Alpha Flight from the Beginning

[limerick]

Thanks for that!Season's greetings to you all.
Re:this issue----I'm disappointed with the characterisation of Doug Thompson.He's unrecognisable from John Byrne's run.This was a big problem for me with Mantlo's run as there is very little consistency for most characters.I don't mind the cheesiest storylines but I lose interest when I feel the characters are not true to themselves.
Re:this thread.I notice the drop in readers for the series is now being mirrored by a lack of input into this thread.This is only natural as there may not be too many thread-members who have read the full run.I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO HAS TO PLEASE KEEP UP THE INPUT----WE NEED TO KEEP THIS THREAD GOING!!

David,hope you arerecovering from your injury and keep up the continuing great work.All the best for 2009!

[limerick]

By the way,Stephen.Is that picture you?What's that on your head?!

[Nevets F]

By the way,Stephen.Is that picture you?What's that on your head?!

Yep...that is me. It was a few years ago at the office, they gave us all Elf hats, lol. I need to change it now that Christmas is over.

I have faith David will keep the thread going, even if there are lulls of only a few of us. Glad to have you back for sure.

[tintin]

I love this thread! Great stuff!

Does anyone know if there are any collected trades
(other than Alpha Flight: Classic Volume 1) or Marvel Masterworks
of early Alpha Flight?

[Fire_And_Light]

There are trades of the JB issues, called Alpha Flight Classic. I got mine at the comic shop- 25 bucks, I think. However, I bought almost every issue used for ridiculously cheap. I think like 50 cents a piece through Mile High Comics. They are well worth it. The ads and stuff are great, as are the reader letters. (Boy, people sure had a lot to say about some characters!)

[limerick]

Some thoughts on # 39:(now I've got it in front of me!)
--the new Bochs/Jeffries designed Omnijet---3,000 miles in under 1 hour--WOW!
--nice to see Alpha have time for coffoe and doughnuts on route.Bochs stays true to body stereotypes polishing off the last doughnut!
--Snowbird talks to Puck while in whale form.I didn't know she could do that--or a continuity error,perhaps.

[david r]

Limerick, I think you're correct. I don't believe Snowbird can speak in an animal form....and yet she does as a whale in #39. I suspect either her powers are mutating further, or it was a continuity error. Nice catch.

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/thumb/8/81/Alpha_Flight_003.jpg/399px-Alpha_Flight_003.jpg

[david r]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/05815547774.272.GIF

Avengers #272

"Assault on Atlantis"

Why include this issue of Avengers? It continues Marrina's story, trapped by Attuma. As Namor, the Sub-Mariner and Earth's Mightiest Heroes storm the undersea kingdom of Atlantis to seize control away from Attuma. A mighty battle rages, between the Avengers and Atlantis' security forces. Soon, Alpha Flight arrive. Several members wearing oxygen helmets so they can breathe underwater. Within Atlantis, Attuma hears the Great Warning Horn blare! ATLANTIS IS UNDER SIEGE!!

Alpha Flight & Avengers storm the fabled city. Namor locates Attuma and begins punching him out! Northstar locates exhausted Marrina, and smashes her out of her water-cell. Box becomes exhausted, as Roger Bochs has never been merged with his robot self for so long. Box returns to the surface to play it safe. Marrina is shot in the fight, and Namor finally locates her. But Marrina's face shows she's reverted to her hostile, warrioress look. Marrina replies she is an alien monster, and there is no future for her or Namor. The battle is won, but Namor has lost his beloved, Marrina. She swims into the unknown depths. Namor and Captain Marvel swim amidst the splendor of the ocean. Namor realizes he must save Marrina's lost soul. He takes a leave of absence, to search the lonely, seas for his lost love.

My thoughts: This was a great issue. Climaxing the Marrina/Namor/Attuma subplot from Alpha Flight. Namor and his air-breathing friends having to fight Atlantis' armies was awesome to read. Artist John Buscema draws the undersea world beautifully. The artwork was perhaps the best part of this issue; wonderful stuff. Alas, poor Marrina is still a tortured soul. Will peace never find a place for her?

[limerick]

Limerick, I think you're correct. I don't believe Snowbird can speak in an animal form....and yet she does as a whale in #39. I suspect either her powers are mutating further, or it was a continuity error. Nice catch.

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/thumb/8/81/Alpha_Flight_003.jpg/399px-Alpha_Flight_003.jpg
NICE poster!!Great art.Snowbird looks like she's grown wings.And Vindicator and Shamen have definitely getting value for money on those gym memberships.Wolverine looks pretty wimpy beside them.

[limerick]

http://image.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/05815547774.272.GIF

Avengers #272

"Assault on Atlantis"

Why include this issue of Avengers? It continues Marrina's story, trapped by Attuma. As Namor, the Sub-Mariner and Earth's Mightiest Heroes storm the undersea kingdom of Atlantis to seize control away from Attuma. A mighty battle rages, between the Avengers and Atlantis' security forces. Soon, Alpha Flight arrive. Several members wearing oxygen helmets so they can breathe underwater. Within Atlantis, Attuma hears the Great Warning Horn blare! ATLANTIS IS UNDER SIEGE!!

Alpha Flight & Avengers storm the fabled city. Namor locates Attuma and begins punching him out! Northstar locates exhausted Marrina, and smashes her out of her water-cell. Box becomes exhausted, as Roger Bochs has never been merged with his robot self for so long. Box returns to the surface to play it safe. Marrina is shot in the fight, and Namor finally locates her. But Marrina's face shows she's reverted to her hostile, warrioress look. Marrina replies she is an alien monster, and there is no future for her or Namor. The battle is won, but Namor has lost his beloved, Marrina. She swims into the unknown depths. Namor and Captain Marvel swim amidst the splendor of the ocean. Namor realizes he must save Marrina's lost soul. He takes a leave of absence, to search the lonely, seas for his lost love.

My thoughts: This was a great issue. Climaxing the Marrina/Namor/Attuma subplot from Alpha Flight. Namor and his air-breathing friends having to fight Atlantis' armies was awesome to read. Artist John Buscema draws the undersea world beautifully. The artwork was perhaps the best part of this issue; wonderful stuff. Alas, poor Marrina is still a tortured soul. Will peace never find a place for her?
David,thanks for the low down on this issue--I never bothered tracking it down to see how things finished exactly .A question ?The Black Knight(?)---I know next to nothing about him but his vehicle pictured on the cover looks very Green Goblin-like.Did he in some way accquire the technology or is it just a coincidence?

[Nevets F]

David,thanks for the low down on this issue--I never bothered tracking it down to see how things finished exactly .A question ?The Black Knight(?)---I know next to nothing about him but his vehicle pictured on the cover looks very Green Goblin-like.Did he in some way accquire the technology or is it just a coincidence?

It is just a coincidence, it looks a little off on the cover. Those are his "atomic steeds"...they look more like motorcycles than the goblin gliders...you just can't tell it much on this cover.

I liked this issue, and am glad you included it. I feel it was an important chapter. I feel bad for Marrina, it seems she can never catch a break. :(

[limerick]

It is just a coincidence, it looks a little off on the cover. Those are his "atomic steeds"...they look more like motorcycles than the goblin gliders...you just can't tell it much on this cover.

I liked this issue, and am glad you included it. I feel it was an important chapter. I feel bad for Marrina, it seems she can never catch a break. :(
It's not over for Marrina and Namor yet---next issue will conclude the saga.Happy ending?You'll have to wait and see.It would seem unlikely with Marriana's luck but I'm not giving anything away!

Are you familiar with the Gerry Anderson puppet series "Stingray" from the 1960's(maybe early '70's).It would have been very popular in UK and Ireland at that time but I'm not sure it made it Stateside.There was a character called Marina who lived underwater.I don't think she was green-skinned but she definitely had a green hue to her.Just quite a coincidence.I'm sure you'll be able to find some clips on Youtube if you're unfamiliar with the series

[limerick]

BTW,I'll use the Alpha thread to wish a belated Happy New Year to everyone on the CBR forum especially all the users of the "from the beginning threads".

As we say in Ireland:"Slainte!"-----(good health)

[limerick]

It's not over for Marrina and Namor yet---next issue will conclude the saga.Happy ending?You'll have to wait and see.It would seem unlikely with Marriana's luck but I'm not giving anything away!

Are you familiar with the Gerry Anderson puppet series "Stingray" from the 1960's(maybe early '70's).It would have been very popular in UK and Ireland at that time but I'm not sure it made it Stateside.There was a character called Marina who lived underwater.I don't think she was green-skinned but she definitely had a green hue to her.Just quite a coincidence.I'm sure you'll be able to find some clips on Youtube if you're unfamiliar with the series
Look up "Stingray Marina" on youtube for those clips----let me know if anyone thinks there are any similarities with the characters.(Edit:Watch the first clip with the end credits---the similrities are strong)

[david r]

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO YOU TOO, LIMERICK! I am glad you are back to us. 2008 was a really good year for me, except for December. Which was a disaster and saw the FTB threads slow to a trickle. Which was NOT how I had planned it. This lucky old son must be more careful next time......

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/e/e2/Marrina_001.jpg

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/f/fe/Marrina_Smallwood_%28Earth-616%29_002.jpg

[Nevets F]

It's not over for Marrina and Namor yet---next issue will conclude the saga.Happy ending?You'll have to wait and see.It would seem unlikely with Marriana's luck but I'm not giving anything away!

Are you familiar with the Gerry Anderson puppet series "Stingray" from the 1960's(maybe early '70's).It would have been very popular in UK and Ireland at that time but I'm not sure it made it Stateside.There was a character called Marina who lived underwater.I don't think she was green-skinned but she definitely had a green hue to her.Just quite a coincidence.I'm sure you'll be able to find some clips on Youtube if you're unfamiliar with the series

Hmm...I haven't heard of this before. I wasn't born until 78 though, so it could have made it here before my time.

BTW,I'll use the Alpha thread to wish a belated Happy New Year to everyone on the CBR forum especially all the users of the "from the beginning threads".

As we say in Ireland:"Slainte!"-----(good health)

Happy New Year to you too!

Look up "Stingray Marina" on youtube for those clips----let me know if anyone thinks there are any similarities with the characters.(Edit:Watch the first clip with the end credits---the similrities are strong)

I will look it up!

[Nevets F]

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO YOU TOO, LIMERICK! I am glad you are back to us. 2008 was a really good year for me, except for December. Which was a disaster and saw the FTB threads slow to a trickle. Which was NOT how I had planned it. This lucky old son must be more careful next time......

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/e/e2/Marrina_001.jpg

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/marveldatabase/images/f/fe/Marrina_Smallwood_%28Earth-616%29_002.jpg

Once again David, I am so sorry for your injury, and hope that although it was obviously serious, that it didn't/won't have lasting problems. Take care of yourself!

[limerick]

For anyone still interested(!),the first of the 2 Alpha annuals occurs about now.I'll have to get it out of storage to see exactly when--it might already have occured or may be a couple of issues away but for completists you should read it about now.(As far as I remember you're not missing on a literary masterpiece if you decide to pass!)

[limerick]

Nice to see the Alpha thread back on page 1 where it belongs.

[limerick]

LOOK INTO MY EYES!READ ALPHA FLIGHT..(and then post on this thread)....okay,you can wake up now.....hey....I said wake up.........sh*t---someone call 911!

[limerick]

BTW,Stephen,is this the longest you've gone without changing, your avatar.I'm getting a bit spooked-----isn't there anyone out there!?What's that noise?I'll just check behind me............"NO--NOT THE BEAUTY & THE BEAST MINI----YOU ANIMAL..........ARRGHHHHHHHHH...."

[david r]

Once again David, I am so sorry for your injury, and hope that although it was obviously serious, that it didn't/won't have lasting problems. Take care of yourself!

I never saw this message before. Thank you, Steven, and everyone, who wished me well with the injury. I am doing a lot better. :smile:

Limerick, I love your multiple posts! :biggrin:

[Nevets F]

LOOK INTO MY EYES!READ ALPHA FLIGHT..(and then post on this thread)....okay,you can wake up now.....hey....I said wake up.........sh*t---someone call 911!

Oh no! You killed Kenny!

I love this thread. It is the first thread I look for when I log in, lol.

You know what I just learned? I had no idea Mantlo had been hit by a car in 92, spent more than a year in a coma, and is now in a nursing home with basically no chance of recovery. That was a sad thing to hear...regardless of how people felt about his books (I do not hate his Alpha at all, as some do. He was cursed to come after Byrne sadly).

[escapegoat]

Oh no! You killed Kenny!

I love this thread. It is the first thread I look for when I log in, lol.

You know what I just learned? I had no idea Mantlo had been hit by a car in 92, spent more than a year in a coma, and is now in a nursing home with basically no chance of recovery. That was a sad thing to hear...regardless of how people felt about his books (I do not hate his Alpha at all, as some do. He was cursed to come after Byrne sadly).

Mantlo had some big shoes to fill when he came in. I thought he did a decent job, with the exception of Puck's origin, andI felt he did a great job continuing the concept of the dysfunctional superteam quite well. I think a strong consistent artist on the run would have helped as well. I believe there was a lot of fill-ins during his run that visually made things a little disjointed.

[Nevets F]

Mantlo had some big shoes to fill when he came in. I thought he did a decent job, with the exception of Puck's origin, andI felt he did a great job continuing the concept of the dysfunctional superteam quite well. I think a strong consistent artist on the run would have helped as well. I believe there was a lot of fill-ins during his run that visually made things a little disjointed.

I agree completely...and while I didn't hate Mantlo's run at all, I did despise the Puck origin.

[david r]

You know what I just learned? I had no idea Mantlo had been hit by a car in 92, spent more than a year in a coma, and is now in a nursing home with basically no chance of recovery. That was a sad thing to hear...regardless of how people felt about his books

Bill Mantlo is lost to us now, and it's a horrible loss. I loved his Micronauts and Incredible Hulk runs. Mantlo is a vegetable now I believe. And I believe no chance of recovery. At least he left us with many wonderful stories that will last a long long time.

[limerick]

Bill Mantlo is lost to us now, and it's a horrible loss. I loved his Micronauts and Incredible Hulk runs. Mantlo is a vegetable now I believe. And I believe no chance of recovery. At least he left us with many wonderful stories that will last a long long time.
Wow!Didn't know any of that --feel real guilty about story criticism now.

[david r]

Bill Mantlo was rollerblading, I believe in New York. He was struck by an automobile, and never recovered. He was in a coma for a year, but when he came out of it, Bill was a vegetable. And has remained so ever since. Whenever I read an issue of his, I'm always reminded of what happened to him. But also the hours of joy he brought to my life, with his many different books. Especially the Micronauts, one of my all-time faves.

I'll never forget his work.

[Nevets F]

Bill Mantlo was rollerblading, I believe in New York. He was struck by an automobile, and never recovered. He was in a coma for a year, but when he came out of it, Bill was a vegetable. And has remained so ever since. Whenever I read an issue of his, I'm always reminded of what happened to him. But also the hours of joy he brought to my life, with his many different books. Especially the Micronauts, one of my all-time faves.

I'll never forget his work.

That is such a sad story. I didn't pay much attention to comic news back in the 90's, so somehow I had never heard this until the other day. I was truly shocked and saddened by this "news".

[Nevets F]

http://www.bowendesigns.com/images/sculptures/legacy/Aurora%20and%20Northstar%20mini-busts.jpg


http://www.bowendesigns.com/images/sculptures/legacy/Marrina%20bust1.JPG

I FINALLY for these last Busts, so I now have all members of the original Alpha Flight as busts. Yay!

[david r]

That is great, Steven. I wish I could get them. I'd have them all out on display. Sometimes when I go to my LCS, I look over all those DC and Marvel busts and wish I had tons of extra $$$$ to buy them ALL.

[Fire_And_Light]

Oh, Bill! Thanks for sharing that info. I never knew. Life is so unpredictable.

[Fire_And_Light]

Nice busts! Wink, wink.

The Annuals weren't terrible. There are some fun character moments. Heather and Northstar fight like crazy. I think it is where the beginning of Box I and Aurora's romance is shown (swimming in the pool). Madison and Northstar butt heads. A lot of that kind of stuff, and a conclusion of sorts with the Gilded Lily story. I am one of the few people who LOVED Gary Taloc's inking, and I believe he did this issue.

[david r]

If Chris Claremont's X-Men Forever book is a success, I wonder if Marvel might consider an Alpha Flight Forever book. Wouldn't that be incredible? Somehow persuade John Byrne to return to the characters he breathed life into, and pick up with #28, right where he left off!

[Nevets]

If Chris Claremont's X-Men Forever book is a success, I wonder if Marvel might consider an Alpha Flight Forever book. Wouldn't that be incredible? Somehow persuade John Byrne to return to the characters he breathed life into, and pick up with #28, right where he left off!

I am sure it would be great, but I wouldn't be very excited about it. So much of what I love came after his run...which is not the norm, of course.

[limerick]

From 3rd April,Friday is Alpha Flight night!!!!!!(GMT!).So dust off those classic issues,open a cold one and savour everything Alpha.Be there or be Beta

[Pixie_Solanas]

From 3rd April,Friday is Alpha Flight night!!!!!!(GMT!).So dust off those classic issues,open a cold one and savour everything Alpha.Be there or be Beta

Every nite is AF nite in case de torpor.

[limerick]

Every nite is AF nite in case de torpor.
Ha,ha!Sounds like a cool place to be!

[Pixie_Solanas]

Ha,ha!Sounds like a cool place to be!

I prance around in a Marrina one-piece on special occasions.

[Ronin1108]

so how do yakll feel bout the hudsons bein taken out in the wolverine movie?my theory iss that it's james' parents, and hes somewhere with heather which kinda sucks imo..

[limerick]

David R.----Help.The covers have been deleted from this thread .Can you post any cover from the series so I can then copy the web address like before to get the other covers.Thanking you in advance,dude!

[Pixie_Solanas]

so how do yakll feel bout the hudsons bein taken out in the wolverine movie?my theory iss that it's james' parents, and hes somewhere with heather which kinda sucks imo..

I have no desire to see Hollywood garbage.

[limerick]

Alpha Flight #40.........November 1986

"LOVE"

Bill Mantlo/David Ross

Atlantis:Marrina has fled in shame following the battle with Attuma.The Sub-Mariner is beside himself with worry and races off in search of Marrina.Vindicator sends Northstarafter him to watch him.Box is in pain.During the battle he accidentally phased out of his armour,suffered a bout of bends,rephased into the armour and is now worried he will be permanantly trapped within the armour.Aurora is worried this will not allow a physical relationship!

Mr. Jeffries joins them in a self-constructed submersible.He has a sonar fix on Marinna,Sub-Mariner,Northstar and .......something else.Meanwhile a contemplative Northstar thinks about his sister and her obsession with being in love.Although,critical of her he would do anything for her.Northstar catches The Sub-Mariner and tries to attract his attention but only ends up annoying him.Namor is obsessed with regaining Marinna.

Ahead,Marrina is desperately upset with her fate.She realises her encounter with her mate (#14)which she thought to be a blood-lusted battle was in fact mating!(ouch!!).She suspects she is about to give birth to hundreds of alien offspring and that this has been partly responsible for the change in her appearance.She desires death to escape this happening to her.The Sub-Mariner arrives and she begs him to kill her but he professes his love and says if the Atlanteans can accept Attuma they will accept her!

Alpha Flight arrives telling Namor the offspring will be monstrous but Namor believes if raised in a loving enviorment they may develop as Marrina did.Most of Alpha agree but Vindicator is not convined and believes the offsprings death is nessicary.Marrina agrees and requests her death.Suddenly the "something else" on the sonar appears---Marrina's mate ,and in the immortal words of Mr Jeffries----"I'd haveta say that daddy holds a veto!!!"

The Mate is monstrous and attacks Alpha and Namor but not Marrina.Vindicator is more convinced than ever that Marrina must DIE!!Marrina seems to embrace the creatures protection.Vindicator has seen enough and begins to fire at Marrina.Sub-Mariner,enraged urges Alpha to see his way and to give their former team-mate a chance.They start to fight.Marrina watches Namor and understands his love for her.This enables her to overcome her alien instincts and look back on the love she has enjoyed in her life.She suddenly has the power to reject the Plodex mate and her normal appearance returns.They realise she was never pregnant but merely in a state of breeder receptivity.Her acceptance of her human side ended that state.The mate turns on them all but Alpha quickly(one frame!!!!) destroys it.

They all head for Namor's undersea villa only to be met by a joyous crowd of Atlanteans loyal to Namor.He announces the creation of a new undersea kingdom,Deluvia and that Marrina will be his bride.The crowd willingly accept her.The issue ends with the royal wedding of Namor and Marrina.Hurrah!

[MartinRedmond]

I prance around in a Marrina one-piece on special occasions.

But Marrina doesn't get to wear any boots... :(

[Pixie_Solanas]

But Marrina doesn't get to wear any boots... :(

I improvise.

[limerick]

Sounds kinda kinky

[Imraith Nimphais]

WOT!?...did I read that correctly?...Vindicator ie Heather Hudson fires on Marinna?...oh! the depths to which my beloved AF has/had sunk...(pun not intended)...does Heather show any sort of remorse for her actions afterwards?

[david r]

Limerick, here is the image you asked for. I am curious where this series leads. I haven't been able to purchase any new issues.

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.1.GIF

[Nevets F]

HOLY CRAP! Alpha Flight is back!!

*faints*

[Nevets F]

WOT!?...did I read that correctly?...Vindicator ie Heather Hudson fires on Marinna?...oh! the depths to which my beloved AF has/had sunk...(pun not intended)...does Heather show any sort of remorse for her actions afterwards?

It may have been a little cold, but I see why Heather would do it. One crazy Plodex was more than they could handle, hundreds or thousands of them would kill everything on Earth.

This was actually a really well done story. Alpha truly only had a few below par issues after Byrne left, but it very quickly got better.

[Nevets F]

In honor of Limerick, the return of the Alpha Thread thread, and the exciting next issue...I present a new Avatar from said issue. It is really poor quality, haha, but it works for me.

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.40.GIF [/QUOTE]

Thoughts on Alpha flight #40:

--Ironically this first issue of Alpha I'm reviewing is the first issue I bought and read.The cover just completely caught my attention---I wish it wasn't spoiled slightly by the Marvel 25th anninversary montage.What interested me when I saw it was the beautiful female Vindicator---I was familiar with James Hudson from Uncanny so what was going on here?I wasn't mad keen on the story at the time and didn't return to the title until relatively recently.
--My opinion has changed.Alpha is ludicrous but irresistable.Basically unlike other Marvels which operated within a certain structure,ANYTHING could and did happen to Alpha Flight.This unpredictability combimed with an adorable cheese factor makes Alpha a must read for me now.And things just get more and more bizarre as time goes on.Strap yourself in ---it's gonna be quite a ride!
--Probably most noticeable in this issue is the bloodlust of ,not the Plodex,but Vindicator.She's spitting for Marinna's blood.Ex-teammate be damned--you're going down!Noticable Heather quotes:
"all the more reason Marrina offspring can't be allowed to be born!"
"Marrina must be destroyed!The future of the earth imposes a duty on us Alpha Flight!Do what must be done......and worry about the morality of it in the morning!(!!!!!)"
"You have your orders,Alphans!"
"Get out of our way Namor!I feel bad enough about this without wanting to be responsible for your death,too!"
Remember,guys.The quite ones with the glasses are PSYCHO!!!!
---Actually Alpha manage to make Namor look well-adjusted and calm which isn't easy.
--Aurora has turned into quite the Nympho.".......I cannot love a machine!"
--Bizzarely ,the Flight dispose of the Plodex in(count them!) ONE frame!Is this a Marvel superhero efficiency record.I don't know why they were worried about the offspring--they handled this one with ease.
--More bizarre is Snowbird spending the whole issue in whale form and doing basically-----nothing!Weird.

[limerick]

In honor of Limerick, the return of the Alpha Thread thread, and the exciting next issue...I present a new Avatar from said issue. It is really poor quality, haha, but it works for me.
I'm honoured ,Steven!Thanks for that!

[limerick]

WOT!?...did I read that correctly?...Vindicator ie Heather Hudson fires on Marinna?...oh! the depths to which my beloved AF has/had sunk...(pun not intended)...does Heather show any sort of remorse for her actions afterwards?
In a word ,no!The lady is basically The Punisher with breasts!

[Cub]

What a strange visual...

[worstblogever]

--Probably most noticeable in this issue is the bloodlust of ,not the Plodex,but Vindicator.She's spitting for Marinna's blood.Ex-teammate be damned--you're going down!Noticable Heather quotes:
"all the more reason Marrina offspring can't be allowed to be born!"
"Marrina must be destroyed!The future of the earth imposes a duty on us Alpha Flight!Do what must be done......and worry about the morality of it in the morning!(!!!!!)"
"You have your orders,Alphans!"
"Get out of our way Namor!I feel bad enough about this without wanting to be responsible for your death,too!"

Man, I never thought about it, but Heather Hudson was killing babies before Bishop made it chic. You go, girl!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.41.GIF [/QUOTE]

Back with Alpha # 41 on Tuesday,7th April.This ones going out to Steven F.---Alpha Flights biggest fan!(adopting cheesy D.J. voice!)

Introducing:Purple Girl!

[Nevets F]

Back with Alpha # 41 on Tuesday,7th April.This ones going out to Steven F.---Alpha Flights biggest fan!(adopting cheesy D.J. voice!)

Introducing:Purple Girl!

Haha, thanks Limerick! Can't wait to read your summary!

Not Just Alpha's biggest fan, but also Purple Girl's! :D <3 :D <3

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.41.GIF [/QUOTE]

Alpha Flight # 41............December 1986

"It's Not Easy Being Purple"

Mantlo/Ross

Etobicoke,Toronto:A 13-year-old girl returns home at 3A.M.,frightened by something that has happened to her.She runs a bath and tries to wash the colour off her skin which has turned PURPLE!Her mother wakes and walks in wondering why she is up so late.The girl is frightened by this sudden change but her mother explains that there is a reason------"It's time I told you about your father."



