 |
 |
|
|
Thunderbolts #25
Title: "Saving the World”
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Penciller: Mark Bagely
Inker: Bob Wiacek & Al Vey
Colors: Joe Rosas & RS
Editor: Tom Brevoort
In Manhattan, from out of nowhere the storm began. Thor stands atop a building trying to command it to stop. Scarlet Witch says that she has been using her recently discovered powers to try and discover anything mystical or unnatural about the storm, but cannot find anything. Wonder Man asks if they’ve made any progress. Thor says that the storms stop where he commands them to, but that they just spring up somewhere else. Thor adds that no matter what Wanda says that this storm is anything but natural. Simon heads down to continue rescuing.
In Connecticut, the New Warriors are rescuing people and attempting to douse the fires caused by lightning strikes. In San Francisco, X-Force is trying to help people from the tidal waves rising up. In London, Union Jack tries to give shelter to the people as the winds start tearing up the streets. In Irkutsk, Darkstar provides a darkforce shield against the whipping winds that are causing a giant sandstorm. In Tokyo, winter storm have already caused 73 freezing deaths. Big Hero Six does what they can to help. In Ohio, the Lightning Rods save people from tornadoes.
The Bolts keep standing there in shock watching the 25 Masters of Evil. Quicksand, Klaw, Lodestone, Flying Tiger, Icemaster, Blackwing, Constrictor, Man-Ape, Tiger Shark, Shatterfist, Man-Killer, Eel, Supercharger, Cyclone, Bison, Shockwave, Sunstroke, Joystick, Aqueduct, Scorcher, Cardinal, Slyde, Boomerang, and Dragonfly all stand listening to the Crimson Cowl. She says that they have all done well, and that she commends them. She says that right now the whole world is suffering from meteorological fury, and that soon they will pay any ransom that they demand. Cowl says that it is true that it was her vision, but that they all shared in that vision. (Cowl is seen in a flashback recruiting the Eel. He says that he has bad experiences with partners. Cowl points out that he has bad experiences solo as well). Cowl says that she is the one that stole the capital to implement the plans, but they are the ones that helped carry out those plans (Joystick, Supercharger, and Sunstroke are seen erecting one of the weather modulators. Supercharger says that this will teach humanity to harbor superhumans. Joystick says that she is just there for the cash. Sunstroke says that he prefers power, and that Cowl is going to the top). Cowl says that it is now all in place, and that the Central Core Unit there will send out the instructions to the weather modulators.
Atlas asks what they are going to do. Hawkeye says that he isn’t sure. He says that he prefers frontal assaults, but that the Central Core Unit is too well guarded to be sure that they will be able to destroy it. Hawkeye says that they need to get someone closer to the thing. Hawkeye tells Moonstone to go to the Masters and try to join up with them. Moonstone asks Hawkeye if he is insane. She says that there are 25 villains angry with them, and that it would be certain death to try and join them. Hawkeye says that Crimson Cowl did try to recruit them before, and that Moonstone alone might stand a chance. Moonstone asks why her. Hawkeye says that he would do it himself, but that he doesn’t have the reputation for it. Hawkeye tells Moonstone to face the fact that she is the least trustworthy of them, and that the Crimson Cowl knows it. Moonstone opens her mouth to object, but then closes her mouth and flies off.
Moonstone flies off and is mumbling to herself about Hawkeye’s smug simple-minded heroism. She says that it as if Hawkeye is daring her to live down to his expectations. Moonstone says that when the Thunderbolts were seeking redemption that she thought that they would be fighting bank robbers and saving lives. She says that putting her life on the line is not her, and that it never has been.
Moonstone thinks back to her own past. She thinks back to the million-dollar mansion and the endless parties with celebrities. It was quite the life for Charles Stockbridge, but it was an arduous never ending job for the butler, and for the butler’s daughter it was a never-ending parade of the things that she couldn’t have. Young Karla stares out the window, but she is pulled away by her mother the maid. Her mother said that she knows that she is supposed to be in her room. She says that she told her not to bother the boss and his friends. And if that wasn’t bad enough there was also Deanna. Deanna was Stockridge’s daughter and she had everything. Karla was supposed to be her companion and pretend that she didn’t mind. The only satisfaction Karla found was in how stupid Deanna was, and how easy it was to trick her. (Deanna gives Karla a dress that Karla convinced Deanna had made her look fat.) All Karla wanted was to get away from them, and her wish came true the day her father Karl died. The Stockridge’s hired another couple to replace them. Karla’s mother was offered a position, but she didn’t want to take their charity and so she and Karla left. In the following years, Marion Sofen would hold down two or three jobs trying to make sure that Karla got the chances that she never had. Karla remembers the look of weary pride on her mother’s face at graduation day. Karla felt contempt for her mother that day, and decided that she would never be that stupid to put someone else’s needs ahead of her own. Karla had gone into psychology to learn how to better control others.
