Unity #2 Discussion

[BugsySig]

Go!

Awesome 2nd issue. I definitely get a feeling of grandness from the story. Some great action and I really liked seeing Livewire fleshed out some more. I honestly have no idea where the story is going from here, and that's a good thing because I want #3 right now!

[greg]

When we first met (the new) Livewire as an African-American woman, I was reminded of Randy Cartier from X-O... but Livewire was originally a Harbinger character, so I thought it was probably coincidence.

Now, we have Livewire in the X-O armor... exactly like Randy.

It seems pretty clear that this Livewire is probably based on both the original Livewire (Amanda McKee) and Ms. Cartier.

Now, on to the next thing that struck me about this issue...

Rai #3

The "virus" that Livewire creates in the system is manifest as dragons... Rai #3 has the classic dragon on the cover, but in the story, the dragon was actually a computer virus.

I wonder if Vine technology isn't actually alien... it's future.

[Scarabus]

Great book. Action packed straight through. I definitely got a Rai vibe from the physical embodiment of the virus' shown here in this issue. Livewire is coming into her own as being a strong character. I like how they visually showed her obtaining the armor in cyberspace. Harada casting a mental link with the team was awesome as they can work together yet bring different dynamics to the group. This book had a great opening and closing. Honestly I was blown away.

[hawkeyeps]

When we first met (the new) Livewire as an African-American woman, I was reminded of Randy Cartier from X-O... but Livewire was originally a Harbinger character, so I thought it was probably coincidence.

Now, we have Livewire in the X-O armor... exactly like Randy.

It seems pretty clear that this Livewire is probably based on both the original Livewire (Amanda McKee) and Ms. Cartier.

Now, on to the next thing that struck me about this issue...

Rai #3

The "virus" that Livewire creates in the system is manifest as dragons... Rai #3 has the classic dragon on the cover, but in the story, the dragon was actually a computer virus.

I wonder if Vine technology isn't actually alien... it's future.

I'd also say Livewire looks like a human version of Tekla

Could Livewire lead to "Grandmother"?

I'm going on a tangent here but now that Livewire has interfaced with Shanhara that could lead to some weird tech stuff and at the same time we also have Lysander at HGC who is basically Goldie Boy unleashed (and likely warped).

What will happen when Livewire meets Lysander? And all that is going on under Harada's roof, the possibilities are limitless!

[Phoenix8008]

So Livewire becomes Grandmother, and Lysander becomse 1-A?!? He is gold in color...

[jmatt]

Remind me, have we seen Livewire with this ability to meld with computer systems before? Create computer viruses mentally? That seemed new to me. Or was it simply something the Vine technology did to her and not of her doing, per se?

[BugsySig]

Remind me, have we seen Livewire with this ability to meld with computer systems before? Create computer viruses mentally? That seemed new to me. Or was it simply something the Vine technology did to her and not of her doing, per se?

We knew she could communicate with technology, but the character hasn't been explored too much. She says herself that the Vine interface was totally different than anything she had dealt with before.

[hawkeyeps]

So Livewire becomes Grandmother, and Lysander becomse 1-A?!? He is gold in color...

Lysander is assimilated and forms the basis for the Rai program in the Livewire main frame, it's how "Grandmother" would make "Bloodshots".

Grey Goo apocalypse that only Livewire can stop...but then what?

[jmatt]

I wonder if Vine technology isn't actually alien... it's future.

Future who? Or future when? According to a&A humans become weak little grey guys with no muscle or brains and a penchant for anal probes.

[jmatt]

I'd also say Livewire looks like a human version of Tekla

She does at that. And yes to the Randy vibe with Livewire in the armor.

[BugsySig]

When we first met (the new) Livewire as an African-American woman, I was reminded of Randy Cartier from X-O... but Livewire was originally a Harbinger character, so I thought it was probably coincidence.

Now, we have Livewire in the X-O armor... exactly like Randy.

It seems pretty clear that this Livewire is probably based on both the original Livewire (Amanda McKee) and Ms. Cartier.

Now, on to the next thing that struck me about this issue...

Rai #3

The "virus" that Livewire creates in the system is manifest as dragons... Rai #3 has the classic dragon on the cover, but in the story, the dragon was actually a computer virus.

I wonder if Vine technology isn't actually alien... it's future.

I thought the same thing about Livewire/Cartier connection. It definitely reminded me of a few choice X-O covers from back in the day (which was a Tuesday). I was not expecting her to take control of the armor so fast, but while I was reading it made perfect sense and now I can't imagine the fight going any other way.

