Puck Part 22: Alpha Flight #28 (November, 1985)

Puck witnesses Walter Langkowski transfer his soul to an unlikely host.

I have this issue.

This issue begins by retelling the last few moments of Alpha Flight’s encounter with the Beyonder, and Judd is there, awake and feeling great, as Talisman transports the whole team back to their leased headquarters in Vancouver. While Heather orders the team to take a break, and she takes a bath, the power goes out, and she investigates. Judd is with the rest of the team in Bochs’ lab and explains to her that they’re in the process of searching different dimensions for a suitable body for Walter’s soul. The plan works in that they find a body and reel it in, it fails in that the body they find belongs to the Hulk, and Walter’s soul is lost.

Notes of Interest:

1) This issue takes place during and after Secret Wars II #4.

2) Judd doesn’t seem to have a problem explaining the logic behind such a crazy stunt.

3) This is the first time Judd meets Hulk.

4) This is John Byrne’s last issue on the title until #81.

WTF? Moment: Heather took the time to have a bath once they returned to their headquarters. Judd could have gone immediately to work with Bochs’ plan with the others, but couldn’t he have taken some time to change into regular clothes first? He’s been tossed around, thrown to the floor and transported around the country. He needs some time off. That better be a beer he’s drinking…

Puck Part 20: Alpha Flight #27 (October, 1985)

Puck spends the entire issue out cold, missing some cool stuff.

I have this issue.

The story begins with Judd being carried around like an unwanted doll by Diamond Lil. “Dark Guardian”, a reprogrammed Delphine Courtney, begins torturing Talisman and that brings Shaman, Aurora and Box to the mall where Omega Flight is waiting for them. Shaman’s pouch is taken and turned inside out, which unleashes the void within, which starts consuming the real world – including the still unconscious Judd and other Alphans. Talisman succeeds in putting the void back in the pouch, thus rescuing Judd and the others, but she’s trapped inside, and Shaman is devastated.

Notes of Interest:

1) Did I mention that Judd is out through the whole thing?

WTF? Moment: To be fair, Northstar is also unconscious the whole issue, and Heather is knocked out before the void takes her as well. So it’s not like Judd’s the only one missing the fun, but still…

Puck Part 19: Alpha Flight #26 (September, 1985)

Puck gets tossed aside like his namesake by a mysterious foe that looks strangely familiar.

I have this issue.

Judd takes part in a training exercise Alpha has with the Canadian Military when information comes in saying that there’s trouble at the West Edmonton Mall. Omega Flight has taken it over, and Judd is one of the first to get there. He faces off against Diamond Lil, and gets suspended in mid-air. He recognizes the person behind his hovering before getting tossed into the floor, unconscious.

Notes of Interest:

1) Another issue with minimal character development, but it is nice to see him with the rest of the team.

WTF? Moment: Judd mentions that the general public is unaware of Guardian’s death (most likely a governmental decision), and then blurts to everyone outside the mall that Omega Flight killed him? Maybe he still holds a grudge against the government for leaving Heather out in the cold after Mac’s death. Maybe he’s on edge because Mac is back in Heather’s life. Whatever the reason, that wasn’t the best move on Judd’s part.

WTF? Moment #2: Again with the Women! Even though Judd gets a kick to the face, he turns red when he sees Diamond Lil, and I don’t think it’s from the cheap shot.

WTF? Moment #3: I’m a little disappointed that he couldn’t get one good hit in the entire issue. Not against the Gobot knock-offs, not against Lil. C’mon Byrne! Give the little guy his due!

Puck Part 18: Alpha Flight #25 (August, 1985)

Puck hears something on the emergency frequency that changes everything…

I have this issue.

Judd interrupts Northstar’s informal hearing and tells everyone that according the emergency frequency, Caliber has escaped from jail and is currently in battle…with Guardian.

Notes of Interest:

1) There’s absolutely no character development this issue…Judd appears in all of two panels.

