Random Happenstance

I was going to say the CW's Legends of Tomorrow did this, but then again I think the Flash did as well: occasionally, for narrative purposes a character's arc might be over and they could be written out, but the show slotted the actor or actress over to another role, seemingly just because they liked having them around. Today's book has long been in development for a TV show, and I wonder if they might not do the same thing--in fact, this very issue does as well! From 1987, Strikeforce: Morituri #13, "Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye..." Written by Peter B. Gillis, pencils by Brent Anderson, inks by Scott Williams.

The remnants of the first and second generation Morituri team was heading back from Jupiter in a stolen Horde ship, having taken the fight to them against orders. Adept had absorbed a ton of scientific data from the Horde, but also knew she was on the way out, that the Morituri effect was killing her. From space, they can see that a sizable chunk of Canada was on fire: their base, Morituri Mountain, had been blasted by the Horde. Back on earth, Commander Pogorelich was given command of the new Morituri, third-generation class; after the death of previous leader Commander Nion. The press conference for the rookies is called off, as they are sent to arrest their predecessors.

The first-gen batch lands in Detroit, although Adept had already passed. (She doesn't explode, as most of them had, and seemed to have died relatively peacefully.) When the authorities try to arrest them, Aline slaps down a cop and gets shot, but the crowd sides with them, and they escape in the cops' flyer. Talking it over at an old factory, the remaining five are divided as far as next steps: a court-martial wouldn't mean much, they were all already dead; but were they above the law? Before coming to any conclusions, they are attacked by the rookies, one of whom had been the actor portraying their old teammate Vyking in the holo-movies, now with powers himself! While the rookies seemed to just be doing their jobs, some of the originals are a little put-out, feeling their sacrifices weren't being respected; so some feelings are hurt during the fight. Eventually, the rookie Wildcard, who could copy the powers of nearby other Morituri, melts down--the Morituri process would kill inside of a year; they weren't guaranteed any stretch of time--but Aline thinks he absorbed her death, which might have bought her some time.

After that, and the usual momentary freakouts from a couple members, the fight was over; and the first-gen agrees to come in, while both sides have seemingly bonded over Wildcard's--and their own impending--death. As they are taken away, Aline asks to see Adept's body, but it had already been taken for autopsy.

Also this issue: the far more cheerful behind-the-scenes story, "How Peter & Brent Create (and Destroy) Strikeforce Morituri" (Written by Peter B. Gillis, pencils by Brent Anderson, inks by Scott Williams.) Together, they work on the grueling process of character creation, with Brent doted upon by Shanna and Zabu from his time on Ka-Zar, and I love Peter considering his Chris Claremont poster. Carl Potts guest-stars, to yell at them that the book was late, but this was a double-sized issue! Be cool, man.