Puck Part 49: Alpha Flight #59 (June, 1988)

C’mon…you didn’t think he’d be gone for that long did ya?

I have this issue.

Judd hasn’t enjoyed his new life as much as expected. Feeling out of place in the world, he’s made his way to the Chinese province of Danwei in search of a lamasery containing a legendary Doorway Between Worlds where he witnesses a standoff between Tibetan priests and Chinese soldiers. The confrontation escalates, and Judd helps the priests by setting an explosion that brings down a helicopter, which unfortunately causes the military to retaliate more severely. Passing through a Wall Against the Unworthy generated by the priests as a defense, Judd reaches the monastery and meets the High Lama. Judd tells him that he seeks the Doorway to explore new worlds and have new experiences but the Lama refuses him, claiming that the Doorway is only for those worthy and willing to shed the substance of their present life. Their discussion is interrupted when a dragon (who Judd figures to be a super-being working for the Chinese government) invades the monastery and accuses the Lama of treason by associating with a foreign spy…Judd…who then attacks the beast. They fight, and Judd gets caught in the dragon’s tail. He’s about to face a fireball when the Lama intervenes and takes the blast. The dragon is guilt-ridden, and throws Judd aside. Judd, also blaming himself for the Lama’s death, is then visited by the Lama’s spirit which tells him that in death the Lama has gained passage through the Doorway, and asks Judd to join him. Judd is offered several different worlds to choose from, and one of them shows Alpha Flight in battle. Torn between his desire for freedom and his loyalty to his former teammates, Judd’s choice is taken from him, as the dimensional barrier between Judd’s world and the one containing Alpha Flight collapses, and both Alpha and the creatures they were fighting arrive in Danwei.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd understands and speaks Chinese.

2) We learn that he has seen a Wall Against the Unworthy before, decades earlier while studying tantric yoga in India.

3) The dragon that interrupts Judd’s conversation with the High Lama is actually Jade Dragon, aka Dei Guan of the Chinese Army, who is introduced here.

WTF? Moment: I wasn’t expecting Mantlo to bring Judd back at all, but this was a good way to do it. I’m just sorry to see him so unhappy considering how positive and hopeful he was back in #50.

WTF? Moment #2: Two words: Jim Lee. How cool does Judd look on that cover? Tell me he doesn’t look like Sean Connery!

Puck Part 48: Alpha Flight #50 (September, 1987)

Puck heads north to Ungava Bay with the team in search for a cure for Aurora, Northstar…and himself.

I have this issue.

Judd returns to the place where Loki once offered both Alpha Flight and the X-Men the fire-fountain - a gift of power at the cost of creativity and magic. Aurora’s gone mad, and Northstar is dying. Judd, meanwhile, is thinking of trying to cure himself of Black Raazer in order to offer himself to Heather. The team finds the fountain’s location and its source, but when the fountain is reignited, it is made of black light instead of the original white. Dark elves attack, and Judd helps fight them off, but is knocked into the fire-fountain. As he falls, he is cured of his dwarfism. The price, however, is the release of Black Raazer once more. Vindicator, Box, Sasquatch and a cured Northstar fight back the elves and Black Raazer long enough to seal the fire-fountain, but both Puck and Aurora are left on the other side. The team returns home to mourn their losses. As Loki looks on, They Who Sit Above In Shadow appear, ready to pass judgement on him for breaking his promise to leave humanity alone. Loki quickly shows them that he transported Judd to Tibet, a land most dear in his memory, to spend the rest of his days.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd is returned to his full height and proper age when Black Raazer is released.

2) We learn that Judd began his soldier of fortune career in Tibet, and if it wasn’t for Black Raazer he may never have stopped.

3) Judd sees this as an opportunity to start a new life, releases his feelings for Heather, and is actually grateful to be there.

WTF? Moment: First of all, I have to give credit to writer Bill Mantlo. I know I’ve been complaining over the last 20 issues or so about his minimal use of Judd other than as a pining, angst-driven guy who couldn’t accept the fact that the object of his affections didn’t feel the same way towards him. Mantlo could have easily dumped Judd from the title any number of ways and he doesn’t. He takes the time to tie in plot points from the X-Men/Alpha Flight crossover, frees Judd from the pain of Black Raazer and brings Judd back to his original height and age. Plus, making Loki the one who transports him back to Tibet to spend the rest of his days opens the door for possible strings to be attached to that prize. I tip my hat and give my thanks to Mantlo for allowing Judd to leave the book in such a dignified manner.

