Starbolts #684: Safer than a Safe

 Hail!

    I think Marcus had a great day all things considered. Sure he had to contend with space lizards and their made-to-order robot versions of his friends. He still managed to get a gem for Crystal's ring while he and Carter proved that several dinosaurs managed to survive their own extinction event! All in a day's work for Marcus and Carter, right? After that discovery, I think Carter's on her way to winning the Nobel and several other awards. 

    So, it looks like Marcus got quite the rock for Crystal. It was once in Terra Nova's hands courtesy of Elisabeth King, the former chairwoman of Terra Nova. Soon it will be on Crystal's hands as a symbol of Marcus's love for her. That is some sweet vengeance if you ask me. The question is when will he propose? It's not going to be tonight as they need to set the stone into the band. Though, it would be perfect considering the anniversary.

    Crystal and Marcus tend to celebrate many anniversaries together and it just so happens that tonight is the anniversary of when Marcus saved Crystal as seen in the flashback in Starbolts #304. They definitely have cause to celebrate these days and I'll be using the date as an opportunity for them to catch up on what they were up to while Marcus and Carter were in space. Trust me when I say Crystal had her hands full dealing with that clown. See ya next week!

Starbolts #683: The Ballad of Marcus Johnson

 

 Hail! 

    It's typical Johnson luck isn't it? He ends up telling his life story to an alien who ends up being a member of a species who descended from the dinosaurs on Earth. That's pretty wild and an altogether not unheard of concept in science fiction. We have the Voth in "Star Trek: Voyager" and we have The Silurians in "Doctor Who". There was even a cartoon about sentient dinosaurs in space called "Dinosaucers" in the 1980s! It was only a matter of time before I tossed my hat into the ring when it came to alien dinosaurs. The concept is just too much fun to think about. Now, we only met one member of the race and his name is Trakken. We can only hope other members of his species are just as amiable. Trakken seems like a good dino. We may see him again once things are calm. Hey, we may even see him at Crystal and Marcus's wedding munching on the salad bar.  You never know. Chalk him up to another amazing first contact in Starbolts history.

    Speaking of Starbolts history, this week we briefly went over Marcus and Crystal's history. Well, more Marcus than anything else. We learn a bit more about his relationship with his parents. They talked before he went with the others to Aquarius back in Starbolts #277 and the rest as they say is history. 

    I admit there was a lot to go over. It's probably best that he just skipped the nitty gritty stuff like being possessed by Demonstorm and a few others odds and ends. The dino heard the gist of it and I think that's all he needed to know. Now Carter has to explain her view on things before they can get the gem. I'm sure Marcus proved himself and now Carter is on the spot. This should be fun because we all know how much Carter *LOVES* to be the center of attention.

See ya next time!

Starbolts #682: The Search for the One Ring

 Hail!

    For those of you keeping score this is the second time Marcus met a galactic deity and the third time encountering a creature who assigned him some sort of quest. The first was Kyodon back in Starbolts #282. The next was the Green Monster in Starbolts #370. I think this one might top all of those encounters. What kind of quest does this dragon have in mind for our speedy friend? Time will tell of course.

    One thing's for sure. He was never going to buy a ring from the mall. I don't think that would have been appropriate for Crystal anyway. She needs something out of this world and that's why Carter is here--To help deliver on the ring. Though, I do wonder why she was even at this bank to begin with. Does she still have an account there? That, I'm not sure.

    What I am sure of is that Marcus is on a quest unlike any other. Saddle up because we'll be going on a trip down memory lane. Will Marcus be successful in getting the ring? We'll see!

 If you are wondering where in the Starbolts' home galaxy this planet is, I'd say it's about halfway between the center of the galaxy where Elisua is and Aquarius. One has to wonder how this sauropod knows Kyodon. Is there a space giant text? These are good questions. It's best to sit back and enjoy the ride!

See ya next time!

Starbolts #681: Manufactured Crisis

 Hail!

