New Universe analyses: Kickers, Inc.

[Creelman]

Kickers, Inc.
KI 1
Published: November 1986
Written by Tom DeFalco; Drawn by Ron Frenz (penciller) & Sal Buscema (inker)
Appearances: Jack "Mr. Magnificent" Magniconte, Dallas "Dasher" Corbin, Thomas "Suicide" Smythe, Beauford Kimbal "Brick Wall" Wohl, Darlene Magniconte, Steve Magniconte, Mr. Sloan (Steve's bookie), Sloan's two thugs

Brief synopsis: Jack Magniconte, quarterback of the New York Smashers, feels dizzy after experiencing the White Event in Central Park. The next day he has his first treatment in "The Intensifier" a muscle enhancement device invented by his brother, Steve. The treatment does not go as expected giving Jack greatly increased strength and speed. The Smashers go on to have a great regular season and easily win the Super Bowl. Steve is killed by his bookie for not getting Jack to point shave during the Super Bowl. Jack, his wife, and his teammates, form the not-for-profit foundation, Kickers, Inc., to help people with special problems.

References: Pages 1 through 7 take place on the day of the White Event [July 22, 1986]. As noted on page 8, page 8 takes place on the next day [July 23, 1986]. As noted on page 9, pages 9 through 11:5 take place on the next day [July 24, 1986]. As noted on page 11, pages 11:6 through 12 take place on the following Sunday [August 9, 1986]. Pages 13 through 15:1 take place during the rest of the regular season. As noted on page 15, pages 15:1 through 16 takes place during the day of the conference championship. As noted on page 17, pages 17 through 18 take place on the next day. As noted on page 19, pages 19 through 20 take place 13 days later during the Super Bowl. As noted on page 21, page 21 takes place three weeks after the Super Bowl. As noted on page 22, pages 22 and 23 take place a few days later.

Continuity notes: While not affecting continuity with other issues, other titles and other characters, the timeline in this issue doesn’t work. Jack sees the White Event, which is pegged at July 22, 1986 in the New Universe, and his powers manifest the next day. Internal to this issue, that’s in the middle of the pro football season. That’s ok if we assume that the New Universe has a spring/summer football season. Then, the rest of the issue takes place over the whole season and ends just after the Super Bowl when Kickers, Inc. is formed. But, while the next issues can’t be dated, issue #3 takes place during summer pre-season mini-camp and issue #4 specifically says that it takes place starting on August 3, 1986, opening day of the exhibition season. Issues 4-9 of the series play out over the 1986 fall/winter pro football season and playoffs. So, while the non-football events in issue #1 work fine, the whole “compressed” football season has to be thrown out as out-of-continuity. It doesn’t really affect anything (other than credibility), but needs to be noted since the references in this and subsequent issues are so specific.

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KI 2
Published: December 1986
Written by Tom DeFalco; Drawn by Ron Frenz (penciler) & Brett Breeding
(inker)
Appearances: Jack Magniconte, Darlene "Doll" Magniconte, Dallas Corbin, Thomas Smythe, Beauford Wohl, Johnny Carson, Mrs. Mirano, Broken Skulls gang members, Fist, Slasher, Amed, Bruno and other Fist gang members

Brief synopsis: The Kickers take down a well-armed Bronx gang led by the Middle Eastern terrorist, Fist.

References:

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KI 3
Published: January 1987
Written by Tom DeFalco (plotter), Tom DeFalco (scripter pg 1-5) & Jo Duffy (scripter pg 6-22); Drawn by Ron Frenz (penciler) & Brett Breeding & Sam DeLarosa (inkers)
Appearances: Jack Magniconte, Dallas Corbin, Thomas Smythe, Beauford Wohl, Darlene Magniconte, Michael Courtney, Professor Jordan (villain), various members of the Coven, Don Salvatore Cannelloni, Mr. Nunzio, Mr. Guido, Coach Kirby (Smashers coach), Hawkins (Smashers rookie)

Brief synopsis: The Kickers attempt to take down the Coven. Unable to do so legally, Jack leaves it to a mobster whose son committed suicide due to the Coven's activities.

