Nathan Fillion...and Batman?

 There's been talk of Fillion joining Henry Cavill in the next DCMU film...

...and that's just wrong.

Because it's obvious who Fillion should be:

Now - if we eliminate the remote possibility that Whedon connects the MMU to Fillion's current project...

...as well as the chance we'll ever see The Greatest Super Hero Team Ever on the silver screen...

...you can not...

...CAN NOT mind you...

...dismiss the probability that Whedon will get Fillion to cameo on his show...

...because both shows are on...

...which is owned by...

...and who doesn't love it when things come full circle?

Puck Part 84: Alpha Flight #106 (March, 1992)

Puck learns some personal information about a fellow Alphan and gets reacquainted with an old friend.

I have this issue.

Judd attends a debriefing with “Core Alpha” in a waiting room at Toronto General Hospital as Jean-Paul awaits news of an infant girl he found in a garbage can. They learn the child is dying from AIDS, and the team spends the next three weeks talking to the public about the disease.

Judd catches up with Northstar, who’s still at the hospital, and convinces him to take a break and try to get some food and rest when they hear something crash in the infant’s room. Judd gets there in time to recognize the man standing over the child just before Jean-Paul carries the stranger out into the night.

The next morning, Judd is with Northstar and the stranger when the doctor tells them the infant is close to death, and watches as Jean-Paul holds her as she passes.

Jean-Paul later holds a press conference announcing to the world that he’s gay. Judd is seen with the rest of Alpha Flight in a newspaper article covering the story.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd knows the Canadian super-hero named Major Mapleleaf, calling him by his first name – Louis.

2) It seems Judd smokes cigars.

3) He appears uncomfortable in hospitals, which makes sense considering his past dealings with them.

4) Judd – like the rest of Alpha Flight – doesn’t seem bothered in the least by Jean-Paul’s revelation.

WTF? Moment: I know this story came out in 1992, but has it ever been okay to smoke in a hospital? I don’t see Judd as that callous, despite his low comfort level.

WTF? Moment #2: This issue is all about Jean-Paul and his coming out of the closet, and if you go back and read every issue he’s in, you can see that’s where Byrne, Mantlo and the others were leading. It’s important to note that Judd stands by his teammate, despite Jean-Paul being a quick-tempered pompous jerk at times. This speaks volumes of Judd’s character, as well as that of everyone else on the team.

Puck Part 83: Alpha Flight #105 (February, 1992)

It’s Madison Jefferies’ bachelor party, and Puck is there to take part in the celebration.

I have this issue.

Judd is with Colin, Walter, Jean-Paul and Kyle as they celebrate Madison’s impending wedding at a local Toronto bar. But it’s also Christmas Eve, and when someone tries to rob the bar they learn that the thief was only planning to borrow the money because his landlord raised the rent on his family’s home. The Alpha males decide to help him, and Judd, Walter and Colin visit the landlord and ‘convince’ him to sell them the house.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd has known Jean-Paul for six years as of this issue.

2) The bar they are at is called Corky’s, and is the same bar Judd was a bouncer at when he received the Alpha Flight call signal back in Alpha Flight #1.

3) Apparently, John Byrne hangs out at Corky’s too.

4) Judd reveals to Corky and others that he’s Puck of Alpha Flight and nobody believes him…not even Byrne.

WTF? Moment: Judd’s over seventy years old at this point and comments that the thief’s story is the most tragic thing he’s seen on a Christmas Eve. Really? I know it was summer when he was in battle in Spain with Hemingway, but surely something tragic happened either to him or around him during Christmas time as he traveled the globe. Plus – wasn’t he in prison at some point?

WTF? Moment #2: Having Judd storm off after Corky asked him for an 8x10 of Guardian was funny. It would have been even funnier if Judd brought in a pic of Mac from his Guardian days – a Byrne pin-up perhaps?

Puck Part 82: Alpha Flight #104 (January, 1992)

Puck is officially given a new title, a new position…and a new costume.

I have this issue.

