Thunderbolts vol. 2 #9

Writer: Fabian Nicieza

Penciller: Cliff Richards

Inker: Karl Kesel

Colors: Chris Sotomayor

Editor: Tom Brevoort

Radioactive Man walks with Abe. He says that he was egotistical and arrogant, but able to back his words with deeds, when his government chose to create superhumans such as Thor. He says that he chose to experiment on himself and became the Radioactive Man. He says that at first he used his abilities in the service of China, but that he came to feel he was superior to the needs and concerns of petty bureaucrats. He says that he chose to the service of himself… which often meant going into the service of others. He says that he was a member of the original Masters of Evil, the Lethal Legion, the Titanic Three. He says that he worked for the Mandarin. He tells Abe that their paths have crossed before and that he is sure that Abe’s list is similar. Abe says that his is actually longer, but that he didn’t know Chen Lu was in the Lethal Legion. Chen Lu says that he may not have been and that at times it is all a blur to him. He says that the violent fluctuations of energies in his body have lead to random emotional imbalances. He says that it has raised self doubt in him and that too often he has allowed others to make decisions for him. He says that he returned to China and offered his services to the People’s Republic. He says that he was trying to make amends for his past mistakes, but that just as he was feeling right for the first time in years the Atlanteans attacked Beijing. He says that thousands died, and that he vowed to avenge their deaths… even if it meant taking a distasteful journey to the United States working with the new Thunderbolts. He says that when Namor arrived last night that he had little sympathy for his cries. Abe asks why they did what they just did then. Chen Lu asks Jenkins what drives him to be MACH IV and the leader of former villains. Abe says that he was tired of what he was. Chen LU says that he understands, but says that Abe could have lead a more simple life after leaving prison. Abe says that he tried, but that it didn’t take. Chen Lu says that people like “us” can never be people like “them”. Abe says that not in the same way they can’t. Abe asks Chen Lu why he made the choice he did last night. Chen says, “Because of… how does it translate… because of the count.: Abe asks what he means. Chen Lu says that it is nothing and has become everything.

Last night, Namor and Chen Lu trade blows. Namor demands vengeance for the radioactive plague that is crippling his kingdom. Chen Lu thinks to himself with his first reaction, as he has since learning of the Count, was one of regret. But instead he shouted to let them all die. Speed Demon runs around and grabs all the Atlantean’s weapons. Joystick asks if they are allowed to fight anyone besides Atlanteans. Sanders asks if she doesn’t like the smell of tuna and says that he does. Abe tells Chen Lu and Namor to stop. Erik says to consider it stopped. He grabs Namor in one hand and Chen Lu in another. Namor tells Erik, “Unhand me, you thuggish pig!” Erik tells him to say please. Abe says that he is the Sub-Mariner and to put him down. Erik says that if he is sure, but warns Namor not to make him crush him. Chen Lu thinks to himself that Erik’s insecurity has become confidence and turned into threatening arrogance. He thinks to himself that he is familiar with the pattern. Namor says that days ago that several people in Atlantis took ill. He says that it is a form of radiation poisoning that is spreading person to person. He says that the plague was brought to Atlantis by Llyron, the captured leader of Fathom Five. He says that his scientists have determined that this “poison pill” was planted on Llyron by the Radioactive Man. Abe says that he doesn’t believe that he would, but Chen Lu stops him and says that it is true. He says that he irradiated Llyron’s gills and that with every breath he takes a radioactive agent is emitted into the waters around him. Abe asks why. He says that they defeated the Fathom Five and that most of them are in jail now awaiting trial. Namor says that Chen Lu wanted vengeance for the people of Beijing. Abe says that he is sorry and that they will do whatever it takes to help. Chen Lu says that he isn’t. Abe says that they have to protect innocents. Chen Lu says that there are no innocent Atlanteans and asks how many times Atlantis has attacked the surface world. Namor says that he will makes amends, but Abe says that threatening him won’t work. Chen Lu says that Namor is defending his people and then Chen Lu is defending his. Joystick asks Sanders what he thinks. Sanders says that he doesn’t care and that if they go underwater that neither of them will be of much use. Abe tells Chen Lu that his government told him to work with the Thunderbolts and that this is what the Thunderbolts do… so it is what he is going to do. Chen Lu realizes that it is a matter of honor.