WTF? Moment: Two panels? Really? I guess Judd just wanted to stay away while Heather and Shaman try to make sense of everything. He’s such a gentleman.

Puck Part 17: Alpha Flight #24 (July, 1985)

Puck travels to the Realm of the Beasts in search of Walter Langkowski’s soul.

I have this issue.

Judd joins Shaman, Talisman, Aurora, Heather, Snowbird and (eventually) Northstar at The Eye of the World, where they hope to return Walter’s soul to his body. While Heather stays behind, Judd and the others reach the Realm of the Beasts, confront the Great Beast Somon, and battle Tundra, Kariooq and Tolamaq. They find Walter’s soul and bring it back to Earth, only to find Walter’s body disintegrated. In order to save their teammate, Walter’s soul is transferred into Box’s physical form.

Notes of Interest:

1) Judd hints that he’s been around mysticism before.

2) He’s also familiar with Snowbird’s telling of how the Great Beasts were imprisoned; saying he’s heard it before, “in various forms, all around the globe”.

3) This marks Judd’s first meeting of the Great Beasts Tundra, Kariooq, Somon and Tolamaq.

WTF? Moment: I’m wondering what Judd was doing in the Realm of the Beasts in the first place. This is where they were imprisoned through magical means by the Ancient Gods of the North. Not a place a dwarf with no super abilities should visit. In fact, he spends the entire time running away from them. He should have stayed behind with Heather.

Puck Part 16: Alpha Flight #23 (June, 1985)

Puck confronts a new villain, and an old friend…

I have this issue.

Judd’s exercising his natural ease around women as he trains Elizabeth Twoyoungmen in some hand-to-hand combat when news comes of a villain terrorizing downtown Vancouver named Caliber. Judd uses his skills to distract him, but it’s Sasquatch that deals the final blow that knocks Caliber out. The next thing Judd sees, aside from the sky getting darker, is Snowbird swoop in, turn into an owl and attack Sasquatch. She explains that Sasquatch is actually Tanaraq, one of the Great Beasts. Judd witnesses Snowbird turn into another Sasquatch form, fight and kill the Great Beast’s physical form.

Notes of Interest:
1) Judd shows genuine concern for Elizabeth’s training. It seems he has some experience teaching rookies the ropes, and worrying about them entering the battlefield too quickly.

2) He picks up on Snowbird’s carefully chosen words regarding the Great Beast’s physical form versus the death of Walter Langowski.

WTF? Moment: It’s obvious Judd has a thing for young women, but if he cares so much for Heather, why isn’t he comforting her instead of training Elizabeth? Maybe he would feel guilty about comforting a woman who may have just seen her late husband walking around, and is using sparring with Elizabeth as a distraction.

WTF? Moment #2: Judd meets another Great Beast, although technically, he’s seen this creature before.

WTF? Moment #3: Okay, time to nit-pick. Judd’s entering a confrontation with a villain who is in downtown Vancouver that very minute tearing things up. He’s in civvies, along with Walter, Aurora and Elizabeth (also in regular clothes) as they leave the gym. They all appear together in unison, in costume, to confront Caliber. Walter just has to become Sasquatch, Elizabeth just has to use her magical abilities to become Talisman, and Aurora is super fast. Which means Judd is the only one there who has to take the time to physically change his clothes. Even if Aurora flew him all the way back to his apartment in Toronto, (which I highly doubt, since Judd’s smart enough to have a spare costume nearby), and flew him all the way back to Vancouver, they’d all be standing around waiting for Judd to finish getting that cap-thing onto his head before stopping the bad guy. Talk about awkward…

Puck Part 13: Alpha Flight #20 (March, 1985)

Judd’s relationship with Heather is explored a bit.

I have this issue.

Having returned to the present after last issue’s adventure, Judd and the others takes a break at Heather’s parents’ house. He’s there as Talisman fights to accept her destiny and helps Heather adjust to being Alpha Flight’s leader. Shaman also has a talk with Judd about Heather’s fragile emotional state, but he doesn’t warn Judd to stay away. Instead, he tells the dwarf that in the times to come she may depend on him more and more, and he should be ready to give as much of himself as possible.

