Unity #12 Discussion

[Dallow Spicer1]

Best issue of Unity since the first arc IMO! Enjoyed how Hairsine's flashback art interwove with the story and Cafu's art, very intelligently done!

I like how they are addressing the media angle with the use of Livewire and it was great to see Renee back too, I was wondering when that would happen. The 'United' were unveiled in a way which definitely piqued my interest, I'm glad it was a gradual process.

I'm relieved they Aric is not and central member of Unity, I wasn't really digging that concept, I wouldn't want the over exposure or the continuity gaffs that would come with his inclusion.

Couple of minor gripes...when they had they screen showing the various potential members they included the GOAT!!? Really?? That took me right out of the story. Also, I'd have preferred the existence of Shadowman to have remained unknown, as that indicates the US and UK governments acknowledge the 'supernatural'? This seems a little early in VEI history to do that plus Shadowman has been a peripheral character so far. I know that there was the WW 2 'Shadowwoman' but that concept seemed a little half-arsed to me!

Anyway, enjoyed Kindt's writing in this issue, let's have more of this quality!! 3.75/5

[first_citizenx]

How does the government know about Shadowman? Maybe I've forgotten a scene in an issue, but I thought no one knew about him, other than Doctor Mirage. I've liked the thought that he was sort of the unknown element among the Valiant heroes and villains. Also, speaking of Mirage, she wasn't listed as one of the known superhumans, so is she considered more of a tv personality instead?

And it pained me to see "deceased" under the picture of Flamingo.

[bygranddesign]

I think there could be a number of reasons why the Government would know about Shadowman

- They do have history with the Shadowman - A Shadow-Women was part of the first Unity Team.

- Jack/Shadowman weren't exactly keeping that low of a profile - he had a number of fights that took place out in public including a brawl with Demons during a Halloween Day Parade.

- The Abettors are a bit unknown but it seems they are a pretty extensive group. You would only need one to be a Mole or Informant for the Government that would give them all the detailed Information that they would need.

[first_citizenx]

Good points.

I guess it just seemed weird to me to see Shadowman so prominently on the "list" of known superhumans.

Also, isn't Bloodshot now a member of Unity or was that just for the Armor Hunters affair? (Man, my memory is getting bad! Or I'm just getting old...)

[RogueJedi74]

Great issue! I thought that Faith's entrance was great. How the poor driver was getting irritated and Ninjak's reaction ("Oh my god") made the issue for me

Faith is also one of my favorite characters. She is going to throw a fun monkey wrench into the team.

[grendeljd]

Good points.

I guess it just seemed weird to me to see Shadowman so prominently on the "list" of known superhumans.

Also, isn't Bloodshot now a member of Unity or was that just for the Armor Hunters affair? (Man, my memory is getting bad! Or I'm just getting old...)

There hasn't been an issue released yet of any post-AH comic to date (other than Unity #12) to address the current state of the team or what Bloodshot is up to after AH. The only mention of him was in the AH Aftermath issue, where he was seen guarding Quartz, so I guess he is technically still involved with Unity?

We'll have to wait until The Valiant #1 comes out to see how he transitions from being in Unity to helping Gilad & Kay against the Immortal Enemy, and from there back into his own solo book again.

[Bl00dsh0t]

Good points.

I guess it just seemed weird to me to see Shadowman so prominently on the "list" of known superhumans.

Also, isn't Bloodshot now a member of Unity or was that just for the Armor Hunters affair? (Man, my memory is getting bad! Or I'm just getting old...)

There hasn't been an issue released yet of any post-AH comic to date (other than Unity #12) to address the current state of the team or what Bloodshot is up to after AH. The only mention of him was in the AH Aftermath issue, where he was seen guarding Quartz, so I guess he is technically still involved with Unity?

We'll have to wait until The Valiant #1 comes out to see how he transitions from being in Unity to helping Gilad & Kay against the Immortal Enemy, and from there back into his own solo book again.

I've been thinking about this too. Livewire recruited Bloodshot to help them fight off the Armor Hunters so you'd logically think he joined the team. Plus I got the feeling we were just starting to see a deeper characterisation of him through his relationship with Livewire. Would be a shame to see that go to waste...

Hopefully we learn more come Unity #13 - #12 did make reference to their being back-ups too - Bloodshot could fall within that categoty I guess as more of a part timer than core member.

Out of interest I wonder who the back-ups could be? Torque?

[String]

This was a great issue but as always a few questions.

During Livewire's interview, was that Shadowman with Bloodshot on what I take to be a covert Unity mission (given that Livewire was talking about mission transparency during that scene)?

