Recalling the Midnight Sun

While re-reading through some of my old comics, I ran across yet another obscure character I'd kind of forgotten.  The final story in Silver Surfer Annual #4 (JUL 1991) introduced me to this odd-looking chap with what appeared to be compact discs plastered to his hands and feet.

In that particular story, however, MS didn't fight the Silver Surfer (that, had apparently already happened).  Rather in the Annual, I learned that this seeming hybrid of the Black Panther and the Shroud was some sort of revivified zombie, brought back to life by Kree scientists.  In this story one of the Kree scientists, Kar-Sagg, intends to "fix" Midnight Sun so as to turn him into a more compliant (and therefore, "better") weapon for Kree power.  Unfortunately for the Kree--and me--Midnight Sun did not truly remember who he was.  (This meant I was left to speculate about him on the basis of the random panels depicting images of Midnight Sun fighting Shang Chi.) This tale ended with Midnight Sun asserting his right to self-determination as he fought off the cream of the Kree elite military and then flew off to a solitary moon or asteroid or something to begin his journey of self-discovery.

Reviewing the Annual story piqued my interest enough to look up Comicvine's entry on Midnight Sun.  This confirmed that he'd initially been a rather sympathetic character, sort of an adopted brother to Shang Chi, and that he had--as the flashback in SS Annual #4 confirmed--reluctantly fought Shang Chi in a battle resulting in Midnight Sun's accidental death. 

After that, it sounds like MS's story went kind of bonkers...but in an interesting way.  The Kree somehow seize his corpse and all of a sudden this guy who was a street-level kung-fu fighter is thrust into being a cosmic-level player when he's sent to fight off the Silver Surfer.  Despite the fact that Midnight Sun was ultimately defeated, I just think that's an interesting transition.   Additionally, the whole idea of Midnight Sun having lost his vocal cords and being unable to speak added pathos to his tale (and, honestly, reminded me a lot of Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe.)

Since I got into comics after the hey day of Master of Kung-Fu, I'm curious how those who read that title in its Bronze Age prime reacted to Midnight Sun.  Did you consider him hopelessly derivative, or did you think he was a compelling character?  Also, can someone clue me in on what the deal is with the Kree gluing CDs to his hands and feet?

I Came Here to Get Married and Go Spearfishing: the 8th appearance of Marvel's Leir

The Mighty Thor #423 (SEP 1990)

The primary story of The Mighty Thor #423 takes place in the latter half of an arc called "The Black Galaxy Saga."  Leir's makes another cameo as part of the ongoing storyline in which he has proposed marriage to the Lady Sif--a proposal she has accepted contingent upon one condition, which is where we pick up: 

Having secured Sif's engagement, Leir has made good on his pledge to transport her to Earth.  Aside from knowing how to get to Earth, however, it seems that our favorite hot-headed Celt is largely in the dark about the modern world.

Obviously this is a less-than-auspicious beginning to their trip, so Sif comes up with the reasonable idea that they disguise themselves.

Next Sif leads her companions in the ongoing search for Thor.  In what is one of the most comically weird scenes I can recall in the pages of Thor, the trio show up at the apartment of Eric Masterson (who was, at that time, merged with Thor)

Everything you really need to know about people, you can learn from
watching Miami Vice and Tombstone. -- deep thoughts by Leir

He Who Laughs Last / No Laughing Matter-- Smash Comics #56 (DEC 1944)

Smash Comics #56 (DEC 1944)

The Midnight feature in Smash Comics #56 had a super-cool splash page.  It hearkens back to the early days of Midnight, before the character took such a comedic turn.  We open with a Big City couple settling down for the night who're awakened by the sounds of murder and hideous laughter just outside their window.  The body outside is the latest victim of the mysterious, "Laughing Killer."  (Of course, this is another of the Joker-esque villains that populated the Golden Age)

Despite the promise of the opening, Gustavson doesn't move too far from the comedic; thus we're treated to a boilerplate instance of Sniffer boasting he could catch the murderer with no problem, while Gabby and Wackey respond that he's utterly incompetent.  When Midnight shows up, Sniffer asks why he hasn't been doing anything to capture the Laughing Killer.  Midnight replies that he has...and that Sniffer will see it if he tunes into Dave's next broadcast.