Notes of Interest:
1) We learn that this isn’t Judd’s first foray into mysticism, or “witcheries” as he calls it.

2) Heather admits to know a lot about Judd’s past from her late husband, which he doesn’t seem to mind, and plans on using his experience and wisdom to guide her leadership.

3) Judd reveals he’s almost twice Heather’s age.

WTF? Moment: Judd just came back from one hundred years in the past, had his first encounter with a Great Beast, and witnessed the creation of a being that can control all spirits including Snowbird, and it isn’t until Elizabeth can’t get the darned tiara off to say that he’s beginning to feel out of his depth? “Interesting witcheries” indeed…

WTF? Moment #2: I reviewed Alpha Flight #14 already so I don’t have it in front of me, but I remember Heather stating her age in that issue. I’m positive she’s in her twenties, but can’t remember her exact age. So let’s do some quick math…Assuming Heather’s between 21 and 29 years old, and Judd is almost twice her age, that puts him between 41 and 57 years old. Given that this issue came out in 1985, that would mean Judd was born sometime between 1944 and 1928. (Looking at how Byrne draws him, I’d put him closer to the 41 mark versus the 57.) Regardless, the point Byrne’s making is that Judd is significantly older that Heather, and that the age difference is just one thing that Judd believes would keep her from wanting a relationship with him. Shaman’s comments, however, show that Heather may not mind at all. So time will tell…

WTF? Moment #3: Is anyone else creeped out just a little bit at how Byrne shows the size relation between Judd and Heather in that one panel? How much more obvious sexual tension does Judd need, eh?

Puck Part 12: Alpha Flight #19 (February, 1985)

Puck travels one hundred years into the past to help stop Ranaq from entering the world.

I have this issue.

Shaman’s battle against Great Beast Ranaq last issue isn’t over yet. He summons Judd and Snowbird to Fort Calgary, where they have to travel into the past and witness Ranaq the Devourer being freed from imprisonment. While Judd doesn’t do much against the magical creature, he does prevent young Lucas Stang from leaving, which is crucial, since Stang is the one needed to destroy Ranaq.

Notes of Interest:
1) Judd knows seventeen languages. Sarcee isn’t one of them.

2) He also witnesses Elizabeth Twoyoungmen become Talisman.

WTF? Moment: I like how the spell Shaman casts to send them into the past also changes Judd’s clothes into his costume, but where is his headgear? I believe this is the first variation of his costume to be seen, and I kind of like it. Does Judd really need a secret identity?

Puck Part 11: Alpha Flight #18 (January, 1985)

Judd and Heather spend some time together as they plan for Alpha Flight’s future.

I have this issue.

Judd returns to his apartment after a food run to find Heather holding a spare Guardian suit in front of a mirror. He freaks out, but she calms him down, saying that she has no intention of becoming a super-hero. He’s glad to hear it, saying that her leadership should be more of a sideline role. Judd listens in as Heather begins calling other members, starting with Northstar, who simply refuses to be a part of Alpha. Judd admits he’s not surprised, and encourages her to call someone else. She chooses Dr. Twoyoungmen, but they learn that some young woman barged into his office two days ago looking for Shaman…by name.

Notes of Interest:
1) Not much new info here, except that Judd seems to like fast food.

WTF? Moment: What is it with Judd and fast food anyway? He took Heather and Michael to a burger joint when they were recuperating from Guardian’s death, and he brings more fast food back to his apartment here. Maybe he needs the calories? Or maybe he thinks Heather needs them? Then again, he is living off a bouncer’s wages…

WTF? Moment #2: What is a full length mirror doing in Judd’s apartment? As far as we know, he’s been a dwarf his whole life.