I haven't finished reading Harbinger Omegas just yet, so on Nelville's video file board, why does he have Peter and Harada listed on it? Are they aware that Peter is still alive? Considering what was said by Livewire in her interview, why would Harada be listed here?

I appreciated the political insights of the scenes with the Russians and other nation representatives, it helped clarify some of the UN scenes in X-O #30 (they asterisked that issue even though this issue was released prior to X-O #30, hm, strange...)

Nice to see the AH invasion bumped up Renee's career, she was a food critic , now she's doing prime-time interviews.

The addition of Faith is so cool, and her reactions were great. Can't wait to see how she'll fit in the team.

The members of the United look very interesting, I liked the Myth. Gang seems to have some form of supernatural abilities perhaps. Looking forward to seeing how they make our heroes' lives more difficult.

Last, I hope Kindt keeps a focus on Ninjak and Gilad's friendship/partnership. He's really turning them into the anchor for this team and it's fun to see their interactions.

[Tony_H]

He was also the Weaponeer in VH1, yes?

I wondered who that was supposed to be. I've been reading some of the old Bloodshots recently.

The Weaponeers were an organization which sold crazy weaponry to various people. Ninjak worked for them at one point. I believe the original Ninjak arc dealt had him as their contracted enforcer when someone tried to double cross them. I don't believe there was any one person called "Weaponeer" but I could be mistaken.

I seem to recall a reveal where he was the top dog acting as his own enforcer. But I could be remembering incorrectly.

I never got that far into the series, so I can not support or refute such a statement. But, sure, you could be right on that.

Stumbled across an answer this evening in a few sections of Bloodshot's internal monologue in Bloodshot, Vol. 1, No. 46 (Simon Furman (plot) & Mark Moretti (script)):

"Victor Goda. The weapons dealer who's supplied illegal arms to the highest bidder ever since Doctor Silk wiped out the Weaponeer organization. Goda stepped into the vacuum. I even used him once…" (p. 9);

"...Goda was using the waterfront turf of the Russian mob he was buying from as his base of operations. He even enlisted members of their organization as his personal guards--unusual for an outsider...Goda looked more like an accountant than an exotic arms dealer, but looks can be deceiving. He came out of nowhere to move in on the arms racket--right after Ninjak's Weaponeer outfit was dismantled" (p. 15).

[jmatt]

He was also the Weaponeer in VH1, yes?

I wondered who that was supposed to be. I've been reading some of the old Bloodshots recently.

The Weaponeers were an organization which sold crazy weaponry to various people. Ninjak worked for them at one point. I believe the original Ninjak arc dealt had him as their contracted enforcer when someone tried to double cross them. I don't believe there was any one person called "Weaponeer" but I could be mistaken.

I seem to recall a reveal where he was the top dog acting as his own enforcer. But I could be remembering incorrectly.

I never got that far into the series, so I can not support or refute such a statement. But, sure, you could be right on that.

Stumbled across an answer this evening in a few sections of Bloodshot's internal monologue in Bloodshot, Vol. 1, No. 46 (Simon Furman (plot) & Mark Moretti (script)):

"Victor Goda. The weapons dealer who's supplied illegal arms to the highest bidder ever since Doctor Silk wiped out the Weaponeer organization. Goda stepped into the vacuum. I even used him once…" (p. 9);

"...Goda was using the waterfront turf of the Russian mob he was buying from as his base of operations. He even enlisted members of their organization as his personal guards--unusual for an outsider...Goda looked more like an accountant than an exotic arms dealer, but looks can be deceiving. He came out of nowhere to move in on the arms racket--right after Ninjak's Weaponeer outfit was dismantled" (p. 15).

[Bl00dsh0t]

Faith and Bloodshot could be interesting in Unity. The last time they saw each other Bloodshot was shooting Torque in the face while Faith flew alongside his armored vehicle as Bloodshot, Kara, and the escaped PRS kids headed into Las Vegas in Bloodshot #13.

The last thing Faith mentions about Bloodshot is in Harbinger #14:

"And I have no idea what happened to that evil machine man called Bloodshot. "

Bloodshot was last seen in Armor Hunters Aftermath #1 guarding Quartz so safe to say he's part of Unity in some capacity and that his and Faith's paths will cross again at some point.

I hope this is a continuity plot thread Valiant explore.

[Ras the future fan]

So Unity and the United, will be fighting over who controls GIN-GR?

[leonmallett]

An awful cover for me; yes a homage to yesteryear, but poorly executed for me.

The content felt much stronger thankfully. I liked the evolution of the Unity team and its place in the world. Seeing them in downtime was a nice change of pace. I also liked the introduction of the United, even if I didn't have a great sense of threat or peril.

Not the best issue of the series for me, but nicely done all things considered in terms of post-AH transition, except for that cover sorry to say.