Puck Part 26: Alpha Flight #31 (February, 1986)

Puck revisits his killing days and pays the price.

I have this issue.

The story starts out right after Alpha Flight #30, with Judd and the others saying goodbye to Lionel Jefferies, when it is revealed that one of the bodies in the hospital morgue is missing. The dead body belongs to Deadly Ernest, who has risen from the grave, thanks to Scramble. Judd listens as Aurora retells the events of her and her brother’s dealings with Ernest in the past, and then he encounters both Ernest and Nemesis. During the battle, Ernest kidnaps Heather. Judd goes after her, and is given Nemesis’ blade, which is sharp enough to kill the villain. Judd follows them into a subway tunnel and is forced to dissect Ernest despite feeling a strong sense of bloodlust from the blade. Ernest keeps coming, and Judd saves Heather from an oncoming train, and lets it hit Ernest. He then finishes the job, and returns the blade to Nemesis and watches her dissolve.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd shows his feelings towards Heather yet again when he suggests that she stay at the hospital while they investigate Ernest’s whereabouts.

2) We are reminded here that Judd was paroled into Beta Flight after promising James Hudson that his killing days were over.

3) Apparently, Judd ran with the bulls in Pamplona.

4) It is revealed here that Judd’s pain can come at any time. It’s also hinted that the pain is contained within him.

5) This is the first time Judd meets both Deadly Ernest and Nemesis.

6) Nemesis’ blade reacts to killing and has an affect on Judd, causing his pain to increase, and tempting him to release…something.

7) The bloodlust of the blade reminds Judd of another black blade he once held.

8) Judd fights the urge to kill…until he sees Heather in danger of getting hit by the train.

WTF? Moment: Judd suggests that Alpha recommend to the Department of National Health to readmit Lionel to practice medicine? This is a guy who just turned everyone he touched into a misshapen monster, including Heather. Maybe Judd’s very forgiving, having himself been reformed. Maybe he’s a little jaded after Heather’s repeated lack of response to his affections. Maybe he has short term memory loss. Whatever the reason, I would wait a bit before recommending Lionel for anything involving medicine.

WTF? Moment #2: Judd seems to know his way around a sword. Maybe he learned during his bullfighting days?