Tamarind Island:Heather has called a meeting of an exhausted Alpha Flight.She nominates Mr Jeffries to replace Marrina,a nomination which is passed almost unanimously(Shaman abstains).Mr Jeffries is slow to accept,feeling he is not worthy of joining Alpha.However Box convinces him,hoping he can help him get out of the armour again after the bends episode in issue # 40.Meanwhile Northstar is upset at the thought of his sister being romantically involved with a "cripple".He announces he is taking a leave of abscence to resume his sking career.Talisman is unsure she has a place with Alpha anymore after her father has taken her powers.Shaman is acting distant ,possiblya side effect of his new powers.

Banff Springs Hotel:Kara,The Purple Girl is in town for Jean-Paul Beaubier's return to the ski circuit.She has stole her mom's credit card to fund the trip.Northstar skis in a demonstration event,revelling being back on the slopes.He is reminded of his youth ,before his powers manifested when he competed for the thrill of competition.When his powers appeared he retired due to his unbeatability.Jean-Paul has lots of fans and everyone wants to meet him---something which makes Purple Girl jealous .She runs to the bathroom ,upset,knowing Jean -Paul is just a fantasy to her.A girl knocks on the door wondering if she will be long.Kara shouts at her to go jump off a cliff.The girl turns purple and promptly heads off to jump off a cliff as commanded!

Kara remembers her mother's story about her father.13 years ago her father ,Zebediah Killgrave,The Purple Man walked into a bar ,met her mother and using powers of mind control,made her marry him an hour later.The Purple Man fell in love with her and released her from his control eventually.She fled from him feeling used.She had fallen pregnant and Kara was the result.

Northstar sees a girl(purple!) about to jump off a cliff.He uses his superspeed to save her and in doing so reveals his secret identity to the watching ski fans.The girl cannot remember what had happened.Northstar notices her purple-coloured skin which is fading back to normal.Kara has seen this happen and realises she has inherited her fathers powers.

A fellow skier accuses Northstar of cheating by using his powers while competing.Northstar says he used only his natural ability when competing but that he retired in the past as he could not be certain he wasn't using his powers subconciously.He reaffirms his retirement and says he shall never return to the sport.

Northstar begins to leave but is stopped by Purple girl who tries to tell him she has powers like him.When Northstar ignores her she possesses him and brings him back to her hotel room.When she orders Northstar to get her some exotic flowers she is suddenly whisked up into the sky by him.He take her thousands of miles away to a tropical island and robotically presents her with some exotic flowers.She them commands him to swim in a pool with her.Unfortunately,it is occupied by crocodiles!A frightened Kara releases Northstar who is unaware where he is.She regains control and orders him to save her which she does creating a waterspout to whirl the attacking crocodile away.

While passing under a waterfall Northstar is released from Purple girls influence.The running water seems to counteract her power.She apologises for her mind control saying she only did it because she loved him.When she begins to get upset Northstar mentions that she could join Alpha Flight where there are people similar to her.However realising that he has his own doubts he instead considers leaving her on the island!She accidentally regains power over him,but then orders him to take her to ALPHA FLIGHT........

[Nevets F]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.41.GIF

Alpha Flight # 41............December 1986

"It's Not Easy Being Purple"

Mantlo/Ross

Etobicoke,Toronto:A 13-year-old girl returns home at 3A.M.,frightened by something that has happened to her.She runs a bath and tries to wash the colour off her skin which has turned PURPLE!Her mother wakes and walks in wondering why she is up so late.The girl is frightened by this sudden change but her mother explains that there is a reason------"It's time I told you about your father."



Tamarind Island:Heather has called a meeting of an exhausted Alpha Flight.She nominates Mr Jeffries to replace Marrina,a nomination which is passed almost unanimously(Shaman abstains).Mr Jeffries is slow to accept,feeling he is not worthy of joining Alpha.However Box convinces him,hoping he can help him get out of the armour again after the bends episode in issue # 40.Meanwhile Northstar is upset at the thought of his sister being romantically involved with a "cripple".He announces he is taking a leave of abscence to resume his sking career.Talisman is unsure she has a place with Alpha anymore after her father has taken her powers.Shaman is acting distant ,possiblya side effect of his new powers.

Banff Springs Hotel:Kara,The Purple Girl is in town for Jean-Paul Beaubier's return to the ski circuit.She has stole her mom's credit card to fund the trip.Northstar skis in a demonstration event,revelling being back on the slopes.He is reminded of his youth ,before his powers manifested when he competed for the thrill of competition.When his powers appeared he retired due to his unbeatability.Jean-Paul has lots of fans and everyone wants to meet him---something which makes Purple Girl jealous .She runs to the bathroom ,upset,knowing Jean -Paul is just a fantasy to her.A girl knocks on the door wondering if she will be long.Kara shouts at her to go jump off a cliff.The girl turns purple and promptly heads off to jump off a cliff as commanded!

Kara remembers her mother's story about her father.13 years ago her father ,Zebediah Killgrave,The Purple Man walked into a bar ,met her mother and using powers of mind control,made her marry him an hour later.The Purple Man fell in love with her and released her from his control eventually.She fled from him feeling used.She had fallen pregnant and Kara was the result.

Northstar sees a girl(purple!) about to jump off a cliff.He uses his superspeed to save her and in doing so reveals his secret identity to the watching ski fans.The girl cannot remember what had happened.Northstar notices her purple-coloured skin which is fading back to normal.Kara has seen this happen and realises she has inherited her fathers powers.

A fellow skier accuses Northstar of cheating by using his powers while competing.Northstar says he used only his natural ability when competing but that he retired in the past as he could not be certain he wasn't using his powers subconciously.He reaffirms his retirement and says he shall never return to the sport.

Northstar begins to leave but is stopped by Purple girl who tries to tell him she has powers like him.When Northstar ignores her she possesses him and brings her back to her hotel room.When she orders Northstar to get her some exotic flowers she is suddenly whisked up into the sky by him.He take her thousands of miles away to a tropical island and robotically presents her with some exotic flowers.She them commands him to swim in a pool with her.Unfortunately,it is occupied by crocodiles!A frightened Kara releases Northstar who is unaware where he is.She regains control and orders him to save her which she does creating a waterspout to whirl the attacking crocodile away.

While passing under a waterfall Northstar is released from Purple girls influence.The running water seems to counteract her power.She apologises for her mind control saying she only did it because she loved him.When she begins to get upset Northstar mentions that she could join Alpha Flight where there are people similar to her.However realising that he has his own doubts he instead considers leaving her on the island!She accidentally regains power over him,but then orders him to take her to ALPHA FLIGHT........

YAY! Purple Girl has arrived! I love Kara, I always have and always will.

I can't wait to hear everyone thoughts!

[Pixie_Solanas]

This may be my favorite issue of the Mantlo run.

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 41:

--What is Snowbird doing!Go and find your kid!Now!
--Some serious hints at Northstars sexuality here:
-------1 Aurora to Northstar:"Since when do you object to having attractively dressed men about,my brother?"
-------2 Northstar:"Raymonde St. Jacques--a friend,a father....and more....."
--Trust Mantlo to take a second rate villain like Purple Man and create a new character with his here-to-unknown daughter.Way cool!
--I like the art here--Ross is gradually growing on me.
--Purple girl seems older than 13--I think they should have settled on 15 or 16 or else drawn her to look younger.She just looks older than that.
--It's always a bit annoying when the cover image turns out to be different from what actually happens.There is only ONE crocodile and Northstar doesn't get involved with a face-to-face with one as on cover.I was looking foward to that.:mad:

[limerick]

Back With More Alpha On Friday 10th April.:smile:

[Nevets F]

Back With More Alpha On Friday 10th April.:smile:

Looking forward to it!

New Avatar from that issue!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.41.GIF

Does anyone else think Northstar looks very John-Byrnesque on this cover?

[Nevets F]

Yeah, I can see a certain Byrne-like influence there.

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.42.GIF

Alpha Flight # 42............January 1987

"Auction"

Mantlo/Ross

Mansion Alpha,Tamarind Island:Purple Girl is in the mansion hallway surrounded by Alpha Flight.Northstar has a purple face and is obviously under Kara's control.She explains she means no harm and has come to them for help.She orders Northstar to soak himself in water to break the connection between them.He dives into the mansion's pool and he is himself again.

Northstar is understandibly upset at Kara and doesn't trust her.She explains that she was hoping they could help her learn how to use her powers properly.Meanwhile Box is anxious to be able to phase out of his armour as Aurora has made it obvious she will not wait for him forever.When Vindicator suggests Kara join the team Northstar protests strongly.But his objections are cut short when he becomes overcome by a mysterious bout of coughing.They put it down to the recent soakings he has had.

Shaman who has recently been acting very aloof,suggests different options for what they can do with Kara:"Turn this powerful young woman loose upon the world,confine her,kill her......."!Kara is visibly shocked at this last statement and using her power she freezes Alpha and runs from the room.

Mr. Jeffries has come up with a plan to allow Roger Bochs phase out of his armour.By converting part of the armour into a decompression chamber Bochs can phase into the decompression component and avoid 'the bends' by doing this.Jeffries makes the structural adjustments required and Bochs phases out.At first he seems fine, but he suddenly doubles over in pain.Jeffries orders him to phase back into the armour but before anything can be done Purple Girl enters the room.In fear of her life,she orders Mr. Jeffries to help her escape from the mansion.Falling under her control,he turns purple,takes her to the omnijet and they blast off heading for Toronto on her command.Roger is left writhing in pain in the decompression chamber.

Hours later Apha suddenly recover,due to Kara moving a great distance from them.They begin searching the mansion for her but only find an unconcious Roger Bochs.They determine he is not seriously injured and will recover.They find Mr. Jeffries and the omnijet are missing.They use a tracking device to locate it's destination.Vindicator,Northstar and Puck head after them while Aurora and Shaman watch Bochs.Snowbird waits as well as Shaman is helping her to try and track her husband and child.Heather remarks to herself how cruel Aurora is using Bochs as an emotional plaything.

Toronto:The omnijet lands and Mr Jeffries converts it to a car.They head for Kara's home but when they encounter traffic the car converts to a flying vehicle.This transformation is observed by some shadylooking characters.Unaware they are being watched Purple Girl and an obedient Mr. Jeffries head downtown Toronto for some fun and retail therapy.Later they return to Kara's home.Her mother is rightly worried about her.She sees she is holding someone under her power like The Purple Man had done to her years ago.She pleads with her not to become a criminal but Kara says since the do-gooders wouldn't help her ,what choice does she have.

Leaving the house she meets an old-fashionedly dressed man who introduces himself as The Auctioneer.He says he has a proposal for them both.But when they enter his car they are quickly gassed unconcious.

At an illegal auction ,a drug-controlled Purple Girl and Mr. Jeffries are offered as war merchandise to the highest bidder.Mr. Jeffries demonstrates his power under Purple Girl's command who is in turn under the influence of mind controlling drugs.

Outside Kara's home Alpha Flight have arrived and found the tracking-device containing car.They begin knocking on apartment doors to find some answers.

Back at the auction Kara is resisting The Auctioneer's drugs but he encases her in a plexiwrap coating which stops her controlling him.They also bring out her mother who they have taken hostage to try and ensure her co-operation.However, the plexiwrap coating also blocks Kara's control over Mr. Jeffries and suddenly free he blows the roof off the building in a huge pyrotechnic display.Alpha Flight notice this and rush to the scene.They quickly subdue the crowd and release Kara's mother.

Kara,herself ,has been brought to another room by The Auctioneer,who is annoyed his plans have been scuppered.Kara manages to tear the plexiwrap and orders The Auctioneer to drop dead!This he seems to do,although it turns out he is actually unconcious not dead.Alpha leave the mess for the Mounties and head home.

Mansion Alpha,Tamarind Island:Purple Girl uses her powers to control Roger Bochs back to conciousness and to phase back into the reformed armour.Box is worried he will lose Aurora due to his constant cyborb-type existence.Finally,Alpha and Kara's mother agree Kara will be the first member of a reformed Beta Flight(much to Northstar's annoyance!)

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 42:

--Aurora's outfit throughout this issue is wild!Is it a new costume or just casual about the house wear.Includes cut-off green jumper with matching LEG-WARMERS!Remember, it's 1987.The outfit is finished off with a pair of very daring pink panties and matching slippers.Of course,no-one seems to think this is even slightly out of the ordinary the whole issue--weird!
--Mr Jeffries is turning out to be exceptionally powerful.There seems to be no limit as to what he can do.
--The infamous Northstar coughing begins(I think this is the first issue?).Stay with it---it leads to one of the best/worst(depending on how ridiculous you like your storylines) ret-con/story changes in comic history.Cough,Cough!
--Purple Girl shows she is much more powerful than the similarly powered Karma(New Mutants).She can control several people at once and her influence persists even from a very great distance.
--Aurora--just put some clothes on ,you slag!!:biggrin: (Just joking,Aurora-lovers!)

[Nevets F]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 42:

--Aurora's outfit throughout this issue is wild!Is it a new costume or just casual about the house wear.Includes cut-off green jumper with matching LEG-WARMERS!Remember, it's 1987.The outfit is finished off with a pair of very daring pink panties and matching slippers.Of course,no-one seems to think this is even slightly out of the ordinary the whole issue--weird!
--Mr Jeffries is turning out to be exceptionally powerful.There seems to be no limit as to what he can do.
--The infamous Northstar coughing begins(I think this is the first issue?).Stay with it---it leads to one of the best/worst(depending on how ridiculous you like your storylines) ret-con/story changes in comic history.Cough,Cough!
--Purple Girl shows she is much more powerful than the similarly powered Karma(New Mutants).She can control several people at once and her influence persists even from a very great distance.
--Aurora--just put some clothes on ,you slag!!:biggrin: (Just joking,Aurora-lovers!)

I loooved this issue. I am glad Kara is as powerful as she is! I also love that Kara has joined, and Beta Flight has been re-started.

Ugh...the coughing thing. Honestly, going by the original plan, I am glad it was changed...however, the change they used was beyond awful...thank goodness for retcons. Oops...getting a few issues ahead of myself here!

[pariah-1972]

I always thought it was weird that Northstar got so upset over Purple Girl using her powers on him i mean he almost acted like he had been raped or taken advantage of.

Of course when he come out of the closet later it sort of all made sense.

[limerick]

I loooved this issue. I am glad Kara is as powerful as she is! I also love that Kara has joined, and Beta Flight has been re-started.

Ugh...the coughing thing. Honestly, going by the original plan, I am glad it was changed...however, the change they used was beyond awful...thank goodness for retcons. Oops...getting a few issues ahead of myself here!
Ha,ha!Northstar's got a complicated life coming up in the next 30 issues or so.:smile:Hey,that's 500 post for me.Yipee!

[limerick]

[/B]http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.43.GIF

Alpha Flight # 43............Febuary 1987

"Strike Across The Border"

Mantlo/Ross

Rainier Federal Correctional Facility,Yakima,Washington:Mesmero recently convicted of kidnapping following his capture by Spiderman is being held prisoner.He is wearing a full-face helmet called a negator which stops him using his powers.However, the device is causing him intense pain.The psychologist treating him is worried the strain will kill him and ignores the warnings of M.P. guards to remove the negator.Mesmero was faking it and immediately hypnotises the 2 M.P. and the psychologist Dr. Muaramoto.Using the guards to provide fire cover and Dr. Muaramoto as a hostage he manages to escape the base in a stolen vehicle.He orders the doctor to drive north for the Canadian border.

Okanagan mountain range,Washington State:The next day 4 Sentinels are launched from a secret base.Inside the base,Ms. Kelly,project manager on the Sentinel project watches over a screen with an F.B.I. agent,Agent Billings.The agent is worried that if the sentinels cross over the border after Mesmero it will spark an international incident.Ms. Kelly assures him this won't be a problem as these Mark 4 Stealth Sentinels cannot be traced on radar and they have liquid quartz displays on their skin which renders them,effectively,invisible.The Sentinels designer,Carmon Whyte enters the room ,upset that the Sentinels have been launched before being fully tested.Ms. Kelly ignores him insisting the Sentinels need a field test.

Alpha Flights Omnijet,over Vancouver,British Columbia:Box is having a fit and lashing out at his fellow Alphans as a result of being trapped inside his armour.Various members of Flight try to stop him but he won't listen and Vindicator has to unleash a powerful blast to stop him.The force succeeds in bringing him around but also damages the omnijet.Vindicaror leaves the omnijet to intercept some falling debris.Box tries to apologise to Aurora for his outburst but she spurns him shocked at his behaviour.Her rejection sets him off again and once more he goes out of control.Mr Jeffries saves the day by converting Box into a form where he can't move.The omnijet is also in danger of crashing and again Mr Jeffries saves them by converting the omnijet into an aircraft more suited to landing at the speed they are at.He then further transmodes the vehicle into a roadworthy mode of transport.

Alpha have arrived at the New Life Clinic,a medical centre run by Lionel Jeffries aka Scramble(see issue #30),Mr. Jeffries brother.Lionel is not licensed to practice medicine any more after his previous exploits but a rich patient has outfitted him with a state-of-the-art medical and research lab.Box refuses treatment initially but agrees when Lionel's treatment may make him able-bodied.

Expo '86,Vancouver:Mesmero awakes from a deep sleep.He has killed Dr. Muaramoto and has run out of gas right in the middle of the crowded Expo.While looking for a way out he has to use his powers to stop a passerby getting suspicious of his appearance.The Sentinels register his power use and immediately descend on the Expo.

Sentinel Base:Ms. Kelly tries to order the Sentinels out of Canada but she is unable to comunicate with them.Whyte,who has called his boss,Sebastian Shaw,explains that the untested Stealth circuits inhibit communications with the Sentinels over long distances.Shaw, entering the room,warns that any international incident affecting his relationship with the defense department will be dealt with.......severely!

Expo '86:Mesmero holds humans hostage ,threatening the Sentinels with their death if they act against him.The Sentinels are unsure how to proceed as their programming requires them to capture Mesmero but they are also required to save human life.Alpha Flight arrive suddenly,having heard of the commotion on the radio.A battle follows during which Aurora and Northstar are knocked unconcious while Puck is overcome by Mesmero.Mr. Jefferies saves the day by leaping from the omnijet onto a Sentinel immediately destroying him with his power and using the Sentinel's components to construct a battle suit.Purple Girl manages to take out 2 Sentinels by ejecting from the omnijet at the last moment resulting in a three-way collision between the Sentinels and the omnijet,all being destroyed.Mr Jeffries can't get close enough to the last Sentinel to transmute him but he uses the components of the battle suit to contruct a 'super-harpoon',which Vindicator launches at the Sentinel destroying him.

Purple Girl uses her power to gain control of the hostages Mesmero hasn't killed.He is surprised at her power.Unfortunately Puck has ben badly injured in the battle and slips into unconciousness.........

[Pixie_Solanas]

Aurora's yellow costume is the greatest thing in creation.

[Nevets F]

[/B]http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.43.GIF

Alpha Flight # 43............Febuary 1987

"Strike Across The Border"

Mantlo/Ross

Rainier Federal Correctional Facility,Yakima,Washington:Mesmero recently convicted of kidnapping following his capture by Spiderman is being held prisoner.He is wearing a full-face helmet called a negator which stops him using his powers.However, the device is causing him intense pain.The psychologist treating him is worried the strain will kill him and ignores the warnings of M.P. guards to remove the negator.Mesmero was faking it and immediately hypnotises the 2 M.P. and the psychologist Dr. Muaramoto.Using the guards to provide fire cover and Dr. Muaramoto as a hostage he manages to escape the base in a stolen vehicle.He orders the doctor to drive north for the Canadian border.

Okanagan mountain range,Washington State:The next day 4 Sentinels are launched from a secret base.Inside the base,Ms. Kelly,project manager on the Sentinel project watches over a screen with an F.B.I. agent,Agent Billings.The agent is worried that if the sentinels cross over the border after Mesmero it will spark an international incident.Ms. Kelly assures him this won't be a problem as these Mark 4 Stealth Sentinels cannot be traced on radar and they have liquid quartz displays on their skin which renders them,effectively,invisible.The Sentinels designer,Carmon Whyte enters the room ,upset that the Sentinels have been launched before being fully tested.Ms. Kelly ignores him insisting the Sentinels need a field test.

Alpha Flights Omnijet,over Vancouver,British Columbia:Box is having a fit and lashing out at his fellow Alphans as a result of being trapped inside his armour.Various members of Flight try to stop him but he won't listen and Vindicator has to unleash a powerful blast to stop him.The force succeeds in bringing him around but also damages the omnijet.Vindicaror leaves the omnijet to intercept some falling debris.Box tries to apologise to Aurora for his outburst but she spurns him shocked at his behaviour.Her rejection sets him off again and once more he goes out of control.Mr Jeffries saves the day by converting Box into a form where he can't move.The omnijet is also in danger of crashing and again Mr Jeffries saves them by converting the omnijet into an aircraft more suited to landing at the speed they are at.He then further transmodes the vehicle into a roadworthy mode of transport.

Alpha have arrived at the New Life Clinic,a medical centre run by Lionel Jeffries aka Scramble(see issue #30),Mr. Jeffries brother.

To Be Concluded Tomorrow!

Bochs seems to be losing it more and more each issue...kinda sad, but also kind of understandable...not the whole totally crazy part, but the frustration and anger, Aurora doesn't do it on purpose, but she is being so wrong here.

Jeffries is showing more and more just what kind of power this mutant has! I really am enjoying reading about him and see the different things he can do!

[limerick]

Bochs seems to be losing it more and more each issue...kinda sad, but also kind of understandable...not the whole totally crazy part, but the frustration and anger, Aurora doesn't do it on purpose, but she is being so wrong here.

Jeffries is showing more and more just what kind of power this mutant has! I really am enjoying reading about him and see the different things he can do!
Alpha Flight # 43 summary now complete above.Will return over next few days with thoughts on this issue.Keep up the comments,Alphans!

[Nevets F]

Alpha Flight # 43 summary now complete above.Will return over next few days with thoughts on this issue.Keep up the comments,Alphans!

Continuing from the summary...

I love how powerful Purple Girl is! She is a novice, and just took over the people under the influence of Mesmero, that has got to be some serious power there.

I also love the way Jeffries is using his powers...but I think I may have said that in my earlier post. Oops!

[Dagger]

So much Alpha goodness. I still love this series! So much goodness. I heart me some Aurora and Northstar. Actually, I think I love almost every character from this comic. It's too bad after Mantlo left that they didn't know what to do with it. I guess I'll be having an avatar from Alpha when it comes to my top 10 Marvel Series event!

[Nevets F]

So much Alpha goodness. I still love this series! So much goodness. I heart me some Aurora and Northstar. Actually, I think I love almost every character from this comic. It's too bad after Mantlo left that they didn't know what to do with it. I guess I'll be having an avatar from Alpha when it comes to my top 10 Marvel Series event!

I love every character from Alpha Flight vol 1...

Except Feedback. For some reason, I hated him.

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight #43:

--Wow!The Sentinels are back.Probably my favourite X-villains ever(maybe Magneto.Close-run thing!).Can't get me enough of them there Sentinels!
--Mesmero too!But he's way more violent than I remember previously.Alpha is turning into a very violent book with several innocent victims disposed of in this issue.
--More on Northstar's mystery illness.
.......1.On page 7 Nothstar again breaks down coughing while in battle.
.......2.On page 8 more battle-induced coughing.
.......3.On page 11 Northstar says:"...the cough and weakness that has affected me since I was kissed by Pestilence"???This seems to bring a new slant to his illness.I don't remember Pestilence being associated with it before.(I may just be forgetting here).Is this the first sign of the famous retcon?
......4.on page 17 the Sentinels don't recognize Aurora or Northstar as mutants instead referring to them as "superhumans",something Northstar puzzles over.Yes,definitely a channge of tack here.That came from nowhere.
--Mr. Jeffries is unbelievably powerful.He's beginning to make Magneto look average(well,not quite yet!)

[limerick]

[/B]http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.44.GIF

Alpha Flight # 44............March 1987

"Plague!"

Mantlo/Ross

Mansion Alpha:Alpha return to their base to face a vision of Snowbird and Shaman projecting out of The Shaman's Medicine Pouch.The ghostly figures tell Alpha that they have located Pestilence in a town called Burial Butte.They implore Alpha to follow them to try and free Snowbird's son.Despite her objections Purple Girl is made to stay behind because of her inexperience(sorry,Stephen F:frown: .).So despite having just returned from another battle ,Alpha take off in the Mr. Jeffries-repaired omnijet.

Unseen inside the mansion,a small figure,Alec Thorne a.k.a. Smart Alec remerges from the Medicine Pouch after entering it months ago.

New Life Clinic,Vancouver:Scramble(Dr. Jeffries) with his assistant Mr Knapps, succeeds in removing Roger Bochs from his Box armour.Roger, worried that Aurora will not love him,is promised a cure for his physical disabilities by Dr. Jeffries as well.......

Burial Butte,The Klondike:The omnijet is met by Shaman's wind-spirits who guide Flight where to go.The town is full of dead bodies(human and rat)with not a living soul in sight.The wind-spirits guide Alpha to the town's Mountie base where they discover Doug Thompson Snowbird's human husband who lies on a couch close to death from a rat-spread plague.....

Doug explains how he followed a trail of mysterious disease across Canada leading him to Burial Butte.He found Pestilence in the mines outside town.Pestilence then unleashed a plague via the rats.Snowbird and Shamen arrived recently and getting information off Doug, have gone down to the mines looking for Pestilence.With his dying breathe Doug pleads for Alpha to follow them and save his son.

Just to note Northstar is continually coughing in this issue.Also,the wound he recieved from The Auctioneer in #42 has not healed properly---something is most definitely up.

Soon Alpha enter the abandoned mine.The mine shaft branches out into several smaller shafts.Vindicator decides they should split up.Aurora and Northstar take one way.Mr Jeffries,Vindicator and Puck take a pathway each.Mr Jeffries suddenly finds himself surrounded by coal-creatures(who are similar to the Aliens from the movies Alien/Aliens etc.)who attack him.Puck is buried under a cave-in.Things are not going well!

Northstar discusses his failing health with Aurora.When she suggests he should have allowed Lionel Jeffries to try curing him,Northstar says he was afraid of what he would find.They are suddenly surrounded by a swarm of rats.Northstar tries using his powers to whirl them away but he is exhausted from his illness.During his dizzy spell he touches Aurora cancelling her light powers, plunging them into darkness.Aurora is scared of the dark and the shock causes her to revert to her 'Jeanne-Marie' persona.They become seperated in the dark,him collapsed in a fit of coughing,Aurora mumbling to herself in a state of delusion.

