected, uncontrolled."</i><br />
<br />
Casey says Terminox is not her dad, they are all fictions Danny made up. But Terminox says that deep down she wants him cured of the Terminox virus that made me what I am,<i> "as your mother failed to do." </i>Casey looks angrily at him.<br />
<br />
Then Cliff punches Terminox saying <i>"screw this."</i> Danny tells Casey she needs to enter Dannyland and burn down the comic shop. She says if she does that he'll cease to exist. But he says that he'll also destroy Terminox, fake Casey and the whole <i>"Vectra Khazi"</i> in the process. She says that her past self will die and that means she will cease to exist and they won't be able to rescue everyone in Dannyland.<br />
<br />
He says she'll be OK, she must go into past Danny with Riccardo and Sam, have them bring everyone to his present self, trigger the self destruct and then get back to his driving seat. Cliff and Terminox trade blows and more Vectra summoned while Casey brings Riccardo and Sam to past Danny. The Negative Spirit is unleashed while his body sleeps. And fake Casey tries to bring him down unsuccessfully.<br />
<br />
We are given a one page look at Larry's innermost lifetime. He's an old man on his deathbed as his family say how much the love him and all the happy years they have had. Then Niles Caulder appears and asks Larry if he can talk to him about something called the Doom Patrol.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torminox beats Cliff down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Larry and Terminox keep fighting, Terminox gets the upper hand telling Cliff that a body can't work in harmony with the mind if the body is made of metal. He starts to crush Cliff's head when the Negative Spirit smashes into him. Fake Casey holds a gun to Larry's body saying if she kills it the Negative Spirit will go. Then suddenly out of Danny walks a woman, who says the divorce seems to be causing him some distress. Surprised, Terminox says<i> "Gloria...?!"</i> And she says <i>"it's good to see you Dick."</i><br />
<br />
In past Dannyland, Flex Mentallo is unconcious but still alive. Riccardo reaches into the pink alien's front port and gets out some slime, which he then coats his fingers with and plants on Flex's chest. Inside the comic shop, past-Danny says he is very proud of Casey and she says<i> "I know. It's why I keep burning bright." </i> She then tosses a match on the comic rack and runs from the resulting explosion.<br />
<br />
Outside Gloria tells Terminox that he can stop all this, they are stronger than the Terminox virus and the antidote is such a simple thing. Then Fake Casey blows a hole through her stomach. Then her gun vibrates and explodes in her face. All the rescued people from past Dannyland climb into present Dannyland. Casey spots Terminox cradling Gloria who Casey calls "mom". Gloria manages to force out that she has grown to be an amazing individual and doesn't need them anymore. And both of them disappear in a flash of light, saying they be watching from a black hole, <i>"waiting for your light to reach us. Not a star, but a sun."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey's parents reunited.</td></tr>
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We finish this chapter in a black void. A woman called Valerie is stammering about things she can remember, that she was married and has a son who'd be about fifteen now. Which means this is most likely Samson's wife. There is something coming tomorrow which is going to make her something bigger, "the dominant identity. The Divine Component". Tomorrow her name will be <i>"Jane"</i>. And we then see long time Doom Patrol member "crazy" Jane saying <i>"tomorrow we will all be Jane" </i>as she hovers beside a bomb.<br />
<br />
Everyone piles in to present Danny as past Danny explodes in a mess of burning flesh. The Negative Spirit returns to Larry and he and Cliff get in as Casey gets ready to get out of there. They blast out of the ship again and crash into another ambulance out there. Casey wrestles with the controls as the prison ship explodes behind them thanks to the hull breach. They end up crashing somewhere in New Mexico.<br />
<br />
They are outside a compound with a sign up saying it is<i> "Janestown. Church Of The Multiform." </i> Sam says he's not sure he's ready for this, but Cliff drags open a hope in the fence and goes in first. Jane is floating in front of her cult members. She says they have liberated themselves from the encumberance of familial bonds, <i>"today yourselves... from yourselves... and join me in magnificent oneness." </i> They were all lost when she first met them but now they are scientist and engineers.<br />
<br />
The <i>"Gene Bomb"</i> (something used in the crossover<i> "Invasion"</i> which screwed with everyone who had the metagene, Crazy Jane had multiple personality disorder and every personality she had, had different powers) they have made which gave her all her powers will now give those powers to them and "join in the one true identity."<br />
<br />
Cliff barges in and realises it's Jane, and that he took out her bodyguards to get in side. Casey and Larry follow. Jane however doesn't recognise Cliff and surprised he knows her. Cliff then realises she is leading a cult. This makes her manifest a blue forcefield which sends him reeling.<br />
<br />
<b>Jane:</b> <i>"I am the Multi-Mother, the All-Jane. If you don't leave this instant of your own free will.. then I will make you."</i><br />
<br />
They have individuality which is everything they've tried to get away from so leave now. Larry then puts a finger on both Cliff and Jane's foreheads and zaps them both. This sends Cliff into Jane's psyche where he has been before and which is laid out like the London Underground. A train stops and an arm grabs Cliff and drags him inside.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliff is sent into Jane's mind.</td></tr>
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Outside the cultist arene't happy about this, but Larry says breaking the link suddenly could make them brain dead. Casey zaps a couple, and then Samson walks in saying not to hurt his friend. Then he recognises Valerie. He begs her to come home, but she tells him they they are getting a gene bomb dropped on them and will receive the gift of <i>"oneness".</i> Alarmed Sam calls Riccardo and a recovered Flex in the Danny ambulance and tells them they need to stop the bomb. <br />
<br />
Inside Jane's mind, Cliff talks to Jane apologising for leaving her. She says that's sweet but he really needs to get out. An annoucement says that they will be making evasive manouvres. Jane says the personality in charge right now is Dr. Harrison, she emerged from the trauma of seeing a superhuman god murdered and exposure to his blood. Along came Dr. Harrison with the powers of mind control and powerful suggestion.<br />
<br />
She calls herself Jane because she knows that people will like Jane and she needs to connect with people to get what she wants. And what she wants is to <i>"cure"</i> Jane. She plans on separating all her personalities into the members of the cult she started. Cliff asks of that isn't a postitive thing?<br />
<br />
But she plans on killing all sixty-three cult members once the deed is done and as for her,<i> "healing is a collaborative act, not a relationship of control."</i> She accepted that there might be no proper cure for her condition and lives with it anyway. Can Cliff accept that? He can.<br />
<br />
The other personalities banded together with her to try and spite Dr. Harrison. Eventually the fooled her into thinking that they had a photographic memory and had seen the blueprints of the gene bomb used by the Dominators during<i> "Invasion"</i>. But it's not that, it's biologically coded to kill the dominent identity, <i>"Cliff you cannot stop that bomb" </i>she says even as Flex and Riccardo are trying to do just that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Negative Spirit stops Flex Mentallo destroying the bomb.</td></tr>
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In Jane's head, Dr. Harrison finds them and smashes into the train carriage. Danny starts to fly up to the bomb as Larry separates Dr. Harrison and Cliff who tells Larry they must not stop the bomb. So the Negative Spirit races out of him and knocks Flex off the bomb as it falls. It explodes and Dr. Harrison is destroyed and the cult start to come back to its senses. Samson tends to his wife, while Jane is back in control of her body and Cliff says <i>"I'm glad you're with us Jane."</i><br />
<br />
Outside Danny manifests the words <i>"Welcome Back, Jane Love."</i> All the cultists pile into Dannyland and Sam says that can be their new home if they don't have one anymore and Casey sits in the driving seat ready for new adventures. We conclude with Terry None demonstrating what looks like she fed to Lotion the cat which transformed him to a couple of executives who are impressed with the fact it's a zero-cholesterol, non-transfat, gluten-free, hypo-allergenic, vegan, all-natural food additive. They love the stuff and want to get it on the shelves as soon as possible.<i> "Great. Wait until you hear what it's called..."</i> And that brings this volume to an end.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane is back to "normal" and another member rejoins the Doom Patrol.</td></tr>
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I actually think I haven't dones this story justice. Summarised like this is feels a bit random for random's sake. but a combination of skillful writing and superb, colourful art makes the weird events flow in a natural sense as the major players of the Doom Patrol are brought back together, along with a great new character in Casey Brinke. It's genuinely funny in places, as well as containing many interesting hooks for further exploration of various backstories and also future tales like what has happened to Lotion the cat-man and what Terry None's game really is. The art is a delight, as I said it's colourful and the cartoony style fits the weirdness of the Doom Patrol perfectly. It's definitely the best art I have ever seen on any Doom Patrol run. Gerard Way does a good job of emulating some of the surrealism of Morrison's run without losing the characters in endless postmodern navel gaing that made the latter Morrison run a turgid read. I was a tad dubious when I found out he was member of a band that he could handle such a complex title, but the bloke done good, it's a fantastic read. It's interesting that this has been launched on a new imprint as a mature readers title, hence all the "fucks." I wonder if that means it'll be self contained and separate from the main DCU. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more stuff bearing the <i>Young Animal </i>label. Hopefully this will run and run, though I seem to be the kiss of death to titles so the next volume will probably have me complaining it's been cancelled. Yes, my opinion of DC is that low. But i'll give them credit for now for publishing this series so far. The DCU needs more fun, literate and I'll say it a third time, colourful comics in their stable of titles. Check this out, it's good stuff.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-56295589089269608192017-12-05T02:34:00.000+00:002017-12-10T09:26:03.461+00:00Alan Moore Obscurities: Providence Book 3 (#9-12)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry. I'm all finished. Don't go near this"</i> - <b>Robert</b><br />
<br />
This is the third and final volume of Moore's story of a man called Robert Black, a meek soul, who left his job at a large newspaper to tour around New England looking for material for a book he is writing on the beliefs of people that sit under the surface of the mainstream. This has mainly taken the form of a tour round various H.P. Lovecraft plots until he finally met the man himself at the end of the previous and was invited to come visit him any time. It being the 1919 now, Robert is a very closeted gay man, part of the reason he left the city was that his boyfriend killed himself. He's also experienced some very nasty sexual trauma on this journey when a mage swapped his body into a teenage girl then raped him with his own body. Robert has tried to rationalise this away as a dream but it's clearly been getting to him. In this book he'll finally meet the group known as <i>"The Stella Sapiente"</i> who have loomed large in his investigations so far. And he'll also be spending some time with Lovecraft too, and as prophecies are fulfilled and the future is written let's see how this all winds up shall we?<br />
<br />
Robert has arrived in Providence meeting a man called Henry Annsley who he's been told to meet via a chain of letters from people who know people. Henry says it's quite the honour to meet him and asks how Providence is treating him. Robert admits <i>"I've already attracted my fair share of suspicious glances" </i>as it is obvious he is from out of town.<br />
<br />
Henry looks at him through magic spectacles and sees pink sea creature like beings circling Robert. Henry tells him not to worry about it. He is one of the Stella Sapiente, who Robert thanks for being so open. He notes Henry's glasses and Henry says they retrieve light from the <i>"far violent frequencies and further still."</i> He also says they have always been open, only detractors say otherwise.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beasties that lurk out of phase.</td></tr>
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Robert says they have a reputation in places like Athol and Salem. Henry says in Athol the Wheatleys are inbred trash and Salem got out of hand so they disassociated themselves from them. Robet says in Salem he meet a Shadrach Annesley. Henry says that's his uncle, but he'd heard there'd been an accident with a lightning bolt, such a shame.<br />
<br />
Henry invites him into his home and workplace. Their headquarters is offically elsewhere, but <i>"the occult is that which is hidden, Through our science we hope to reveal it." </i> They sit down. Robert says the Stella Sapiente has become central to his books narrative. Henry notes he must have read the occult book the Kitab and formed a peculiar impression of their activities in his travels.<br />
<br />
Robert admits that he's<i> "starting to think any peculiarities were thanks to my own mental condition."</i> He lost a loved one and it's unbalanced him more that he realised. Henry says that some of their ideas can be disturbing in a fragile state.<br />
<br />
<b>Robert:</b> <i>"Oh no, please Mr. Annesley. Nobody was to blame but me. Some of the things I've imagined... well, they're just crazy. I'm very impressionable, and things like the redeeemer propecy are intriguing..."</i><br />
<br />
Henry says coming from New York such ideas could be unsettling. Robert says he feels like he hasn't been getting the whole picture. Henry tells him that they date back to 1686 when the Kitab was brought back to America and since then their interests expanded.<br />
<br />
His own area of expertise is in <i>"optics and metaphysics"</i>. The redeemer propecy doesn't occupy them, with their view of time it's already been fulfilled. Robert asks if it is true the order attemped a redeemer the same year they gifted the Kitab to Saint Anselms.<br />