Judd is on the roof of Department H headquarters talking to Dr. Knapp as Windshear finishes giving the press a tour of the facilities. The rest of the team - Guardian, Weapon Omega, Sasquatch, Diamond Lil, Madison and Northstar - return from their covert mission against Diablo, and Judd notices something wrong with Jean-Paul, who shouts out that his sister is alive as he speeds off. Judd and the others catch up with him in the sub-basement of the complex, where they find Aurora a prisoner in Headlok’s cell. They all witness her breaking free of Headlok’s control and “setting [Headlok] free”.

A week later, Judd is with Guardian, Weapon Omega, Sasquatch, Northstar and Windshear as they discuss Aurora’s supposed disappearance, the team’s new costumes, and Weapon Omega’s membership when Madison and Lil reveal they are resigning from the team to get married. Aurora shows up and tells everyone that she’s rejoining the group, and Judd tells Heather that with Windshear as a desk jockey and himself as a trouble-shooter, Aurora’s going to be needed for there to be five members to the team.

Notes of Interest:

1) As of this issue, Judd becomes a supportive member of the team and the official line-up of what Judd calls “Core Alpha” are Guardian, Northstar, Weapon Omega, Aurora and Sasquatch.

2) This is the first time Judd has seen Aurora since he heard about his fellow Alphan’s disappearance back in Alpha Flight #98.

3) Judd learns that Weapon Omega is really Wild Child.

WTF? Moment: The only problem I have here affects Judd indirectly, and that is the costumes. I prefer the original X-Men/New Mutants approach to a team look: Everyone has the same look while they learn and train, and get their own unique looks once they graduate. You never see the Avengers or the Uncanny X-Men in identical costumes. Granted, these outfits are reminiscent of Guardian’s original look, and it can be seen as a tribute to Mac’s ultimate sacrifice, but I think it would have been better to see Beta Flight trainees wearing these suits, thus sending a stronger message about Mac’s dream.

Puck Part 81: Alpha Flight #103 (December, 1991)

Puck witnesses Windshear’s first public appearance as acting chairperson of Alpha Flight.

I have this issue.

Windshear appears on the television show Canada A.M. and is bombarded with accusations of mishandling the Consortium incident and causing massive damage in Toronto. Judd looks on from behind the cameras, acknowledging that this sort of thing was outside his comfort zone. Windshear makes a comment that can be seen as throwing Heather (as team leader) under the bus, and Judd realizes that he new face of the team is gonna need some pointers.

Notes of Interest:

1) While Judd isn’t comfortable being interviewed on camera, he understands the need to appear unified in the public eye.

WTF? Moment: I guess the meeting with DeFalco didn’t go so well since Judd’s still confined to a single page of the issue.

WTF? Moment #2: Why Lobdell didn’t have Judd hop a plane to help fight Diablo is beyond me. This is a guy who fought against the Great Beasts, remember? A few elementals would be child’s play.

WTF? Moment #3: If the plan is to make Judd work more “behind the scenes” of the team and help maintain public support and government funding, I’d be happy with that. He’s been around long enough to justify keeping an eye on watchdogs, giving Windshear some wisdom and maybe even training some future Beta members…just GET there already!

Puck Part 80: Alpha Flight #102 (November, 1991)

Puck accepts role of Chief Administrator after Mac’s death, only to abdicate the position to Windshear.

I have this issue.

That’s it. That’s all he does this entire issue.

Notes of Interest:

1) No real character development…at all.

WTF? Moment: Where to start…I thought the idea of Judd honoring Mac’s memory by accepting the Chief Administrator gig was great. There’s at least four issues of sub-plot there as he grew (get it?) into the job. As for his choosing to abdicate to Windshear, that was again a great idea that made sense for the character – because let’s face it Judd is more of a do-er than a planner – but it should have happened after Judd at least tried to make it work. I suspect that Lobdell initially pitched it as a longer story arc that was cut down by Editor Bobbie Chase to one page.

WTF? Moment #2: One page? AGAIN? We don’t even know where he’s going as he cartwheels out the door. Is he heading to the “top secret” location the team left for to lend a hand?  Is he getting a pizza? Most likely, he’s on his way to the Marvel Bullpen to have a sit-down with DeFalco.

Puck Part 77: Alpha Flight #101 (October, 1991)

Puck pays his respects at James MacDonald Hudson’s funeral along with the rest of Alpha Flight.

I have this issue.