That night on the airwaves, Dave announces that his "good friend" Midnight is "on the trail" of the killer so Big City citizens can relax.  A mysterious pudgy fellow ambles out of the auditorium near the end of the broadcast and places an anonymous call to Dave.  The man says Dave should call him One O'Clock, "because I'm after Midnight"!  Dave immediately calls for a trace and learns the call came from within the building!

Meanwhile our mysterious portly prank caller strolls out of the auditorium chuckling to himself.  Nearby, the woman whose screams opened the story is standing with her husband.  As soon as she hears the man's laugh, she identifies him as the Killer! Exhibiting psychopathic coolness, the stranger laughs off the woman's accusation; but when she persists he takes...further steps.

Arriving moments after the couple's deaths, Midnight races outside to find the killer in the driver's seat of a nearby car.  Midnight questions the man who claims an individual emerged from the auditorium moments ago laughing maniacally, before disappearing around a street corner.

Midnight (apparently) hops into the car to be chauffeured by the killer, who initially doesn't seem to recognize that has happened.  In fact, it's not util Midnight asks the chuckling psychopath, "What's so funny" that the latter seems to notice our hero.  Midnight explains that the next time he lies, he ought not direct our hero down a dead end street.

Though the jig would seem to be up, the killer manages to escape by putting Midnight into an impossible situation.  After pulling out and driving a way, the killer bails out of the moving car.  If Midnight pursues, the car will careen into innocent bystanders; but if he seizes the wheel to bring the car to safe stop, the killer will escape.

Gabby, Sniffer, and Wackey come running up as Midnight exits the car. (Are you really surprised our hero chose to save the citizens?)  Shortly behind them are two uniformed officers.  They inform Midnight that a call was just placed into the station reporting this car as stolen.

Midnight casually exits a "stolen" car, and the cops just say, 
"Guess we were scammed...see ya later, Midnight"?!

Despite his temporary defeat, Midnight announces to his chums as they walk away that he's figured out how to nail the giggling ghoul.

Much as it pains me to say it, I gotta say I'd share Sniffer's skepticism. 

Midnight tests his theory by crank calling one of Big City's wealthiest citizens (Amos Golden III) and just laughing maniacally into the receiver.  Naturally, the old robber baron flips out and says he's already got the money together and was just leaving to deliver it.

Maintaining his undercover impersonation, Midnight tells Golden to repeat his drop-off instructions, "...so I'm sure you have them straight."  Once he learns of the appointed rendezvous site, Midnight heads out for the old mill on Saw Creek.

Lest the reader worry that the terrified Mr. Golden might be caught in a cross-fire, we see the old man's wheels suffer a double blow-out en route to the mill.  (Though it's not explicitly stated, the fact that Midnight's aware of Golden's misfortune implies that he's responsible for having spread tacks in the road or whatever.)

When Midnight reaches the mill, he rolls down his window--ostensibly to hand over the cash to the shadowy figure standing near the road--only to find:

We then cut away to a scene of the real Laughing Killer yucking it up at having bested Midnight, yet again.  By way of self-narration, the killer explains that he, "figured Midnight would try to horn in"  (what foresight!)

But before you can be too impressed with this criminal mastermind (or ask too many questions) in good Princess Bride fashion we learn that:

As it turns out Midnight the Mastermind, had sent Doc Wackey to make the drop-off!  A couple of anticlimactic panels close out the story, with cops noting that it should be easy to get a conviction of the Laughing Killer (who, incidentally heads off to his cell laughing maniacally).

The same question I have about this story.

Leir Stands Around, as Plot Holes are Poorly Patched: (Marvel) part 7

 

The Mighty Thor #418 (JUN 1990)

The seventh appearance of Leir in Marvel lore is yet another back-up feature.  This time it's from The Mighty Thor #418, and it picks up from the previous month.  Leir, smitten with love (or is it merely lust?) for the Lady Sif has traveled to Asgard to "claim" her as his bride.  To everyone's astonishment, the previously Thor-enamored Sif agrees to marry Leir...on one (as yet unmentioned) condition.

