Thunderbolts #14
Thunderbolts #14
Title: “Casualties of War”
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Mark Bagely
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colors: Joe Rosas
Editor: Tom Brevoort
The Thunderbolts stand in the public square about to be executed.
Earlier they were in their cell. Jikekt is telling Jolt that her father just said they would be executed to appease the crowd. He says that he is sure his father will find a way to keep them alive. Jolt says that she isn’t sure she is real thrilled with a lifetime of hard time and torture on prison world. Jolt looks back and sees Atlas, MACH-1, and Songbird sleeping. She spots Moonstone phasing through the ceiling. Jolt sends Jik away.
Jolt asks Moonstone how she did that and where she has been. Moonstone says that she thought Jolt knew everything about the Avengers’ foes. She says that she could always phase, and that she was looking for a way to escape. She asks Jolt if she was trying to work the prince into letting them go. Jolt says that she doesn’t work people like Moonstone does. Moonstone says that while the others are sleeping that they should try and bury the hatchet. She says that she is abrasive and cynical. She says that she did lie to her, and for all that she apologizes, but she thinks that Jolt was right about the team needing to stay together. She says that this is not only true here, but back on Earth as well. Moonstone says that they need to support each other, and that maybe they can keep from returning to crime. Jolt says that it sounds good, but wonders what Moonstone’s plan is to get them back to Earth. Suddenly the rebellion starts attacking. The others are gawking out the window, but Moonstone just mutters to herself that they are right on time.
The primotur’s guards come to the Thunderbolt’s cell. They are taken to the primotur. Jekuakket says that he knows that the Bolts have no reason to demonstrate kindness to them, but on the advice of his vizier he is asking them for their help against the rebellion. Moonstone says that if it helps them get home they will fight like they were defending their own homes. Jolt notices that both Moonstone and the vizier are acting very smugly.
First soldier Tikuak takes the Thunderbolts out to the battle. They quickly break into teams. Atlas and Jolt, MACH-1 and Songbird, and Moonstone disperse the immediate threat.
A rebel fires a
gun next to Atlas. He thinks that they missed, but the rock they
hit grows very large and crushes Atlas. Atlas grows even larger
and breaks out. Jolt is knocking out the rebels as she goes, but
the horrors of war cause Jolt to vomit. A rebel is going to
attack her while she is vulnerable, but Atlas smacks him like a
bug. Jolt apologizes and says that she isn’t used to this.
Atlas says that she had better get used to this because she is a
soldier now.
Songbird and MACH-1 are arguing over whether or not Melissa has changed when a rebel grabs Songbird from behind. Songbird uses a wrestling move to flip the guy off. Moonstone calls out to MACH-1 and Songbird. Moonstone says that they are going home, and that last night while they were sleeping she made a deal with the vizier. Moonstone says that they are going to kill the primotur, and that when the vizier becomes primotur he will send them home. Moonstone says that the vizier arranged this rebellion attack and their release to “oppose” it. MACH-1 says that he isn’t sure about this, but Moonstone says that they will die under the primotur’s reign while the vizier will send them home.
Atlas tells Jolt to stay behind him as he
props up a rock shield. Jolt says that being jaded to death or
hiding from it can’t be the only two choices. Jolt pops off
by herself. Atlas starts charging after her saying not to go off
by herself. Atlas marvels at how Jolt seems to arrive at the
right decision by instinct while he doesn’t even know where
to start. A short time later Jolt and Atlas come face to face
with the rebellion’s leader. He says that Keka’ Akeluak
said that the off worlders wouldn’t be in his sector. Jolt
hears the name, but doesn’t make the connection that he is
the vizier. Jolt knocks him out and then thinks that the name
sounded like the vizier’s. Atlas says that he doesn’t
know. Jolt says that they had better hurry to the palace.
At the palace the guards are telling Jekuakket that he should stand inside to avoid danger. Suddenly the two guards are unconscious. The primotur spots Moonstone, Songbird, and MACH-1. He says that they should be out on the battlefield. He says that he only released them to fight. Moonstone says that his conditions don’t matter anymore and that his reign is over. Jekuakket starts to shout for the guards, but Songbird creates a solid sound barrier to keep him quiet. She also forces him down on his knees. Moonstone compliments her and asks if she would like to finish him off. Songbird says that she never killed anyone before. Moonstone tells MACH-1 to do it. MACH-1 says that it is nothing personal, but then he finds that he cannot do it. He says that maybe he has been playing hero too long, but that this just seems wrong. Songbird starts to see it and releases the sound muzzle. The primotur starts to thank the humans for letting their conscience take over, but then Moonstone blasts the primotur dead. She says that the guards are going to be there any second to discover the body. She asks if they can leave or if that would be wrong too.
Moments later the vizier says that the leader of the rebellion has slaughtered their primotur. Jolt starts shouting that it couldn’t have been him because they had just knocked them out. Moonstone tells Jolt to be quiet. She says that this is their business. She says that Jolt doesn’t want to stand in front of all that blood rage. The vizier says that he will assume the mantle of primotur because Jikekt is too young. He says that they must prepare to strike before the Blue Man comes. As they are being led to the transporter, MACH-1 asks Moonstone if the vizier is really going to keep his deal. Moonstone says that he doesn’t want them around knowing what they know. Jolt is in the back with Atlas and says that something is wrong here. She asks Atlas who he thinks killed the primotur. Atlas says that he doesn’t want to know.
At the transporter the new primotur says that he thanks the Thunderbolts for their help, but that it is better for his people to think them executed. As Moonstone takes her place on the platform, Jolt sees that Jikekt knows that this isn’t right. Jolt thinks that she knows it too, but that Jikekt has to live there while she gets to run away.
As soon as they arrive in Colorado Jolt turns to Moonstone and asks her what happened there. Moonstone says that she wouldn’t know. Jolt says that something was happening with Moonstone and the vizier. Jolt asks if Moonstone killed the primotur just to get home. Moonstone says that she thought Jolt trusted her now. Moonstone says to ask Songbird and MACH-1 as they were with her when the primotur died. MACH-1 and Songbird confirm it. Jolt says that she can’t believe that they are going to leave Kosmos fearing Kang. She says that they were talking about invading Earth still. She asks what kind of responsibility they bear for that. Moonstone says that they will worry about that when they have to. Moonstone says that they made it back to Earth, but that is only the beginning.
South of the Mexican border, Zemo bathes in a nutrient bath and asks Techno if he found all the SHIELD surveillance devices. Techno says that all of the will read “all clear” until they want them not to. Zemo asks how his body is. Techno says that he replaced his broken teeth, repaired his jaw, and that while he will be a little tender his bones will be fine too. Techno asks if Zemo wants a new face. Zemo declines and says that his face serves as a reminder of who he is and what he has endured. Zemo stands up and says that he has healed enough. Zemo asks if there has been any word on the Thunderbolts. Techno says that SHIELD is assuming that they are deceased. Zemo says that if they aren’t dead that he will make them wish they were.
Traitors’ rating: 8.5 out of 10
Great story that manipulates the characters perfectly. Moonstone is manipulative, Atlas is docile, Songbird and MACH-1 are uneasy in their uncertain roles, and Jolt is morally outraged. Jolt reminds me of Lisa Simpson. Bagely did some great work on this issue and falls just short of perfection.