Back before I actually attempted writing superhero characters, more or less projecting bits of myself into each of them, I sometimes wondered what kind of character I’d want to be, and what superhero name I’d take. Time and again, the best I came up with, the one who really made me smile the most to think about, was “Jolt.” And now one of the best superhero writers around has taken “my” character and made her come alive on the page– much, much better than I could ever have hoped to. And I’m delighted.
Not only is her portrayal very enjoyable and spot-on (with a timeless premise– selfless orphan experimented upon by cold methodical badguy type, given powers beyond his or anybody’s reckoning, using those powers to defeat him and release her friends from their suffering), but I think it’s a wonderful idea to give us this story from the viewpoint of the character most interested in examining the dynamics of Jolt’s relationships with her would-be teammates.
Until Jolt came along, Meteorite (formerly Moonstone, as Techno slips up and calls her– fortunately, out of earshot of their antagonists) was the Thunderbolt who intrigued me the most. While several other former Masters of Evil appear to be having doubts about their desire to stick to Citizen V’s/Baron Zemo’s plan to subvert the concept of heroism from within, Dr. Soffen is coldly calculating the myriad of psychological possibilities inherent in challenging the group’s somewhat shaky structural integrity. In this way, she’s being true to both of her chosen professions (psychiatrist and villain), as well as providing the best and most seamless exposition we’ve had to date, and I hope Kurt uses her as narrator again. And of course, not to be overlooked is the fact that she’s actually manipulating and steering Zemo/V in directions where she wishes to take his grand experiment.
What Kurt doesn’t dwell on is as interesting to note as what he emphasizes. Besides Techno’s gaffe, nothing is made of the fact that Hallie’s Japanese, nor should it be; a group like this should have more trouble accepting a newcomer, period, than accepting a non-white newcomer. Race is incidental, yet the inclusion of Hallie serves to subtly integrate a formerly all-white coterie. This is a perfect example of how a writer can increase diversity, something sorely needed in comics dealing with characters who, when first created, couldn’t be expected to be ahead of their time– but to do it within the context of a great story. Little character bits, like V’s talk with Techno about the remote cameras and Songbird’s pride in her expanded powers (and in helping free her new boyfriend Abe), were really nice as well.
Bagley and Russell look to be having a great time with Jolt’s energy, the various ways in which the T’bolts use their abilities, and the Bio-Fanatic’s monsters. Rosas is right there with the colors, especially on Songbird and Jolt (I wonder if one of the reasons I like this team so much is the way Kurt seems to have put the very capable female members center-stage most of the time, at least here). The long-awaited new issue of LEAVE IT TO CHANCE comes close, but this one still makes it hands-down as my favorite of the week. Great going, guys.
via:http://cookingschoolconfidential.com/thunderbolts-review/
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