WTF? Moment #2: Can someone explain to me why Judd has to wear a jacket and mittens when he has a thermal version of his suit somewhere in the Omniship?

WTF? Moment #3: A personal note – I could have stopped reading Alpha Flight at this point and been perfectly happy with how things ended. But this was 1987, I was fifteen years old with allowance to burn, and I was hooked. I am proud to say that Alpha Flight was the first series I worked to own every issue of, and it is that level of commitment which drew me to continue collecting other titles. Not every issue is a winner, and some are downright terrible, but my interest grew as these characters evolved and changed over time. But there is a Shark Moment, a Point of No Return; that inescapable story or artwork or whatever that eventually pulled me out of that suspension of disbelief. My point is that while I could stop documenting Judd’s appearances in the Marvel Universe here, I won’t, because I didn’t stop reading then. I’ll let you know when I’m done with Judd, and yes…it will be before the series ended.

Puck Part 46: Alpha Flight #48 (July, 1987)

Puck confronts a new villain…at the cost of another Alphan.

I have this issue.

Judd is battle bruised after Alpha Flight #46 where both Box and Sasquatch fell on him, and looks on as Bochs is encased in liquid as his legs begin decaying. He tries to give Roger some support, telling him the team will help him, while at the same time seeing himself as obsolete.

Madison Jefferies suggests they take Roger to his brother at New Life Clinic, which Northstar quickly agrees with. Judd goes along with the idea, in part because he suspects Northstar is looking for a cure to his own sickness, but also because Judd wants Lionel to heal his own wounds and possibly cure his dwarfism.

The team arrives at the clinic, where Lionel Jefferies quickly restores Judd to full health, and they decide to stay as Lionel begins treatment on Roger. After waiting for quite some time, Northstar comes barging into the waiting room saying he’s being followed by an amalgam of Bochs and Lionel Jefferies…calling itself Omega. Heather orders the team to use lethal force if necessary to stop Omega, but it’s a losing battle. By issue’s end, Judd is caught in some of Omega’s tendrils.

Notes of Interest:

1) While waiting at the clinic, Judd mentions that some societies blame the doctor when the mortality rate of the area noticeable declines, suggesting he’s seen it happen first hand.

2) This is the first time Judd faces off against Omega.

WTF? Moment: At the end of Alpha Flight #46, Judd is seen standing straight, looking healthy, in an A-shirt and shorts. But here, taking place almost exactly after #46, he’s in full costume and bandaged up. I’ll concede that Judd could have been high on adrenaline at the time and had no idea how busted up he was, but taking the time to change into costume - either before or after getting bandaged - is ridiculous.

WTF? Moment #2: While waiting with the others before Northstar arrives, Judd comments to himself that he longs to speak with Heather about his feelings for her despite knowing that she’s already rebuffed him once. WTF? He must have some really strong fantasies or whatever of her to be unable to let her go. He’s way too smart to not take the repeated hints. Plus – he believes his recent failures in battle make him less desirable in her eyes. Recent failures? He saved Heather from possible getting crushed; he absolutely saved Aurora from being crushed; he couldn’t have saved Snowbird, Doug Thompson or their son, and he had no control over his boy when Mesmero hypnotized him during the Sentinel fiasco. He is far too hard on himself, and if she did consider those actions failures then she’s not worth the time. Clearly, Mantlo has little planned for this character.

Puck Part 45: Alpha Flight #46 (May, 1987)

Puck looks on as Alpha Flight and his heart suffer yet another blow.

I have this issue.

Judd is with the rest of the team at New Life Clinic, as Aurora tries to get Lionel Jefferies to turn ‘Wanda’ Langkowski back into Walter. It doesn’t work, Aurora storms out, and Bochs – in his Box armor – chases after her. Judd joins the others in the Omnicraft and returns to their headquarters.

Later that evening, Judd has a brief conversation with Aurora regarding their similar situations of yearning after impossible loves. She gets upset because the conversation turns away from just her predicament and he comments that the longest loving relationship she’s ever had has been with herself.

