Thunderbolts #26
Thunderbolts #26
Title: "Lockdown”
Storytellers: Joe Casey and Leonardo Manco
Framing Sequence: Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagely, & Scott Hanna
Colors: Joe Rosas
Editor: Tom Brevoort
The top story in the news is that authorities are scrambling to find prison space suitable for super-villains to house the twenty-three members of the Masters of Evil turned over to the police by the Thunderbolts. Since the destruction of the Vault, there have been smaller superhuman containment facilities built around the country, but nothing was planned for an influx this large. The DA’s around the country have filed motions so that they can prosecute the Masters of Evil for any of the hundreds of crimes committed in dozens of jurisdictions. Gayle says that there has been little word on the authors of this mass capture, and people are wondering where the Thunderbolts are.
On the Tonight Show, Jay Leno cracks a joke about Hawkeye doing a “We’re going to Disneyland” commercials.
Inside Mount Charteris, the Thunderbolts are looking over their new headquarters. Hawkeye says that the thing the Masters launched out of the mountain was a secondary part of the head quarters, and the place runs fine without it. Hawkeye says that now this place is theirs and they have lots of room for expansion, training, or whatever they might want. Songbird thinks to herself that Hawkeye sounds so smug and pleased, but that this is no time to celebrate. Songbird thinks how it was good for showing the world that they are trying to redeem themselves, but that Atlas was in love with Dallas Riordan and he had to find out that she was the Crimson Cowl. She thinks about Abe, and how because he turned himself he got a lighter sentence than life in jail or the death penalty, but she doesn’t see how this is a time to celebrate.
Abe Jenkins rarely dreams, but when he has the dream enough times he can still remember it. In his dream, Abe Jenkins is a hero and everyone knows it. Nobody questions it and they all look up to him. As usual though the dream doesn’t last.
Abe Jenkins wakes up in jail. He says that for most of his adult life he could count on waking up and not knowing where he was. He says that he would pray for that now. Abe says that he had heard the stories about Seagate Prison and how it was called “Little Alcatraz”. Abe says that he had hoped for Rykers, but he wound up in Seagate. Later on, Abe goes to the mess hall. He thinks that it is funny how quickly he falls back into the routine. Abe says that this time it’s different, and he isn’t laughing. Abe thinks how he has to fall back on his old instincts. Abe looks out at Seagate’s current rotation and says that this would normally be old home week, but not this time. Abe thinks how he has to keep his eyes open and be ready for anything. The Human Cannonball from the Circus of Crime sits down next to Abe. He says that there are no hard feelings and starts telling Abe his sob story of how the Clown double-crossed him. Abe listens but is thinking about how he is being watched the entire time.
At another table, Boomerang and Plant-Man are talking. Boomerang points out the Beetle. Plant-Man asks if he is an old Syndicate buddy. Boomerang says to forget about that, and asks what they know about the Rhino. Someone says that they are keeping him up on the Alpha Security Wing under heavy sedation, and under 24-hour surveillance. Boomerang asks what is his background. Someone says that he was performing one man demolitions, he was brought down by Captain America, got loose, and was then brought in by the She-Hulk. One of the guards comes over and asks “Myers” what all the whispering is about. Fred says that his name is Boomerang. The guard yells at him that he has no name and that he is just a number. While the guard is yelling at him, Boomerang throws a small pocketknife from behind his back. The knife spins around and around towards Abe. Abe catches it in the air. The second Abe has it in his hand the guards shout “Weapon!” and begin pummeling him. Jenkins doesn’t offer any resistance. The guards say that they have been waiting for an excuse to throw him in solitary confinement. He tells Abe that the Thunderbolts may have fooled America, but that they didn’t fool him. Abe asks Hawkeye if this was part of his master plan and says that he was glad he could help. Abe thinks about Songbird. He says that she doesn’t have to wait for him, and that he wouldn’t. Abe curls up on the floor. Suddenly Abe hears the voice of Justin Hammer inside his own head. Abe asks Hammer how he is doing this. Hammer reveals that another inmate at Seagate is Mentallo, and that Hammer has been using him as a medium to talk to several of Abe’s kind. Abe says that they aren’t his kind. Hammer says that denial is a sorry state of affairs. Hammer says that he has an opportunity for Abe, and that Abe knows how he works. Hammer says that he will set up a shop for him, and take a cut of the back end. Hammer says that Abe has an advantage that the others do not because he had lived the life on the other side, and Hammer thought that Abe might be able to lead. Abe asks Hammer where he gets off. Hammer tells Abe to make up his own mind, but that plans are already in motion with or without him.