<br />
Henry says that sounds like Garland Wheatley's version. Redeener is actually a rank within the organisation like a Tyler in Freemasonry, <i>"only yokels take it literally."</i> In 1889 there was an arranged marriage, there order-head's daughter married his protege. Their child was official condidate for the offical post of redeemer,<i> "it's a purely ceremonial role, I assure you". </i><br />
<br />
Robert says that sounds almost dull. What about the Kitab? Henry says the book is their backbone, but by 1889 they had other editions so gave the original to Saint Anselms. They have always enjoyed a close relationship with the Catholic church... but he is cut short by the arrival of a young man called Howard Charles. Henry has been helping him with a geneaology project.<br />
<br />
Howard introduces himself to Robert, impressed that he is from New York. Robert says he's not as exciting as he probably imagines. He asks about the project and Henry says Howard is a direct descendent of Japeth Colwen who co-founded the Stella Sapiente. Henry notes Howard and Robert have hit it off, why don't they take a walk, Robert probably knows things about his ancestor that Henry doesn't.<br />
<br />
Howard also says he'd like to hear about Salem and he can show Robert round Providence. Robert also has an invite later to meet someone else called Howard. Henry tells Howard to show Robert various landmarks and they leave together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRzemB-PLBw7Xa0McbkzZeN_kvVFfAHeH_QEhcrS_qliMCu3gytuSO3TxHTmrgSjAAPClD4QT8jAXCaKrmqN-kZES5WvHX44pTPSedrbRrSfgtttfCivIboHGKYsqv6b07VfPsdrc05c/s1600/providencethree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1424" data-original-width="1180" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRzemB-PLBw7Xa0McbkzZeN_kvVFfAHeH_QEhcrS_qliMCu3gytuSO3TxHTmrgSjAAPClD4QT8jAXCaKrmqN-kZES5WvHX44pTPSedrbRrSfgtttfCivIboHGKYsqv6b07VfPsdrc05c/s320/providencethree2.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As they walk, Robert notes Howard's appearence is similar to to some woodcuts of Colwen he's seen only much younger. Howard says he's seventeen, and has led a sheltered life having hardly been out of Rhode Island his entire life. Being related to Colwen makes him feel special,<i> "like I'm involved with him and his world." </i> They chat a bit about Colwen then Howard shows him the <i>"Babbit House"</i> named after the people who live there. <i> "Things happen there, I guess most folks avoid it</i>" he says.<br />
<br />
He then takes Robert to St. John's Church, Robert tells Howard he finds him captivating and wants to here all about him. We then jump to them reaching the church an impressive red brick building. It's been shut up for a long time but before the Stella Sapiente were given leave to have meetings in the steeple. They squeeze through some bent railings telling Robert he and other boys would play truant from school here.<br />
<br />
They enter the church and climb the tower which still has lots of of books. Apparenty the room was for Stella Sapiente's inner head. Its secret chief. Inside is the remains of the meteorite that hit the farmland outside of Manchester. Robert asks what the boys would do here as he rifles through the bookcase. Shyly Howard says they'd do some<i> "cornholing"</i>. Next thing we see is Robert sodomising Howard over the table.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sexy times!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They leave the church with Howard saying he gets so little chance to do that in Rhode Island, it much be a <i>"paradise"</i> by comparison in New York. Robert says it's the same reason he moved there from Milwaukee. He thanks Howard and asks if maybe they could get together later. Howard says he's desperate to fit in and if anyone thought he was <i>"queer"</i> they'd stick him in hospital. Robert understands and they part.<br />
<br />
He arrives at the other Howard's house, the home of H.P. Lovecraft. His houskeeper and aunt answers the door to Robert. Saying that Lovecraft is very ill despite the brave face he puts on things. He is pleased to see Robert and they sit down to talk. Robert says his library is astonishing. Lovecraft says most where inherited from his maternal grandfather. Robert says that his aunt says his mother was in the hopsital, Lovecraft says he plans to go see her today.<br />
<br />
Robert asks if his grandfather ever metioned an order called the Stella Sapiente? Lovecraft says he can't recall if he did but he was a Freemason so he may have. The aunt comes back in and Lovecraft asks if she can recommend a place to stay for Robert and she gives him the address of some she thinks are availiable. Then Lovecraft and Robert leave to go and see Lovecraft's mother in the institution.<br />
<br />
As they walk, Lovecraft rhaposdises about the city. Robert asks if this affects his stories and Lovecraft says that while <i>"I strive to capture certain local atmospheres, any weirdness springs from my own fancy."</i> He goes onto say that he's been considering pursuing more comic material as a recent trifle,<i> "Sweet Ermengarde"</i> has proved popular.<br />
<br />
Robert says it sounds great but stories like <i>"Beyond The Wall Of Sleep" </i>are visonary. They procure some lodgings for Robert, who says it feels fantastic <i>"I already feel as if I fit in like part of the furniture."</i> He tells the landlady that Lovecraft couldn't be better as a guide to this place and its history.<br />
<br />
<b>Lovecraft: </b><i>"Oh, I fear you flatter an old man in his decrepitude. I am but an unlettered autodidact... they I fancy I know this environs servicably well."</i><br />
<br />
He goes on to say to himself that Providence<i> "hesitates on the very cusp of another world... than... this"</i>. Then his reverie is broken and he and Robert leave to head to the hospital.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovecraft ponders.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Robert asks how long she has been ill? Lovecraft says she had always been highly strung but she wasn't hospitalised until last march. She apparently reported seeing hideous creatures. Robert expresses sympathy wondering if his father and grandfather's death triggered it. Lovecraft admits that he knew little of his father, a tradesman in gold and silver.<br />
<br />
They approach the hospital down a long driveway. Robert says Lovecraft is delightful company, so hard to imagine him as the one who invented the monstrous <i>"Mr. Slaader.</i>" Lovecraft says he should read <i>"Dagon" </i>which is based on one of his dreams. They reach the door of the hospital, Lovecrafts mother will come outside and meet him. Robert is to retire to a discrete distance so she doesn't get upset.<br />
<br />
We then get two pages of Robert wating Lovecraft and his mother from afar, she seems to get upset and the nurse takes her back inside. Lovecraft returns to Robert saying she is a little out-of-sorts. Robert says she is a lovely woman with a real luminosity. Lovecraft says she once whitened her face with arsenic. As they walk away we see things from his mother's perspective as pink undersea-like creatures swim through the air around her and them.<br />
<br />
The next chapter begins as we see a strange figure with a row of people on there knees either side of him as we hear on voiceover Lovecraft describing his excitment at treading the same streets as Edgar Allen Poe. The figure mutters <i>"Ylyl yr nhhhgr. Now is before"</i> then we cut to Lovecraft and Robert sitting in a church graveyard talking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovecraft and Robert chat.</td></tr>
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Both are Poe fanboys, Robert says his stories are "intoxicating" and you don't know where or when they are meant to be occuring. Lovecraft says there is a dreamlike nature to it quite unlike that of Dunsany. Robert says he was astonished by the<i> "white ship story"</i> Lovecraft had written before he read Dunsany. Lovecraft says that<i> "merely perusing titles of his had inspired me."</i> They start back to Lovecraft's home.<br />
<br />
Robert says Lovecraft discovering Dunsany must have been like discovering a kindred spirit. Lovecraft agrees but says although his dream worlds are enticing he finds himself increasingly drawn to a certain realism in fantasy. Lovecraft then tells Robert he has taken inspiration from Roberts work. His diary entries <i>"excited"</i> a certain weird mood in him. <br />
<br />
<b>Lovecraft:</b><i> "Before reading your unearthly impressions of New England, I'd not considered my native soil a suitable backdrop for the fantastical."</i><br />
<br />
Robert asks if he is joking. Lovecraft says he's already appropriated the anecdotes about meeting Annesley on his arrival last month, replacing Annesley with the name Tillinghast.<br />
<br />
Robert says does he mean going to Annesley lab? Lovecraft says yes, though <i>"mostrously embellished"</i>, he has not named where it's set but it is Providence. It's all <i>"splendid fun</i>". Robert says that knowing he's contributed really <i>"peps me up."</i><br />
<br />
Then a man with a top hat and smoking a pipe accosts them. He is Howard the boy who had sex with Robert, but now he looks older,<i> "akin to my illustrious forebear"</i>. Robert introduces him to Lovecraft. When Lovecraft says his ancestory sounds fascinating, Howard says it is of consuming interest and he's been told of his essential nature. He's off to meet Annesley at the sanctuary to discuss the festival just passed. Robert and Lovecraft wish him well and carry on.<br />
<br />
Lovecraft tells Robert that he's revealed<i> "aspects of Providence previously unknown to me." </i> He's made admiring mention of Robert to some of his other correspondents. Robert is surprised and flattered. Lovecraft says that he's written to <i>"Loveman"</i>, Robert says that's the man who wrote a poem about loving other men. Lovecraft says he's just writing about the platonic ideal<i> "rather than debase himself with the loathsome actuality"</i>. Robert mumbles, <i>"uh.. y-yes. Disgusting"</i>. Lovecraft says it's all the more execptional because Loveman belongs to that unlikeable tribe the Jews.<br />
<br />
They arrive back at Lovecraft's home and Lovecraft returns Roberts writings. Robert hopes he gets some more ideas from it and Lovecraft says that the Arab book, the Kitab, alone is priceless. He's already devised a name for the author and the book itself. Robert asks Lovecraft about his childhood and he says he's always felt that one's background and lineage impart a form of destiny.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovecraft as a young boy.</td></tr>
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He shows Robert a photograph which shows him with his parents and he is a young boy in a dress,<i> "I confess it rook some time for me to aquire the habit of wearing trousers." </i> Robert is more concerned with his father, he thinks he recognised him. Lovecraft says he was born in Rochester, New York. <i>"A true son of mother England"</i>, Robert asks him what he means by that.<br />
<br />
Lovecraft says that he was proud of his predecessors and warned Lovecraft not to fall into Americanisms of speech, he saw him as a man who<i> "understood the import of ancient traditions."</i> Robert asks that if he was a salesman, where did he travel exactly. Lovecraft says Boston, Salem, New York and Chicago are places he recalls in his itinery. Robert asks if he ever went to Manchester? Lovecraft says not professionally but his grandfather had travelled there before his birth.<br />
<br />
He then changes the subject saying that his elaborations of Robert's notions would be passed off as dreams. He has learned that the majority <i>"prefer that the weird not intrude upon the orderly, prosaic world of their sensibilities."</i> It is better they think them dreams than have the writers thought of as<i> "morbid and deranged". </i><br />
<br />
Robert says he seems to have a close relationship with dreams<i>, "almost as if they represent a complete other world to you".</i> Lovecraft says for a long time he's been blessed and afflicted with the most extravagant nightly deliriums. Robert asks if his grandfather's folk stories influence his dreams? Lovecraft says his tales first instilled in him the sense of a New England haunted by mythic apparitions.<br />
<br />
He'd recount tales of the things the swarthy immigrants did in the woods, the ghastly rituals brought from their homelands. The darkness and superstitions in their slum neighbourhoods and blasphemies committed by their scarecly-human tongues. The depth to which they might degenerate. He said that if it weren't for certain fraternities<i> "mankind's end would be lingering and ignobly mongrelised."</i><br />
<br />
He shows Robert a photo of his grandfather saying he was a man of many accomplishments,<i> "Whipple Van Buren Phllips". </i>Hearing that his name was Van Buren startles Robert and he turns quite pale. He hand back the photo saying he's stayed too long and should head back to his lodgings. In fact he should head back to New York. Lovecraft is surprised at how sudden this is. Robert hurridly puts on his coat apologising for leaving so fast. Lovecraft is understanding and wishes him<i> "a long and prosperous career" </i>to him.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert starts putting the pieces together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As Robert walks through the snowy streets, various things he's been told start rattling around his head as he realises everything is connected, and that it appears that Lovecraft is the child of the arranged marriage Annesley spoke of who was a candidate for the official post of redeemer. <br />
<br />
He sits in his lodgings and writes a letter to Tom the gay policeman he met and coversed with in volume one. He admits that he thinks there is<i> "something awful in America."</i> And he mentions the things he's come across like the sea people in in Salem, Suydan in Red Hook, the meteorite in Providence church. He's sending Tom his notes for the book that will only ever exist in that form.<br />
<br />
<b>Robert:</b> <i>"Everything is in it. I think there's even a way that what's being prepared for the world could be prevented. Or perhaps it's too late for that. I think it's too late for me, anyway."</i><br />
<br />
He realises that what he's stumbled into will swallow him. He wishes he'd never left New York, that he'd never left Tom. He starts writing that if he hadn't, right now they'd be kicking through the snow in Central Park... then he leaps to his feet saying<i> "oh God. Oh God."</i><br />
<br />
An eye opens up above him as he backs against the wall, then the lisping man from Neonomicon who was called Carcosa appears and tells Robert that his service has been glorious. His message has been received, his labours are now at an end. Robert must rejoice as the redeemer lives.<br />
<br />