WTF? Moment #3: Judd seems pretty concerned about Heather looking at Guardian’s suit. It could be because he doesn’t want her to enter dangerous situations as a superhero. But it could also be because he sees her thinking about Mac, which brings another set of concerns.

WTF? Moment #4: It appears Heather’s staying at Judd’s apartment; since the government can’t offer any support and the Hudsons left their place to move to New York. He may be a perfect gentleman, but he’s sneaked a peek once or twice. I’m sure of it.

Puck Part 10: Alpha Flight #17 (December, 1984)

Puck recommends a new leader for Alpha Flight, and it isn’t who you’d think.

I have this issue.

Judd returns to Heather’s hospital room after his ordeal with Namor and Marrina to find Logan there. The three of them discuss Alpha’s future, or lack thereof, and decide they need a leader. Judd suggests Heather because of her mother-like qualities that could make the team a family.

Notes of Interest:
1) It seems this is Judd and Logan’s first meeting, although they have heard of each other’s reputations and have apparently been in some of the same scraps.

2) Judd likes coffee.

3) Add Maracaibo, Venezuela to the list of places Judd’s traveled to.

WTF? Moment: I think it’d be cool to listen in as Judd and Logan talk about old times, although based on their lifespans, it would probably take days.

WTF? Moment #2: I’ve mentioned before how Judd has an affect on women, but here we see Heather’s affect on men. Both Judd and Logan seem to care deeply about her, and appear to be the only people with ties to Alpha that visit her.

Puck Part 9: Alpha Flight #16 (November, 1984)

Puck and Namor find the creature living in Lake Ontario, and it changes Marrina forever.

I have this issue.

Judd wakes up (after being nerve-pinched unconscious in Alpha Flight #15) a prisoner of the Master in his submarine. He discovers that in addition to capturing Namor and Marrina, Master has also caged the creature that’s killed at least seventeen people and ripped Heather Hudson’s legs to near shreds. It seems the creature is another member of the Plodex, Marrina’s native alien species. Judd witnesses Master put both Plodex in the same tank, and uses the distraction to trick Master into freeing him. Judd then frees Namor, and uses Master’s helmet to crack the tank containing the Plodex. Namor finishes breaking open the tank, and the water rejuvenates him as well as frees both aliens. The creature wreaks havoc and sinks Master’s vessel, and Namor brings Judd back to the surface as the submarine explodes.

Marrina’s gone missing, but Judd convinces the grief-stricken Namor to not give up hope. And as the Sub-Mariner leaves, Judd tells Marrina to come out of hiding. She tells him that the creature wasn’t just a fellow Plodex, but her biological mate. She has a lot of thinking to do, and tells him she’s leaving Alpha Flight, and humanity, forever.

Notes of Interest:
1) Again, Judd knows his Alpha Flight history, as he recognizes Master and his past encounter with the team, which took place while Judd was in the hospital.

2) Judd is able to survive Master’s cell despite being almost depleted of oxygen.

3) His experiences abroad aid him again as he uses a skill he learned in the Orient to appear dead, which is how he tricks Master into opening his cell.

4) Judd predicted there was more going on than fighting between the Plodex before Marrina proved it.

5) It takes a lot to earn the respect of the Sub-Mariner, and Judd has it.

WTF? Moment: Judd’s able to deduce that Marrina and the creature aren’t fighting, they’re having sex. (MAN is Master dumb!) He keeps it to himself, and earns the respect of the man who’s prepared to marry her? I understand Judd wanting to stay out of it, but shouldn’t he at the very least be worried about any potential offspring from this encounter? My hope is that he’d let his fellow Alphans know what happened so they’re aware.

WTF? Moment #2: This is nit-picking, but Judd doesn’t wear his costume at all this ish, so why is he wearing it on the cover? Maybe Byrne thought people wouldn’t recognize him without it, but how many dwarves in the Marvel Universe know gymnastics, hang out with Namor and appear in Alpha Flight?

Puck Part 8: Alpha Flight #15 (October, 1984)

Puck faces Marrina’s dark side for a second time.

