The Family Dynamic #1 (October, 2008)
"Into the Light of the Dark of Night"
Writer - J. Torres
Penciller - Tim Levins
Inks - Dan Davis
Colors - Dave McCaig
Letters - Sal Cipriano
Editor - Adam Schlagman
Cover Price: $2.25
And now for something completely different!
Today's offering comes from that time in my life where I had lost my job... and just about everything else. Comics weren't foremost on my mind, and so... I missed out on a bunch. It's usually books that came from this era that "surprise me" the most when I flip past 'em in the cheap-o bins.
It's like I have this weird "blind spot" in my comics collecting "career". There's no context... there's no connective tissue... it's just a weird book, that even to this day, I wasn't aware even existed!
Today we'll be checking out an All-Ages title and meet The Fantas-- er, Family Dynamic.
--
We open at a Storm City Convenience Store where a trio of teen-agers are chatting about some recent events. A cover of the most recent issue of News Time Magazine sparks a conversation about a recent alien threat, and how the superhero team The Family Dynamic led the charge against them. They then begin to argue about whether or not heroes without superpowers (such as Blackbird and Little Wing) can actually be considered superheroes. It's all a bit much, really.
Because, of course... these teen-agers are actually some of the heroes being discussed. One of whom (Makenzie) doesn't have powers. They race back home, for today is Thanksgiving Day... and upon arrival they find themselves walking into quite the scene!
But before we get to that, we're going to have to jump back one month in time. Actually, we're not going to be getting to the Thanksgiving Dinner scene at all this issue. So, one month ago... there was a terrible forest fire... and The Family Dynamic were able to save the day. Let's meet this foursome, one at a time...
First, there's Pyralis... the leader of The Family Dynamic, who controls the element of Fire. Easy peasy, right? Battling an inferno should be a day off for him.
Then, there's Sirocco, who controls the element of Air. She whips up a cyclone to draw all of the oxygen out of the fire... putting it out faster than any fire fighter could ever hope to.
Next, we meet Troylus, a youngster who controls the element of Water. He directs a tidal wave over some burning buildings to halt the blaze.
Finally, the youngest member of The Family Dynamic... and the one with the easiest to remember name... Terran! He controls, duh, Earth. He carries civilians to safety... however, he has help from another superhero, the Superman-analogue called Defender.
News reports are positively giddy at the prospect that The Family Dynamic and Defender might be working together moving forward. It's almost as though the forest fire takes a back seat to this "news".
Which brings us to a few days later... where the heroes decide to meet up in their civvies. Defender is actually, Dwayne Day... who, I believe is supposed to be a... get this, mild-mannered reporter. He visits with Sloan (Pyralis) for an interview. It's here that we learn that The Family Dynamic is actually a group of Legacy Heroes... as in, they ain't the first with that moniker. Indeed, the originals included Sloan's father (then known as Captain Cyclone)... and he's actually the fella Dwayne's looking to interview.
Oh, we also learn that The Family Dynamic is actually a family. It's Sloan, his wife, and their two sons. Of the original team, Captain Cyclone is the only one still alive... the others had been killed in battle by the Dark Wraith. It's only because of Sloan and his family that Captain Cyclone is still among the living.
Members of The Family Dynamic each wear a ring which allows them to control an element. Dwayne asks Sloan why he chose the Fire Ring, when his father had fought crime using the Air Ring. Sloan replies that it's the only one that "fit"... so, it's kind of like the ring chose him.
They take the interview out of the basement HQ, and back into the living room. They begin discussing "other" heroes... those without super-powers, ya know... like Blackbird and Little Wing (they're really pushing these two!). Sloan dismisses them as "vigilantes" because they don't follow the "Superhero Code", whatever that is. Just then, Sloan's sister Maeve busts in... and she's ticked off that nobody is answering her phone calls. I mean, I've known Maeve for about two seconds at this point, and even I can see why they wouldn't!
Anyhoo, she wants to know what The Family Dynamic is doing getting all chummy with Defender... and she rants about this right in front of her brother's house guest. She's also there to talk with Sloan's kids to get the "teen perspective" on some music. We learn here that Maeve actually has a teen-age daughter (hmm...). Maeve then leaves, but insists on giving Dwayne a ride home.
