Saturday, October 31, 2020

Starbolts #504: Survivor's Guilt

 

Happy Halloween!

This week's comic starts off with a bit of a history lesson about two families both alike in dignity. In the new world, we lay our scene. And that's about as far into Romeo and Juliet I am willing to go. We've all seen the play. We know how it ends. Luckily, it doesn't end that bad for our heroes since they are here and everything. 

Still, we get a bit of Whitefox genealogy. Jack, Sara and Crystal come from a long line of heroic people who sacrificed themselves to do what was morally and ethically right. They fought valiantly to make a better world for their families. I like to think that all three of them were listening intently to the introduction.

I had a fun time reading up on Cherokee history. The clothes the tribesmen are wearing are traditional clothes I found on Google. I didn't want to overdo their look. I also gave them little white fox emblems. I thought that was clever. Revolutionary War clothes are so intricate. It's hard to make them into sprites sometimes. Still, it came out very well!

Of course Jack had to deal with a bit of survivor's guilt. Years ago, he was the only member of Soldier Six to survive an explosion that ended up costing him an arm and a leg. Literally. He was put in the freezer and emerged many years later. 

The flashback explains what happened immediately after he was revived at age nineteen. He mistook his sixteen year old sister for his teammate turned girlfriend, Scarlett. Later, he looked up the two new sisters and went to check out the man who assaulted his little sister. Thankfully, he was there to stop Cody from exacting his revenge on her. There's no telling what he might have done.

Jack had no idea she was his blood sister at the time and still stepped up to be a hero like his ancestors who came before him. Sure Jack was nineteen when he stopped Cody. But, he had the blood of heroes in his veins and that selfless act proved his worth.

Jack also now knows what's been going on with Soldier Six. They've been haunting Cobra aka Richard Smythe aka the villain who killed them AND  kidnapped Jack's sisters. That guy really IS a snake and he is surely going to end up in the bad place one of these days. Only then will the spirits of Soldier Six finally know peace.

Next week we're going to look at Sara who is on the path to redemption for Sola's crimes. How will her ancestors treat her? Find out next time!

See ya then!

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Starbolts #503: To the Spirit World

 

Jack, Sara and Crystal are about to embark on a journey that will change their lives! They'll be meeting with the grandparents they never met. Before they get the chance, they will have to encounter other spirits who may want to have a talk with our three Starbolts. This is sure to be an emotional journey because, if you recall, all four grandparents died before their grandchildren were born. This mini-arc will be full of tender moments. 

Jack's going to want to talk to Soldier Six. His story will be the first as he is the oldest. Sara and Crystal will follow afterward and then the Whitefox wills will ultimately meet up with their grandparents. It should be a fun ride! Stay tuned!

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Starbolts #502: Unmasking the Past

 

Hail!

This week, we delve a bit more into Andrea's backstory as she comes face to face with a woman who one day became a thorn in her side. Who is she? Where did she come from? What happened to her? These are all very valid questions and we will answer them in the comic weeks. For now, it looks like we are going to take a side trip to the land of the dead and visit the grandparents of Jack, Sara and Crystal.

It sounds like a fun trip and you know that all three of their grandkids will be more than excited for this opportunity. Next week's mini storyline will go a couple of comics and be this year's Halloween special. I'm not sure if it counts as spooky. But, it involves the land of the dead. So, it counts.

Join us next week as we journey to the land of the dead. What awaits our young heroes there? Stay tuned!

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Starbolts #501: Parting is Sweet Sorrow

 

The old order changeth and a new arc begins! Who is this mysterious woman Lady Liberty has confronted in the last panel? Is she friend or foe? We'll find out in time. In the meantime, we have this backstory of how Andrea handled life as Lady Liberty shortly after the "death" of her mentor, Carter. She didn't take things well. At least things eventually worked out for the best.

We also got a glimpse into the dating life of Stan and Andrea before they got married. They had to deal with some pretty harsh criticism. I mean Stan is Indigenous and Andrea is a ginger with French and English roots. You can bet some people would be racist jerks. Well, at least they got past that and three good things came from their union. Their names are Jack, Sara and Crystal.

Speaking of the trio, we'll be getting a mini arc with those two just before our Halloween comic. Be on the lookout for that in the coming weeks! Stay tuned because it is sure to be a trip!

I also wanted to say a bit about Kevin and Angela. I'm picturing his reaction when Angela kissed her and her just walking off. The boy genius is very lucky. Hopefully, she won't be staying away too long. Kevin is a bit neurotic as most geniuses are. But, he definitely counts his blessings because he has a girlfriend like Angela. Don't worry. She and Firaxil will be back before you know it!

See ya next time!

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Starbolts #500: Home of the Brave

Welcome to the 500th edition of the Starbolts, true believers! Can you believe it's taken twelve years to get to this comic? The Starbolts certainly have changed a lot since my first comic back in 2008 and now here they are after some huge changes. Crystal is now a main character and has gone through some serious character development. Now she's confident and is ready to take on the role of Lady Liberty!

However, if the last two panels are anything to go by the future may get rocky for our newly minted Lady Liberty. Fighting the returning Nautilus is one thing. Now she will soon have to contend with Ruby Arronfeld, the woman who "raised" her on that "farm". Heh. So many air quotes. So little time.

But, yeah. Nautilus was freed from prison after the events of Starbolts #316 and is being sent right back there. Such is the life of Zach Benton, the merc with no sense. =)

Crystal had a very interesting conversation with Xander. Will he listen? Probably not. But, I think the Starbolts will be watching him from now on. We shall see what happens. Look forward to that and more Starbolts action coming soon! Enjoy the ride! The next five hundred comics will be sure to be quite a trip!