Carcosa bids him sit and tells him that he is the system by which <i>"it"</i> communicates. Roberts misery and despair has satisfied the propecy, he has surrended their stories to Providence and brought the good news to their saviour and redeemer. Robert covers his face saying it's Lovecraft isn't it? He'll return to New York tommorrow and not say anything. Carcosa says that his significance is in supplying the redeemer with the things he needs to restore the world to its previous state.<br />
<br />
Robert asks how can that be? Lovecraft just writes pamphlets. Carcosa says that he doesn't need to know, he simply needs to tell his stories. He introduces himself as Carcosa and Robert says "you're somehow tangled through fiction". Carcosa says that fiction isn't what he thinks it is. By naming something they bestowed an identity. What Robert thinks of as the real world is a dream that they were experiencing. They are now in the church and Robert sodomised Howard because the stone absorbs sexual release.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carcosa makes an unwelcome appearance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Robert thinks he did something wrong, but Carcosa says the universe doesn't care. He's not being punished, he's being appreciated. He's come to reward Robert's endevour and he kneels before Robert and starts to unbuckle Robert's trousers and pulls them down. We then see why he talks with such a strong lisp, his mouth is a remora like sucker thing, he tells Robert this was always his path and goes down on him as a horrified Robert calls out to God to save him. <br />
<br />
The penultimate chapter begins with Robert telling Lovecraft haltingly that something had come to him, Lovecraft thinks he is talking about some insight or a feeling. Robert says <i>"yes, something like that".</i> And we see him sitting in a train carriage with all the people and other beings he met along his journey.<br />
<br />
He arrives back in New York, dishevelled and unshaven. He goes to an automat and bumps into an older man called Charles who expresses concern at how bad Robert looks. Robert mumbles that he got caught up in something he shouldn't have and Charles who thinks it's regarding his sexuality shows his concern. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert is a broken man.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Later Robert mails his notes to Tom and goes and sits in the park, head in hands. Then an old friend called Freddy who he worked with at the Herald walks up and says he looks <i>"like the whole world's on top of you." </i> Robert says he had a bad time in New England, Freddy sits next to him saying he never thought "guys like you had any woes."<br />
<br />
Robert asks what he means by a<i> "guy like me?" </i> Freddy says he's a handsome writer whose got all the chicks flocking round him. Robert says<i> "Freddy, I... I'm queer."</i> This doesn't seem to bother Freddy who says there is no shame in that. In his crowd of a Friday night if they can't find a girl they would just as soon as go with a <i>"sissy." </i> He then grumbles that when Robert left the Herald he thought he might have a chance with the woman who worked there but she was letting old man Posey bang her. He asks Robert about his book, but Robert says he can't put it into words. They shake hands and Robert is left alone again.<br />
<br />
In volume one we were introduced to places called <i>"Exit Gardens"</i>, places in Central Park where people could choose to end their lives by being gassed while listening to a record. We see Robert enter the building, sign some papers and sit down. A record plays and what happens next is the comicbook equivalent of a stream of conciousness as the rest of the chapter tracks the development of Lovecraft's writings, the percolation into mass culture and where we finally meet up with the events of Neonomicon which I covered <a href="http://thoughtsofaworkshyfop.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/alan-moore-obscurities-neonomicon-1-4.html">here (warning, link <b>VERY NSFW</b></a>). All interspersed with the relentless turning of the record as Robert's life ends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The record keeps on spinning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We see publishers making a decision that despite Lovecraft's old fashioned writing it should be published for a wider audience. We see Tom speaking to his superior about Robert's writing on Suydam and how he'd like to investigate further. We see Lovecraft getting married in 1924. Then Mr and Mrs Suydam being found eviscerated. Then we discover that many men were found dead and Tom is half out of his wits recuperating in hospital. The policeman examines Robert's notes say that he was write about Suydam but the other stuff he doesn't know what to do about. Another cop tells him to pass the notes over to the F.B.I.<br />
<br />
We see August Derleth at the breakfast table in 1926, then someone looking for Pitman in the tunnels. We see the F.B.I discussing Robert's notes which they decide to do something about the fish people miscegenation on the Salem waterfront and they go and wipe them out. More things occur, someone publishes an invented version of the Necronomicon which amuses Lovecraft greatly. His myth-cycle of his works takes shape, put together by a young fan called Barlow.<br />
<br />
Barlow is made a literary executor in the event of Lovecraft's demise. Lovecraft is next seen being pronounced dead. We see August Derleth being turned away as Barlow takes all the papers, but his friend says things will all work themselves out. We see hippies discussing how Lovecraft knew things like the Necronomicon was real but masked things as fiction and we see various people creating their own hoax Necronomicon. Then we see Edgar Rice Burroughs dropping in on the printing of a Lovecraft story while he decides to use<i> "Kutulu" </i>in one of his own works. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Necronomicons come into being.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Necronomicons of varying vintages are linked to murders and we reach the present day with the investigation of the<i> "head-and-hands killer".</i> Every element in this case is linked with H.P. Lovecraft's writings. Neonomicon then happens which leaves agent Merril Breqrw pregnant by a sea demon "Old One". Since then she has gone missing and her fellow agents can't track her down. Then we see patients at the Haven Psychiatric facility where she spoke with a fellow agent Aldo Sax who had been institualised after murdering several people and speaking only in the tongue of the Great Old Ones. She breaks him and several other inmates who were part of the "head-and-hands" murder spree.<br />
<br />
Then the agents see on TV the church with strange lights above it. Agent Barstow picks up Robert's notes which are still in storage at the F.B.I and heads off to fellow agent Carl's place because things are getting crazier outside. Back in the past, the record finishes, Robert is gone. At Carl's house Barstow and agent Fuller spot demonic creatures watching the house and they all go inside to formulate a strategy. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demons watch Carl's house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Carl ponders that the life of another world fond purchase in the human mind. Thrift store paperbacks, first editions<i>, "any effective narrative acts as a contagion I guess". </i>Whatever is happening now it's got printed works running right through it. All Lovecraft's stuff and all the criticism he's been reading and now there is the testament of Robert Black. If even half of it is true then Lovecraft's stories have been engineered to cause what is happening now. Especially the Necronomicon, <i>"an imaginary volume that generated several real ones, along with a bunch of screwball occultists insisting it's all true."</i><br />
<br />
He wonders if they can find Merril at Saint Anselms where the real Kitab is located. He says that the Stella Sapiente originated in Manchester and she might be there. Barstow wonders if she'll be at the church in Brooklyn while Fuller peers out of the window at the watching demons. Fuller says his family are safe at the bureau but Carl says<i> "I don't know what safe means now. The world is turning into something else."</i> They decide to get on the road and make it to the car and drive away slowly and carefully so the <i>"Nightgaunts"</i> don't attack.<br />
<br />
As they drive, Barstow says she feels like she is dreaming. They are on an urgent journey to someplace faraway to do something she doesn't really understand.<br />
<br />
<b>Carl:</b> <i>"Dreams and our world are two extremes of a bi-polar reality, that can flip from one state to the other. It shifted in our favour aeons ago, commencing human history. Ever since, interests from the displaced reality have tried to shift it back."</i><br />
<br />
Fuller says that their dreams are a vanquished reality and it's trying to overthrow them. The Kitab was a book transmitted to him as a propaganda weapon says Barstow. She then says she doesn't think they are driving on a real highway.<br />
<br />
Geography is compressed, they are already in Pennsylvania, the <i>"logic is fucked."</i> How can the redeemer prophecy be responsible? Carl says there have already been places where the dreamworld intersects theirs. The Stella Sapiente's strategy was to get knowledge of these to the redeemer via a herald. H.P. Lovecraft was the redeemer. Robert Black was the herald. Neither of them knew it, they met just before Lovecraft's most productive year. After that Lovecraft's storie came to permeate western culture.<br />
<br />
It was so unlikely but no one questions things like the Necronomicon fakes and other writers playing along. Has that happened before with any other work of fiction? It's like a religion only "more radical and aggressive." Fuller notes that they all appear to be taking the weirdness in their stride. Carl says that the world inside them is changing, maybe it's the only world that's changing. Then they are in New England.<br />
<br />
Barstow says the Sat Nav says they are in Massachusetts, <i>"this is what they call Lovecraft country." </i> She asks why the streets aren't full of people freaking out. Carl says they are probably swallowed up by <i>"dream detachment" </i>same as they are. Fuller realises he won't get beack to his wife and kids, Barstow can't recall if she has a boyfriend or not.<br />
<br />
Carl says that after what happened at Salem, Merril insisted nothing sexual had occured, yet she looked pregnant when she broke Aldo Sax and the others out of the mental hospital. He assumes she was impregnated by a Deep One although that's not supposed to be possible. Only human male and marine female bears children. They arrive at Saint Anselms or what Lovecraft called<i> "The Miskatonic"</i> university.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um yes...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sitting on the front door step is a professor who says his students are inside dancing. He asks to borrow Fuller's gun and blows his brains out. They go inside and find one of the escaped mental patients playing guitar for several severed heads placed around him. Carl opens the door next to him and finds several headless and handless bodies dancing around.<br />
<br />
As they leave, Fuller has now forgotten he has a wife and kids. They were told that the <i>"lady" </i>took the Kitab away and that was most likely Merril. Carl says that it's because of a section Robert copied from it which has a way of stopping what's happening. They don't know about Robert's copy so perhaps it's not too late to fix things. <br />
<br />
They set off on foot unable to remember if they came by car. Strange tentacled plants litter the ground. carl ruminates on how influential Lovecraft's Arkham was on American culture. They decide to follow the street into town in the hope they'll find Merril. Then they bump into three other travellers. A small man called Mr. Annesley, with two taller companions Mr. Orne and Shadrach. <br />
<br />
They join Carl and co. in their hunt for Merril. Annesley is a member of the Stella Sapiente. He bemoans the trvails their order suffered through the twentieth century, which culminates ih the fact that when the redeemer died he was almost unknown and their plan seemed to have failed. Carl replies that he can hear what Annesley is saying but he's not taking it in, "things keep slipping my notice. How long has the sky been like that?" Annesley says it's not the sky, then he exclaims that others have gathered round the manger,<i> "they have waited for us!"</i><br />
<br />
And there is Merril, with Aldo Sax and two others plus some fungal looking creatures. Merril thanks them all for coming and says that it's time for them to begin. They make their way onto the bridge with no reason to delay. She tells them the strange woman is housing an observer of the great race of <i>"Yith</i>". They are cone shaped so she is having trouble with having limbs. They look up at the sky as strange lights seem to be watching, <i>"I think that's Azathoth."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azathoth is watching.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other man with Merril is Joshi, the worlds foremost Lovecraft scholar. He found his way here as they all did. Merril then starts putting everyone in position for the birth. She admits to Carl that she knows the baby is controlling her, she also confirms that women can get pregnant from the Deep Ones it's just safer the other way round. Her baby will be "their heirophant, dreaming of a new planet."<br />
<br />
Then Carcosa appears. He says their world is slipping away as they submit to a stronger fiction. It's time for Merril to give birth, she asks if she can keep Carl with her and Carcosa says she can. She sits down and as Carl apologises to her for letting her get into this mess by sending her to Salem, Annesley reads the incantations. It finally comes out, a small tentacled beast which she holds gently and it latches it's tentacles onto her nipples to feed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merril holds her spawn of darkness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Carcosa then takes the little creature, he has many thousands of miles to cross before he can rest and dream. Merril says she feels sad, but Carl says it's better the baby goes with them. Merril asks if the baby will remember her, but Carcosa says he won't, he is barely aware of the universe as it is and he bids her farewell. Joshi puts his jacket round Merril say <i>"is this our new world?" </i> Merril responds <i>"I think it's Yuggoth now" </i>as Carcosa places the baby into the water. She thinks maybe it's always been Yuggoth.<br />
<br />
<b>Joshi: </b><i>"Hm, and human reality has only ever been a fragile construct that we briefly imposed on the fundamental chaos of existence."</i><br />
<br />
Where does it leave them though? Merril says they have ended up as Lovecraft's characters. Joshi says that the only options appear to be madness or suicide. Merril says there is always acceptance, like at the end of <i>"The Shadow Over Innsmouth".</i><br />
<br />
Joshi says he can't agree, that the narrator embracing his fate is emphasising the horror. But Merril says Innsmouth's protagonist ends up the happiest of all Lovecraft's characters. Joshi wonders what need this new world for F.B.I agents and literary scholars. Carl then points to a large cloud with tentacles coming out of it heading their way.<br />