Judd responds to the crashing sounds of Box breaking into Aurora’s room, and he runs to the foyer to see the metal Alphan holding her unconscious body at the top of the stairs. Kara tries to stop Roger, but it doesn’t work. Judd sneaks up the back stairway with Sasquatch and manages to free her from Box’s grip and gets her to safety.

Sasquatch and Box start fighting, which brings both combatants tumbling down towards Judd and Aurora. He pushes her out of the way and takes the full impact alone. He comes to as Vindicator is taken out trying to subdue Roger, and comforts her as Jeffries takes over the Box armor, forcing Roger out. Madison claims the armor as his own since Bochs has clearly lost his mind.

Notes of Interest:

1) We learn that Judd, Roger and Madison were all tested at the Clinic for Socially Maladjusted Super-Beings, and supposedly cured, before being allowed to graduate from Beta Flight to Alpha.

2) During the battle between Madison and Bochs, Judd learns that Madison has feelings for Heather and suspects that she feels the same, since it’s much easier for her than loving a dwarf.

WTF? Moment: I gotta call B.S. on the Judd/Heather/Madison triangle. Judd is a world traveler who has undoubtedly been around the block. There is NO way he’d still be pining for Heather after all they’ve been through by now. He would have washed his hands of her and moved on. I’ll admit that there should be some feelings of regret and even jealousy as he sees her turn her feelings to another man, Alphan or not, but that would have taken place after the burial of Snowbird and her family. He’d have buried whatever hopes or dreams he may have had, so that by now he’d feel glad that she’s found someone to care for.

WTF? Moment #2: It should be noted that at this time, Judd has no superhuman abilities beyond his acrobatic skills. Which means he gets hurt, and crushed, as easily as the next guy. So how can he be standing at the end of the issue after having Box and Sasquatch land on him a few pages earlier? Gotta call B.S. again…

WTF? Moment #3: What’s the deal with the whole “Judd getting the damsel in distress out of harm’s way” thing? There’s more to Judd than that.

Puck Part 43: Alpha Flight #44 (March, 1987)

Puck witnesses the passing of two old friends.

I have this issue.

Judd returns to Mansion Alpha fully healed from last issue’s injuries (thanks to Scramble) to see a spiritual message from Shaman and Snowbird asking the team to meet them at Burial Butte where Snowbird’s son Pestilence is hiding. They arrive at the town to find it full of dead bodies, and Doug Thompson close to death. He passes away after telling Alpha that Shaman and Snowbird are in the local mine searching for Pestilence. The team enters the mine and splits up as the tunnels go off in different directions. Judd ends up getting caught in a cave-in but is soon found by Heather, who almost kills him thanks to Pestilence’s manipulations. She runs to Judd, and tries to resuscitate him, but he simply kisses her back and reveals that he was using his yoga training to slow his breathing until someone found him. The team reunites and confronts Pestilence, but Judd hesitates fighting because he’s afraid Pestilence would release Razer from within him. Snowbird transforms into the Great Beast in Sasquatch’s form, Pestilence possesses her, and orders his ‘mother’ to kill him. Judd leaps in to stop her, but gets batted away, and is helpless to stop her from killing Pestillence…or to stop Heather from killing Snowbird. The team returns to Mansion Alpha with the bodies of Snowbird (in Sasquatch’s form), Doug Thompson and their son.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd’s yoga skills come in handy again.

2) It’s becoming clear to him that Alpha Flight is becoming more powerful than he can keep up with.

WTF? Moment: It appears that Mantlo is preparing us for a relationship between Heather and Madison Jefferies. I’m okay with this, and I think Judd is too, but let’s get on with it already! Plus – I think the sneaky kiss Judd plants Heather is both a little cruel, and a little justified. Don’t you?

WTF? Moment #2: They still don’t have a definitive spelling of Raazer yet do they?

Puck Part 41: Alpha Flight #42 (January, 1987)

Puck meets the newest member of Beta Flight.

I have this issue.

Northstar returns to Mansion Alpha with purple skin, apparently under the control of a teenage girl named Kara. Judd and the others learn that she can control people, with her victims’ skin turning purple as side effect. As they debate about what to do with her, Kara panics and takes control of the team, freezing Judd in his tracks. He wakes up to find Kara gone, along with Madison Jefferies and the Omniship, which he tracks with their homing device. He finds the Omniship in Toronto in the form of a roadster. Judd aids in the search for Kara and Jefferies when the roof of a nearby building starts shooting fireworks. Inside the building, he finds both of them along with Kara’s mother held captive during what turns out to be a secret military weapons auction. The auction is stopped and the baddies are turned over to the RCMP.