Since I don't own this comic myself, I can only rely on what I can find out on the web.  As it turns out, this splash page (courtesy of SuperMegaMonkey's Marvel Comics Chronology) is basically all the Leir-related material I could find.  As SMM puts it, basically what we have here is the attempt to plug a rather gaping plot hole.

The Tales of Asgard back-up continues the "visit" from the Celtic gods, with Sif having agreed to marry Leir in return for getting out of Asgard. The question, which feels like a response to questions posed by fans, is why is it that other people can enter and leave Asgard, such as the Celtics and, for example, the New Mutants, but not the Asgardians. The answer at this point is basically, "It's magic!".

Otherwise, we learn that Odin has apparently been possessed or something, as he shockingly attacks the Grand Vizier.

Midnight Throws that Twerk -- Smash Comics #55 (OCT 1944)

Smash Comics #55 (OCT 1944)

This week's Midnight tale again comes to us courtesy of Paul Gustavson.  Again, it's another example of the comic-heroic combination that became signature for the Golden Age Midnight.

In this instance, the comedic elements have actually enhanced over time, almost certainly in ways not anticipated by Gustavson.  Take, for example, the title of our hero's principal antagonist this time:  psychologist Adoniram P. Twerk, "B.S., F.O.B., P.F.T." (This little dig at the pomposity of some academic credentialing sounds like it could be made today!)

We're told Twerk is trying to research the effects of trouble upon the, "cervical android cortex of the redundant clavicle."  He is, unfortunately, meeting with some frustration in his attempt to find suitable test subjects.  His landlady, Miss Lobelia proves less-than-willing to respond as Twerk had hoped, despite his best efforts to be a terrible renter.

An ironic reaction, indeed, for one named Twerk.

 
Barrelling onto the streets of Big City, Twerk searches high and low for "trouble," and despite finding it in a number of places deems all such examples, "ordinary."  (One wonders, then, why Twerk ever expected Miss Lobelia to supply his observational needs simply because he was a crappy tenant...but whatever.)

After seeing a newspaper announcing the release of the notorious "Killer" Klaw, and the latter's vow to "get Midnight" for sending him up the river, Twerk believes he's found just the combination of unusual people and unusual trouble for which he's been looking.

Apparently, everyone in Big City knows Dave Clark is chummy with
Midnight...but no one can put two and two together.

Having earlier smashed some gum into Doc Wackey's beard on the street, Twerk (who somehow knows that Wackey will in the near vicinity of Dave Clark), randomly shows up at the door of Dave's house and offers Sniffer Snoop a match to light his tobacco pipe.  This is an issue because Wackey is, at that very moment, soaking his beard in a highly inflammable solution in order to remove the gum Twerk deposited there.  (What's the deal?  Does Twerk have cognitive premonition powers or something?) Anyhoo, this has the predictable result.

Against all logic, despite the fact that Sniffer is doofus who strikes a match in a room full of inflammable gases, the "world's greatest detective" successfully shifts the blame for the explosion onto Twerk.  No sooner does Sniffer blame Twerk, than Gabby, Wackey, and Hotfoot proceed an attempted pummeling of the bespectacled interloper.  (You'd think they wouldn't have too much trouble either, since they fight toughened thugs on the regular...but it doesn't appear so.)

Midnight breaks up the row, and inquires about Twerk's identity and intentions.  The self-proclaimed "leading psychologist" replies that he's here to help Midnight, "take care of Killer Klaw once and for all."  Twerk claims to have studied the criminal psyche to such a degree that he, "understands Klaw as well as I do myself."  Twerk tells Midnight that the key to stopping Klaw will be using the latter's rage against Midnight as a bait to draw the criminal out.  As it turns out, however, Twerk has himself led Klaw directly to Midnight's doorstep.  After sending a secret signal, the gun-toting brute bursts into the scene!

Caught dead to rights on the business end of a gatt, Midnight and pals allows themselves to be trussed up.  Klaw and his immediate crony leave entrust their quarry to the watchful eyes of their newfound chum, Twerk, while they "figger out a way to get rid of 'em dat ain't got no kickbacks."  (Remember, dear reader, this is all taking place on the premises of Dave's house in the city which has very recently experienced a fiery explosion.  I guess neighborliness and the tendency to call law enforcement when explosions happened in the city wasn't quite as prominent as I would've assumed?)  Once Klaw and his right hand are out of the picture,  Twerk seems to shift allegiances yet again.

