Roy Harper disarmed & The Hayoth vs The Specter for the future of the Middle East

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Well just this past weekend I paid a visit. to one of my favorite comic shops in the area. They've got a huge back issue section including lots of $1 bins. From the $1 bins I found #1 (4 issue mini-series) of Justice League: The Rise Rise of Arsenal (2010). As you can see this is some hardcore stuff!

The issue opens up with a flash back sequence that opens up with Roy on the JLA satellite talking to his daughter Lian in Star City. Right after wards he's ambushed by a villain I'm not familiar with named Prometheus. Roy manages to get the upper hand on this guy but becomes over confident and opens himself up to a counter attack by Prometheus who utilizes all sorts of deadly weaponry built into his armor. The issue continues with Roy waking up at Star Labs and to the bad news that Prometheus had gotten the drop on the rest of the League and used the Satellite's weapons to destroy Star City and then managed to escape. Needless to say Roy is torn apart on so many levels and the rest of the League have no idea how to ease Roy's pain as he struggles with the loss of his daughter, his arm and the a reoccurring addiction. Most of you are familiar enough with the Roy Harper character to pretty much imagine how the rest of this issue plays out. It'll make you feel better about your life. Anyways, this issue was some powerful stuff and I'd love to find 3-4 as well.
Although I didn't find The Spector #15 vol.3 (1994) in the $1 dollar bin I only paid a little bit over the original cover price for it so that was still cool. Written by John Ostrander the issue featured a story in which the Israeli meta human team The Hayoth had been assigned to protect a palestinian terrorist turned politician (Kemal Saad) who had become the voice of moderation for peace talks in Cairo Egypt. The Hayoth had some misgivings about their assignment but never the less intended on carrying out thier duty as professionals. However, The Specter has chosen Saad to be "judged" for his past crimes which brings The Specter into conflict with The Hayoth. To further complicate matters matter Eclispo turns up in the hopes of assassinating Saad and pinning it on The Hayoth as a means to ferment further conflict in the Middle East. An all around solid story that successfully weaves real life history and politics into the old DC Universe.

The Hayoth were created by John Ostrander, his late wife Kim Yale and Geof Isherwood. They first appeared in Suicide Squad #45 and were reoccurring characters in the title till nearly the end of the series. Aside from The Specter #15 and the multiple Suicide Squad appearances the only other title from the old DCU The Hayoth appeared in that I am aware of was as a cameo in Checkmate #24 Vol.2 (1998). The Hayoth were temporarily deputized by Checkmate in operation Grassbeater which was a global sting operation against various Kobra terror cells. For those of you who have some familiarity with Biblical history and text may find it very interesting where the name Hayoth comes from as well as all the code names of it's members: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayoth

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VS System Card art work for Task Force X and a match up I'd like to see

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One day I wanted to see how many of these VS Systems Cards I could find on the internet that were related to Task Force X which includes both The Suicide Squad and Checkmate as many of you know. Most of them had some pretty cool art work that I didn't recognize from other sources so I decided to put them all together in this sort of collage. If you're wondering about any missing characters it was either because I couldn't find em or because the art work was a reproduction of stuff DC had published already. Here's a sample of what the cards look like but I wouldn't be able to tell you anything else about these cards I'm not into role playing games unless I happen to be dating someone.

These two are far more likely to be allies then advisories. But you know how it goes in comics, if the fans want to see two characters throw down the writers will come up with some sort of scenario to make it happen. Of course they'll eventually realize there was some sort of misunderstanding and team up to fight the real threat what ever that may be. If you happen to be thinking that the bottom half of this posting was inspired by the Wed. Dredd posting on It's A Dave's World then you have some seriously keen detective skills.

A mind boggling metamorphosis

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As I was putting together this posting it occurred to me how many Firestorm villains have ended up being recruits for Task Force X. Here's the role call: Mindboggler, Plastique, Killerfrost, Slipknot, Multiplex and Cliff Carmichael a.k.a The Thinker. There were those who were short timers like Killer Frost and Slipknot and others who had built up a lot of time on the Squad by the time the old DCU came to an end like Plastique, Multiplex and Carmichael. But Mindboggler falls somewhere in the middle . . sort of. I'll try to explain.

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Mindboggler actually was the first "casualty" of the Ostrander Suicide Squad series as a result of having been shot in the back (issue # 2) on their first mission to take down the meta-human terrorist group the jihad. The Squad wasn't able to bring her body back with them from the mission. As a result, what was left of the jihad organization was able to use her amnesiac brain patterns to create a digital being programmed to destroy the Squad codenamed Ifrit. During a second encounter (issues 17-18) with a reformed jihad the Squad was able to defeat them yet again and this time procure the portable electronic storage device that contained Ifrit.

Dybbuk

However, all attempts to break the Ifrit programming in hopes of allowing the Mindboggler psyche to return had failed. Later in the series (issue # 50) Mindboggler's body turned up as a reanimated corps along with other deceased Squad members in an attempt to destroy the Squad as orchestrated by an old enemy of Rick Flag. Eventually (issue #63) Waller sought out the help of the Israeli meta human agent team known as the Hoyath who had as a member an artificial digital life form codenamed Dybbuk. Dybbuk was able to break the Ifrit programing and even uncover Mindboggler's prior self before she embarked on a life as a criminal. Mindboggler reclaimed her birth name (Leah Wasserman) as she and Dybbuk (having now changed his name to Lenny) decided to get married. It is unknown if they required any special software for the "wedding" but at least according to Lenny's Hoyath team mate Ramban, Leah seems like a "nice Jewish program".