Vindicator sees visions of Guardian(her dead husband),Wolverine,Puck and finally Mr Jeffries.In each case she knows they are not real ,but produced by Pestilence,and fires a blast to destroy the image.The last image of Mr Jeffries reveals his first name to be Madison and questions her feelings for him.Vindicator admits that Mr. Jeffries does mean something to her and she allows these feelings to temper the blast at this image.Fortunately so,as She had been gradually getting closer to buried Puck with her power blasts and a full shot at the Mr. Jeffries illusion may have killed him!She thinks he is not breathing and gives him the kiss of life.But he was practicing yogic breathing control because of being trapped under the cave-in and recovers immediately.

Aurora recovers her sanity and light powers away from Northstar.She sees Mr. Jeffries(wearing a battle armour he made) battling the coal-creatures.Together they finish them off.Aurora gives him a serious come-on telling him they could be more than team-mates.Madison is disgusted with her behaviour.How can she betray Bochs like that?He storms ahead of her looking for Pestilence.

Northstar stumbles across Shaman ordering Snowbird ,who is in Sasquatch form,to kill pestilence.He urges her to stop as she will be killing the body of her own son.But Shaman tells her to continue as the death of one child will be worth ridding the world of Pestilence.Pestilence suddenly grabs Northstar and kisses him,"feeding on the decay" within him to make himself stronger.He is completely re-energised,telling Northstar that his kiss has "...accelerated the slow disease spreading like a cancer through.. "his cells.

The rest of Alpha arrive and Vindicator tells Shaman they must find a way to destroy Pestilence without killing the host body.Shaman does not agree and steps aside releasing Snowbird from his control.A battle begins in which Alpha are under fire in a big way.But whenVindicator hits Pestilence hard he reverts to his true baby form to distract Alpha.Snowbird,upon seeing her son comes to her senses and realises she must do her all to save him.

However,Pestilence suddenly realises that the purity of Snowbirds son is actually corrupting him and he needs to find a new host to carry out his destructive plans.Seizing control of Snowbird through her bond with her son ,he orders her to transform to Sasquatch form and KILL her son!

Vindicator is faced with an impossible choice...or no choice at all.She can let Pestilence live and hope the child will eventually gain control over the host body...but then she will have to destroy Snowbird to allow that to happen as Snowbird,under Pestilence's control wants to kill the host body(her child!).She pleads to Shaman for help but being unsure of the possible outcomes he remains impassive and will not discuss options.While they delay Snowbird, in Sasquatch form, deals a death blow to Pestilence,thus killing her own child.Vindicator fires her plasma blast fractionally too late killing Snowbird.By delaying she has saved neither mother or child---disaster!Pestilence's spirit is freed and he leaves to find another host.

Mansion Alpha:Alpha return home devastated at the happenings at Burial Butte.Three bodybags are unloaded from the omnijet--Snowbird(still in Sasquatch form),her husband and her child.Heather retreats to the mansion crying unaware she is being watched by the 6-inch tall figure of Smart Alec...........

[Nevets F]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight #43:

--Wow!The Sentinels are back.Probably my favourite X-villains ever(maybe Magneto.Close-run thing!).Can't get me enough of them there Sentinels!
--Mesmero too!But he's way more violent than I remember previously.Alpha is turning into a very violent book with several innocent victims disposed of in this issue.
--More on Northstar's mystery illness.
.......1.On page 7 Nothstar again breaks down coughing while in battle.
.......2.On page 8 more battle-induced coughing.
.......3.On page 11 Northstar says:"...the cough and weakness that has affected me since I was kissed by Pestilence"???This seems to bring a new slant to his illness.I don't remember Pestilence being associated with it before.(I may just be forgetting here).Is this the first sign of the famous retcon?
......4.on page 17 the Sentinels don't recognize Aurora or Northstar as mutants instead referring to them as "superhumans",something Northstar puzzles over.Yes,definitely a channge of tack here.That came from nowhere.
--Mr. Jeffries is unbelievably powerful.He's beginning to make Magneto look average(well,not quite yet!)

These are the first signs of the INfamous retcon...the cough AND the superhuman and not mutant recognition. Not a great moment, I totally admit that.

[/B]http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.44.GIF

Alpha Flight # 44............March 1987

"Plague!"

Mantlo/Ross

Mansion Alpha:Alpha return to their base to face a vision of Snowbird and Shaman projecting out of The Shaman's Medicine Pouch.The ghostly figures tell Alpha that they have located Pestilence in a town called Burial Butte.They implore Alpha to follow them to try and free Snowbird's son.Despite her objections Purple Girl is made to stay behind because of her inexperience(sorry,Stephen F:frown: .).So despite having just returned from another battle ,Alpha take off in the Mr. Jeffries-repaired omnijet.

Unseen inside the mansion,a small figure,Alec Thorne a.k.a. Smart Alec remerges from the Medicine Pouch after entering it months ago.

New Life Clinic,Vancouver:Scramble(Dr. Jeffries) with his assistant Mr Knapps, succeeds in removing Roger Bochs from his Box armour.Roger, worried that Aurora will not love him,is promised a cure for his physical disabilities by Dr. Jeffries as well.......

Burial Butte,The Klondike:The omnijet is met by Shaman's wind-spirits who guide Flight where to go.The town is full of dead bodies(human and rat)with not a living soul in sight.The wind-spirits guide Alpha to the town's Mountie base where they discover Doug Thompson Snowbird's human husband who lies on a couch close to death from a rat-spread plague.....

TO BE CONCLUDED TOMORROW---HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS ALPHANS-----IT'S A DOZZIE!!

I will wait until tomorrow to make any comments. :D

[Dusty.]

I was a HUGE fan of Alpha Flight, and that love affair collapsed after issue 44. I loved Byrnes stuff, and I also loved Mantlo's first year, and when David Ross was drawing it, it was one of the better books coming out. Issue 45 comes, no more David Ross, the team dissolves into a boring mess of characters, and never again has been a series about the original members. Maybe Marvel will get something together like they did with New Mutants.

This series is on my reread list.

[david r]

I have to admit, I miss these characters. I may need to find the cash and buy these issues, since I have none after #39.

[limerick]

Alpha #44 summary,stared yesterday,now finished.Comments please!

[Parch]

Luv these threads, and I always thought Alpha Flight was so unappreciated.
For me this also updated a few missing issues that I long ago gave up trying to find. Alpha Flight is fairly easy to find here in Canada and I should be ashamed for not completing the early run.

[Nevets F]

[/B]http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.44.GIF

Alpha Flight # 44............March 1987

"Plague!"

Mantlo/Ross

Mansion Alpha:Alpha return to their base to face a vision of Snowbird and Shaman projecting out of The Shaman's Medicine Pouch.The ghostly figures tell Alpha that they have located Pestilence in a town called Burial Butte.They implore Alpha to follow them to try and free Snowbird's son.Despite her objections Purple Girl is made to stay behind because of her inexperience(sorry,Stephen F:frown: .).So despite having just returned from another battle ,Alpha take off in the Mr. Jeffries-repaired omnijet.

Unseen inside the mansion,a small figure,Alec Thorne a.k.a. Smart Alec remerges from the Medicine Pouch after entering it months ago.

New Life Clinic,Vancouver:Scramble(Dr. Jeffries) with his assistant Mr Knapps, succeeds in removing Roger Bochs from his Box armour.Roger, worried that Aurora will not love him,is promised a cure for his physical disabilities by Dr. Jeffries as well.......

Burial Butte,The Klondike:The omnijet is met by Shaman's wind-spirits who guide Flight where to go.The town is full of dead bodies(human and rat)with not a living soul in sight.The wind-spirits guide Alpha to the town's Mountie base where they discover Doug Thompson Snowbird's human husband who lies on a couch close to death from a rat-spread plague.....

Doug explains how he followed a trail of mysterious disease across Canada leading him to Burial Butte.He found Pestilence in the mines outside town.Pestilence then unleashed a plague via the rats.Snowbird and Shamen arrived recently and getting information off Doug, have gone down to the mines looking for Pestilence.With his dying breathe Doug pleads for Alpha to follow them and save his son.

Just to note Northstar is continually coughing in this issue.Also,the wound he recieved from The Auctioneer in #42 has not healed properly---something is most definitely up.

Soon Alpha enter the abandoned mine.The mine shaft branches out into several smaller shafts.Vindicator decides they should split up.Aurora and Northstar take one way.Mr Jeffries,Vindicator and Puck take a pathway each.Mr Jeffries suddenly finds himself surrounded by coal-creatures(who are similar to the Aliens from the movies Alien/Aliens etc.)who attack him.Puck is buried under a cave-in.Things are not going well!

Northstar discusses his failing health with Aurora.When she suggests he should have allowed Lionel Jeffries to try curing him,Northstar says he was afraid of what he would find.They are suddenly surrounded by a swarm of rats.Northstar tries using his powers to whirl them away but he is exhausted from his illness.During his dizzy spell he touches Aurora cancelling her light powers, plunging them into darkness.Aurora is scared of the dark and the shock causes her to revert to her 'Jeanne-Marie' persona.They become seperated in the dark,him collapsed in a fit of coughing,Aurora mumbling to herself in a state of delusion.

Vindicator sees visions of Guardian(her dead husband),Wolverine,Puck and finally Mr Jeffries.In each case she knows they are not real ,but produced by Pestilence,and fires a blast to destroy the image.The last image of Mr Jeffries reveals his first name to be Madison and questions her feelings for him.Vindicator admits that Mr. Jeffries does mean something to her and she allows these feelings to temper the blast at this image.Fortunately so,as She had been gradually getting closer to buried Puck with her power blasts and a full shot at the Mr. Jeffries illusion may have killed him!She thinks he is not breathing and gives him the kiss of life.But he was practicing yogic breathing control because of being trapped under the cave-in and recovers immediately.

Aurora recovers her sanity and light powers away from Northstar.She sees Mr. Jeffries(wearing a battle armour he made) battling the coal-creatures.Together they finish them off.Aurora gives him a serious come-on telling him they could be more than team-mates.Madison is disgusted with her behaviour.How can she betray Bochs like that?He storms ahead of her looking for Pestilence.

Northstar stumbles across Shaman ordering Snowbird ,who is in Sasquatch form,to kill pestilence.He urges her to stop as she will be killing the body of her own son.But Shaman tells her to continue as the death of one child will be worth ridding the world of Pestilence.Pestilence suddenly grabs Northstar and kisses him,"feeding on the decay" within him to make himself stronger.He is completely re-energised,telling Northstar that his kiss has "...accelerated the slow disease spreading like a cancer through.. "his cells.

The rest of Alpha arrive and Vindicator tells Shaman they must find a way to destroy Pestilence without killing the host body.Shaman does not agree and steps aside releasing Snowbird from his control.A battle begins in which Alpha are under fire in a big way.But whenVindicator hits Pestilence hard he reverts to his true baby form to distract Alpha.Snowbird,upon seeing her son comes to her senses and realises she must do her all to save him.

However,Pestilence suddenly realises that the purity of Snowbirds son is actually corrupting him and he needs to find a new host to carry out his destructive plans.Seizing control of Snowbird through her bond with her son ,he orders her to transform to Sasquatch form and KILL her son!

Vindicator is faced with an impossible choice...or no choice at all.She can let Pestilence live and hope the child will eventually gain control over the host body...but then she will have to destroy Snowbird to allow that to happen as Snowbird,under Pestilence's control wants to kill the host body(her child!).She pleads to Shaman for help but being unsure of the possible outcomes he remains impassive and will not discuss options.While they delay Snowbird, in Sasquatch form, deals a death blow to Pestilence,thus killing her own child.Vindicator fires her plasma blast fractionally too late killing Snowbird.By delaying she has saved neither mother or child---disaster!Pestilence's spirit is freed and he leaves to find another host.

Mansion Alpha:Alpha return home devastated at the happenings at Burial Butte.Three bodybags are unloaded from the omnijet--Snowbird(still in Sasquatch form),her husband and her child.Heather retreats to the mansion crying unaware she is being watched by the 6-inch tall figure of Smart Alec...........

This issue was a good issue, even if it has signs of the horrible retcon of Northstar and sadly the death of Snowbird. When I started reading comics, Snowbird was already dead, so I knew this was coming by the time I read this issue, but I imagine it was pretty big to the readers at the time.

When was the last time Aurora switched to Jeanne-Marie? It seems to have been a long while.

Heather is one tough lady isn't she? I feel like she is a great leader because she is willing to do whatever it takes. If that meant killing Marina a few issue ago, for the good of earth, it meant killing Marina. Then in this issue, it meant killing Snowbird. It has to be done. Unfortunately, it failed in destroying Pestilence. I wonder how this will affect Heather going forward?

What is up with little Smart Alec??

[Parch]

Am I the only Canadian posting here?
Someone asked about the Canadian point of view. When I first knew about Alpha Flight I was kinda sceptical. I didn't know anything about Byrne so I assumed it was going to be the usual bunch of dumb cliches that Americans have about Canada. Needless to say I was wrong and the comic series had some interesting storylines and character development. Some of the plot twists sure caught me by surprise. I'm quite glad to see that the series has it's fans outside Canada.

I was pissed when they killed off Gaurdian. They built up the character so nicely as a Captain Canada, then off him so early in the series? But...but, what about the cool costume? Alpha Flight was definately not your average comic.

I filled a few missing titles but ended up abandoning it for other interests. Shame on me. I'll have to pick it up again, or at the very least keep an eye on this thread. Based on the number of old issues in the local comic shops I would assume that Alpha Flight was quite popular here in Canada at the time.

I'm in Edmonton so for those talking about West Edmonton Mall I can give you an update. It's still going strong. The subs don't work anymore. They just sit there. The dolphins are gone and replaced by seals. One of the dolphins died so they got rid of the other one. First thing in the morning when customers see a dead dolphin tits up in the pool, it ain't so good for business.
I don't go there very often. I've always thought WEM as a loud, tacky tourist trap that is always overcrowded so I do my shopping elsewhere. It's a popular place for kids to hang out with all the attractions. It's kinda cool that you can hang out in a water park when it's 30 below outside, and the amusement park is popular. There's lots of restaraunts and clubs and a casino as well so it's still the major entertainment hub in the city. There was some talk about them adding a third level but I'm not so sure it would add much business.

[limerick]

Thanks for that post,Parch!It's pretty cool hearing the Canadian viewpoint.The dolphins----:frown: .

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight #44:

--Aurora has a new costume.I don't recall any reason for why or when she got time to design/make it.This issue follows on pretty quickly from the last so she wouldn't have had a lot of time to sort it out.There seems to be some Purple Girl envy going on as her new outfit is purple.Personally I preferred her hot yellow outfit---with her personality she needs something a little bit sexy.Saying that she would look hot in a binliner.I love her 80's haircut as featured inStephen F.'s current avatar(pg. 9).

--As usual,after an issue of Alpha there are a hundred little things annoying me but lots of big things to like.For example Doug Thompson---first person exposed to the rat-borne plague in Burial Butte but very conveniently last to die!Also how come Alpha don't get this plague.Aurora and Northstar were definitely exposed in the mines as the others probably were too.

--Just to let everyone know Puck was restored, by Lionel Jeffries, to full health in his clinic in Vancouver after the Sentinel battle.The last issue seemed to be ending on a real "will Puck survive?" cliffhanger but it was quickly glossed over in this issue.Also, I haven't really mentioned it since I started the summaries but Puck has got it bad for Heather and this is constantly being referred to in Pucks thoughts to which we are privvy in Comic Book Land.Unfortunately for him Heather seems to be developing a little thing for Mr Jeffries.As the song goes,there may be trouble ahead!

--Dave Ross comes very close to copyright infringement on page 8.Those coal-creatures ARE Geiger's Alien.

--Northstar is going downhill really quickly.He's practicallly non-functional in battle and somethings got to give soon.Cough,Cough!

--Heather really messes up at the end.She has a choice to save Snowbird or her son but her indecision means both die.Thats not great .If she hadn't have been there and had done nothing one of them would be still alive.That's not good grades to be bringing to hero school.

--Another little annoyance is Aurora's premature aging after being grabbed by Pestilence.I see no reason this should reverse just because Pestilence is gone.Yet she seems fine at the end of the issue.I can't recall if there's a mention of this next issue.Roll on #45 ,possibly my fave issue of Alpha just for the audacity of some of its storylines.

--Aurora coming on to Mr Jeffries seemed to come from nowhere--that lady has needs.Could anyone be man enough for her?!Mr. Jeffries took the moral high ground while keeping his eyes planted on Vindicator's buns of steel.Hypocrite......:biggrin: just joking...

--Finally,although the writng is very flawed this book is magnetic and I'm looking foward to the next issue more than any of the other summaries.Go Alpha!

[limerick]

I know as we progress further into Alpha Flights run there will be less and less people who have read the books or who have interest in them so I'm hoping anyone with any interest in Alpha will make some posts to keep this thread interesting.Thanking you in advance,everyone!

[Nevets F]

:O I made a large post, and now I don't see it! noooo!

[Nevets F]

--Finally,although the writng is very flawed this book is magnetic and I'm looking foward to the next issue more than any of the other summaries.Go Alpha!

This makes me very happy!

[Dusty.]

Hey, I'm posting this out of order. It's Byrne art with the original team. THIS version needs to return, not Alpha Flight featuring a few hand picked from that group and "brilliant" new characters by some ego centric writer who is a bit too into himself.

There is something about the look of this team together that is magical. Marvel doesn't get it. Why else has this team (the only one that was EVER popular) never be used again from the mid 80's on?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Marvelpics/AF.jpg

[Nevets F]

Hey, I'm posting this out of order. It's Byrne art with the original team. THIS version needs to return, not Alpha Flight featuring a few hand picked from that group and "brilliant" new characters by some ego centric writer who is a bit too into himself.

There is something about the look of this team together that is magical. Marvel doesn't get it. Why else has this team (the only one that was EVER popular) never be used again from the mid 80's on?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/Marvelpics/AF.jpg

It wasn't my favorite version of the team, to be honest.

As for why, who knows. It would no doubt be the best chance of making Alpha successful again. However, that is neither here nor there.

[limerick]

That's a great picture.Personally,I love Byrnes work and I didn't think the series would survive without him or Guardian.Killing Guardian off would be like killing Cyclops in the X-men.In truth I think Marvel would have been happy getting to 50 issues after Byrne left.That the book gets to approx 125 says a lot for its innate popularity and it's ability to ride out poor writing on occasions.There's a period where Alpha's active roster is TWO,yes ,two.What other team book could survive that and keep plugging away

[limerick]

:O I made a large post, and now I don't see it! noooo!
Stephen,that happened me yesterday ........soooooo frustrating!!I feel your pain!

[Dagger]

My favorite line-up was:

Heather (Vindicator)
Box II (Jeffries)
Talisman
Snowbird
Puck
Northstar
Sasquatch
Shaman

[Nevets F]

My favorite line-up was:

Heather (Vindicator)
Box II (Jeffries)
Talisman
Snowbird
Puck
Northstar
Sasquatch
Shaman

This was a great lineup.

My favorite time was during the Building Blocks storyline, it felt like there were dozens of members, what with Alpha's current team (of the time), the returning members, and Gamma all being merged. LOVED it.

Heather was always far better than Mac ever was as a character, so I much preferred the book with her as the leader than I ever did with Mac.

[Dagger]

This was a great lineup.

My favorite time was during the Building Blocks storyline, it felt like there were dozens of members, what with Alpha's current team (of the time), the returning members, and Gamma all being merged. LOVED it.

Heather was always far better than Mac ever was as a character, so I much preferred the book with her as the leader than I ever did with Mac.
I loved Building Blocks. Great storyline. I was also a favorite of the storyline where she was leading them as a powerless human. It was really great. Heather and Talisman are probably my faves from the entire series.

[limerick]

B]http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.45.GIF

BACK TOMORROW WITH AN INSTANT CLASSIC:

#45---The issue with something for everyone!Family set of matching transparent glass coffins(all the rage this season)---check!Aurora's yellow costume--check!Grave-digger Drones-check!Sasquatch rising from the dead---check!Aurora in pink lingerie(va-va-voom!)---CHECK!!!Alpha group pyjamas pose--check!Roger Bochs with all parts in working order(yeah I meant that)--check!Potential girl-on-girl Alpha action in closing panel--check!

And some opeople say comics are for kids-----not this one.Be there!

[Dusty.]

I loved Building Blocks. Great storyline. I was also a favorite of the storyline where she was leading them as a powerless human. It was really great. Heather and Talisman are probably my faves from the entire series.

Building Blocks was the (short) return to awesome Alpha Flight stories. Not to say that it didn't have good stuff afterwards, but Building Blocks was up with the best ever AF stories.

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.45.GIF [/QUOTE]

Alpha Flight # 45............April 1987

"Resurrection"

Mantlo/Brigman

Tamarind Island:A tearful Alpha gathers on a picturesque spot on the island ready to bury Snowbird,Doug Thompson and their baby (all killed in issue #44).Madison Jeffries has created Grave-digger drones to carry out the burial.Vindicator is particularly upset and much to the disappointment of Puck she turns to Madison for a comforting hug.Meanwhile ,a coughing Northstar argues with Aurora about her chequered love-life with fellow Alphans,Walter Langkowski and Roger Bochs.

Shaman begins a burial cermony calling on the gods to accept her soul.Amazingly,three god-like figures including Nelvanna appear.They are initially reluctant to accept Snowbirds soul into 'paradise' but upon pleading from Shaman they relent and Narya(Snowbird)'s soul seperates from her earthly body.However,she refuses to enter paradise without her husband and son.Again the gods are initially reluctant but they relent and the three souls are seen to depart to dwell with the gods.There is some relieve for Alpha that the three have found peace.
Shaman,now calling himself Talisman takes his leave from Alpha claiming he is beyond their mortal commands.He dematerialises,"abandoning this earthly plane",telling Alpha to tell his daughter he loves her and will watch over her.

Back at Mansion Alpha,Box has returned from New Life medical facility accompanied by Dr. Knapp and Lionel Jeffries.Miraculously,Roger has benn fully restored by Lionel---he now has arms and legs and is fully able-bodied.Aurora is delighted with his appearance and doesn't object when he throws her over his shoulder(down boy!) and marches to the nearest bedroom to....well....you know.:wink: :eek:Puck watches jealously wishing he could be in the same situation with Heather.Northstar is ashamed at his sister's amourous behaviour.Lionel and his assistant depart,not before Purple Girl exchanges an admiring glance at Dr. Knapp.Unknown to them all they are being watched by a minature Smart Alec!

Later that night the grave of Snowbird begins to be disturbed and seconds later an angry-looking White Sasquatch burst from the fresh soil!

Heather is deep in thought in the mansion about to head for bed.She notices Smart Alec scurrying along the grund and tries to hit him with a vase.He calls out to her to stp but she is in a rage as she believes he is partly responsible for the death of her husband,Mac.She finally manages to grab him and again he tries to explain himself when suddenly.........

Sasquatch comes bursting through the wall sending Heather crashing against a wall and Smart Alec flying towards the empty Box armour .Most of the rest of Alpha appear down the stairs and they watch as Sasquatch begins to battle Box who seems to be occupied.Suddenly Aurora and Roger Bochs appear from their room.The rest of Alpha are puzzled--who is operating the Box armour?!Alpha quickly(?) put together that Smart Alec's body had actually been occupied by Walter Langkowski who has now transferred to the Box armour.Walter/Box confirms this but who is in the body of Sasquatch?Pestilence announces he is back as the great white beast!

Alpha burst into action with Aurora,Puck ,Purple Girl and Mr Jeffries all trying to subdue the huge beast.Heather,though,is short of confidence following Snowbird's death in their last battle and does not enter the frey.

Eventually,Heather regains her composure,orders Walter to grab Pestilence and channel some of the armours power into him to harm him.She then races upstairs and retrieves The Shaman's medicine bag.Pestilence sensing the body he is occupying is in danger leaves it to enter another.Just then Heather throws the medicine bag at him and Pestilence is dragged into the void within the medicine bag.He is at last defeated.

Walter reveals that as the Box armour drained of power he transferred himself into the body of the White Sasquatch--he is Sasquatch again!!!Aurora is overjoyed to have Walter back and jumps into the White creatures arms.Bochs is devastated-----all the risks he took to win her love and she dumps him at the drop of a hat.There's trouble brewing!

However,their is another twist in the tail---when Walter transforms back to human form he is no longer a "he".Now occupying Snowbird's female body "he" has become a "she"!!!!Aurora is visibly shocked and Bochs allows himself a little grin........

[Nevets F]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.45.GIF

Alpha Flight # 45............April 1987

"Resurrection"

Mantlo/Brigman

Tamarind Island:A tearful Alpha gathers on a picturesque spot on the island ready to bury Snowbird,Doug Thompson and their baby (all killed in issue #44).Madison Jeffries has created Grave-digger drones to carry out the burial.Vindicator is particularly upset and much to the disappointment of Puck she turns to Madison for a comforting hug.Meanwhile ,a coughing Northstar argues with Aurora about her chequered love-life with fellow Alphans,Walter Langkowski and Roger Bochs.

Shaman begins a burial cermony calling on the gods to accept her soul.Amazingly,three god-like figures including Nelvanna appear.They are initially reluctant to accept Snowbirds soul into 'paradise' but upon pleading from Shaman they relent and Narya(Snowbird)'s soul seperates from her earthly body.However,she refuses to enter paradise without her husband and son.Again the gods are initially reluctant but they relent and the three souls are seen to depart to dwell with the gods.There is some relieve for Alpha that the three have found peace.
Shaman,now calling himself Talisman takes his leave from Alpha claiming he is beyond their mortal commands.He dematerialises,"abandoning this earthly plane",telling Alpha to tell his daughter he loves her and will watch over her.

Back at Mansion Alpha,Box has returned from New Life medical facility accompanied by Dr. Knapp and Lionel Jeffries.Miraculously,Roger has benn fully restored by Lionel---he now has arms and legs and is fully able-bodied.Aurora is delighted with his appearance and doesn't object when he throws her over his shoulder(down boy!) and marches to the nearest bedroom to....well....you know.:wink: :eek:Puck watches jealously wishing he could be in the same situation with Heather.Northstar is ashamed at his sister's amourous behaviour.Lionel and his assistant depart,not before Purple Girl exchanges an admiring glance at Dr. Knapp.Unknown to them all they are being watched by a minature Smart Alec!

