Issue #5 was sort of a departure for the series. If it wasn’t for the heroes having their own brainwashing machine, and that brainwashing machine being the catalyst for the entire plot for the issue, it would have felt like any other bronze age Marvel book. Villains show up. They try to use the heroes’ tools and weaknesses against them. They’re outsmarted and defeated by the heroes. Beat by beat, an average superhero comic from 1985, at least on paper. But then there’s the matter of the B-Mod machine that was so crucial to the plot. And judging from the cover of this issue, it gets used. And at risk of getting a bit spoilery, The Institute of Evil seems a bit more friendly in this issue.
Whatever inevitable downfall we’re rushing towards, Gruenwald is taking his time to build up. And however it blows up, I’m already certain it’ll feel earned.
Written by Mark GruenwaldCover by Paul Ryan
Pencils by Paul Ryan
Inks by Sam de la Rosa and Keith Williams
Letters by John Workman
Colors by Christie ScheeleAfter the Institute is brought into the fold, the B-Mod process comes under fire from both Amphibian and Blue Eagle.
Starting this issue, I had one question… how many kids does Arcanna have now? One of the more subtle aspects of the series is how it illustrates the passage of time without caption boxes. So I came into this wondering exactly how long The Institutes has been brainwashed, because Arcanna has multiple offsprings present. But she mentions her pregnancy later on to off panel reaction. That gets a caption box.
So yeah… the cover didn’t lie. The bad guys from last issue have been B-Modded, and are helping with the construction of a new, larger headquarters. And they’re so helpful and friendly that the Squadron are even entertaining the idea of them joining the team. Although there’s some discussion about whether or not their costumes fit the motifs of the team. And whether or not they can really be trusted. But that’s with talk of their aesthetics.
The team itself is a wreck. Lady Lark is obsessive over Archer. Blue Eagle knows something is wrong with Lark. Archer’s recovering from the torture he experienced at the hands of the Institute. Doctor Spectrum on a combat mission moratorium, per recommendation of his therapist. But the interesting one, to me, is Amphibian. Amphibian, apart from being irritated Hyperion built their headquarters two hours away from the sea, is struggling with the highest unethical practices of his comrades. He even asks some of the former Institute members if their procedures were painful. Only to get brainwashed answers of course. But still, he’s trying.
I’m a little surprised how little the book focuses on Hyperion. But in practice, I kind of like it. The Superman and Wonder Woman analogs seem distant in this story. Like they’re making decisions with very little connection to the rest of the team. Meanwhile, it’s the not-Black Canaries that suffer. The not-Green Arrows. And this time, the not-Aquamans. The leaders seem to trudge on with their terrible ideas, seemingly oblivious to the mess that’s bubbling up from under them, while the lower tier heroes scramble to deal with the consequences. I don’t know if this was intentional, but I kind of like it. It shows the disconnect of the Squadron, while putting the focus on the messier, more interesting heroes. Plus you get a real sense of the alienation that someone like Amphibian is feeling.
But while Amphibian is the one angst’ing about the B-Mod, Blue Eagle is the one who comes with the most damning evidence. He exposes Archer’s abuses of the machine, much to the shock and horror of the team. None more than Lark herself. They vote to expel him from the team, much to the protests of Lark. Archer knows he was a creep, so he confesses to everything and takes his expulsion with a handshake and a smile. But this finally prompts Amphibian to destroy the machine. He even asks Ape X to delete all the files, because his brainwashing demands he obey the Squadron at all times. He borrows a ship and flies it to sea, where he makes his escape.
Meanwhile, two figures find their way into the story, setting up future appearances. A new villain called “Mister Menace” ponders what he could do with their B-Mod machine. And former President Nighthawk is just outside now. These are brief appearances, but they spell trouble.
This issue feels like it’s mostly set up. But that’s not a bad thing. We’re midway through the series, so there’s a few doors that need opening and closing. We almost have a new creative team on board here. Gruenwald is still on board, but (the unfortunately named) Paul Ryan has taken over penciling duties. It’s a subtle change, but his characters are thicker. More solid. But they still have that 80s Marvel flair that makes this book work.