I have this issue.

Judd asks Marrina to check out Lake Ontario to see if she can find whatever’s killed at least seventeen people so far. She investigates while he stays behind. She returns two hours later reverted back to the savage beast he last saw in Alpha Flight #2…which put him in the hospital. He manages to evade her attack until Namor arrives, who assumes Judd’s attacking her and knocks him out.

Judd wakes up just in time to get put back into unconsciousness by the Master.

Notes of Interest:
1) Judd spent a year in Spain with Papa Hemmingway, which was roughly 1937 to ’38.

2) During his time in Spain, Judd trained to be a bullfighter, and defeated a bull in the ring despite his size.

3) It appears he read Alpha’s files about their activities while Judd was in the hospital, because he knew of the team’s first encounter with the Master.

4) This is the first meeting of Judd and Namor, and (naturally) they fight.

5) Judd quickly deduces that Namor intends to marry Marrina.

6) It seems Judd was in prison when he was approached to join Department H.

7) Judd was never a member of Gamma Flight. He was paroled straight into Beta.

8) His suspicions of a connection between Marrina and the creature in the lake are confirmed.

9) Judd has some skeletons in his closet…dead ones…that he killed apparently.

WTF? Moment: I liked the connection between facing a changed Marrina and Judd’s bullfighting past. It shows that he’s one tough guy. But having him pass out not once but twice? I can understand it when Namor hits him, he’s the freakin’ Sub-Mariner for crying out loud. Judd’s lucky his head didn’t come clean off, but the Vulcan nerve-pinch thing afterward? After spending so much time crossing and re-crossing the planet, wouldn’t he have experienced the nerve-pinch before, and learned of some way to beat it?

Puck Part 7: Alpha Flight #14 (September, 1984)

What starts off as a “date” of sorts with Heather turns into a nightmare right out of a horror film.

I have this issue.

Judd takes Heather to a movie and a meal to help her take her mind off the daunting task of living without Mac when they hear a woman scream. They find a young mother in shock, as she tells Judd that something came out of Lake Ontario and snatched her baby. Before Judd can think, Heather dives in, and something grabs her when she comes back up for air. Judd grabs her arm and pulls…resulting in whatever had Heather ripping her legs to shreds.

He uses his Alpha Flight authorization to get medical attention to both women. After Heather tells him what she saw, he heads to the authorities, and learns that the young child is only the seventeenth known person gone missing in the past ten months. Judd quickly deduces the most likely explanation and contacts Marrina, and explains to her his belief that the creature in the water is another Plodex – looking for its identity.

Notes of Interest:
1) Judd shows off his quick thinking and strong deductive skills.

WTF? Moment: Judd offers some good advice as Heather discusses her options. I like how he’s more a concerned friend than someone looking to get into her pants.

WTF? Moment #2: Byrne must have really liked Jaws. This could have easily been a cheap Syfy movie-of-the-week, but he used the plot from Marvel Team-Up Annual #7 and it worked.

WTF? Moment #3: I doubt Judd gets any type of paycheck from his Alpha Flight activities, and to date we’ve only seen him work as a bouncer. I’m not sure how much money bouncers make, but considering his living conditions I didn’t think he could afford to take Heather to such a fancy restaurant. Good thing they’re there for lunch instead of dinner – it could have been reeeealy expensive.

WTF? Moment #4: How did Judd know about the destruction of all the vampires? Seriously. How? Was he in some Dr. Strange issue I’m not aware of?

WTF? Moment #5: Is it me, or does Judd seem to have a calming affect on women? He constantly consoles Heather, and here he does the same with Marrina. We know that Tony Stark would end up bedding both…and Aurora…and possibly Northstar, but Judd’s calmness seems to stem from a place of kindness and genuine concern.

Puck Part 6: Alpha Flight #13 (August, 1984)

Puck helps Heather recover from Mac’s death.

I have this issue.