Later that night the grave of Snowbird begins to be disturbed and seconds later an angry-looking White Sasquatch burst from the fresh soil!

Heather is deep in thought in the mansion about to head for bed.She notices Smart Alec scurrying along the grund and tries to hit him with a vase.He calls out to her to stp but she is in a rage as she believes he is partly responsible for the death of her husband,Mac.She finally manages to grab him and again he tries to explain himself when suddenly.........

Sasquatch comes bursting through the wall sending Heather crashing against a wall and Smart Alec flying towards the empty Box armour .Most of the rest of Alpha appear down the stairs and they watch as Sasquatch begins to battle Box who seems to be occupied.Suddenly Aurora and Roger Bochs appear from their room.The rest of Alpha are puzzled--who is operating the Box armour?!Alpha quickly(?) put together that Smart Alec's body had actually been occupied by Walter Langkowski who has now transferred to the Box armour.Walter/Box confirms this but who is in the body of Sasquatch?Pestilence announces he is back as the great white beast!

Alpha burst into action with Aurora,Puck ,Purple Girl and Mr Jeffries all trying to subdue the huge beast.Heather,though,is short of confidence following Snowbird's death in their last battle and does not enter the frey.

Eventually,Heather regains her composure,orders Walter to grab Pestilence and channel some of the armours power into him to harm him.She then races upstairs and retrieves The Shaman's medicine bag.Pestilence sensing the body he is occupying is in danger leaves it to enter another.Just then Heather throws the medicine bag at him and Pestilence is dragged into the void within the medicine bag.He is at last defeated.

Walter reveals that as the Box armour drained of power he transferred himself into the body of the White Sasquatch--he is Sasquatch again!!!Aurora is overjoyed to have Walter back and jumps into the White creatures arms.Bochs is devastated-----all the risks he took to win her love and she dumps him at the drop of a hat.There's trouble brewing!

However,their is another twist in the tail---when Walter transforms back to human form he is no longer a "he".Now occupying Snowbird's female body "he" has become a "she"!!!!Aurora is visibly shocked and Bochs allows himself a little grin........

A few comments!

1. I loved the ending/send off for Snowbird and her family. I think that was nice.

2. Jefferies is beyond powerful isn't he?

3. Shaman has really become so...distant.

4. Walter is back! And really, it works. It totally makes sense that he would now be in a female form. It actually makes me wants to laugh at Aurora...

5. ...because is really quite the terrible person in some ways. The way she treated Bochs when he was trapped in the armor, and again when Walter returned...really, not cool Aurora. And I think her ways might come back to haunt her some day.

6. The most exciting to me...I wonder if we will see the young Dr. Knapp again soon? ;)

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight #45:

---Only Alpha flight would bury their dead inb transparent coffins and not blink an eyelid---boy,have they got style!

--Northstar's getting worse----when I read this first I was so sure he had A.I.D.S.Everything that was being written was signposting it.Let's see what happens.:wink:

--Aurora's hot yellow number is back.What was the purple outfit about.There was no mention of the change at all.But I can see why the guys are fighting over her

--Speaking of which,Aurora's all about change.After all Bochs did to try and hold onto her and then she treats him so badly.Mind you,he is starting to come across as a bit weird about the relationship(if there ever really was one).

--Stephen,you're spot on about Shaman.He is really a changed man.He's become so rude ,he's obnoxious.

--Puck has become a bit scary with his Heather-love.It's not gonna happen so just stop going on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about it!

--Heather:"If it's a mouse,I'll just die!".Wow,she just came from a caveful of rats and didn't bat an eyelid.Maybe Aurora's not the only one with a dual personality.

--Dr Knapp!Purple Girl is 13 years old!That's too young for you,my man so just cast your gaze elsewhere.

[limerick]

Alpha is currently playing like a daytime soap with the various romantic links!Not that I'm not enjoying it....it's very entertaining but I can't ever remember a Marvel team with this complicated a love-life:

--Heather attracted to Mr. Jeffries while resisting subtle advances from Puck.
--Puck's cutting himself up inside over Heather but has the good sense not to come on too strong as she's obviously not interested.But he's becoming kinda scary---stalker scary!
--Mr Jeffries is also attracted to Heather but has yet to tell her he is.
--Aurora is in the process of dumping her formerly disabled lover for her former boyfriend who is now trapped in the body of a woman!
--Bochs is showing signs of becoming unstable following Aurora's rejection of him.
--Walter is back finally having located a body after several issues away.Will Aurora accept him in his new female form?
--Just to top things off,jailbait Purple Girl is throwing glances at Dr. Knapp,Scramble's assistant.
--Thank God for emtionally stable Northstar ,the only character not currently being ruled by his love-life.

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.46.GIF [/QUOTE]

Alpha Flight # 46............May 1987

"Friends........ and Lovers"

Mantlo/Brigman

New Life Clinic,Vancouver:Alpha have returned to the New Life clinic to see if Lionel Jeffries can help Walter with his plight of being trapped in a female body.Aurora is almost hysterical at him being trapped as a woman.Roger Bochs pleads with her to love him as he does her but she dismisses their relationship as a fling to provide her with some "amusement".

Lionel attempts to use his power to transfer Walter from female to male form.Unfortunately,he is unsuccessful.His assistant,Dr. Knapp says the readings from the medical equipment confirm that she/he is not completely human and thus not affected by Lionel's powers.Walter is hopeful Aurora can still love him but she cannot accept the situation and leaves, flying outside upset.Bochs sensing he has a chance follows her her in his Box armour,Madison Jeffries pleas to forget her falling on deaf ears.

Alpha follow Aurora and Box back home in the omnijet.At the New Life Clinic Dr Knapp questions Lionel about strange "splotches" which have developed on Boch's new legs,wondering if Dr Jeffries methods are completely safe.Lionel is furious at his powers being questioned and threatens Dr. Knapp with horrific transmutation if he doubts him again.Dr Knapp wonders to himself if his mentor has gone mad.......

High over Canada Box cataches Aurora and proclaims her love but she rejects him calling him a pig!

Tamarind Island:Later that night Vindicator enters the Flights latest troubles into their Alphanex computer.She then uses the bases internal CCTV system to check up on the other team members.Aurora and Puck discuss affairs of the heart but she is keen to discuss only her own situation and is uncaring for Pucks dilemma.Meanwhile Northstar reveals to Walter he was attracted to his male self.Aurora heads upstairs managing to insult Purple Girl as she passes her.She heads for her room ,almost going into Bochs room, but changing her mind at the last minute.Vindicator then watches Purple Girl chatting to Madison.Heather has begun to develop feelings for him and his caring nature for Kara only reaffirms this.

In his room Bochs vows revenge on Aurora for making a fool of him--"She'll pay for that!I'll make her pay!I'll make them all pay!".The weeping sores on his legs noticed earlier by Dr. Knapp have got gradually worse.

Aurora tries to sleep in her room but her fear of the dark overcomes her.She starts to see visions of nuns from her boarding school and the trauma's about to trigger her reversion to her Jeanne-Marie persona when suddenly Box comes bursting through the wall of her bedroom and grabs her .He rushes out onto the stairs carrying a now unconcious Aurora to be met by the rest of Alpha Flight.Box is crazy and kicks Purple Girl down the stairs when she tries to posess him.Puck manages to grab Aurora and Sasquatch and Box go at it like nobodys business.Box overcomes Sasquatch and then Vindicator, leaving Mr. Jeffries no option but to battle his former friend.He tries reasoning with him but Box is intent on violence.Eventually Madison launches himself at the armour displacing Bochs from the metallic exoskeleton.Bochs is furious at his old friend,feeling tricked by him.But Madison says Bochs's mind is twisted by hate and walks out, their friendship over.........

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight #46:

--Aurora may be a negative influence on the team in general.She's messed Bochs around romantically,caused friction between Bochs and Walter,constantly at odds with her brother but her attack on Purple Girl--"Eavesdropping little brat!"--is a step too far IMO.
--She seems to be protrayed as a genuine pathological nymphomaniac.She quite literally can't control herself when it comes to men--"...men make me tremble....with ecstacy....I lose control"--pretty racey stuff for a comic book.
--Bochs sores look ominous---something bads gonna happen.
--Dr. Knapp is in danger from Lionel Jeffries.The Doc.'s a grade-A nutter!In fact between Aurora,Bochs and Lionel this issues got more than it's fair share of mental illness.
--I just want to hear Puck talk about something other than Heather just once so I know he's not a stalking maniac....please!
--Two issues in a row where the stair-case features heavily.New Flight member?
I must say the change of artist is pretty seamless between Brigman and Ross.I find their styles very similar.Interesting to see Whilce Portacio on inks--first job I've noticed him on.

[Nevets F]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight #46:

--Aurora may be a negative influence on the team in general.She's messed Bochs around romantically,caused friction between Bochs and Walter,constantly at odds with her brother but her attack on Purple Girl--"Eavesdropping little brat!"--is a step too far IMO.
--She seems to be protrayed as a genuine pathological nymphomaniac.She quite literally can't control herself when it comes to men--"...men make me tremble....with ecstacy....I lose control"--pretty racey stuff for a comic book.
--Bochs sores look ominous---something bads gonna happen.
--Dr. Knapp is in danger from Lionel Jeffries.The Doc.'s a grade-A nutter!In fact between Aurora,Bochs and Lionel this issues got more than it's fair share of mental illness.
--I just want to hear Puck talk about something other than Heather just once so I know he's not a stalking maniac....please!
--Two issues in a row where the stair-case features heavily.New Flight member?
I must say the change of artist is pretty seamless between Brigman and Ross.I find their styles very similar.Interesting to see Whilce Portacio on inks--first job I've noticed him on.

I totally agree with your thoughts on Aurora, I actually love the character, but she is very cruel and mean sometimes, and totally self involved.

Puck fawning over Heather is getting a little old.

I actually really enjoyed this artist, quite a bit actually.

Still loving Purple Girl!

Bochs has really let Aurora destroy him, quite sad really.

Do you think Madison will keep the Box armor? :O

[limerick]

Re:Madison.I know the answer but am not saying---Thread rules!!

[Nevets F]

Re:Madison.I know the answer but am not saying---Thread rules!!

lol...so do I, but I am trying to keep with the spirit of the thread as well. :D

[limerick]

I know Steve,only kidding:biggrin: .I'm beginning to feel it's just the 2 of us still reading!!Am becoming obsessed with Aurora---she is literally sex on legs!What a b**ch,though!

[Nevets F]

I know Steve,only kidding:biggrin: .I'm beginning to feel it's just the 2 of us still reading!!Am becoming obsessed with Aurora---she is literally sex on legs!What a b**ch,though!

I think there are probably some people lurking, but it won't ever have the readership of the other threads. :(

I love it though!

and yep, Aurora is both those things, sex on legs, and totally b**ch.

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.47.GIF

Alpha Flight # 47............June 1987

"You Can't Tell The Forest From The Trees"

Mantlo/Brasfield-Mignola-Purcell

Outer Space:A seed-like object flies towards Earth,entering orbit and reducing in size due to friction from the earths athmosphere......

Haysboro,Canada:A little-leaguer,Tommy Mayhew runs towards out-field to catch a big hit.He makes the catch but realises he has not caught the ball which bounces past.Looking in his glove he sees a small pod-like structure which suddenly sprouts branch-like tentacles.They grow rapidly and start to infiltrate his flesh.Taken over by the alien plant-like lifeform,he promptly leaves the baseball field and heads into the nearby forest all the time becoming more 'tree-like' in form himself.His coach,team-mates and spectators are too far away to see what has been happening clearly and they are amused at his seemingly bizarre behaviour.

Heather Hudson flies towards Haysboro wondering why her parents have asked her to come.She lands in their back garden to be greeted by her mother who starts crying at the sight of Heather wearing the costume her husband was killed in.Her father tells her that although he hates the thought of her occupying The Vindicator roll ,there is danger in Haysboro which the normal authorities are unable to cope with and that is why they have called her.

In her parents home her father explains that many of the kids in town have disappeared including members of the little league team he coaches.The disappearances are completely unexplained.Heather heads for the baseball park.She flies while her father takes his truck and meets her there.Heather is a little annoyed at him for calling her as she feels the job is one for the local police.However,her father explains that the police have searched the area meticulously and been unable to find anything---hence the call to her.While they search the area in the truck they find an abandoned child's bicycle.Vindicator takes to the sky to search the surrounding area while her father waits at the truck.He suddenly notices several of the pods on the ground.On picking one up he undergoes the same transformation as Tommy Mayhew underwent.Tree-like humanoids emerge from the nearby forest and take him,fully transformed to one of them,into the forest with them......

Vindicator notices nothing from the sky other than some of the forest trees have been uprooted and taken away.When she gets back to the truck her father has disappeared.As she lands, several of the seed pods attempt to take her over like the others but they cannot penetrate her suit.Although it takes more force than she expects she does manage to destroy them with her plasma blasts.She is immediately suspicious that these pods may be responsible for her father's disappearance as well as the disappearance of the children.

Back at Heather's parents house, her mother comforts a neighbour whose daughter has now gone missing.The Mounties take a statement when suddenly the neighbour thinks she hears her daughter outside.However, when they go out to the back garden they encounter several of the tree-like humanoids who move aggressively towards them.The Mounties open fire but their bullets have lttle effect on the strange creatures.Just then Vindicator arrives firing a couple of blasts to keep the tree-creatures at bay.The tree-creatures warn her that she will kill the people contained within them if she persists with firing on them.Heather is faced with a dilemma---should she proceed to destroy them, stopping a menace which threatans all of Canada or should she hold back to avoid endangering her father's and several children's lives.

Heather makes her decision unleashing her suits full force on the creatures who scream in pain.As Heather proceeds with wiping them out she rightly concludes they are extra-terrestrial in origin.She is suddenly horrified to notice that as the bark exterior burns, children are visible underneath and they are suffering burns from the blasts.She quickly uses her powers to blast water onto the humans underneath the surface to cool them down.Miraculously,the children and her father emerge safely from their ordeal.Her father collapses at thestrain,as the aliens were feeding on their blood supply and were beginning to warp their minds.Tommy asks Vindicator where they came from and will there be more.She tells him they are probably from space and that only fate will tell if more will arrive.

However,unknown to the Macneill family one of the pods remains unhatched and undiscovered in their garden waiting for the right conditions for it to hatch.......:eek:

[limerick]

Steven F.!!!Awaiting your comments---or anyone else,for that matter!

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 47:

--A 'filler' issue here with a solo story from Heather.It must really have been cobbled together at short notice as there are three pencilers and two inkers working on this book---that's a record from my Marvel collection so far.I suppose births,deaths,weddings etc.. can throw off deadlines for the best of timekeepers and hence we have to face issues like this every so often.

-- Heather's parents have disowned her when she married Mac.So in a way this issue gives a little redemption for her relationship with her parents.So at least it does deal with some characterisation rather than just filling in a month when they were short a penciller.

--There's not much else of note in this issue except to mention the ruthless nature of Vindicator when dealing with the tree-creatures.She doesn't hesitate for a second to try and destroy the alien beings even though there may be the remnants of human beings ,including her father ,within them.She certainly is a 'strike first and ask questions later' type of lady!It is a bit far fetched that the wooden exteriors are destroyed completely without any damage to the people underneath thus relieving Vindicator of a dilemma afterwards if people had been killed.

--A final point--Heather again mentions that her feelings for Mac may have changed now she knows he may be responsible for turning Logan into Wolverine without his consent.

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.48.GIF

The Thread that no-one reads continues this evening----Alpha Flight---"On The Attack"

[Dagger]

Heather looked fierce on that cover. Seriously, one of her best appearances. And oh, how I loved Madison Jeffries. I would be reading with you all, but my Alpha comics are packed up at my parents house, and I won't have access to them until after I move.

[limerick]

Heather looked fierce on that cover. Seriously, one of her best appearances. And oh, how I loved Madison Jeffries. I would be reading with you all, but my Alpha comics are packed up at my parents house, and I won't have access to them until after I move.
That cover looks like Kevin Nolan--but he doesn't do the interior.It's natural that there's not much interest in this thread,Dagger.The original reading figures were way below Uncanny,NM,etc so it makes sense that this thread would similarly have less interest.It's handy having the 'viewed' numbers beside the thread name so at least I knowsome people are reading it even if not joining discussion----Go Alpha!

[Dagger]

That cover looks like Kevin Nolan--but he doesn't do the interior.It's natural that there's not much interest in this thread,Dagger.The original reading figures were way below Uncanny,NM,etc so it makes sense that this thread would similarly have less interest.It's handy having the 'viewed' numbers beside the thread name so at least I knowsome people are reading it even if not joining discussion----Go Alpha!
Kevin is by far one of my favorite cover artists of the 80's. The stuff he did for New Defenders rocked my c@ck off.

I love Alpha, but I always forget to partake in the discussion of this thread. It's too bad with what happened to Mantlo. His stuff was under-appreciated, imo. Sure, it wasn't up to the level of stuff that Byrne did, but what he did with some of the characters is nothing short of miraculous. His adding Madison Jeffries onto the team, and making him BoxII(I?) and his developing relationship with Heather was a big plus in my book. I also loved what he did with Talisman. I can't wait til we get to the Dream Queen saga. One of my favorites on this title. I may just drive up to my parents and dig those books up to re-read that stuff.

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.48.GIF [/QUOTE]

Alpha Flight # 48............July 1987

"Madness"

Mantlo/Shoemaker

Tamarind Island,British Columbia:Roger Bochs is contained within a large egg-shaped flotation device partially filled with water.He is absolutely livid at Alpha Flight who watch him outside the container.He threatens to kill them all starting with Aurora when he gets out.Mr. Jeffries/BOX II try to calm him down but he's having none of it.Unfortunately his recently regenerated legs have also started to deteriorate.

Vindicator contemplates the problems she's having with various members of Alpha.Puck has been injured in battle after battle.Northstar is suffering from an unknown illness which is affecting his reliability.Aurora and Bochs are seemingly nuts.Snowbird is gone.Sasquatch has returned as a woman and is an unknown quantity.Purple Girl is powerful but very young and experienced.Only Mr. Jeffries is entirely dependable.

Northstar suggests Bochs be commited.Mr Jeffries reacts angrily to this and a physical tussle breaks out between them which Vindicator has to bring to an end.Leaving his armour Mr. Jeffries has the idea of contacting his brother,Lionel, to try to cure Bochs.Northstar instantly agrees,so much so that Heather suspects he may want to try availing of his services himself.Heather is hesitant as she does not trust Lionel Jeffries completely but the others are in favour of the idea and she eventually concedes to the idea.

New Life Clinic,Vancouver:Lionel Jeffries and Alpha surround Bochs who is contained in a similar device to the one in Tamarind Island.Lionel feels there is not much he can do to cure Bochs insanity.He cured his own using the similarly laid out mind of his brother,Madison,as a matrix.But Bochs is completely different.Lionel senses Heather's distrust of him and asks her to give him a chance,pointing out she has made mistakes as Alpha's leader in the past.She relents ,asking him to do his best.Box II brings Bochs to Lionel's lab under his instructions.Lionel snaps at his assistant,Dr. Knapp to keep his mind off Purple girl and on his job!

In the sealed operating theatre,Bochs objects to being treated by Lionel.Lionel,shockingly,reveals that he feels part of the reason the grafted legs failed was that he used tissue harvested from dead people---people killes especially for his experiments.Madison is shocked!He tries to leave to tell Alpha but Lionel transforms him into a horrific unmovable form to stop him.He then reveals he will use Alpha's mutant tissue to create a new race of superior beings he will call'Omega'.When Dr. Knapp tries to intervene Scramble also alters his form horrifically,leaving him helpless and in pain.Scramble then tells Bochs he intends merging the two of them into one being combining Scramble's power to reorder organic matter with Bochs ability to design new concepts.He feels the result will be the ultimate being.Bochs ,craving revenge on Alpha Flight,tells heim to go for it.Madison looks on helpless to act as Scramble begins the process.....

Back in the waiting area, Northstar sneaks away from the others to try and find Scramble to try and cure him.Aurora sees him and tries to follow him but going down a series of similar corridors she becomes seperated from him.She tries a door and entersa dark room which she illuminates with her light.She is shocked to find six beings imprisioned within four suspended transperent cages.The first is male and he seems powerful but his attempts at breaking free are unsuccessful.The second contains two similar costumed males,possibly twins,who appear to be fighting each other.The third contains an unconcious normal looking female.The last contains two females,one normal looking ,one monstrous in appearance.

Northstar contemplates his past lifestyle while looking in the labyrinth of corridors for Scramble.He has no regrets about the life he has led but feels that it may be responsible for the current illness he is suffering.He feels the illness was present before they encountered Pestilence but the the entity had accelerated it.He is desperate to live and hopes that Scramble will be his salvation.As he opens the door to Srambles lab it suddenly bursts off the hinges from the inside.Faced with a horrific tentacled figure Northstar retreats at full speed to the waiting area.He warns Alpha of the approaching monstrosity.....

The horrific Scramble/Bochs hybrid comes crashing into the area.It is huge and its features and body are constantly changing in shape.It is the combination of their powers which enables Bochs to think of possible forms and Scramble to realise them.Confronting Alpha the creature announces itself as 'Omega'.

Heather curses herself for trusting Scramble against her instincts and for relenting on bringing Bochs to him.She orders Alpha to attack Omega and to try and save Bochs if possible but to kill if they must.Sasquatch,Puck and Northstar spring into action alongside Vindicator.Unfortunately,Omega gains the upper hand overcoming the other three and absorbing them into his mass.He explains that they will soon be absorbed completely and their powers will be added to Omega's arsenal.He has no such use for Heather whose powers derive from her suit so he tells her she must die!!!Purple Girl looks on as Alpha seemed destined for defeat.....

Back in the lab Madison tries in vain to move but he is helpless.Suddenly ,the out-of-it Dr Knapp starts to glow.........

[Nevets F]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.47.GIF

Alpha Flight # 47............June 1987

"You Can't Tell The Forest From The Trees"

Mantlo/Brasfield-Mignola-Purcell

Outer Space:A seed-like object flies towards Earth,entering orbit and reducing in size due to friction from the earths athmosphere......

Haysboro,Canada:A little-leaguer,Tommy Mayhew runs towards out-field to catch a big hit.He makes the catch but realises he has not caught the ball which bounces past.Looking in his glove he sees a small pod-like structure which suddenly sprouts branch-like tentacles.They grow rapidly and start to infiltrate his flesh.Taken over by the alien plant-like lifeform,he promptly leaves the baseball field and heads into the nearby forest all the time becoming more 'tree-like' in form himself.His coach,team-mates and spectators are too far away to see what has been happening clearly and they are amused at his seemingly bizarre behaviour.

Heather Hudson flies towards Haysboro wondering why her parents have asked her to come.She lands in their back garden to be greeted by her mother who starts crying at the sight of Heather wearing the costume her husband was killed in.Her father tells her that although he hates the thought of her occupying The Vindicator roll ,there is danger in Haysboro which the normal authorities are unable to cope with and that is why they have called her.

In her parents home her father explains that many of the kids in town have disappeared including members of the little league team he coaches.The disappearances are completely unexplained.Heather heads for the baseball park.She flies while her father takes his truck and meets her there.Heather is a little annoyed at him for calling her as she feels the job is one for the local police.However,her father explains that the police have searched the area meticulously and been unable to find anything---hence the call to her.While they search the area in the truck they find an abandoned child's bicycle.Vindicator takes to the sky to search the surrounding area while her father waits at the truck.He suddenly notices several of the pods on the ground.On picking one up he undergoes the same transformation as Tommy Mayhew underwent.Tree-like humanoids emerge from the nearby forest and take him,fully transformed to one of them,into the forest with them......

Vindicator notices nothing from the sky other than some of the forest trees have been uprooted and taken away.When she gets back to the truck her father has disappeared.As she lands, several of the seed pods attempt to take her over like the others but they cannot penetrate her suit.Although it takes more force than she expects she does manage to destroy them with her plasma blasts.She is immediately suspicious that these pods may be responsible for her father's disappearance as well as the disappearance of the children.

Back at Heather's parents house, her mother comforts a neighbour whose daughter has now gone missing.The Mounties take a statement when suddenly the neighbour thinks she hears her daughter outside.However, when they go out to the back garden they encounter several of the tree-like humanoids who move aggressively towards them.The Mounties open fire but their bullets have lttle effect on the strange creatures.Just then Vindicator arrives firing a couple of blasts to keep the tree-creatures at bay.The tree-creatures warn her that she will kill the people contained within them if she persists with firing on them.Heather is faced with a dilemma---should she proceed to destroy them, stopping a menace which threatans all of Canada or should she hold back to avoid endangering her father's and several children's lives.

Heather makes her decision unleashing her suits full force on the creatures who scream in pain.As Heather proceeds with wiping them out she rightly concludes they are extra-terrestrial in origin.She is suddenly horrified to notice that as the bark exterior burns, children are visible underneath and they are suffering burns from the blasts.She quickly uses her powers to blast water onto the humans underneath the surface to cool them down.Miraculously,the children and her father emerge safely from their ordeal.Her father collapses at thestrain,as the aliens were feeding on their blood supply and were beginning to warp their minds.Tommy asks Vindicator where they came from and will there be more.She tells him they are probably from space and that only fate will tell if more will arrive.

However,unknown to the Macneill family one of the pods remains unhatched and undiscovered in their garden waiting for the right conditions for it to hatch.......:eek:

This wasn't a bad issue, per se, but it was never one of my favorites either. As much as I love Heather, it just never appealed to me. Perhaps because it was truly a filler issue.

I find Heather's feelings for Mac having changed very interesting. It actually makes a lot of sense to me.

Looking forward to the next issue!

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 48:

--Love the Kevin Nolan cover(it is him,I checked).Sasquatch looks fierce!And is that Box armour a sign of things to come?:wink: Aurora does look a bit ungraceful,though,as if she's about to crash.

--Page 1.Why does Bochs' truosers disintegrate as his legs do?Can't figure that out.

--Who are the mysterious caged figures Aorora stumbles upon?.Interestingly,the text refers to "the caged Quintet",when there are obviously 6 people present.A typo..?The battling "twins" seem particularly interesting.

