BLACK LIGHTNING 4.9

 

RECAP - BLACK LIGHTNING  4.9:  "The Book of Ruin - Chapter 4:  Lyding"

As I had noted last week...the Pierce Family has nearly hit rock bottom.  THIS week - they just met the bottom...HARD.  Tobias Whale initiated the next phase of his plan to destroy the Pierce Family...as well as continue to tighten his grip on Freeland.  It was a set up from the get-go, and the Pierce Family has fallen deep into Tobias' trap.  Now...will the Family managed to climb out of this hole they're in?  Or is it the end of Black Lightning and his team?  

Jefferson did his best to try and sway Jen from suiting up as Lightning, as he found out about her viral vlog going out, encouraging people to donate to the school's music department to save it.  She said she'd deactivate it until the heat was off, but we all know Jen---incredibly stubborn, and always willing to take a risk.  That risk bit Jen big time this week.  Despite the growing attraction between her and Uriah, it seems that her site has been monitored by Detective Hassan and his Metahuman Taskforce.  Once they got wind of Jen's text messages with Uriah (whom they managed to get ahold of his phone and his bike), Chief Lopez set up a rendezvous with Lightning in order to capture her.  In the process, she took a chance, and nearly got caught.  Jen managed to evade Chief Lopez...who went out with the Taskforce without Detective Hassan's knowledge...and escape without getting hurt.  However...Tobias initiated the other part of his master plan---using the Nullifier that Montevista had been working on---and flipped its switch, thus using the power sample Lynn got from Val...and caused every metahuman within the area to lose their powers.  Jen, unfortunately, was flying when her powers shut down....thus the show ended with her in freefall.

Anissa was also effected by this as well, as she had bumped into Darius at her mother's lab, and he had gotten information about the treatments that Montevista had planned for their patient who had cystic fibrosis.  He was leaving town, because he got fired, and he planned on giving Anissa the flash drive he had downloaded the information on.  When Anissa went to meet him, she found him dead on the floor, and didn't grab the flash drive.  When she went outside to see where is assailant might've gone, she was attacked by a car, as it went to go run her over.  Instead of diving out of the way to avoid it, all we see is Anissa desperate to try and use her powers as Thunder to stop it, only to have them fizzle out.  We don't see whether or not she got hit...but it wouldn't be hard to imagine the worst.  

Lynn was particularly effected this episode, as she had a dream about trapping her family inside her lab, and using the nullifying powers of Val to strip her family of their powers---thinking that was what was best for them.  But in talking to her therapist...she realizes that she can't do that...she'd possibly kill them.  When she goes to her lab, she finds out she's been locked out, her security clearance terminated, and her research had been transferred off-site. Despondent, she returns home, and has yet another argument with Jefferson, because they made it seem that Jefferson's supposed embezzlement of Garfield High funds supported her research, as well as put in money for the futures of Anissa and Jen.  They go from bad to worse, as Lynn is arrested for, as Agent Mason pointed out, "violation of civil rights".  Lynn is not only booked, but the officer truly made sure that Lynn got the full effect of "violation of rights", as the police officer had her strip searched, a body cavity search, and the officer had little to no mercy about it.  She was cruel, as if she WANTED to make sure Lynn felt violated as she was locked away. 

Jefferson...still trying to control the situation...finds out that not only did Jen violate his rules about laying low by going out as Lightning, but that Anissa and Grace were attacked by Ishmael.  They discover that he is trying to get into the League of Assassins, and that Destiny hired him to kill the Pierce Family.  After chatting with Detective Hassan, who had warned him that Chief Lopez is on the hunt for Lightning, he fills Hassan in on Ishmael, and wants a one-on-one with him.  So, when Black Lightning finally gets Ishmael in his sights, they do battle.  It looks like a fairly back and forth affair, but as Black Lightning was ready to finish him off...his powers crapped out after Tobias hit the Nullifier.  We're not sure the finish, but we know Black Lightning was now powerless against a bloodthirsty Ishmael.

All the while as the family is falling apart...and things look EXTREMELY bleak....Tobias was reveling in the moment---with a glass mural of his sister, like painted on church glass, feeling his sweet revenge on the Pierce Family, and finally feeling closer to his goal:  to rule Freeland.  BUT...there IS some hope on the horizon---Painkiller is on the hunt for answers as to how Tobias framed the Pierce Family, as he began asking around...in his own way, of course, trying to connect the dots.  

This was a huge episode.  As the old adage goes:  Pride goeth before a fall, and the Pierce Family has fallen.  Things are extremely bleak right now.  Their powers are gone, and they're all on the verge of death.  Lynn had her very civil rights violated...no justifiable cause for the things the police officer did, and all of this while she was depressed and upset about losing her life's work...and STILL blaming Jefferson for it.  She's like a dog with a bone---she won't let it go.  And as Tobias said...he planned on using Lynn's research against her---and he did.  Her test on Val's powers managed to give Tobias the ammunition he needed to enact the next phase of his plan.  And right now....he feels like he's King of the Mountain once again.  Chief Lopez is oblivious to his plan, because she's too busy wanting to nail any metahuman for practically breathing...but she's still in the belief that Lightning was responsible for the Mayor's death.  She hasn't truly bothered investigating, because she's just convinced that all metas are no good.  And she took the Taskforce out behind Detective Hassan's back.  However, she doesn't know that he's been feeding Black Lightning information about her activities, either.  

Ishmael is close to accomplishing his goal of slaying the Pierce Family, as Black Lightning has now lost his powers.  Jefferson is going to have to use all of his abilities as a fighter to try and beat the assassin.  My ONE question though:  if he's looking to JOIN the League of Assassins...does this mean Talia has started going around Thea's back?  It wouldn't surprise me, but I was under the impression that Thea and Talia had made peace on Nanda Parbat?  So, I'm a bit confused here.  Unless they broke off to do their own thing...I thought the League of Assassins were under Thea Queen's control.  But I'm glad for the Arrow reference.  

