R.E.B.E.L.S. #8

R.E.B.E.L.S. #8 (November 2009)

title: "Stealth"

writer: Tony Bedard

penciller: Andy Clarke

inker: Andy Clarke

colors: Jose Villarrubia 

letters: Travis Laham
editor: Brian Cunningham
cover: Kalman Andrasofszky

Reviewer: Mike "Nostalgic Kid" Lane

Recap: Vril Dox found himself on the run after the new leader of L.E.G.I.O.N. put a bounty on his head. He received a message through time from his descendant, Brainiac 5, who explained that there was no record in his era of Vril Dox after this day. To ensure his survival, Brainiac 5 provided him with the complete personnel files of the Legion of Super-Heroes to maximize his chances. Vril Dox then stole a device from one of the mercenaries chasing him, which gave him control over the giant beast, Tribulus. He travelled to Starhaven, home of the Anasazi Tribe of Earth, who had long ago been abducted by aliens and resettled. There, he recruited the outcast native, Wildstar, and used technology to awaken the latent tracking talents of her people.  Unfortunately, the effects of the process meant that she must now wear a special containment suit for the rest of her life. He then travelled to the planet Cairn to recruit former L.E.G.I.O.N. officer, Strata, and her companion, Bounder. At the same time, the homeworld of the Dominators came under attack by an invading army from another galaxy led by Starro the Concqueror. Dox's ship was also attacked by a Durlan, Captain Ciji, who commanded a troop of Khund warriors. It turned out that Captain Ciji was there to appeal to Dox for help on behalf of the Council of Durla. Dox activated the "iron curtain" protocols that commanded all of the peacekeeping robo-troops of L.E.G.I.O.N. to abdandon their posts and create a barrier in space. Dox contacted every major power in the galaxy for help but his overtures were rejected.

 

Dox provides Wildstar with a single hair so she could learn its scent and assigned her on a mission to track its owner. She is nearing her quarry on the planet Voorl with the assistance of Tribulus.

The subject of their pursuit is Lyrl Dox, the son of Vril Dox and Stealth. Vril is looking for Stealth, but their child insists that Vril killed her.

Meanwhile, a Khund craft is approaching the Dominator homeworld and is planning to attack the Starro creature that has taken control.

On Voorl, Dox explains to everyone how Stealth raped and murdered him, which resulted in the birth of Lyrl. And that Lyrl was born with super-intelligence, which led to him taking over L.E.G.I.O.N. until he was deposed.

They inquire as to Stealth's death and Lyrl insists that she was killed by L.E.G.I.O.N. robo-troops sent by his father. While they interrogate Lyrl, Strata approaches Wildstar and expresses worry about her husband, Garth. He was supposed to meet them on Voorl but was relying on help from Stealth. Using a fabric provided by Strata, Wildstar catches his scent and learns that Garth is nearby.

Meanwhile, the Khunds are continuing their attack on the Dominator homeworld. The Psions are explaining to the Omega Men that the spores of a Starro they captured can help them to combat his army. Tigorr has volunteered to be the first to test that theory.

He is able to use the implants to repel an invader and the Omega Men embark on a mission to  stop Starro.

This series continues to be on fire.  The over-arching plot is moving ahead at full speed, but we also got a reminder that Strata's husband, Garv, is still missing. Their relationship was one of the strongest parts of the previous series so I am glad to see they are still a couple.

Andy Clarke's art is wonderful. There is so much detail to his renderings, but he is also a great storyteller as well. His designs of various aliens and space craft are fantastic, and his art is really the best part of this title. I am thrilled to have him back for a few issues.

The Omega Men returned as a big part of the story, which is fine, I like them okay, but it was always weird to me having them have such a prominent part of this series. I enjoyed how the series was placed firmly in the DCU at the time, but the Omega Men had an especially prominent place in this series. Which, again, is fine, but just always felt like our L.E.G.I.O.N. cast was sharing the book with them. In any event, its a minor quibble and I look forward to next issue.