--Poor Northstar.On page 15 he is reduced to tears at the thought of dying of the disease he is suffering from(It can only be AIDS,surely!).Although ,Northstar has not been officially "outed",what more evidence does one need from his memory montage to prove he is homosexual.He is seen in the company of men and the inference is he was in relationships with them.AIDS was such a large issue at this time period.This is a brave story for a Marvel comic to be carrying.

--Omega/Lionel/Bochs is NUTS!And pretty awesome too.

--Dr. Knapp seems to have begun some transformation himself--can't wait!

--Overall probably Mantlo's highlight issue so far--it's just got so much going on.Really entertaining stuff.And how are Alpha going to get out of this fix?Roll on #49

[Pixie_Solanas]

I'm sorry, there is absolutely nothing better in the MU than Aurora in her gold uni. Nothing.

[limerick]

I'm sorry, there is absolutely nothing better in the MU than Aurora in her gold uni. Nothing.
Oh,I couldn't agree more,believe me!Check her out on page 3.She's hot!But I just think on the cover she looks a little awkward.....sorry!

[Pixie_Solanas]

Oh,I couldn't agree more,believe me!Check her out on page 3.She's hot!But I just think on the cover she looks a little awkward.....sorry!

I wasn't specifically referring to your cover analysis. You are correct, she looks extremely awkward there - obviously due to an artistic lapse in judgement.

[Imraith Nimphais]

I now remember why I continued collecting AF after Byrne...those Kevin Nolan covers!...I LOVE(d) those covers...hated the insides, but LOVED those covers.

[limerick]

I now remember why I continued collecting AF after Byrne...those Kevin Nolan covers!...I LOVE(d) those covers...hated the insides, but LOVED those covers.
Good to here from you,Imraith.You've been out of the loop for a while!

[Imraith Nimphais]

Thanx Limerick...though I do not post as often as I should, I have been keeping abreast of the FTB threads...your summaries and and subsequent postings are quite informative as usual...and for the most part (more-so the other threads) echo my sentiments...so I feel there is no need for me to "add" to wot has already been mentioned.

[limerick]

Thanx Limerick...though I do not post as often as I should, I have been keeping abreast of the FTB threads...your summaries and and subsequent postings are quite informative as usual...and for the most part (more-so the other threads) echo my sentiments...so I feel there is no need for me to "add" to wot has already been mentioned.
Regarding the 'insides' of these books---they're certainly not for everyone and they are very different from the X-books.I feel when I read them I have to suspend disbelief in a much bigger way than the other books.But when I do that ,they can be enjoyable for their own reasons.But I can certainly see why some people find these stories of little interest to them.They are very different from anything from John Byrne or Claremont.Would have liked to see what Claremont would have done with AF but I suppose they were J.B.S babies,really.

[Dagger]

Regarding the 'insides' of these books---they're certainly not for everyone and they are very different from the X-books.I feel when I read them I have to suspend disbelief in a much bigger way than the other books.But when I do that ,they can be enjoyable for their own reasons.But I can certainly see why some people find these stories of little interest to them.They are very different from anything from John Byrne or Claremont.Would have liked to see what Claremont would have done with AF but I suppose they were J.B.S babies,really.
Hmmm....I don't think I'd care to see Claremont's handling of Northstar. But I'd like to have seen what he'd have done with this team. For sure, he'd have tied them even more closely to Wolverine, and he was tied pretty tightly to this team after Byrne left. Although, I think we'd probably get an even bigger Storm-ization of Heather Hudson.

[Pixie_Solanas]

Hmmm....I don't think I'd care to see Claremont's handling of Northstar. But I'd like to have seen what he'd have done with this team. For sure, he'd have tied them even more closely to Wolverine, and he was tied pretty tightly to this team after Byrne left. Although, I think we'd probably get an even bigger Storm-ization of Heather Hudson.

We'd have had some little snotnose teen girl on the squad to fill the yappering Kitty quotient.

[Dagger]

We'd have had some little snotnose teen girl on the squad to fill the yappering Kitty quotient.
Ugh. I can just imagine what he'd do to my beloved Talisman.

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.49.GIF

Alpha Flight # 49............August 1987

"Flesh of My Flesh!"

Mantlo/Brigman

New Life Medical Centre,Vancouver:Dr Knapp's terror at his transmutation by Omega has triggered the latent mutant power he possesses.His body is split into 4 seperate entities.The first is his normal self,the effects of the transmutation reversed.The second is an intellectually advanced future self who explains the nature of his mutation to him.The third is a physically strong apeman,a past self.The last is a protoplasmic blob,a very distant past self.The highbrow futureman explains that Dr. Knapp essentially controls them all-they can advise him but he calls the shots.

Explanations given,the apeman picks up Madison Jeffriesand under instruction , throws him at the Box armour.Mr Jeffries phases into the armour.Box leaves to help Alpha.Dr Knapp,calling himself Manikin follows to help when he(all 4 of him!) is suddenly enveloped in a strange strobing effect.....

Alpha are being over-run by Omega with Sasquatch,Purple Girl,Northstar and Puck all in his grasp.Only Vindicator remains free.Omega intends to absorb the members of Alpha into his being thus gaining their powers.Box comes smashing through the wall into the lab followed immediately by Manikin,who discovers he has the ability to teleport.Apeman begins trying to free Sasquatch while Dr, Knapp frees Purple Girl.Meanwhile Box modifies his armour to something more suitable to his metal moulding powers.He tells his brother he will lock him away forever rather than let him harm Alpha.

Under Box's onslaught,Omega is weakening giving Alpha time to regroup.But Omega is also facing an assault from within.Roger Bochs has realised the insanity of his ways as well as Lionel's and tries to take control of the Omega entity.Lionel reacts viciously killing the part of Boch's mind capable of independent thought leaving only the inventive aspect of his intelligence.Box ,realising his friend is to all intents,dead,reacts angrily by hitting Omega with a large blast.

However,Box had held back at the last minute unleashing only a partial blast so as not to kill his brother.Lionel laughs at him for being so weak as to not kill someone who will try to kill him.Purple Girl suddenly seizes control of Omega ,sick of his cruel ranting.Madison phases out of the armour and under Purple Girl's influence Lionel transmutes him back to normal.Heather is obviously concerned,something which is a blow to love-sick Puck.

Recovered ,Madison discusses options for containing his brother with the rest of Alpha.When he decides there is no satisfactory solution as Purple Girl cannot hold him indefinitely,he re-enters his armour and blasts him out of existence.A startled Alpha watch as he silently leaves obviously upset at having to kill his brother.

Alpha realise Aurora is still missing when Northstar suddenly collapses overcome by the disease running through his body.

In another part of New Life, Aurora has been overcome by her fear of the dark and sings to herself, obviously insane at the darkness brought on by damage during the battle with Omega.Above her the four cannisters previously containing 6 prisoners are smashed and empty.Where are the mysterious prisoners.........????

[Pixie_Solanas]

I never knew Alpha Flight delved into the sexual innuendo of cover-based tentacle porn - in the 80s!

Truly a vanguard issue.

[Nevets F]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.49.GIF

Alpha Flight # 49............August 1987

"Flesh of My Flesh!"

Mantlo/Brigman

New Life Medical Centre,Vancouver:Dr Knapp's terror at his transmutation by Omega has triggered the latent mutant power he possesses.His body is split into 4 seperate entities.The first is his normal self,the effects of the transmutation reversed.The second is an intellectually advanced future self who explains the nature of his mutation to him.The third is a physically strong apeman,a past self.The last is a protoplasmic blob,a very distant past self.The highbrow futureman explains that Dr. Knapp essentially controls them all-they can advise him but he calls the shots.

Explanations given,the apeman picks up Madison Jeffriesand under instruction , throws him at the Box armour.Mr Jeffries phases into the armour.Box leaves to help Alpha.Dr Knapp,calling himself Manikin follows to help when he(all 4 of him!) is suddenly enveloped in a strange strobing effect.....

Alpha are being over-run by Omega with Sasquatch,Purple Girl,Northstar and Puck all in his grasp.Only Vindicator remains free.Omega intends to absorb the members of Alpha into his being thus gaining their powers.Box comes smashing through the wall into the lab followed immediately by Manikin,who discovers he has the ability to teleport.Apeman begins trying to free Sasquatch while Dr, Knapp frees Purple Girl.Meanwhile Box modifies his armour to something more suitable to his metal moulding powers.He tells his brother he will lock him away forever rather than let him harm Alpha.

Under Box's onslaught,Omega is weakening giving Alpha time to regroup.But Omega is also facing an assault from within.Roger Bochs has realised the insanity of his ways as well as Lionel's and tries to take control of the Omega entity.Lionel reacts viciously killing the part of Boch's mind capable of independent thought leaving only the inventive aspect of his intelligence.Box ,realising his friend is to all intents,dead,reacts angrily by hitting Omega with a large blast.

However,Box had held back at the last minute unleashing only a partial blast so as not to kill his brother.Lionel laughs at him for being so weak as to not kill someone who will try to kill him.Purple Girl suddenly seizes control of Omega ,sick of his cruel ranting.Madison phases out of the armour and under Purple Girl's influence Lionel transmutes him back to normal.Heather is obviously concerned,something which is a blow to love-sick Puck.

Recovered ,Madison discusses options for containing his brother with the rest of Alpha.When he decides there is no satisfactory solution as Purple Girl cannot hold him indefinitely,he re-enters his armour and blasts him out of existence.A startled Alpha watch as he silently leaves obviously upset at having to kill his brother.

Alpha realise Aurora is still missing when Northstar suddenly collapses overcome by the disease running through his body.

In another part of New Life, Aurora has been overcome by her fear of the dark and sings to herself, obviously insane at the darkness brought on by damage during the battle with Omega.Above her the four cannisters previously containing 6 prisoners are smashed and empty.Where are the mysterious prisoners.........????

I loooove this issue, mostly for the debut of Manikin. I don't really talk about him much I guess, but I always loved him. Quite a bit actually. He's such a great character.

[Hypestyle]

hmm... wonder what an Alpha Flight movie would be like..

[limerick]

I'm sure ,like most Marvel movies nowadays,it'd be pretty good because of the huge improvements in special effects and CGI.But it's never going to happen when Alpha Flight can't even hold down a regular book anymore.:frown:

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 49:

--Dr. Knapp's mutation is weird!Only Mantlo could come up with something so bizarre!

--Nice resolving of the Madison transmutation situation---I was wondering how he was going to return to normal as Lionel didn't seem likely to volunteer.

--I really like the new Box armour.It makes the old one look awkward by comparison.Actually,it appeared on the cover of last issue which must have confused readers at the time as the change did not occur until this issue.

--Puck really has run out of steam as a character.It's sad because he was one of John Byrne's successes but he's just a one trick pony now with constant thoughts to himself about Heather not wanting him.He really seems to doi little else.Make it stop!!

--Nice visual on page 13 of Bochs trying to 'break out' of Omega--it reminds me of the type of visuals in Terminator 2 or The Abyss but predates them both.

--Again Alpha prove they are not afraid to take the tough decisions.Madison kills his brother knowing ,to allow him live would only result in deaths somewhere along the line.Unlike the X-men ,Alpha is willing to punish criminals with the death sentence.

--Is it just me or does Madison seem a lot younger and muscular(page 17)than before----to make him a suitable partner for Heather??

--Page 19,second panel--Is Northstar surpressing a cough to avoid breaking the dramatic silence!!!!He looks like he's holding his hand over his face to not make a noise at Madison's traumatic time..

--I can't wait to find out what's happened to Omega's escaped prisoners--I can only really remember what happened to one(two?) of them.

[limerick]

I never knew Alpha Flight delved into the sexual innuendo of cover-based tentacle porn - in the 80s!

Truly a vanguard issue.
I don't think there's anything Alpha wouldn't have delved into after reading the lasr few issues!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.50.GIF

GET READY FOR THE KING OF RET-CONS IN ALPHA # 50.FORGET JEAN GREY RESSURECTION---THIS ONE'S A DOOZIE!TWO PART SUMMARY BEGINNING TOMORROW

[Nevets F]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.50.GIF

GET READY FOR THE KING OF RET-CONS IN ALPHA # 50.FORGET JEAN GREY RESSURECTION---THIS ONE'S A DOOZIE!TWO PART SUMMARY BEGINNING TOMORROW

Looking forward to it!

This retcon may be awful, but I love the next several years of stories following this issue.

BTW, Limerick, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate the way you keep everyone informed on these threads as to when you will be doing the next summary. It's really great! Thank you!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.50.GIF

Alpha Flight # 50............September 1987

"This Mortal Coil!"

Mantlo/Brigman

Part 1 of a 2-Part Summary

North of Quebec's Ungava Bay:Alpha return to the site of their recent encounter with The X-men.They find a sigle rose growing in the harsh wilderness giving them some hope that magic remains in the place.....

Alpha have returned in the hope of finding a cure for Nothstar'sprogressive illness and Aurora's insanity.Puck secretly hopes the Firefountain may still exist to cure his dwarfism.The city previously present is gone so Box decides their best hope is to drill under the surface--he transmutes the Box robot to a giant drill and starts tunnelling downwards.Box fins a huge cavern with the Viking Village previously found by Talisman.Aurora is initially frightened to descend into the dark tunnel but she forces herself to for the sake of her very ill brother.

Asgard:Loki observes the Alpha Flight members on a scrying glass.He is bitter at them rejecting his flawed gift months ago.He cannot revenge himself on them but he does intend creating 'signposts' which will lead them down the path of destruction rather than the salvation they seek.

Tamarind Island,British Columbia:Purple Girl and Manikin find the Alpha base spooky as it's so quiet with the others away.They decide to keep the ghosts at bay by.....cuddling!:eek: (Don't do it Whit----she's THIRTEEN!You're a doctor.Find someone your own age!)

Viking Village:Alpha find the Firefountain but it is inactive.Aurora dives into the tunnel to try and find some sign of the fountain.The others are worried about her because of her fragile mental state but she returns quickly with news!There is a doorway at the bottom of the tunnel beyond which, Aurora is convinced,magic lies.

Alpha fly down to the huge,gold,ornate doorway.Vindicator is suspicious and feels they are as likely to find nothing or evil behind the door as what they seek.Aurora is convinced the beauty of the gate can only bode well but Heather reminds her the Gate was created by Loki,the Lord of Lies.They have come this far so they decide to proceed whatever the consequences.......

Part 2 Tomorrow!

[Nevets F]

Tamarind Island,British Columbia:Purple Girl and Manikin find the Alpha base spooky as it's so quiet with the others away.They decide to keep the ghosts at bay by.....cuddling!:eek: (Don't do it Whit----she's THIRTEEN!You're a doctor.Find someone your own age!)


You know, I realize Whit is a doctor, but I don't think he was the age of a doctor. He looks younger, plus his relationship not being an issue, and his mutant powers just manifesting...I think he may be the Doogie Houser of the Marvel U. He is probably still too old, but I think he may still be a teenager.

[limerick]

You know, I realize Whit is a doctor, but I don't think he was the age of a doctor. He looks younger, plus his relationship not being an issue, and his mutant powers just manifesting...I think he may be the Doogie Houser of the Marvel U. He is probably still too old, but I think he may still be a teenager.
Steven,I knew you would come to his rescue!.Personally I think they got Purple Girl's age wrong--I think they should have set her at 16-17.Also,regarding Whit,I think that he probably hasn't been to med school.I don't think Lionel Madison does things by the book.So I think he was more like an apprentice to Lionel rather than a proper 'intern' as he is referred to in one issue.Also,I'm certain there has been a ret-con of his age from mid-20's to possibly about 20.A 20-year-old with a 16-17 year-old is fine.A 20 -year-old with a 13 year-old is not!I wish they had sorted it out before they introduced Purple Girl because the romance was planned from when the characters are intro duced.

[limerick]

Really enjoyed those first 15 pages--better than I remembered!Summarizing the rest now(or most of it!)

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.50.GIF

Alpha Flight # 50............September 1987

"This Mortal Coil!"

Mantlo/Brigman

Part 2 of a 2-Part Summary

The Underground Firefountain,North of Quebec's Ungava Bay:Vindicator tries to open the 'Faerie Gate' but is unable alone.With the help of Sasquatch,Puck and Box she is eventually successful.Inside they see a very dark cavernous expanse.They proceed through the gate moving foward.

Asgard:Loki causes the 'faerie gate' to close ominously behind them.He also ,through magic,increases the severity of Northstar's fever.(Northstar is now too weak to walk and is being transported by Box.)

The Caverns:Aurora bravely chooses to be close to the ailing Northstar even though it drains her light.She tells the others to proceed without the two of them as they are only holding the group up.Left behind in darkness Aurora gives Northstar a drink of some pool water to ease his thirst.

Meanwhile Alpha stumbles upon a Firefountain ,although it is black in colour ,different from the Firefountain they encountered months ago.

Asgard:Loki laughs at the success of his plan.He has sent Alpha to the realm of the Dark-Elves(Svartalfheim) rather than that of the Light-Elves(Alfheim),the source of the original benevolant Firefountain.

The Caverns:Alpha are suddenly attacked by a horde of evil Dark Elves.They all do their best to hold the Dark-Elves off but Puck looses his footing and falls into the Dark Firefountain which reverses his dwafism but unleashes the demon,Raazer, on his friends!

Aurora watches the now delerious Northstar wishing her light would return as she is frightened of the dark and feels there is something lurking nearby.Suddenly her light bursts on and countless evil creatures within feet of her scurry from it.Also standing before her is Loki.He tells her he has come to reveal truths to the two of them and that Northstar is already seeing this truth in his delerium because of the enchanted black water she had given him.On Loki's command some of the creatures force Aurora's hand to touch Northstar once agan killing her natural light.They then pour water down her throat and she begins to experience the same dream as Northstar.....

The Dream:Years ago ,after years of research,Jean-Claude Baptiste finds an Elf-burrow and on entering manages to catch one of the female elves,Danae.She declares her love for him and they are married and have twins,a boy and a girl.But the Elf-folk will not allow one of them to live as a mortal and come to take Danae back.They flee from the Elves in a car but there is an accident and Danae dies.Her poeople take her body away.Jean-Claude is left behind with the two children,thrown clear of the burning car,but he dies almost instantly orphaning the children.

The Caverns:Loki tells them they are half-Elf and half-human.But their Elf blood means they have become ill on Earth and need to return to Alfheim.But thanks to his meddling they have ,in fact,come to Svartalfheim,a place of darkness.Loki leaves Aurora being attacked by the dark creatures.But she summons a last gasp of courage and manages to summon her lightback.She scares off the creatures tormenting her brother .Then in a selfless act she gifts her light to her brother hoping it will restore him to full health.....

Suddenly Nothstar is restored to full health .But his sister is carried away down dark tunnels before he can save her.Aware that the darkness will bring on her insanity he pledges never to stop until he finds her.Fighting off the numerous creatures trying to nhold him he heads down a maze of tunnels after her.....

Elsewhere,Raazer,attacks Alpha who are already being attacked by a pile of Dark-Elves.Box is hit by Raazer's sword and shrinks a little as happened to Puck years before.Vindicator is also hit by the sword and she contemplates making the same sacrifice Puck made years ago to contain Raazer.But Raazer is suddenly attacked by a light blast from Northstar who has joined his colleagues.With the distraction buying them a little time they flee back to the 'Faerie Gate' with Raazer and an army of Dark-Elves after them.Box and Sasquatch open the 'Faerie Gate' and they pass through with Vindicator and Northstar.Then Vindicator orders them to close the gate and despite (vague) appeals from Northstar they do it sealing Aurora and Puck(if still alive).Vindicator is sorry but she refuses to allow the hordes of evil Dark-Elves and Raazer access to Earth.She them uses her magnetic projectors in her suit to generate enough heat to seal the gate permanantly.

Northstar is beside himself with grief--Aurora sacrificed her light and sanity to save him.When they arrive outside he tells Alpha he is leaving and departs for a gate opening in the sky--a gate to Alfheim!Nothstar enters seemingly leaving Alpha behind forever.....

Asgard:Loki laughs at his apparent success but is startled when 'Those Who Sit In Shadow' suddenly appear to pass judgement on him for his evil deesd.But he claims to only have done good.He has no intention of leaving Aurora in the land of the evil Dark-Elves ,he says, and now she has given her light to Northstar and is mortal he transports her back to earth wiping her memories,curing her schizophrenia and leaving her outside a holy house where she can get peace.

He also claims to have helped Puck by stopping his fall and transporting him to Tibet!Puck is glad of the change--he felt he was underpowered for Alpha and Heather obviously didn't love him.

Finally,Loki says he has reversed the effects of Raazer's sword on Vindicator and Box.The Gods accept his pleas and tell him to use a door that will take him back to Asgard.But when Loki passes through it laughing at his good fortune he finds himself back in Svartalfheim facing Raazer--the gods have tricked him as he tricked Alpha!

Alpha's Omnijet:Vindicator cries at her situation--she has lost three additional members of Alpha Flight and wonders if she can go on.She decides she must---Alpha must go on.....



FIN

[Nevets F]

I hate the fairy thing, as I think most people would...but regardless, losing Northstar, Aurora, and Puck all in one issue really is kinda of exciting. This new direction is one I really enjoy, and am excited to relive it!

[limerick]

Steven,Will return tomorrow(Alpha Friday!) with thoughts on #50 and #51 summary---I haven't forgotten Alpha!

[Nevets F]

Steven,Will return tomorrow(Alpha Friday!) with thoughts on #50 and #51 summary---I haven't forgotten Alpha!

Yay! Looking forward to it!

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 50:

--A monster double-sized issue in which Mantlo clears the decks.Did he not like the original cast.He gets rid of Northstar ,Aurora and Puck in one issue and this is after other recent departures such as Snowbird and Roger Bochs.From now on Alpha is really his baby.

--Aurora undergoes an amazing transformation in this issue.Over the last10 issues or so she has come across as selfish but she sacrifices a lot here.She risks being trapped in darkness to save her brother.It really is a selfless act ,making up for much of her previous behaviour.I was surprised she seemed to have recovered so well from the end of the last issue when she lost it mentally.

--Northstar's illness is concluded with such a bizarre explanation.As discussed previously the original plan of having him suffering from A.I.D.S was abandoned for the really out-there idea of him and Aurora being half-faeries.I definitely didn't see that coming the first time I read it.Did Marvel chickhen out of the A.I.D.S. storyline at the last minute.Was an editorial decision taken not to proceed with it or did Mantlo just change his mind himself.There were signs from the Sentinel storyline ,where they were referred to as non-mutant superbeings,that something was up but this really was such a strange path to follow.Typical Mantlo,though!

--One thing I found a bit off was the inconsistent behaviour of Northstar at the end.When Aurora is captured he says,"no matter how far they drag you down into the darkness...I'll fight to free you."But by the next page he's given up the search for her and has gone back to help Alpha.Also,with his superspeed he could easily have chosen to go back through the gate before Vindicator closed it to keep looking for Auroa but he chose not to.And at the end he forgets her so easily heading off to Alfheim rather than attempt to find a way to go after her.She saved himn but I feel he left her down a bit at the end.

[limerick]

More Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 50:

--Puck is another character with a bizzare end to his time with Alpha.He really was running out of ideas at the end.He's been moping over Heather non-stop for the last 15(or more!)issues and it couldn't go on.But returned to full size and sent to Tibet....again ,not what I was expecting.Is Puck a mutant at all,BTW?I always thought he was but now I'm not so sure.

--Purple Girl and Manikin.....please retcon her age Marvel.....now!!

--Alpha is left at the end with three members.They need to get recruiting quickly!

--I'll be sad to see the departure of Northstar.He has probably been my favourite member of Alpha and I think Mantlo handled his characterisation well and in consistency with Byrnes work previously.Will we see him in the pages of Alpha again.............???

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.51.GIF

Alpha Flight # 51............October 1987

"Friends in High Places!"

Mantlo/Lee

Tamarind Island:An invasion force comprising infantry,tanks and helicopters attacks Tamarind Island,home to the base of Alpha Flight.Alpha Flight comprising Vindicator,Box and Sasquatch ,along with the Beta Flight members,Purple Girl andManikin,provide the only opposition.Alpha are reluctant to let Beta participate but since they are so outnumbered they agree.

All the members of the team contribute to the battle and, after a long fight, the invasion forces retreat and the Alpha and Beta members celebrate their victory.

The battle has been watched by Gary Cody who has been overseeing what was actually a training exercise for Alpha.He confirms with his men that a spyplane has recorded all the action and that the Techs at Ottawa will be able to analyse the new Alpha Flight from the data.....

Gary,Alpha's liasion to the Canadian Government, leaves his observation post to meet with Alpha.Vindicator praises her troops comparing them in power to the original Alpha,something which secretly worries Gary.She also feels they work together more cohesively as a team.

Back at Mansion Alpha,Gary congratulates Heather on her transformation from timid housewife to confident Alpha leader,something he could not have envisaged not too long ago.Heather asks him is that why he had Mansion Alpha bugged and storms out.Gary thinks back to his earlier days with Alpha when Mac was leader .At that time he was completely familiar with Alpha.But since the government reactivated Alpha after Mac's death and entrusted him to keep an eye /spy on them ,they have become like strangers to him.Madison enters and they speak briefly about Alpha.Madison supports Heather whole-heartedly as leader.

When Madison leaves ,Gary thinks about how Heather is leading a team every bit as unstable as her husband's and that he would be insane to think she could do any better.Until he knows that for certain he must protect the government's interests .He goes to the lower levels where the Alphanex computer stores all Alpha-related files.He then copies these files to a computer disk.Looking at a picture of Mac he wonders if he is betraying Alpha's trust.Just then Heather and the rest of the teams enter the room and Heather apologises for forgetting that he's always stood by them in the past and thanks him for being a good friend to Alpha!

FIN

[limerick]

Thought on Alpha Flight # 51:

--A quite issue with the first half showcasing the groups powers ,for any new readers the relaunched title might have picked up.The second half reflects on Alpha's past and explores Gary's relationship with the group.Although not a black and white issue, he is betraying his friends to an extent although he would not be doing his job if he didn't.

--Already(as mentioned bySteven F.),Manikin seems to be protrayed as younger than previously.This is a necessary change to make any Purple Girl/Manikin romance legal!

--Taa-Daa!!!The debut of Jim Lee as Alpha penciller(with Whilce Portico on inking duty).The greats have to start somewhere.Not much sign of the great things to come here and would only rate his work here as adequate at best.