<br />
Joshi says that is Shub-Niggurath who Lovecraft described as a cloud. Merril says they better get off the bridge and move on. Carl is contemplating Robert's notebook still. He says inside is information, symbols and talismans which can stop all of this. But Joshi dismisses that as one of <i>"Derleth's embellishments"</i>. Carl says they could save the world.<br />
<br />
<b>Merril:</b> <i>"Carl, I... I don't think that this is that kind of story. It's not about what humans want anymore. I think we should go with the Innsmouth tide. I think we should learn to dwell amidst wonder and glory forever."</i><br />
<br />
Joshi and Merril then walk off and Carl asks what he should do with Robert's book. Merril tells him to do what he has to do. So he tears the book to pieces and lets them fall off the bridge. Which brings this series to an end.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final end of Robert's work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well it's been one hell of a journey and honestly in places I have only scratched the surface of what is going on. Robert's notes are included except between chapter 11 and 12 of course which make up the book that played such an important role in inspiring Lovecraft. Robert was told from the start that his book would be important, of course why it was going to be important he wasn't told until the end. The treatment of Lovecraft in this book feels like an apology for how he was demeaned in Neonomicon. I love the idea of his works being used to allow the realm that is dreams to assert itself as the new reality. It even managed to save Neonomicon, a series I really hated for all the gratuitous rape in it, as Merril gives birth to a being that will become a god in good time. Robert's ending is very sad, his suicide after realising he's been a pawn in a cosmic game of chess as we are told how Lovecraft's stories and ideas spread into winder culture is effectively portrayed. Jacen Burrows's art is magnificent as usual, making the escalating weirdness of the final chapter seem mundane which is exactly how it needed to be portrayed. This is a story about stories and the power of words to change reality, as a Lovecraft fan I appreciated this time how he came across as an eccentric who just wrote whatever he was inspired by including the events he read about in Robert's book, which had been engineered just for him. Robert his herald, Lovecraft the redeemer. Robert killing himself when he finds out how he was used, Lovecraft continuing on in blissful ignorance. The final chapter is very weird and it's interesting how the characters choose to live in the new reality as Carl destroys the one thing that could help undo it. Was he doing it of his own free will? No one can tell anymore. This is a really good series from Alan Moore, a real comeback after him neglecting his comicbook work for his boring prose novel. I highly recommend it especially to anyone interested in Lovecraft and general weirdness in their comicbooks.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-27474803141316506552017-11-27T12:59:00.000+00:002017-11-27T13:01:01.461+00:00Dragonball Book 7: General Blue And The Pirate Treasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr6Yo4il-T2QLeNfjCHlLGltJKjOCj3tckB2FK-Z4PfTQ_pOOEQYWO42qIBwOrFON_EjhsEehKdnSoWZ3jRBAPlDUQojxx5NbkPJx5xvaDbYYNGxRjWAocHjMv3Co6NRGXNHSOmDx4Q4/s1600/dragonballsevencover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="999" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr6Yo4il-T2QLeNfjCHlLGltJKjOCj3tckB2FK-Z4PfTQ_pOOEQYWO42qIBwOrFON_EjhsEehKdnSoWZ3jRBAPlDUQojxx5NbkPJx5xvaDbYYNGxRjWAocHjMv3Co6NRGXNHSOmDx4Q4/s320/dragonballsevencover.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<i>"I don't want treasure. I want dinner" </i>- <b>Goku</b><br />
<br />
This is my cut n'paste intro for my end of month indulgence (if I feel like it) as I make my way through all forty-two collected volumes of the enduringly popular and influential manga <i>Dragonball. </i>The series used to be split into the fantasy and whimsy filled Dragonball and the more serious, sci-fi orientated strip it became after sixteen volumes known as Dragonball Z, but now the series is being released under the one "Dragonball" title again; uncut and with a spiffy new translation. The series first ran in the famous anthology magazine <i>"Shonen Jump"</i> from 1984 to 1995 and was written and drawn by Akira Toriyama (It has been translated here by Mari Morimoto and adapted into English by Gerard Jones, the western publisher is Viz Media) and pretty much set the standard for the similar shonen manga and anime that came after like <i>Bleach</i> and <i>Naruto.</i> It follows the adventures of the kindly if somewhat sheltered and simple "Son Goku" as he trains, goes on adventures and enters competitions all with the aim of making himself a stronger and better fighter. Along the way he accrues a colourful cast of friends and rivals in a world where humans live alongside anthropomorphised animals, dinosaurs never died out and tiny capsules can contain vehicles and houses to be easily carried around.<br />
<br />
[Note: This manga is "unflipped" so must be read from right to left]<br />
<br />
Previously On Dragonball: Goku made it through Muscle Tower, befriending Mechanical Man No.8 a pacifistic android created by the Red Ribbon Army. Together they rescued the town's mayor and the grateful townsfolk gave Goku the two star Dragonball. However it's the four star Dragonball he is still after so he departed on his flying cloud kinto'un to carry on his search. The Dragonrader he has been using to find the balls needs to be fixed so he flies to the city teen genius Bulma lives in and she mends it for him then decides to accompany him on his trip. They run into General Blue, another Red Ribbon Army officer searching for the Dragonballs. Goku saves Bulma from him then they travel to Kame's island (Goku's sensei) to borrow a boat and Goku's fellow student Kururin also decides to come along for the ride. General Blue chases their sub into a set of caves the next Dragonball is located in, while more Red Ribbon Army soldiers land on Kame's island which brought that volume to an end. And now the continuation.<br />
<br />
Kame-Sen'in calmly faces the soldiers all pointing guns at him and asks who they are. The leader laughs and tells him that they are the Red Ribbon Army and they want the two dragonballs he has and the radar so they can use it to find the rest. Another soldier brings Lunch out of Kame's house. She has a split personality. When she has dark hair like she has now, she is gentle and kind. If she sneezes she turns into a homicidal blonde psychopath. Kame says he has heard of the Red Ribbon Army:<br />
<br />
<b>Kame:</b><i> "You fellows have quite the reputation... giving evil a new meaning.. loathing truth, justice, decency etc etc".</i><br />
<br />
So he won't be handing anything over to them. The commander says if he puts up a fight they'll kill him. This doesn't faze Kame, he won the Martial Arts tourney a couple of books ago and destroyed the friggin' moon as well. He launches into a fierce attack, taking down several men in a flash.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't mess with seemingly harmless, smiling old men!</td></tr>
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The soldier holding Lunch says he'll kill her if he doesn't stop. But the turtle tickles her nose with a long feather and she sneezes. Now her blonde self she easily escapes the man's grip and punches his lights out. As he lies on the ground she stamps on him until Kame tells her she's done enough. <br />
<br />
We then join Goku, Kururin and Bulma travelling the underwater cave in their submarine, while being chased by General Blue in his sub. They can't fire the torpedos at him in case they bring the cave down on them. So the continue onwards. Suddenly they surface in an interior cave that has breathable air. They get out of the sub to carry on foot.<br />
<br />
General Blue and his men also surface, they are about to attack Goku when Blue gets orders over the phone to withdraw because of the farce at Kame's house. Goku, ready for battle, watches them in confusion. So they leave Blue and his men and walk deeper into the cave. Blue however says he will destroy them by himself but takes some men with him anyway.<br />
<br />
The cave is getting darker, but Kururin finds a light switch and turns the lights on. This makes them realise that someone else has been using these caves. Then Goku holds up a human skull in front of his face and yells<i> "BOO!"</i> at Bulma making her scream in fright. Blue sends one of his men to sneak up and find out what's going on.<br />
<br />
Goku laughs at his joke, but Bulma yells angrily at him. Kuririn asks him where he got it and Goku points to a pile of bones with a pirate hat on top of it. Kuririn says he understands where they are now, it's a pirate base and that probably means lots of pirate treasure. The Red Ribbon Army soldier overhears this and reports back to Blue who says that will please Commander Red almost as much as getting the dragonball.<br />
<br />
Goku and his friends carry on until they come to a trap. There are lots of tightly spaced holes in the floor and stepping on one will make a spear shoot out the wall. This nearly does for Kuririn who escapes impalement on account of being so short. Bulma freaks out thinking they are stuck between a trap and the Red Ribbon Army. But Goku says he can make it across.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitng5OW3G60DPJdO9p3nuQJGehJl4aGluQvOSc5oC_OjJUGi4hM_VW-WSFpQbRuWJd3riMfQ5OghVtlAcaXlshNH0qJpL3_ZHP0CWx9bjUTEjeDqFMfiGM9isg0ZO4NqD9TtikbkOVD1w/s1600/dragonballseven2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="873" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitng5OW3G60DPJdO9p3nuQJGehJl4aGluQvOSc5oC_OjJUGi4hM_VW-WSFpQbRuWJd3riMfQ5OghVtlAcaXlshNH0qJpL3_ZHP0CWx9bjUTEjeDqFMfiGM9isg0ZO4NqD9TtikbkOVD1w/s320/dragonballseven2.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a trap!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He does a powerful jump and does indeed make it over. Kururin follows and only just makes it. Bulma however says, <i>"Jump to what?! My death?!! I didn't study with any old master!!" </i>While they are dealing with that, Blue asks his men if they noticed if Goku and co. were armed. When told no he says they are just ordinary kids then and <i>"victory is virtually ours!!"</i><br />
<br />
Bulma is crossing courtesy of Goku's staff which can stretch a long way. She dangles from it and Goku pulls the staff back slowly and she is over as well. Blue meanwhile says there is no need to hold back and orders his men to kill Goku, Kururin and Bulma and the gun toting soldiers charge.... right into the spear trap and every single one of them is mortally wounded by the spears leaving only General Blue. He searches around for a way to bypass the trap and finds a secret passage while the others have stumbled across a boat and a sub moored inside another big cave area, Bulma says<i> "it's the pirates secret fort!!"</i><br />
<br />
They realise that the sub moored there shows that there is more than one way in and out of the cave. Blue is watching from the shadows and decides to let them find the dragonball and the pirate treasure. Suddenly a robot zombie thing jumps out armed with a sword. Goku and Kuririn take it on. But it's tough so Kuririn agrees to run on with Bulma and keep her safe while Goku battles the creature.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robot Pirate Zombie attack!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The fight continues with the creature matching Goku blow for blow. So Goku leaps up to the highest point in the cave and does a diving rock-paper-scissors attack on it which smashes the things head off and it blows up. Bulma and Kuririn run down the hall but it splits in two, so they scratch an arrow into the dirt to show Goku which way to go. But behind them Blue rubs it out and draws one pointing down the other way. Dastardly!<br />
<br />
The explosion destablised the cave and it's starting to collapse, Kuririn, Blue and Bulma going one way, Goku another. The three find their route end with a hole to dive in and swim through. They all do so, Kuririn and Bulma unaware they are being followed. Goku however is panicking that he hasn't caught up with the others yet and then falls through a trapdoor and lands on a giant octopus.<br />
<br />
Goku doesn't seem to fazed by this, calling the octopus a squid which insults it. He grabs Goku and declares he's going eat him. He squeezes Goku hard but doesn't manage to kill him. Goku responds with his signature energy attack the Kamehameha. Which hits the octopus hard between the eyes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Blue reveals himself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile Bulma and Kururin surface to find a large treasure chest full of treasure. Their glee is cut short by Blue appearing behind them saying the treasure is claimed by the Red Ribbon Army. Bulma decides to try and win him over by flirting. He responds <i>"G-g-get away from me, woman!! Brrrr!!! How disgusting!!!" </i>Bulma immediately decides he must be gay. <i> "I didn't know there were gay bad guys"</i> muses Kuririn.<br />
<br />
Blue makes a rather pathetic denial then says that if they anger him he'll attack. Kururin squares up to him saying that he's picked the wrong guy to mess with. Goku is tucking into some roasted octopus, then hears Bulma scream and dives into the water to go looking for them. Blue has the upper-hand in the fight and Kuririn is taking a beating. Bulma cheers him on but it's obvious that Blue is more skilled than Kuririn.<br />
<br />
But Kuririn is a tough little fighter and he manages to land a flying kick onto Blues face which breaks his nose. This sends Blue into a rage.<br />
<br />
<b>Blue:</b> <i>"My beautiful face! Blood?! A bloody nose?!! A proud general of the Red Ribbon Army.. does not suffer from a lowly n-n-nose bleed".</i><br />
<br />
He carries yelling about the<i> "shame"</i> and <i>"humiliation"</i> he's suffered. He turns back to Kuririn snarling that anyone who has seen him like this must die.<br />
<br />
Then his eyes glow and Kuririn is paralysed and Blue gloats about his telekinesis. He then starts smacking the frozen Kururin around, kicking and punching him against the wall. Bulma says that she'll be next as Blue stands ready to finish Kuririn off. She goes into super-flirt mode, shoving her arse at him. Annoyed he says <i>"will you please quit that?!!! You sicken me!!!"</i> She says he definitely must be gay then, and asks him what he would think if she told him she was really a man. He roars that<i> "I'd say you were a freak of nature!!!" </i>She cringes against the wall as he tells her to pray before he kills her slowly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcxszn_MIk9q5wybnh278uFNSBnDFxvk3mk_Y1p4ZvMHuRsuvVvL0clS1SnPavAQWCEw9NNCt3Giaiih-TcmlGFkZXWltveV9SkSBPPuSAu21IxNjedsJFrSWnE2RIWFQq47LejntCKo/s1600/dragonballseven5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="893" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcxszn_MIk9q5wybnh278uFNSBnDFxvk3mk_Y1p4ZvMHuRsuvVvL0clS1SnPavAQWCEw9NNCt3Giaiih-TcmlGFkZXWltveV9SkSBPPuSAu21IxNjedsJFrSWnE2RIWFQq47LejntCKo/s320/dragonballseven5.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just in the nick of time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He picks up a rock to brain Kuririn with but thankfully all the silliness with Bulma gave Goku enough time to find them and he rises from the water with a powerful jump. Bulma yells at him to deal with Blue before he kills them all. Goku asks if Blue is the one who beat up Kuririn, Blue says yes he is. He and Goku then square off against each other and Goku hits him hard in the stomach and hits him so hard in the back of the head his eyes pop out comically. <br />