The next day, Sloan and the kids return home from work and school, respectively. It's not long after getting home that the TV news turns to a report that Tragedy Ann and Tom Foolery are causing some trouble downtown. Heyyy, aren't they from Doomsday Clock?!
Anyhoo, the Family Dynamic... ugh... "Get their Element On". I hate myself for typing that.
Downtown, Tragedy Ann and Tom Foolery are delivering some threats. First they take responsibility for that forest fire from earlier, claiming that it was only a "dress rehearsal" for what's to come.
But then... The Family Dynamic arrives on the scene... looking more like superheroes... and less like frumpy suburbanites in spandex.
Tragedy Ann threatens to crash a blimp into the city in a reenactment of the Hindenburg Disaster... however, says she might just reconsider if Blackbird (her again?) turns herself over to them.
The Family Dynamic won't stand for these threats, however... and leap into action. Errr... well, they begin to, anyway. They wind up tangled in a net... not courtesy of Tragedy Ann, though! Now Enter: Blackbird and Little Wing!
--
Well... first things first... love the art, love the character designs. You could almost see these characters popping up in a Pixar-type movie... which, I suppose, considering when this way made, might've been the point?
The story we get here is... really nothing special. It's just another "take" on a superhero universe, using obvious analogues to comic book archetypes to flesh out their world. I can't speak for anyone but myself, but, I dunno... maybe I'm a little too familiar with these archetypes to truly appreciate the novelty anymore?
It's easy to draw comparisons between The Family Dynamic and the Fantastic Four... heck, they even have similar powers! Defender is an obvious Superman analogue (even down to his civilian occupation!)... and Blackbird and Little Wing are another take on Batman and Robin. By the way, we all understand that they're really Maeve and Makenzie, right?
While I found the, I dunno, "gimmick" of this book to be just kinda "there", that's not to say I didn't have some fun with it... because I did. Like I said, the art was a definite treat... and I also appreciate the amount of world-building Torres engaged in. I mean, we learn things about the previous generation of The Family Dynamic! You know I'm a sucker for that sort of thing, so I definitely dug it here!
Tragedy Ann and Tom Foolery were a lot of fun. I'm always going to sign off on punny names... and it didn't hurt that they just look so cool! Again, can't say enough about how much I adore the art and character designs here... they're really great!
Plus, I can't wait for the reveal that this is actually taking place in the Watchmen Universe...
... okay, probably not.
Overall, despite not finding anything "new" here... I still had a decent enough time with this one. I'm not sure I'll rush out to track down the rest of this series anytime soon... but, lemme tell ya, if you come across this one in a cheap-o bin... odds are, you'll find something to like! Doesn't look like this has been made available digitally... which really, isn't much of a surprise.
--
Interesting Ads:
960
New Teen Titans (vol.2) #21 (June, 1986)
"On Top of the World"
Writer/Editor - Marv Wolfman
Pencils - Eduardo Barreto
Inks - Romeo Tanghal & Pablo Marcos
Letters - John Costanza
Colors - Adrienne Roy
Cover Price: $1.50
Now, this is the issue I wanted to discuss yesterday... but realized we really needed to "set the table" before tackling it. A few big things happen in this issue... the Titans' reputation takes a hit, Roy meets his daughter, and perhaps most tragically... Terry Long gets fired!
Let's get right to it!
--
We pick up right where we left off yesterday... Cheshire is both threatening to kill Roy, and informing him that he's the father of her baby. Before she can pull the trigger, Robin swoops in for the distraction. There's a brief tussle, which Cheshire gets the better of... however, she realizes that she just can't go through with killing Speedy. She tells him that she spared his life... so, he may as well git while the gittin' is good. If they cross paths again, things will be different.
Meanwhile, on the Matterhorn, the Titans are fighting with Cheshire's goons. Wonder Girl looks on in horror as Hawk just throws one of the baddies off the mountain! She thinks to herself that he's a "cold-blooded murderer" as she leaps after the falling man. Dunno... can you really call someone who is in the middle of a battle to the death, a "cold-blooded murderer"? I mean, Cheshire's goons probably wouldn't have any problem if a Titan just happened to die in the skirmish, right?
