The Throw Away

[jakgrimm]

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for welcoming me to the boards. I'll try not to make an *SQUEEE* of myself while here.

This morning I was reading Archer & Armstrong #10 and 11. It really is a great story arc. As I was reading it I was charmed with F7 the robot from North Am. He was cool funny and fresh and I thought to myself 'whatever happened to him'. As I remembered his fate it occurred to me that one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) thing about the old Valiant was The Throw Away - they would take something major and pay it little or no attention.

After spending 2 issues being introduced to the reader and building sympathy from us since he does not want to go back home, F7 and Ivar are transported to Malev controlled Earth of the future where F7 is promptly destroyed by Magnus. Just like that!

I remember when Geoff finds out during Unity that Kris's baby will grow up to be Magnus. This is a shocking find and a huge plot twist but Geoff does not reveal the news in a huge splash page or in bold letters or as a cliff hanger to the next issue. No, he simply tells Kris in a whisper in a tiny quarter of a panel. Absolutely Classic.

There is something to be said for revealing big news or surprises in an anti-climactic, small panel. Or building up a character or a story and then throwing it away in a meaningless manner, which gains more meaning for having ended that way.

Does anyone remember any other throw aways? (Besides all of the Acclaim issues lol)

The new Valiant is starting to follow this plot device - I believe that XO's lightening sword did not have a splash page introduction because the creators read the old Valiant and saw the value of the throw away. It makes them infinitely cooler for having done it that way. Thank you, sorry if this has been discussed before.

[SJS4]

Hi Everyone,
Thank you for welcoming me to the boards. I'll try not to make an *SQUEEE* of myself while here.

This morning I was reading Archer & Armstrong #10 and 11. It really is a great story arc. As I was reading it I was charmed with F7 the robot from North Am. He was cool funny and fresh and I thought to myself 'whatever happened to him'. As I remembered his fate it occurred to me that one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) thing about the old Valiant was The Throw Away - they would take something major and pay it little or no attention.

After spending 2 issues being introduced to the reader and building sympathy from us since he does not want to go back home, F7 and Ivar are transported to Malev controlled Earth of the future where F7 is promptly destroyed by Magnus. Just like that!

I remember when Geoff finds out during Unity that Kris's baby will grow up to be Magnus. This is a shocking find and a huge plot twist but Geoff does not reveal the news in a huge splash page or in bold letters or as a cliff hanger to the next issue. No, he simply tells Kris in a whisper in a tiny quarter of a panel. Absolutely Classic.

There is something to be said for revealing big news or surprises in an anti-climactic, small panel. Or building up a character or a story and then throwing it away in a meaningless manner, which gains more meaning for having ended that way.

Does anyone remember any other throw aways? (Besides all of the Acclaim issues lol)

The new Valiant is starting to follow this plot device - I believe that XO's lightening sword did not have a splash page introduction because the creators read the old Valiant and saw the value of the throw away. It makes them infinitely cooler for having done it that way. Thank you, sorry if this has been discussed before.

Great points!

Love the memories of the F7 story. I remember thinking "I can't wait to see more of this character!" and then he gets killed in such an offhand way, it was great!

[BugsySig]

I noticed one today in XO #4 when the armor changes into a "stealth" mode...could be a very important ability in the future and it was just one panel with a pilot saying, "wait, it's gone."

[grendeljd]

I noticed one today in XO #4 when the armor changes into a "stealth" mode...could be a very important ability in the future and it was just one panel with a pilot saying, "wait, it's gone."

That was pretty cool.

[Paladon]

If the armor can "morph" into stealth mode or other shapes, could it also change colors? Will we get a black "covert" version of the armor?

Or more absurdly, will we get a "summertime" shorts version of the armor... Aric could use some sun.

[The Dirt Gang]

If the armor can "morph" into stealth mode or other shapes, could it also change colors? Will we get a black "covert" version of the armor?

Or more absurdly, will we get a "summertime" shorts version of the armor... Aric could use some sun.

[BugsySig]

If the armor can "morph" into stealth mode or other shapes, could it also change colors? Will we get a black "covert" version of the armor?

Or more absurdly, will we get a "summertime" shorts version of the armor... Aric could use some sun.

I'm pretty sure Kris and Pete ornered the market on those in VH1.

[SJS4]

If the armor can "morph" into stealth mode or other shapes, could it also change colors? Will we get a black "covert" version of the armor?

Or more absurdly, will we get a "summertime" shorts version of the armor... Aric could use some sun.

...


...X-O Bike!!!!!!

[jmatt]

If the armor can "morph" into stealth mode or other shapes, could it also change colors? Will we get a black "covert" version of the armor?

Or more absurdly, will we get a "summertime" shorts version of the armor... Aric could use some sun.

...


...X-O Bike!!!!!!

I was gonna mention that one!

[jmatt]

Okay, my throw away: Solar creates Mrs Lump-Fluff and kills her in the very next panel. Squeee!

But then, he was always creating and ending someone's world, wasn't he?