Back at Mansion Alpha, Kara is elected into the newly reopened Beta Flight, and Judd agrees.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd seems to doubt his place in Alpha as Vindicator grows more comfortable with her power.

2) Technically, Judd doesn’t agree with Jefferies’ nomination of Kara, but he doesn’t openly disagree with it either.

WTF? Moment: Judd has been a member of Alpha Flight since the first issue, and been around mutants, demigods, spirits and technologically powered humans from the beginning. So why is he questioning his place on the team now? 

Puck Part 40: Alpha Flight #41 (December, 1986)

Puck votes a new member into Alpha Flight.

I have this issue.

Judd appears in only a few pages as the group decides how to proceed after Marrina left the group following her marriage to Namor in Alpha Flight #40. Vindicator nominates Madison Jefferies to join the team and Judd votes in favor of the nomination.

Notes of Interest:

1) We see Judd having issues regarding his feelings for Heather once again.

WTF? Moment: Again it seems that Mantlo has little to do with Judd except drag up his pining yet again. Why? 

Puck Part 39: Alpha Flight Annual #1 (1986)

Mansion Alpha attacks as Judd and the others find themselves facing a new foe as well as an old one.

I have this issue.

Everyone is more or less enjoying an evening meal at home when the mansion knocks them off their feet. Further investigation leads to Judd and Shaman being trapped in an elevator. They escape, and meet up with the rest of the team as they find Diablo in the house along with Gilded Lily. The villains escape underground, but Alpha Flight catches them in a secret cave beneath the mansion. Gilded Lily conjures up a sandstorm and Judd finds himself encased in solidifying sand. Vindicator frees him, and Judd helps knock Diablo down and keeping him subdued until R.C.M.P. officers arrive to extradite him back to the United States.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd reads Shakespeare.

2) This is the first time Judd meets both Gilded Lily and Diablo.

WTF? Moment: It seems to me that Bill Mantlo still doesn’t know what to do with this character. He’s given Judd an origin that explains his size and the constant pain he’s in, and granted – his abilities don’t stray far into the realm of the exotic or interesting. What makes Puck so cool is his character; his ability to continue despite having to endure physical pain and social stigma. There must have been a lot Judd faced in his life in order to develop that strong a sense of self, and that would be interesting to read about. There’s also his brush with Logan that was hinted at in Alpha Flight #13. What happened there? Why not develop a villain that Judd deals with solo? A former mercenary perhaps that Judd had a falling out with in the past. How did he get the deformed ear? Byrne created a unique individual in Judd that had lots of potential in terms of depth and personality which Mantlo just hasn’t tapped thus far.

Puck Part 37: Alpha Flight #40 (November, 1986)

Puck witnesses the relationship between Namor and Marrina come full circle.

I have this issue.

Judd and the rest of Alpha Flight catch up with Namor, who in turn caught up with Marrina. Judd learns that Marrina is about to give birth, while Namor still wants to marry her and raise her children as his own. Everyone debates about the possibility that the offspring could cause planet wide destruction when Marrina’s mate shows up. Marrina finds herself drawn to it, and Judd stays back as Vindicator, Box, Namor and others argue about what is best for her. In the end, Marrina chooses to be human, which causes her biology to revert to what it was when Namor met her. The mate is killed, and everyone returns to Namor’s undersea villa, where they find a group of Atlanteans led by Byrrah and Lord Vashti waiting for them and welcoming Namor home as loyal subjects. Namor again asks Marrina to marry him and she finally accepts. Judd and the rest of Alpha witness the wedding.

Notes of Interest:

1) As the group discusses their options, Judd seems more concerned with the consequences of Heather’s choice rather than giving his own opinion. This makes some sense. He’s killed before during his years as a soldier of fortune, some of his victims must have been thought of as friends. I’m sure he’d have gone with killing Marrina for the greater good, but the weight of that decision put on Heather’s shoulders would have been more than Judd could bear.

2) While we don’t see Judd actually at the wedding, it is safe to assume he’s there.