Karla says that she has never been selfless, and she isn’t about to start now. Karla decides that she is very hard to kill because of her phasing powers, and will try to salvage the work she put into the Thunderbolts by going along. Moonstone phases down into Mount Charteris. She asks Cowl if this party is by invitation only or if anyone can come. Cowl asks Moonstone what she is doing there. Moonstone says that she has changed her mind about joining her. She says that after they survived the attack in Robinette that she thought it was obvious that there was no sense in opposing Cowl. Cowl asks how Moonstone found them. Moonstone says that her powers make her sensitive to Cowl’s teleportation powers, but that she hasn’t told any of the other Thunderbolts that. Cowl says that she is an excellent liar, and that Moonstone is as well. She says that she can’t read her at all. Cowl says that they aren’t taking on anyone this far into the caper. Cowl tells the others to put Moonstone in power dampening shackles and that she will consider later. Moonstone decides to go along with it.
Bison, Quicksand, Constrictor, and Shockwave
are walking Moonstone to her cell. Quicksand mocks Moonstone and
says that she knows who has the power here. Shockwave says to
Bison that it was a lucky day when he got him onto this
operation. Bison says that he is only doing this so that he can
get enough money to be changed back to normal so that he can be a
good husband Shamari. Bison says that Quicksand used to want to
be normal too. 
Quicksand says
that there will be plenty of time for that after she has made her
pile of cash. Constrictor asks them if they really think that
they can get out of this life. He says that they can’t just
take the money and run. He says that he has had more chances to
get out of this life, but that once you’re in you can never
get out. He says that they should just cash the paychecks and get
used to it. Shockwave calls them all a bunch of whiners. He says
that as a professional he is ashamed to breathe the same air as
them. As they walk on Moonstone smiles and realizes that
Shockwave is right. They are all fragile weak personalities, and
that they just told her all she needs to get inside and twist
their heads around. As they walk on M’Baku watches from the
shadows. He snorts his agreement. M’Baku says that they are
all fools, even that so called professional. He says that they
all scurry around seeking the favor of the Crimson Cowl, but that
he is M’Baku the Man-Ape, most favored of the sacred white
gorilla. He says that he once ruled all of Wakanda in the Black
Panther’s stead, and that he will do so again. M’Baku
says that he isn’t there for money, or for the kind of power
that comes from following another. He says that he has allowed
Crimson Cowl to build the Masters of Evil into a force to be
reckoned with, and that soon he will take them from her and use
them as an invading army. Suddenly M’Baku is lifted off the
ground by Atlas and pummeled into unconsciousness. From the
shadows where the Thunderbolts are hiding someone says, “He
didn’t really say ‘sacred white gorilla’ did
he?”
In the outside world, Crimson Cowl’s storms rage on.
Moonstone curses Hawkeye. She says that she
should have bailed when they wanted to shackle her. Moonstone
says that this isn’t what she bargained for at all.
Moonstone thinks about her past some more. 
Dr. Karla
Sofen’s private practice had started slowly, but became very
profitable in time. She would offer her wealthy patients hope,
but never offer them a cure. Karla didn’t care for being
dependent on the whims of the unbalanced. She sought more, and
wound up studying under Dr. Faustus. She learned much from him
and she made a web of underworld contacts. In time, Karla learned
of Lloyd Bloch, the original Moonstone. She won his trust and
then managed to steal the alien gem that gave him his power.
Karla became Moonstone, but after a defeat to the Hulk she
realized that power was not enough she became part of an
organization. She worked for the Criminal Corporation and then
served with two of the Masters of Evil. A series of defeats
convinced Karla that she was better off serving her time and
starting over, but then she was broken out of prison by the
newest Masters of Evil and offered a position in the
Thunderbolts. Karla thinks to herself that she never really
wanted to rule the world she just wanted to be part of another
organization. She figured that she could get them under her thumb
and give her the security and luxury that she always wanted.
Karla says that the Thunderbolts could still be that team, but
then wonders if the new Masters of Evil couldn’t serve her
just as well. Moonstone looks over and spots an electronic key
that she is sure will open her shackles. Moonstone says that she
looked over her cell as soon as she was locked in and didn’t
see this. Moonstone wonders if this is a test to see if she will
make a break for it if given the chance.
Outside the storm rages on.