With TC's powers on the fritz, there is no way to save Jen from what looks like death from freefall.  Plus, there's Anissa.  Did she get hit by the car?  Did she dive out of the way on time?  Things that they left on cliffhangers until what could ultimately be the next to last "book" for Black Lightning.  It's going to be interesting to see how the Pierce Family rises from the ashes of despair, and fight back against Tobias.  It's cool to see that Painkiller is getting some more airtime---in the hopes that the backdoor pilot a couple of episodes back gets picked up.  I am curious to see how HIS part in all this helps the Family bounce back.  

Well, guys....what're YOUR thoughts?  Did you enjoy this episode?  Do you think it could've been better?  Subscribe and leave a comment below...curious to hear YOUR theories.

Until next time...the Power is OFF!

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

 

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

Welcome back, comic book fans!  Last week, we took a look at the first appearance of the man named Sam Wilson...who joined the Marvel Universe by helping our our Star-Spangled Avenger with a sticky situation.  Wilson then became Cap's crimefighting partner, The Falcon, for many a years, joined the Avengers himself, and now has assumed the role of our Patriotic Hero.  This week...in the wake of the stellar Disney Plus/MCU show, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, THIS week, we dive into the first appearance of the latter character, visiting an old friend in James Buchanan Barnes...in a whole new light.  

CAPTAIN AMERICA (Vol. 5) #1  

COVER ART: Steve Epting

WRITER: Ed Brubaker

ARTIST: Steve Epting

INKS: Steve Epting

LETTERS: Randy Gentile

COLORS: Frank D'Armata

EDITOR: Tom Breevort, Andy Schmidt, Nicole Wiley, & Molly Lazer

COVER DATE: January 2005

PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics

TAGLINE: Out Of Time - Part 1

STORY TITLE: "Out of Time - Part 1"  

Captain America #1 is the beginning of the 5th volume of our Star Spangled Avenger, brought to us by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Steve Epting.  We are picking up the story just after Avengers Disassembled.  Steve has been reckless, and Sharon Carter, despite her please for him to reign it in.  With the Avengers gone, Cap feels the pressure, and is also haunted by nightmares of his old wartime partner, Bucky.  Little does Cap know that Bucky is alive and well...but he's been brainwashed and remolded into the super-assassin known as The Winter Soldier, whose exploits over the years have been legendary, if not secret.  At first, we are not privvy to the fact that this was the same Bucky Barnes who had survived the rocket explosion at the end of World War II, only to be found by the Russians, brainwashed, and given a bionic metal arm.  He is turned into the ultimate assassin, and when Steve Rogers DOES eventually meet up with his old partner, it becomes a tug of war in order to bring Bucky back into the light.  But the Winter Soldier doesn't make it easy.  Eventually, Bucky DOES regain his memory, and in the wake of Civil War, Steve Rogers is shot and killed by a brainwashed Sharon Carter, and the mantle of Captain America falls upon the shoulders of Bucky Barnes.  

THE STORY:  Five years prior to our story beginning, the Red Skull meets with KGB agent Aleksander Lukin, who has just killed the Red Guardian.  He knows the Skull wants the Cosmic Cube, and is willing to pay top dollar for it, but the Skull has no intention of selling it.  In present day, the Skull has managed to procure a Cosmic Cube made out of the fragments of other Cubes.  As he plots his next move, Cap has been on a tear after the wake of the Avengers breaking apart.  He's also been having dreams about Bucky.  

Unknown to Steve, the Skull has been monitoring his every move.  Lukin calls him again, and knows he has a Cosmic Cube, and is willing to pay top dollar for it.  The Skull refuses, and then a mysterious assailant crashes into the Skull's apartment and shoots him at point blank range.  With the Skull now dead, the assailant returns to Lukin with the Cube.  

***********************************************************************************

This volume of Cap introduces us to a revived Bucky Barnes as The Winter Soldier.  It created quite a stir in the wake of DC reviving the long-dead second Robin--Jason Todd--as the new Red Hood.  Bucky's re-emergence as The Winter Soldier brought all new excitement and intrigue to this new book.  Brubaker's writing was crisp, sharp, and was really tuned into the very core of Cap, but also was willing to draw out the flaws of our hero, and those around him.  Brubaker wasn't afraid to make bold decisions in storytelling, and it make the book an exceptional read.  Tied with Steve Epting's art, which gave it a gritty, yet realistically stylish finish, made it one of my must reads every month.  The long term effect of the Winter Soldier's appearance has spawned an excellent Cap movie, as well as the TV series we just finished.  In the long run, the long term effect of the Winter Soldiers' return has been a welcome one.  

NEXT WEEK:  We dive back into our bins to grab yet another classic comic

SUPERGIRL 6.4

 

RECAP - SUPERGIRL  6.4:  "Lost Souls"  

The souls of many were at stake this week, as the Prime Phantom continued to build his army of Progeny, and collect more souls of the people of National City, in order to turn Earth into a version of the Phantom Zone.  M'gann is still suffering the effects of Prime's attack, and only has a part of her soul back because of J'onn.  All the while the team is trying to figure out what to do in order to get Supergirl OUT of the Phantom Zone, while the Girl of Steel herself is working on a plan with the help of her father Zor-El, and their new ally, the Imp from the 5th Dimension, Nixly.  Will Kara return home, and will it be because the Superfriends help her, or will she find her own path?  And can the Superfriends stop Prime before he turns Earth into a new version of the Zone?  

Kara got a bit of hope this week, only to have that hope dashed on the very rocks of the Zone, as her, her father, and Nixly had been travelling around the Zone, trying to figure a way out by using Nixly's magic to travel.  They come across an abandoned barracks that was originally a part of Fort Roz.  They explore the barracks separately, but Zor-El suffers an injury from a mysterious attack.  Kara gets her father to safety, as she an Nixly continue to find what they need to try and escape the Zone---a mirror that Nixly can use as a focal point for them to escape.  They have Earth in their sights, but Kara won't leave without her father.  Nixly, however, tries to convince Kara that she needs to leave her father behind.  After all, he sent her away, and she was stuck in the Zone until her pod escaped and went to Earth.  She tried to convince Kara that Zor-El abandoned her, and he wasn't worth saving, and should suffer for what he did to her.  Kara doesn't think that way, and Nixly says he should suffer....and that she attacked him so that Kara would see what a burden he is, and that he's not worth it.  Kara feels betrayed, and Nixly further rubs salt in the wound by saying that while she plans on going back home to kill her father and everyone who betrayed her---but first, she's got to get to Earth before she can get to her dimension, and she figures she'll stick around Earth and have a little fun.  Kara won't let that happen, and knows what she must do.  The two fight, but during their fight, a self destruct sequence of the barracks begins.  They know they must escape in a hurry, but Kara sacrifices her chance to get home by smashing the mirror, thus preventing Nixly from carrying out her plan.  She urges Nixly that they have to go, but Nixly refuses.  Kara runs out of the barracks as they explode....apparently taking Nixly with it.