Judd is with Heather at Mac’s grave and she tells him that Mac’s death has affected her differently this time. He returns with her and the rest of the team, in uniform, for the funeral service. Later on, Diamond Lil has her biopsy, and Judd is there when she learns her cyst is benign.

Notes of Interest:

1) The initial scene at the gravesite is reminiscent of Byrne’s depiction waaay back in Alpha Flight #13 - down to what they’re wearing.

2) Judd is moved to tears during the service.

WTF? Moment: Now for something completely absurd – Judd’s reaction to the news of Lil’s cyst. He’s drawn like a little boy who’s been told he can have some ice cream rather than someone who just heard some terrific news concerning the health of a fellow Alphan. Tom Morgan’s work isn’t terrible, but most of Marvel’s titles developed a Liefeld-esque quality to them around this time, Alpha Flight included, – which leads me to…

WTF? Moment #2: While this issue didn’t mark the end of my collecting days for Alpha Flight, it did mark the beginning of the end.

Puck Part 76: Alpha Flight #100 (September, 1991)

Puck is among those left behind to make a final stand against the oncoming Consortium assault fleet.

I have this issue.

Judd, Captain America, She-Hulk, Diamond Lil, Black Widow, Northstar and Sasquatch face an alien invasion in Toronto. Being nearly invulnerable, Judd is chosen by Cap as one of the heroes to act as a shield while they fall back to a metro station to regroup and formulate a plan. The station is destroyed before the team can reach it, but they make it to an underground tunnel, and Cap tells them the only way to end this is to infiltrate and destroy the Consortium mother ship.

She-Hulk, Lil and Sasquatch act as a diversion on Earth while Judd and the others commandeer a Consortium craft. Judd uses the ship’s translation programs to communicate to the mother ship that their ship is leaking radiation and needs extensive repairs… buying them time and the opportunity to land unobserved.

The four heroes split up, with Judd and Black Widow taking over the communication systems and ordering the fleet to return to the mother ship. Cap and Northstar succeed in setting the ship to go to warp, and the four of them return to Earth just as the team sent to fight Galactus returns…without Vindicator.

Notes of Interest:

1) We learn that Judd knows Japanese.

2) It seems Judd has a history with Black Widow, fighting on opposing sides in the Tonkin Gulf in 1967.

3) Black Widow knows Judd’s first name is Eugene.

WTF? Moment: I love the fact that Judd’s past includes Black Widow. It’s little things like this that make reading comics such fun.

WTF? Moment #2: So Natasha knows Eugene’s name? Was it because of their previous work, or did she just read it in the Avengers’ files? Plus - he doesn’t seem fazed by it. Does he know her name too?

WTF? Moment #3: I know this is nit-picking, but we see Judd, Widow and Cap on the stolen craft all sitting separately with their backs to each other looking out separate windows, so it’s hard to tell who’s piloting the thing as they approach the mother ship. Maybe they all are?

Puck Part 75: Alpha Flight #99 (August, 1991)

Puck helps out his fellow Alphans and the Avengers as the alien army continues to invade downtown Toronto.

I have this issue.

Judd learns that Her had helped overthrow the dictatorship of a distant planet. The Consortium saw that as a breach of contract and held Her responsible. She fled to Earth in search of help to protect the species she freed, but the Consortium followed, and wants Her to surrender.

Problems arise when Vindicator suddenly teleports half of the gathered heroes away…including Her. Judd is left behind with Captain America, Sasquatch, Northstar, Diamond Lil, Black Widow and She-Hulk as the Consortium see this as yet another breach of contract and launch a full scale “take-over” of Earth.

Notes of Interest:

1) This marks the first meeting between Judd and Her.

2) Judd also meets Black Widow for the first time.

3) Not much character development here, but it becomes clear that he’s waaaay out of his league because…

WTF? Moment: …he has a momentary lapse of bladder control? Really? Mister “I ran with the bulls and sat with Hemingway and had close encounters with mysticism and was a bad-a$$ soldier of fortune before any of these Alpha Flight ‘whipper-snappers’ were born” goes and wets himself? That has to be a joke. To be fair, he has had minimal experience with alien races…except for Marrina and Her…and may have difficulty grasping existence beyond our solar system. However, he has NO problem dealing with gods, demi-gods, demons, spirits, curses, old friends who come back from the dead, unplanned time travel, planned time travel, talking androids or creatures capable of living underwater.

