New Thunderbolts #16
Supreme Power!
Nighthawk (Kyle Richmond) had gone to Thunderbolts Headquarters to confront Speed Demon (James Sanders) to learn why he robbed him. This led to a clash with the team of reformed villains — which includes Songbird (Melissa Gold), Photon (Genis-Vell), and Joystick (Janice Yanizeski). However, before things can get sorted out the new Doctor Spectrum (Alice Nugent) and Hyperion have come for their former teammates in the Squadron Sinister.[1] As the Thunderbolts fight Hyperion and Spectrum, Speed Demon questions what side they should be fighting on. Nighthawk says it should be obvious and leaps into battle to assist Sander’s team.
The biggest challenge is Hyperion, who is immensely strong and cannot be teleported elsewhere by Photon.[2] Meanwhile, Doctor Spectrum revels in her new powers. Hyperion, meanwhile, makes a blanket accusation that the Thunderbolts are somehow responsible for the destruction of his world. The Radioactive Man recovers from the opening attack and is able to find a wavelength of radiation that can harm Hyperion. Nighthawk tries to reason with Doctor Spectrum, saying that the Power Prism’s alien voice must be manipulating her. However, Spectrum tells him that they don’t aim to dominate the world, but govern it with law and order.
That’s when Speed Demon returns with Songbird’s sonic carapace. However, Speed Demon has put on his old Whizzer costume because he has decided to rejoin his former teammates in the Squadron Sinister. Doctor Spectrum then traps Joystick and Photon in energy bubbles, allowing Hyperion to grab Nighthawk so they can all escape.
The Squadron Sinister return to Nugent Technologies where Doctor Spectrum and Hyperion fill in the blanks. Nighthawk wants to know who Hyperion is, since the one he fought alongside in the past died at the hands of his counterpart from another reality. He also wants to know how Alice Nugent got the Power Prism. Hyperion states that he comes from the Microverse and that his world was destroyed by Photon of the Thunderbolts and how he seeks to prevent that from happening anywhere else. Doctor Spectrum tells them that she got her powers from the same person who gave Nighthawk and Speed Demon his powers, the Grandmaster. However, he alone wasn’t the source of the power, but something called the Wellspring of Power, which they hope to use to create an army of soldiers to help maintain world peace. The question now is, will Nighthawk join them in bringing peace to the world?[3]
Meanwhile, Mach-IV, the Fixer, and Blizzard break into the Wiley Institute for Debilitative Mental Health in the Bronx. They have come for a catatonic patient named Henrique Gallante, whose control over the Darkforce Dimension is integral to their plans. Whlie Fixer scrambles the security cameras, Mach-IV activates Gallante’s powers, causing the man’s eyes to go black.[4]
Back at the Squadron Sinister’s hideout, Hyperion and Doctor Spectrum lay out their plan. Basically, they intend to take over the world for its own sake. When Hyperion makes it clear they will resort to violence, it is enough to convince Nighthawk that he wants nothing to do with this plan. The two almost come to blows but Doctor Spectrum splits them up. Alice insists that their plan will help billions of lives. That’s when she turns to the Whizzer and asks him why he has been quiet this entire time. James say it is a brilliant plan, prompting Alice to continue her rant. However, Hyperion is paying closer attention and notices both the Whizzer and Nighthawk exchange a look and hears Sanders’ pulse being to quicken. He realizes that the two plan on betraying them and attacks.
James evades the attack with his super-speed and strips off his Whizzer costume revealing he has been waring his Speed Demon outfit underneath. Nighthawk then nabs Doctor Spectrum’s Power Prism and tosses it to Sanders. Sanders then shoves the Prism into Hyperion’s face. When asked why they he is betraying them, James explains that he only agreed to listen to what they had to say because he thought it could score him money. Realizing they are serious about saving the world, he says he could have done that by sticking with the Thunderbolts. This angers Hyperion who cannot believe how short sighted both Nighthawk and Speed Demon can be, and how much they take their world for granted.