References: Page 7:4 notes that the Smashers are holding a pre-season mini-camp during Trace University's summer trimester.

Flashback (6:3-7:1)
Appearances: Michael Courtney; Professor Jordan
Brief synopsis: Trace University professor Jordan convinces assistant professor Courtney to join the Coven. The head of the group conjures up a demon.
References:

Flashback (7:3)
Appearances: Ray Cannel [Ramon Cannelloni]
Brief synopsis: Student and coven member, Ray Cannel, is found to have hanged himself after seeing the demon.
References:

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KI 4
Published: February 1987
Written by Tom DeFalco (plot), Terry Kavanagh (script) & Ron Altaville (assist); Drawn by Howard Bender (layouts) & Art Nichols (finished art)
Appearances: Jack Magniconte, Thomas Smythe, Dallas Corbin, Beauford Wohl, Darlene Magniconte, Coach Kirby, Billy "Hawk" Hawkins, Yuri Pudlinski, Williams, Baldi, Monahan (all five New York Smashers players), [Smashers owner]-BTS, "Ugly" Mack Thornton (Austin Wreckers player), Fist-BTS, Benjamin Harrington, DP7-BTS

Brief synopsis: Smashers play Wreckers on opening day of exhibition season. Smashers owner calls for random drug testing of players. Smashers rookie Hawkins is permanently injured by Wreckers' Thornton. Fist makes BTS threats to Magniconte. Before and during opening game of season against the Wreckers, Magniconte intimidates Thornton who eventually apologizes to a paralyzed Hawkins sitting on the sidelines. Benjamin Harrington, son of DP7's Stephanie Harrington, calls Kickers, Inc. asking for their help to get in touch with his mom.

References: As noted on page 1, pages 1 through 8:3 take place on August 3, 1986. Opening day of exhibition season as the New York Smashers play the Austin Wreckers. As noted on page 8, pages 8:4 through 8:9 take place on August 27, 1986. As noted on page 9, pages 9 through 12 take place on August 28, 1986. As noted on page 13, pages 13 through 16:3? take place on August 31, 1986. The final day (fourth game) of exhibition season as Smashers win (going 3-1) and Wreckers win (going 4-0). As noted on page 16, pages 16:4 through 18 take place on the day before the first game [September 6, 1986]. As noted on page 19, pages 19 through 21 take place on September 7, 1986, the day of the opening game versus the Wreckers. As noted on page 22, page 22 takes place three days later [September 10, 1986].

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KI 5
Published: March 1987
Written by Tom DeFalco (plot) & Mark Gruenwald (script); Drawn by Paul Ryan (pencils) & DeLarosa & friends (inks)
Appearances: Kickers, Inc. [Jack Magniconte, Dallas Corbin, Thomas Smythe, Beauford Wohl, Darlene Magniconte], Miss Wiggins (Kickers, Inc. receptionist), DP7 [Randy O'Brien, Dave Landers, Jeff Walters, Charlotte "Charly" Beck, Dennis "Scuzz" Cuzinski, Stephanie Harrington, Lenore Fenzl], Benjamin Harrington, Mrs. Harrington (Stephanie's mother-in-law), Coach Kirby, Philip Nolan Voigt (head of the Clinic), Tracy Speck, Harlan Hackbarth, Dexter Charne (all three Clinic staff); Mutator (cameo); Merriam "Sponge" Sorensen (introduction, cameo); Terry "Thrust" Wilke (introduction, cameo)

Brief synopsis: The members of DP7 contact Kickers, Inc. in hopes of getting help dealing with the Clinic. Following a game in Green Bay, the Kickers meet the members of DP7 then travel to the Clinic to check it out. Voigt and Charne use their powers to convince the Kickers to attack DP7 but they are overwhelmed by the combined paranormals. The two groups come to an accord.

References: As noted on page 2, pages 2 through 8:3 take place one day in early November [1986]. As noted on page 8, pages 8:4 through 11:2, and 11:7 through 13 take place [the following] Sunday morning. That day, in Green Bay, the Smashers beat Green Bay 21-17. As noted on page 14, pages 1 & 14 through 23 take place the next day.