After unloading the guns of Klaw and his accomplice (which, why would they leave their guns in the room in the first place?!) Twerk unties Midnight and pals pleading that he's done all of this as a "favor" to our crime-fighter.

You and me, both, Midnight!

When Klaw returns to finish the job, Midnight and his pals explode into action.  But speaking of exploding, this sure doesn't look like the guns were "emptied."

I guess you could explain this as there being one already chambered round,
but...

 Following the obligatory donnybrook with decent action panels like this one:

following the tussle, Midnight is shockingly magnanimous about Twerk's contribution before suddenly noticing the prof's absence.

Gabby finds Twerk hiding out under a piece of furniture.  Upon his emergence, in grand Snoopian fashion, the professor takes to self-righteousness.

Twerk finally comes clean that this was all part of his attempt to get "authentic material" for his book on trouble.  (We confirm, as well, that Twerk intentionally did not fully unload the criminals' guns.)

With Wackey's rage obviously on the rise, Twerk frantically pleads that his interrogators remember that he did help them capture Killer Klaw as promised.  Midnight replies that since it's getting so late, perhaps it'd be a bit too dangerous for the good professor to await a street car all by his lonesome.  He suggests that Wackey provide an appropriate "escort" to Twerk.

Leir the Lady's Man: (Marvel) part 6

The Mighty Thor #417 (MAY 1990)

The sixth appearance of everybody's favorite lightning slinging Celt, is in a back-up story from The Mighty Thor #417.  (For Leir's previous appearances, see here)

At this time, Asgard was adrift in the Negative Zone, consequently obstructing passage from Asgard to Midgard (i.e., the realm of Earth).  In the Golden Realm, the Lady Sif pines away for her beloved Thor (who is on the other side of this dimensional barrier).

In Avalon, the Celtic gods have learned of the Asgardians' inter-dimensional wanderings; and the reader learns that Leir has, "fallen (swollen) head over heels" for Sif.  Somehow or other, the Tuatha de Danaan open a portal to Asgard, which Leir promptly charges through in order to claim his "chosen" wife.

I'm curious how that was pulled off.  If Asgard is inaccessible from earth, I would've expected it to be cut off from Avalon as well.  Maybe Dagda is way more powerful than I realize.

Leir shows up outside Sif's chambers, pompously announcing the great honor and joy she ought to feel at having been "chosen" to be his bride.

While Leir's busy with Sif, Caber (who, like any good wingman, has followed his buddy through the portal in the vain attempt to keep him out of trouble) has gotten into a stand-off with the Warriors Three.  The only thing that saves the fleet-footed Celt is the timely arrival of the now-happily(?) engaged couple!

Two Crime Kings Walk Into a Bar...

Midnight Meets Hammer-Head Horgan & Smear-Face Schmalz
Smash Comics #54 (AUG 1944)

Despite the image of the first page, this story really feature two conflicts: (1) that between Hammer-Head and Smear-Face, and (2) the long-standing one between Midnight and Sniffer Snoop.

Gustavson begins the story by introducing us to the feuding underworld personalities of Hammer-Head and Smear-Face.  When the two accidentally bump into one another on their birthdays, the weapons come out and the gangland fighting begins.

If this is how Smear Face carries his shotgun, I think natural selection may solve Hammer-Head's problem for him.

As fortune would have it, Dave Clark is working in a nearby radio station.  Doc Wackey and Gabby come bursting in to inform their pal that the two gangsters are having a shoot-out on the street.

Dave immediately charges toward the danger, changing into his Midnight costume (which apparently now involves nothing more than putting on the domino mask) en route.  When his pals are reticent to jump in the middle of a gun fight, Dave explains there's nothing to be afraid of once the bad guys notice them, as neither Smear-Face nor Hammer-Head ever manage to hit who they're shooting at. 

That's quite a kick for a "non-powered" hero.  If a man's back strikes a telephone pole with enough force to snap it in two, wouldn't you think he die from massive thoracic injuries?

Though he's successful at breaking up the street fight, in the hub-bub, Smear-Face and Hammer-Head slip away.  After hiding out in the same nearby building, the gang leaders realize they share the same birthday and decide to bury the hatchet. (Because...it was the Golden Age? 😕)

Meanwhile, back on the corner of First and Main, Midnight and pals are cursing their luck.

