Kind of like Hollywood right now.
Hardcase #2
Malibu Comics/Ultraverse (July, 1993)
“Hard Choices”
WRITER: James Hudnall
ART: Cranial Implant Studios
COLORIST: Moose Baumann
LETTERER: Tim Eldred
EDITORS: Chris Ulm & Hank Kanalz
Hardcase goes to the funeral of one of the cops, whose brother tries to calm his guilt over not going to help sooner. At home, Hardcase is visited by a woman who is being chased by armor clad “interceptors” pretending not to work for her boss running the Choice Campaign she’s been modeling for. Said boss (we get a name “Mr. Dixon” but it’s not clear who is who) wants to pretend she’s an Ultra even though they created her. The interceptors blow up Hardcase’s house trying to kill him and take the woman, so the two take down the interceptors and prepare to get some answers from her former employers.
What they got right: I like the idea of her powers, that she calls them out but only has them for about an hour. Her costume works as a corporate spokesmodel and potential hero, like Prototype but with spandex instead of armor. The scene where Hardcase is confronted by the cop’s brother, also a cop, was nice after the previous issue, and it’s just the brother trying to shame Hardcase. He legit understands the hero turned actor wasn’t aware of how serious things were, but saved other cops once he did.
What they got wrong: What is the woman’s name? Maybe it will finally be mentioned next issue, but I’m not going to do homework. This issue should tell me her name, or at least her “hero” name beyond “the Choice girl”. We don’t even know the name of the company behind all this.
What else is there: This is where I have to question the reading order I chose again. Last week we saw the Strangers appearing at Hardcase’s front door, and we can assume this story takes place before that. I thought the reading order would set up a decent timeline but instead it’s all over the place. I would have rather had something that told me what issues came out together and read it that way but I couldn’t find such a list. It’s also odd that this issue is listed as “essential”, the next issue isn’t, but the one after is. Beyond that, I do find it interesting that all these heroes are seeking out the veteran superhero: Prime, the Strangers, and “the Choice girl” all go to him, though unfortunately for Prime he didn’t get to meet him.
What I think overall: This issue was heavy on action, but light on story. I have only a vague idea of what’s going on. Hopefully this improves as the series goes on.
BW Media Spotlight 