Can you imagine his response if he was included in the group that found themselves facing Galactus? He may have had a bowel movement.

Puck Part 74: Alpha Flight #98 (July, 1991)

Puck faces an alien invasion in downtown Toronto.

I have this issue.

Her has arrived on Earth, and an alien armada of various races arrives to collect…Her. Judd is called to action after the first wave lands, meeting with Sasquatch and Windshear at the docking bay of their new HQ. He contacts Shaman, who’s in the diagnostics lab with Diamond Lil, Persuasion, Witchfire, Laura Dean and her parents, requesting back-up. Shaman tells him they’re on their way, but only Lil arrives – saying Laura has awakened from her coma and teleported everyone else away.

They head downtown, and Judd is left to land the shuttle as Lil, Sasquatch and Windshear bail out to attack the invading army. As the heavy hitters do their thing, Judd directs civilians into a metro station to get them safely out of the way. He regroups with Sasquatch, Northstar and Guardian to prepare for the next wave of ships when the invaders are met with the timely arrival of (wait for it) the Avengers.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd’s piloting skills appear again.

2) He makes a passing reference to both Salvador Dali and the running of the bulls.

WTF? Moment: Where the heck was he last issue? There’s no mention of him in Alpha Flight #97, and no mention here of where he’s been. Maybe he was checking his old haunts in Toronto. If he were, wouldn't he have reacted to the giant explosion and reported to Alpha HQ? If he were hanging out at headquarters, wouldn't he have been prepared to go much sooner? My guess is that Heather told him to "stand by", thinking he’s really not really equipped for alien invasions. While this is true, his experience with war (Spain circa 1937) sure would come in handy, wouldn't it?

Puck Part 73: Alpha Flight #96 (May, 1991)

Puck aids in a rescue mission on an oil tanker…much to The Master’s delight.

I have this issue.

A tanker carrying millions of gallons of oil has run aground in Queen Maude Bay. It’s on fire, and leaking oil into the bay. Judd arrives with Box, Guardian, Windshear and Diamond Lil to help where they can. Box locates a life sign deep within the vessel and Judd joins the group as they fight through the fires to get to the wounded crew member. They find him and Judd helps bring him out.

Notes of Interest:

1) Not much character development here, but The Master confirms using Scramble’s DNA on Judd.

WTF? Moment: Judd overhears Madison and Lil discuss her impending biopsy. I’m sure whatever feelings Judd may have had for Lil are over and done with, but that must have been awkward to listen to.

WTF? Moment #2: It’s nice to see a little comic relief (pun intended) without going overboard. It shows the comfort level developing between characters and how the new line-up is working out.  

WTF? Moment #3: While the other main storyline this issue has The Master becoming a major Alpha Flight enemy once more, we get his story in flashbacks and see a panel dating back to his encounter with Judd from Alpha Flight #16. Don’t you just love continuity?

Puck Part 72: Alpha Flight #95 (April, 1991)

Puck finally returns to the group as decisions are made.

I have this issue.

The new headquarters are completed and Judd’s hitting the gym with Heather and Kara (remember her?). The two seasoned Alphans remind Persuasion that while a solid member of Beta Flight, she’s still too inexperienced to join Alpha. Later on, Judd’s in the conference room as Heather determines the official team roster, Aurora resigns from Alpha Flight and Diamond Lil reveals that she may have breast cancer.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd is officially a member of Alpha Flight.

2) He’s continuing his role as team trainer by preparing to show Persuasion some new moves.

WTF? Moment: I’m a little surprised at Judd’s lack of reaction in the conference room. No signs of concern for Aurora - a teammate since Alpha Flight #1, or Lil – a teammate from his Beta days? Maybe he plans to talk to each of them privately later on.

WTF? Moment #2: The last time we saw Judd train anyone was when he was with Elizabeth back in Alpha Flight #23, and there was some MAJOR flirting going on. I don’t think Judd would actively hit on Kara, a minor, but who on the team isn’t a minor compared to him?

Puck Part 71: Alpha Flight #94 (March, 1991)

Puck returns to the team just in time…to watch some construction.

I have this issue.