On the docks, Abe says that he is going with Atlas and Chen Lu below. He tells Sanders and Janice to stay behind. Sanders says that Abe is twisting his arm. Genis shows up and asks if something is going on. Abe says that they are going to Atlantis. Genis says that he has a thing about water. Abe tells him to stay back and keep and eye on Janice and Sanders. Blizzard arrives and says that they could probably use him. Sanders says that it took him long enough. Abe asks where he has been. Gill says that he got “hung up” on Throg’s Neck bridge. Sanders says that is his cue to leave and runs away. After the others leave, Genis turns to Janice and says that they could play strip air hockey. Janice tells Genis that he can use his powers, but that she can’t. Genis says that works for him. Sanders comes back and tells Genis that he needs to see what’s on TV right now. The Avenger Photon is hovering above Manhattan. Sanders asks if Genis stole her name. Genis says that it isn’t like he keeps a list or anything. Sanders asks if she wasn’t Captain Marvel before him too. Genis says that he didn’t know that then either. He says that it was his father’s name first, but that he better go and see her. Janice asks if he is going to fight for a stupid name like Photon. Genis says that he isn’t, but that he doesn’t think she is in a position to critique names. Genis flies away and Sanders asks Janice if she wants to play strip air hockey. Janice says that she would rather play Russian roulette with a full chamber.

Monica tells Genis that he stole her name… again. Genis says that he didn’t know. Monica says that he was with her when she chose it. Genis says that he forgot. He asks if they can’t just laugh about it and asks what the odds are. Monica says that he has a lot of growing up to do, but that his smile makes it difficult to stay mad at him. She asks what they are going to do now.

Today at One Police Plaza in Manhattan, Melissa is cleared through Homeland Security to view security tapes. One of the cops tell her that they have surveillance cameras at different intersections in Manhattan. He says that they checked the tapes from when the Atlanteans attacked weeks ago. He says that they did see Photon landing, but that a building obscured their view. He says that they couldn’t see much of Atlas… except his knees. He says that there was a guy standing on the corner near the commotion. He stood there for a while and then hopped a cab when EMS and reporters showed up. He says that they traced the cab.

Back at the docks, Abe says that everything and nothing sounds like the kind of conflict that could twist someone around like a pretzel. Chen Lu says that he shouldn’t have mentioned it. He says that the Count is a numerical exercise. He says that it is something he started calculating when he returned to China. Abe asks if it is a calming exercise. Abe asks if he used it in Atlantis. Chen Lu says that he used it in Atlantis, but not to relax.

A day ago, the ship returns to Atlantis. Abe, Erik, and Gill are all amazed at Atlantis. Namor says that he takes the splendor for granted, but that he shouldn’t. MACH Iv says that it is just how they treat the Empire State Building. Chen Lu, intending to annoy Namor says, “Or the Brooklyn Bridge.” Namor says that the Fathom Five attacked the Brooklyn Bridge and not his people. He says that pressure suits have been provided for those that need them. Tamara Rahn greets Namor as he exits the ship. Namor asks how the people are doing. Tamara says that hundreds more have taken ill. Namor explains that Tamara is an alien and is unafftected and that his suit filters toxins to keep him safe. Namor immediately walks them to the infirmary. Tamara says that every Atlantean will be infected by the end of the day. Abe suggests maybe leaving Atlantis temporarily until they figure something out. Namor grabs Abe by the throat and says that leaving Atlantis will only spread the plague beyond Atlantis. He says that they have the answer right here and right now. Tamara tells Chen Lu that he should know that his vengeance planned against At’la’tique has completely spared them and that they are laughing at their hardship. Chen Lu asks how she knows. Tamara says that she is one of At’la’tique’s leaders. Chen Lu grabs her arm. The water boils around her arm as he calls her a murderer. Namor tells him to unhand Tamara and that he doesn’t understand. He hits Chen and explains that he asked Tamara to join them in order to foment a splintering of the growing religious element in Atlantis so that they would leave his kingdom. Abe asks if it was to protect his people or to distance himself from their actions. Namor says that maybe it was both. He says that they have a right to believe what they want, but that he was hoping Tamara would temper their more militant beliefs. MACH IV says that it didn’t stop them from attacking. Tamara says that the existence of land dwellers is the root cause of their beliefs. She says that will not change, but that they have deterred plans that were much more heinous in nature. Chen Lu starts to walk out and says that sounds to him like more proof that he made a correct decision. He says that they will not stop trying to hurt them and do not deserve to live. Namor asks what gives him the right to judge an entire people based on the actions of a few. He launches a trident at the wall. Chen Lu turns. Namor holds a little sick girl in his arms and asks Chen what gives him the right to deny a child the chance to live. Chen Lu, expecting this, remains dispassionate. Abe tells Chen Lu that these people aren’t responsible for Beijing. Chen Lu asks when a society is complicit in the crimes of the people. He says that it wasn’t this girl, but what about her father who knew the man that supplied the arms to the terrorists. He asks what of the leader that knew hatred and murder were being preached, but allowed them to continue. Namor says that they couldn’t do anything until a crime had been committed. He says that is their way as opposed to China’s oppression. Chen Lu says to look at look at what happens when people are allowed unlimited freedom. He says that if the child is permitted to live what would stop her from becoming a threat. He asks if they deny that possibility. Gill leans over to Atlas and says that he is starting to regret opening his mouth to come down there. Atlas asks if it is only now. He asks who would have thought that Joystick, Speedy, and Spaceface were the smart ones.

