Starbolts #323: Dangerous Liaisons

Hail!

This week has Marcus and Crystal go on the run! Where are they going to go? Well, they can't go to Aquarius on one engine as planned. It would take too long to travel the thirty some light-years to Aquarius.  So, Earth seems to be the best bet. Where could they go? Everyone on Earth'll be looking for them. And if the Manhunters are any indication, they'd be out for blood. Yeah, I decided to give the purple armored guys the name of "Manhunters". It's a sort of reference to Marvel's Mandroids who helped guard several prisons in the Marvel Universe.

At least she's not in trouble with the Agents. She's just in trouble with the now corrupt DMA. The 'Bolts will find out who is in charge soon! And after next week we will find out where our friends are going. Next week is gonna be a video! It will be another character spotlight. I'm not sure who just yet. But, rest assured it will be awesome. Then we'll be back with the 'Bolts for more exciting fun!

I do have a question, though. What do you all think of the Marcus/Crystal relationship? Been testing the waters here and I am curious as to what you think. I have two main ones and the third has kinda fallen to the wayside. I was just curious because next comic may see some changes happen. We shall see. In the mean time, enjoy the comic! See you next time!

Starbolts #322: Strike of the Cobra

Hail!

Drama happening on two fronts this week! First we have a mysterious man visiting H.P. Gladstone, the former head of the Department of Metahuman Affairs. Who is he? Readers will know. He showed up at the end of the last comic. Now that he is back and has inserted himself into the department, who know what he will do next. MWAHAHA! Whatever it is, the 'Bolts are not going to be happy with this turn of events.

They have their own issues to deal with now that we finally know what Umbra's been up to. He's been trying to dig up dirt on the team! That is not going to sit well with anyone. Least of all Crystal. Poor lady. She ruined a perfectly good punching bag! Well, they can be replaced and they have at least two other ones. What will Marcus do? Chances are he's gonna have a little talk with Crazy Steve. Just a little chat.

Meanwhile, I need to come up with names for the space station. I'll most likely think on it this week.  I'm also planning the next arc and the next video. The next video might be a spotlight on the X-Men since I haven't talked about them in a long time. We'll see. =D

In the mean time, enjoy the comic! More drama next week. Who wants to bet Crystal cut Umbra up good? And....what is Gladstone hiding?

Starbolts #321: The Wonders of Mad Science

Hail!

This week I had intended to test out a new format for the comic with four panels across and a bunch of rows. Sadly, it didn't work and I had a bit of an overlap. If you saw the comic before I deleted it, I apologize. Things seem to be better now. We're back with this formatting for the time being. I initially planned to do a comic with 40 panels like that for a special occasion. It was a neat test but it didn't work. Ah well. I know I can change the width on blogspot but I don't think it'll look right. Still, I'll keep the template around for future comics if I ever figure out how to work with what I have here.

Speaking of mad science, it looks like Cobra is alive again! I don't think Jack is gonna like this. Speaking of the Starbolts, look for more action with them next week. They are most likely dealing with Umbra and his overall craziness. At least now we know where the Legion's base is and who took it. Zarantha's back and man is she trouble.

More action next week! Will there be more mad science? Stay tuned! 

Comic Showcase #44: Spider-Man Spotlight

Starbolts #320: Dr. Marshall, I Presume

Hail!

This week's comic gives us the secret origin of Valentine! Valentina Ferraro comes from a wealthy Lawrence, Massachusetts family. This family has ties to Terra Nova dating back to the turn of the century as mentioned in the comic. Her parents made her join and sent Marshall to seal the deal. Of course, he had a bit of help from the young Tornado. This proves Tommy was always a bit of a jerk, huh? Yeah, I'd say so.

If we go by a timeline, the flashback takes place just after the Starbolts were formed by the Whitefoxes. Valentina's team had fought the Starbolts since those early days. And it seems she has been a bit reluctant since day one.

Here's a question. Do you think she can be redeemed? She and Simon have both been kind of on the fence regarding the whole villain thing since about the beginning. It's safe to say that Simon has been blackmailed, too. It's also safe to say Terra Nova had Valentina's parents killed anyway. So, she may not have any reason to stick around. Where would she go? I don't think she'd be welcome with the Starbolts. Especially Crystal. She already doesn't like her. There are parallels between the two characters backstories. But, as one became a hero the other went down a decidedly different path.

Another question. I wonder what D.I.S.C.O.R.D. wants with Dr. Marshall. Whatever it is, it can't be good. Stay tuned and find out!

Starbolts #319: In Umbra's Shadow

Hail!

This week we finally figure out what Umbra's deal is. The guy is suspicious of the Starbolts after what happened to Iron Eagle and I bet he's for the regulation of metahumans and metahuman activities. Who wants to bet that he's secretly working for Gladstone? It is possible. This is only part of his deal. Why is he so concerned about Dennis's file? How did he find out about it? We'll find out soon enough.

I wanted to again show Norad's powers. The android's got some talent. That and I wanted to show Angela and Mateo. Haven't seen them in a while. Pretty sure they're gonna have bone to pick with Umbra over what happened to Rich.

Next time we're going to see what the baddies are up to! So, stay tuned!

Starbolts #318: Beginnings and Endings

Hail!

Looking back, I maybe should have named this comic "All My Starbolts" because of the soap opera level drama we have here. Dennis is mad at his adoptive parents and rightfully so. Crystal is trying to be the voice of reason and has her own plans for dealing with the Arronfelds. I can't wait to do that scene as I already have a rough draft of that done. Should be pretty damn good. And cathartic in a way.

Next we have Raven leaving Umbra. Now who didn't see that one coming? I love how in the last panel Carra is happy. Rich is shocked. Umbra is stoic. He'll show some emotion next week. Not much. But, some.

I'm also trying new things with the comic. You might've noticed me zooming in on some things last week and this week. It's interesting. I thought I'd try it since it may give more sense of drama. I've done it before. But, not to this extent.

Anyway, we'll see how Umbra reacts to this news next week and in the future we'll see a final confrontation between Crystal and her parents. What last name will she choose? A hint is in this week's comic. =)

See you next time!