Unity #12 Discussion

[Keith]

Now that is more like it. Great issue!

After months of serving as the backup story to Armor Hunters, it feels like we're going to get back on track. What I really loved about this issue is that it not only continued the new paradigm Unity finds itself in post AH, but also tied in the previous story arcs and touched on Harada's recent actions as well. Lots of "here is the state of the world" recap, which then serves to set up the new arc.

We only really get a glimpse of The United (and I like their look a lot better now that it is not Kindt's drawings), as well as Faith making her introduction. I think that the complaint of "this is all set up" could be valid, but it still felt like there was a lot going on in this issue.

[jxm640]

I must admit that I approached this issue with trepidation. The idea of a team of super villains seemed like it would be out of place and almost too "Big Twoish", sorry for the terrible phrase.

I was pleasantly surprised however by how grounded the issue appeared and the natural nature in which the concept of The United has been introduced.

I also enjoyed the interaction between Gilad and Colin, it seems like the forging of a long lasting friendship.

I still love GIN-GR.

[BugsySig]

Good issue. A lot of set up but that's what happens when it's the first issue of an arc following a big crossover.

Gilad and Ninjak are a great combo. Hopefully they will anchor this title for years to come.

I also liked the United much better not drawn by Kindt. His style does nothing for me. I definitely get the sense that the tattooed guy is the same one as in Unity #0.

Also liked Hairsine's flashback/summary panels. They fit in very nicely.

[dornwolf]

Gilad and Ninjak are a great combo. Hopefully they will anchor this title for years to come.

Like I said they are basically the Batman and somewhat grumpier Superman of the team. Also loved Ninjak silent oh my god

Plus Livewire on the PR circuit not a bad idea.

[David_Cody]

I loved the end where Ninjak upon the introduction of Faith and he says, WTF?!

[bygranddesign]

Agreed with all the comments so far.

Great Issue.

Loved the grounded feel of the story - This felt like classic valiant. Also very similar to AH: Aftermath - This felt like Kindt's version of that story (or continuation of that story) and he really nailed it.

This might have been one of Kindt's best issues for Valiant. I felt like his Armor Hunter issues felt a little rushed and weak ... but this issue reminded us how good he is as a writer. Great introduction to Faith as the new team member. The United ... which I was worried might be cheesy actually came off really well. I'm actually excited to learn more about them. Huge props to Cafu .. and Reber also. Some great Panels and Splash pages. The Gin-GR splash was great. The final page splash with the United was nice. I liked the different panels of the United - showing a little bit about them. And Cafu draws a great Faith. Loved it. I feel like this title can finally really take off now that it has evolved into a true "superhero" team title.

Also, Note to Valiant ... Disciple is dead.

Maybe the GATE person didn't get updated with that Intel ... but just wanted to make mention of that in case there is a VEI person/editor who reads these discussions. Just want to try and squash any potential continuity issues.

[Bone-A-Fach-ee]

Very much liked this issue.
Well written, and definitely digging the art.
Ninjak is boss. No other way to put it. So good.

When they showed "Every psiot" known, they put Kris on there..... do they think she's a psiot? are we, the reader in the dark on something? Also, they don't know about any other psiots than we do? Would've been cool to see at least 1 face that we didn't recognize.

And why would they go with Faith as the 4th team member? What can she really bring to a fight against Alien attackers, or super powered foes. Her power set is not up to the par of Livewire, or Gilad. But, she is a flyer. Maybe they needed someone with flying capabilities? I dunno.

Don't get me wrong. I love Faith. Will there be friction between her and Torque because he's not a bonafide superhero like his girlfriend is?

[hunter_peterson]

Very much liked this issue.
Well written, and definitely digging the art.
Ninjak is boss. No other way to put it. So good.

When they showed "Every psiot" known, they put Kris on there..... do they think she's a psiot? are we, the reader in the dark on something? Also, they don't know about any other psiots than we do? Would've been cool to see at least 1 face that we didn't recognize.

And why would they go with Faith as the 4th team member? What can she really bring to a fight against Alien attackers, or super powered foes. Her power set is not up to the par of Livewire, or Gilad. But, she is a flyer. Maybe they needed someone with flying capabilities? I dunno.

Don't get me wrong. I love Faith. Will there be friction between her and Torque because he's not a bonafide superhero like his girlfriend is?

They picked Faith because she tests well with the public, because efficiency in the field is now not their primary concern. PR machines need grease, and Faith is currently that. That's likely why Kris was shown, too, the Renegades being celebrities now.