By now, Cheshire has made it outside, and is stood before the, uh... cabin... where the peace talks are currently underway. Roy, it turns out, did not heed her earlier warning... and is hot on her tail. She reiterates... informing him that he is "forcing her to kill him". Meanwhile, Wonder Girl is still falling... remember, she cannot fly, only glide on air currents. She manages to nab the fallin' fella, and use her lasso to momentarily halt their fall.
Back up top, Cheshire pleads with Roy to take a step back. She warns that nothing he sees is really what it seems, as she tosses a grenade inside the Peace Summit Cabin. Roy fires an arrow into her right shoulder, and she responds with a swipe of her venomous claws.
She makes a hasty retreat just as Hawk makes his way over. Seeing the shape his teammate is in, he does not pursue the departing assassin. Inside the cabin, Garth grabbed the grenade and gave it one helluva toss. Roy ain't worried though... everything is starting to make sense to him. He realizes that the grenade likely isn't "live" and also that the venom Cheshire used on his face probably won't kill him. This... was a set-up!
As Donna and the goon safely make their way down the mountain, the "boss man", King Faraday, finally pipes up to the boys. Ya see, this wasn't exactly a government mission. Faraday and the SIA took it upon themselves to get involved. Part of the peace talk "deal" was that neither side (U.S.A./U.S.S.R.) would bring "back-up"... just the Ambassadors and their translators were to be present. This would be a way to build trust between the superpowers. With the Titans showing up... well, that isn't really a good look for the United States, now is it? Cheshire's "assassination attempt" was just a ruse to discredit the Teen Titans.
Down below, Wally has decided to leave the hotel and join his fellow Titans. Along the way, he passes Cheshire... who is still trying to yank that arrow out of her shoulder. Wally refuses to give her a hand, and is then attacked by... the Church of Brother Blood?!
With Flash kayoed, the Bloodites help Cheshire with her wound and thank her for her aid before they all leave together. Moments later, the Titans reconnoiter... and it looks as though the damage is already done. We see various news reports placing the blame for the peace talks falling through squarely at the feet of the Titans. Whoops.
As the Titans head home, with their heads hung low... we pop over to Zandia... where the Church of Brother Blood is doing their thing. We see Lilith's old squeeze Azrael (not that Azrael) as he is being prepared to resurrect the dead. We move in deeper to find Raven and her mother held captive in the dungeon.
We next see the arrival of several converts to the Church... including an incognito Dick Grayson! He's gone so far as to wear a fake beard and a "heart-dampener" to change the rhythm of his heart... buuuut, the Bloodites see through it anyway. He's allowed entry... seems like they might just want him there.
Back at Titans Tower, the team licks their wounds. The Island is surrounded by an anti-Titans mob, waving signs and what-not. Jeez, you extend the Cold War just one time... Anyhoo, Donna tries calling Terry at a Certain New York University... but doesn't get an answer. This is because... he's currently in the Dean's office... gettin' canned!
In order for Terry to keep his position, he had to be published. Despite several extensions on his deadline... he's still got bupkis! So, he's given the boot. As he walks off campus, he's cat-called by several young co-eds... which tells me this might be a college for the blind? Anyhoo, he thinks to himself that this is all Donna's fault... after all, she was supposed to help him write his papers. Donna arrives as a Certain New York University just as Terry leaves.
Terry's (now former) secretary fills Donna in on what just went down... and she freaks out... and, get this, blames herself! Silliness. Anyhoo, she rushes home to comfort her man... only to find the apartment empty! Terry Long has flown the coop!
Speaking of flying... Roy Harper wings it to Hong Kong for a visit with Cheshire. After a bit of awkwardness, she allows him to meet his daughter, Lian.
Back in Zandia, Dick Grayson fights his way to the dungeons of Brother Blood. Seems like it's going almost too easily... and there's a reason for that. He finds Raven... and is shocked by how she currently looks. We don't get a good look at her, though. Mother Mayhem is pleased that things are going according to plan... and asks that nitwit TV Reporter Bethany Snow be updated.
Three days later, we rejoin Donna. Terry Long is still missing in action... or missing in inaction, I suppose. Well, not no more. He's returned home and he's full of apologies. He says he went up to Cape Cod to clear his head, and came to the conclusion that his termination is his own damned fault.