Do you know who the actress Lori Petty is? You may have seen her in movies like Tank Girl ( a not so good movie), Point Break ( a good movie) or in a short lived but excellent series called Brimstone. I dunno call me crazy but is there a resemblance here? Mindboggler was truly a tortured character I'm glad the Ostrander series tied up this loose end on at least some what of a high note.

DC Showcase: Deadshot & Peacemaker take on Kobra

Thanks to a fella who left some comments I just discovered on my part 4 of the Impel DC trading cards posting series I learned about a DC Showcase issue that has Deadshot and Peacemaker teaming (with others) to take on Kobra in what was described as kinda of a Janus Directive sequel. I love the idea so I did a little research online and found some previews of it. Truth be told it really didn't look all that great but should I happen to find this in a $1 bin some day it would probably be worth picking up. To preview the first few pages go here: http://www.readdcentertainment.com/Showcase-93-11/digital-comic/ICO002122

here I'm just having some more fun with photoshop and this current snake theme my this blog has taken on.

Top: PM, Black Thorn and a Checkmate knight fight Kobra Blackadders in the Janus Directive   Bottom: PM has imaginary argument with his late father who he despises because of his nazi affiliation

On the other hand this guy also left a link to a myspace page that's all about Peacemaker. It's packed with information about the character and clip art of his best moments from the old DCU. The funny thing about the Peacemaker's helmet is that sometimes it's kinda lame looking and sometimes it looks alright depending on what artist is drawing the character. That myspace page is really worth checking out you'll develop more of an appreciation of the character I promise: http://www.myspace.com/projectpeacemaker

I made this just because I thought it would be fun. You may notice George Cloony's name is missing. He was actually alright in this movie and probably wouldn't be a half bad Peacemaker. But my number one choice would be Thomas Jane ( The Punisher). Clive Owen would also be a good prospect. Below is just having some more fun with photoshop and this current snake theme this blog has taken on recently.

Hey folks the party's at the Tiger Cage! But first . . .

Omega Agent 1 wrote a full blown review of Suicide Squad #12 and it's loaded with plenty of clip art from the issue so if you haven't read it yet for whatever reason here's your chance to pretty much get the whole story with out paying any money. All he asks in return is for you to share your thoughts on the review: http://thebronzetiger.blogspot.com/2012/08/into-temple-of-doom.html?showComment=1345185529849#c8263570708393296381

Regulus                               Kobra                                 Serpentor

Is it just me or do all these evil cult leader terrorist guys shop at the same places when it comes to their wardrobe? Regardless where ever they shop or how bad ass they may be these guys are no match for  . . .

Beware Randomnerds bearing gifts

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Well I must say when I received the rather large box of items from Randomnerd I was taken aback. I knew she had something on it's way to me from her weekend at the Chicago Comic Con but I had no idea it would be so lavish a gift. As you can see here there is a Deadshot figure (it was in the package) and a "Hello Kitty" style illustration done on a piece of cardboard of Lashina. I've seen that figure a million times on the internet over the years but now that I've got one I gotta say I'm so impressed with how well sculpted and articulate it is. Dale knows what I'm talking about. I think also this thing will actually serve as a useful tool for those times when I'm having trouble visualizing in my head specific figure composition for future fan art. Those jointed wooden figurines you find at art supply stores never really worked for me. She also included a copy of one of the coolest G.I.Joe comic book issues ever published which was #21 "the silent issue".

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This one of my favorite Suicide Squad scenes from issue 33 in which Duchess/Lashina is rounding up Squad members to take with her to Apokolips to run interference as she attempts to regain her position with the Female Furies. Till this day this scene is still not 100% clear to me. Considering that all she really wants is to use Deadshot as canon fodder I'm not sure I understand why him being a little out of his mind would make a big difference to her. But some how it's still a cool scene that really sticks with me. So how would you folks out there interpret this exchange between Duchess and Deadshot? Why wasn't he "ready"?

Hidden Spider crouching Tiger

So by now I'm sure most of you know that Black Spider turned out to be the traitor that's been hyped about for the last few months. Gee whiz, could they have picked a more obvious character among the Squad? But on the other hand Boomerang turns out to be a double agent still working for Waller for which he allowed himself to be captured by Basilisk back in issue #4. Apparently even Deadshot wasn't in on that plan. We also discover in issue #12 that Diablo, King Shark and Iceberg turn out to be Basilisk subconscious sleeper agents that Black Spider activates by saying a trigger word to them right after he gets the drop on Boomerang. So that just leaves Deadshot and Harley and they're in big trouble. Also, the issue ends as an assassin is poised to ambush Waller.
This issue was certainly an improvement from the last but I'm not ready to start picking this book up again just yet. But here's what would get me to think twice about that. Find some way to introduce Bronze Tiger into the series at this point and have him save the Squad's collective asses which would have to include a show down between Bronze Tiger and Black Spider. Maybe Black Spider is killed by BT or manages to survive the fight and make a ninja like get away and vow revenge just like Ravan from the Ostrander series?
Or better yet Black Spider is captured and taken back to face Waller. He would be so fucked! But, I suspect all that is too much to hope for however. I imagine Yo-Yo will probably show up again instead. No offense to Yo-Yo I actually kind like the character but he's just no Bronze Tiger. So what do you all think you like my idea here?

Chicago Comic-Con 2012 photos from this past weekend courtesy of one of my favorite commentators and supporters for this blog, Randomnerd (Black Widow). Wish I could have been there too.
 

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