Note: Appearances of Mutator, Sponge and Wilke revealed in OHMU-style profile in DP7 #19.

Flashback (11:3-11:6)
Appearances: Stephanie Harrington, Chuck Harrington, Ben Harrington, Emily Harrington, Jill Harringtion

Brief synopsis: Stephanie begins to exhibit her paranormal powers. Her husband, Chuck, sets up an appointment at the Clinic then insists she stay there for long-term treatment.

References: As noted on page 11, pages 11:3 through 11:4 take place at the end of August [1986]. As noted on page 11, pages 11:5 through 11:6 take place on Saturday, September 13, 1986.

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KI 6
Published: April 1987
Written by Terry Kavanagh & Ron Altaville (script); Drawn by Rod Whigham
(pencils) & Tom DeZuniga (inks)
Appearances: Kickers, Inc. [Jack Magniconte; Dallas Corbin; Thomas Smythe; Beauford Wohl; Darlene Magniconte]; Coach Ed Kirby; Christie Chase (Smashers' owner); Yuri Pudlinski; Williams; Watkins; Bobby "Bullet" Baker; Timmy Bright (all five Smashers players); Susie (stewardess); Sally Rothman; Mr. & Mrs. Rothman (passengers); Peter Gray; Scott Templar (CIA agents)

Brief synopsis: Jack and Darlene Magniconte are flying from New York to Washington trying to get back in time for the Smashers versus Washington Centurions game. Susie, a stewardess on the flight, snaps and hijacks the plane with a gun she had hidden in her purse. After shooting out a cabin window and killing the co-pilot, Susie locks herself in the cockpit. Jack lunges at Susie in an attempt to save the little girl, Sally Rothman, he had brought into the cockpit to meet the captain. Susie fires and the bullet ricochets off Jack striking the crazed stewardess in the throat, killing her. After landing the passengers, along with the Magnicontes, are questioned by two CIA agents. In order to hide his paranormal abilities, Jack tells the agents that the bullet ricocheted off the bulkhead before it struck Susie. Jack makes it to the game late, but can't lead the Smashers to a score on their final drive. The Smashers lose 20-16.

References: As noted on page 1, this issue takes place on December 14, 1986

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KI 7
Published: May 1987
Written by Terry Kavanah & Ron Altaville (script); Drawn by Rod Whigham
(pencils) & Tony DeZuniga (inks)
Appearances: Kickers, Inc. [Jack Magniconte; Dallas Corbin; Thomas Smythe; Beauford Wohl; Darlene Magniconte]; Coach Kirby; Bobby Baker; Ed Hunter; Timmy Bright; Collins; Cable (all five Smashers players); Iris Blue (Kickers, Inc. secretary); Dexter; Stanton (both Comets players)

Brief synopsis: After the New York Smashers defeat the Los Angeles Runners 28-23, Kickers Inc. foil a circus troupe planning a museum robbery. The next week, the Smashers defeat the Chicago Comets, 35-10, to win a trip to the Super Bowl. But, during the game, Jack seriously injures an opposing player. After the game Jack makes an appointment to meet with the league's commissioner.

References: As noted on page 2, pages 1 through 16 take place on January 4, [1987] on the day of the quarterfinal game between the Smashers & Los Angeles Runners. As noted on page 17, pages 17 through 23 take place on January 11, [1987] on the day of the semifinal/East Coast Conference championship game between the Smashers and the Chicago Comets.

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KI 8
Published: June 1987
Written by Terry Kavanah & Ron Altaville; Drawn by Larry Alexander
(pencils) & Tony DeZuniga (inks)
Appearances: Kickers, Inc. [Jack Magniconte; Dallas Corbin; Thomas Smythe; Beauford Wohl; Darlene Magniconte]; Coach Kirby; Christie Chase (Smashers' owner); Bobby Baker; Yuri Pudlinski; Hunter; Williams (all four Smashers players); Dr. Malcolm Brennan; Scott Templar; Sally Rothman; Coach Burns (Austin Wreckers' coach); Munson; Ramsey; O'Leary; Cottone; Robby Maloney; Rubens; Hilly Kristal; Bonds (all seven Austin Wreckers players); Mack Thornton (former Wreckers player)

Brief synopsis: A week before the Super Bowl, a doctor from the football commissioner's office finds high levels of "pseudo steroids" in Jack Magniconte's system. The commissioner's office requests a second round of tests to nail down the irregularities, but Jack refuses. Jack later decides to not play in the Super Bowl and goes into hiding. After the Smashers lose Super Bowl XXI to the Austin Wreckers without him, Jack decides to go through with the doctor's second round of tests.