We wrap up with Terry taking full responsibility for his inaction, and asking for Donna's forgiveness... which she gives. I dunno, I'd probably be asking a question or two about his stay in Cape Cod... I doubt he was searchin' for his lost shaker of salt.
--
Boy-o-boy, you sure got a lotta bang for your buck (fiddy) back in the day, didn'tcha? I mean, this is like three completely different issues in one! We get the Matterhorn stuff, the Brother Blood bits, and the Terry tragedy. Really interesting, and well-done, package!
I'm not even sure where to start!
Okay, I always know where to start... Terry Long. When I reflect on the Titans, and Terry's "affiliation" with them, I usually conflate him losing his job with the souring of his relationship with Donna. For whatever reason, I remember his blaming her to be a much longer-lived issue. It was sort of surprising that, now that I'm "paying attention", it didn't even last half an issue! I wanna say it comes up again from time to time, but that might just be my confirmation bias speaking.
Now, I tell ya what... if I lost my job, and then took a three day vacation to reflect without telling the wife... I'm guessing she'd be more likely to let me have it for skipping town than losing the gig. I don't think she'd be overjoyed upon my return... and, really... I wouldn't blame her! Terry losing his job is one thing... that just happens! Sometimes you're to blame, other times, you're not. It's just part of life. But to take off to Cape Cod for three days? That's just ridiculous.
Over to Roy... it was pretty neat getting to witness his first meeting with his daughter. I really appreciated Jade's struggle as well. She blames Roy for using her while undercover... taking advantage of her, and never really having "true" feelings for her. Of course, that's not entirely true. She wants him dead... and honestly, had him at her mercy more than once in Switzerland... but, just couldn't do it. Just couldn't deprive Lian of her father. Good stuff!
The Brother Blood stuff... ya know, once we're "inside" the compound... they do very little for me. The church isn't as boring as the H.I.V.E., but still, I can't get all that excited for them. What I did love was how they discredited the Titans. I thought that was pretty fantastic. What better way to weaken an enemy than by affecting how they are perceived by the public? Hell, maybe Mother Mayhem ought to consider running for public office, she's got all the right tools for it!
Overall... really good (and super dense) issue. I wouldn't recommend starting with this one... but, if you're already strapped in for a New Teen Titans read-through, I'd bet that you'll really enjoy this chapter!
--
Letters Page:
--
Interesting Ads:
959
New Teen Titans (vol.2) #20 (May, 1986)
"Past Imperfect"
Writer/Editor - Marv Wolfman
Penciller - Eduardo Barreto
Embellisher - Romeo Tanghal
Letterer - John Costanza
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Cover Price: $1.50
Today we're going to pick up on an issue we'd covered quite a long time ago. Actually a lot further back in "the long ago" than I'd even realized! That piece is actually notable for being the one where I decided to begin including letters pages to the blog! So, how 'bout that?
Anyhoo, we left off with the Titans splitting up, leaving Donna no choice but to "call in the reserves" when Kind Faraday offers them a gig. The team we're left with is an odd mix of old and post-Crisis new. Let's get right into it.
--
We open in South Africa, where Cheshire has been hired to, well, do what she does. She enters Kwazulu's Black African League and murders their Director, Robert Zembo. She also plants some dirty money in his pocket, and scatters some clues around the office to link the South African Black Government to the Soviets. This would certainly effect the perception of the Black Government among the citizenry. It should come as no surprise that she'd been hired to do this by... a Secretary from the White Government. Even though she just committed murder and linked an entire movement with "the enemy", she acts as though she's above this fella. I kinda get where they're going with this... but, it kinda falls flat. After accepting payment, Cheshire heads to a pay phone and throws the Secretary under the bus for the whole thing.
She returns back to a hut and rejoins an old man named Ch'ang. She tells him that they're done here... and next, they're off to Switzerland. Ch'ang calls her Jade... which really ticks her off. She's only to be called that when she's a) out of costume, and b) holding her... child?!
Switching scenes, we head to Titans Tower... where Donna is letting the new/old team know what's going on. Hawk doesn't care what's going on... so long as he can punch some "Commies". With as over-the-top as Hawk will be depicted in this issue, I can't help but get the feeling Marv's getting some frustrations out. Wally sees this as his first "real" opportunity to live up to Barry Allen's legacy. Aqualad just broods. Jason Todd is psyched to be there... and finally, Roy wonders just why Faraday chose the Titans... and not, say, the Justice League for this mission.