--There's a note at the end of the issue that Alpha from # 52 would only be availible through specialty comic shops and subscription.Not a good sign for Alpha circulation numbers.The beginning of the end........???:frown:

[Nevets F]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 50:

--A monster double-sized issue in which Mantlo clears the decks.Did he not like the original cast.He gets rid of Northstar ,Aurora and Puck in one issue and this is after other recent departures such as Snowbird and Roger Bochs.From now on Alpha is really his baby.

--Aurora undergoes an amazing transformation in this issue.Over the last10 issues or so she has come across as selfish but she sacrifices a lot here.She risks being trapped in darkness to save her brother.It really is a selfless act ,making up for much of her previous behaviour.I was surprised she seemed to have recovered so well from the end of the last issue when she lost it mentally.

--Northstar's illness is concluded with such a bizarre explanation.As discussed previously the original plan of having him suffering from A.I.D.S was abandoned for the really out-there idea of him and Aurora being half-faeries.I definitely didn't see that coming the first time I read it.Did Marvel chickhen out of the A.I.D.S. storyline at the last minute.Was an editorial decision taken not to proceed with it or did Mantlo just change his mind himself.There were signs from the Sentinel storyline ,where they were referred to as non-mutant superbeings,that something was up but this really was such a strange path to follow.Typical Mantlo,though!

--One thing I found a bit off was the inconsistent behaviour of Northstar at the end.When Aurora is captured he says,"no matter how far they drag you down into the darkness...I'll fight to free you."But by the next page he's given up the search for her and has gone back to help Alpha.Also,with his superspeed he could easily have chosen to go back through the gate before Vindicator closed it to keep looking for Auroa but he chose not to.And at the end he forgets her so easily heading off to Alfheim rather than attempt to find a way to go after her.She saved himn but I feel he left her down a bit at the end.

I have often wondered what caused the change in story...from AIDS to half-fairies. I wonder if that info is out there anywhere?

I love Aurora so much...she was so great to make those sacrifices.

[Nevets F]

More Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 50:

--Puck is another character with a bizzare end to his time with Alpha.He really was running out of ideas at the end.He's been moping over Heather non-stop for the last 15(or more!)issues and it couldn't go on.But returned to full size and sent to Tibet....again ,not what I was expecting.Is Puck a mutant at all,BTW?I always thought he was but now I'm not so sure.

--Purple Girl and Manikin.....please retcon her age Marvel.....now!!

--Alpha is left at the end with three members.They need to get recruiting quickly!

--I'll be sad to see the departure of Northstar.He has probably been my favourite member of Alpha and I think Mantlo handled his characterisation well and in consistency with Byrnes work previously.Will we see him in the pages of Alpha again.............???

I was not sad to see Puck go. He really had come to the end of his stories, IMO.

I think it is clear now that Manikin and Purple Girl are not as far apart in age as we originally thought. While, it is obvious he is older...he is a doctor, I am still going with Whit being a Doogie Housser (sp?) of the MU, and Kara isn't really 13...more like 16-17 (guessing of course). I seriously doubt anyone would allow a 13 year old girl to be dating a mid-twenties doctor (I hope!). I really like these two characters, and am enjoying their friendship/relationship. I love Beta Flight!

[Nevets F]

Thought on Alpha Flight # 51:

--A quite issue with the first half showcasing the groups powers ,for any new readers the relaunched title might have picked up.The second half reflects on Alpha's past and explores Gary's relationship with the group.Although not a black and white issue, he is betraying his friends to an extent although he would not be doing his job if he didn't.

--Already(as mentioned bySteven F.),Manikin seems to be protrayed as younger than previously.This is a necessary change to make any Purple Girl/Manikin romance legal!

--Taa-Daa!!!The debut of Jim Lee as Alpha penciller(with Whilce Portico on inking duty).The greats have to start somewhere.Not much sign of the great things to come here and would only rate his work here as adequate at best.

--There's a note at the end of the issue that Alpha from # 52 would only be availible through specialty comic shops and subscription.Not a good sign for Alpha circulation numbers.The beginning of the end........???:frown:

I enjoyed this issue. This is really where Alpha gets more and more interesting for me, leading all the way up to the early 100's.

I think this is a very good team...Heather is more competent than Mac ever was, Sasquatch is Sasquatch, and Box is one of the most powerful members the team has ever had. On top of that, you have Beta, with two (kind of 5) very powerful members. I have a feeling the team will start growing again soon...every team goes through this in comics, dissolution and rebirth as they say.

Jim lee's art was not anywhere near the greatness it would become, but was cool to see when I was reading this. I love that my Alpha Flight book helped start Jim Lee's career. :)

[Nevets F]

Alpha Friday? :D

[limerick]

Alpha Friday is go!!!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.52.GIF

Alpha Flight # 52............November 1987

"Specters!"

Mantlo/Brigman

Alpha Flights Original Base(in ruins):Gary Cody stands amongst the ruins of the original Flight base armed with a computer and the Alphanex disk he copied recently.On it are secrets James Macdonald Hudson had kept from his wife and Gary,himself----secrets he is trying to unravel....

He thinks back to how Vindicator had constructed his battlesuit and then with government backing had gone on to form Alpha,Beta and Gamma Flights.Renagade members lef to form Omega Flight and they killed Mac.His wife,Heather then took over the leadership and excelled in ways Gary hadn't expected.Worried about the possible damage they could do to Canada if they defected he is going back further into the disks history to learn if Mac has left any information that might be useful to him.

Gary finds information on a conversation that took place between Wolverine and Hudson before Wolvie left to join the X-men.Hudson was under pressure to find more mutants in Canada but was struggling.He developed a method of accelerating latent mutant powers in individuals who possessed such latent powers.Hoping this would satisfy the governments need for more superpowered individuals he began looking for latent mutants but could only find one---a murderer in prison!Desperate for the funding he proceeded with the experiment on the understanding that the criminal would volunteer to be experimented on in return for a pardon.......Hudson would than train him to use his powers for good.Wolverine has SERIOUS doubts about this strategy(There are suggestions this is why he left to join The X-men)...The disk ends there.There is no information on whether the strategy was successful.Did it fail and he end up killing the test subject.......???

The benefits ,if Mac has been successful at creating a superhuman being,would be huge and it is too worthwhile a project for the government for Gary to leave it lie.So he heads for Mac's lab. which has lain empty for years.When he enters the lab is still functioning independently on it's own generator, but most surprising is a huge cocoon-like structure suspended from the ceiling.Gary approaches the pod wondering could the convict or his remains be still in there..??

Alpha Base,Tamarind Island:Heather is taking a swim thinking about her dead husband,Mac.She wonders if she really knew him considering he supervised the Adamantium process which Wolverine underwent years ago.Purple Girl and Manikin watch from the shore enjoying their time together,their budding romance blossoming.Madison Jeffries is repairing some roof tiles in his Box armour.He finally allows his feeling for Heather to take over and leaves the armour,jumping into the sea and heading out to her,taking her in his arms and kissing her ---what both of them have wanted for a long time.Sasquatch watches them from the shore happy for them,wondering what awaits him/her in the future.

Alpha Flights Original Base:A freshly blown hole in the labs wall still somkes from the incredible force that hit it....The pod is burst open revealing an empty containment system inside....Gary's body lies against the wall---whatever came out of the pop killed him.....A flashing light on a monitoiring system as well as a repetitive beeping sound indicates that something is not as it should be....

Xavier's School For Gifted Younsters:Wolverine puts down his cigar and answers the ringing telephone.An automated message from James Hudson tells him Bedlam has escaped....

FIN

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 52:

--Another great Nowlan cover---Alpha Flight as they used to look,although surely Puck shouldn't be on the same team as Wolverine.In fact,there seems to be some inconsistency over the last 20 issues or so as to when Wolverine left.In this issue it is clearly stated that Logan had left Alpha before any of the new Alpha Flight members had joined.But it has been stated in the past that various team members knew him from before.How???

--One aspect I don't like is the James Hudson retcon which makes him out to be a power hungry greedy man obsessed with getting enough cash to keep the project going--he just wasn't like that.

--Gary Cody--what a strange ending for him.When he played such a big part over the last 2 issues I would have felt he was going on to big things and then he was just killed off all of a sudden.It was like Mantlo didn't have enough people on the team so he was going to bring him in as a liason officer to give another storyline avenue but then minds were changed and he was dropped very quickly.Poor Gary!

[Imraith Nimphais]

LOL...that was my very first thought on seeing the cover pic before reading your review, Limerick..."Another great Nowlan cover"...LOL...I wonder wot is he doing these days?...I must google him.

[Pixie_Solanas]

This is insane that Alpha Flight hasn't received the Essentials treatment yet.

I would love to read some of these issues.

[Nevets F]

I really enjoyed parts of this, most the present day stuff. In general, I have never been the biggest fan of flashback tales, but it has some interesting, thought provoking scenes.

I wonder who/what Bedlam is??

[Imraith Nimphais]

I know I may be the only one but I quite liked Northstar and Aurora's "faerie" origin. And even though I knew exactly wot Mantlo was alluding to with Jean-Paul's illness...I thought that his having J-P join the light elves in the sky was quite an allegorical take on death and wot (supposedly) happens when one dies...aside, of all the post Byrne AF I collected and subsequently gave away, I still have issue 50.

[limerick]

More Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 52:

--Who exactly is the mysterious Bedlam?All will be revealed next issue.Has he retained his murderous criminal tendencies?--Very probably!!

--I'm not certain how Madison fits in his armour.The transmutation process must mean he literally becmes 'one' with the armour,not just fitting inside it.In truth I don't understand exactly how it works.

--Walter seems pretty happy with his current situation(page 18)--amazing considering he's in a female body which must cause plenty of problems for him

[worstblogever]

--Walter seems pretty happy with his current situation(page 18)--amazing considering he's in a female body which must cause plenty of problems for him

You'd think he'd miss peeing standing up, at least.

[Aelle3]

mmmm if he/she got to nostalgic, he could just buy a she-pee.

[limerick]

You'd think he'd miss peeing standing up, at least.
WBE,I can always rely on you to find some humour in a situation..

*limerick gives WBE a standing ovation *

[limerick]

mmmm if he/she got to nostalgic, he could just buy a she-pee.
Not familiar with it---not sure I wanna be!Sounds weird!!

[Aelle3]

One site on google calls it 'a ladie wee funnel', its a festival thing so they dont have to sit in the scank loos.

[limerick]

One site on google calls it 'a ladie wee funnel', its a festival thing so they dont have to sit in the scank loos.


Sounds practical!

*Bows to Aelle3's impressive toilet-based knowledge*

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.53.GIF

Alpha Flight # 53............December 1987

Wolverine's back with The Flight------ On Alpha Friday,Tomorrow!!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.53.GIF

Alpha Flight # 53............December 1987

"A Blast From The Past!"

Mantlo/Lee

Tamarind Island:Wolverine arrives at Mansion Alpha to find it completely destroyed.Amongst the rubble he finds a minature machine which grows into the Box armour and pops out Madison Jeffries who is in shock.Wolverine sprays some water in his face to bring him around and Madison then relates the story of what happened to the mansion and the rest of the team.......

Alpha Flight Training Room(Not Long Ago):Vindicator,Purple Girl,Sasquatch and Manikin undergo a training session in the Training Room.The session is controlled by Madison from the Control Room where he uses his powers to create mechanical opponents for Alpha Flight(+Beta Flight!) in the Training Room.At the end of the session the teams are happy with their performances.As Vindicator promises Madison a "private workout' of his own(HUBBA,HUBBA!)there is a sudden explosion which sends Box(who just managed to re-enter his armour in time)shooting into the air.When he returns to the mansion he finds Alpha unconcious ,victims of the horrific-looking Bedlam!!!!Bedlam blasts Box with a telepathic blastwhich is so severe it forces him into the hibernated version of the Box armour that Wolverine finds later.He then departs the mansion taking the out-of-it members of Alpha with him....

The Present:Wolverine tells Box that burying his mind stopped Bedlam from killing him.He says Bedlams's taken the others to get revenge on a dead man.....Guardian.

A Sprawling Complex,The Artic Circle:Bedlam sits in what seems like some sort of organic structure surrounded by the 4 Alpha members as well as 4 other powered beings who escaped from the New Life medical centre during Alpha's battle with Dr. Jeffries.They are all restrained but conscious as Bedlam probes their origins.As their minds are linked each learns the details of all the others past experiences.Bedlam is most interested in Vindicator as it was her husband,James Hudson Mcdonald,who created him by accelerating the latent mutant powers contained within him.He shares his memories of this with Heather and of how Hudson defeated him when he went beserk and trapped him in the cocoon found by Gary Cody(see last issue).Now he is out for revenge.....

Realising Hudson is dead ,he wants to pit Alpha against the four other powered beings--whom he christens 'The Derangers'(due to the fact they were all previously mentally-ill patients of Dr. Jeffries).The Derangers are:Freakout,a rock star who fried his brain through drug abuse and became a beserker who doesn't register pain,Janus,an artist witha split personality who also possesses the power to duplicate himself.Breakdown,a Canadian housewife who suffered a nervous breakdown which triggered her latent mutant power to act as a living energy cluster bomb and Goblyn, a young girl who changes to a vicious goblin-like creature through some sort of energy transference.

He announces that the winning team will become the template for his new Master Race.When Alpha refuse to battle the other team he simply uses his mental powers to force both teams to fight each other.They start to viciously battle each other with no quarter given.

Approaching The Artic in a small plane, using a tracking device to locate the Alphans,Box and Wolverine are determined to free Alpha and take Bedlam out.Not far from their destination Bedlam destroys their plane using his mental powers.But Box saves them both transforming to a glider-like craft which shields their presence from his powerful mind.This allows them to complete their journey to the base undetected.

Inside his complex Alpha and The Derangers have managed to free themselves to some extent from Bedlam's mental control.Combining forces they try to defeat him but he proves merciless ,killing both Breakdown and Freakout.As the rest of them seem doomed Wolverine and Box suddenly burst in adding their considerable weight to the fight.Vindicator is surprised to see Wolverine and is worried that he may find out about Hudson being responsible for his adamantium.But Bedlam manages to seize control of his mind and then tells Heather that Hudson was not to blame for Wolverine's transformation.She is hugely relieved but guilty for having suspected Mac of that type of behaviour.Bedlam then seizes control of Wolverine using his menatl powers and makes him attack Box.The rest of Alpha are frozen in their tracks by Bedlam,powerless to act.

Heather suddenly comes charging at Bedlam--she is unable to move physically but she is able to mentally control her suit.She sets the suit to 'AUTOPOWER'(!!!!!!)so that even if he gets control of her mind the suit will keep coming.Bedlam tries every trick he has to defeat her but she won't give up and in a final florish she blows his head off!

The rest of The Derangers are dead but Goblyn suddenly dives through a glass panes and runs into the harsh Artic wilderness outside.Alpha decide to make Bedlam's base their new home as mansion Alpha was destroyed (and was heavily bugged by the government).Wolverine says his goodbyes and Manikin's Egghead persona teleports him home.Heather tells Madison that Wolverine is nothing more than a friend to her and that now she knows the truth about Mac she can leave him rest in peace and move on to 'start love again'.She embraces Madison warmly......

FIN

[Nevets F]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.53.GIF

Alpha Flight # 53............December 1987

Wolverine's back with The Flight------ On Alpha Friday,Tomorrow!!

I <3 Alpha Friday!

[Nevets F]

I just realized Alpha Annual 1 has come and gone in the publication order. :(

Limerick, Alpha Annual 2 takes place just before issues 52-55, if you plan to summarize it.

[limerick]

Yeah,I'll do Annual # 2.# 1 had gone by before I realised it.I'll do it next week on ALPHA FRIDAY(tm)!

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 53:

--Alpha mansion is no more and The Flight is on the move again.A base in the Artic is pretty remote---not much scope for passing supervillain traffic.

--Box demonstrates in this issue what I was wondering about before---he is phased to his metal armour---not just contained within it.That allows him to not be harmed by his armour reducing in size to a shape much smaller than he could physically be contained within.(Is that confusing??!!)

--Love The Derangers and Page 9 which sums up their origins very cleverly on one page without any text.

--Walter's female form is hot--hot enough to instantly distract Freakout with a shake of her tush on page 18.:biggrin:

--Some final closure for Heather on Mac's past---he didn't 'adamantiumate' Wolverine and she's relieved by that.But he most definitely did mess with Bedlam---is that any better?

--Jim Lee again on pencils with Portacio on inks.You would expect a better result with that team.It's not that the arts that bad but with their future, something spectacular is expected!

--The same applies with the Lee/Austin cover.

--A new era for A.F. beckons.But first to Annual # 2

[Nevets F]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 53:

--Alpha mansion is no more and The Flight is on the move again.A base in the Artic is pretty remote---not much scope for passing supervillain traffic.

--Box demonstrates in this issue what I was wondering about before---he is phased to his metal armour---not just contained within it.That allows him to not be harmed by his armour reducing in size to a shape much smaller than he could physically be contained within.(Is that confusing??!!)

--Love The Derangers and Page 9 which sums up their origins very cleverly on one page without any text.

--Walter's female form is hot--hot enough to instantly distract Freakout with a shake of her tush on page 18.:biggrin:

--Some final closure for Heather on Mac's past---he didn't 'adamantiumate' Wolverine and she's relieved by that.But he most definitely did mess with Bedlam---is that any better?

--Jim Lee again on pencils with Portacio on inks.You would expect a better result with that team.It's not that the arts that bad but with their future, something spectacular is expected!

--The same applies with the Lee/Austin cover.

--A new era for A.F. beckons.But first to Annual # 2

I really liked the Derangers...especially Laura Dean! I won't spoil the future but, Goblyn and Laura herself might have a deeper story than we know so far!

I also liked the Derangers one page origin.

I am glad they didn't have James as being part of Wolverine's adamantium, I really do think it's better that it was just Bedlam, lol.

I <3 Kara

I <3 Whit

I <3 Laura

Annuals are never my fav, and will be looking forward to seeing issue 54 summarized, but I am glad you are going to summarize it. :)

[limerick]

Glad you're still enjoying the thread ,Steven.I must say reading these old Alpha books is like reading them for the first time as it's been a while since I looked at them.I can't really remember what happens in the next issue until I open it.I do remember the second Annual being about Box and Heather in The Savage Land.

Intend to stick with this one until the end.Have you heard from David R. at all.He hasn't posted in a few weeks and I'm a bit worried about him.

[limerick]

edit..........

[limerick]

Alpha Flight From the Beginning continues tomorrow with Annual #2(If I can find it!---I'm not sure which comic box it's in.If I can't find it I'll continue with the ongoing!)

Relax and have a good Alpha Friday--It's Motto--"peace to all men":biggrin:

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.54.GIF

Alpha Flight # 54............January 1988

"Goblyn"

Mantlo/Haynes

Bedlam's Base,The Artic:Goblyn sits in the freezing,icy conditons a few hundred yards from the base she just escaped from.She is keen to return to her home----'Liveworld'.But if she transports there then her twin,Laura,will exchange places with her and be left freezing to death.She needs to get back inside the base before she can leave......

Inside the base Alpha try to patch up the breaches in the base's walls to try and keep the cold wind and snow out.Sasquatch and Box suggest to Vindicator that they should try and install life support and climate-control systems and make the base their own.But Heather feels the place reeks of Bedlam's evil and if they are going to use the base ,Box should use his powers to try and relocate it somewhere more habitable.Manikin informs them that he can find no trace of life from Bedlam and The Derangers.Purple Girl remembers the way Alpha came to her help and she feels they should try and help Goblyn the same way.To leave her outside would be murder.Heather reluctantly agrees to try and find her outside.

Box,Vindicator and Sasquatch head outside to the harsh conditions to try and locate Goblyn.Box uses his sensors to try and pinpoint her position.He provides the other two with wristbands so they can seperate and triangulate her position.Unknown to then,Goblyn is closer than they think ,watching them closely.Once they go their own way Goblyn jumps at Sasquatch from her hiding place,clawing at The Great Beast's eyes and blinding her temporarily.Sasquatch's screams of pain bring Vindicator flying towards that spot.But instead of finding Sasquatch,she finds an unconcious Laura,freezing to death in the snow.Although suspicious she extends her force-field to try and warm Laura up.Once she does ,Goblyn suddenly reappears,swapping places with Laura.Goblyn lashes out at Heather damaging her suit and hurting Heather who manages to fire a blast at the creature but does no serious damage, only scaring Goblyn away.

Minutes later,Box stumbles across a freezing Goblyn in the Artic wastes.He transmutes his form to make a protective bubble in his tank-like vehicle for her and heads back to the base.But once inside Goblyn again springs to life slashing Box and then knocking out Whitman,leaving Purple Girl facing Goblyn alone......

Goblyn inches towards Kara threateningly so Kara tries to p[osees her.She immediately links minds with her and learns her and Laura's mysterious past:A few years ago their mother fell pregant with twins.But when it was discovered that one of the twins was a mutant their father insisted on a pioneering operation to abort the mutant foetus using radiation therapy.But when the radiation was started the normal twin moved it's position in the womb to intercept the radiation.The operation was stopped immediately and months later the normal twin(Laura)was born with no sign of the mutant twin.Laura grew up autistic.Kara is able to sense that Laura saved her sister by somehow hiding her away within herself.Knowing the story she is moved to tears and tries to reason with Goblyn.Goblyn is starting to respond when the rest of Alpha burst in ,blood-thirstily looking for revenge on Goblyn.Kara prevents them from harming Goblyn by sheltering her the way her twin sister did years ago.A bond is forged between them and they hug each other ,both moved to tears.The battle over Alpha ,watches on(perhaps a little embarrassed by their baying for blood!)

FIN

[limerick]

http://comicfigs.net/MarvelLegends/ML12/thumbs/PackagedSasquatchVariant.jpg

WHITE SASQUATCH---THE MODEL!

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 54:

--Love the way Nowlan draws Goblyn on the cover---even the 'ADIDAS' stripes!

--We finally learn Laura/Goblyn's secret past--although I'm still a little confused as to how Laura managed to make Goblyn disappear from the womb??And if I remember rightly in Scrambles base both Laura and Goblyn were present at the same time in a cage together---(not 100% sure about that).

--Yikes!!Heather's mean streak again.She finds a young defenceless girl minutes from death in the Artic wastes and her first instinct is to........leave her die there?!!!!!!!I hope she never has kids.

--Kara kind of comes into her own in this issue.She's starting to become this teams version of Kitty Pryde.

--What next for Alpha,Goblyn and Laura??

[limerick]

*limerick stares across the barren wilderness of the 'Alpha Flight From The Beginning' Thread ,looking into the distance for any signs of life*

limerick:"STEEEEPPPHHHEEENNNNNN!!!!!!!"

[slam]

Please be assured that I'm reading this thread and remembering these issues fondly. We're coming up to the point where I stopped collecting Alpha Flight (and comics in general, I think), so I'm interested in seeing what's going to happen.

[Nevets F]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 54:

--Love the way Nowlan draws Goblyn on the cover---even the 'ADIDAS' stripes!

--We finally learn Laura/Goblyn's secret past--although I'm still a little confused as to how Laura managed to make Goblyn disappear from the womb??And if I remember rightly in Scrambles base both Laura and Goblyn were present at the same time in a cage together---(not 100% sure about that).

--Yikes!!Heather's mean streak again.She finds a young defenceless girl minutes from death in the Artic wastes and her first instinct is to........leave her die there?!!!!!!!I hope she never has kids.

--Kara kind of comes into her own in this issue.She's starting to become this teams version of Kitty Pryde.

--What next for Alpha,Goblyn and Laura??

I really love Laura and Goblyn! I would have to read back and see, I don't remember seeing them in the cage together. It's bring up an interesting dilemma...would you abort a baby knowing it would be a mutant?

I really hope Laura and Golbyn become the next members of Beta. It's funny, if they do, they will now have more members than the primary Alpha team.

Kara is better than Kitty ever was or will be. :P

Like Slam above me...I am sure there are other reading...come out come out wherever you are lurkers!

[limerick]

Please be assured that I'm reading this thread and remembering these issues fondly. We're coming up to the point where I stopped collecting Alpha Flight (and comics in general, I think), so I'm interested in seeing what's going to happen.
Good to know there's someone there slam!

[limerick]

[QUOTE=Steven F.;9129832]I really love Laura and Goblyn! I would have to read back and see, I don't remember seeing them in the cage together. It's bring up an interesting dilemma...would you abort a baby knowing it would be a mutant?[QUOTE]

I'm pretty sure they were in a couple of frames together,probably when Aurora first stumbled across the cages in Scramble's base.I might try and see exactly where later.

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.55.GIF

Alpha Flight # 55............February 1988

Jumbo Bag of Doritos.......check
Budweiser 6-pack........check
Mobile on Vibrate......check
Landline Answerphone on......check
Alpha Flight # 55.......check


I Know What You'll Do Next Friday!!!!!


ALPHA FRIDAY.......YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO:evilsmile:

[Nevets F]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.55.GIF

Alpha Flight # 55............February 1988

Jumbo Bag of Doritos.......check
Budweiser 6-pack........check
Mobile on Vibrate......check
Landline Answerphone on......check
Alpha Flight # 55.......check


I Know What You'll Do Next Friday!!!!!


ALPHA FRIDAY.......YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO:evilsmile:

lol

I am excited...but...I don't know if I can change my avatar to one from 55. I love my little Golbyn avatar. lol. I have to dwell on this!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.55.GIF

Alpha Flight # 55............Febrary 1988

"Identity Crisis!"

Mantlo/Lee

Bedlam's Base,The Artic:Alpha are still based at Bedlam's artic base following the destruction of Mansion Alpha in Canada and a brewing storm outside which prevents them from leaving.Heather joins a pensive Walter/Wanda on an observation deck.The identity crisis he/she is facing is finally hitting home and she knows not whether she is a man,woman or Beast.She thinks this is why she feels a little strange.....

Heather tells him/her she has added Goblyn/Laura to the ranks of Beta Flight so they can keep an eye on her.She leaves Walter /Wanda alone and walks back to the others,thinking about how the rest of Alpha wants to make this their permanant base.She finds the place reeks of evil and is anxious to leave...

Heather joins Box and Manikin,who again try to convince her that the base would make a great new permanant home for them.It is huge in size with lots of space.Box can create any facilities that are not already there and Manikin can help with any construction using his 'multiple' selves.Heather's not sure,though....