Inside Mount Charteris, Jolt punches out Shatterfist. Hawkeye tells her to drag him over there before someone else comes along. Elsewhere, Charcoal knocks out Constrictor. Hawkeye ambushes Lodestone, Songbird knocks out Joystick. Hawkeye says that the five of them have smelled enough of his gas arrow to keep them out of it for a while. They are about to go pick off more Masters when they hear an announcement from Crimson Cowl calling all of the Masters back. She says that they are going to launch in five minutes. Atlas gets an idea of how they can get on the ship. Songbird realizes too, and says that it worked with the Lightning Rods. Hawkeye asks what worked and Songbird explains. Moments later they are dressed in the fallen Masters’ uniforms. Charcoal says that it is real “PC” of them to make the black kid wear the monkey suit. Songbird says that Charcoal knows that he is the only one who can alter his form to fit M’Baku’s suit. Songbird is dressed as Lodestone. Jolt is dressed as Joystick. Atlas is Shatterfist, and Hawkeye pulls up the Constrictor’s mask. Hawkeye tells them not to get to cocky, and says that these disguises are only going to get them so far. As they run away, Jolt says that she wishes that she could see them when they wake up, and that she bets Joystick is going to wish that she were the type to wear underwear.
Once they arrive Cowl activates the hovership, and the top of Mount Charteris opens up. The entire command level of the Master’s headquarters takes off into the air. Cowl says that now that they are airborne and can’t be traced that it is time to activate the next part of the plan. She orders that communications be opened. Crimson Cowl addresses the Secretary-General, the President, and the ambassador. Cowl introduces herself and says that they are the ones responsible for the weather. Cowl says that they will gladly stop it for the price of one trillion dollars. The president says that Cowl must be insane. Cowl says that she is not at all insane. She says that they will pay a far greater price in human life, suffering, and property damage if she does not stop. Cowl says that she will let the death toll rise higher to see if they will reconsider. Cowl ends the transmission.
Hawkeye says that by the time they make a decision that thousands, maybe even millions, will die. From her cell, Moonstone recognizes Hawkeye’s voice. She watches them walk away hoping to get closer to the weather controller. She knows that with their lousy disguises that Hawkeye is going to get them all killed. Moonstone does think of a way for it to work though. Moonstone calls out to Flying Tiger and says that he has to take her to Crimson Cowl. Cowl tells Moonstone that she said she wouldn’t make a decision until later. Moonstone says that she is content with that, but asks how Cowl would react if she told her that the Thunderbolts were on the ship. Karla points the disguised Thunderbolts out to the rest of them. The Bolts are stunned and Hawkeye tells them to strip down for action. The Thunderbolts charge. Moonstone says that she tried to tell Cowl. Cowl tells Moonstone to shut up, and orders the Masters of Evil to attack.
The fighting begins. Cardinal says that the Bolts may have done okay against six of the Masters of Evil, but that the whole team will take them down. Atlas says that he may be right, but that they don’t have to go down easy. Icemaster blasts Charcoal with his ice powers, but catches Man-Killer in the build up. Charcoal generates more heat and smashes out of the ice. Atlas says that was a good move, but that it won’t change the outcome. Hawkeye tells Atlas that if he thinks like a loser that he will be one. Hawkeye says that actually the advantage is theirs. Atlas asks how he figures that. Hawkeye says that recently he was on the other side of this type of battle. He says that there are too many of them for them to attack effectively. Hawkeye says that they’re a crowd, not a team. He says that they can strike out in any direction and hit an enemy, but that they have to take their shots carefully or risk hitting their teammates. Hawkeye says that they are close enough to know to watch each other’s back. Bison is charging Hawkeye, but Atlas smashes Bison.
Cowl says that this is unacceptable. Moonstone says that she did what she could. Cowl says that she already knows what Moonstone did. Cowl calls out to Dragonfly and Sunstroke to attend her. Sunstroke asks if they shouldn’t be helping the others, but then suddenly walls start going up closing off the control unit. Cowl says that she is never unprepared. The control unit takes off from the rest of the rocket. The rest of the hovership starts dropping. Cowl explains that they will be fine, and that without the central guidance system the emergency retro boosters will be enough to stop the crash from being fatal. Cowl says that they no longer need them as they have all the controls there. Cowl says that they can kill the Thunderbolts, and they will get their shares of the money when they rendezvous later. Cowl says that now that they are alone she wants to thank Moonstone for the timely warning. She says that she didn’t expect such immediate loyalty. Cowl says that Moonstone will be a valuable addition to the Masters. Moonstone thanks Cowl, but something in Cowl’s voice reminds her for the condescending way that Deanna Stockbridge used to talk to her. She knows that what Deanna meant when she said that they were friends was that she enjoyed having an inferior around to be her servant. Moonstone thinks to herself that she is done with that. Moonstone says that she may join the Masters, but not in a subservient role. Cowl turns to make sure that the controls all still work. Moonstone uses the electronic key to open her manacles without anyone noticing.