When you use comics to teach obscure anatomy...

During the impromptu after-action report, Midnight and Sniffer renew their feud over the best method of fighting crime.  Sniffer insists that Midnight has failed to capture the criminals because he tries to solve everything with fists instead of brains.  Midnight counters that the fists are essential.  Eventually, Sniffer makes a $20 wager that he can catch Smear-Face and Hammer-Head--using nothing but his own cleverness--before Midnight does!

Walking away, Sniffer appears to be suffering pretty serious gambler's remorse.   Fortune smiles on the deer-stalkered detective, however, when he bumbles across the drunken twosome in a nearby dive.

Despite being three sheets to the wind, the tyrannous twosome recognize Sniffer as, "da li'l rat da worksh wish Midnight." Though it takes some doing, Sniffer eventually persuades Hammer-Head and Smear-Face they've confused him with his identical twin who's turned honest. Their murderous attentions deflected away from Sniffer, the two quickly resume a heated debate over who is the true "mashtermind" of Big City criminality.   

In the effort to win his bet, Sniffer convinces the two that rather than fight each other, they simply agree that whoever knocks off Midnight first is the true King of Crime.  To ensure that there's no after-the-fact challenges to the new nefarious nobility, Sniffer proposes that both gangsters write out a complete list of their crimes which will then be deposited with Sniffer for safe-keeping until after Midnight's out of the picture.

This seems comical right up until the moment, Sniffer decides to just leave Midnight in the dark for a few days about the fact that he's encouraged a couple of murderous low-lifes to specifically target Big City's premiere masked hero!

Fortunately for Dave Clark, with the light of dawn comes the retreat of the pink elephants.  Hammer-Head and Smear-Face wake up, realize they've been had, and decide to join forces to get Sniffer...and to retrieve their signed confessions.

Now if Hammer-Head can figure that Sniffer works with Midnight...
and Sniffer also is liable to be hanging out with Dave Clark...
now what could be the secret identity of Midnight?

Thinking he's about to enjoy a day of watching Midnight run himself ragged, Sniffer decides to hide the signed confessions at the house before heading out.  A suspicious Gabby, however, has been spying on Sniffer and once the latter leaves, our favorite talking monkey discovers the confessions.

Seemingly, no sooner does Sniffer turn a corner on the side-walk than he's running for his life from Hammer-Head and Smear-Face.  Back at the house, Sniffer finds Dave Clark relaxing in his arm chair in full Midnight attire (because...isn't that what every superhero does during his/her down-time?) Claiming to have been shot, he begs Dave to save him from the gangsters.When the bad guys enter the room, Midnight and Gabby commence their obligatory pummeling, while Sniffer rolls around on the floor seemingly convinced he's near death!

Once the thugs are subdued, an oddly high-looking Sniffer announces that he's won the competition.

This panel really makes you wonder how he got the name "Sniffer".

After producing an envelope that is supposed to contain the signed confessions.  (The careful reader will note we got a serious plot hole here as the confessions were supposedly left under a pillow.)

PLOT HOLE ALERT!

Once this particular shark is jumped, I guess Gustavson didn't feel any particular need to have a consistent narrative.  Midnight bursts into hysterical laughter because the "confessions" are all blank.  (Okay...but didn't we see writing on the sheets on previous pages?)

I guess you could argue Gabby swapped the real confessions for blank paper,
but the story never actually depicts or reports that.  Furthermore, it's never
explained why Sniffer would produce "confessions" from his jacket that he
supposedly left underneath a pillow?!

While the house-call doctor removes bucket-shot from Sniffer's rear (Whaddaya know?!  I guess Sniffer really did get shot!) Midnight informs the self-appointed world's greatest detective that his uncorroborated confessions would never have held up in court anyway.  In contrast, the slugs being pulled out of his bum at the moment would make their guns and would therefore constitute evidence of attempted murder!  And so, in nice Golden Age fashion, we have the following tri panel wrap-up:

Leir (Marvel): part 5

Marvel Comics Presents #30 (OCT 1989)

The fifth appearance of Marvel's Leir (lord of lightning and god of the spear!!) was an odd-little tale in the monthly anthology, Marvel Comics Presents.  Like many MCP stories, this one felt like a throw-back to the old standalone Golden Age tales.  It takes up a mere 8 pages...and by the time you finish it, you may wonder why those 8 were so utilized.