Back on Earth, more people are succumbing to Prime, and he's building a bigger army of Progeny to take over Earth.  He's got their souls isolated into a Chrysalis Matrix, and as soon as it hardens, the souls are lost forever, and he will be able to unleash his power upon the planet.  Brainy is frustrated, over-emotional, and stress eating donuts the entire episode.  Nia tries to help him see that he isn't alone, and that she and everyone is there for him.  Nia also begins to astral project to continue to find Kara, but she keeps having dreams of Kara and Alex from Midvale High.  She can't quite figure out why, but she has the dream more than once this episode.  Meanwhile, Lena is given a tour of The Tower, and is pretty much initiated into the team by J'onn and Alex.  M'gann is still feeling the effects of Prime's attack on her, as only part of her soul was returned thanks to J'onn.  But she is still partially connected to the Progeny....for which the ones the team has captured has stared to overflow the containment units.  

Alex and Lena talk about how to rescue Kara, but they need more of her DNA.  Alex goes back to the farewell message Kara recorded at the Fortress of Solitude.  It has Kara's genetic markers, and with a crystal, Lena can develop a device to help track Kara, and possibly bring her home.  Both women begin work on it.  Things begin to get worse, as Nia begins to discover where the Chrysalis is from her astral projection walks.  She knows where the Chrysalis is, and the team discovers that Lena's device may be the one thing that helps stop Prime once and for all, and return the souls to all the people who where turned into Progeny.  However, Lena is hesitant to give it up, because she wants to get Kara back so desperately.  But Alex tells her that they will find another way.  That if they got Kara now, and they let Prime take over, than Kara would be disappointed in them all.  Lena reluctantly gives it up, understanding that saving the Earth is what Kara would want.  With the device in mind, the team heads into the lair that Phantom has set up, and where he's kept the Chrysalis.  The team gets attacked by Progeny as they try to reach the Chrysalis.  Brainy and J'onn get taken down, but the team has to push on.  M'gann, Nia, and Alex reach the room where the Chrysalis is, and Nia and M'gann use their powers to give Alex a clear path towards the Chrysalis in order to put the device on it and destroy it.  As the Progeny got closer, Alex manages to complete the mission, as the Chrysalis is destroyed, and the souls are returned to those who were attacked.  

Later on, Lena feels that she doesn't fit in with the team, especially when she felt she was selfish about wanting to save Kara first.  Alex comforts her, and says that she does belong, and they will need her to help save Kara.  But she says they can't without a DNA sample from Kara.  Dreamer then brings up the fact that she has had the dreams about Alex and Kara in high school in Midvale.  It appears that the only way to get a DNA sample is from the younger Kara Danvers from the past.  So, the team must time travel to get that sample.

We had some emotional beats this episode...mostly between Lena and Kara themselves, when it came to them rescuing those they love.  Kara refused to leave the Zone without her father, and Lena didn't want to give up trying to bring Kara home by giving the device to Alex to rid the Earth of Prime and rescue the souls of the people who were effected and become Progeny.  And, sadly....but predictably...Kara was betrayed by Nixly.  Nixly had her agenda for escaping, and we all knew what it was:  to get back home and kill her father, and and take over the 5th Dimension.  But she could only go home THROUGH the way of Earth.  And when she decided she was going to stick around Earth for awhile...that didn't sit well with Kara.  Especially when Nixly confesses to attacking Zor-El in order to convince Kara he wasn't worth saving because he sent her away, and abandoned her.  We saw a bit of heartbreak in Kara as the barracks exploded, taking Nixly and the building with it....and any possible hope of getting home anytime soon.  Plus, not sure if Zor-El was in that building either, so we shall see next episode.  

We got to see Brainy become overwhelmed with his emotions yet again, only instead of being full of rage this episode, it was depression, desperation, and he was stress eating.  Nia is helpful in trying to get him to snap out of it, but we see that it is going to be a slow process with him.  Nia getting the dreams about Alex and Kara in the past in Midvale now provides the backdrop for the next adventure, as they must travel to the past in order to get a DNA sample from teenage Kara, so that they can help Supergirl return to Earth.  This was a serviceable episode, giving us the end of the Phantom Prime arc, and setting up a chance to revisit Kara and Alex's past in Midvale.  We get to delve into Kara's past one last time before we move forward to bringing her home, and seeing what happens from there, as her final flight continues.  

I'm glad that Lena is now officially a part of the team, and that we got a break from Lex and his machinations.  Last thing we want is too much of a good thing.  Besides, it pays to let Lex simmer, and build up his next master plan before putting him on the canvas once more.  Need to focus on returning Supergirl to Earth first.  And I'm still wondering about Zor-El in all of this---him being out of the Zone, and what effect it will have on him.  

Well, gang....what did YOU like/dislike about this episode?  Do you like Lena being made a part of the team, and did Nixly survive?  Where is Zor-El?  And what can we expect next week as we take a trip down Memory Lane to Midvale?  Subscribe and leave a comment below.  

Until next time....Up, up, and away!

BLACK LIGHTNING 4.8

 

RECAP - BLACK LIGHTNING  4.8:  "The Book of Ruin - Chapter 4:  Things Fall Apart"

Lemme tell you....when things go BAD for the Pierce Family....they go BAD.  This week's episode let us bear witness to Tobias Whale's best laid plans to destroy the Pierces bit by bit.  This week, we also see Gambi make HIS moves to procure Promethium for the team to fight off the DEG guns.  And we finally see Jen having to adjust to her new self.  We also got the return of Ishmael....who's looking to complete the job Destiny set him out on:  destroy the Pierce Family.  

