Issue- 4

Writer- Paul Jenkins

Art- Paul Gulacy

 

Summary:

After stealing a Falcon P-150 armed with nuclear weapons, Robbie Bladwin (former Speedball, now called Penance) flies to Latveria. Back at the Thunderbolts Mountain, the Fantastic Four advise Tony Stark on how best to handle the situation. Penance contacts them and reveals that he's going to Latveria to retrieve Nitro, the man responsible for the Stamford. When he arrives, Latverian armed forces unsuccessfully try to stop him. Doom enters the fray and tells Penance that if he can best him in battle, then he can have Nitro. The two battle until all the power in the country goes out, with it so does the containment of their nuclear facility. Faced with a nuclear meltdown, Doom capitulates and allows Penance to claim Nitro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments:

This should have been a great issue. Its standard for new characters to broken in by having them faced a classic baddie. Granted, Penance isn't exactly a new character, he's Speedball, but the identity and attitude are all new. Doom is a classic choice, he's broken in Dazzler, Cloak and Dagger, and others. Given his and Namor's new arrangement, it was a no-brainer that Nitro would end up in Latveria and this showdown would happen. So what's wrong? I get a bad vibe when I read this issue. Penance's victory hinges on the idea that Latveria is developing a nuclear facility that it wants kept secret. Doom doesn't want to give the CIA an excuse to invade. Last time I checked, it was no secret that Latveria was a nuclear power. In fact, Doom's energy sources are probably beyond nuclear. This is a man who steals cosmic power on a regular basis. If it were just that alone, I could make the leap that he's had to start from scratch since the Fantastic Four got ready of his massive arms cache back in Authoritative Action. But then there is that panel that shows Doom speaking into a microphone and video camera. This panel is clearly there to contrast the advanced technology of SHIELD with Latveria's out-dated tech. There is a vibe in this story that Latveria is behind, technologically. I may be reading too much, but even the rifles used by the Latverian soldiers look like bolt action rifles from WWII. Where are the automatic weapons? Hell, where are the laser guns? Whether this is something that was inherent in the script, or a artistic choice, it didn't allow me to enjoy the story too much. On the plus side, we finally get to see Paul Gulacy (of Master of Kung-Fu fame) draw Doom. His run on the classic 70's title preceded Doom's only appearance there. Gulacy's take on Doom is great and he gives us a few nice close ups. If it were art alone, this would get a much higher rating. But the uncharacteristc depiction of Latveria kills it for me. Bottom Line: * out of 5

 

 

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