S L I N G E R S . # 5

Slingers #5
"Good-Bye to the Golden Age"
Creative Team: Joseph Harris (writer) / Chriscross (pencils) / Rob Stull (inks)

SUMMARY OF EVENTS:
Continuing from the disastrous events of last issue, Prodigy confronts Jimmy Eyes and some Maggia members. Jimmy Eyes tells Prodigy that he's the least of his problems. Hesitantly, Prodigy flies upstairs. On the main floor, men and women are scrambling everywhere, trying to get to safety, as some even lie burning in flames. The Black Marvel appears, attempting to become the hero everyone depends on to save them. However, he fails miserably. The people ignored him, and simply ran past him. And he is obviously too old for the job, as he quickly runs out of breath.

Hornet, Ricochet, and Dusk all appear inside the hotel to help. Eddie and Rico confront the Black Marvel about his insane plans. Black Marvel basically tells the two that he gave them those suits, and since then they have changed drastically. Suddenly, Dusk appears, just as Prodigy does, though he is still siding with his mentor, the Black Marvel. Surrounded by flames, Hornet and Rico try desperately to convince Prodigy that Black Marvel is the enemy. Thankfully, they talk Prodigy back to his senses, though Black Marvel flees the scene.

Meanwhile, Bobby, a young boy, is trapped in the elevator, where another bomb waits to explode. But not to fear, Hornet is on the case. He saves the boy and gets out of the elevator just when the bomb goes off. In another part of the hotel, the Black Marvel runs into Kathy, who's still in the hotel looking for Rico. Still trying to prove himself, Black Marvel tries to "save" Kathy, though Ricochet arrives just in time and finally stops the old man.

As Hornet leaves the building, he runs into Prodigy, who is seemingly carrying the entire weight of the collapsing building by himself. He orders Hornet to take his cape and wrap the boy in it, and exit the hotel. Hornet does as he is told, and outside, he meets up with Rico and Kathy, who now knows for certain the secret identity of her boyfriend. Beside them, there is an unconscious Black Marvel tied up.

Back inside, Prodigy is still holding up the hotel, though he is not alone. Dusk is still in the building, though she tells him that she's too weak at the moment to teleport with another person. Prodigy tells her that it's okay, and she leaves. Just as she does so, the entire building burns down in flames, and Prodigy apparently sacrificed his life to save others.

Interlude: Peter Parker goes up into his attic to see if his costumes from the "Identity Crisis" he was having was still in the chest he left them in. Opening up the chest, he finds them just where he left them.

COMMENTS:
Along with Slingers #0, this issue is one of my favorite issues. Harris did an amazing job finishing up the storyline, with a literally explosive ending. The fact that the story was told from Prodigy's point of view makes it all the more tragic. It's the first time, in my opinion, where he really is likable. Another famous first in this issue is how the team functions -- they act like a team finally. They combine their strengths to help evacuate the building. It's great to see them growing as characters.

Another plus is Chriscross's art. This issue marks the first time in a few issues that Rob Stull is the only inker on the book, and that's probably why it's so much preferable than the couple previous Chrisscross issues. The figures are solid, and have a certain animated quality to them. Jean Segarra-Rosa's colors were well-suited for the issue -- dark, and a lot of red. Artistically, the issue is great.