Batman and the Outsiders #1: Pages 14-15

Here's a mystery for Blockade Boy to elucidate...Our man Black Lightning has to fight his way out of an army tent full of fascists. Does he:
a) Get out of his street clothes and into his costume?
b) Dislocate his leg to disarm a soldier?
c) Both simultaneously?
If you answered (c), you win the next panel (never said the prize would be any good). Now here's my Blockade Boy-strength quandary: When and how did Lightning get his boots on? Aparo tries to distract me with explosive fists (and toes) of fury, nearly drawing away from the nonsense Barr asked him to draw, but I have EYES OF THE EAGLE!*
Sure, Lightning. You didn't take this guy's life, but what about his unborn children you just eunuched out of him?
Meanwhile, outside, guards take off in every direction EXCEPT the back of the tent where the assassin struck. Not much of an insurrection going on in Markovia. I'm just saying.
A girly voice breaks the tension: It's Umberto Ramos who just heard what they did to Bart Allen. Stud... Karnz... Ramos... Let's just say Markovia is ethnically diverse.
There's yet another superhero in Markovia, and it's a sword-yielding Japanese anti-hero. Pretty random, Mike Barr. I guess Ramos learned his lesson about not calling the day after a date.
More Markovian army shenanigans: Soldier boy has a rifle, girl has a sword. Indiana Jones would shoot her. Soldier boy tries to run her through with a bayonet. The only reason we should be worried about Markovia is if the "right" side is even stupider. Insert Geo-Force joke here.
Oh NOW you're trying to shoot her. Stormtrooper Syndrome sets in.
"Damn it, Sarge, the name is STUD!!!"

BANG!

"Like I was saying, lucky for SOMEone."
Meanwhile, back in the tent, Black Lightning is trying to complete the level. Jim Aparo makes us forget Lightning has lost his powers by using the costume's sleeve to make the punch zzzzzapppp by... But wait! Lightning! Your back is to the tent flap! Not only is that terrible feng shui, you could get hit from behi--
You could already tell Black Lightning was rusty by that costume changing scene. Why change at all given that:
1) No one in Markovia is likely to know who you are or be intimidated.
2) If trying to hide your identity, you had your mask off most of the time.
3) You're not using your powers, so you could just be Lucius Fox's relative punching it up.
4) It's pretty conspicuous in what is supposed to be a covert mission.
5) Oh yeah, and it makes you WASTE A LOT OF TIME!

But will that soldier now take advantage? More tomorrow!

*No idea why I'm suddenly channeling Bravestar. You'll just have to excuse me.

Comments

The Mutt said…
Nobody draws the heel of a boot like Jim Aparo!
Anonymous said…
Fan out, all of you.

"...but not the some of us who were checking things out before, right? Because I, sir, am an Army of Some."

The best part of the "lucky for SOMEone panel?" That other soldier (let's call him Niels, for consistency) being arrested by what appears to be a four-year-old girl in uniform.

Lower left, out Stud's nose.
Siskoid said…
Microscopic Vision - ACTIVATE!