The Infirmary:Purple Girl asks Laura about her and Goblyn's relationship.Laura tells her that Goblyn goes to 'LiveWorld' when she's not on Earth(which she calls 'DeadWorld').When she's threatened they swap places with Goblyn emerging and Laura retreating to 'LiveWorld'.Laura says she can't tell her about 'LiveWorld' but she can show her......Purple Girl touches her and they mind-touch again......she finds herself transported to some bizarre,fantastic world,much different from Earth.But just as she arrives Goblyn arrives threateningly at her side and she is instantly returned to Earth.Laura explains that Goblyn likes her but is not ready for her to see 'LiveWorld' yet.

In the Artic wastes outside Sasquatch braves the elements bending snow and ice to form a temple like ice-structure.Sasquatch suddenly comes to--he/she had been in a trance while carrying out the work.Suddenly,the Great Beasts emerge from the snow...the ice-structure that Sasquatch built acting as a gateway for them to return to Earth.Tundra emerges first followed soon after by Somon The Artificier,Kariooq The Corruptor and Tolomaq The Fire Beast.They try to convince Sasquatch to join them as they had been together eons ago.But Sasquatch resists the temptation and stays true to his human roots denying he will join the Great Beasts.Moments later Sasquatch's form comes crashing throgh the walls of the base,hurled through it at great force.........

The rest of Alpha are shocked by the surprise entrance of Sasquatch but they quickly jump into action as the Great Beasts start to tear their base apart.Vindicator quickly deals with two of the Beasts....burying Kariooq in ice and snow........and then creating a plasma funnel which disperses Tolomaq.But then she is struck heavily by Tundra......as Box takes on Tundra,Manikin and Purple Girl face Somon.He deals Manikin's four personas a heavy psychic blow causing Manikin to collapse unconcious.But Saquatch saves Manikin,Kara and Laura by snapping Somon's neck....as Kara runs away holding Laura,she is suddenly stepped on by the huge foot of Tundra but when his foot rises Laura and Kara have disappeared leaving Goblyn in their place.Although the size difference is huge Goblyn tries to harm Tundra.

Box realises they are too small to battle Tundra as they are.He heads for the base and uses his powers to convert the mechanical bulk of the base into a HUGE Box suit which dwarves a normal person in size and is a match for Tundra.Vindicator,Sasquatch,Goblyn and an unconcious Manikin enter the suit via an entrance in it's foot.They head up to the head section where they can view from inside Box what's going on.Box takes the fight to Tundra but after some initial success,Tundra absobs huge amounts of the Artic around him to increase in size again.Sasquatch suggests delivering a huge burst of heat to him which may melt the snow/ice portion of his physiological make-up.Vindicator is worried the blast may destroy them as well but Box proceeds ,feeling they have no other choice due to Tundra's ever-increasing size.He starts to break down some of his structure to pure energy and the power builds until suddenly in a huge blast of light and heat the area they are on explodes.......leaving only a huge crater behind.....with no sign of Tundra:biggrin: ..........OR ALPHA!!:eek:

FIN

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 55:

--Damn,I really liked the idea of Alpha using the Artic base....like many things in this book ,no sooner does the base arrive on the scene than it's destroyed!!Shame as it had great potential from the point of exploring the base itself...although the location was a bit off the beaten track...they could have solved that by Box moving the base as Heather suggested.

--More Jim Lee pencils here(with Tony DeZungia(who?)inking).They're better than his last Alpha effort but still a long way from the art that would make him a superstar in only a couple of years on from here.

--Poor Walter/Wanda.Her identity crisis is finally starting to hit home.I think he/she was in denial until now.I'm having an identity crisis of my own because Wanda is really hot!!:biggrin:

--Box shows his powers are almost limitless.He shows the ability to absorb huge amounts of matter creating much bigger objects than before....where do his limits lie....could he absorb a planet???Also he shows the ability to convert the matter he has absorbed to energy,creating new possibilities for him.

--Where are Kara and Laura?....with Goblyn appearing as they left I think I can guess!!

--The Great Beasts return in a story not matching the great Byrne story from before.I liked all other aspects of this issue but not the Great Beasts.I felt Vindicator took two of them out far too easily,belittling them a little,which takes away from their impact.

[limerick]

See everyone next Friday!!!!!!

[Nevets F]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 55:

--Damn,I really liked the idea of Alpha using the Artic base....like many things in this book ,no sooner does the base arrive on the scene than it's destroyed!!Shame as it had great potential from the point of exploring the base itself...although the location was a bit off the beaten track...they could have solved that by Box moving the base as Heather suggested.

--More Jim Lee pencils here(with Tony DeZungia(who?)inking).They're better than his last Alpha effort but still a long way from the art that would make him a superstar in only a couple of years on from here.

--Poor Walter/Wanda.Her identity crisis is finally starting to hit home.I think he/she was in denial until now.I'm having an identity crisis of my own because Wanda is really hot!!:biggrin:

--Box shows his powers are almost limitless.He shows the ability to absorb huge amounts of matter creating much bigger objects than before....where do his limits lie....could he absorb a planet???Also he shows the ability to convert the matter he has absorbed to energy,creating new possibilities for him.

--Where are Kara and Laura?....with Goblyn appearing as they left I think I can guess!!

--The Great Beasts return in a story not matching the great Byrne story from before.I liked all other aspects of this issue but not the Great Beasts.I felt Vindicator took two of them out far too easily,belittling them a little,which takes away from their impact.

I wonder if this was the original plan, or it they quickly changed their minds thinking the base just couldn't work cause of it being "off the beaten path" as you say. Guess we will never know!

Jim Lee's art is growing right before out eyes. He is already a lot better than he was when he started, but still nowhere close to where he would one day be. I wonder if he even remembers penciling Alpha? lol. Or if he remembers my girl Kara, Laura, and Goblyn?

Limerick...you may or may not be bisexual now.

Box/Jeffries has to be one of the most powerful mutants on the planet at this point. I am glad I like the character so much!

I can't wait to see where Laura and Kara have gotten off to!

See everyone next Friday!!!!!!

and as always, I look forward to it!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.56.GIF

Alpha Flight # 56............March 1988

Alpha Flight # 56....favourite issue of celebrities such as Vanilla Ice and the Stormtrooper who knocks his head against the doorway in 'Star Wars'......limerick----the Perez Hilton of Alpha Flight From The Beginning!!!



p.s. Alpha Friday Tomorrow....# 56

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.56.GIF

Alpha Flight # 56............March 1988

"Have You Ever Heard A Spaceship Scream?WARPED!"

Mantlo/Lee

Outer Space:A spaceship warps through space.....screaming!!Vindicator,Sasquatch,Manikin and Goblyn are rattled around in the bridge......Sasquatch explains to Heather what's happened----the energy generated by Box to destroy Thundra was so huge it blew Box into space.....he transformed into a spaceship to cope and is now warping through space....but has been 'driven nuts' by the experience.

Sasquatch says they must find a way to get Box to come to his senses...or gain control of the ship.Suddenly,Goblyn goes crazy confirming Heather's doubts about letting her join the team....as she flees the others she rips apart a doorway and Box screams in pain....the doorway leads her down corridors which lead to the Boxbrain...the nervecentre of the spaceship.Behind her Vindicator and Sasquatch try to follow her but they have lost her....

Manikin and his alter egos have been injured by Somon during the fight in the Artic but when he absorbs his 'other selves' back into himself he is cured and back to normal.He turns his thoughts to trying to help Box.

Goblyn comes across a conveyor belt carrying large transperent vats wwhich seem to contain red fish-like creatures which appear aggressive when Goblyn looks closely at them.....rattled,Goblyn smashes one of the containers sending the creatures sprawling over her....Box screams again in agony....nearby alien-type robots simultaneously attack Sasquatch and Vindicator....

Liveworld:Purple Girl and Laura are in Liveworld--the place Laura goes when Goblyn is on Earth and visa versa....Kara is amazed at the strange enviorment---a 'psychedelic Disneyland',she calls it.They are enjoying their time there,unaware they are been watched by a sinister figure observing them on a crystal ball...

Outer Space:As Sasquatch and Vindicator fight off their attackers ,Sasquatch concludes they are creations of Bedlam's which have been incorporated into the Box entity and are now acting to protect it from invaders---much like an immune system.Meanwhile,Manikin is suddenly sucked up by a suction appuratus and deposited in the brain 'room'...he observes the Boxbrain is being attacked by a tumour of some kind....he is suddenly joined in the chamber by Goblyn who burst in through a wall battling some of the 'Bedlamites' she encountered earlier.Those dealt with,Manikin tries to reason with her and get her to delicately remove the tumour from the brain but she jumps on the brain and uses her brute force to rip the tumour apart....sending 'tumour cells' scattering across the chamber...most of them threateningly towards Manikin......

Vindicator arrives and starts taking out the tumour cells but there are huge amounts of them....Vindicator is annoyed by Goblyn's indiscriminate destruction of Boxbrain tissue---some of it healthy,some of it invasive.....she wants to blast Goblyn but Manikin stops her warning that Laura and Kara may actually be inside her in some way....so ,instead,she creates a plasma-funnel that directs Goblyn away from the Boxbrain...under Manikin's guidance Vindicator begins destroying any tumour tissue....they enter the Boxbrain and continue removing the cancerous tissue from inside the brain as well.They have only a final mass left to remove....but if not careful enough ,then Heather may destroy Box's mind!!However,Madison is screaming at her to help him and that spurs her on....seconds later she is successful and Box is free...he regains control of his faculties and begins blasting the Bedlamites taking on Sasquatch.

A victorious Alpha return to the bridge to be greeted by Box,who has manifested himself as the bridge chair......Heather gives the order and they enter warp drive....in the direction of Earth!!

FIN

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 56:

--Wow!Jim Lee and Terry Austin are taking over the covers--what a dream team!Austin's not inking the story though.

--Bill Mantlo--what an imagination!He's just turned this book on it's head bringing the characters out into space....only he could think of such an outrageous move and pull it off quite successfully ,so quickly.The last panel of last issue had us in the Artic and the first panel of this issue has the same characters in space...that's quite a jump!

--Heather show her usual lack of compassion for her team-mates,wanting to blow Goblyn away and only being talked out of it by Manikin....she makes an exception for Box who has gone mental but is exempt from her usual dressing down because of her personal feelings for him

--Quick snippet of what Kara and Laura are up to...they are being watched!!:eek:

--Manikin raises his game a little bit this isue coming in with the goods when it counted....an interesting addition to the team who has his own powers plus an intellect to tackle other problems---bit of a Hank McCoy type

--Overall a nice little story with a good idea about the sentient possibilities of the 'robo-brain'

[limerick]

I'm away for a week on holiday(vacation!)and I won't be posting in this Thread next Friday...if anyone wants to fill in for an issue feel free......otherwise I'll post Friday week.....see you then!

[Nevets F]

I'm away for a week on holiday(vacation!)and I won't be posting in this Thread next Friday...if anyone wants to fill in for an issue feel free......otherwise I'll post Friday week.....see you then!

Enjoy your vacation!!! I hope you have a great one!

[Parch]

It took me awhile, but I finally caught up with all the previous issues and now feel I can join in.

My thoughts so far.
Needless to say, Alpha Flight has been a very unique title. The writers were not afraid to take some chances, stir up some controversy, and definately be unpredictable. There were certainly some surprises and it's impossible to know what's going to happen next. Perhaps that's why the title has been so interesting. From crazy origins and personal turmoil to love triangles and gender bending confusion, Alpha Flight is definately a bizarre dysfunctional family.

It's interesting that there hasn't been a lot of crime fighting involved. Most of the stories have been about fighting their demons within and there hasn't been a lot of saving the world from the usual batch of enemies that super teams normally face. Alpha Flight really does their own thing. The Pestilence story was really good, and Madison's creepy brother was an interesting dude, but for 50+ issues you'd think the team would have a bigger stable of bad guys to deal with. It's been more about their own personal problems and there always seems to be part of the team on hiatus or dead or up to something schitzo. It's a dysfunctional family indeed.

So where are we now? The team seems to have stabalized a bit with the current group working well together. They need a better name for Purple Girl. I mean seriously. Purple Girl? Good character, stupid name. I never really did like this Manikin guy. Good name, stupid character. He turns into a devo nerd, a caveman, and a blob of goo? Wow. Perhaps I can give them credit for creativity, but that's a bizarre hero. And Madison. Damn cool! I was so glad they promoted him from a behind-the-scenes tech guy into a complete ass-kickin' Optimus Prime. It's a really good idea even if it's just a Magneto variation, but now they've developed him into a powerhouse and a fine character. Ten times better than Bochs. As for Goblyn, I'll have to see how they develop this character before I form an opinion.

Now about my main man...Sasquatch. He's really showing his feminine side lately. (Last time I showed my feminine side I got a yeast infection).
I never really cared for this gender bending angle, especially when they made him into a complete hotty as Wanda. I'm so confused. Has there ever been a marvel character that has experienced a sex change? I imagine there's been a story or two where a character has swapped genders briefly, but Sasquatch has been a chick for quite a few issues now. I think it's about time he grew a pair.

Needless to say I love this title. There are times when the writing has been a little convoluted and perhaps a little more unstable than I would have liked, but it's been great storytelling so far and solid character development. Alpha Flight is an underappreciated gem in my opinion and now that I've caught up reading the earlier titles, I hope to join in with you guys on regular basis. Go Alpha!

[limerick]

It took me awhile, but I finally caught up with all the previous issues and now feel I can join in.

My thoughts so far.
Needless to say, Alpha Flight has been a very unique title. The writers were not afraid to take some chances, stir up some controversy, and definately be unpredictable. There were certainly some surprises and it's impossible to know what's going to happen next. Perhaps that's why the title has been so interesting. From crazy origins and personal turmoil to love triangles and gender bending confusion, Alpha Flight is definately a bizarre dysfunctional family.

It's interesting that there hasn't been a lot of crime fighting involved. Most of the stories have been about fighting their demons within and there hasn't been a lot of saving the world from the usual batch of enemies that super teams normally face. Alpha Flight really does their own thing. The Pestilence story was really good, and Madison's creepy brother was an interesting dude, but for 50+ issues you'd think the team would have a bigger stable of bad guys to deal with. It's been more about their own personal problems and there always seems to be part of the team on hiatus or dead or up to something schitzo. It's a dysfunctional family indeed.

So where are we now? The team seems to have stabalized a bit with the current group working well together. They need a better name for Purple Girl. I mean seriously. Purple Girl? Good character, stupid name. I never really did like this Manikin guy. Good name, stupid character. He turns into a devo nerd, a caveman, and a blob of goo? Wow. Perhaps I can give them credit for creativity, but that's a bizarre hero. And Madison. Damn cool! I was so glad they promoted him from a behind-the-scenes tech guy into a complete ass-kickin' Optimus Prime. It's a really good idea even if it's just a Magneto variation, but now they've developed him into a powerhouse and a fine character. Ten times better than Bochs. As for Goblyn, I'll have to see how they develop this character before I form an opinion.

Now about my main man...Sasquatch. He's really showing his feminine side lately. (Last time I showed my feminine side I got a yeast infection).
I never really cared for this gender bending angle, especially when they made him into a complete hotty as Wanda. I'm so confused. Has there ever been a marvel character that has experienced a sex change? I imagine there's been a story or two where a character has swapped genders briefly, but Sasquatch has been a chick for quite a few issues now. I think it's about time he grew a pair.

Needless to say I love this title. There are times when the writing has been a little convoluted and perhaps a little more unstable than I would have liked, but it's been great storytelling so far and solid character development. Alpha Flight is an underappreciated gem in my opinion and now that I've caught up reading the earlier titles, I hope to join in with you guys on regular basis. Go Alpha!
Yeah for Parch....helping me out on another underappreciated thread(see Wolverine from the beginning!)...looking foward to your ongoing insights!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.57.GIF

Alpha Flight # 57............April 1988

ALPHA # 57-----URBAN LEGEND SAYS THE MOVIE 'THE MATRIX' IS A SCENE-BY-SCENE STEAL FROM THIS COMIC----READ WHY TOMORROW IN ALPHA FRIDAY!!!GO ALPHA!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.57.GIF

Alpha Flight # 57............April 1988

ALPHA # 57-----URBAN LEGEND SAYS THE MOVIE 'THE MATRIX' IS A SCENE-BY-SCENE STEAL FROM THIS COMIC----READ WHY TOMORROW IN ALPHA FRIDAY!!!GO ALPHA!


OKAY,THAT'S NOT TRUE BUT COME ALONG FOR ALPHA FRIDAY ANYWAY....IT'S WHERE ALL TRENDY YOUNG INTELLECTUALS WANT TO BE SEEN ON THE INTERNET!!.......HELLO,MR. ANDERSON....

[limerick]

Enjoy your vacation!!! I hope you have a great one!
THANKS!!I did!!!

[Babylon23]

--More Jim Lee pencils here(with Tony DeZungia(who?)inking).

Been a while since I've been on this thread. Just checked in to see where you were up to and noticed your ? in relation to Tony DeZuniga.

Tony DeZuniga is a Phillipino artist who made a name for himself as an artist and inker starting in the late 60's. He's probably best known as the co-creator of Jonah Hex for DC. He also helped DC find a lot of the artists that were part of the Phillipino influx in the 70's. He did a fair amount of inking in the 80's for both Marvel and DC.

[limerick]

Been a while since I've been on this thread. Just checked in to see where you were up to and noticed your ? in relation to Tony DeZuniga.

Tony DeZuniga is a Phillipino artist who made a name for himself as an artist and inker starting in the late 60's. He's probably best known as the co-creator of Jonah Hex for DC. He also helped DC find a lot of the artists that were part of the Phillipino influx in the 70's. He did a fair amount of inking in the 80's for both Marvel and DC.
Babylon23,thanks for the info.--very informative and much appreciated.I must say it's interesting to see how the less popular books with lower sales are where artists and writers get their breaks.....Uncanny,New Mutants and Excalibur generally have creative talent with a proven track record but Alpha,with lower sales,can afford to give guys like Jim Lee their start.It's cool looking back seeing the development of their talent gradually....hope you stay on board!

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.57.GIF

Alpha Flight # 57............April 1988

"Life"

Mantlo/Lee

Outer Space:Space.....The final frontier....these are the voyages of the Starship...Box!.Box is running low on the minerological material he uses to carry out his transmutational power......The Spaceship form he currently has taken needs replenishing....and quickly!He approaches a lifeless planEt and descends to land there....But as the ship passes through the gas clouds surrounding the planet the hull becomes ionized and the effect is to shake the Alpha team violently around the ship's bridge...Box manages to get the ship down in one piece despite the turbulence.

When they land they find the planet is in it's very early stages of development...Madison emerges from his Box armour and embraces Vindicator warmly,kissing her....Manikin is frustrated they're wasting time smooching while they're still maroooned in space and his girlfriend,Purple Girl and Laura Dean are still missing.He lashes out(verbally) at Goblyn who lashes back physically....A fight breaks out between them and Vindicator blasts Goblyn with a power blast to try and stop her scrapping...Box steps in, stopping Heather from attacking Goblyn,reminding her that she is part of Beta Flight and under their charge....Heather is not a great fan of Goblyn's but she listen's to Madison and asks Goblyn where Laura and Kara are....

Liveworld:Kara and Laura enjoy themselves in the beautiful,bizarre Liveworld....Laura explains that there is danger there but that Goblyn can sense when she is scared and always swaps places with her before she has ever faced anything dangerous there.....At that moment Goblyn initiates the swap and both girls disappear back to Earth while Goblyn arrives in their place....A mysterious figure greets and pets Goblyn telling her she must someday travel with her to the 'other' places she visits.

The Box-ship:Laura and Kara(much to Whit's delight) teleport back to the others....Kara decides not to reveal to the others about Liveworld,sensing Laura wouldn't want her to...Meanwhile Laura,back in this reality,resumes her Autistic condition.....Madison transmutes the ship making huge drill bits which tunnel beneath the planets surface looking for the metals he needs....As he works a huge electrical storm develops...Unknown to the Alphans,beneath the surface the clay starts to change shape forming sentient patterns...it is alive!!

As Madison prepares the ship to leave the planet having collected what they need,Heather thinks about home....She realises that Alpha have been responsible for many of the dangers Canada has faced recently(Bedlam,The Great Beasts) and as a result they have alienated themselves from both the government and the public.

When Box tries to launch the ship they are surprised to find it cannot move and shocked to see why---a crystal-based lifeform has 'grown' around the ship,trapping it....As the situation gets worse,Alpha realises they must go outside to sort out the problem and Box provides spacesuits for them so they can go out into the alien athmosphere....As they leave the ship Laura suggests to them that they should try to understand what is happening rather than just trying to destroy it....But the others ignore her and start using their various powers to try and remove the life-form by violence....they stop when they see the crystal 'bleeds' when they destroy it....could it really be a living thing??....Purple Girl tries to link minds with the entity but it is so alien to her she is overcome and collapses.....When Laura sees her friend in danger she suddenly switches places with Goblyn who returns to try and attack the crystal.....But again Kara links with Goblyn who then grabs her faint form from an angry Manikin.....But then Vindicator and the others realise Goblyn isn't the mindless animal they've been taking her for....She manages to communicate with the crystal by matching it's natural vibrations when contacting it.....The crystal,realising Alpha means no harm,withdraws....

As the ship departs the planet Heather promises she'll try to be more comprehending and understanding of Goblyn now she realises there's more to her than they thought....Suddenly,Kara reminds them there is a problem....Goblyn is still on board despite the danger being over....Why hasn't Laura returned...???

Liveworld:A mysterious female witch-like figure stares at an image of Laura in her crystal ball.....She announces she won't allow anyone to leave Liveworld-----unless she can!!!!

[limerick]

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/77/193165-145457-dreamqueen_large.jpg


THE DREAMQUEEN----KEEPING LAURA FROM ALPHA......TROUBLE????....YEAH..TROUBLE!!

[Nevets F]

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/77/193165-145457-dreamqueen_large.jpg


THE DREAMQUEEN----KEEPING LAURA FROM ALPHA......TROUBLE????....YEAH..TROUBLE!!

I love Dreamqueen!!

She has a brother currently appearing in Avengers the Initiative. I nope they remember her.

[limerick]

I love Dreamqueen!!

She has a brother currently appearing in Avengers the Initiative. I nope they remember her.
Yeah,she has some great Alpha storylines coming up.....

[Parch]

Thoughts on #57.

The space trek continues. I really liked #56. That was an action packed story and it finally felt like the team was going stay the same for awhile and have a couple of adventures. In this issue Goblyn is given a little more character development and is really part of the team now. AWOOOO!
Interesting little creationalist tidbit about how they were the trigger that brought life to the planet. Was an alien encounter the reason for life on earth? This angle has been a popular theme in a few sci-fi stories.

Back in the day it was #56 that confused the hell out of me. I had some of the early issues but missed a bunch, so when I picked up this one it was a bit of a puzzler. Who the hell are these people? They have a pet cat now? Where's Gaurdian and why is his wife wearing his laundry? Where's Puck? Where's Snowbird? Wait a minute...Sasquatch is a chick now? WTF is going on?!? Every member of the team was either different or missing and only emphasized that you really needed to have every issue of Alpha Flight to keep up with all the changes. Now I'm finally reading these in order and filling some crutial gaps in AF history.

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 57:

--As Parch mentioned,this story is a bit of a sci-fi standard.When I read it first I thought of the Star Trek-The Next Gen episode(Season 1,I think)where Geordi is unintentionally destroying a silicone-based lifeform helping some terraformers drill something or other.....the story preface is the same.

--Some new info on Liveworld....who is the mysterious female figure we see at the end...looks like trouble for Laura,although Goblyn does seem very fond of this woman.

--Again Vindicator tries to take out a fellow team member,blasting Goblyn.....She's gotta tone it down a bit and stop flying off the handle so easily....or she'll lose the teams respect.

--Jim Lee's arts showing some progression here with a few nice touches....I love his drawing of the Dreamqueen on the last page and Heather looks great in the last few pages....Also the panel on page 18 where Purple Girl mind-links with the crystal entity is impressive...Probably his best issue yet.

[limerick]

Parch,you're right how quickly the team changed.In a very short time there was a complete overhaul...

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.58.GIF

Alpha Flight # 58............May 1988

"Liveworld"

Mantlo/Lee

Outer Space:Space.....The final frontier....these are the voyages of the Starship...Box!.Still lost in space,Alpha are unsure what direction to head for.....Sasquatch comes up with the idea of searching the ship's 'bionetic computer' for the flight path which he/she,correctly,guesses was programmed into the computer when they blasted blindly off Earth.Sasquatch enters the inards of the ship's computer systems and begins trying to unlock the memories.....Suddenly,Goblyn goes a bit mental!!

Liveworld:Laura Dean,Goblyn's twin sister is on the other-dimensional Liveworld enjoying the natrual tranquility of the place.....But there is a sudden change and Liveworld seems to turn on herwith the flora and fauna attacking her.....She runs to escape only to fall into the hands of....The Dreamqueen!!!....The Dreamqueen wants to know how she travels back and forth between Earth and Liveworld....Laura explains she doesn't control it,Goblyn does and that they only swap places when Laura is in danger....Threading a whip around her throat,the Dreamqueen tells her that she is in danger...!!

Outer Space:Back on the ship the rest of Alpha worry about Goblyn damaging the warp-relay circuits.....Purple Girl tries to calm her down by mind-merging with her but it has the opposite effect and Goblyn goes flying into the warp-relay circuits just as Sasquatch is sending the course back to Earth into the flight computer....Suddenly,everything goes a bit crazy as science blurs with thought and the result is the ship being transported to the place in Goblyn's thoughts----Liveworld!

Chaos breaks out on the bridge as half of Alpha are being shocked by the warp relay wire....Box is incoherent and incapable of steering himself out of trouble as he is still plugged itno Goblyn's thoughts.....the ship impacts a floating land mass but it is just a glancing blow but they are now on collision course with another one.....Vindicator is unable to get through to Box so sheraces down into the decks of the ship and blows a hole in the side(hurting Box,who screams in pain).....She then fires off some plasma blasts to divert the course of the ship....She is successful and the ship suffers only another glancing blow....But just as she celebrates her success she glances up to see the ship is about to crash into another floating island.....The ship impacts and Alpha are sent flying.....Goblyn recovers first and runs away.....Purple Girl sees her and is half-glad that the cause of all their woes is gone.....She finds Manikin and Sasquatch safe and sound....Box then reforms his basic Box structure---most of his metal mass was destroyed in the crash....Madison comes out of the Box armour,looking worriedly for Vindicator who fell beneath him when the ship crashed.....They find her in the crash site but are unsure whether she is unconcious or dead....