Heather’s recurring nightmares have Judd concerned, as he and Shaman discuss how her husband’s death has affected her. The three of them go Parliament Hill to find out what the government can do for them, which turns out to be nothing, and Judd ends up going with them to a local fast food establishment to discuss the future of Alpha Flight.

Notes of Interest:
1) It’s obvious by this point that Judd has feelings for Heather, but shows his maturity by waiting patiently for the right time to tell her.

2) Judd confesses that Smart Alec deserves worse than what Shaman has done with him, revealing a somewhat darker side to Judd’s personality.

3) That darker side comes up again at Parliament, when Heather has to keep Judd from hitting Gary Cody.

4) Judd clearly cares about Alpha Flight and its future.

5) Apparently, Judd’s visited the Serengeti in his travels.

WTF? Moment: Judd’s reaction at Parliament bothers me. I can understand his frustration at governmental red tape and his desire for Heather to get just compensation, but his sudden need to hit someone just doesn’t jibe with what we’ve seen from him thus far. Sure he’d discuss, and probably yell, but physical violence? Sounds more like something Walter Langowski or Logan would have done.

Puck Part 4: Alpha Flight #12 (July, 1984)

An Alphan dies...and it isn’t Puck!

I have this issue.

Judd receives another call, this time from Shaman. He’s picked up by Northstar, and together they meet the rest of the team. Shaman casts a spell and they arrive in New York to find Guardian in battle with Gamma Flight. Judd takes out Flashback, which inadvertently causes Guardian to be carried away by Box.

Notes of Interest:
1) We learn that Flashback was in Beta Flight along with Judd and Marrina.

2) It’s established here that Judd lives in Toronto, not just works there. We even see his apartment!

WTF? Moment: There is a passing comment Judd makes about how he hasn’t taken an active role in Alpha Flight yet, participating in a team workout once before Marrina gutted him, and completely missed the fight against Tundra from issue #1. All the action he’s seen until now was around the hospital where he was recovering. So now, in an epic battle against former teammates (and his first against costumed criminals), Judd’s big contribution is…taking out one skinny guy from behind. Not only that, but Guardian is forced to fight Box alone as a result. You have to admit that Judd hasn’t done much in the way of super heroics so far.

WTF? Moment #2: Okay. Before Northstar arrives on the roof of his building to pick him up, Judd mentions that he “hasn’t had much to do since the affair of the Brass Bishop.” Editor Denny O’Neil even makes a note in a sidebar that readers haven’t missed anything, but “we’ll tell you that tale some other time.” I have every…single…issue of this series, and the only appearance I have of any Brass Bishop takes place in issue #121, which isn’t set in the past. If anyone knows of any story where Judd fought the Brass Bishop before James MacDonald Hudson died, please let me know…

Puck Part 3: Alpha Flight #5 (December, 1983)

We get to see Puck in action this issue (finally!) as he uncovers a drug trafficking ring.

I have this issue.

Judd’s still in the hospital after being attacked by Marrina in Alpha Flight #2, but is recovering nicely. His biggest problem now is the pain he’s almost constantly in. He’s able to focus past it most of the time, but one night it gets to be too much and he calls a nurse for help, which doesn’t arrive. Curious, Judd leaves his bed and investigates. He finds the nurse on call sneaking around in a storeroom. She shoos him back to bed and gives him something for the pain, but Judd decides to do some sneaking of his own the next day.

He finds that some medicine has been cut in half and replaced with water, and informs the Chief Administrator of his findings. It is agreed that Judd should look into things further before contacting the police. That night, Judd traces the drugs to a boathouse, where he learns the traffickers are following orders from someone higher up. Judd’s caught, and fights his way to a phone to call in the cavalry, but passes out due to his injuries. He wakes up back in the hospital, with the administrator and a police sergeant by his side. Judd learns that he succeeded in making the call and the bad guys, along with the nurse, were captured. Judd’s not convinced the case is closed, and his suspicions are confirmed when he stops the Chief Administrator from giving him a lethal dose of insulin. Satisfied the case is now closed, Judd is expected to make a full recovery.