WTF? Moment: Why don’t we see Judd at the wedding? All the other members of Alpha are there, and none of them know more about the relationship between Namor and Marrina than he does. My guess is that Judd was chosen as Namor’s Best Man, and by Atlantean law the Best Man had to prepare the royal reception.

Puck Part 35: Alpha Flight #39 (October, 1986)

Puck joins Namor’s cause to free Marrina from Attuma, the ruler of Atlantis.

I have this issue.

Sensors indicate an intruder approaching the mansion as the team arrives from their trip to the Place of Power last issue. Judd is carried by Aurora and Northstar to confront the stranger, and it turns out to be Byrrah, who Namor sent to Alpha Flight to get their help in freeing Marrina. Judd agrees, and explains to the team the circumstances behind Marrina’s absence. Judd learns that Mansion Alpha has been bugged by the Canadian government, as Gary Cody appears on a screen forbidding Alpha Flight from invading Atlantis and creating an international incident. Judd witnesses Vindicator’s response to being spied on and the team prepares to leave.

The Omniship is shot down as they approach Atlantis, but Judd and the others survive. He holds his own as the invasion commences, and together with Namor and the Avengers, they find and free Marrina…but wind up surrounded by the overwhelming number of Atlantean forces.

Notes of Interest:

1) Apparently, Judd can’t swim.

2) He does, however, seem pretty comfortable wielding Atlantean technology while riding Snowbird in her whale form. (Insert joke here.)

3) This is where Judd is formally introduced to Captain America, Captain Marvel (later Photon), Black Knight, Wasp and Hercules.

WTF? Moment: It’s interesting how Bill Mantlo and David Ross make a big point of having these two teams meet. Didn’t they already do that in Secret Wars #9? Maybe with all that was going on then, they were never properly introduced.

WTF? Moment #2: Here it is! The first official appearance of Judd’s “thermal” outfit. I guess it was stored somewhere in the Omniship. And yet, it is sadly missing from the cover.

Puck Part 33: Alpha Flight #37 (August, 1986)

Puck and the others arrive at the Place of Power to witness the birth of Snowbird’s baby…to everyone’s regret.

I have this issue.

Judd pilots another Omniship north of the Arctic Circle, as the team heads to the Place of Power Shaman needs to deliver Snowbird’s baby. Judd stays behind on the ship, so he misses Talisman’s treachery. It isn’t until Vindicator’s attacked that he decides to join the battle…only to fall through the ice.

Notes of Interest:

1) No real character development here, but we do learn that Judd doesn’t like peanuts.

WTF? Moment: Another small thing, but Judd doesn’t have a cold weather variation of his costume, and that stinks. On the cover, he’s wearing a full body suit, which makes sense because his regular outfit leaves his arms bare. In the comic itself, however, he has naked elbows. My thought is that there was a plan to introduce the “thermal” outfit but it fell through. Or maybe it’s still stored somewhere on the Omniship?

WTF? Moment #2: What’s the deal about Heather’s quip about keeping Judd’s eyes on the monitors? After all the months of his pining after her, he finally moves on enough to admire Aurora’s outfit and Heather calls him on it. Could she be jealous?

WTF? Moment #3: Falling through the ice? Really? Others face maggots, rust, muck and flies! What form of death and decay is shown by broken ice? Maybe Mantlo just hasn’t given Judd enough thought. I bet Byrne would have remembered his thermals…

Puck Part 32: Alpha Flight #36 (July, 1986)

Puck finds himself amidst a family matter when he learns Snowbird is pregnant.

I have this issue.

Judd is woken up in the middle of the night and helps keep Doug Thompson from attacking Shaman, who let Snowbird go so she could feed. Shaman reveals that Snowbird is pregnant, and when she returns she looks almost eight months along. The shock causes Doug to need some time to process the news. Judd follows him, and attempts to comfort Doug by telling him about Snowbird’s origin, explaining the reasoning behind her birth, the connection between her and Shaman, and her later joining Alpha Flight. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help. Doug then threatens the team while trying to take her to a proper hospital and Judd is there as Shaman and the others convince Doug to let them take her to a newly found place of power where their baby can be born.

Notes of Interest:

1) It seems that Judd wants things to work out between Doug and Snowbird.

2) It also looks like Judd’s been hitting the Alpha files, since he wasn’t around when Shaman delivered Snowbird.