Jefferson got a HUGE wake up call this week, as the family was celebrating the marriage of Anissa and Grace.  Anissa HAD warned the family beforehand, hence the surprise party.  Grace is welcomed into the family, and then they get a knock at the door, as the FBI has come to investigate Jefferson.  It seems that...according to THEM...he's been embezzling money from Freeland High, and put it in trust funds for his daughters.  News of this travels fast, as the students of the school begin to question Jefferson's integrity...and right in front of Jennifer, who has gone BACK to school under the new guise of JJ Stewart--a cousin to the Pierce sisters, and Jen has decided to "study abroad".  On top of still having to adjust to NewJen, Jefferson also got hit with more bad news:  The house his father bought was being forclosed on in the name of Imminent Domain in order to make room for a hospital. And Marcel...his teacher that had been staying there until he gets back on his feet, got a new home thanks to Tobias, and even appeared at Tobias' press conference, where Tobias also took the time to drag Jefferson's name through the mud.  

Lynn had finished up testing Val's meta powers, and while Jefferson had wanted HER to test it, she's trying hard to stay sober, so Gambi offers himself up instead.  Turns out, he doesn't feel anything.  Later on, we discover that Val has power dampening abilities when Gambi walks into the Sanctum, and TC's powers fizzle out as he's trying to help Jefferson trace the money.  Jefferson and Gambi then discover through security footage of Red going into Montevista and threatening the CEO there to speed up the production of the DEG guns, and get Tobias the Emitter he asked for, that he's got magnetic powers.  The bullets Jefferson got were magnetized, and puts the clues together to find out that Red was the Mayor's assassin.  They need to figure out a way to catch him, as well as find a way to get to Val in order to stop Tobias.  

While Jen was getting cozy with the new kid who defended her father, Anissa and Grace get some test results for Montevista. with Gambi's help...not long after Gambi had done HIS bit of espionage earlier in the day, and got some promethium from the vault, as he faked an alarm at the lab at Montevista, ensuring that Lauren would be distracted long enough for him to complete his mission.  Anissa needed the records of her pregnant patient named Kiki, who had been assigned to Montevista for some new gene-splicing technique to help with her cystic fibrosis.  She had cause for concern.  Unfortunately for THEM, Ishmael showed up, and attacked Blackbird and Tigress, intent on completing the mission Destiny hired him for.  He had managed to locate her through the killing of one of Blackbird's resistance members.  The battle was a bit back and forth, and it looked like Ishmael would get the best of them both, but Tigress fully morphed, and began to viciously attack him, until he shook her off, and made his escape.  

In a shocking twist of events, we see TC communicating with Khalil, as he updates him on Jen.  He then informs Khalil about what's going down with the Pierce family and Tobias.  Khalil says he will look into it, as they prepare for more treatment for him, to see if he can get Painkiller and Khalil merged.  

This episode finally gave us some of the intricate plot Tobias had in mind when he planned on destroying the Pierce family.  And he plans on using Lynn's research against them in the process when the time comes.  But for now, ruining Jefferson's name is a good start for him.  And with Val dampening everyone's powers around her, it becomes crucial to the Pierces to get to her before Tobias destroys them.  On top of THAT misery, Anissa and Grace had to deal with Ishmael, who is looking to finish the contract Destiny hired him for...which  was to destroy ALL of them.  So things are compounding for the team.  

I wonder how much longer Gambi can play HIS little game against Lauren before she finds out he's stealing Promethium from her?  He's walking a VERY thin line, and I feel it will bite him in the ass before it's said and done.  And WHAT THE HELL?!!  TC is working with Khalil?!!  THAT was a huge twist this week!  I'll say one thing right here:  if Painkiller DOES get greenlit to series....TC HAS to become part of the cast...he'd be an EXCEPTIONAL fit!  

Not sure what the deal is with Anissa's patient, and this whole gene-splicing thing with Montevista...but it seems shady and dangerous, so we'll keep tabs on THAT little story.  And what of Jen?  While she feels fine, and she's googly-eyed at a boy, and trying to revive the music program at school with funds now cut, Lynn has discovered that her latest test proves that Jen is unstable...and who KNOWS that will lead to down the road.  Either way, I DON'T feel we've hit rock bottom YET---I think that comes NEXT episode...before we see the family bounce back.  

Do you agree with my thoughts?  Disagree?  How did YOU feel this episode was?  I enjoyed it, and thought it moved the story along...especially now that we have a pretty good idea as to how Tobias was getting his revenge.  But hey...let me know YOUR thoughts and theories by subscribing below, and leaving me a comment. 

Until next time....the Power is OFF!

BATWOMAN 2.11

 

RECAP - BATWOMAN  2.11:  "Arrive Alive"  

Things got a tad bit "Fast & Furious" this installment, as The Bat Team (and Sophie), were on the trail of Black Mask and his suped-up delivery drivers, as he was looking to get Snake Bite back out onto the street.  He's been extremely unhappy, as the product hasn't been in production.  His favorite Chemist--Ocean--went MIA, and that left his assistant--Angelique--a prime target to nab and get back into the lab to cook more up, so that he can continue his operation.  Meanwhile, the Bat Team is on the hunt for Angelique, and we have a new Crow on the scene, investigating the case at Jacob's behest.  And while we've got the chase in the streets of Gotham, Alice is seeking to rid herself of her grief over Kate by paying a visit to Enigma. 

We had a VERY frantic episode, as Sophie was promising Ryan that she would find Angelique after she was abducted by The False Face Society.  Ryan wants to help, but Sophie urges her to back off.  Black Mask has hired street racers has couriers to make deliveries to his lab in order to have Angelique begin cooking up new batches of Snake Bite, but she doesn't have the exact recipe...only Ocean does.  But since Ocean is gone, Black Mask has lost money on his operation, and is insistent on getting product back onto the street.  Thus, he threatens Angelique that if she doesn't make the correct batch, he'll kill her.  All she can offer is that she will help him find Ocean.  

