Credits

• Writer: Fabian Nicieza
• Penciler: Rick Leonardi
• Inker: Cam Smith
• Colorist: SotoColor's A. Street
• Letterer: RS & Comicraft's Albert Deschesne
• Assistant Editors: Schmidt, Lazer, & Sitterson
• Editor: Tom Brevoort

Quick Summary--"Supreme Power!"

Hyperion and Dr. Spectrum have broken into T-Bolts HQ looking for Nighthawk and Speed Demon! A lengthy battle ensues, but the Squadron not-so-Sinster members triumph and leave with their hostages. During the battle we learn that the Squadron plans to take over the world so that they can "judge and treat people fairly."

Hyperion, Dr. Spectrum, Nighthawk, and Speed Demon (dressed in his Whizzer guise) head to Nugent Technologies. There, Alice (Dr. Spectrum) Nugent explains that the Squadron's powers were given to them by the Grandmaster, who was drawing on an existing power source. She says that this "fundamental alchemical wellspring" can be used to create a limitless number of superbeings to serve as a loyal peacekeeping force. She tells Nighthawk that they plan to "save the world," and she asks him to join them.

Meanwhile, in the Bronx, MACH-IV, the Fixer, and Blizzard have tracked down Henrique Gallante, a man who can access the Darkforce dimension. The plan is that the Fixer will activate Gallante's powers and that MACH-IV will enter the Darkforce dimension. Blizzard is given the responsibility of keeping the portal open once MACH-IV goes through.

Back at Nugent Technologies, Nighthawk and Speed Demon listen to the rest of Dr. Spectrum's proposal, but Hyperion senses that they plan to betray the Squadron, and he attacks them. After a short battle, the rest of the Thunderbolts show up to save the day. Dr. Spectrum and Hyperion are defeated, but vanish before they can be captured.

In the aftermath of the battle, Songbird kicks Speed Demon off the team for stealing from Richmond Enterprises. He calls her a hypocrite since she accepts money from the Commission and does whatever they ask her, like taking on the New Avengers. After Speed Demon has left, Songbird invites Nighthawk to join the Thunderbolts. (We're left to wait until next issue to discover his answer.)

In the first epilogue, we see the Swordsman infiltrating a Hydra base in Tunisia. Turns out he's looking for... his father!?!?!

In the second epilogue, Speed Demon reunites with Hyperion, Dr. Spectrum... and the Grandmaster!?!?! The Grandmaster tells Speed Demon that there will soon be a contest of great importance on the Earth and that Speed Demon will play a key role in it. Dr. Spectrum says that the Grandmaster feels strongly that Speed Demon belongs on the Squadron's side in this battle.

Commentary

• Other than the distractingly-not-as-good-as-usual art, this was a very strong issue. Momentum is building toward issue #100 (#19), and there are lots of questions yet to be answered.
• For example, why is the Fixer's team heading into the Darkforce dimension? Are they looking for Conrad Josten (as hinted at by the interlude in #15), or do they have another agenda?
• How does Zemo plan to save the world, anyway? And won't his plan interfere with the Squadron not-so-Sinister's plan to save the world? Are all these people really sincere in wanting to save the world?
• Will Nighthawk join the team? My gut says no, but anything is possible. He's a decent character, but I'm not sure what he would add. I guess the Thunderbolts could use another clear-cut hero, since only Songbird seems to fall into that category at the moment. Personally, I think the cast is large enough as it is and the addition of Nighthawk would just take away from the development of the folks already starring in the book. Besides, Nighthawk belongs with the Squadron... or the Defenders.

Next issue we will finally learn the identity of the new Swordsman. The clues so far seem to point to Andreas Strucker, the song of Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. But I wouldn't bet money on it....