I hope his first name isn’t Astro.
Hardcase #9
Malibu Comics/Ultraverse (February, 1994)
“True Confessions”
WRITER: James D. Hudnall
PENCILER: Brent Anderson
INKER: Art Nichols
COLORING: Moose Baumann & Family Feuge
LETTERER: Tim Eldred
EDITOR: Hank Kanalz
Choice visits Hardcase on set while he’s filming a love scene and gets jealous, later telling Hardcase that she wants to start an actual romantic relationship. He hasn’t put any moves on her not only because they live together but because he has a girlfriend (though he admits he hasn’t been faithful to his comatose love). After a battle with Turf, and obsessive fan who can turn dirt into an exoskeleton similar to Prime and that goop Kevin excretes, he finally gives in to his own feelings for Choice, and he tells Starburst about what’s happened. Maybe she can hear him through the coma because when he leaves a tear comes out of her eyes.
What they got right: The ultra is there to make it a superhero story and give us action. The important detail here is Hardcase’s situation with Choice and Starburst. It’s not easy to be in love with a woman in a coma. I wonder what will happen if she does wake up?
What they got wrong: This isn’t on this comic, but on other so-called superhero stories out there. Unless this becomes the comic’s new direction, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional diversion for character. It’s when they try to turn a superhero story into some kind of romance drama that there’s a problem. If you don’t want to write superheroes, take on a different project. Hudnall wants to write superheroes, but he also wants to write the human moments and I’m okay with that.
What I think overall: This wouldn’t be the issue to come in on since it’s not a superhero story and will only matter if you’ve been following the comic to this point. Turf is a decent enough villain for this story but not very remarkable, though it is curious and worrisome to see what Aladdin has in mind for the nutcase.
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