With the couriers making their way through Gotham to their destination, one is caught by Batwoman, only to discover that it was Sophie undercover.  With her being made, and blaming Batwoman (who she tells to 'stay out of her way').  Sophie then informs Ryan of what went down, which included getting chewed out by Jacob, and kicked off the case for a guy named Agent Tavarov.  Ryan offers herself up as a driver to try and find Angelique.  With some training, and passing the driving test among the False Facers, Ryan is ready for her undercover job. Sophie gets a fake ID from Luke (whom Sophie introduces Ryan to, not knowing that Ryan is Batwoman).  Luke then gives Ryan a tracer to put on the canisters that she'll be delivering to Black Mask.  Luke also gives her an Artificial Intelligence device to communicate with her from the Batcave.  Once she gets the signal from Black Mask, she's off and racing.  She arrives at her destination, receives the canisters, and she's on her way.  However, Sophie is worried that Ryan will be made if she stops to plant the tracker on the canister, and wants to abort the mission, but things go fairly smooth, as Luke's A.I. gives him control of the car, as Ryan reaches back and plants the tracker---getting shot at by the cops in the process.  Ryan is successful, and now knows they just have to wait to get a ping from the tracker to find Black Mask...and Angelique. 

Luke and Ryan go to meet up with Sophie, who has decided to go solo once they get a make on Black Mask's location.  Sophie makes it to the warehouse where the signal was traced to, and gets captured for her troubles.  As Black Mask prepares to shoot Sophie, Batwoman arrives, and they both take down Black Mask.  As he's captured, he plays his trump card:  A video of Angelique with a gun to her head.  If they don't let him go, he'll kill her.  So, he walks away free, and both Sophie and Batwoman know the fight isn't over.  Later on, as Sophie surveys her car, notices the bullet holes, and finds the A.I. device in the car.  She takes it out, and goes to investigate it.  Meanwhile, Agent Tavarov is scoping out the warehouse, and watches the security feed of the fight between Black Mask and Batwoman.  He pokes around and notices blood spatter from when Batwoman got hit---he gets a sample of it, as Sophie listens to the audio feed from the device---figuring out that Ryan is Batwoman.  

In the other part of our episode, Alice pays a visit to the good Dr. Ryme, for which she has a request for:  erase her memories of Kate.  She knows that Ryme is Enigma, and works with Safiyah, so she wants her to erase every aspect of her sister.  Enigma wonders why, and gets to the root of Alice's problem:  she still has some caring in her heart for Kate, as she keeps seeing her in her mind, and can't shake her.  She's also seeing Ocean in her head too.  Enigma tries to stall in erasing Alice's memories, but Alice isn't having it.  As Enigma begins the process, Ocean shows up, and disrupts the treatment by attacking Alice.  He wants to know WHY she killed him---and she says that she did it to get Kate back.  Enigma uses the distraction to whammy both Alice AND Ocean, as she does what she swore she promised Safyiah she'd NEVER do:  give Alice and Ocean their memories back.  She beats a hasty retreat, and Alice and Ocean then have to deal with the fallout.  She asks WHY he came back to Gotham, and he's there to find the last of the Desert Rose, since Alice torched the rest of it.  He believes that Batwoman has it...and that explains to Alice why she doesn't have Kryptonite poisoning anymore.  But they also address their memories as well...which includes how they felt.  They end up making out in the alley.  

The more Ryan learns on the job, the more there's a chance for mistakes.  And now she's made THREE of them.  First, she interfered in Sophie's undercover operation (which she did NOT know, but it prevented Sophie from finding Angelique), she left the A.I. device in Sophie's car, thus allowing Sophie to not only FIND it, but LISTEN to it, and deduce her secret ID.  Finally...she got popped by Black Mask, and left some blood spatter behind, thus allowing Agent Tavarov to discover it, and will no doubt run a test to determine who Batwoman is.  The heat is coming for the Bat Team, and they're going to have to SERIOUSLY do some damage control.  Now...in regards to Sophie---I think this will be okay, because while she's NOT going to be happy initially, with what's going on with The Crows...and Jacob in general...it might force her to finally join the Bat Team, and be that 4th member officially.  As for Tavarov---he's Jacob's pet flunky, and he'll do what Jacob asks him to do.  And with Jacob high on Snake Bite, that's going to be some VERY rash decisions he'll make, and that will get people killed.  So, it will be interesting to see how the team rallies to protect Batwoman's ID.  Plus, they'll ALSO have to continue to work and find a way to rescue Angelique---who promised to find Ocean for Black Mask, so that he can have more Snake Bite on the street.

As for Ocean...he needs the Desert Rose, and with Alice's help, THAT is going to put him in the direct line of fire of Batwoman.  But how will he and Alice cope with all their memories back?  What will them mean for THEIR relationship, as well as those around them?  Does he go back to Coryana?  Does he and Alice end Safiyah once and for all?  Or will he complete his mission for his sister?  And with all HER memoires back...what does this do for Alice as far as trying to still cope with the loss of Kate---not even KNOWING that Kate is busy getting a makeover---courtesy of Black Mask and Enigma.  

This was a week we got no Mary...who was probably running her clinic, and Julia is off canvas right now, but I fully expect Mary back next week.  Also, we got an irate Jacob this week, and I see his spiral down continuing.  All in all, it wasn't a bad episode, and we start to see SOME things fall in place, and the stakes getting raised.  This season is MUCH better than last season, and I'm very intrigued at how it will end.  What did YOU all think of what went down this week?  Subscribe y'all....and lemme hear YOUR thoughts!

Until next time...the Signal is OFF!

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

 

COMIC BOOK OF THE WEEK

Wow!  I haven't done one of THESE in a long while!  This is what happens when your day job and other responsibilities (having writing blogs for the CW shows), take up SO much time, that I'm not able to get back to one of the other FUN aspects of writing this blog:  talking about actual COMIC BOOKS.  But I got inspired....and over the next few weeks, we're going to cover some books in relation to the recent MCU mini-television series' that have aired on Disney Plus.  Starting THIS week, we take a peek into the introduction of one of Steve Rogers' best friends and partners - Sam Wilson - The Falcon!  Sam came onto the Marvel scene helping out the Star-Spangled Avenger, and became a stalwart of Cap's team, and eventually, an Avenger.  Now....Sam is our Captain America, having taken the mantle from Steve, and continuing the legacy set in place by our First Avenger.  So, let's dive into the first appearance of our Winged Avenger!  

