MC2 A Day

Writer: Tom DeFalco Penciler: Ron Frenz Synopsis: J2 tells Bluestreak an untold story of the Avengers in Asgard.  Comments: The flashback in this story takes place between pages 20 and 21 of A-Next #1.  MC2 is really set in the here and now, because smart phones, selfie sticks and even selfies were not a thing in 1998 when A-Next #1 was published.  Bluestreak and J2 are ignorant of Avengers history, since A-Next #1 established that Jolt and Jubilee were Avengers and that was confirmed again in Spider-Girl #32, along with Speedball. It was ambiguous if he was ever an Avenger in A-Next #1. It's also a bit of retcon that an appeal was sent out to a host of heroes. The appeal was sent out to reserve Avengers, Jubilee and Jolt got the signal as did Stinger because her technology was so similar to Ant-Man's (Scott Lang), a former Avenger. J2 and Speedball did not get the signal and joined because the saw the commotion with the trolls.  A-Next #1 referenced a glorious c...

  Hardly anything is known about the background of Bluestreak a.k.a. Blue Kelso. The last name of Kelso does not seem to come from any established character in Marvel up to that time. Bluestreak could be a runaway, but not a Runaway or could have other reasons for hiding her identity. In Quasar #17, an Elder of the Universe called The Runner held a competition for all the speedsters on Earth. Those who participated provide a good jumping off point to help speculate who Bluestreak's parents may be. Since Bluestreak seems to be Caucasian, the female participants in the race, Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau) and Black Racer are African-American, they are not likely to be her mother.  James Sanders a.k.a Speed Demon and Lelia Davis--Speed Demon (James Sanders) had a brief flirtation with getaway driver Lelia Davis in Deadly Foes of Spider-Man. However, it was a ruse on Lelia's part since she was a widow of the Ringer and only infiltrated the Syndicate to get revenge on the Beetle....

  Writer: Stephanie Williams Art: Nathan Stockman Synopsis: May and Benjy's showdown with Arcade.  Comments: Benjy reminds me Jon Kent, the Super Son here.  Not only strong, but Benjy is pretty agile as well.  May is able to utilize one of the deathtraps to free themselves, but Arcade flees. He accuses them of cheating which reminded me of Riddler from the Batman: The Animated Series episode, "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?"   Jason seems to be unaware that his uncle is evil and takes being unemployed in his stride.  At home, May doesn't mention what happened to her parents and with Arcade still out there....The End?

  Writer: Stephanie Williams Art: Nathan Stockman Synopsis: May and Benjy get the VIP treatment at the arcade, little knowing how deadly that hospitality can be.  Comments: The mysterious figure arranges for Benjy to hit the jackpot on tokens and the leads him and May to be escorted to the VIP room for private entertainment. This seems kind of suspect for a children's arcade.  I guess that band is confirmed to be animatronics. I think they could do better for VIP entertainment if it legit had to come up.  I think of Lester's Possum Park from A Goofy Movie.  Suddenly, the villain reveals himself in Great and Power Oz style and and says he is R. Cade III (Arcade). I guess no relation to the Spider-Man and X-Men villain Arcade.  Arcade reveals his origin that he turned to evil after his childhood arcade was destroyed in a superhero battle. The video game of Secret Wars is just the first issue of that comic.  May thinks his origin is lame, but I've heard w...