That mission? Making sure the upcoming United States/Soviet Union peace summit goes off without a hitch. The reason the Titans were chosen? Soviet radicals hired an "outsider" to throw a wrench in the peace talks... that outsider: Cheshire.
After some... more goofy dialogue from Hawk, we're in the T-Jet and headed for Switzerland. Donna's at the controls, but her head is anywhere but "in" this. She's so distracted by all of the Titans drama that she... very nearly, flies right into the World Trade Center. We'll... just leave that alone.
Donna owns her near-miss, and doesn't make any excuses. The rest of the flight goes off without a hitch, and several hours later they arrive in beautiful Zermatt, Switzerland (seriously, if you're unfamiliar with this place - like I am/was - Google it, it's pretty breathtaking). Wally gives the place the once-over, and Roy fires a recon-arrow into the sky. So far, the coast is clear... though, Donna is certain that Cheshire is there, and also... that Cheshire is aware of the Titans' presence.
The team checks into a hotel, and begins to make their plans for the following day. Donna can't shake the feeling that she's assembled a "broken" team. Hawk's a loon, Garth is emotionally-comatose, Jason is a child. Her mind then wanders to how everything "fell apart" with the New Titans... and how, at this point, it's as though everyone has gone their own way.
Before the gang decides to hit their respective pillows, we can see that explosives have been set up outside their window. Garth, having a keener sense of hearing, is able to pick up on this. He alerts the team, and Wally rushes out to confront the threat... and, wouldn'tcha know it... it's Cheshire!
Wally is able to take down a few of her men, however, is struck in the shoulder by one of her heat-seeking mini-missiles. Cheshire then calls for her men to evacuate the area before the bomb goes off.
Luckily, the Titans seemed to have heard that warning as well!
Then... it's fightin' time! Hawk is absolutely ruthless in his pounding of Cheshire's men. He even steals one of their guns, and threatens to use it on them! Donna catches this from the corner of her eye, and puts a stop to it. This distraction proves to be enough for Cheshire to get away.
Donna and Hank begin to fight... Donna explains that under absolutely no circumstances are they to "intentionally murder". Hawk ain't diggin' that, so he starts throwing fists. Donna, being Wonder Girl, catches said fists... and proceeds to slam Hawk into a nearby tree... and she presses... and presses... and presses, until Robin pulls her off. It's a good thing too, as she very nearly caved Hawk's chest in!
Donna then turns to Jason and... quits as team leader! She assigns him the spot, after all... this is Robin's group anyway. Worth noting, this is post-Crisis, but Jason Todd is still very much a "golly, gee" superhero at this point. Hasn't been completely post-Crisisified just yet.
After standing stunned for a sec, Robin rushes back over to Donna and accuses her of engaging in a bit of ol' fashioned transference. She isn't looking at Jason as Jason... all she can see is a Robin costume. She's transferred all of Dick Grayson's attributes, skills, and experiences onto this poor kid... and is expecting him to act in kind. Donna falls to her knees in the snow, and starts to cry. She apologizes... and reclaims the "reins" of the team.
Elsewhere, Cheshire kneels by the fallen Wally and Roy. She's thankful they're still alive, and insists they stay that way... for now... and, for reasons we'll get to. Wally begins to stir... and she tells him to pass along the message "Cheshire Remembers"... before kayoing him with a kick.
We jump ahead to the following morning. The Titans are licking their wounds over coffee... and discussing their plans for the day. Hawk acts like a cartoon character... still. I feel like he and Guy Gardner could've started a support-group for characters that writers used as strawman caricatures back in the 1980's.
Due to the injuries he'd suffered, Donna insists that Wally stay behind. He doesn't dig the idea... but he gets it. Next stop for the rest of the team, is a tram heading toward the Matterhorn.
After reaching their destination, they rendezvous with King Faraday. He explains just how high the stakes are... which, I mean... is kinda like "dropping the knowledge" that water is wet. I'm sure we've all worked with or for a person just like this.
Speedy and Robin head back inside the cable-car, in attempt to escape the cold. They share a brief conversation, where Jay engages in some armchair psychology/detectiving before... Cheshire zooms in!