CAPTAIN AMERICA (Vol. 1) #117

COVER ART:  Gene Colan, Joe Sinnott, John Romita, Sr.

WRITER:  Stan Lee

ARTIST:  Gene Colan

INKS:  Joe Sinnott

LETTERER:  Sam Rosen

COLORIST:  N/A

EDITOR:  Stan Lee

COVER DATE:  September 1969

PUBLISHER:  Marvel Comics

TAGLINE:  The Coming of THE FALCON!

STORY TITLE:  "The Coming of....THE FALCON!"  

Captain America #117 brings us a new hero to the Marvel Universe - Sam Wilson.  Wilson makes his debut in a big fashion by helping out our patriotic protagonist against his arch enemy, the Red Skull.  Cap digs Sam's willingness to help, and soon, the two are joined at the hip, as Falcon becomes Cap's right-hand man.  Sam got to be a mainstay on the book, that he eventually got added to the title of the book, and it ran as Captain America & The Falcon from issue #134 - #222 (minus a few issues where his name did not appear on the title).  Sam also became one of the cornerstones of The Avengers.  Sam has been one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Universe, and when the MCU got into full swing, his profile got a MAJOR boost thanks to Anthony Mackie's portrayal in Captain America:  The Winter Soldier.  With all the positive feedback, the character has been the newest member of Steve Rogers' team to eventually take up the shield and mantle of Captain America for modern times.  The Falcon is truly one of the best characters to ever appear in a Marvel Comic...and he just keeps getting better. 

THE STORY:  While the Red Skull is parading around in Captain America's body---enjoying the adulation he gets, but disgusted by it as well, and plotting to destroy his good name, Steve Rogers is trapped in the body of the Skull, no thanks to the Skull's manipulation of the Cosmic Cube.  Steve is stuck on a Haitian island, being attacked by a group called The Exiles, who had employed a young man -- Sam Wilson -- to teach them falconry, which he had mastered with his bird, Redwing.  Instead of helping The Exiles, Wilson aids Cap and the citizens enslaved by the Exiles into a revolt.  Cap sees the good spirit of the man from Harlem, and tells him to wear a mask as a symbol for the people, thus Sam Wilson becomes The Falcon.

*********************************************************************************

Sam Wilson's appearance in Cap's book was a boon for minority characters for Marvel, who had already struck gold with Black Panther.  Sam is seen as a kid from a rough neighborhood with a good heart, and becomes even MORE inspired by Cap to become a symbol and a hero.  Sam Wilson has gone on to become an even MORE popular character, and this issue set the precedence for a new hero to rise up, and take up the mantle of good.  So good was Wilson as a character---and popular as well---that being added as Cap's partner for a decent chunk of Cap's title run made him a very viable character to the Marvel Mythos for years to come.  Stan Lee was gifted enough to be in tune with the youth of the day to create characters that were relatable to the current culture.  

NEXT WEEK:  We focus on the "new" partner of The Falcon....an old friend from Steve Rogers' past. 

SUPERGIRL 6.3

 

RECAP - SUPERGIRL  6.3:  "Phantom Menaces"  

The Superfriends continue to be frustrated at what happened previously in regards to their failed attempt to rescue Supergirl from the Phantom Zone.  It's hurt morale a bit...especially for J'onn and Alex, who have taken it hard in their own way.  Brainy's mental state is two-pronged:  upset that he's not been able to help rescue Supergirl, and for having himself manipulated by Lex.  With Lex cleared of his crimes, and now a free man, it's nagging him to no end.  Meanwhile, Kara herself is working with her newly discovered alive father, Zor-El, in finding a way to escape the dimension, and return to Earth.  And Lex....well....he's continuing to make his own moves, and thus he begins sparring with his sister Lena again.  

The team had to face another problem this week, as one of the Phantoms they fought last week managed to escape, and infected Silas.  It's explained to us that when the Phantoms strike you and infect a person, their soul gets sucked out of them, and they end up becoming like a minion to the Phantom, and begin to start infecting others like a virus.  Silas unfortunately suffers that fate, as his soul leaves, and he becomes one of the minions they have to contain while they try to figure out HOW to stop the Phantom before it infects the city.  They have to race against time, and M'gann suggests trying to take them head on before they spread, but J'onn is focusing more on his logic and training as a soldier, trying to eliminate the emotions he's going through, and it's causing him to completely take everything from a military standpoint, without feeling.  Alex is also suffering, because she feels helpless ad lost without Kara, and doesn't have the urge to go on....but Kelly, having been a voice of reason for her AND for Andrea as of late, gives Alex the motivation to keep going.  J'onn also tries to push her as well.  

Things go from bad to worse when the team discovers that the progeny of the Phantom are striking in the city, and they notice M'gann went out on her own to face them, and got struck for her troubles.  They get her back to the Tower, but she's infected, and her lifeforce will leave her body, and she'll become another progeny unless they can find a way to save her.  Alex figures out that if the essence of M'gann is still within J'onn...he can use that to save her.  The team has to fight off the Phantom and its progeny as J'onn works to save M'gann.  His memory transfer works, and the threat is ended, as the Phantom is returned to the Zone, and the progeny are taken down.  With M'gann saved, J'onn finally starts opening up to her, and we can see that Alex's words paid off about not giving up...even when all hope is lost.  Having learned and taken Kelly's words to heart, Alex later on asks Kelly to move in with her, which she happily agrees.  