WTF? Moment: This is a small thing, but wasn’t the Omniship last seen destroyed over the woods of upstate New York? I know Jefferies rebuilt it, but couldn’t Mantlo have had someone say that Jefferies rebuilt it?

WTF? Moment #2: Mantlo also seems to have altered Judd’s abilities a bit, giving him super speed as well. When Judd is on the dock at the end of the story, he’s shirtless. But when it is decided that they’re going to the place of power, he’s got his costume on. Aurora could have voluntarily flown up, grabbed his outfit and brought it down to him. But how’s he get it on so fast without anyone saying anything?

Puck Part 31: Alpha Flight #35 (June, 1986)

Puck and Vindicator return to Tamarind Island to find Snowbird ill and in desperate need of Shaman’s help.

I have this issue.

Vindicator is carrying Judd as they fly back to Canada from New York (since the Omniship was destroyed in Alpha Flight #34). During the voyage home, Judd confesses that he’s not thrilled with her becoming a super hero. He also apologizes for letting his feelings for her get in the way. When they arrive, they find Snowbird’s husband, Doug Thompson, waiting outside the infirmary. Snowbird lies within, strapped to a table and screaming in pain. Heather starts trying to comfort her when the goddess starts to shapeshift. Judd knocks Heather out of harm’s way as Aurora sedates their patient. The sedative doesn’t last long, and Judd witnesses more of Snowbird’s pain-induced transmutations when Shaman arrives, looking completely different.

Notes of Interest:

1) Heather doesn’t react one way or the other about Judd’s confession and the lack of response is duly noted.

2) Judd learns that Snowbird and her longtime partner Doug Thompson were recently married.

WTF? Moment: Judd finally tells her how he feels, and Heather doesn’t say anything? I call B.S. on that. He’s been there for her ever since her husband died. She knows it. Why can’t she talk to him? I’m not saying she should have feelings for him, but she should have at least told him how she feels about getting involved with anyone. I’m not a big fan of angst, but I understand it has its place in storytelling. Enough is enough! Get Judd a girlfriend already and let’s all move on.

WTF? Moment #2: I’m surprised at Judd’s response to Snowbird’s marriage. It’s probably just shock after being given the silent treatment. Judd’s the type of guy who wishes nothing but the best for his friends. But on a side note - if Heather decided to start anything with Logan, all bets are off.

Puck Part 30: Alpha Flight #34 (May, 1986)

Puck heads after Heather, who went to the one other person she can trust to help her…Wolverine.

I have this issue.

Judd ran off last issue to suit up and take the team’s only Omniship to chase after Heather. He follows the signature impulses of her battlesuit to upstate New York, not far from Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. He arrives in time to see two combatants in an open field, and the Omniship registers one of them as using electromagnetic energy. Puck assumes it’s Heather, but it is actually Lady Deathstrike, whose blade also emits electromagnetic impulses. The person she’s facing is Logan, whom Judd recognizes too late to change course, and the Omniship clocks Logan on the back of the head. Lady Deathstrike uses her blade to shred the belly of Judd’s transport, forcing him to eject.

Judd arrives at the battlefield just as Lady Deathstrike faces off against Heather. Yuriko strikes, but the Guardian suit’s electromagnetic field proves stronger, and the blade shatters. Proving herself in battle, Heather asks both men if they still want to offer her their protection. Judd doesn’t answer.

Notes of Interest:

1) This is the first time Judd hears Heather call herself Vindicator.

2) Judd shows off his piloting skills again by flying the Omniship alone.

WTF? Moment: The ejection thing bothers me. Judd is shown essentially jumping out of the ship with no ejection seat, no protection of any kind…and no parachute. Did he just cartwheel himself safely to the ground? Maybe he bounced from tree to tree to break his fall?

WTF? Moment #2: Don’t tell me Logan isn’t just a little bit peeved for being taken out in such a stupid way. I’m sure he’ll get Judd back at some point, which leads me to…

WTF? Moment #3: …how could a computer that managed to track a specific electromagnetic signature across Canada into the United States suddenly get “confused” and misread a different electromagnetic signature? Maybe the point was that the two would be very similar since there’s a relationship between their creators. Maybe Judd simply read the readings wrong. In any case, if Judd couldn’t tell that Heather’s bright red-and-white costume was nowhere in sight on the battlefield as he approached, he deserves whatever he gets from Logan. ‘Nuff said.