In Alpha Security Wing, Rhino is hooked into a machine and is drooling on himself. One of the guards asks if this one has a name. Another guard says that he is the Rhino. The first guard says that he meant his real name, but the other guy confirms that Rhino is all they have on him. The guy says that Captain America took him down. They say that Cap probably didn’t even break a sweat. One guard says that Rhino is no Mensa member, and that he probably doesn’t even know where he is right now. A scowl comes on Rhino’s face.
A guard taps on Jenkins’ door. He says that people hear things in that cell, and asks Abe if he has heard anything interesting. Abe asks him what he knows about it. The guard says that it never hurts to have a few uniforms on the payroll to facilitate certain actions.
Elsewhere, Boomerang, Plant-Man, and Whirlwind are talking together. Boomerang says that he hears that Hammer has his hands on the Rhino’s toxin mixture, and that its potency isn’t what it should be. Whirlwind asks about Jenkins. Boomerang says not to remind him, and that if Hammer wants to recruit Jenkins that is his business, but that accidents happen.
The guard outside Jenkins’ cell tells him not to be sleeping too deeply around midnight. He says that the train will be by to pick him up. The guard tells Jenkins that he has Hammer’s respect and tells him not to blow it. Abe says that they all think they know him, and he wonders if they do.
That night at midnight, Boomerang and the second Blizzard come for Jenkins. Jenkins opens his cell door hard into Blizzard’s face. Boomerang says that he knew it. Abe says that Myers doesn’t know anything, but he is about to find out.
Up in Alpha Security Wing, the guard says that he just heard the mixture change over, and that they are good for the night. As soon as he gets done talking, Rhino grabs the man’s head between his two giant hands.
Jenkins knocks out Boomerang and says that Hammer was right about him having a choice to make, and that he just made his choice.
Rhino smashes
through a door and says to get this party started. Whirlwind
spins around. He asks Rhino if he wants to follow him because
they have a rendezvous to make. Rhino asks Whirlwind who he is
ordering around. Rhino says that he doesn’t jump for any
man. Rhino slams Whirlwind and asks if he understand. Rhino says
that now he will see what kind of damage he can do.
Jenkins comes running down the corridor. He says that he thinks that this is going to get worse before it gets better. He sees Rhino trashing dozens of guards. Jenkins picks up a glowing stun stick and leaps onto the Rhino. He zaps Rhino good, but knows that Rhino won’t be out of it for long. Jenkins thinks that he has to take advantage of this time, and that he has to find a way to take them all out at once. An announcement over the intercom tells the personnel to fall back. Jenkins rushes to the sound room. He knocks out the guard standing there (because he threw the first punch) and charges into the sound room. Jenkins kicks the sound guy out and says that he will thank him later. Abe reworks the equipment using information that Fixer taught him when he was reworking Songbird’s equipment. Abe says that if you find the right frequency that you can knock out an elephant. Abe starts the pitch. Everyone goes down. Abe holds his ears, but still reels in pain. He staggers out of the sound room and passes out.
Reinforcements show up shortly after. No one seems to object to going back to their cells just so they can lie down for a while. Abe says that no one knew or even suspected. Abe says that they couldn’t even come up with a good cover story. Abe sleeps hard tonight knowing what no one else knows.
Later in Washington at the Commission of Superhuman Activity, a general asks if what they suspected was true. They show him the schematics of what was done to the Seagate Prison sound system. They say that they match some schematics of Screaming Mimi’s bionic technology they made while she was in prison a while ago. They say that there is only one inmate could have had access to her technology and the know how to jury-rig it. The General says that it was Jenkins, but that no one but them knows. The General says that he is exactly what they need. Gyrich says that this is a bad idea. He reminds the general that Jenkins is thought of as a criminal because he is one. He says that he is a murderer, and Gyrich says that he is surprised that they didn’t give him the death penalty. Gyrich says that there is no way that they can deal with him. Valerie Cooper reminds Gyrich that everything that he just said is the perfect reason that they should deal with him.
Abe looks out the window of his cell.
Traitor’s rating: 8 out of 10
Almost as ironic as anything within the pages of the comic is the dynamic between the two writers of this issue. Kurt Busiek, also known as Mr. Continuity, and Joe Casey, also known as the guy who hates continuity. I’m not sure if Casey was responsible for the layout of the prison story, but even if he was I have to admit that I liked it. Of course I could have done without his lame references to that stupid Clown character that he loves so much, but the idea of a group of super-villains in prison is a really cool one. I think that we should get to see more of the inner workings of the penal system… maybe a type of “Oz” book in the “as of yet” uninvented MAX line of comics. Manco does a real good job with this issue. He has a very dark style and that lended itself really well to a prison story.