She's a (Cosmic) Brick House

Back in the 90s, Broadside was not exactly one of my favorite Force members.  I didn't much care for her balding orange power-lifter look.  As with Eightyfive, it's hard not to see many of the derivative elements in Broadside.

Her status as the team's resident physical "heavy hitter" recalls earlier examples such as: She-Hulk, Titania, Thundra, et al.  Even at that, however, with age I've come to have a greater appreciation for the subversion of having a woman be the powerhouse--especially in this case since she was clearly intended to be the Force-counterpart to the Hulkish proportioned Charlie-27.

On that note, Valentino & company did give Broadside some interesting character depth via her crush on Charlie-27.  I figure some people will see that as sexist or diminishing or whatever, but I don't buy it.  Love...the desire for companionship...is natural.  Everybody feels this, and most people feel it for members of the opposite sex.

Guardians of the Galaxy #11 (APR 1991)

Furthermore, it seems to be pretty common for people to seek out lovers who they perceive to be their "equals" in terms of status, wealth, power, etc. etc.  Given Broadside's powers, it's natural that she would have a difficult time finding a man who considered her equal--thus, the excitement when she met the last Jovian.  On the basis of their earlier fight, however, I seriously question whether Charlie is her "equal"...maybe he's the least-weak option she's found. 

Guardians of the Galaxy #5 (OCT 1990)

Speaking of Broadside's powers, the mechanism by which they worked was also derivative.  According to the Marvel Wiki, she "channels a planet's gravity" into her body to augment her strength.  Comic Vine, in contrast, says it's the planet's mass that she she channels.  Either way, this power set immediately reminded me of another one of my forgotten favorites, Earth Lord.

Guardians of the Galaxy #13 (JUN 1991)
In the previous one-page appearance of Force (in Guardians of the Galaxy #11) the members were assembled on the bridge of their ship pondering the nature of an "anomaly" headed straight toward them.  The anomaly is revealed to have been neither Firelord, nor the Phoenix (as the reader might have assumed) but instead Malevolence, daughter of the demon Mephisto, who first crossed the Guardians in Guardians of the Galaxy #7 (DEC 1990).

Though we don't see it, obviously Malevolence apparently threw down on Force almost as soon as she arrived.  They're all out cold except for Brahl, who negotiates to aid Malevolence in exchange for his chance to get revenge on the Guardians. 

And on that note, we'll end this post.  Next week:  Brahl!