This issue introduces a to a new villain. Well . . actually, he's a very old villain. As you can see by the cover. But, despite appearances, he's actually much older than he looks. His name is General Immortus, and he's been the scourge of the Doom Patrol, and sometimes the Teen Titans, for a good many years. He first appeared in My Greatest Adventures #80, around 1963. Anyways, he's back, after appearing to have been killed in Salvation Run, and he's putting together a team of misfits. As you saw last issue, the focus of the story was on the Human Flame, Michael Miller. This issue we see just how pathetic this guy is as he attempts to steal some equipment from Heat Wave. Of course he's not successful, and after looking pretty beaten up from everything he's been through, he's approached by the Condiment King in a bar. He wants to take him to a Doctor who can fix him up without questions. He then takes him to Immortus' lair. We find out that the Generals group of misfits include, the Condiment King, Sportsmaster, Brown Recluse, Mr Polka Dot, Miss Army Knife, Seductress, N-Emy and Phoney Baloney. As it happens, the Generals doctor is actually Professor Achilles Milo. He's a villain that goes way back too. He originally appeared in Detective #247, 1957. But he was also part of Bruce's downfall in Batman RIP. Anyways, he's taking the Generals handpicked subjects, one of which is now Michael, and basically rebuilds them from the inside out. When he's done, Michael is now capable of producing his flames without his suit. "You've had quite the overhaul, Miller. Some of the best work I've ever done. You've now got built-in flamethrowers with nozzles embedded in your palms, the backs of your elbows, and beneath your tongue. And of course, on your chest as well, like before. Flaming nipples being your idiom and all. I embedded some new pathways directly into your motor cortex. You should be able to feel your new features as body parts that you can manipulate, just like your fingers." As his first test, of his powers his loyalty and his gratitude, he's asked by the General to take out N-Emy for trying to steal from him. Michael does so, but . . after using his powers he discovers he's in a whole lot of pain. It seems that as a probationary tool, and to establish their loyalty, when one of these freaks first get their powers, he makes sure that their pain receptors remain fully in tact. Right now Michael can use his flame-throwers, but . . he also feels the intense heat when he uses them. When the General feels that he's committed to him, then he'll remove the receptors. Talk about one messed up employee incentive program. We also see this issue that John Stewart and Firestorm have made it their mission to track Michael down, mostly because of his involvement with what happened to Jonn. By the way, if I forgot to mention it, the Human Flame is also a very old character . . originally appeared in Detective #274, 1959. But he was so lame, they used him once, and then he didn't reappear for almost 50 years when he popped back up during Final Crisis. Sorry, just a little piece of trivia there for ya'. Anyways, this series is by Matthew Sturges and Freddie Williams II. So far . . I really like the story. I think there's a whole lot of cool, and original ideas here. And I really like that they're using, and upgrading these really old obscure characters. I'm also pretty impressed with Freddie's art. This should be a very interesting story.
No comments:
Post a Comment