Elsewhere:Goblyn heads for the Dreamqueen's base....In the tower-like structure Laura is strapped to a device to which she is connected by many electrodes.....The Dreamqueen reveals that when Goblyn came here first she created an enviorment in which Goblyn would be comfortable so that she could study her more....She wanted to learn how Goblyn arrived from the real world and to go there herself to RULE it.....When Laura tells her Goblyn will never show her the way out,the Dreamqueen insists she will-----to save Laura!....The Dreamqueen conjures up 2 goblin like creatures who have the heads of her parents .....They start to torture her but then Goblyn bursts through the roof and tackles Laura's assailints.....The Dreamqueen is shocked to see the two of them together as they have not swapped places as they usually do to get to Liveworld.....She quickly realises what has happened and is delighted there is more than one way to exit Liveworld.....She tells Goblyn to tell her how she got here but Goblyn only bites her viciously.

Alpha are caught in a storm....Kara says she senses where Laura and Goblyn are.....They head for them....

Angered by Goblyn's refusal to co-operate,The Dreamqueen opens a portal through which an army of vicious soldiers start to emerge.....She tells Goblyn that in the end..."Serve me you shall!!"

FIN

[Parch]

Thoughts on #58

Good artwork. I always thought that this time period in marvel history was a transition to better art.

I like the jab at the synopsis at the beginning. It seems silly that somebody gives a little history lesson at the start of every issue and Alpha Flight does it a lot, but they have to. This title has some complicated storylines and plenty of character changes, so the recap has become an AF necessity.

I was wondering how they were going to hook up with The Dreamqueen, seeing that shes hanging out in that alternate dimension and all that. So Goblyn freaks out over Purple Girl's mindmeld, crashing into Sasquatch/Box's nav computer tinkering, warping them into Goblyn's wacky dreamworld. Well, of course. How could I have not seen that coming.

While the team is bumbling about in this new world, Goblyn is getting down to business facing this creepy chick. As if the torture rack isn't enough, the Dreamqueen using minions that look like Laura's parents to torment the kid... WHAT A BITCH! Slash her up Gobby, but this game is on her turf and she's got skills. This'll take the team coming to the rescue, but that witch definately needs an ass kicking.

[Nevets F]

I just love Goblyn! It's funny, while I always liked her, and LOVED Purple Girl, going through these again now have made me develop even more of a love for her.

Dreamqueen is pretty frightening! I think she looks fantastic, btw.

Looking forward to the next summary Limerick! Great job as always!

PS - Have we heard anything from David R?

[limerick]

Hi,Steven.Unfortunately,I've heard nothing from David R. and he hasn't been posting for a long time now....He stopped posting so suddenly I am very worried about him.....Also haven't heard anything from CallmeGeoff in over a month as well....It's worrying when people disappear from the threads so quickly..:frown: ....So give us a post guys,even just to let us know you're okay!

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 58:

--Parch,You're right about the art....Lee is really finding his feet now and this issue is definitely of a higher standard than when he first joined Alpha.I particularly like his rendition of Goblyn and Purple Girl(although she looks at least 18 or 19 here rather than 13(or possibly 14 by now)).As you say ,Steven F.,he has created a great advesary in the Dreamqueen----she is definitely a real badass and is very menacing...quite scary for Laura at the moment

--Mantlo as usual puts aside any sort of realistic storyline to get him where he wants Alpha to be....His explanation for Alpha getting to Liveworld is fantastical at best....I have learned by now to expect this of him and when I read Alpha it is with a different outlook as I'm quite literally prepared for anything to happen....In the space of about six issues we've gone from their original base to having a new base in the Artic,which is quickly destroyed,to being launched into outer space to being transported to another dimension...Perhaps even Mantlo needs a bit of time to figure out their next move because we find out the fate of Puck next issue!

--Lucky for Laura she has Goblyn watching out for her as she's really in a tight spot before Goblyn arrives to save the day.

--There seems to be a slight ret-con of Kara's powers over the last few issues....She now has the power to mind-merge with people...a form of telepathy,really....She also shows signs of proper telepathic powers on page 29 where she says she can "sense Laura and Goblyn are very near"....She can even tell that they are in "extreme danger"....so she has powers extending beyond simple mind control.

[Imraith Nimphais]

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/77/193165-145457-dreamqueen_large.jpg


THE DREAMQUEEN----KEEPING LAURA FROM ALPHA......TROUBLE????....YEAH..TROUBLE!!

That, right there is some smoking-hawt-Jim-Lee-overt-the-top-deliciousness!:biggrin: I remember being very intrigued by the Dream Queen story-line, but I cannot remember if it was just prior to or after that I stopped colecting AF...oh well...I must say, I am quite enjoying your reviews and synopses, Limerick...more so than I did reading the actual stories (most of which I had forgotten, btw)...I'm like, "reading again, for the first time" :biggrin: and the covers are bang-on! I'll give you that.

[limerick]

Thanks,Imraith!Much appreciated...glad you're making sense of the issue synopsises(spl)!:biggrin: ....I did particularly like this cover,although I miss the run of Kevin Nolan covers they had on Alpha for a while.

[Imraith Nimphais]

Yup...those were some beauty-full covers...you're very welcome, btw...you are doing a great job.

[limerick]

--limerick prepares to launch Alpha Flight # 59

--limerick enters 'ORACLE' computer room

http://www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties/content/images/2005/09/25/red_light_470x400.jpg

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/munger/oracle.jpg

--limerick begins entering computer code to initiate sequence.....'ALPHA 59 IS GO'

--limerick gets distracted......

http://softwarecreation.org/images/2008/mind.jpg

http://comicswaitingroom.com/images/lady_death_swimsuit.jpg

DANGER!......DANGER!

--limerick enters incorrect codes

[Nevets F]

lol Limerick...

[limerick]

To Be Continued!!!

[Imraith Nimphais]

Oh My Goddess!!!...who? Is? The? Babe!?

[limerick]

I was looking for a decent Marvel swimsuit picture of Storm or Rogue for the post above so I googled 'Marvel Swimsuit' .....and that picture just appeared.....and well....I didn't look any further.....She's 'Lady Death'.....there's tons more pictures of her on the net........She seems to have a period where she's alive(i.e. not blue colour skin...)where she's called 'Lady Life'.......See picture below(just for you,Imraith).....Perhaps I should sex-up the Alpha thread to get more posters on board...tee.hee.hee!:tongue:

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/2/25807/680844-lady_life_armando_huerta_large.jpg

As Pyro would say.....STREWTH!!

[limerick]

*limerick types furiously trying to salvage Alpha # 59*

*Computer begins to smoke*

http://gopublius.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/burning-computer2.jpg

*limerick breaks glass and retrieves emergency computer*

http://bachware.com/books/computer%20utilization/Graphics/Sinclair%20ZX81.jpg

*limerick confidently enters data into his perfectly maintained ZX81 and 'Alpha # 59' is go*

*limerick presses 'enter' and waits for Alpha # 59 to appear*






http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/97452433904.32.GIF


OH.....F**k!!!!:eek:

[limerick]

http://www.geocities.com/waldenwong/LadyDeathLastRites.JPG

"Hi,everyone....Lady Deaths the name and limerick has asked me to help out for the time being with Alpha Friday....That limerick is so cute I just couldn't say no!Anyway,it's getting very warm in here so I'm just going to take some clothes off before I start the summary.....ah,that's better...okay Alpha # 59 it is...

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.59.GIF

Alpha Flight # 59............June 1988

"Comes A Dragon"

Mantlo/Lee

Danwei,NorthEast China:Puck found himself in the mountainous country between China,Russia and the Soviet Union following the events at the Ebony Firefountain(issue # 50)...Restored to a normal-sized 70-year old man he found himself relatively powerless and without the woman he had fallen in love with---Vindicator.He decided not to persue rejoining Alpha Flight and instead had headed for a monastery where the monks supposedly knew the secret to opening doorways between different worlds......Almost at his destination ,he discovers that the Chinese Army have arrived just before him.....They open fire,shockingly,on an unarmed non-aggressive bunch of priest,peppering them with machine-gun fire....But the priests ,although non-aggressive,are not defenceless and they use some type of supernatural energy to turn the army's bullets to flowers....They also shield themselves somehow from further fire,erecting a type of telekinetic shield....But then the Army Commander calls an airstrike....That is too much for the holy men and many of them perish....Puck tries to help by planting explosives to cause a landslide which stops some of the Army but his violent actions are not welcomed by the monks who would rather die than inflict pain or violence on others..The monks manage to re-establish their force field and strengthen it enough to stop the advancing helicoptors from passing through it.....Puck has experience of tantric yoga from decades ago and using it's principles he is able to pass through the force field because 'his mind bears no malice'......once through,he heads on for the monastery.

The Chinese Army's Commander is frustrated by his failed efforts to break through the force field....He demands that one of his men,Dei Guan ,who was drafted into his squad because of his 'special abilities', finally does something constructive by using these abilities to break through the force field....He has had his doubts that these 'special abilities' actually exist.......But Dei drops to his knees and stsrts to undergo a startling transformation where he turns from man to dragon---The Jade Dragon!!.....Using a combination of his powerful tail,his huge wings and his fire-breathe,he breaches theforce-field and the Chinese military pour through......But the Jade Dragon has doubts about the policies of the Army....His parents had been executed for being intellectuals during Chairman Mao's 'cultural revolution'.....Sent to work down iron mines he had slaved, literally,day in,day out.....But one day a strange figure,The Geomancer,materialised before him and gave him the power of the Jade Dragon,which enabled him to escape and put his exploited past behind him......He had eventually enrolled enthusiastically in the Army.....But now he is shocked at the Army's hard line.....He was not given his powers to act like this, he thinks to himself.

Tamarind Island,British Columbia,Canada:A lawyer and his female client arrive by boat to the ruins of Alpha's former base.....He explains that she has inherited it because ,even though she and her husband were due to divorce,he had not written a will and everything became hers....Before they get to the house they are confronted by a government agent and some armed soldiers who ask them why they are on government property and do they know anything about the destruction of Mansion Alpha and the disappearance of it's occupants....But the lawyer counters that they are the ones trespassing on the land of his client......Veronica Langkowski....widow of Walter(or so she thinks!)

China:Puck climbs up to the monastery and breaks in by smashing his way through a window......He is confronted by the monastery's religious leader,The High Lama.....The High Lama knows Puck seeks the doorways to other worlds but he says his reasons are not worthyasheonly seeks new adventures,not a new way of life.....He replies that he feels worn out with this world and needs new experiences....Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of The Jade Dragon,who believes that Puck is a foreign spy and that the High Lama is in leagues with him....Puck tries to fight the Dragon but is soon being overwhelmed.....The High Lama tries to help him but is promptly incinerated with the Dragon's fiery breathe....The Dragon is shocked that he has killed the High Lama and rushes back outside telling his Commander what happened....He then starts to attack the Army overcome by what he has been trained to do....

Inside ,Puck feels responsible for the High Lama's death but then sees a vision of a spirit version of the High Lama in front of him....Thigh Lama tells Puck that he cannow travel in his new form between worlds....He offers Puck the chance to join him,showing him many possible worlds to travel to...Puck is surprised when he sees one of the worlds has Alpha on it!!!...He can see them facing the Dream Queen on Liveworld.......The High Lama tells him to choose....Puck had put Alpha behind him but he can't ignore his friends so he chooses Liveworld.....Suddenly,a portal opens connecting Earth to Liveworld and allowing Alpha,The Dream Queen and her Army access to Earth!!



FIN!-----Lady Death xxx

[Imraith Nimphais]

I would not mind finding myself between her mountainous country...that's fer damn sure...Have they started the nominations for POTY? When they do...you've definitely got my vote, Limerick...:-))...not for the time and hard work you put in reading, summarising and posting the various FTB threads...nope. Not for being one of the genuinely nice guys here in the CBR forum...not by a longshot...you have my vote for posting those salaciously HAWT! pics of Mistress Death.

[limerick]

Yes,Imraith,Lady Death has promised me she'll be a regular feature right through to the end of this thread(:rolleyes: limerick,quite possibly losing the plot)....but she is FIT!!!!!:biggrin:

[Imraith Nimphais]

Yes,Imraith,Lady Death has promised me she'll be a regular feature right through to the end of this thread(:rolleyes: limerick,quite possibly losing the plot)....but she is FIT!!!!!:biggrin:

YAY!!!!!...I am quite in lust with her..umm...level of fitness!:biggrin:

[limerick]

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/77/89022-59102-jade-dragon_large.jpg

Thanks to Lady Death for the summary.....The Jade Dragon makes his first appearance in this issue and with a detailed origin like that I can only assume he's destined for an important role in Alpha's future---to become part of the team,perhaps???.....Of course this is Alpha so nothings a given!

[Nevets F]

I...I...I don't know what to think of what this has become...I'm so confused...

[limerick]

I...I...I don't know what to think of what this has become...I'm so confused...
Don't worry ,Steven,just had a bit more time than usual on my hands today and things got a bit out of hand.....Am giving myself a slap on the wrist and returning to relatively normal service with' thoughts on:'.....Hope you're not too upset!

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 59:

--Jim Lee is really starting to develop his own style and I think this is the first issue where I would actually recognise his work as being by the same person who will eventually pencil the X-men.There are some panels in particular which have Jim Lee written all over them....The Caveman Manikin persona on the last page springs to mind.

--Puck makes a surprise return...who could have seen that two issues ago....Mantlo keeps throwing those spanners in the works....But it'll take some writing to undo the travesty of the Puck ret-con...I'm not a fan.

--The Jade Dragon really seemed destined to join Alpha after his first appearance here.....The sympathetic and detailed origin seemed to be more than just a throwaway villain-of-the-month....we'll have to see what happens but that was the thought I had when I first read this book..

--Veronica Langkowski's got a surprise in store for herself---not only is her husband not dead....he's not a he anymore....Sounds like a Jerry Springer Show in the making!

--It's unclear at the end why Liveworld comes to Puck rather than the other way around....Hopefully all will be revealed in the next issue.EDIT:I misunderstood---it's actually a two-way portal opening between the two worlds as is explained next issue

[limerick]

Okay,a mini poll---who wants 'Lady Death' to stay?----post 'yes' or 'no'.....

[Parch]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 59

More Lady Death? Why not? At least it'll distract me from knowing that Sasquatch is a chick. With Veronica making an appearance perhaps that's a gender problem that will soon be fixed.

I was very impressed by this issue. Just when I was expecting the alternate dimension scrap with the Dream Bitch we get a Puck side story. I thought it was very good with fine storytelling and a very clever way to reintroduce Puck to the party.

How cool is the Jade Dragon? They definately made an effort to provide his back history and make him look like a good guy, even if he did jump to conclusions about Puck, so it sure seems like Jade Dragon is destined for more than a temporary visit. Plus he looks awesome.

Once again this issue has impressive artwork along with quality writing. This is another example of how Alpha Flight was an unappreciated gem in the Marvel library.

That final frame sets up one helluva battle. Now they're adding the Chinese Army and a friggin' dragon to the party. Alpha Flight never fails to surprise.

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 59

More Lady Death? Why not? At least it'll distract me from knowing that Sasquatch is a chick. With Veronica making an appearance perhaps that's a gender problem that will soon be fixed.

I was very impressed by this issue. Just when I was expecting the alternate dimension scrap with the Dream Bitch we get a Puck side story. I thought it was very good with fine storytelling and a very clever way to reintroduce Puck to the party.

How cool is the Jade Dragon? They definately made an effort to provide his back history and make him look like a good guy, even if he did jump to conclusions about Puck, so it sure seems like Jade Dragon is destined for more than a temporary visit. Plus he looks awesome.

Once again this issue has impressive artwork along with quality writing. This is another example of how Alpha Flight was an unappreciated gem in the Marvel library.

That final frame sets up one helluva battle. Now they're adding the Chinese Army and a friggin' dragon to the party. Alpha Flight never fails to surprise.
The Puck reintroduction is quite well realised although I just don't like the previous ret-con from a few issues back....give me back the cart-wheeling dwarf anyday!

[limerick]

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/1/19940/408192-91849-puck_large.jpg

Puck's current status----a normal sized septagenarian.....Note the costume error in the neck area of the cover to issue # 59.....His neck should be covered by blue material which would support the head gear part of his costume

[Parch]

Yeah, the full size Puck is kinda goofy, but it's a pretty safe assumption that they'll find a way to shrink him again. It's like the female Sasquatch. He/she just has to switch back.

Perhaps that's why Alpha Flight was never well received and was considered a niche title. They tended to be a little bit "out there" and take some questionable risks with their main characters. Even though I'm impressed with the storytelling and the artwork, I can see where some of the plot decisions could sour some readers.

[Imraith Nimphais]

Like Steven F...that re-introduction of Puck story confused the bloody hell out of me...I'm wracking my brain to remember if it was this issue or the previous one that made me call it quits on AF.

[limerick]

Like Steven F...that re-introduction of Puck story confused the bloody hell out of me...I'm wracking my brain to remember if it was this issue or the previous one that made me call it quits on AF.
I think Steven F. was more confused by our Lady death ramblings than by the Puck storyline!

[limerick]

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/77/184004-99221-lady-death_large.jpg

"I'm back and none shall keep me from my heart's desire---Alpha Flight # 60".........Lady Death defends Alpha Friday

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.60.GIF

Alpha Flight # 60............July 1988

Alpha Flight # 60----Summary tomorrow

[limerick]

http://image2.milehighcomics.com/istore/images/fullsize/03018831342.60.GIF

Alpha Flight # 60............July 1988

"War!What is it Good For?"

Mantlo/Lee

The War Room,Moscow,U.S.S.R.:A yellow Alert has been called following the build up of Chinese troops in the border-state of Danwei.....A general listens to the Chinese explanation of local insurrection but dismisses it......He calls for an orange Alert,wary that the Chinese are planning an invasion..

The recently passed on High Lama watches Alpha's battle in his spiritual form....He finds their heroic actions against beings that don't exist senseless but acknowledges that may be their path to enlightenment.

Puck moves the unconcious Vindicator to safety.....He is powerless to help Alpha....The Jade Dragon returns to the monastery and starts fighting alongside Alpha against the Dream Queen hordes.....Box observes some of the Dream Queens soldiers passing'literally,through some of the monks.....He checks his sensors and realises they don't exist but seconds later he feels the full force of one of their punches----he cannot understand why they can feel the attacks..??

The War Room,Washington,U.S.A.:Washington notices the U.S.S.R.'s troop mobilization and puts itself on alert...

Ottawa,Canada:Prime Minister Mulroney is called from his bed to view spy-satellite footage fowarded from the U.S.----incredibly,it shows Alpha Flight(thought dead by the Canadian Government)fighting Dream Queen and her subjects

Danwei,NorthEast China:The Jade Dragon defends the monastery from his former comrades,The Chinese Army----He insists on defending the defenceless,the reason he was given his powers.....The Army calls for an airstrike to try and eliminate him...

Ottawa:P.M. Mulroney demands the immediate recall of Alpha to Canada where he intends to give them a severe repremand....But his staff inform him they have noway of contacting them....Worse still,the Chinese,Russian and American forces are mobilizing....Full out war is becoming a possibility!

Danwei:Box and Sasquatch theorize(wrongly)that the Dream Queen must be responsible for their return to Earth......They battle an ever increasing horde of her soldiers who replenish as quickly as the are overcome....Unknown to them the Dream Queen is creating the illusion of the troops in their mind--they don't actually exist!

The recently passed-on High Lama watches Alpha's fight against the non-existent Dream Queen soldiers....He finds their heroics senseless but acknowledges that this may be their path to enlightenment.

Puck carries an unconcious Vindicator to safety and lamentsd the fact he is now powerless to help his old team-mates.....The Jade Dragon returns to the monastery and fights alonside Alpha to protect the holy monks.

Box notices that the Dream Queen troops pass harmlessly through the meditating Monks.....Checking his sensors,he realises that the Queens soldiers don't exist-----but that doesn't stop him feeling the full impact when they hit him!.....The Dream Queen summons a 'dream-map' of every Alpha hero who has existed.....It makes a formidible force but the current team lacks the magic powers of Shaman and Talisman to defeat her....She is confident of success.

Puck asks the High Lama to close the portal he opened previously but the High Lama tells Puck that he himself has the key to ending the battle....if he looks at what he has learned......On the High Lama's suggestion Puck starts to meditate.....When he does he realises the Dream Queen's soldiers are not real.....Meanwhile Laura begins to realise the extent of her mutant powers and tries to close the portal through which the Dream Queen emerged......Dream Queen threatens to kill her first....But then Eugene comes spinning acrobatically towards the Dream Queen,ignoring the imaginary soldiers.....He grabs her in a headlock,distracting her.....He shouts at Laura to close the portal despite him being trapped in Liveworld if it closes.....The Dream Queen tries to kill the rest of Flight but it's too late----the portal is closed trapping her back in her home of Liveworld.....Unfortunately,Eugene is stuck with her,having sacrificed himself to save the rest of Alpha....

The battle over,they lament the lost Puck but suddenly Box realises that Vindicator is missing....He quickly finds her unconcious form but the High Lama is casting a healing spell which restores her to normal....Tearfully,Heather and Madison embrace,reunited safely.....The High Lama suddenly teleports them where he thinks they belong and will find fulfillment....Canada!......The monks surround their leader asking them to take them with him on his new path to happiness.....But he tells them that he has learnt from Alpha's battle that there are many paths to happiness and they must find their own.....He then dematerialises moving on to a higher existence....Outside the Chinese Army prepare another assault on the monastery.....But their commander is told over his radio to cease hostilities...IMMEDIATELY..or suffer the consequences of another World War.....His troops withdraw..

Canada:P.M. Mulroney recieves a relieved message from the U.S. that Alpha have saved the day.....But Mulroney is less appreciative and warns that Alpha's in trouble when they return!

FIN

[Parch]

Thoughts on #60

Let the scrappin' begin. Box and Sasq are kicking some ass, but Dream Queen is just a big phony. All of her troops are just fakes and Puck figures it out. No surprise that the Bitch gets sent back to her dimension, but I didn't expect Puck to get dragged back with her. Just when I thought he was about to rejoin the team it ends up being a brief cameo. Oh well, it won't be the last time we'll see him, but hanging out in a creepy dimension with the psycho Dream Queen won't be a holiday.

There hasn't been a lot of Canadian references lately so we get an appearance by Brian Mulroney. I found it interesting that they made him out to be a jerk. Mr. big chin was not one of our more popular Prime Ministers and ended up being quite the laughing stock. Come to think of it, there never has been a popular PM in Canada. Canadians hate their politicians and just consider them a necessary evil. We think that close scrutiny is all part of the checks and balances required for an effective democracy, and that there is no place for blind patriotism. While Canada mocks and ridicules their leaders (one of them even took a pie in the face), the Americans make heroes out of their Presidents. I can guarantee that they'll never make a statue for Brian Mulroney.

I'm still a little weirded out by this Manikin character. How much help are these alter egos? I can understand Apeman being the muscle, and the future dude can levitate and transport so I suppose that can come in handy, but what exactly does Proto do? Slime people? Manikin and his minions make him a very weird character.
And what's going on with Manikin's relationship with Purple Girl? They don't seem to be doing much. Maybe they could spice things up by adding a little controversy to the story. Whit could catch the caveman dude boinkin' Purple Girl.
No wait, I know. They could have a 4-way, and the protoplasm could be the lubricant.

Go Alpha Flight!

[limerick]

Thoughts on #60



I'm still a little weirded out by this Manikin character. How much help are these alter egos? I can understand Apeman being the muscle, and the future dude can levitate and transport so I suppose that can come in handy, but what exactly does Proto do? Slime people? Manikin and his minions make him a very weird character.
And what's going on with Manikin's relationship with Purple Girl? They don't seem to be doing much. Maybe they could spice things up by adding a little controversy to the story. Whit could catch the caveman dude boinkin' Purple Girl.
No wait, I know. They could have a 4-way, and the protoplasm could be the lubricant.

Go Alpha Flight!

:eek: Arrrrrgggghhhh!Purple Girl's 13 years old!

I am also puzzled by Proto's powers---I think the two other alternate Whitman's would have been sufficient.

[Parch]

Purple Girl is only 13? Well, now I feel like a real perv.
It's still an interesting visual.

[limerick]

Thoughts on Alpha Flight # 60:

--Puck has a glorious sign-off(for now)but I found myself with mixed feelings about it.....It was great to see him back in action and he made a nice exit saving his former team-mates....But I find myself puzzled about the exit natureof his powers....Was he a mutant??....When he reverted to normal size,I assumed he had lost powers of some kind and he alludes to being powerless to help Alpha but on pages 18 and 19 he's back spinning acrobatically across the yardbefore completing an amazing tumble to take the Dream Queen out.....So can someone tell me what exactly his powers are?......And did he lose them when reverting to normal height?.....And if so,how come he can spin effortlessly to attack(remember,he's 70+ now)?....My main problem was with Eugene's characterization which I feel is inconsistent with Byrne's early work on the book.

--Some progress on Laura's mutant powers....Before it was never completely clear what was happening when she switched places with Goblyn....But we learn here it is she who has the ability to open and close portals to other worlds.....With time we can expect her to master control more.....One thing,how old are Laura and Goblyn??

--I was surprised that Prime Minister Mulroney was depicted in the detail he is,where they actually give him personality traits such as being cranky and irritible....Usually in comics where they are depicting real world leaders there is generally a fairly neutral approach and the leader has limited dialogue....But here Mulroney plays an active part,deciding on Alpha's future in Canada.

--The Dream Queen seemed less powerful in the end than she had been in previous issues.....Has she less power on Earth than in Liveworld?.....She makes a sinister parting threat----when Aplha feel her in their mind she says she is not killing them but :"Something worse!".....What has she in store for Alpha???


--Great art again from Lee---he really is improving with each iss but another mixed bag for me from Mantlo who continues to surprise and frustrate in equal measures.

--