Nice catch about the computer virus dragons! I never would have thought that but again it makes perfect sense and would be a very cool reference to the upcoming Rai series. I love how seeds for this stuff are planted all over.

It will be interesting to see if we get a glimpse into Shanhara's consciousness. How does the suit itself react to Livewire after bonding with Aric? Is Shanhara more than just a machine in this incarnation? Some concepts that havent been fully explored yet. I would assume we would see this type of thing in the XO tie in issues, but I'd be fine with it here too.

[Captain Craig]

This issue was for Livewire as A&A#15 was for Ivar I felt, a great character building issue. I especially enjoyed the talk she and Harada had and her emphasizing her loyalty vs her own morals. Furthermore how Harada showed honor and respect to that. In what we've seen of him to date it wouldn't have been out of character for him to pander or outright not care about her morals or integrity. Which to me indicates an underlying need he has of her and power she also has that he needs. I also feel that talk sets the stage for Livewire being able to act as proxy for Harada on Unity, preserving his vision for that as stated in issue #1, while also allowing for her to play spoiler and not do his bidding as he might want. Key imo.

The takedown of Aric was all but forseen then so it either happened as fast as it should've, given Livewire's power set, or it happened fast as a matter of necessity to serve the story.

Either way I really enjoyed it and look forward to issue #3!!

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

THIS. BOOK. WAS. AWESOME. That is all.

[bygranddesign]

How should we read into Livewire being able to put on the armor?

She is worthy
Or
She used her Psiot ability to take over the armor against its will .. She would be toast without her Psiot ability
Or
Humans in general are worthy to wear the armor .. And it's just the vine that get toasted when they try it on
Or ... .?

[BugsySig]

How should we read into Livewire being able to put on the armor?

She is worthy
Or
She used her Psiot ability to take over the armor against its will .. She would be toast without her Psiot ability
Or
Humans in general are worthy to wear the armor .. And it's just the vine that get toasted when they try it on
Or ... .?

I believe only humans can wear Shanhara, but that she (if she is still a she this time around) is bonded to Aric (potentially via some timey-wimey stuff and the Faraway). Therefore, Livewire has taken the armor against its will using her Psiot powers to temporarily subjugate it.

[pixierosa]

Really good book. Can't wait to keep on reading.

Great character development for Livewire. This made her actions in Harbinger absolutely believable - she does have the strength of will to follow her own code against her master's wishes.

I was not surprised that they were able to take over the armor quickly. Maintaining control of it will be another thing.

Shanhara itself: I believe that it is "attuned" to human hosts. It also appears to be more than high tech armor - like Lysander, it has some decision-making abilities of its own. For instance, it decided to leave Aric and bond with Gafti in order to defeat the invasion.

I'm not certain if it simply allowed Livewire to temporarily wield it or if it was actually hacked by the virus. One thing seems certain - it is capable of learning. It quickly assimilated information about modern day weapons and history for Aric, apparently learning things as it has access to them, yet has no knowledge of dentistry metals (probably never needed that info before.) Livewire may be learning a new technology, but imagine what the armor is learning from Livewire. It may have never joined with a psiot before, let alone one with innate mastery over computer systems. Will be interesting to see how this develops and how long it will allow itself to remain with Livewire.

If the suit only is wearable by humans, I wonder if it would work on the human/vine hybrids? Somehow the armor came into the possession of the Vine. We've speculated that the initial bearer was Ivar. I would have to go back and reread that story - did they say what happened to the wanderer that bonded with the tech (we can assume that the fairy tale of the armor being born from a tree is just that - a fairy tale).

What if that wanderer wasn't Ivar? What if it was a human or hybrid? What if the Vine are actually descended from humans? Or what if the original wielder merely freed slaves (the Vine) from oppression - it was never worn by a Vine. There has to be some reason that this very old armor only works on humans. Getting off on a tangent here, but the origin story itself - didn't it make you think of a large garden with useful bugs (the Vine) who fall victim to gardeners (humans)? Made me think of ladybugs and aphids. And the ruling overlords? They were depicted as humanoids, very large - just like what we appear to be to insects. And what happened to them? They died out on the Vine planet? What about elsewhere in the galaxy? Surely conquerors do not stop with one planet, there should be some remnant or trace of them. And just like stowaway insects, the Vine spread from location to location, assimilating into the environment.

Anyway, UNITY. Engaging story and I like the art. It seems to me that the victory is temporary over Aric, that he will soon have the armor again, but he will finally understand that thing need to be done differently.

