“Yesterday’s” Comic> The Solution #8

“Geez, I just asked for directions to Arby’s. Who is this guy, Perch?”

The Solution #8

Malibu Comics/Ultraverse (April, 1994)

“Payback” part 3

WRITER: James Hudnall

PENCILER: John Statema

INKERS: Dennis Jensen & Barbara Kaalberg

COLORING: Tim Duvar & Violent Hues

COVER ART: Kevin Maguire (artist) & Albert Calleros (colorist)

LETTERER: Tim Eldred

EDITOR: Hank Kanalz

In the past, Troy’s eyes were damaged (as a fellow Troy, it pains me to write that), but after reading the lines of fate, Aera agrees to join the team. While discussing the situation at a pub, Vurk arrives. His people are the enemy of Aera’s but he doesn’t attack her. Instead, he’s attacked by a creature sent by the Darkurians to bring Vurk in (we know in the present that he’s on the outs with his people). Aera helps chase it off, and Vurk reluctantly agrees to join the team. Troy is given his own wetware and becomes Dropkick, with Lela using the codename Tech. With Casino having been stripped of her memories of the past month, including being hired to hunt Lela, the bad guys, the Dragon’s Fang and the overlord Kwan Yun want her dead. That gets worse when the Solution forms and stars taking their operations apart. In the present, even her vigil at her father’s tomb isn’t enough to keep them from trying to kill her, but Vurk and Aera (Outrage and Shadowmage respectively) protect their boss. Then Shadowmage has a premonition of her doom, and some other mystic enemy looks to be the source.

What they got right: You’d think blaming fate for how these four came together would be lazy, even in a situation involving magic, but they kind of make it work. It’s still an organic pairing even though Aera/Shadowmage can read the lines of fate. Plus, Lela was seeking out people to help her. As an origin it works well.

What they got wrong: We should finish Lela’s enemies before introducing new ones. Maybe deal with Vurk’s next before introducing more personal threats. Not sure what Dropkick’s going to get.

What I think overall: Still an interesting series thus far I almost missed out on.