References: As noted on page 1, pages 1 through 12 take place on January 16, 1987. As noted on page 13, pages 13 through 22 take place on January 25, the day of the Super Bowl XXI.

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KI 9
Published: July 1987
Written by Dwight Jon Zimmerman; Drawn by Alan Kupperberg (layouts) & Tony DeZuniga (finishes)
Appearances: Kickers, Inc. [Jack Magniconte; Dallas Corbin; Thomas Smythe; Beauford Wohl; Darlene Magniconte]; Christine Edith "C.C." Chase; Len Dawson; Arnie Beaker

Brief synopsis: New York Smashers owner, C.C. Chase, holds a press conference to say that she is selling the team to investors who will move them to Los Angeles. After Jack Magniconte finds out that Chase is selling the team to finance her gambling debts, the pair agree to a charity tennis match to determine the team's future: if Jack wins, the team stays in New York; if Chase wins, she can sell the team. Jack easily wins, and a bitter Chase fires him from the team.

References: As noted on page 1, the issue takes place after the football season.

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KI 10
Published: August 1987
Written by Adam S. Blaustein; Drawn by Rod Whigham (pencils) & Tony DeZuniga (inks)
Appearances: Kickers, Inc. [Jack Magniconte; Dallas Corbin; Thomas Smythe; Beauford Wohl; Darlene Magniconte]; Robert Barnes; Barbara Diaz; Major Esteban Diaz; Stevens; Colonel Vargas

Brief synopsis: The Kickers are hired to rescue two civilian pilots being held by Colonel Vargas, dictator of the Caribbean island of San Leandro. The team is able to rescue the pilots but Jack has to shoot and kill a number of the guerillas to make their escape. The Kickers discover that the hostages are, in fact, military pilots whose stealth bomber crashed on San Leandro. It turns out that the U.S. government could not mount a rescue operation so created the ruse so Kickers, Inc. would do the job.

References:

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KI 11
Published: September 1987
Written by Dwight Zimmerman; Drawn by Larry Alexander (pencils) & Gerry Talaoc (inks)
Appearances: Kickers, Inc. [Jack Magniconte; Thomas Smythe; Beauford Wohl; Darlene Magniconte]; Benigno Feliciano; Manny "The Boss" Scampetti

Brief synopsis: The Kickers take down a local crime boss using Kicker, Inc.'s building for their drug trade.

References:

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KI 12
Published: October 1987
Written by Terry Kavanagh & Ron Altaville; Drawn by Rod Whigham
(pencils) & Tony DeZuniga (inks)
Appearances: Kickers, Inc. [Jack Magniconte; Dallas Corbin; Thomas Smythe; Beauford Wohl; Darlene Magniconte]; Scott Templar; Meyers; Mo Jacobs; Iggy; Pierre; Josef (all four Alberta Icecutters players)

Brief synopsis: The Kickers and players from the Alberta Icecutters hockey team get into a bar fight and are thrown in jail. Jack is currently suspended indefinitely by the football commission. The teams decide to settle their differences by taking part in a relay race through northern Canada for charity. On the anchor leg, Jack goes off course to investigate strange occurrences at an isolated cabin. In the cabin, he manages to save Meyers, the reporter who had originally suggested the idea of a relay race, from little green aliens and Bigfoot. Jack finishes the race well behind the Icecutters and, in addition, nobody believes his story. Unbeknown to anyone, Meyers and CIA agent, Templar, had set the whole strangeness up to get proof of Jack's abilities.

References: As noted on page 2, pages 1 through 5 take place on June 6, 1987. As noted on page 6, pages 6 through 8 take place the next day [June 7, 1987]. As noted on page 9, pages 9 through 22 take place on June 20, [1987].