<br />
Thinking he's beaten Blue, Goku calls him <i>"all talk"</i> but Blue is angry and uses his telekinesis to freeze Goku as well. He picks up the rock and walks over to the motionless Goku. But every bad guy likes to draw things out, so he punts Goku round the cave a few times. Then decides as the cave is getting more insecure it's time to wrap things up and activates a capsule which gives him a shotgun. He tells Bulma to tell him where the dragonball is or he'll empty the gun into Goku. Bulma says it's likely at the bottom of the pool. So he thanks her then says it's time for them all to die.<br />
<br />
But an unlikely saviour appears in the form of a mouse which runs in front of Blue and causes him to freak out screaming that it's<i> "DIRTY!!!!!"</i> over and over. This breaks his hold over Goku. Goku immediately gets down to business with a rock-paper-scissors attack and jams his two fingers hard into Blue's eyes. Then punches him clear across the room knocking him out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge56W1EYXMIkj-Y8kRLbP1cvqjJ8ch38TO3PBxsMySzJSXvzq5N-tx3byiKHuDTyBSE7XTLTvzAuQlsCR71eo8iFDkwRjEb_RhT3r4raCVPxXMCT6cVgJqGeWkp07UDXTcJ9TBWiU80Sc/s1600/dragonballseven7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge56W1EYXMIkj-Y8kRLbP1cvqjJ8ch38TO3PBxsMySzJSXvzq5N-tx3byiKHuDTyBSE7XTLTvzAuQlsCR71eo8iFDkwRjEb_RhT3r4raCVPxXMCT6cVgJqGeWkp07UDXTcJ9TBWiU80Sc/s320/dragonballseven7.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Blue is finally downed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bulma and Kuririn cheer for him but the cave is really collapsing fast now, so Goku tells Kuririn and Bulma to make their way out while he dives into the pool to fetch up the dragonball. He collects it while the other two head back to where the sub was parked. Goku resurfaces and sees the mouse. He grabs it and holds it in his mouth so he can save it like it saved him.<br />
<br />
He then starts to make his way back as well. Blue wakes up and grumbles that at least he can claim the treasure. Bulma and Kuririn are waiting in the submarine in a panic over how dangerous it's getting. They decide to leave but Goku appears in the nick of time and they all cram into the small submarine. They dive as the cave fully disintegrates.<br />
<br />
They find a tunnel that they go down but the sub sputters out of fuel. Goku has an idea though. He hands the mouse to Kuririn and quickly opens the sub and performs a Kamehameha attack which propels the sub fast down the collapsing tunnel. And they come bursting out of the sea's surface. Goku quickly calls for his flying cloud kinto'un and sits on it grabbing hold of Kuririn who holds onto Bulma and they fly off. Behind them General Blue surfaces and regards their retreating forms with a dark look...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWKU4lYXnzllGZPJ8Z8GgFPyVCbzfggQbeUZq_3-ltSxI0_i6GHJkeRBR0sMxvT71jDAAh67ZTJDL5x-hHuwdBWff5PbhPhaqFhKNFLpGAeBfLDHNJZbYAx46lQKUuzK0jyaG4TQ3Rl0/s1600/dragonballseven8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="504" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWKU4lYXnzllGZPJ8Z8GgFPyVCbzfggQbeUZq_3-ltSxI0_i6GHJkeRBR0sMxvT71jDAAh67ZTJDL5x-hHuwdBWff5PbhPhaqFhKNFLpGAeBfLDHNJZbYAx46lQKUuzK0jyaG4TQ3Rl0/s320/dragonballseven8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But he isn't out yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The three have landed on some solid ground where they parked the chopper they stole from the Red Ribbon Army. They take stock of what they have. Unfortunately the dragonball is the three star one not the four star one Goku wants which is his momento of his dead grandfather so his search will continue. Bulma managed to swipe a huge diamond which she his in her knickers,<i> "I thought your pants were bulging too much for a girl..."</i> says Kuririn.<br />
<br />
Bulma declares that she is not going to carry on helping Goku in his search, Goku is bewildered at her anger because she forced him to let her come along. She said she wouldn't have if he'd warned her about the Red Ribbon Army. They all fly off as Bulma tells Kuririn to have the diamond. It'll pay for the submarine they borrowed from Kamesen'in which got destroyed and they can keep the change. She is a <i>"rich man's daughter you know!"</i><br />
<br />
Back at Kame House he's overwhelmed with gratitude for the diamond. Unfortunately Lunch sneezes turning from her mild mannered cute self into her blonde haired psycho self. She relieves Kame of the diamond and takes off in the chopper saying <i>"so long suckers!!!" </i> Bulma is shocked but Kame aimiably says that she'll sneeze soon and bring it right back. Above them is Blue who followed them in his own chopper, he skydives out of it and lands on Kame's island.<br />
<br />
He hides behind the house as Bulma is told there are no more vehicles to get her off the island and she is unenthused about living with Kame. Goku asks Kame to hold onto the three dragonballs he has already found. Then Blue appears and using his psychic powers throws ropes that immediately bind them all before they even register his presence. He goes into the house and gets the other balls, Bulma asks him what he plan to do with them He says he is not privy to his commanders thoughts. He leaves them with a bomb on a five minute timer and activates a capsule holding a jet and flies away.<br />
<br />
Fortunately four the four of them after Blue is gone, Lunch back in her meek persona lands back on the island. She unties Goku and with seconds left he hurls the bomb into the air where it explodes harmlessly. Angry now, Goku summons Kinto'un and goes roaring after General Blue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66_B0sW2qz5WKTJ_l5jseI23KBpcLcR59aMXEs3PjglstPXwv-OyI6NvSrC_jIkqcHzKxPhVfcvdjRjHloVgQSNy4utFa7qbxOJWH24bKi1TiD0mQzEGcGFvDE82HTQyoQDzAecz85h4/s1600/dragonballseven9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66_B0sW2qz5WKTJ_l5jseI23KBpcLcR59aMXEs3PjglstPXwv-OyI6NvSrC_jIkqcHzKxPhVfcvdjRjHloVgQSNy4utFa7qbxOJWH24bKi1TiD0mQzEGcGFvDE82HTQyoQDzAecz85h4/s320/dragonballseven9.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goku is super pissed now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now this is where I get a bit confused. General Blue is brought down in a surreal place called <i>"Penguin Village"</i> which I believe was where Akira Toriyama's first manga series <i>"Doctor Slump"</i> was set. I don't know who any of the characters are, with the original manga being so obscure in the west it ranks as what TV Tropes would call a "Big Lipped Alligator Moment". So I'll mainly stick with what I know.<br />
<br />
Goku smashes Blue's jet and after an aerial battle he crashes it into a mountain. Goku flies overhead and a young robot girl called <i>"Arale"</i> shouts that he's cool and can she play with him. Blue has survived the explosion and thinks to himself that he's going to have to kill Goku or he'll <i>"never stop pestering me!"</i><br />
<br />
Goku searches the rubble of the chopper and realises Blue is still alive. Then Arale comes running up and Goku is impressed with how fast she got to him. But he has more important things on his mind and summons kinto'un. Blue is in the village and hijacks a car. But the man inside runs out changes in a phone-booth into <i>"Suppa-Man"</i> and tells Blue to run away. Without speaking Blue smiles sinisterly at him and then crushes the phone booth. <br />
<br />
Cowed, Suppa-Man asks how he can help and Blue asks for a capsule with an aeroplane in it. But Suppa-Man has never heard of capsules. Annoyed Blue asks if there is anyone in the village who has a plane. Suppa-Man says says a fellow called <i>"Norimaki Senbei"</i> has one and he directs him there. Blue drives off in his car while Suppa-Man tries to regain his dignity by thinking he went easy on him this time.<br />
<br />
Goku realises he can use the dragonradar to track where Blue is. But it's broken again and he irritatedly says he'll have to go back to Bulma and get it fixed. But he was so fixated on the chase he now has no idea where he is. Arale appears again and tells him the doctor can fix it. So Goku gets on his cloud as does Arale and the two fairy things that float above her head. Being able to sit on the cloud means they are pure of heart.<br />
<br />
They arrive at the doctor and after some confused conversation he takes a look inside the radar and declares that it's the most complex device he's ever seen. He is surprised that there exists a greater genius than even him. He pokes around in it but thinks that it's way too advanced for him, but then a floating bald child appears behind his head and magics the thing fixed. Er... OK.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes that happened.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then Blue appears behind the house as Goku registers him on the radar as on top of them. Blue grabs Arale and holds a knife to her throat saying everyone must do what he says. He freezes Goku who desperately tries to communicate to the others that Blue is a bad guy. Blue snatches the dragon radar from Goku's hand. He puts everything in the plane then starts beating Goku to death.<br />
<br />
This finally goads the doctor into action as he tells Arale that the man wants to <i>"wrestle".</i> She rushes Blue and kicks him hard into a tree, then punts him into the air and hits him with a flying headbutt. Then she telekinetically hurls Blue a very long way away. Goku thanks her then thinks that he needs to train harder because there are lots of people here who are stronger than him. He retrieves the dragonballs but Blue put the radar in his pocket so that's gone.<br />
<br />
But the floating child says with a few parts from the aeroplane he can magic up a new radar for Goku. He took a really good look at it earlier so he can replicate it easily. He assembles it and much to Goku's joy it works just like the old one. He thanks them all, then tells Arale she ought to attend the next Strongest Under The Heavens Martial Arts Tourney. He summons kinto'un and flies away and we get a shot of Blue in a payphone next to a pyramid as he apologises to his boss that it's going take him a while to get back to base with the radar.<br />
<br />
This actually starts a new arc but because of the way the chapters have been divided up, the volumes don't fit precisely to the start and end of the various storylines. At the Red Ribbon Army base they realise that Goku is heading west towards Colonel Yellow's base, who already has found where a dragonball is but doesn't have it in his hands yet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonel Yellow demands the dragonball.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then are shown the <i>"Karin Sanctuary"</i>, a wooded grove with a large carved wooden pole heading up into the clouds. Guarding it is a burly fellow who looks like a stereotypical Native American. Some thugs are demanding that he hand over the dragonball, but the man says he is the Guardian of this sanctuary and he will defend it. They brawl and bullets bounces off the huge guardian as he takes the thugs down. The tiger-man flees in a plane and radios into the Red Ribbon Army base, he is in fact Colonel Yellow.<br />
<br />
Adjutant Black tells him he must do everything neccessary to get that dragonball or he'll be <i>"erased." </i>Commander Red grabs the phone and tells him he has one hour to get the ball or <i>"I'm going to deploy Taopaipai!!" </i>Yellow then snatches the Guardian's young kid to exchange for the ball.<br />
<br />
The Guardian reluctantly agrees to the trade as Yellow circles the grove saying he's not coming down to be attacked, the ball has to be thrown up to him. But Goku then arrives and recognises the Red Ribbon Army logo on the plane. He smashes the plane and Goku grabs the kid who is called <i>"Upa"</i> as the Guardian looks on confused. With contact with Yellow lost, Commander Red makes the decison. Time to call Taopaipai. End of volume.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goku gets straight to the point.</td></tr>
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So once again a tonne of fun if you can get yourself in the right mindset. Bear in mind this early part of the saga was aimed at the younger end of the shonen market, basically pre-teen boys so all the naughty stuff is more playful than creepy. Actually it's interesting that the story doesn't get all homophobic when General Blue's sexuality is revealed (and he is gay, there is no denying that) especially given the mid-eighties original publishing date. There is no disgusted response from our heroes just frustration that he won't fall for Bulma's rather clumsy feminine wiles and wonderment that gay people can be baddies. It's certainly better than what we got in the anime where he was shown to not only be gay, but a paedophile as well as he slavered over one of the boys in Penguin Village. Score one for the manga for not going there. As for the Penguin Village stuff, the story just about gets away with it, but it's definitely the weirdest and most out of genre Dragonball will get. I'm sure at the time it was a delightful bit of meta for audiences, but thirty years and another culture away it all falls a bit flat. As always though the art is impeccable, giving us cools fights and action scenes that really stand the test of time. Akira Toriyama has a signature style that is recognisable in all his works and it was this series he really honed it in. The dragonballs remain an excellent Maguffin to keep our hero in action and with two dragon radars in play the battle between Goku and the Red Ribbon Army can only get more intense. We're left with the promise of a major showndown with Taopaipai and maybe learning more about the Karin Sanctuary and where the giant wooden pole goes. Which I'll cover next month... maybe.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-27424832935953667192017-11-20T14:40:00.000+00:002017-11-20T14:41:10.135+00:00Punisher MAX: Born (#1-4)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXtGgu_t9owFKk7efxoYfTDTW5ssXG3AhwuMVS6QXn5ch3J1PqrcdV2tBRVQ5jHeAn_6iL81O2ygXYupL1Omktw2VbCIbCCmFMA-7FA34MfeeEiU9z0O8GFPBdPtkfyszkK_FmGjvW5g/s1600/punisherborncover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1046" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXtGgu_t9owFKk7efxoYfTDTW5ssXG3AhwuMVS6QXn5ch3J1PqrcdV2tBRVQ5jHeAn_6iL81O2ygXYupL1Omktw2VbCIbCCmFMA-7FA34MfeeEiU9z0O8GFPBdPtkfyszkK_FmGjvW5g/s320/punisherborncover.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<i>"I have to go home. I've had my fill." </i> - <b>Steve Goodwin</b><br />
