Anonymous Writes writes...

What happed to Beast Boy's Dad?

Robert writes...

Hi Greg,

I was just watching "Targets" again for probably the third or fourth time (and for the first time since before the show returned last September) when I noticed something interesting. In that episode, during the conversation between Red Arrow and Lex Luthor at the Peace Summit between North and South Rhelasia, Luthor tells Red something about Lexcorp being dedicated to peace. In response, Red Arrow says, "I've got intel linking Lexcorp shell companies to the sale of weapons in both Rhelasias. You're profiting off this war."

We learned in "Satisfaction" that the original Roy Harper had been abducted while investigating a Lexcorp shell company that he and Green Arrow suspected of smuggling weapons into North Rhelasia.

My questions...

1) Are these two events in fact the same? I mean, when Red Arrow was speaking with Luthor at the Peace Summit regarding his "intel", was he referring (unknowingly, of course) to the same event that led to the original Roy's capture (and, by consequence, his own creation)?
2) If the answer to the above is no, then feel free to ignore the rest of the paragraph. However, if the answer to the above question is yes, then I'm also curious: was Red Arrow's presence at the Rhelasian Peace Summit orchestrated by the Light in advance? I mean, obviously for Sportsmaster to extract information from him and issue new programming, Red had to be there, and he had to be alone. But if he hadn't been there at all, it seems likely that Cheshire would have actually killed Luthor - it just didn't seem to me like she knew what was really going on. But wouldn't it be too great a risk for the Light to knowingly put one of its own in jeopardy - unless they KNEW beforehand that someone (and a very specific someone, at that) would be there to "save the day"? Moreover, for this whole plan to succeed without Luthor being assassinated, both Cheshire and Sportsmaster had to have been explicitly told NOT to kill Red Arrow - which they could probably have done together very easily.

I'm not trying to put forth my own ideas here or anything. I just want to know, in light of the events and revelations of "Satisfaction", if I'm reading this whole scenario correctly. Or... am I just reading too much into all this?

Thank you for your time, sir!

Laura 'ad astra' Sack writes...

Regarding the two additional guests to Rocket's shower- clearly their identity is a spoiler. When they finally do show up in one form or another, will you let us know it was them?

Laura 'ad astra' Sack writes...

Small note on issue 22:
I had thought to do comic book reviews during the break. Since I missed so many I planned to review them as rereading the graphic novels.... Yeah, didn't get to it. I will eventually. One thing I would say about the issue before last- The Dick/Babs interaction was heartening and extremely interesting in the larger picture. (Like the most recent issue having young Dick point out that she's good at everything.) It has all the indications of serious romance, and yet we just saw a incorrigible flirt and an implied one night stand with Bette, and no hint of jealousy on Bab's side. Intriguing. Oh- I finally took noted he wears his escrima sticks on a hip holster and not the traditional back scabbard. You lose the cool draw, but the more I think of it it makes sense. Aside from a little torque, the thigh doesn't move. The back moves all over the place, and Dick's way of moving is extremely fluid.

Laura 'ad astra' Sack writes...

Darkest
I was so proud to have been caught up...and then I just sit on commenting on the last ep to air until the queue fills and closes. If not for the unasked for (and undesired) hiatus I'd be even further behind. (Asterisks next to the questions. The rest are just observation.)

First the shorts
-Teen Titans Go -two sets of dates...cute.
-Aardman - ok. I'm disappointed in me that I'm not liking them more.

Now the show itself- (numbered thoughts, the asterisk is at the only question.)
1. "I am aware of my role in the larger picture, are you?" -One hell of scary line from a 'henchman'. Henchman+clue=?

(Though your kids are probably far too old for you have seen Wordgirl, it has a fantastic comedic version of henchmen+clue: A villain's super intelligence comes from having 2 brains. Unfortunately the second brain came from a mouse, and his hyper intelligence is almost exclusively focused on acquiring cheese. In the midst of an elaborate plan that involved stealing gold to turn into cheese, the henchmen attempt to ask why he does just use the gold to ~buy~ cheese?)

2. I like how Tommy & Tupances' way of talking is archaic, not stupid. And they are far from stupid muscle.

3.I had some note asking about Tigress being a traditional name. Wish I remembered what I meant.

4. Mal sounds so sweet ...and sad. Lives in Mt. Justice and has none of the brashness he had in high school. I get a sense of a life interrupted. I'm looking forward to getting that story. ("Duncan to Watchtower"...what a voice!)

*5. Can L'gan understand the Reach? Thinking of that translation spell from way back.

6. Easier to destroy than create. Impulse is astute.

* 7. What did Kaldur 'say' to Sphere? He laid hand on it and it backed down - was it just recognition? We can guess why Wolf ignored Tigress; Wolf sensed no malicious intent and recognized her. (The spell works on appearance and sound, not scent, right?)

8. I still really miss the sweet scarab...but again, that's not a complaint. Different story. I just really liked the other story too.

9. KABLOOIE! Wow. Just Wow.

Okay, beyond 'just', also it's nice to see Mal the hero. And "Will Sphere be okay?" had me cheering; Yes! Not forgetting the robots. When whichever Crisis it was started by killing Skeets and no one cared but Booster Gold, I was furious that no one would even acknowledged him as a sentient friend, (or annoyance, I guess). Which led them into not realizing Ted Kord was equally murdered. [Yes, I know; Skeets got better. (In a way I still don't understand as being the same being.) They all get better in comics.] It wasn't an oversight that actually was the point. It was just an oversight, and a type that bugs me.

10. Nightwing/Kid Flashes' conversation - Actual worry, conversation, doubt. You feel it as it would if it were really going on. Just because we come from outside the story, and we see Aqualad not being a triple agent, there's no reason for the characters to have a sense of surety or confidence. Well done.

11. Darkest...Welcome to the Light Kalduran: I do like a clever word play.

Next week on DC...~sniff~ At least its almost here.

NOTE TO FELLOW FANS:
I REALIZE MANY FANS HAVE LEGITIMATELY SEEN IT FROM iTUNES, BUT FOLKS! YOU KNOW MANY FOLKS HAVEN'T SEEN IT, STOP INTEGRATING IT INTO POSTS WITHOUT SPOILER WARNINGS! It's basic consideration.

Anonymous writes...

What happened to Gar's pet monkey?

Anonymous writes...

Hi Greg! I just want to say that I love the show and tie-in comics, and that I really can't wait to learn more about several things, like Impulse's past.

1) The design on Impulse's costume kind of looks like Blue Beetle's armor in some ways (the patch under the neck, the little notches). Was this a coincidence, or related to Impulse's past?

2) Have there been any attempts to enroll Bart in middle or high school? (I wouldn't know if any potential schools would have a grade system like Gotham Academy or the traditional 9-12 being high school system, which is why I'm saying either)

3) Is Impulse literate?

Anonymous writes...

Why did Miss M not change back to her white form when she puts on the collar?

Ryan writes...

I was wonder why wally west is slower in this incarnation compared to Barry and Bart, in the mainstream universe new earth wally is the fastest flash(and possibly the fastest being ever)yet gets lap like its nothing in "bloodline"

ALI writes...

When is Barbara Gordon/Batgirl's birthday?