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!