However, before Hyperion can attack, he is stomped on by the massive foot of Atlas, announcing the arrival of the Thunderbolts. However, after a brief confrontation, both Doctor Spectrum and Hyperion are teleported away. In the aftermath of the battle, Songbird finally scolds Speed Demon for stealing money from Nighthawk to begin with. Kyle is willing to forgive and forget if the stolen money is returned to him.[5] However, this isn’t enough for Melissa and she tells Speed Demon he is being kicked off the team. James his furious to hear this and warns them that he won’t forget this before speeding off.[6] Melissa then offers Nighthawk membership on the Thunderbolts.
While in Tunisia, a Hydra base has been attacked by the Swordsman. He demands that the soldiers there tell them if the ship that just left has his father on board.[7]
Lastly, we see Speed Demon return to his apartment only to discover Doctor Spectrum and Hyperion waiting for him inside. They once more invite him to join them and introduce him to their leader. It’s the Grandmaster (En Dwi Gast), the Elder of the Universe who created the original Squadron Sinister. He tells James that he will play a role in the coming contest, he is so confident he is willing to wager the entire universe.
Recurring Characters
Thunderbolts (Songbird, Atlas, Photon, Radioactive Man, Joystick), Mach-IV, Fixer, Blizzard, Asylum, Grandmaster, Squadron Sinister (Hyperion, Nighthawk, Doctor Spectrum, Speed Demon), Hydra
Continuity Notes
The narration here states that Songbird’s initial reaction is to blame Abe Jenkins (Mach-IV) for recruiting Speed Demon onto the team. That happened in New Thunderbolts #2. Melissa has just taken over leadership of the team in issue #12.
The idea of Photon teleporting Hyperion someplace else is being floated here because that’s the same trick her pulled on the similarly powered Sentry in New Thunderbolts #14.
There are some deep cuts about the Squadron Sinister that are made here to get readers as up to speed as you can on this subject and explain all the inconsistencies.
The Grandmaster originally created the Squadron Sinister to fight the Avengers way back in Avengers #69-71.
The Hyperion from that team was later killed in battle against the Hyperion of another reality in Squadron Supreme #8. Per Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Realities 2005 #1, that reality was designated Reality-712.
Reference is made as to how Nighthawk reformed and became a hero. That happened in Defenders #14.
When James Sanders first got his powers he called himself the Whizzer. Later, he rennamed himself Speed Demon, as seen in Amazing Spider-Man #222.
Here, the Squadron Sinister states they prefer to call themselves Supreme Power. This is a nod to the Supreme Power series, a reimagined version of the Squadron Supreme that was being written by J. Michael Straczynski at the time of publication.
It is mentioned how Gallante once plunged New York City into total darkness. See New Warriors #32-34 and Annual 3.
Here, Sanders reminds Songbird that the team has been cash strapped since they stopped getting money from Hydra. When the team was reformed in New Thunderbolts #1, they received money from Hydra. This lasted until the terrorist group tried to destroy Manhattan in issue #6. Speed Demon has already stole money for the team once, as seen in issue #8.
Lot of sour grapes here. Speed Demon mentions how Songbird used to be a crook named Screaming Mimi. This began in Marvel Two-In-One #54 until she became Songbird in Thunderbolts Annual 1997. He also mentions how the team recently took money from the government, he is referring to when the CSA had them attack the New Avengers in New Thunderbolts #13-14. Atlas complains that Melissa has fired another teammate. He is referring to the Blizzard, who was also fired in issue #13.
This is the final clue as to the true identity of the Swordsman, if you haven’t figured it out that this is Andreas Von Strucker yet it will be revealed next issue.
Topical References
When Doctor Spectrum boasts that her Power Prism sings to her, Joystick jokingly suggests that it is powered by female vocalist Celine Dion. This issue was published at the height of the singer’s popularity. This should be considered a topical reference as poor health will eventually force Dione to retire sooner rather than later. Also a more contemporary example can be used in her place, so this is a topical reference.
Speed Demon asks if Nugent Technologies does R&D for AOL and Verzion. This should be considered a topical reference as these are real world telecom companies.