<br />
Time for more Garth Ennis <i>Punisher</i>. Now I have already covered main sixty issue MAX volume series, but before he started that run we got <i>Punisher: Born</i>, a four issue miniseries with pencils by his <i>"The Boys" </i>collaborator Darick Robertson and inks by Tom Palmer. This tells the story of how Frank embarked on his start of darkness and also depicts the events related in the in-universe book that has extracts published in the final Punisher MAX volume <i>"Valley Forge, Valley Forge"</i> which, if you've read that makes the tragedy of this volume a foregone conclusion. This story shows us Frank in Vietnam, the war that made him realise that waging war was what he always wanted to do. It has an interesting mystical aspect to it as Frank makes a deal to keep his war going but finds that the price is everything he has ever loved, which goes someway to explaining how utterly broken the MAX Frank is. Although not officially part of the main <i>Punisher MAX </i>series this miniseries has been included in the omnibus reprints of the main series and thus has been sanctioned as the prologue to that incredible run. As befits the subject matter, it's grim, sad stuff as we peak into Frank's soul and find the abyss gazing back and offering him a deal and so the Punisher is Born in the fire forged battles of jungles of Vietnam. If you're wondering why I am reviewing this last it's because before the omnibus reprint it cost silly money on Amazon. Anyway onwards.<br />
<br />
We begin at the military base Valley Forge on the <i>"First Day"</i> as the soldiers takes bets on a US aircraft plummeting to its doom. We are then introduced to our main narrator, a man called Stevie Goodwin out on patrol with Frank's group. He thinksto himself how he will not die in Vietnam, he's only got <i>"thirty-nine days and a wake-up"</i> before the magic day he steps on a plane and leaves this place.<br />
<br />
He will not die here, <i>"I will escape these fields of slaughter". </i> He will not re-up and become a combat junkie <i>"forever jonesing for their next sweet firefight, their lethal speedball of adrenaline and tracer." </i> He will not fall in love with war like Frank Castle.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Castle.</td></tr>
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Frank is the finest officer the Marines of Valley Forge have ever known and the reason Stevie thinks he will survive this. <br />
<br />
<b>Stevie:</b> <i>"His dedication to his men is total. Not from love - that word and he do not beong together - but from the same determination to do his job correctly that informs his every action."</i><br />
<br />
Since Frank arrived six months ago the have suffered no K.I.A's (killed in action). The story goes that Frank began his first tour in '68 and showed such promise that Special Forces had themselves a new recruit.<br />
<br />
His second tour there were rumours he was involved in wetwork in Cambodia, black ops, assassination and horror stories too outlandish to be true. Now it's late '71 and the war is winding down and no one quite knows what to do with the<i> "predators they have bred"</i>. He was sent to Valley Forge because he had to go somewhere, <i>"alas for Captain Castle, he is running out of war."</i><br />
<br />
After a brief interlude where they kill some Vietcong Stevie goes on to ruminate that he will have sons. He will watch them grow with pride and he will take them into the woods and mountains and show them <i>"the good America. The real America. And not this tragic misstep into darkness." </i> And one day his sons will ask him what he did during the war and what he saw, <i>"and I will never, ever tell them."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jungle combat.</td></tr>
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Frank reports to the man running the base, a Colonel Ottman who is fed up and boozing. Frank reports that they killed twenty-one Vietcong with no casualties on their side and captured a lot of weaponry. He believes the Vietcong are building supplies with North Vietnam Army (N.V.A) equipment, they are stockpiling for an offensive push. They should be getting ready for that.<br />
<br />
Ottman just tells him General Padden will be there in an hour for a <i>"surprise inspection".</i> He's going to be <i>"sick"</i> so it'll be Frank's job to show him around. Frank wants to make sure his report is passed along, Ottman says <i>"just like all the others."</i> Now Frank has an hour to get the place in shape before the General arrives.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank makes his report to the uncaring Ottman.</td></tr>
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The General arrives via chopper and immediately tells Frank the place is a disgrace. There are unmanned bunkers, artillery covered in rust and filth, there is rampant abuse of marijuana as well as it being rumoured to be the <i>"heroin capital of the corps."</i> Also barely one in ten know to salute a senior officer, <i>"why is Valley Forge a complete and total fuck story?!"</i><br />
<br />
Frank calmly tells him the last man who tried to restore order<i> "woke up next to a claymore mine." </i>Padden says the fragging of officers is a <i>"myth".</i> Now he wants to know what the hell is being done to restore order there. "Nothing" responds Frank. It's undermanned by fifty percent and what men they do have are <i>"rejects and fuck-ups."</i> They are short of equipment and resupply is a bad joke. The men figure if the brass don't give a shit, why should they? He's managed to put together one platoon of motivated men to maintain their offensive patrols because if they can't do that, what are they here for?<br />
<br />
Padden says that once he makes his report Valley Forge won't be there anymore. Frank asks if he's closing the base? Padden says fuck yes. Frank says they are the only outpost watching Cambodia, who's going to keep an eye on the enemy, his resupplying and if he comes in strength - cutting the country in half. <br />
<br />
Padden tells him this is not a popular war and soon the conflict and their involvement will end. Charlie will no longer be his concern, they will be shipping him out with the rest of the rabble and if Padden has a say, Frank will be leaving the Marine Corp, <i>"and then the closest you'll get to the enemy will be watching him on the T.V. news".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not cool Frank!</td></tr>
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Padden is about to board his chopper when Frank asks him to come look at something which will show him <i>"incotrovertible evidence that Firebase Valley Forge has to remain open."</i> Angrily Padden comes with him. Frank leans against a sign and tells Padden to go up the steps on to the wall. Padden does so and asks what the fuck he is supposed to be looking at. Then a Vietnamese sniper blows his head apart and Frank moves away from the sign which warns of danger from snipers.<br />
<br />
The other men come and collect his body and Frank sits and broods and a voice speaks to him. I'm going to call it the "Dark Voice" as it speaks entirely in black captions. The voice congratulates him but also tells him what the General said was true<i>, "this wonderland of yours is coming to an end." </i> For all his talk of duty when did he ever feel so alive, <i>"so full of fierce black joy?"</i><br />
<br />
The Dark Voice tells him he can fix it so Frank can keep doing this forever, there will be a price to pay but he'll be able to keep on going and never stop. If he just says the word the voice can fix it. <i>"Who am I? Is that what you're asking? Well who do you think I am, Frank...?"</i><br />
<br />
The Second Day comes and Stevie finds his friend, an African-American soldier cooking heroin. Stevie drags him outside saying Frank wants to take the platoon out. A man called Coltrane appears and demands to know<i> "who's going to pay for this jungle bunny's fix?" </i> Stevie said they had a deal, that he wasn't going to let Angel (the black man's name) smoke in his bunker anymore. Coltrane orders his goon Garcia to take a razor to them, but Stevie stands his ground and Coltrane backs off calling them queers.<br />
<br />
Frank appears and asks if Angel is clean and Stevie says he is. Frank tells him to keep it that way. He leaves and and a shaken Stevie notes to himself that Castle cuts them no slack and a junkie can't shoot straight<i>, "but Angel can." </i>The platoon moves out, the last twenty-nine men at Firebase Valley Forge who care enough about the enemy to go and find him. They are all there for their own reasons, his is for Angel who shot the V.C. who caught Stevie changing magazines. Stevie could sit out the rest of his thirty-eight at the base and no one would care, but he stays with the platoon.<br />
<br />
<b>Stevie:</b><i> "Some of us are here for our brothers, some of us for our horror stories. Some of us even still believe in duty. Americans through te looking glass, lost in Vietnam."</i><br />
<br />
Frank believes the Vietcong are laying the groundwork for a N.V.A offensive so they whole platoon is out in the hope that there will be strength in numbers. Suddenly one of them takes a bullet to the neck and they all scramble for cover.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Castle, force of nature.</td></tr>
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They fire into the trees, calmly Frank says <i>"give me the sixty"</i> and as the others lie down he stands and fires upon the snipers in the trees and doesn't stop until they are all dead. Stevie watches him and thinks to himself that at Valley Forge they have a saying,<i> "if you think payback's bad... you haven't met Frank Castle."</i><br />
<br />
Six of them are dead, Frank sustained a wound to an arm. They search the area and find a Vietcong woman about to kill herself. One of them boots the gun away from her head calling her a<i> "cunt!!!"</i> as he does so. His name is MacDonald and he starts to pull his trousers down and lays on top of her about to rape her. The others watch paralysed until Frank appears and shoots the woman in the head telling MacDonald they are here to kill the enemy not rape them.<br />
<br />
MacDonald goes to a nearby river and starts washing her blood off his face. Stevie, horrifed at what nearly just happened and composing himself then observes Frank walk up to MacDonald and place his boot on his head, forcing MacDonald's head under until he drowns. The Hueys come to take them home, MacDonald is searched for but not found. Stevie doesn't breathe a word of what he saw Frank do. Angel tells him not to let the <i>"shit wit' the gook... fuck you up. You think to much, man. Always have. This place got zero slack to give."</i><br />
<br />
Later that night Frank approaches Stevie and asks him what made him keep quiet? Stevie says he was scared. Then he asks what made Frank do it? Frank says <i>"I wanted to punish him"</i>. Stevie asks about killing the Vietnamese girl. Frank says if he has her flown out of there his men would never trust him again. She would never hand over intel and she'd just end up getting shot in the head further down the line. He then tells Stevie he doesn't have to be scared of him and walks away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indeed.</td></tr>
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Stevie thinks that he is though. Because they need a man like that to lead them through, <i>"and what that says about us is unthinkable." </i>He scared because of the look in his eyes and that worst of all Frank thinks what he did to the girl today is his idea of helping out.<br />
<br />
The Third Day begins. Stevie thinks that they cannot lose in Vietnam, although the Generals are stupid, their tactics poor, their morals trampled into a ditch and shot through with heroin and bitter failure and although they face the bravest, toughest fighters in the world,<i> "strange little men with hearts like those of tigers" </i>and although they have made the world depise them and done things that will stain their souls forever while America eats its own intestines over this... <i>"we cannot lose."</i><br />
<br />
When they finally leave Vietnam after the brave little fighters kick them out and they finally lose their stomach for it, no one on South-East Asia or anywhere on Earth will look at what's left of Vietnam <i>"and think it's smart to fuck with the United States."</i><br />
<br />
Stevie then speaks aloud to Angel, wondering why America can't stay out of the rest of the world. They have everything they could ever want so why can't they leave the world alone. But Angel ignores him, watching the planes flying over and wishing he could get <i>"that fuckin' high."</i><br />
<br />
Elsewhere Frank and Colonel Ottman are walking and talking together. Frank also notes the planes are staying low and that means a storm is on its way. Once it hits they'll have no air support, Ottman says they'll have artillery support but Frank notes<i> "There's our own. We're out of range of everyone else's"</i>. The crews are too stoned to operate them and the ammo looks like it'll cook off. They haven't had a resupply... Ottman interupts saying he hasn't requested any resupplys. <br />
<br />
<b>Ottman:</b> <i>"Look you're the only one that hasn't noticed. So I'll spell it out for you: no one cares about this place. The enemy least of all. Everyone knows the war is almost over."</i><br />
<br />
He opens his hip flask and says that they'll get to go home soon, so long as they don't do anything stupid or raise eyebrows in Da Nang. All they have to do is<i> "shut the fuck up" </i>and they can climb onto a plane and get out of this shithole.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank ponders another executive assassination.</td></tr>
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He takes a swig as Frank says this could be a bad time not to rock the boat. The weather is perfect for the enemy and the activity he's been observing has him thinking they are up to something. Ottman just tells him to go away and leave him alone. Frank asks him about his responsibility to his men. Ottman just says he's going for a shit. As Frank stands outside the toilet block, he takes out a grenade and goes to pull the pin, but then stops, puts it back and walks away.<br />
<br />
The Dark Voice asks him what stopped him blowing up Ottman. No one would have known or cared and it would have made him acting commander of the base right when the men need him most. Because it is just the men he cares about and not maybe... wanting to <i>"frag that bastard?" </i>The Voice asks if he is worried that he kills at the drop of a hat, <i>"that urge you have, to give every motherfucker in the world exactly what they deserve?" </i>The Voice tells him if he just says the world <i>"you can kill every single one of them."</i><br />
<br />
Frank approaches Stevie who is cleaning his rifle. Frank praises him for that, saying not many grunts do that. Stevie says many of them don't care about getting home. Frank says it must be soon for him. Stevie says he's got thirty-seven days and a wake-up left. Frank tells Stevie he has a family, a daughter and his wife is pregnant with what he hopes is a son. Stevie says that's great, it gives him something to stay alive for. Frank says<i> "I sometimes think they might be my last chance."</i><br />