Judd is in Toronto along with Diamond Lil and Madison Jefferies as they oversee construction of the team’s new headquarters. They have finished for the day and agree to meet in an hour for dinner.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd and the others are staying at a hotel while the headquarters are being built.

2) He’s aware of the relationship between Madison and Lil.

WTF? Moment: This story must take place after Judd returns from his adventure in Wolverine since he missed the entire mission with Headlok, but…

WTF? Moment #2: …there’s no mention of his time-travelling at all. I guess what happens in 1937 stays in 1937.

WTF? Moment #3: If I’m not mistaken, Judd used to live in Toronto back when he was promoted to Alpha Flight in issue #1. While it wouldn’t surprise me that his old apartment was rented out, he could still have enough connections to get them their own place, but chances are Ottawa’s footing the hotel bill here so I’ll let it go.

WTF? Moment #4: Judd appears in all of one page. I guess it makes sense since he just got back from his (time) trip and all, but still…

Puck Part 67: Alpha Flight #91 (December, 1990)

Puck and the rest of Alpha Flight are used as pawns by Doctor Doom.

I have this issue.

Judd is with Northstar, Diamond Lil, Box and Vindicator as they bust up a deliver of high-tech weapons being smuggled into Canada by a group calling themselves the Latverian Liberation Front. The smugglers are stopped, but burst into flames before they can be questioned. Doctor Doom then arrives in Canada to trade his country’s technology for access to clean water because the Latverian water supply has been contaminated…and requests Alpha Flight as protection. Judd is among the Alphans chosen to go with Doom to Parliament when another group of LLF members appear and attack Doom. Judd helps take them down, and learns that there is more to Doom’s plans than meets the eye. Doom vanishes, and official talks between Latveria and Canada cease.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd gets thrown “fastball special”-like by Lil for the first time.

2) This issue is the first meeting between Judd and Doctor Doom.

WTF? Moment: Nicieza brings back Judd’s connection with Hemmingway with a rather small off-handed remark.

WTF? Moment #2: Isn’t it great to see Judd’s uniform with pants? I know he’s had them for a while now, but it really is a better look than the one with the shorts and the hairy legs. Just sayin’…

Puck Part 61: Alpha Flight #90 (November, 1990)

Puck is reunited with Alpha Flight and Heather…only to be one-upped by another long-lost Alphan.

I have this issue.

Judd helps his rescuers (Shaman, Talisman, Sasquatch and Aurora) fight the Master’s Remnant Men. Talisman finds the spell that stops them in Shaman’s medicine bag, costing her dearly, and they all rematerialize outside the Black Hills of South Dakota as the Master escapes. They take her back to a Canadian hospital for treatment, and it is there in the waiting room that Judd is reunited with Heather. His affection and happiness is short-lived, as another Alphan enters the room – James MacDonald Hudson.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd was naked after breaking out of Master’s container last issue. The sudden appearance of his costume here is thanks to Talisman’s mystic abilities.

2) This is the first Judd hears of Hudson’s return.

3) Judd is officially reinstated as a member of Alpha Flight.

WTF? Moment: Was it just me, or was there a nice little play on words between Judd and Talisman as they mentioned his uniform? It felt to me as if Nicieza was channeling the playfulness between these characters from back in Alpha Flight #23 when Judd first started training her in physical combat.

WTF? Moment #2: Having Judd hold Heather’s head as they hugged was a nice touch. In that one panel, Bair manages to convey the deep affection Judd has for her without any sign of the obsession Mantlo had him suffer through.

WTF? Moment #3: There is some genuine shock on Judd’s face as Hudson enters the room. My hope is that this is just the shock of seeing his dead friend walking around again, and not some plant to re-spark the horrible storyline of Judd’s pining for Heather. We are SO done with that!

WTF? Moment #4: The hospital that Judd and the others take Talisman to? Yeah, it’s Ottawa General, the same hospital Judd was kidnapped from AND where Judd uncovered that drug trafficking ring while recuperating from Marrina’s attack. W…T…F…? Is that like the only hospital in Canada?

Puck Part 60: Alpha Flight #89 (October, 1990)

All Right! Puck is BACK baby!

I have this issue.