Puck Part 29: Alpha Flight #33 (April, 1986)

Puck’s affections are made known to everyone currently in Alpha Flight…except Heather.

I have this issue.

Judd spends this issue stressing over not agreeing to train Heather because of his feelings for her. Aurora offers sympathy, Northstar offers sarcasm, Box offers hope, and Jefferies offers…?

Judd knows where Heather is headed before Box can locate her and storms off, preparing to offer her his apology and affection.

Notes of Interest:

1) Not much character development here, aside from his feelings for Heather being known to the others.

WTF? Moment: Jefferies calls Judd a hypocrite because he warned her about the dangers of power while secretly keeping “Razer” (or Razor, or Black Razaar, or whatever) inside himself. My question is: where did this anger come from? Jefferies has known Judd since the days of Beta and Gamma Flights but they never seemed to be more than acquaintances, so why would Jefferies care that Judd kept a secret?

Wouldn’t it have made more sense if Northstar said that?

Puck Part 28: Alpha Flight #32 (March, 1986)

We learn a lot about Puck this issue, including the secret behind his pain.

I have this issue.

Judd is about to test out the newly constructed Danger Room at Alpha Headquarters when he gets a surprise in the form of Heather entering the room wearing a new version of her late husband’s Guardian uniform. He was expecting to show her some basic fighting techniques, not teaching “Super-Heroing 101”, and argues that it is too dangerous for her. She disagrees, and has Bochs and Jefferies start the training exercise.

All goes well until Heather gets her glasses knocked off, rendering her essentially blind. Judd leaps to her aid, but is cut down when the pain hits him again. Heather figures out how to stop the exercise herself, and Judd calls her a fool for wanting to get into super-heroing at all. She leaves, intent on seeking another person she’s confident will train her, and Judd is upset over his hurt feelings.

Judd broke his promise to James Hudson when he killed Ernest in Alpha Flight #31, and that act has bothered him, which has affected his ability to focus past the pain. The desire he felt from Nemesis’ blade made things worse, and in his weakened state, Judd collapses. This causes the source of his pain, an ancient sorcerer named Razor, to be released from Judd’s body.

Aurora and Northstar are the first to encounter the Arabian spirit, followed by Box. Jefferies stumbles upon Judd’s body – now six foot six inches tall and seventy-one years old – as he regains consciousness.

Judd explains that he was born in 1914, and spent his youth as a soldier of fortune when certain dealers told him about the Black Blade of Bagdad in 1939. Upon finding it, Judd decided he was going to keep it instead of selling it to dealers. In that moment of selfishness, Razor was released. The Blade was created by mystics as a source of light in order to trap Razor, a fellow mystic who corrupted men’s souls and made them smaller. They succeeded in confining Razor within the blade, and over the millennia, Razor’s presence turned the Blade black. Having no intention of being confined again, Razor fought Judd. While no mystic, Judd recalled some of the things he had learned from his travels and realized that the Blade turned black because it couldn’t control Razor’s influence, whereas a living vessel could. Judd sacrificed his own soul to contain the dark mystic. Judd gained an extended lifespan, but it cost him his height and resulted in his being in constant pain.

Back in the present, Judd witnesses Aurora’s battle against Razor and notices that he reacts to her ability to generate light. Northstar creates a whirlwind to contain Razor while Aurora’s light weakens him and Judd then sacrifices himself and contains Razor within him once more, reducing him in size and causing him constant pain.

Notes of Interest:

1) Bochs is aware of Judd’s feelings towards Heather.

2) When Judd returns to his full height, his right ear is still disfigured.

3) This is the first we learn anything of Judd’s past prior to joining Beta Flight.

4) While we never see Judd killing anyone, it is implied here that he’s done it quite a few times before confronting Razor.