Genis and Monica sit in Starbucks together trying to think of new names. Monica asks why he even wanted to change his name from Captain Marvel. Genis says that it is because he has changed. He says that he can’t be his father and that he has to be something different. Genis says that she can be Captain Marvel again. Monica says, “no thanks” and that it is too much pressure. Genis rattles off names, “Pulsar, Polestar, Poledancer” Monica stops him and says that she likes Pulsar. Genis says that he doesn’t, but Monica says that she didn’t mean for him.

Melissa, following a lead from the police, goes to Gramercy Park Manhattan, She goes door to door ringing doorbells. After failing to get an answer she walks away. Purple Man watches her go.

Blizzard creates a large ice construct between Radioactive Man and Namor as Namor is trying to hit Chen Lu for accusing his people. Erik says that he isn’t sure he needs to breathe, but that growing big will cause his suit to rip. Abe tells him that will be their last resort. One of the Atlanteans announces that the child has stopped breathing. The fighting ceases. Namor says that she will be the first and that the death toll will be staggering. Chen Lu thinks to himself that every Count starts at one. He thinks how he has control over whether it will reach two. Chen Lu walks up to the child and tells the Atlantean to step back.

Hours pass as Radioactive Man absorbs all the radiation.

Namor tells Abe that he is appreciative, but asks why Chen Lu changed his mind. Abe says that he doesn’t know and that he doesn’t want to pry for fear of him changing back. Chen Lu returns and says that the radiation has been purged. Namor says that thanking him seems contradictory, but that he will if it means he has no more cause for retaliation. Namor says that he will attend to At’la’tique. Chen Lu approaches Tamara. He says that he burned her before. He touches her again and says that this will allow her to heal quickly. Chen Lu tells Namor that the “platitudes of a politician” doesn’t interest him and to just take him home. Chen Lu thinks to himself that they need to be afraid. They need to know that he could kill them all, and that only that will eliminate cause for retaliation and stop the Thunderbolts from demanding that he undo what he has done.

Back at the docks presently, Abe asks if Chen Lu saved them because of the Count. Chen Lu asks if he understands and says that Abe is astute about the things that motivate people like them. Abe asks, “How many?” Chen Lu says that when he returned to China that he was forced to confront some difficult truths. He says that truths complicate lives. Chen Lu says that his powers kill people far more often than he would prefer… sometimes when he had not even planned for it to happen. Chen Lu says that he was presented with information about how many people have died because of exposure to his radiation, how many suffered long term ramifications, how many stillborn children were caused by him. He says that Abe remanded himself to the authorities for the murder of one man. He asks Abe if he wants to know what his Count is. Abe says that he thinks that he doesn’t. Chen Lu says that Abe has atoned for his sins legally and morally. He asks how he could possible atone for his own. Abe says that at least the Count didn’t get any bigger tonight. Chen Lu says that when he healed the red woman that he infused her with a radiation specific to her alien system. He says that she won’t be harmed, but that she will be a carrier. He says that it won’t begin to affect those around her for a few weeks. He says that he figures she will be back with her terrorist camp. He says that innocent Atlanteans will be spared, but that At’la’tique will be purged. He says that the Count continues and walks away.

At Empire State University, Melissa’s dorm mate Janet asks through the door to borrow her notes from criminology. Mel says okay, but as she opens the door she says that she thought she saw Janet elsewhere. She opens the door and Purple Man says that she will stop making inquiries into Atlas and the alien. Melissa agrees. Purple Man introduces himself and tells Melissa to get naked for him. Melissa starts taking off her clothes. Purple Man asks Melissa if she knows Jessica Jones and says that Melissa is now officially the most delicious superhero he has had the pleasure to see. Suddenly Purple Man drops to the floor. Swordsman had stabbed him through the door. Swordsman introduces himself to Mel and says that if she wants to save the Thunderbolts that she will have to come with him.

Traitor’s rating: 8.5 out of 10

Great story about Radioactive Man. Really shows his dark side well. I find the whole Captain Marvel/Photon/Pulsar thing to be a little stupid, but we’ll wait and see what happens with the Captain Marvel moniker. I still miss Grummett, but I enjoyed Richards’ art. It’s a different style, but surely has its own merits. I’d just rather have Grummet on Thunderbolts and maintain its look. 4 out of 5 for the art.

Review and pictures by the Leader

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