I really enjoyed this issue. It maintains the tone of Aftermath perfectly. This book read exactly like the golden age of the Ultimates! I hope that continues! Kindt is doing great stuff. And the United are cooler now that I've seen them drawn by Cafu sequentially- they really fit a more realistic style more, which I ghink actually makes Kindt's design work even better. He designed it for others to draw, not himself. Excellent all round.

[bygranddesign]

They picked Faith because she tests well with the public, because efficiency in the field is now not their primary concern. PR machines need grease, and Faith is currently that. That's likely why Kris was shown, too, the Renegades being celebrities now.

Yep, agreed. Besides testing well with the public. She also brings (cue Kurt guitar riff) team spirit! In a group of big ego's she can be a binding force of enthusiasm and selflessness.

Her powers can also be helpful ... as she can not only fly herself but she can also create a companion field to help someone else fly. Which could be very useful to the team.

I'm hoping also that her powers through training can be expanded ... Maybe she can learn to throw objects with her power?

[bygranddesign]

Also, they don't know about any other psiots than we do? Would've been cool to see at least 1 face that we didn't recognize.

Yeah, I agree. Kind of a missed opportunity to create a character or two in that scene that would get us excited and speculating about a new character (even if there were no plans to actually do anything with the character).

But I'm sure that what was shown was just a small sampling of what is in the database.

[BugsySig]

Forgot to mention I liked the flashback panels to previous Unity teams. The one where all the figures were blacked out was intriguing

[jmatt]

Faith is an interesting choice, storywise. She's way out of her league with the other team members but that might make for some good interaction within the group.

Going public and announcing complete transparency while lying about so much can only end in tears.

[Tony_H]

I liked how the first few pages that illustrated Livewire's cover story to Renee provided accurate flashbacks as a framing device for the story, but then the illustrations continued to display the truth to the reader as Livewire's story, as it progressed, began diverting from the truth. That was a really fine sequential method to transition the series from the past to the present and then into the future: my guess would be that Faith won't be permitted to know "the whole truth" of Unity/GATE's operations so that she can be a convincing front person for the organization in a role not unlike that of a White House Press Secretary. Unlike Livewire and Ninjak, there's nothing about her that suggests she's a skilled liar.

BTW, why would Colin wear his face mask among friends indoors except when he's eating? That weird choice was made even more incongruous by Colin's reprimand to Gilad about addressing him by his nom de guerre when they weren't in the field.

[Ramses818]

I can not believe anyone has yet mentioned RENEE!!! She is back! Small world huh? The other thing I liked is how straight faced Livewire is while she is lying to everyone. The flashbacks I felt just emphasized her own feelings, like how she keeps talking about "transparency" and everyone knowing the team (knowing full well that Ninjak will not be publicly mentioned!) amongst other things. This was a really strong issue that I very much enjoyed even though there was no real action taking place. As far as set ups go this is by far one of the best. I also really enjoyed the part with Ninjak just wearing a t shirt before taking off his mask, oh yeah and I thought that other little nugget or Collin isn't even his real name? There were so many great things to love about this issue and I'm so happy to see unity getting better. I look forward to reading more people's thoughts on it but I think this issue is going to be bigger in the future.

[ThatDarnCabbage]

Also, Note to Valiant ... Disciple is dead.

Maybe the GATE person didn't get updated with that Intel ... but just wanted to make mention of that in case there is a VEI person/editor who reads these discussions. Just want to try and squash any potential continuity issues.

I'm pretty sure Archer saved his life, I think he's alive.

[iwantvaliant]

Disciple is not dead, just out of commission in the last two issues of Bloodshot & HARD Corps.

[QUARTZ]

Forgot to mention I liked the flashback panels to previous Unity teams. The one where all the figures were blacked out was intriguing

Yeah I wonder who that team was...

I enjoyed this issue. The series has been one action beat leading to the next so it was nice to take a break and do some team building, flesh out some of the characters a bit. It did feel a bit like it was in a holding pattern but I am really intrigued to find out more about The United. Love their new "base" and the fact that they kind of addressed where everything was at this point in the universe and hinted where it was going. And I loved the introduction of Faith to the team. It's kind of hysterical; everyone else is like a hardened warrior, so it will be fun to see how Faith's personality bounces off them. Ninjak is slowly becoming my favorite character on the team. Can't wait for his series next year.