As the above splash page depicts, the story launches with Leir fighting a monster.  When the monster mysteriously disappears just before Leir can destroy it (essentially rehashing Leir's introduction to the Marvel universe), our hero is fuming.  This is despite the best attempts of Dagda (leader of the Celtic gods) to congratulate him on a job well done.

Dagda explains that the creature was sent by the Fomorians, ancient enemies of the Celts.  It's not explained why Dagda shares this information.  One might assume it's because he wants to support Leir's desire for vengeance.  However, when Leir (accompanied by Caber) travels to the realm of the Fomorians and is on the verge of victory, he is driven back--by Dagda!?!

Leir's question is perfectly valid.  I've got a follow-up: 
Does Dagda have a split personality...or does he just enjoy jerking Leir around?

In the words of SuperMegaMonkey, "that, without a doubt, was a story that lasted eight pages."

Midnight vs. the Deadly Damsel Darla Dee -- Smash Comics #53 (MAY 1944)

Well...that's not something you expect to hear Midnight saying!
Smash Comics #53 (MAY 1944)

Smash Comics #53 introduced the most-intriguing antagonist Midnight has faced to this point (at least in my opinion).  The tale begins with Dave Clark and his buddies after a hard day at work.  When they get to the apartment, they're shocked to find a beautiful brunette calling herself Darla  lounging in the living room.

Contrary to what Gab, Wackey, and Sniffer assume, however...Dave's never met this femme fatale.  Announcing she's going to "take over this town," and Darla demands Dave reveal the secret identity of Midnight (presumably so that her henchmen can bump him off).

I found Darla's ease and willingness to use sudden violence on her own minion a very
Joker-esque quality.  This, combined with her beauty, makes her quite an unusual
and striking villain for Midnight.

After bandaging his impaled mano, Moxie puts on a little show for some beat cops.  He spins a tale of being attacked by the murderous Dave Clark.  Assuming Moxie is sauced, the officers tell him to go sleep it off.  The tragically naive Moxie ambles back to Darla's hideout to report that he's carried out her orders...though the police didn't believe him.

The cold-blooded vixen reassures him that's nothing to worry about.  Whereupon, another henchman knifes Moxie to death.  The gang then leaves the corpse with a message--written in their victim's blood--fingering Dave as the murderer.  Darla then calls the cops, who burst into Dave's bedroom to arrest him!

Sniffer, Wackey, and Gabby visit Dave in jail and vow to "tear the town apart" digging up evidence of his innocence.  Dave thanks them, and wonders why Moxie would've fingered him as he barely knew the guy.  Darla sashays in announcing that she can explain that.  She repeats her demand that Dave reveal Midnight's identity, and in exchange she'll, "get this frame-up broken."  Of course, our hero replies, "I wouldn't even tell you the time, baby!"  She retorts that Dave's friends better get busy if they plan on proving his innocence, as she's already sweet-talked the judge into moving the trial up.  It will commence on the morrow!

In what has got to be a record miscarriage of justice effected by sex appeal and sympathy, the jury returns a guilty verdict in two minutes, 15 seconds.  Dave is sentenced to the chair...or noose...or firing squad. (The newspaper headline is a bit confused).  Despondent, his pals decide that just because Dave's locked up that's no reason Midnight should be.  Each in turn, Gabby, Sniffer, and Doc don domino masks and fedoras and set out about the town to right wrongs and clear Dave's name.

Meanwhile, in the jail, Dave is making a bold play of his own.  A passing guard is shocked to find his prisoner an apparent victim of suicide.  When he enters the cell to check the "corpse," however, our hero springs the trap seizing his jailer in a scissors lock, knocking him unconscious, and escaping by wearing the jailer's uniform.

Once outside, Dave changes back into his Midnight outfit (no explanation on where he had that stashed), hops into a car (even less explanation of how that came to be),  and drives off to Darla's home.

Can you imagine the outcry if the heroes in modern comics went around
addressing--even the bad girls--as "baby"?  Talk about a different time!