Through a combination of Aurora’s ability to put Judd in a relaxed state and Shaman’s and Talisman’s spell castings, it is learned that Judd was part of an experiment conducted by old foe Master of the World, who has connections at Ottawa General Hospital. He had his people inject Judd with a genetic compound of the Master’s creation that was derived from Scramble’s bio-restructuring enzymes, and a blood sample taken from Judd’s first stay at that hospital back in Alpha Flight #5. The goal being to eventually develop a mate for Marrina’s brood and create an ultimate warrior.

However, the blood sample Master used was when Judd was a dwarf, and the Master’s compound was manipulating Judd’s body while converting it back to his dwarf form at the same time.

Walter, using his biochemist knowledge, learns that Scramble’s original matrix is still in Judd’s system and could be reprogrammed into converting his body back to normal…making Judd a dwarf again, based on the blood sample the Master used.

Judd is given the choice whether or not to proceed, knowing that there’s no guarantee that it would work, or that he’d survive the strain. Judd tells them to do it.

Walter, Jean-Marie, Michael and Elizabeth work together and they succeed in curing Judd - a dwarf once more - just as Master returns with his Remnant Men, who attack.

Notes of Interest:

1) The hospital Judd stayed at in Alpha Flight #5 was never named, so it could be the same hospital…

2) When Judd returned to Earth-616, his body began rejecting the magical healings from that place. He was dying. In that sense, the Master’s compound saved Judd’s life.

WTF? Moment: Judd doesn’t look very relaxed when Aurora uses her powers on him. In fact, it looks downright painful. I guess the look may be from the pain of having the Master’s compound in his system, but she says that he’s in a relaxed state at that moment, and I beg to differ.

Puck Part 59: Alpha Flight #88 (September, 1990)

Puck’s disappearance becomes an international incident.

I have this issue.

Shaman, Aurora, Sasquatch and Talisman arrive in the Black Hills of South Dakota as they follow Judd’s trail. They learn he’s a prisoner of The Master, and find him after he’s undergone some biological experiments.

Notes of Interest:

1) Nothing in terms of character development here, except that he’s a prisoner of The Master yet again.

WTF? Moment: Strong words uttered by Shaman regarding the bond they share with Judd, but where was that level of commitment when Judd went missing seven issues ago?

WTF? Moment #2: The “bubble” Judd is found in reminds me of the containers The Master put him and Namor in back in Alpha Flight #16.

Puck Part 58: Alpha Flight #87 (August, 1990)

Clues are found regarding Puck’s disappearance.

I have this issue.

Shaman, Aurora, Sasquatch and Talisman return to Ottawa General Hospital to find Judd. They’re told he was discharged, but it turns out that he was kept under sedation and kidnapped.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd was taken from the hospital weeks before his fellow Alphans arrive looking for him.

2) He was still sedated when he was taken out of the hospital.

WTF? Moment: Another writer makes an attempt to bring Puck back. Maybe Nicieza will have better luck?

Puck Part 57: Alpha Flight #82 (March, 1990)

Puck is a wanted man! Shaman is looking for him, and someone else has him…

I have this issue.

Judd is still in Ottawa General Hospital, being kept drugged by someone working for The Master.

Notes of Interest:

1) We learn Judd was moved from the recovery room he shared with Michael Twoyoungmen the previous day and hasn’t been seen since.

2) We learn that The Master is behind Judd’s abduction.

WTF? Moment: If memory serves, doesn’t Judd have a microchip implanted behind his ear that can be used as a tracking device (as of Marvel Fanfare #28) to find him? Guess nobody cares enough about him to think of that...especially Hudnall.

WTF? Moment #2: Speaking of Judd’s ear, specifically his right one, it doesn’t seem to be affected by the other changes his body's going through. Wasn’t it “cured” along with the rest of him while in the Dreamqueen’s Liveworld?

Puck Part 56: Alpha Flight #81 (February, 1990)

It doesn’t look as if Puck will be leaving Ottawa General Hospital anytime soon.

I have this issue.

Judd is starting to feel better, and wants to meet up with Alpha Flight. Unfortunately, he’s drugged by a nurse and passes out.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd has lost at least two feet in height while in recovery.

WTF? Moment: What is the deal with Judd and hospitals?

WTF? Moment #2: C’mon Hudnall, I’m still waiting for Judd’s dramatic return! GET ON WITH IT!!