Brainy's frustrations all episode reach their peak, as he not only is still trying to map the fractured Phantom Zone, but also having to hear news reports about Lex Luthor being a free man to do what he wants.  This is the first time we honestly see Brainiac lose control emotionally.  He's not the only one who has to deal with Lex, as Lena has to fight with him as well.  Lena had locked Lex out of the Luthorcorp system, but handed her an injunction that forced her to have to give him access, otherwise, the investigation into her will only get worse.  Lena strikes back by emptying the account and donating money to the children's wing of the hospital in National City.  As Lena was helping Brainy with the progeny and the Phantom situation, they find out that Lex had caused a fire in the children's wing, and to make sure he blames Lena for the "faulty wiring" in the building as the cause, since she was in charge of such things.  This brings both to a boil, and Lena wishes she could kill her brother, but she knows better.  Brainy actually wants to go through with it, because he hates him so much.  Lena manages to talk him down, and later on, she plays one more card:  she makes a deal with the DA that he'll drop the charges against her, and the investigation will stop, if she gives up the company to Lex...which she does.  She's done fighting with him, and playing his game.  He tells her that she'll not see a dime from the company, but she doesn't care. He says that she'll miss battling with him, because she hates him.  She admits that she does indeed hate him, but she's not willing to put the effort into playing his game anymore.  

As for our intrepid Girl of Steel...as she and her father Zor-El try to find a way to escape the Zone, they hitch a ride with a Phantom, only to get transported elsewhere in the Zone, and Kara gets hurt for her troubles with an injured leg.  To make things even MORE difficult for the Maid of Might, her father gets kidnapped by some other prisoners, and taken away.  Unable to follow, Kara is saved by a woman named Nixly who is an imp just like Myxzptlk.  She says she was a princess in her realm, but was banished by her horrible father because he didn't think she was good enough to lead their people, and was embarrassed by her.  He powers had been dampened by a wrist bracelet, but she has this crystal ball that she tries to use to free herself.  She tells her story to Kara, and she says that the other prisoners plan on sacrificing her father in order to satisfy the monsters here.  Kara tries to convince Nixy that she can be more, and that she doesn't deserve to be here anymore than she does.  Nixy somehow manages to get herself free of the power-dampening bracelet, and has her powers return.  She then heals Kara, and they go and find Zor-El, managing to rescue him from certain death.  With Nixy's powers working, Kara realizes that they can use her powers to find a way OUT of the Zone...without having to hitch a ride with the Phantoms.  

Not a bad episode, got a little more story movement, but it also feels like this show is just waiting for the return of Supergirl to Earth, and finally finding a way to take Lex down once and for all.  We do get a chance to see more character development for our cast, but it also desperately needs the Girl of Steel to interact with them.  I do believe that we will get her return here shortly, and what happens then is anyone's guess.

I WILL say, though...this new Imp...Nixy...is someone to keep an eye on.  I would like to think that she's a tad like Mixy...but you have to be careful with Imps...they're troublemakers.  And with Nixy...it's easy to believe her sob story, but Kara is ALWAYS trusting of people....even when she's gotten burned by it.  She needs to keep a wary eye.  And as far as WHEN they escape...what becomes of her father?  Will HE get delusions of grandeur knowing the powers he'll have under Earth's yellow sun?  Or will he return to Argo and reunite with Alura?  I don't want to think the worst, but since he's been cooped up in the Zone for so long, I wonder how it's effected his mind.

This episode saw two sets of people lean on each other when they needed each other the most:  Alex and J'onn, and Lena and Brainy.  Alex and J'onn have suffered greatly on an emotional level with Kara in the Zone, and the inability to just simply rescue her.  Both feel like they've lost a major battle, and without Kara in their lives, they feel lost and that life isn't worth it---even though they DO have others in their circle to lean on and love them.  Namely, M'gann and Kelly.  And honestly...let's hear it for Kelly for being the absolute voice of reason these first few episodes.  She has been a super trooper, and the rock to EVERYONE when needed.  That is her strength, because she's been where J'onn and Alex have been.  And for Alex to use Kelly's words on J'onn shows that Kelly has become an essential to the team.  As for Lena and Brainy---they have been behind the plot to destroy Lex, and they have found that---despite their best efforts---he manages to find a way around their best laid plans.  This finally allows them to vent their anger---especially Brainy.  And as much as I know Brainy would LOVE to kill Lex...and Lena does, too...Lena convinces him that it's a path they can't go down.  So, Lena plays her one other card in her hand:  she bows out.  She gives Lex everything---the company, any other business holdings...all of it.  By taking herself off the board, she takes away one of the things Lex loves to have:  someone to spar with.  And with his sister deciding to walk away, it takes away a bit of the fun for Lex, and a family member who shuns him at every turn.  Now, she refuses to play the game, and I feel that, deep down, he'll miss that, and crave that.  But with her not engaging, it will frustrate him a little.  But, as his butler asked him at the end of the episode...now that he's WON and has it all---what's next?  For Lex, having it all is NEVER enough.  A megalomaniac like Lex can NEVER have enough...so, as he opened a portal to travel elsewhere, he's out to get MORE.  Lex Luthor can NEVER have enough power.  This is part of his obsession with Superman and Supergirl:  their Kryptonian DNA makes them GODS on Earth...near unlimited power (aside from the effects of Kryptonite), and they don't USE that power to their potential...or for their personal benefit.  Instead, they had family that gave them a sense of right and wrong, who raised them to be honest, caring, loving people who see their powers as a gift for the benefit of all---not to rule with an iron fist.  Lex hates that---because that power SHOULD belong to HIM.  And he will stop at NOTHING to get it.  

So, how did all of YOU like this episode?  What did YOU get out of it?  Subscribe below and let me know what YOUR opinions and theories are.  

Until next time....Up. up, and away!

THE FLASH 7.7

 

RECAP - THE FLASH  7.7:  "Growing Pains"  

The title of this week's installment of our Scarlet Speedster definitely hits it on the nose.  There have been MANY growing pains for Team Flash since the end of CRISIS, as well as the aftermath of Mirror Monarch's reign of terror on Central City.  With the Speed Force back, but in trouble, Team Flash has now new threats to deal with:  namely, new "Forces"....offshoots of the Speed Force, that are vying for control:  Sage Force, Strength Force, and the Still Force.  Meanwhile, Kristin Kramer, head of the Governor's Logistics Division, is in town to capture ONE outlaw:  Frost.