[bygranddesign]

What if that wanderer wasn't Ivar? What if it was a human or hybrid? What if the Vine are actually descended from humans? Or what if the original wielder merely freed slaves (the Vine) from oppression - it was never worn by a Vine. There has to be some reason that this very old armor only works on humans. Getting off on a tangent here, but the origin story itself - didn't it make you think of a large garden with useful bugs (the Vine) who fall victim to gardeners (humans)? Made me think of ladybugs and aphids. And the ruling overlords? They were depicted as humanoids, very large - just like what we appear to be to insects. And what happened to them? They died out on the Vine planet? What about elsewhere in the galaxy? Surely conquerors do not stop with one planet, there should be some remnant or trace of them. And just like stowaway insects, the Vine spread from location to location, assimilating into the environment.

hmmm..very interesting observations and theory

never thought of the torment as being Humans ... would definitely be an intriguing twist

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Already posted my review, but this book is still stuck in my head. Doesn't matter what else comes out this month, this book will win Book of the Month from me!

[apainter]

It seems like Romania is free for now, with the ship now in the (Atlantic?) Ocean. Does anyone have an estimate of how many "visigoths" Aric brought back with him? Were they all on board his ship when it took off? If not, the ones left behind would be an easy target for the Russians. 4 wolf class armors will be able to put up a fight, but they're not unbeatable.

I understand the need for clearly identifiable uniforms for their characters, but if you're going into a battle, I'd think Harada would want to wear something less constricting than a suit and tie!

I like the art overall, but I find it a little muddy at times. The transitions between the AI battle and the "real world" weren't always clear, and it took me a second to figure out who was doing what in one or two panels. (Gilad getting kicked away, for example.) The action wasn't always well defined. Ninjak appears before Aric, and the next panel shows explosions around the armor. I guess Ninjak threw some explosives at him? On story page 2, panel 2 ("Aric has single-handedly pushed the world to the brink.) Um, what exactly are we looking at here? Aric's faceplate, starred by some impact? I was able to figure out the blue pill in Harbinger # 1, but this one has me puzzled.

Art

[Phoenix8008]

How should we read into Livewire being able to put on the armor?

She is worthy
Or
She used her Psiot ability to take over the armor against its will .. She would be toast without her Psiot ability
Or
Humans in general are worthy to wear the armor .. And it's just the vine that get toasted when they try it on
Or ... .?

If you look at the preview of X-O #20, Livewire seems to be in full control of the armor, but Aric also seems to know something as he is 'waiting' for something to happen.

1. He's expecting Livewire's brain to melt ala the Vine, or...
2. He's still connected to the armor via his X-O hand and is in contact with Shanhara who is just about to beat Livewire's virus and kick her out of the suit.

Some usefull data either way. Either we know that any human can wear it without an instant lobotomy, or we confirm Aric doesn't need a control ring because he has his hand. (Which could lead to an interesting question: If you chop off that hand does it remove his connection? Does the hand regrow again? Or has it bonded further with his system beyond that portion of his body now so that it's inseperable short of killing Aric? So many fun questions to explore!)

***Edit: Oh yeah, and the whole of this second issue of Unity was AWESOME!***

[agent_graves]

I'm not sure exactly how Livewire's powers work, and to be honest that whole fight scene with her and XO was kind of confusing, but she kicks all kinds of *SQUEE*, and she's not afraid to tell Harada to go *SQUEE* off, lol... she's quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

[krylox]

it's a good book and definitely the best vei launch in 2013. i especially enjoyed the little nuggets of authenticity and research which went into the book (i am of romanian origin) in contrast to vendittis rendering of romania (=a park. period.)

having said that, the book has not really wow'ed me by now and i'm also not so sure how new-reader-friendly it is. right now, it feels like something, which could have taken place in x-o manowar. or maybe as a mini-series. but i don't quite get the concept/idea of the book yet.

3,5/5

[BugsySig]

having said that, the book has not really wow'ed me by now and i'm also not so sure how new-reader-friendly it is. right now, it feels like something, which could have taken place in x-o manowar. or maybe as a mini-series. but i don't quite get the concept/idea of the book yet.

3,5/5

That's the big thing about the book so far for me. By the end of this first arc, there needs to be a status quo/concept for the team. Though if that does happen, that's far better than recent Avengers launches where the entire team doesn't appear together for multiple arcs (or ever in some cases). I think Bendis' original New Avengers team never fully appeared as a team before they split in two during Civil War.

[lorddunlow]

I understand the need for clearly identifiable uniforms for their characters, but if you're going into a battle, I'd think Harada would want to wear something less constricting than a suit and tie!

Art

I figure Harada just walks around naked and projects clothing to everyone around him. That way the boys get the maximum amount of air circulation.

[Chris Campbell]

This is an awesome thread for an awesome book.