Notes of Interest:
1) It’s obvious that Byrne used this issue to distance Judd from the other short, hairy Canadian he’s worked with in the past. Judd has more of a Hemmingway feel about him - having been tiger hunting in Nepal, and reading Shakespeare (get it…Puck…Shakespeare…Puck?).

2) Judd trusts his instincts and acts on them.

3) I like the “little people’ comment. It reminded me of that CSI episode. It shows Byrne really did his homework regarding the condition.

4) I guess Alpha Flight can’t afford unstable molecules, so they have to rely on Shaman’s skills to repair costumes. Which brings me to…

WTF? Moment: Apparently, Judd knows Susan Richards. He was in the hospital during Alpha’s fight with the Master, so he didn’t meet her there. It’s possible that they met somewhere else. It’s also possible he might just know about her from reading American newspapers, but my money is on the fact that they have connections within the mighty Marvel bullpen. But that’s just me…

Puck Part 2: Alpha Flight #2 (September, 1983)

Puck faces Marrina’s dark side...and loses.

I have this issue.

Judd starts out laughing at Sasquatch during a training exercise, and ends up getting gutted by Marrina. The Flight take him to the nearest hospital and Shaman uses his medical skills to essentially knit his organs back together. He survives the operation, but faces an uphill battle recuperating.

Notes of Interest:
1) Not much character development this issue, except we learn that as much as he may remind us of Wolverine, Judd has no special healing powers.

WTF? Moment: The mystery behind Puck’s abilities begins here, but only with what he can’t do. He isn’t fast enough to dodge Marrina’s attack, and he doesn’t have any type of healing factor. In fact, he doesn’t even show off what he can do since he’s severely wounded on the second page he’s in. I guess Byrne’s plan was to use him as comic relief, and show that all’s not fun and games in the world of Canadian super-heroing.

Puck Part 1: Alpha Flight #1 (August, 1983)

Puck is (un)officially promoted from Beta Flight to Alpha Flight just in time to miss all the action.

I have this issue.

Eugene Milton Judd is introduced to us working as a bouncer at a somewhat seedy Toronto bar. Despite his size, he’s able to make short work of a few unsavory types causing trouble when the microscopic implant located behind his left ear receives the Alpha Flight call to arms. He’s so excited, he cartwheels away.

Judd makes it to Mansfield Airbase in full costume and tells the guard at the gate to let him in, using his Alpha Flight clearance. The guard doesn’t recognize him as a member of Alpha, and denies him access. Judd takes the guard down in one swift move, but is told that he needs written clearance before he can enter the base.

Judd finally arrives at the Hudson residence in Ottawa to meet the other members only to find out they’re deciding on a new name for the group. Judd demands that they keep the name Alpha Flight, Walter Langkowski picks a fight, and Judd obliges.

Notes of Interest:
1) It’s explained here that Judd was officially in Beta Flight, and was about to be promoted to Alpha, when the funding for Department H was pulled.

2) Heather McNeil Hudson found Judd’s computer card (containing his unique signal code) and activated Judd’s signal, essentially promoting him.

3) It seems that up to this point the only member of Alpha Flight, and most of the Canadian Government, who knew about Judd at all was James MacDonald Hudson.

4) According to Byrne’s letter at the end of the issue, this story takes place right after X-Men #140 (December, 1980), published just over two and a half years earlier.

WTF? Moment: Creator John Byrne made one heck of a Canadian stereotype with this character. A short, hairy guy (*cough* Wolverine *cough*) with a black rubbery-looking costume who cartwheels around and says “Eh?” every ten seconds? I know Byrne grew up in Canada, but my only other exposure to Canadian life (until I went to college) was “Strange Brew” with the McKenzie brothers, so I actually thought Canada was full of people like this, and it took me quite a while to clear my mind of all that. It also got me into a bit of trouble…(did I mention my wife is French-Canadian?)