As the Manx Cat mini-series ends, so does this series of posts. Dang, I liked having a guaranteed post each month. Oh well.
Page 1 - There is a group of saurian mercs called the 501st Samurai Salamanders. Despite calling themselves samurai, they do not carry swords. They are BlacJac's major competition as far as mercenary outfits go. Some of Gaunt's basic rules of combat are hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast, and keep moving. Transdimensional Police (TDP) hoverbikes are equipped with some osrt of cannon between the handlebars.
Page 2 - If Gaunt thinks you won't show mercy, then neither will he. Another of his basic rules of combat? Gaunt's able to fly a hoverbike while firing a handgun at enemies around him.
Page 3 - Gaunt will sometimes follow "Texas rules". Not sure what that means. A reference to showing no mercy?
Page 4 - BlacJac had at least one guy in his group called Toejam. Guy has respect for Gaunt, calls him 'Mr. GrimJack'. If BlacJac won't come out of his sanctum during a fight, that's unusual.
Page 5 - Another of GrimJack's rules is to help the living, then bury the dead. A shadow of Mannachs is still visible in the flames emerging from the compound. GrimJack knows a good theif, in this case Darlin' Lil, will find the quickest way into a place. GrimJack knows she feels drawn to the Cat.
Page 6 - Gaunt doesn't think he ever finds the easy way. Lil's not happy to be there, but she's aware that the Cat is what's calling her.
Page 7 - GrimJack's not above stealing a kiss if he thinks it'll help the situation. Also used to women reacting angrily to him doing that.
Page 8 - Lil is not fazed by the prospects of fighting a crazed giant shapeshifter.
Page 9 - Rhian, mentioned is #2, was a girl Gaunt loved, that he left behind in Pdwyr, when he went to fight in the Demon Wars. When he came back, she, her father - Maethe, the wizard who was his mentor - and everyone else had been killed by demons. Mannachs is trying to use these memories against him, but it doesn't work. Gaunt's used to the memories, has he been torturing himself with them for 20 years?
Page 10 - GrimJack not looking forward to fighting a mind-controlled and bloodlusting best friend.
Page 11 - Gaunt tries to break Mannachs' hold on BlacJac by making him angry. Is he basing this off past experience, or is it just anger is what he knows best? Insults BlacJac's independence, manliness to achieve his goal.
Page 12 - BlacJac may have issues with his father. His father had a skull face (or mask), and a big ole Uncle Sam hat. Gaunt says the priority is stopping Mannachs, rather than saving BlacJac. Gaunt seems to move back-and-forth between being a big picture guy, and a little details guy.
Page 13 - Or was he trying to convince himself? He's trying to get BlacJac to snap out of it so he doesn't have to kill him. Mannachs likes causing pain, likes hearing Bob the Gatorlizard sing his pain. BlacJac does not approve.
Page 14 - Bullets not useful against Mannachs. It's easier for Mannachs to control people when they sleep.
Page 15 - Despite what's going on, BlacJac is willing to let GrimJack get away with not explaining what's happening, and to fight a horde of Mannachs' slaves all by himself.
Page 16 - Mannachs barely remembers meeting GrimJack in the past. So, Mannachs' is powerful, but not all-knowing. Or all-remembering. The St. John Knives do hurt Mannachs. Mannachs remembers St. John of Knives.
Page 17 - Gaunt can solve problems without shooting, stabbing, or hitting things. We saw this in #3, but it bears repeating that there is power in song.
Page 18 - Mannachs calls itself the Mistress of Dreams. It can be put to sleep itself.
Page 19 - When Mannachs falls asleep, it reverts to the Manx Cat statuette.
Page 20 - At some point, BlacJac killed a controlled Johnny Aristo. Contrary to his discussion with GrimJack in #2, BlacJac also believes in showing mercy sometimes. Goddess likes for BlacJac to keep his palce clean, or at least not burning and partially exploded.
Page 21 - Shapeshifters can be killed by decaptitation. Darlin' Lil may like bad men. Or she may want to kill GrimJack for this whole mess. Gaunt's apparently never going to tell BlacJac what was going on. BlacJac's idea of payback is to blame the mess on GrimJack.
Page 22 - GrimJack considers Munden's Bar a dive. He is willing to pay his debts, let Bob stay there. GrimJack considers Munden's Bar home now.
Alright, that's a lot of things to learn about a character and his philosophy in just six issues. Not to mention all the things we learned about the world GrimJack lives in, and some of the people he shares it with. Which is pretty neat from where I stand. It tells a complete story, but there's all these other threads and histories just hinted at, which can either pique your interest, or can be ignored without impeding the main story.
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