Starbolts #678: Understanding the Enemy

 Hail!

    This week I wanted to focus a little bit on Crystal and some of the stuff she has been going through since first becoming Lady Liberty. Over time she had been dealing with criticism over her appearance and it's  taking a toll on our favorite redheaded witch.  Sadly, there's not much she can do about her appearance. She likes how she looks and unfortunately people are a bit jealous of her outside her circle. In time, I think she will focus more on the positive impact she has on people like the ones who dress up as her in videos. This is all going to accumulate in the form of something very positive for Crystal. In time, she will be writing a book about her story. That would probably help girls and young women everywhere. Wow. That would really scare the talking heads out there, huh? That's the best thing she can do to combat the criticism she faces!

    She will lay it all out on the table and people can draw their own conclusions about her. I'll be making the book canon soon. For now Crystal needs all the support she can because she's been criticized over her appearance all her life. It's a good thing she has a good head on her shoulders AND a great support line!

    It's unfortunate that her mother had to face the same challenges Crystal has to endure. Luckily she has a great support system. People have been too preoccupied by her looks and now she's going to do something about it. She's not changing for anyone. People will just have to accept that. Our heroine has finally learned to let go of the criticism. There's nothing she can do to change their minds so she is going to keep on keeping on regardless of what the talking heads may say.

    Meanwhile, we've learned that the Sentinel robots used Starling's tech and were constructed on another world in some factory. Unfortunately, the one person in the galaxy who could help determine their origin was just shot on his way to Earth. Let's hope our heroes can save Crimson Justice before he leaves a BIG impact on the planet! 

    I think it's a safe bet that the organization Steve works for is responsible for the attack. Who else could it have been? They're really trying to set intergalactic relations back a few decades aren't they? They're certainly proving to be a handful for our heroes with all these tests and everything.

See ya next time! I'm sure Crimson Justice will want to have words with that organization. Not to mention a lawsuit. His insurance may not cover errant pink phaser beams.

Starbolts #677: Real American Heroes

 

 Hail!

    This week we learn more about Steve and his organization. It turns out that they were stringing our heroes along this whole time. But, at what cost? They used alien technology to surround the island of Manhattan in a force field, prevent the Starbolts from using their powers and caused great physical harm to two members of the Aquan royal family. If this was a test, can you imagine what the real thing would be like? We'll be seeing them again soon and you can bet that our heroes are not going to welcome them. Plans will have to be made for their inevitable return. Which will be soon. This isn't over by a long-shot.

     I do wonder where all of New York's heroes were during this crisis. Perhaps they were stuck in their homes because of their lack of powers and because the robots were patrolling the streets. But, that doesn't make sense. Some superheroes don't have powers. You'd think they'd have been okay. I suppose M'anta might be lodging an inquiry into what happened because I'm sure the Starbolts could have used the help.

    I also thought I would cover Steve's origin a little. Steve volunteered to become Iron Eagle as the US government didn't like Andrea as Lady Liberty. They hid it with smiles and everything. But, they wanted to bring back her father. To do that, they made Steve here Iron Eagle. And then he snapped. 

    Jack was definitely in the right to defend his family here. Yes, he and his siblings were tested on. But. the difference is clear. Jack volunteered for the Soldier Six program. His sisters did not. Jack will defend them and what his parents had to do to save his life. He'll never back down when someone offends him or his family.

    At least everything is sorted for now. There are more questions to be asked like "What is the deal with these people?" and "Why would they test the Starbolts like this?" Those are all good questions and we'll be answering them soon. These new baddies seem to be nothing like our heroes have ever dealt with before. Let's hope they stay on their guard.

 See ya next time!

Starbolts #676: Rock the House

 

 Hail!

    It's honestly hard to believe Steve was ever Iron Eagle isn't it? I'd hate to say it but the only reason Steve ever became Iron Eagle was because the US government was uncomfortable with Andrea being the sole symbol of America in red, white and blue spandex. Once this story is over, you can bet she'll be explaining this to Jack and Crystal. 

    Jack is about to have a very public battle with Steve on the streets of New York and you can bet the court of public opinion will have strong feelings about their former hero being beaten up by this much younger upstart. Then again Jack might get some leeway here. I mean Steve did surround the island of Manhattan in a force field and had an army of robots lock everyone up. I don't think there's a chance he can come back from this at all.

    Natalia seemed to have ditched her lover. However, I don't think we've seen the last of her. She'll be back sooner or later. She was probably right to leave the fight. Though, I think her relationship with Steve may be a little strained after this incident. She'll be back for sure. 

    Back to Jack and Crystal. I think times will have changed to the point where America will accept two symbols of America running around. They'll have to because Jack will have stopped Steve and Crystal is a heroine in her own right. A rocky road is ahead for the both of them and I see their sister Carter taking them out  for drinks once the dust settles.

    As far as Terrans using alien tech goes, M'anta does have a point. The Terrans in the comic have proven to be irresponsible with some alien technology. It's enough to annoy him for sure. Luckily there are good humans out there as Kevin explained. They just have to stop the bad ones from wrecking hard fought alliances humanity cannot afford to lose! Here's hoping limitations on alien tech is put in place. We don't want anyone vaporizing themselves!

See ya next time when we'll have Eagle vs Eagle!

Starbolts #675: Disrupting the Signal

 

 Hail! 

    Looks like a BIG secret was revealed this week! We finally learn what's been causing M'anta and Aquita to have intense headaches and a loss of their telepathic abilities. It seems that the mysterious "Director" bought some Mosqukatara technology and decided to use it on our heroes. He unfortunately had no idea that it would have such a profound impact on the blue-skinned members of the Starbolts. This is why you should always read the fine print when you buy something of alien origin.

     I should probably back up and explain who the Mosqukatara are for those who aren't in the know. They hadn't been featured in the comic for some time and may make a come back in the not too distant future. The Mosqukatara are an insectoid race that enslaved Aquans for fifty long and grueling years. M'anta's grandfather Criam was instrumental in liberating the planet. The insects fled Aquarius and returned multiple times to plague the galaxy. 

    Eventually, they set their sights on Earth and attempted to invade. Each time they did so, they were thwarted by the Starbolts. The Starbolts even went to their world when it was discovered that they enslaved two other races, the peace-loving bird-like Dovianni and the mercantile lizard-like aliens called the Setleth. Both worlds were liberated and the Mosqukatara homeworld was destroyed in Starbolts #99.

    After the destruction of their world, the Mosqukatra vanished until Starbolts #384 when it was revealed that they took on more humanoid forms. They hadn't been seen since. They are a staunch opponent of the interplanetary alliance and would do anything to disrupt the peace. The question is...Do they know about this device? Are they back? That remains to be seen. For all we know the humans really didn't know what they were buying. Talk about "buyer beware".

    I do admit I like how Kevin dealt with the bots. It kind of reminds me of how Kirk talked an artificial intelligence into killing itself once it found a fatal flaw in its programming. Looks like Steve is going to be fighting a battle on multiple fronts next week.

See ya then!