<br />
Frank then tells him his friend Angel is down in Coltrane's bunker again. Does he want a hand? But Stevie says he'll deal with it himself. As Stevie leaves, the Voice asks Frank what he was thinking<i> "talking happy-ever-after with the softest heart in the platoon." </i>And his family isn't his last chance, the Voice is his last chance<i> "to be what you want to be."</i><br />
<br />
Stevie goes and drags the stoned Angel out of Coltrane's bunker. They sit and talk. Stevie says he thought Angel was going to stay off the stuff. But Angel tells him<i> "fuck you."</i> Stevie says Angel is getting close to being able to go, he doesn't want to take a smack habit home with him, <i>"you've got far, far too much to live for."</i><br />
<br />
Angel asks how the fuck he knows that. Stevie has everything to live for<i>, "all I got waitin' for me's a ghetto fulla death." </i>Stevie says they shouldn't be here and Angel agrees. Stevie says they are making a mess of the place and screwing up America, this has nothing to do with the real America.<br />
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<b>Angel:</b> <i>"Stevie, you are so fulla shit. I keep hearin' you talk 'bout this idea you got... this real America? It's a fuckin' dream man. It belongs in the thirties. The twenties, fuck, the Wild muthafuckin' West. That's the real America right there: back when you was shootin' each other, rapin' red Indians an' callin' me nigga..."</i><br />
<br />
Stevie says that's not true, but Angel tells him to<i> "grow the fuck up"</i>. Relentlessly Angel goes on to tell him not to give him shit about there is good with the bad and if people work hard they'll make it. There's good for Stevie and bad for Angel, <i>"ain't no more to it than that."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stevie and Angel argue.</td></tr>
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Before they can carry the argument on, someone yells <i>"Sappers in the wire!"</i> The Vietnamese are hitting the base in force. Behind the bunkers the men are firing on them, but Frank says they are blowing their attack lines on the wire, after that they don't matter and he orders illumination and the flares go up. This reveals a huge number of Vietnamese soldiers rushing to attack. Once again Frank asks someone to <i>"give me the sixty."</i><br />
<br />
The Final Day begins in battle. It's all chaos and blood as Stevie thinks that there is<i> "Great Beast loose in the world of men"</i>. It awoke in dark times, stormed across Europe, moved to the Pacificand crushed the evil it found underfoot. But after it was victorious the Great Beast's keepers found it would not go back to sleep. The Beast has many heads upon which are written names: Lockheed, Bell, Monsanto, Dow, Gruman, Colt and many more, <i>"and they are very hungry". </i><br />
<br />
<b>Stevie:</b> <i>"So the Great Beast must be fed: and every generation, our country goes to war. A war for war's sake, usually. And one that could have been avoided. But there must be blood in extraordinary quantities, and whether it is foreign of American is of no consequence at all. And so today, at Firebase Valley Forge, our turn has finally arrived."</i><br />
<br />
As Frank keeps firing a soldier tells him the can't raise the Da Nang base, but they got a response from an armoured unit. They lost them though but hope they can get them back a relay a message. Frank says to tell them they are about to be overrun they need air and artillery immediately. Ottman however says they can't use the radio, <i>"he keeps saying don't rock the boat over and over."</i> Frank says to shoot him.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank always at the sharp end.</td></tr>
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Their left flank folds and the Vietnamese are in. Frank, Stevie and Angel run to a new position but Angel tangles with a Vietnamese soldier screaming <i>"get some! Get some!!"</i> Stevie say for God's sake, but Angel turns and yells<i> "there ain't no God, fool! There ain't no muthafuckin' God!!"</i> And Angel goes down.<br />
<br />
Stevie takes cover as Frank directs the cannon fire. Then Coltrane grabs Stevie from behind with a raor saying <i>"where's your nigger, boy?" </i> But Frank appears and smashes Coltrane over the head with a shovel. With the command post overrun the gunners bayonetted it looks like Frank and Stevie are the last. We see Ottman sitting dead from a self inflicted gunshot wound and the radio calling them back before a Vietnamese soldier shoots it.<br />
<br />
Steve sticks with Frank thinking how he was so sure he'd make it. Above them the planes are dropping bombs. Frank yells at Stevie to <i>"pop smoke! They'll it us too! Pop smoke!!"</i> Stevie fumbles with a smoke grenade when an enemy soldier runs through the fire, bayonet aimed at Stevies stomach. Suddenly the scene changes. The sky is clear and blue. He is yanked inside a civilian aircraft, he is surrounded by beautiful women all calling his name. He weeps as one says <i>"you made it, you silly son of a bitch." </i> The plane flies on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stevie gets his plane home.</td></tr>
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With Stevie dead, only Frank is left alive. As he shoots until he runs out of ammo then begins beating the enemy to death with his shovel, the Dark Voice speaks to him. It tells him it's time to make a decision. he's been hit four times now, the Voice can help him but he has to say the word. Three tours here, what was it that kept him coming back,<i> "what else would you be looking for but this?"</i><br />
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The Voice can give it all to Frank, there will be a price<i> "but nothing's free." </i>If he says no he will be one more K.I.A. on a hill no one cared about to start with. But if he says yes the Voice will give him <i>"what you've wanted all these years".</i> A war that lasts forever, a war that never ends. And Frank, almost more animal than man now, says <i>"YES".</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And The Punisher is born.</td></tr>
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The next morning American soldiers arrive at the base to find everyone dead. Everyone except Frank. Who is just standing there, bleeding from several bullet wounds, holding a broken rifle and surrounded by dead Vietnamese soldiers. He says nothing as the soldier in charge tells the others to get Frank on the chopper so he's not their problem anymore and they can finish up here. And we say goodbye to Firebase Valley Forge with a shot of Stevie's body.<br />
<br />
But it's not quite the end of the story. We cut to Frank, smart in his dress uniform, his arm in a sling and using a crutch to walk as he arrives home to his family. His wife, daughter and baby son. She asks him if he's going to go back? He says no.<br />
<br />
<b>Frank:</b> <i>"I went as far as I ever want to go, this time. I still don't really remember... but I'm never going away again. I'd be stuid to, so long as I've got you guys. It took me far too long to realise that."</i><br />
<br />
Then the Dark Voice speaks to him. Tells him how he got an early discharge and medal or two for shutting the fuck up about Valley Forge. But down to business. He agreed to the Voice's offer and it delivered. Not everyday you beat two dozen men to death and soak up seven bullets.<br />
<br />
And how can it put this? There is a price to be paid. And we see Frank's family looking up at him, smiling. The Voice says it's too late,<i> "things have already been set in motion".</i> But he'll have forgotten about this little conversation soon. He should just enjoy what short time he has with them. But who is the Voice? It says it's in the same business as him and been at it a lot longer. They'll be good friends in the years to come and although they'll never speak again, he'll keep the Voice busy,<i> "and let's just leave it at that."</i> Frank's wife then asks if he is OK, Frank seemed to space out for a moment. Frank holds her in a long embrace saying it's nothing,<i> "hold on tight."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Frank, what did you do?</td></tr>
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And that brings the origin of The Punisher as envisoned by Garth Ennis to a close. It's fascinating stuff and has made me appreciate the final wrapping up of the sixty issue series in "Valley Forge, Valley Forge" even more. This does seem to help explain why the Ennis Punisher was so wounded as it were, he may just be carrying around subconcious guilt about engineering the death of his family so he could have war without end. Yet the irony is that his experience at Valley Forge seemed to cure him of that addiction. And was it Death itself really speaking to him? Or him suffering some kind of psychotic break that gave his darkest desires a voice of their own. Seeing Frank the soldier is also interesting, for all his war addiction, he did care for the safety of the base and the grunts manning it. Frustration that his reports were going ignored because the man in charge just wanted a quiet life and to sit out the war in peace. The murder of the General is a little harder to forgive. He might have been an asshole and uneccesarily hostile towards Frank who was the only one trying to improve things there, but he was also correct. Valley Forge was a mess and he possibly became the first real sacrifice of Frank's future role as The Punisher. When he drowned the man who tried to rape the Vietnamese girl, he simply declared he wanted to "punish" him, showing the same uncompromising views he again would carry with him after the death of his family caught in the crossfire of a Mafia war instigated his long futile crusade against all criminals. It's heady stuff and the art properly conveys they panicked chaotic horror of battle and giving us an everyman viewpoint character like Stevie through whose eyes we see most of it makes it all the sadder when he dies as well. So unless Marvel release the rest of his post-"Welcome Back Frank" series, this is the last of the Garth Ennis Punisher material I have. A stunning piece of work all-in-all and the best the character has ever been written.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2243012679315072030.post-59872732371752414722017-11-15T01:44:00.000+00:002017-11-15T01:44:07.355+00:00Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie - Rebellion- Book 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj83bJOqELVIn61TANmVKGdqEUJkmxyW3uz3i1Om3rllEFh_RmGiOEL8vgCK8OZPIh4Kvrbw5XzzVLhNllvx7DjuDSpKkzS2255e3QDBNZ2C_zrBZXrEF6gt0utkdOQdcoVsTRPFlf7cg/s1600/PMMMrebellionthreecover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1014" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj83bJOqELVIn61TANmVKGdqEUJkmxyW3uz3i1Om3rllEFh_RmGiOEL8vgCK8OZPIh4Kvrbw5XzzVLhNllvx7DjuDSpKkzS2255e3QDBNZ2C_zrBZXrEF6gt0utkdOQdcoVsTRPFlf7cg/s320/PMMMrebellionthreecover.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<i>"You are without doubt, exactly who you should be!"</i> - <b>Homura</b><br /><br />Time to wrap up the manga adaptation of the sequel film to acclaimed 2011 seinen Magical Girl series<i> Puella Magi Madoka Magica</i>. The film concentrates on Homura, the time looping zen warrior who made a wish to protect Madoka but wasn't able to stop her making a wish to erase all Witches (the monsters Magical Girls transform into when they despair) before they were born which rewrote reality and caused Madoka to ascend to a higher plane of existence as The Law Of Cycles. The previous book showed us that Homura was being subjected to an experiment by Kyubey and the rest of his Hive Mind known as the Incubators. They wanted to catch Madoka in action and had placed a field round Homura's Soul Gem, so she became a sort of half-Witch, creating a labyrinth that pulled various people in that she knew in reality as well as the likes of Bebe/Charlotte, Sayaka and Madoka who don't exist in the real world anymore. However when she realised what had happened to her and that the Incubators wanted to control Madoka and bring back the Witch system she forced herself to fully transform into a Witch and Homulily was born, which was her Witch form in the Madoka Magica PSP videogame. Read on to find out if she can still be saved from this dire fate by her four Magical Girl compadres. Oh and the cover to this volume is one of the most lying ones I have ever seen for reasons you'll see as we go on!<br /><br />The manga is unflipped and so reads from right to left, honourifics are in use and Kyubey despite having no gender is referred to as "he".<br /><br />In the distance the four girls watch Homura's Witch. Sayaka tells them that although she looks frightening, <i>"the one suffering the most is the Witch herself."</i> They are all in the Magical Girl attire ready to fight when Kyubey comes up and says<i> "she's one of you. You intend to fight her?"</i> The others are surprised he can talk, while Bebe hisses angrily at him.<br />Kyubey tells Madoka she can save Homura if she realises her true power. Sayaka says not to pay attention to him, if she does exactly what Sayaka told her a few minutes ago things will be all right. Bebe changes back into her human form of Nagisa Momoe and starts summoning familiars. Sayka stabs herself through the chest gushing blood and summoning her own Witch form Oktavia from the blood pool.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sayaka summons Oktavia.</td></tr>
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Tonnes of familiars from various other Witches we saw in the seroes start doing battle against Homulily's army of them. Oktavia who is wielding the giant version of Kyoko's spear that killed her in the series, starts to fight her way over to Homulily although she doesn't attack her she reaches out to comfort her. Kyubey demands to know who Nagisa and Sayaka are. Sayaka says they are girls who fell into despair and became part of the Law of Cycles. Kyubey was so focused on Madoka he fell right in their trap.<br /><br />Madoka was drawn into Homura's labyrinth to save her so she and Nagisa gathered up the "memories and power she left behind". Then if anything was to go down they'd return those memories to Madoka, it took the three of them to come for just one girl.<br /><br /><b>Nagisa:</b> <i>"Homura really made us work for it. But still... it was for her, so what else could we do? Homura's worked so hard all this time. In the end she deserves some kind of reward for it."</i><br /><br />As Sayaka and Nagisa fight, Mami and Madoka join in too. The chaotic battle continues while Homulily thinks to herself that they must stop, <i>"I have to die here!"</i> But Sayaka shouts that she doesn't have to deal with this all alone. Kyoko joins the fray as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sayaka and Kyoko share a moment.</td></tr>