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Chronology entries:
Bobby "Bullet" Baker
{KI 6}
KI 7
KI 8

Robert Barnes
{KI 10}

Arnie Beaker
{KI 9}

Iris Blue
{KI 7}

Dr. Malcolm Brennan
{KI 8}

Timmy Bright
{KI 6}
KI 7

Charlotte "Charly" Beck/Friction
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Don Salvatore Cannelloni
{KI 3}

“Ray Cannel”/Ramon Cannelloni
{KI 3 (7:3)-FB}

Dr. Dexter Charne
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Christine Edith “C.C.” “Christie” Chase
KI 4-BTS
{KI 6}
KI 8
KI 9

Dallas "Dasher" Corbin
{KI 1}
KI 2
KI 3
KI 4
KI 5
KI 6
KI 7
KI 8
KI 9
KI 10
KI 12
[…]

Michael Courtney
KI 3 (6:3-7:1)-FB
{KI 3}

Dennis "Scuzz" Cuzinski/Scorcher
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Len Dawson
{KI 9}

Barbara Diaz
{KI 10}

Major Esteban Diaz
{KI 10}

Benigno Feliciano
{KI 11}

Lenore Fenzl/Twilight
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Fist
{KI 2}
KI 4-BTS

Peter Gray
{KI 6}

Benjamin Harrington
[…]
KI 5 (11:3-11:4)-FB
KI 4
KI 5
[…]

Charles “Chuck” Harrington
[…]
KI 5 (11:3-11:4)-FB
KI 5 (11:5-11:6)-FB
[…]

Emily Harrington
[…]
KI 5 (11:3-11:4)-FB
[…]

Helen Harrington
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Jill Harringtion
[…]
KI 5 (11:3-11:4)-FB
[…]

Stephanie Harrington/Viva/Glitter
[…]
KI 5 (11:3-11:4)-FB
KI 5 (11:5-11:6)-FB
KI 5
[…]

Harlan Hackbarth/Regulator
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Billy “Hawk” Hawkins
{KI 3}
KI 4

Ed Hunter
{KI 7}
KI 8

Professor Jordan
KI 3 (6:3-7:1)-FB
{KI 3}

Ed Kirby
{KI 3}
KI 4
KI 5
KI 6
KI 7
KI 8

Dave Landers/Mastodon
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Darlene “Doll” Magniconte
{KI 1}
KI 2
KI 3
KI 4
KI 5
KI 6
KI 7
KI 8
KI 9
KI 10
KI 11
KI 12
[…]

Jack "Mr. Magnificent" Magniconte
{KI 1}
KI 2
KI 3
KI 4
KI 5
KI 6
KI 7
KI 8
KI 9
KI 10
KI 11
KI 12
[…]

Steve Magniconte
{KI 1}

Mutator
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Randy O'Brien/Antibody
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Yuri Pudlinski
{KI 4}
KI 6
KI 8

Sally Rothman
{KI 6}
KI 8

Manny "The Boss" Scampetti
{KI 11}

Thomas "Suicide" Smythe
{KI 1}
KI 2
KI 3
KI 4
KI 5
KI 6
KI 7
KI 8
KI 9
KI 10
KI 11
KI 12
[…]

Sorensen, Merriam/Sponge
{KI 5}
[…]

Tracy Speck/Receptor
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Major Stevens
{KI 10}

Scott Templar
{KI 6}
KI 8
KI 12
[…]

"Ugly" Mack Thornton
{KI 4}
KI 8

Colonel Vargas
{KI 10}

Philip Nolan Voigt
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Jeff Walters/Blur
[…]
KI 5
[…]

Miss Wiggins
{KI 5}

Wilke, Terry/Thrust
{KI 5}
[…]

Williams
{KI 4}
KI 6
KI 8

Beauford Kimbal "Brick Wall" Wohl
{KI 1}
KI 2
KI 3
KI 4
KI 5
KI 6
KI 7
KI 8
KI 9
KI 10
KI 11
KI 12
[…]

[wolframbane]

Great work Creelman