“Yesterday’s” Comic> Hardcase #10

Yes, yes, you have a great dentist. Nobody cares.

Hardcase #10

Malibu Comics/Ultraverse (March, 1994)

“The Angry Past” part 1: “Agent Snowden” and “Agent Malik”

WRITER: James D. Hudnall

PENCILER: Kelly Krantz

INKER: Jeff Whiting

COLORING: Moose Baumann & Family Fugue

LETTERER: Tim Eldred

EDITOR: Hank Kanalz

The two names are actually part of the same story, following reports from two different Aladdin agents. Snowden is charged with watching the hidden cameras around the house, which catches current events with past issues after the events of the Break-Thru crossover event. The important details are all the security systems going down so The Alternate can give them their money and a hint that Choice’s history is tied to Aladdin. While Hardcase has to focus on his acting requirements for a bit, there’s tension between him and Choice…though we know they “worked it out” and Hardcase may be ready to move on from his comatose love. From there we finally get back to current events. Choice talks to Hardcase about her awakening memories, one as a girl in Vietnam escaping the country and the other having been raised in America to adopted parents. The mentions of Chico (a town, I think) and Bidwell school convinces Hardcase it’s time to investigate Aladdin, and if what he suspects is the truth, there’s going to be some payback coming.

Snowden sends the warning that their dangerous and must be killed, and that’s when the new framing comes from Agent Malik, as he assembles a team to kill Hardcase before he learns the truth, though Snowden frames it as “he doesn’t trust the government and must be stopped because he’s too powerful”. Malik gets Headknocker and Hardwire, who are more than happy to kill Hardcase without the government offerings, to join Foxfire, War Eagle, and Dust Devil in an attack on our heroes, ending the issue.

What they got right: We get the plot moving, and learn more about Choice’s past.

What they got wrong: The first third of the comic is stuff we already know one way or another. Ultimately, the comic is a huge exposition dump, which may annoy some readers who have been following along. I’m only okay because the old reading order I was using kept me away for long enough that a refresher helped me.

What I think overall: I may have come off a bit harsher than intended. It’s a good story, but it is more expostion than action.