On the ground the fighting continues. Charcoal smashes Cardinal. Atlas says that if anyone is free that he could use a hand. Hawkeye says that he will as soon as he takes down Slyde. Hawkeye’s arrow passes over Slyde. Slyde says that Hawkeye missed. Hawkeye says that he never misses as his arrow banks off the wall into Slyde’s face. The Bolts keep switching off opponents and watching each other’s backs until Blackwing sneaks up behind Hawkeye and knocks him out. Flying Tiger wonders how the Bolts will do now that Hawkeye is down. The Bolts all stand stunned.
Up in the
control unit, Cowl asks the officials again if they are ready to
give her the trillion dollars. One of the officials says that it
takes time to put together a trillion dollars. He asks that Cowl
ease off to give them time. Cowl asks why she should do that so
that they have time to try and find her and stop her. Cowl says
that instead she is going to turn it up to full power until they
give her what she wants. Moonstone is still acting like her
manacles are on. She says that they are going to cave. She says
that she can see that from here, and that now she has a decision
to make.
Flying Tiger grabs up Hawkeye and puts his claws at Hawkeye’s throat. Jolt tells him not to hurt Hawkeye. Tiger says that as long as they surrender now. The Bolts step forward to surrender, but Jolt yells “suckers!” and the Bolts attack the Masters. Jolt nails Tiger off Hawkeye. Atlas says that with or without Hawkeye they are the Thunderbolts. Scorcher leaps at Atlas, but Songbird pushes Scorcher into Quicksand dousing him. Charcoal asks for help as he punches Man-Killer, but Tiger Shark punches him in the face. Cyclone starts to dive at Charcoal in an attempt to switch enemies, but Atlas holds out his hand and Cyclone bounces off it. Atlas says that you have to be good at it first. Jolt dodges Shockwave and causes him to blast Blackwing.
Moonstone thinks about what she is going to do. She says that she could do nothing and get a share for having backed a winner, or she could kill Cowl and take over as leader. Moonstone thinks of Deanna again and how soft, indolent, privileged, stupid, and trusting. Moonstone thinks how that makes her vulnerable. She thinks about how that makes her a victim.
Man-Killer realizes that the Thunderbolts are going to win and starts running. Cyclone asks her where she is going. Man-Killer says that nothing is going to be decided down there. She says that it is all up to Crimson Cowl, and so she is leaving. Cyclone says that is the best suggestion that he has heard all day. The Bolts realize that there is no one left to fight. Hawkeye wakes up and asks if they stopped the Cowl.
Up above, Moonstone reaches out and bangs Sunstroke and Dragonfly’s heads together. Cowl asks Moonstone what she is doing. Moonstone says that she is about to do the single dumbest thing she has ever done in her life. She says that she can’t even tell Cowl why she is doing it. Moonstone blasts the weather controller. The control unit blasts a hole in it.
Back on the ground Hawkeye says that Moonstone had him going with that traitor bit. Moonstone is holding the Crimson Cowl. Moonstone says that it was meant to be convincing. She says that she saved this for the whole team. Moonstone pulls the Cowl’s mask off and reveals that the face underneath belongs to Dallas Riordan. Atlas says that he knows that he lied to her and cost her her job, but that the Crimson Cowl was messing with them before Dallas ever knew. He asks for an explanation. Dallas thinks for a minute but says, “No. You get nothing. That’s what you deserve. Go ahead Thunderbolts… call the police. Just get me away from here… from all of you…”
Later still after the police have collected the Masters of Evil from Hawkeye, the Bolts are in a cabin in the mountains. The television reports that the Crimson Cowl and the Master of Evil were behind the world storm, and that it seems that the credit for stopping them must be given to the Thunderbolts. Clint Barton tells the Bolts to soak it in. He says that they made a promise and kept it, and that a lot of people are breathing because they did. Hawkeye says that he is proud of them, and that they should be proud of themselves. Atlas says that he guesses Hawkeye is right, but that he wishes he knew why Dallas did it. Hawkeye proposes a toast to the future. Karla thinks to herself that she has to figure out why she saved the world, and where the electronic key came from.
Traitor’s rating: 10 out of 10
Great story, great art, great movement, excitement and character development. This one has it all. Moonstone's character development is fantastic with the exploration of her background. The 25 villains in the Masters of Evil is a great idea. The team chemistry really works even with the recently added Charcoal. Bagely does a fantastic job with this giant issue and giant cast.