    Manufactured crises are the worst. To make things even more crazy the communicators M'anta, Carter and Firaxil wore were jammed and so they couldn't set the record straight before Crystal and co barged into the office. Then again it's a good thing they did because something tells me that if Crystal was not angry no one would have learned the name of the buyer. At least they now know and the team will be hunting for Sebastian once they return to Earth. Could that be the real name of The Director? It's possible. Then again why would he sully his hands with intergalactic shopping? Perish the thought!

    We also learn a little bit about Carter this week. She likes to be near big windows and open spaces. Well, you can't get any bigger than the vast expanse of stars and galaxies outside the big windows of a starship! The reason why she likes open spaces now is due to being held captive by Clive for two years. That definitely wrecked her brain a little bit.

    Of course the biggest news this week is that Marcus is getting ready to pop the question on Crystal! He has enlisted Carter's help in finding a ring. Hilarity is bound to ensue! Where will he get the ring? Would she take him to some shop in the mall? Hmm...Probably not. It's a special ring for a very special lady. I think they'd have to look far and wide to get it. Crystal definitely won't see it coming even though she knows he's got marriage on his mind!

 See ya next time!

     

Starbolts #680: Starbolts in Toyland

 Hail!

    This week we learn the truth about the Lady Liberty robots! It turns out that she along with the rest of the "Starbots" are a robotic defense force. That's definitely not what Crystal was expecting. It has to be a relief for our heroine after all she's been through in her life. Though, I don't know if the robots themselves have as much staying power as Shrall's team Xemplara and the Centurions. I guess more help is better than none. It should be noted that the Crystal bot doesn't have the real Crystal's magical powers. I would think that'd be harder to duplicate. At least the misunderstanding was all cleared up!

    Oh, poor Carter. This week she dove head first into the zany realm of the crazy Setleth. They're a rather eccentric race of lizards, huh? They're a bit crazy but at least a lot of them mean well like Crimson Justice. Next week we'll be meeting his brother and that'll be a fun experience for sure. If Barbo is anything like Crimson Justice, we might be in for a treat. Though, the guy did go behind his brother's back and created a bunch of robots. 

    Carter missed so much during her two year absence. At least now she's learning more than she ever could from files and reports. Gotta love that bit about the Sluggo cola. Soda shouldn't stick to someone's ribs! As far as the planet goes, I think the filters take care of all the pollutants and keeps the sky looking blue from the ground level at least. They need to do something about the upper atmosphere.

   Look for a great confrontation with Barbo next time! See ya then! Who knows what that crazy Setleth is up to!

See ya next time! 

Starbolts #679: Quality Control Issues

Hail!

    Looks like our heroes are returning to the area of space the Setleth call home! They last visited way back in Starbolts #86 - 88. Since Carter obviously wasn't with the team at that point, she'll have to be the voice of the audience during this excursion. I'm sure she'll have a few snarky comments here and there to make up for her absence in that adventure. 

    I can't say I blame Crystal for having that reaction to having robot duplicates running around doing God knows what. There are just some things that should be sacred. She's definitely going to ask the lizards in charge of that factory to recall the robots or face her wrath.

    At least she's on the right path when it comes to taking care of business on Earth. She's growing up quite a bit because not too long ago SHE would have marched over to the studio and burnt it to the ground. Carter would be there too roasting marshmallows or snacking on popcorn. Carter has no love for the media. So, it'd be cathartic for her. 

    As far as Marcus and Crystal go, I think it was kinda obvious what they got up to last week. I like to think that they also had a discussion about what to do with her newfound confidence as well. She's going to be writing a book and I think that might be the best weapon she has in her arsenal. She'll capitalize on her popularity and the book will take her places. She won't have to rehash the same story over and over and that's a good thing because her story will be out there for all to see.

    Her book might actually help a lot of people now that I think about it. She was sexually abused at thirteen and rose to become Lady Liberty in her twenties. A lot can happen in one lifetime and her book could inspire generations of girls and women. Now that is a weapon the talking heads can't stop!

 Tune in next time when we return to Setleth space and visit Ditalix III! Bring your hardhats! 

See ya next time and May the Fourth be with you!

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.