“Yesterday’s” Comic> Hardcase #1

Why Hardcase was fired from elementary school gym teaching.

Hardcase #1

Malibu Comics/Ultraverse (June, 1993)

“Winners Never Quit”

WRITER: James Hudnall

PENCILER: Jim Callahan

INKER: Norm Breyfogle

COLOR DESIGN: Paul Mounts

LETTERER: Tim Eldred

EDITOR: Chris Ulm

A year ago, a creature called NM-E killed most of the new superhero team The Squad. Only two survived and only Hardcase avoided being comatose. So he quit the hero business and became an actor. One year later he’s pulled back in after making friends with a cop who gets called away to stop a bank robbery. Except the robber, going by Head Knocker and being at least as powerful as Hardcase, kills the cop during the robbery. Thoughts of rival actors and cues go out the window as Hardcase goes after the baddie, and eventually beats him. However, someone isn’t happy with the debut of Ultras, or that Hardcase is still alive.

What they got right: We get a good reason for Hardcase’s retirement, and learn about the superhero team mentioned in The Strangers, building this new shared universe. Ultras are still a new thing and possibly it’s just a catch-all term for people with powers rather than just from a shared source like Mutants in the Marvel Universe. Hardcase isn’t sure he can fight another Ultra, but his heroic instincts kick in when one is finally in his area.

What they got wrong: This one is up to judgement. On the one hand, Hardcase doesn’t hesitate when he hears the shots being fired, but refused to go along with his new friend when the robbery was started. You’ll have to decide if he switched into hero mode too fast or not fast enough. At least the cop doesn’t get on his case for not coming along, understanding his reasons. Also wondering why the shadowy villain, and that’s already getting too plentiful in these origin issues thus far, is naked. Is every story going to have a secret villain behind the scenes who does nothing connected to the main plot? Also wondering if Prime is the only hero with a secret identity. The Strangers were outed before they got a name and Hardcase is just a codename, not a superhero identity. Finally….Head Knocker. What a 90s name for a supervillain.

What I think overall: The first issue seems interesting, so I’ll continue following this series for at least a little while. Also, Freex doesn’t appear to be what I thought it was based on the advertisement, so I might look into that. Haven’t decided on Mantra just yet.