[Captain Craig]

Overall a solid first post-AH issue even if it was largely a re-framing issue but I can dig it, that's kinda the way it should be really.
The *SQUEE* hit the fan, here's where the pieces scattered and here's where we're going is needed. It's a good jumping on point even if it wasn't billed that way. Probably should've been.

To me the first odd thing was Ninjak wearing his mask covering while doing mechanical/electrical work talking to Gilad. It only was more emphasized, when as noted by another, Colin's all, "Hey man you can call me by name...by the way that's not really(interruption)" So Colin is not likely Ninjak's real name either? Something to follow up on in his ongoing perhaps.

I really liked what they did with Livewire, um, Amanda in the spirit of transparency.
I like how GIN-GR is essentially the teams base. It kinda reminds me of the JLA having the space station base.
I agree that Faith is out of her league but it could also be a good chance for her to grow as well, learn new things about herself and powerset that Peter wouldn't think to encourage.
I noticed Dr.Mirage/Shan was not on their board of known super entities.

At first my reaction to The United as a name for the group opposing UNITY was blah, too similar.
Then after a few minutes I felt it was very throwback like the Injustice Gang is to Justice League, Frightful Four to Fantastic Four.

I expect next issue will be much more action oriented from the get go!

[bygranddesign]

Also, Note to Valiant ... Disciple is dead.

Maybe the GATE person didn't get updated with that Intel ... but just wanted to make mention of that in case there is a VEI person/editor who reads these discussions. Just want to try and squash any potential continuity issues.

I'm pretty sure Archer saved his life, I think he's alive.

Disciple is not dead, just out of commission in the last two issues of Bloodshot & HARD Corps.

Sorry, Your right, my bad

I was thinking of Superstar..

Bigmouth strikes again ...

[jmatt]

To me the first odd thing was Ninjak wearing his mask covering while doing mechanical/electrical work talking to Gilad.

My thought when Colin said they had to do all the moving and electrical work because the place had to be kept a secret was "Oh, yeah? Did you weld all the girders, lay down the floors and install the elevators?"

It only was more emphasized, when as noted by another, Colin's all, "Hey man you can call me by name...by the way that's not really(interruption)" So Colin is not likely Ninjak's real name either? Something to follow up on in his ongoing perhaps.

I got the feeling he was talking about the name 'Ninjak'. He was also the Weaponeer in VH1, yes?

[Tony_H]

He was also the Weaponeer in VH1, yes?

I wondered who that was supposed to be. I've been reading some of the old Bloodshots recently.

[BugsySig]

He was also the Weaponeer in VH1, yes?

I wondered who that was supposed to be. I've been reading some of the old Bloodshots recently.

The Weaponeers were an organization which sold crazy weaponry to various people. Ninjak worked for them at one point. I believe the original Ninjak arc dealt had him as their contracted enforcer when someone tried to double cross them. I don't believe there was any one person called "Weaponeer" but I could be mistaken.

[Tony_H]

He was also the Weaponeer in VH1, yes?

I wondered who that was supposed to be. I've been reading some of the old Bloodshots recently.

The Weaponeers were an organization which sold crazy weaponry to various people. Ninjak worked for them at one point. I believe the original Ninjak arc dealt had him as their contracted enforcer when someone tried to double cross them. I don't believe there was any one person called "Weaponeer" but I could be mistaken.

Well, that settles it: I was debating whether or not to buy a bunch of old Ninjaks...

[jmatt]

He was also the Weaponeer in VH1, yes?

I wondered who that was supposed to be. I've been reading some of the old Bloodshots recently.

The Weaponeers were an organization which sold crazy weaponry to various people. Ninjak worked for them at one point. I believe the original Ninjak arc dealt had him as their contracted enforcer when someone tried to double cross them. I don't believe there was any one person called "Weaponeer" but I could be mistaken.

I seem to recall a reveal where he was the top dog acting as his own enforcer. But I could be remembering incorrectly.

[BugsySig]

He was also the Weaponeer in VH1, yes?

I wondered who that was supposed to be. I've been reading some of the old Bloodshots recently.

The Weaponeers were an organization which sold crazy weaponry to various people. Ninjak worked for them at one point. I believe the original Ninjak arc dealt had him as their contracted enforcer when someone tried to double cross them. I don't believe there was any one person called "Weaponeer" but I could be mistaken.

I seem to recall a reveal where he was the top dog acting as his own enforcer. But I could be remembering incorrectly.

I never got that far into the series, so I can not support or refute such a statement. But, sure, you could be right on that.