The Continuing Story of PenultiMan
When we left PenultiMan, he was struggling under the weight of feelings of inadequacy. It didn’t help that his Android counterpart AntePenultiMan seemed to handle human interaction better than he did. So what does a superhero do when he is being consumed with negative thoughts? Why consult with a self-help book: Positivity Power, Stop Hating Yourself in 7 Days. Through the power of positive thinking, your outlook on life could change measurably for the better. At least that was the theory.
Meanwhile, crime didn’t take a holiday while PenultiMan tried to pull himself together. Fortunately, AntePenultiMan was there to fill in for the hero, and he had no such doubts. But he also had an unfortunate habit of honestly answering questions posed to him. Even if they were asked of him by the bad guy. This wouldn’t make PenultiMan’s job any easier when he resumed the reins. Especially when his Android doppelgänger decided to tell evil scientist Veck that he was NOT PenultiMan when asked why his weapon didn’t affect him.
Wayne Cruz Version 2.0
Back to the book, I suppose. To make matters worse, not only was AntePenultiMan dealing with the villains better than the erstwhile hero, he also was excelling with his coworkers in his secret identity. While using his alter-ego Wayne Cruz, PenultiMan was used to being ignored at his job. But since his time away, AntePenultiMan not only made Wayne popular, he got him a raise. How the heck did THAT happen? No matter…if his version of Cruz is so great, he can continue to assume that role. So what if he gets invited by his coworkers for drinks. Let him go. PenultiMan will just keep reading his book.
But danger doesn’t care if he is engrossed in a book. So when an explosion happens in the city and AntePenultiMan is too busy as Wayne Cruz to respond, it’s PM to the rescue. Whether he’s ready or not. So after one last perusal of his self-help book, he’s off to save the day…at least he hopes so. He arrives to find a man trapped in the fire caused from the explosion. The problem is, instead of just saving the man, he feels the need to take the time to share the books wisdom about Positivity. How about you save him first and THEN philosophize about the power of positive thinking. Especially when his buddy is filming the whole thing.
News at 11:00
If there’s one thing for certain, viral news travels fast and soon it is all over the news that PenultiMan decided it better to debate positive thinking instead of immediately saving the burning man. When AntePenultiMan asked him if the story was true, PM confirmed that he thought the man might need to be more positive in his thinking. Really? For his part, AntePenultiMan decided that for the time being, HE should do the hero work until PM worked some things out. Or until he had somehow resurrected PM’s tattered reputation. In the meantime, PenultiMan needed to think positively. At least until Issue 4.
Thoughts
Another winning segment from Peyer and Robinson. I’m not sure what is more fascinating. PenultiMan’s constant battle with self-incrimination and poor self-esteem or AntePenultiMan’s desire to build the image of the hero up, while unwittingly tearing him down. Of course, the latter is more the hero’s problem than his Android doppelgänger’s. Under the current trajectory, one wonders if eventually AntePenultiMan may decide that PM isn’t necessary. But that’s just my conjecture. It is to Writer Tom Peter’s credit that the story thus far leaves such room for interpretation.
Artwork that Continues to Shine
What can I say about Alan Robinson’s work that I haven’t said already? He has mastered these characters and some of the facial expressions in this issue were priceless. Especially when PenultiMan is confronted with the video of his “rescue” from the explosion. Just more remarkable work from Robinson and Colorist Lee Roughridge.
So now that PenultiMan has been put in timeout by AntePenultiMan, where does THAT leave our hero? He certainly will have time to read some more. Perhaps he will find the wisdom he needs to get over his funk. Even if it ends up NOT being found in a book. Although, since the story will continue in issue 4, it WILL be found in a book. Just not in Positivity Power.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.