We wrap up with Cheshire facing off with Roy. As she holds him at gunpoint, she reveals that they'd once shared a passionate night together... and, not only that... Roy is the father of her child! Well, if that doesn't just shout "cliffhanger", I don't know what does!
--
Kind of a weird issue, no?
There was definitely this underlying... I dunno... discomfort (?) about this one. It felt like we never had the opportunity to "settle in" with the team... which, I'd imagine, was the intention. I gotta say, looking at these issues... ones I'd read more times than I can count... with an "analytical" eye, is rather a challenge. I'm so used to just bullet-training through these issues, just one after the other, that I don't often get the opportunity to reflect... and, thus, don't really take the time to appreciate all of the disparate "moving parts" some of these issues have.
Let's bring in a bit of context here for our team... the Crisis did quite a number on most of them! Aqualad is depicted as emotionally detached/numb... due to the death of his girlfriend Tula who died in Crisis on Infinite Earths #9 (December, 1985). Hawk is shown as being even less "balanced" than usual... which is saying something. This very well might be due to the loss of his "cooler half", his brother Don "Dove" Hall died in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12 (March, 1986). Wally is already in "Saint Barry" mode, and is trying to live up to his mentor/predecessor. Barry, of course, died in Crisis on Infinite Earths #8 (November, 1985).
Jason Todd is a bit of a wild card here. It's hard to really reconcile his behavior and demeanor here, as this is post-Crisis... however, his post-Crisis origin wouldn't be established until a year after this issue hit, in Batman #408 (June, 1987). He's still very much a Dick Grayson-lite, "golly gee" sorta kid here. I suppose it's easy enough to write it off as either a) he was starstruck being with the Teen Titans, or b) he's just putting on an act... perhaps even feeding into Donna's transference. Seems like the kinda thing a jerk might do, right?
Let's talk about Cheshire. I gotta say, that whole do-si-do at the start, didn't really work for me. When she turned in the white secretary, I'm not sure if our takeaway was supposed to be in the vein of "no honor among thieves"... or, that Jade has this weird sense of honor. Either way, I mean... she killed that one dude! You can't really claim the "high ground" when, you took the money... and, you were the one actually pressing the knife into someone's back. I feel like I get what Marv was going for here... just thought it was a dumb way to go about it.
Another character where... I get what Marv was going for, was Hawk. Now, I get it, Hank Hall has been sort of a punching bag for writers ever since Ditko left. All of their social and political frustrations are put in this guy, that at some point he actually ceases to be a character. Halfway through this issue, I resorted to just skimming Hank's dialogue, because I knew it wasn't going to be anything important... just ranting. He's only here to be the antithesis to the Titans' tolerance. Not sure it was necessary... even in being the "problem child" who tested Donna... because nobody else on the team even came close to taking his side. Everybody just dismissed him as a loon... not that I could blame them... but, still.
The only reason I'm okay with his presence was that it facilitated that scene where Donna very nearly caved his chest in. This entire issue has been a very strong look at Donna Troy... her self-doubt, her feelings of guilt... it was all very well done. That scene where she almost killed Hawk though, that was some really excellent stuff. I feel like we've all been, at one point or another, so angry... or frustrated, that the only reaction we're capable of is... bursting into tears. This really emphasizes how at "wits end" Donna is. She's trying to stay cool under pressure... but, just can't! It's a very human reaction, and I'm glad they "went there".
We get just enough King Faraday here to remind us that he's that jerk boss we've all had who states the most obvious thing as though it's the most unique concept ever thought up by a human brain. Fair enough... he didn't overstay his welcome... though, the two or three panels we do get of him are more than enough.
Overall... a weird issue. Not one of the greatest, but far from the worst. It's horribly dated, of course, with its Cold War intrigue (and even that near-miss with the Twin Towers)... but, certainly worth checking out. Our main takeaway (with hindsight, of course) is the revelation that Roy and Jade share a child. I gotta plead ignorance here, I'm not sure this is still "a thing" in our current day continuity. I feel like it's the sort of thing that "sometimes is/sometimes isn't". This issue has been collected, and is available digitally.
--
Letters Page:
--
Interesting Ads:
958
