OK, that last panel REALLY makes him look like Underhall, especially if you go and look back to the first couple pages, where Underhall is fighting the goons in the alleyway, snapping fingers and the like.
I think it’s something about the job that makes mystery men get this way. I also get the impression that being a mask is the first time Greg Buchanan has ever been free.
But the sentiment does not. Underhall seems to me to be an inveterate loner. Buchanan is not: he already has partners: Molly, and the Tailor. Now he’s reveling in being part of a team. By contrast, Underhall was alone and had never, so far as we saw, cultivated any significant allies. There may be reasons for that, but it also seems to be his character. If he makes some sort of comeback, I suspect it will be on those terms.
Very insightful, Rob! I had never looked at it like this, but that makes perfect sense. Underhall is a loner, but now that he’s retired he has his fingers in everything. Greg Buchanan was a loner as a cop, but as a vigilante he’s come out of his shell and has a support group and friends.
One way to look at superheroes is as the ultimate expression of the adrenaline junkie. Think about it, some people parachute off buildings, others bungee jump. Greg beats up criminals and super villains.
It is said that there is no greater high than running up to Death’s door, ringing the door bell and returning to tell the tale. You can try to justify it by saying that it is your duty, that you can make a difference in the world, but in the end, it all comes down to the high.
Yeah, the Utopian’s power loss is a major plot point in the next issue. There certain tried and true cliches that go with this sort of thing, and we’re not using any of them!
Quite the glutton for punishment our Johnny is.
OK, that last panel REALLY makes him look like Underhall, especially if you go and look back to the first couple pages, where Underhall is fighting the goons in the alleyway, snapping fingers and the like.
I think it’s something about the job that makes mystery men get this way. I also get the impression that being a mask is the first time Greg Buchanan has ever been free.
But the sentiment does not. Underhall seems to me to be an inveterate loner. Buchanan is not: he already has partners: Molly, and the Tailor. Now he’s reveling in being part of a team. By contrast, Underhall was alone and had never, so far as we saw, cultivated any significant allies. There may be reasons for that, but it also seems to be his character. If he makes some sort of comeback, I suspect it will be on those terms.
Very insightful, Rob! I had never looked at it like this, but that makes perfect sense. Underhall is a loner, but now that he’s retired he has his fingers in everything. Greg Buchanan was a loner as a cop, but as a vigilante he’s come out of his shell and has a support group and friends.
And don’t forget staff of life! Every hero should have that kind of ‘support’.
Heh. Yes, agreed.
One way to look at superheroes is as the ultimate expression of the adrenaline junkie. Think about it, some people parachute off buildings, others bungee jump. Greg beats up criminals and super villains.
It is said that there is no greater high than running up to Death’s door, ringing the door bell and returning to tell the tale. You can try to justify it by saying that it is your duty, that you can make a difference in the world, but in the end, it all comes down to the high.
Scott! You never cease to amaze me man. Truly well done. But, what will be happening next with Utopian’s Powers? Can he control them?
From what we’ve seen, it looks like he’s lost them altogether. May have to go on a quest of some kind to regain them.
Yeah, the Utopian’s power loss is a major plot point in the next issue. There certain tried and true cliches that go with this sort of thing, and we’re not using any of them!
Hey, Kurt! Hey, all, it’s Kurt from the TGT webcomics podcast–you should check it out!