Despite Midnight's forethought, the good intentions of his fellows threaten to scuttle his trap.  Each has independently broken into Darla's home searching for evidence, and while bumbling around they come across the dictaphone.  Thinking it's a bomb due to the mere fact that it's making, "a funny sound," they toss it out the nearest window.  (Seriously?  Nobody bothers to question why this criminal mastermind would want to blow herself up?) 

Having destroyed their pal's only hope to get a recorded confession, the terrible trio spot Dave from behind and conclude (apparently without bothering to eavesdrop on any of his conversation with Darla) that this must be, "an imposter [Darla's] gonna send out to commit crimes!"  Thus, in order to defend their pal's honor...they bum rush him.  In the midst of the scuffle, Darla decides flee.  Fortunately, Gabby both: (A) realizes the Midnight he's attacking is the real Midnight, and (B) spots Darla in time to tackle her before she makes it out the door.

In one of the best final-page-wrap-ups I've read in the Midnight corpus, our hero bluffs Darla into confessing, by convincing her that there's "no way" she'll beat the rap for five crimes...but if she confesses just enough to clear Dave Clark, Midnight will destroy the evidence on her remaining crimes.  

Honestly, though, if Darla is as savvy as the rest of the story has presented her, you'd think
she might be a little suspicious of this deal.  After all, why would Midnight need her
confession if he already had it on tape?

Leir (Marvel): part 4

In previous posts (here, here, and here) we've looked at the introduction of Leir, lord of lightning and god of the spear, in the pages of The Mighty Thor.  Today, we'll consider his brief contemporaneous cameo in West Coast Avengers #41 (FEB 1989).  The War in Asgard arc (which was wrapped up this month in Thor) serves as the macguffin to wrap up dangling plot lines in The West Coast Avengers.

The opening splash page represents the first and last appearances of Leir in this issue.  (At least he doesn't announce that he's "lord of lightning and god of the spear!").  Against this backdrop, Seth has despatched a lieutenant to ensure that the Egyptian moon god, Khonshu, does not participate in the resistance to Seth.

Meanwhile on earth, the estranged West Coast Avengers: Mockingbird, Tigra, and Moon Knight have sought out the aid of Daimon Hellstrom (AKA the Son of Satan) to investigate Mockingbird's accusation that modern-day Phantom Rider, Hamilton Slade, is a reincarnation of his ancestor, Lincoln Slade.  (Lincoln, as it turned out, had raped Mockingbird in a previous time-traveling storyline.)

While discussing possession with the skeptical Hamilton, Hellstrom's gaze leaves Khonshu (who had previously taken full possession of the human Marc Specter, AKA Moon Knight) wondering if his cover has been blown.

 

During Hellstrom's exorcism of Slade, not one--but two Phantom Riders spirits exit!  One is the spirit of the aforementioned Lincoln Slade, while the other is the spirit of Carter Slade (the original, heroic Phantom Rider).  The noncorporeal Hamiltons battle each other to a virtual standstill.  Hellstrom then announces a third spirit is needed to settle this phatasmagorical donnybrook.

No sooner does Khonshu appear, however, than Seth's minions do as well. At this point the general melee environment increases exponentially. Seth's forces are trying to eliminate Khonshu through use of the "etheromic phase out cannon"...and everyone else is pretty much engaging in the super-equivalent of a barroom brawl.

Of course, Seth's forces are eventually defeated and retreat back through a portal to Asgard.  The spirit of Carter defeats the spirit of Lincoln Slade, and then calls for Hamilton to embrace his destiny as this century's Phantom Rider.

With the immediate threat of Seth and the etheromic phase out cannon gone, Khonshu announces he's going to answer the call to resist Seth in the mystic realm, giving Specter back full control of his own body.

Shaken by these revelations, Specter announces he's leaving the Avengers, as being a member had been Khonshu's desire...not his own.  Mockingbird, having been brought face-to-face with the consequences of her previously relaxed attitude toward killing, is filled with similar doubts and refuses Tigra's call for them to rejoin the West Coast Avengers.

Other sources on The West Coast Avengers #41

• http://berkeleyplaceblog.com/2019/08/20/west-coast-avengers-41/