WTF? Moment: This issue is significant in that it features Judd’s origin, but not the one Byrne intended. Byrne merely wanted Judd to be an acrobatic dwarf who could fight but had no superhuman powers, and his pain was simply caused by his condition – achondroplasia. The whole “Arabian Genie in Judd’s body” thing was Bill Mantlo’s idea. I’m not exactly sure how I feel about this. Mantlo’s story explains Judd’s age, how he could have known Hemmingway as well as his worldly travels. But Byrne’s plan to just have Judd deal with the regular problems real people with this disease suffer has a certain appeal. The main thing is that what Mantlo did had no affect on Judd’s character or personality traits. It does support Byrne’s plan that Judd was in trouble with the law prior to joining Beta Flight, as well as the fact that Judd has killed people in the past. This also explains in an indirect way how Judd could have that continual crossing of professional paths with Logan. My one concern has to do with Judd’s height. Apparently, Razor’s blade has the ability to reduce the height of anyone it passes through. So it makes sense that when Judd uses the blade on himself to contain Razor, it causes him to shrink in size. However…

WTF? Moment #2: …Judd’s costume isn’t affected by the sudden height change. Unless it’s made of those famous unstable molecules, it would have either (most likely) torn significantly when Judd grew, or (least likely) sagged off his body when he got short again.

WTF? Moment #3: Despite what the cover leads us to believe, Heather leaves the mansion before Razor appears, missing the battle...and Judd’s story...completely.

WTF? Moment #4: Judd makes a passing comment to Bochs about a cripple helping a cripple. That was cold, even for Judd, but I’ll chalk it up to being in both emotional and physical pain at that moment.

WTF? Moment #5: Yes…I know that on Comic Vine the character is listed as Black Raazar, but in the comic itself, he’s called both Razor and Razer. I’ll go into that when I deal with the character sometime down the road.

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?

Puck Part 25: Alpha Flight #30 (January, 1986)

Puck gets acquainted to his new digs and faces a new enemy.

I have this issue.

Judd helps his fellow Alphans move into their new headquarters – Walter Langkowski’s Great-Aunt’s mansion on Tamarind Island. After settling in, Judd wakes in the middle of the night to find Heather’s taken the Omniship. The team follows her to Montreal General Hospital, where they find everyone turned into misshapen monsters. Judd learns that Madison’s brother Lionel has the ability to reshape biological matter, and was locked up at the hospital in a padded cell. They find Heather in the open cell…deformed like the others. Judd chooses to stay with her, while Box, Jefferies, Aurora and Northstar go after Lionel, now calling himself Scramble. Scramble is found, defeated and apparently cured, and returns everyone back to normal, including Heather.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd’s not altogether trusting of the new arrangement Alpha has with the Canadian Government, and he doesn’t trust Gary either.

2) It’s hinted here that Judd has endured so much pain from his dwarfism that at some point his sanity was at risk.

WTF? Moment: The fact that Judd stays with Heather speaks volumes. He drops everything else and holds her, telling her she’s still beautiful and that she’ll be alright. What makes it a WTF? Moment is…

WTF? Moment #2: …Heather doesn’t mention it at all later on. She recoils when Lionel touches her face, which is to be expected, but no “Thank You” or “I appreciate you staying with me” or anything? I call bulls#!+ on that. Judd even tells her it wasn’t her fault Scramble got free because eventually someone would have become a victim. I’m beginning to think he’s too good for her.

Puck Part 24: Alpha Flight #29 (December, 1985)

Puck faces off against the Hulk, and must decide whether or not to remain an Alphan.

I have this issue.

The Hulk finds himself in Bochs’ lab at Alpha Headquarters, goes berserk and badly damages Box. Judd distracts Hulk long enough for Mr. Jefferies to repair him, but Hulk escapes and tears through downtown Vancouver. Judd and the team chase after him and get soundly beaten. Hulk heads South into the U. S., and Gary Cody shows up offering Heather official government funding from newly reformed Department H. Heather poses the offer to the team, and Judd says yes.

Notes of Interest:

1) This issue takes place immediately after both Alpha Flight #28 and The Incredible Hulk #313.

2) Judd holds his own against Hulk. Sure, he gets thrown around a bit, but he survives.

WTF? Moment: This is Bill Mantlo’s first issue writing Puck, and he does a decent job. Judd’s concerns for Heather’s safety are present without putting him in needless jeopardy – like pushing her out of the way of falling debris for example. In fact, it’s his feelings for her that drive him to attack rather than defend.

WTF? Moment #2: This is also Mike Mignola’s first issue drawing Judd. I guess I’m so used to how Byrne drew him that it’s hard for me to like Mantlo’s version. His shortness seems over-emphasized, and did he start bench pressing Buicks between issues?

WTF? Moment #3: Of course Judd’s going to stay with the team…if for no other reason than another chance to “pop one” on ol’ Gary.