Barry's relationship with the revived and renewed Speed Force is...well...different.  And while he is happy to have his powers back, and be able to have "her" around to feed his powers, he's been....shall we say...distant.  Now before, when the Speed Force had taken the form of his mother Nora Allen, he had grown to accept it.  But in the wake of CRISIS...the Force's original demise, and now revival...having the Force continue to take the form of Nora Allen has started to unnerve him, and make him hesitatnt to want to engage with her.  Iris has done her best to try and buffer the situation, but now that she's in their home, she's all in Barry's space, and it makes him uncomfortable.  From trying to make breakfast to actually showing up at the crime scene to offer help....because she sensed he needed her...she seems as if she's smothering him unintentionally.  She wants to help, and be useful, but during this investigation that Barry has this week into who killed the driver of an Ivo Labs van, and having tech stolen, with the guard frozen and broken.  She tries to help Barry further in the lab, when he and Chester were trying to figure out who killed the guard, stole the tech, and framed Frost.  She managed to go fast enough that it destroyed part of the evidence.  Barry snaps at her about not needing her help, and she disappears.  Later on, Barry and Iris talk about her, and Iris reminds him of when she came back home after her first year of college.  She and Joe had fought a lot, because both had changed.  She was an adult, as was he, and she wasn't his baby girl anymore.  She reminds him that she's changed.  Eventually, her and Barry talk, and Barry would like to get to know THIS version of the Speed Force together.  Which is good...because he will need her DESPERATELY down the road after protecting her.

Our main story was on Frost this week, as Barry and the team investigate the disappearance of some tech from Ivo Labs.  With the driver of a delivery van frozen to death and shattered into pieces.  Kramer instantly blames Frost, and she's got Joe and Barry painted into a corner, as she pulls rank with them, and she wants Joe's Metahuman Taskforce assembled, as she gets a warrant for Frost's arrest.  Frost herself wants to face Kramer on her own, but Cecile begs her to lay low until she can prove that Kramer has no case against her.  But we KNOW Frost better than this, and she decides to use her underworld contacts to get to the bottom of this matter by finding the real killer and thief.  Allegra offers her help, but Frost tells her to cover for her....this is HER fight.  She heads back to Shaughnessy's, the bar she used to work at, to get answers.  She meets up with the bartender, who's very vague at giving answers, but seems like he's flirting with her.  Just then, the tv in the bar has a news brief where wet  see Kramer put out a reward for information leading to the capture of Frost.  This leads some of the bar patrons to turn on Frost, who promptly disposes of them (the last guy with the help of the bartender).  He then tells her that he heard of this new bad guy having a stash of weapons  at a warehouse.  Frost goes to investigate, but she finds nothing.  And she knows she's been set up.  

Eventually, Barry and Chester managed to salvage SOME of their information they obtained from the crime scene. At first, they thought that it was a metahuman that had killed the driver, but it turns out that this person was able to use tech to make it LOOK like it was Frost was guilty.  Allegra fessed up to Barry that Frost is out to clear her name, and he takes her to go help her out.  Back at the bar, we see that Frost figured out who set her up:  the bartender, Mark.  Mark explains that he used to be a cryogenecist who worked for Ivo Labs, and was fired for conducting illegal experiments on people.  He tells of how he almost died of hypothermia, and became obsessed with the cold.  So, he began to follow and observe her, find a way to adapt her powers.  He then takes out these power gloves, and says that his name is Chillblaine.  Both of them battle each other, and he manages to give Frost everything she can handle.  He's got Frost blind when he freezes her eyes, making it hard for her to fight.  As he has ahold of her, ready to kill her, she uses her powers to drive a giant ice dagger through herself and through him.  She let's him know that HE cannot heal from the wound, but she can.  Flash arrives with Allegra, and they save Chillblaine, but he's out of commission. With Frost getting Chillblaine's admission on a recording, she's cleared of the murder and theft, but then Kramer shows up with the taskforce, and she decides to give herself up and pay for her crimes.  Allegra warns her that Iron Heights will be hell, but Frost is ready to accept her fate.  She walks out, and promptly gives herself up.  She is arrested, and Cecile and Caitlin are working on her bail (Caitlin had been arrested earlier for her connection with Frost, but was released).  

This episode gave us the long awaited appearance of Chillblaine, and we see that he had a mad obsession with Frost.  Though I can honestly tell you...I KNEW it was Chillblaine when I saw the crime scene, and had predicted that Mark the Bartender was Chillblaine...so for ME, anyway, there was instant predictability in the story, but it DID the job to push Frost's story further, and got her to the point to where she realized that she has to pay for her past crimes, and thus turned herself in.  What happens with Frost next week and going forward.  We KNOW Kramer is out for blood, and she wants to nail Frost to the wall.  I think there might be some personal little vendetta with Kramer in regards to Frost, but we shall see.  

Speaking of Kramer...she may be by-the-book, but from what it appears, she's also got a lot of respect for Barry and his work....at least according to The Speed Force.  However, she does come off as condenscending.  And I think we ALL feel that wave of joy will be glorious when she's finally put in her place and Frost is exonerated.  But I DID personally enjoy more of Frost's growth as a character, and the maturity she showed at the end of it.  Plus...I LOVED the interaction between her and Allega---Allegra needed a best friend, and Frost fits that bill nicely.  

Barry has kept the Speed Force at a distance since her return.  Continuing to take the form of Nora Allen is offsetting to him, and is a constant reminder of a huge part of him that's been long gone.  Barry losing Nora Allen is a painful memory, and having a spiritual reminder of sorts of her is hard on him.  Iris doesn't quite grasp it until Barry had shoo'd the Force off after the incident at the police lab.  They've both changed, and it's going to take communication and time to get used to each other again.  So, leave it to Iris to save the day on that one.  Also, they have to work together to ensure Barry's powers don't get wonky, and he can control them better.

No Cisco this week, and STILL no Kamilla.  I think there HAS to be some budget issues or it's COVID related regulations that prevent the entire team to be on set all the time.  And while I"m okay with not EVERYONE being used week to week, NOT having them on at all for long periods of time make us lose interest in the character.  And another thing----think we can get back to seeing Iris, Kamilla, and Allegra doing ACTUAL news reporting?  

So, how did everyone enjoy this week's episode?  Your thoughts on Chillblaine?  What do YOU see in Frost's future?  Subscribe and drop me a line...lemme know what you think.  

Until next time....Keep on running!