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Kyoko and Sayaka stand back to back and a sad Kyoko says that she had an awful dream that <i>"took a real sick turn". </i> She dreamed Sayaka died. But now she's telling her that her dream was real and them fighting together is the dream. Sayaka says that she had thought she left the world with no regrets, but actually she did regret dying and leaving Kyoko behind (in the film they clasp hands as Sayaka admits this) which is one reason why she came back.<br /><br />Nagisa bounces past saying she just wanted to eat cheese one last time. Sayaka yells at her for spoiling the moment between her and Kyoko who grins to hide the fact she shed a tear and they go back into battle. Sayaka and Nagisa summon more familiars against Homulily's seemingly unending amount. Mami creates a huge teapot/cake cannon and wipes out masses of familiars with a <i>"Tiro Finale"</i>. And finally there a crack appears in the sky showing the Incubator's eye-bots peering down, the seal they made is now vulnerable.<br /><br />We then cut to Homura trapped in her despair, weeping bloody tears, but suddenly Madoka appears to her and tells her she shouldn't go off on her own.<br /><br /><b>Madoka:</b> <i>"Homura-chan... you will always be Homura-chan. And I would never abandon you!"</i><br /><br />Homura begs forgiveness, for giving up and being a coward, she wanted so desperately to see Madoka one more time,<i> "no matter what kind of monster I became... I knew I could take it! As long as you were by my side!"</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEio89no3PyY-8YCQa4cmW7YEOaHbQYob2BZG82hatwLOAa-03DSE9QfUNiDYkqlYXMLNUbkg-Zm6KYrZI0BkaCH4LHU3mfQkAumkWsQifM5Z2oSGhQjrW7uKKWMGZUqPEYmtmwMjeLE/s1600/PMMMrebellionthree3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="873" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEio89no3PyY-8YCQa4cmW7YEOaHbQYob2BZG82hatwLOAa-03DSE9QfUNiDYkqlYXMLNUbkg-Zm6KYrZI0BkaCH4LHU3mfQkAumkWsQifM5Z2oSGhQjrW7uKKWMGZUqPEYmtmwMjeLE/s320/PMMMrebellionthree3.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madoka and Homura together again.</td></tr>
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Homura and Madoka stand together side-by-side, both holding their bows. They fire upwards at the same time, there is a huge explosion that bursts out of the Incubator's seal and destroys all the watching eye-bots and Incubators. Kyubey who is protected inside the barrier just comments<i> "... you humans make no sense".</i><br /><br />All the people Homura trapped in her labyrinth are returned sleeping to the desert round where Homura lies on a dias. Mami picks up Homura's blackened Soul Gem and places it in her hands. Sadly Kyoko notes that Madoka, Sayaka and Bebe are gone, but Mami looks up and says <i>"no"</i>. Then the clouds part and light streams down onto Homura's prone form and Madoka appears in her beautiful divine form and slowly flies down to take Homura away with her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNaaI4MgOuxt5E9ZPWy8LzbAwuWKa2jkY7mEVqueAJVfly_9Re4ExOVOo3pIipGReZXWIK59FYA0kL5Vn4Bfpgz-jMHL2TDZPjIP4ymeHOEoL3q6ZWcJ9jxLbt9AzTgnWTvSxX7dRH9c/s1600/PMMMrebellionthree4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="913" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNaaI4MgOuxt5E9ZPWy8LzbAwuWKa2jkY7mEVqueAJVfly_9Re4ExOVOo3pIipGReZXWIK59FYA0kL5Vn4Bfpgz-jMHL2TDZPjIP4ymeHOEoL3q6ZWcJ9jxLbt9AzTgnWTvSxX7dRH9c/s320/PMMMrebellionthree4.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goddess Mandoka comes for Homura.</td></tr>
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Sayaka and Nagisa are watching from above as she reaches Homura. Madoka says she forgot she had come to take Homura away. Sayaka says they took the <i>"long way around" </i>but everything is OK now. <br /><br /><b>Madoka:</b> <i>"I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long. You've worked so hard to reach this day. Now let's go. We'll always be together from now on".</i><br /><br />Homura opens her eyes, lets go of her Soul Gem and as Madoka reaches for it, she suddenly grabs Madoka's wrists and with a sinister look in her eye says <i>"finally. I have you."</i><br /><br />As she grips Madoka tightly her Soul Gem starts emitting a colour which is, according to Nagisa, <i>"more terrible than any curse I've ever seen!" </i> Sayaka cries<i> "what is this? Desire? Obssession?"</i> Homura thinks they could never understand, <i>"this emotion is unique to me and it is felt solely for Madoka!"</i> Madoka screams that Homura is going to tear her apart.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS4FsuvF7O71345Xy8H139BxaXMpCeRjWjiJxrfR0E5SJetOyW8iGS6PBHgB2jQWkSLEVLTGW1XoCEflv4DPOSmZbYbVhgXqvC0xVIniumC4dJYFoJH_vBXNhjxv-V8Fe_FDdpynZpPU/s1600/PMMMrebellionthree5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS4FsuvF7O71345Xy8H139BxaXMpCeRjWjiJxrfR0E5SJetOyW8iGS6PBHgB2jQWkSLEVLTGW1XoCEflv4DPOSmZbYbVhgXqvC0xVIniumC4dJYFoJH_vBXNhjxv-V8Fe_FDdpynZpPU/s320/PMMMrebellionthree5.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madoka seperated from her divinity.</td></tr>
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Suddenly normal Madoka is wrenched out of Goddess Madoka and dragged into Homura's arms, Homura then uses a barrier to keep the two Madokas seperate.<br /><br /><b>Homura:</b> <i>"I told you before... Madoka. I will never let you go again!"</i><br /><br />And the barrier expands outwards until it consumes all of time and space. Kyubey observes that <i>"the universe is being re-written. Does that mean a new universal principle has been born?"</i><br /><br />Homura says he has no memory of the last time this happened. Kyubey says that her soul should have just disappeared. Homura explains that everything she want through was done with Madoka in mind, what clouded her Soul Gem were no longer curses. So what was it then he asks?<br /><br /><b>Homura:</b> <i>"This is the ultimate state of human evolution. More passionate than hope. Far deeper than despair. It is love"</i><br /><br />Kyubey says she is no longer a Magical Girl, nor is she a Witch, what manner of being is she trying to become? Laughing Homura says she fooled Madoka, completely undermined her <i>"any being who is able to do such a thing... can only be called a devil, I suppose". </i> And she unfurls black wings and rather skimpy attire.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkrGZb0MOXMw84TCxXzQgbkPaq375NgJyJytaUdRcnoTNUaX3hOlDe38Hwhy63pWhDHTLYtrq8Alwu6ZnZN83aU2V7WAB-Nm_QIpaUL-DXetpRwJBcWLELtE5cShXSbJRCv7T_mu7P9I/s1600/PMMMrebellionthree6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="918" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkrGZb0MOXMw84TCxXzQgbkPaq375NgJyJytaUdRcnoTNUaX3hOlDe38Hwhy63pWhDHTLYtrq8Alwu6ZnZN83aU2V7WAB-Nm_QIpaUL-DXetpRwJBcWLELtE5cShXSbJRCv7T_mu7P9I/s320/PMMMrebellionthree6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demon Homura is born.</td></tr>
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Kyubey says that settles it, it's far too dangerous to use human emotions,<i> "an outcome as absurd as this is most definitely a thing beyond our control".</i> Homura picks him up between finger and thumb and says actually she's going to need the Incubators as long as curses still manifest themselves in the world,<i> "I'm sure I can count on your assistance... Incubator".</i><br /><br />We finish up with the various characters on their way to Mitakihara Junior High. Mami passes by Homura and looks a little unnerved, Homura's familiars are lurking about though no one can see them. Kyoko is in uniform sharing an apple with some birds and lies back with a look of contentment on her face.<br /><br />Sayaka confronts Homura demanding to know if she has any idea what she has done? Homura says she must have some idea of what happened. Sayaka says that she <i>"wrenched off part of the Law of Cycles". </i>Homura says she only stole a fraction, <i>"nothing more than a few pages of records that describe Madoka before she stopped being Madoka". </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKyqRpQwSjpji221dH4ZoRN-OkMemjnZkedTak7unuH85TvqN9fCmePARvPDMrA60h3_cQh0DDbzb7mfSQyHQnCdxIP6GAiVpo07PF3DHPN9qCW75M75WehcAiwQIAziEAqo8WDdD4Kw/s1600/PMMMrebellionthree7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="949" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKyqRpQwSjpji221dH4ZoRN-OkMemjnZkedTak7unuH85TvqN9fCmePARvPDMrA60h3_cQh0DDbzb7mfSQyHQnCdxIP6GAiVpo07PF3DHPN9qCW75M75WehcAiwQIAziEAqo8WDdD4Kw/s320/PMMMrebellionthree7.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sayaka challenges Homura.</td></tr>
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It seems Sayaka and Nagisa got caught up in it too and can't return. Sayaka asks her what gives her the right to do this.<br /><br /><b>Homura: </b><i>"I have become the personification of evil. I disrupt divine providence... and am guilty of outrages against the world".</i><br /><br />Sayaka asks if she intends to destroy the universe? Homura says it's a thought, that after all the magical beasts/wraiths are destroyed she'll play the role of enemy. <br /><br />But will Sayaka be able to stand against her? Already her memories are slipping away and Sayaka says <i>"I... used to be part of something bigger... I think... I used to be connected to a power outside this world..."</i><br /><br />Homura says she should accept it <i>"and perhaps even be happy about it. After all, you've managed to get your life as a human back". </i>She'll eventually forget what happened, even the unease will vanish. Sayaka defiantly says that there is something she will never forget, <i>"that you... are the devil!"</i> Homura laughs saying they should at least pretend to be friends,<i> "if we fight among ourselves... she'll start to dislike you." </i>And with that thinly veiled threat made she walks off, still laughing. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still it's nice to be alive again.</td></tr>
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Then Hitomi and Kyosuke appear and wish Sayaka a good morning. She looks and smiles sadly at them. Kyosuke asks her if she is all right, and Sayaka somewhat tearfully says how happy she is to be able to say good morning to them again. Hitomi and Kyosuke look at each other baffled. Then Hitomi laughs saying she says the strangests things. Sayaka laughs too saying <i>"I'm just a weirdo! That's me!"</i><br /><br />A short while later Homura is in class with Sayaka and Kyoko when the teacher introduces a new transfer student - Madoka Kaname. She introduces herself and says she's been living in the US this past three years but they moved back last week. She hopes they can all be friends.<br /><br />At breaktime she is surrounded by students asking her questions. Homura then shoos them away, introduces herself and takes her on a tour of the school. She asks Madoka how it feels to be back home and Madoka says <i>"kind of nostalgic, you know?"</i> But she also feels like something's changed. Not the place but her role in it.<br /><br /><b>Madoka: </b><i>"I used to be... something very different... I had a different role... but I don't know why..."</i><br /><br />The lights of the cosmos start to swirl around her as she says this until Homura grabs her in an embrace and the lights fade. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madoka starts to remember...</td></tr>
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Homura asks her if she thinks of the world as something precious and does she put the good of the world above personal desires? Madoka says she does think of the world as precious and that it's bad to break the rules for selfish reasons. Homura tells her that one day they may become enemies and takes the ribbons Madoka gave to her out of her hair and starts tying up Madoka's hair with them.<br /><br /><b>Homura:</b> <i>"I don't mind. Even if that happens... all I wish for is a world where you can be happy".</i><br /><br />She stands back, tears in her eyes and tells Madoka the ribbons look so much better on her. Later we see Homura dancing round in a field with a traumatised Kyubey looking like he lost a fight with a road sweeper. We see a spread that shows us Mami and Nagisa together, Kyoko and Sayaka together and Madoka at home unpacking boxes with her family. And we end with Homura looking out over Mitakihara City with the words that began this story, <i>"no, not yet!"</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not yet indeed.</td></tr>
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So I think you can see why this movie split fandom right down the middle now. Personally I think the film is a work of art and Homura's behaviour fitted in very well with what has previously been established about the character. If you remember back to Sayaka and Homura's discussion about the Mitakihara Labyrinth, Sayaka says to her that the labyrinth is all about control and keeping the status quo. And that's Homura in a nutshell, she's a control freak who was compelled to repeat the same six weeks for over a decade until she got things exactly right. And she still failed in the end, Madoka made her wish, saved Homura rather than Homura saving her and was then removed from Homura's life. I don't think Homura could trust Madoka a second time, especially as she still sees herself as her protector and that Madoka will always be at risk as long as the Incubators know about her. This wasn't helped by Madoka telling her she would never leave everybody even though that was Homura's memory rewritten Madoka speaking not the real divine Madoka. So she took action, we already know she was a hugely powerful Magical Girl and a combination of that and the mad science Kyubey subjected her to gave her the ability to split Madoka in two and carve off much of her divinity into herself. As for why she now thinks of herself as evil, well she was pretty emotionally broken by everything that happened to her both during the series and the film. There are various theories mostly related to the fact she is perhaps still part-Witch and the whole universe is now encased in her barrier, which has merit as she is still being tormented by familiars even in her new world. Personally I think it all got too much for her and she just finally snapped. She knows she did a bad thing, so her self loathing has compelled her to take on the identity of Evil, manifesting familiars to keep punishing herself. And yet she accomplished something no one else ever managed. She beat the Incubators, with the very strong implication that'll she'll keep them around as her slave race to keep the Magical Girl system going while there are still Wraiths/Magical Beasts to be fought. And again, she has brought Sayaka and Nagisa back to life, so Kyoko and Mami get to keep the people who make them happy in the real world now. And Madoka is part of her family again. In a way the only person it isn't a happy ending for is Homura really. She has control of the situation to be sure, but she's maybe irrevocably alienated herself from those who were once her friends and the girl she loved enough to become the bad guy to protect her. I hope there will be more Puella Magi Madoka Magica in the future, I'm curious about Homura's new world order and if the girls will end up in conflict with her. But as it is, the film is a rich, stunningly animated character study of one very messed up person and I love it.varalys the darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17032083859598898676noreply@blogger.com29