New Universe analyses: Spitfire

Here's where you report issue analyses of any issue in any universe or timeline.

Moderators: Col_Fury, michel, Arthur, Somebody, StrayLamb

Locked
Creelman
Henchman
Henchman
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:02 am

New Universe analyses: Spitfire

Post by Creelman »

Spitfire and the Troubleshooters
S&TT 1
Published: October 1986
Written by Eliot Brown and John Morelli (plot) & Gerry Conway (script); Drawn by Herbe Trimpe (pencils) & Joe Sinnott and Tom Morgan (inks)

Appearances: Spitfire [Prof. Jennifer "Jenny" Swensen] (introduction); Troubleshooters [Tim Ferris; Eduardo Giotti; Teresa "Terry" Roberts; Eric Chin; Andy Meadows] (introduction); Dr. Karl Swensen (introduction, dies); Fritz Krotze (introduction, villain); Chairman Dibble (introduction); Detective Sloan (introduction); Detective Jenkins (introduction); Sensei (introduction); Faylen (introduction); Mick Bronson/M.A.X. Model I pilot (introduction, villain)

Brief synopsis: Dr. Karl Swensen, inventor of the M.A.X. (Man Amplified EXperiment) armor, is killed by an agent of his employer, Fritz Krotze. While going through her father's things Prof. Jennifer “Spitfire” Swensen finds information hinting he may have been killed. She later returns to her father's lab and, aided by MIT students, the Troubleshooters (Eric Chin, Timothy Ferris, Eduardo Giotti, Andrew Meadows, Theresa "Terry" Roberts), locates the M.A.X., Model II armor and steals it from the lab. She is pursued by Krotze's agent, Mick Bronson, wearing the M.A.X., Model I armor. Jenny dons the M.A.X., Model II armor, dubbed Spitfire, and defeats Bronson.

References: Pages 1 through 2 take place ?. As noted on page 3, pages 3 through 5:6 take place in autumn, soon after page 2. As noted on page 5:7, pages 5:7 through 6:3 take place two days later. Pages 6:4 through 25 take place the next day. As noted on page 25, Spitfire's storyline continues in Star Brand #2 before returning to S&TT #2.

--------------------

S&TT 2
Published: November 1986
Written by Gerry Conway; Drawn by Herb Trimpe (pencils) & Bob McLeod (inks)

Appearances: Spitfire [Jenny Swensen]; Troubleshooters [Eric Chin; Tim Ferris; Eduardo "Eddie" Giotti; Andy Meadows; Teresa "Terry" Roberts]; Prof. Richard Faylen (villain); Fritz Krotze (villain); Sensei; Malcolm Keech (introduction); Bill (introduction)

Brief synopsis: Krotze sends the Behemoth, an experimental Department of Defense tank, after Jenny. Eduardo attempts to investigate the tank using a pair of servo-motor "Strong-Arms" he developed from the M.A.X. technology, but is captured by Krotze's men. Spitfire manages to destroy the tank and free Eduardo. Jenny decides it is time to confront Krotze.

References: As noted on page 1, pages 1 through 12:4 take place two weeks after the previous issue. As noted on page 12, pages 12:5 through 23 take place at dawn the next day.

--------------------

S&TT 3
Published: December 1986
Written by Gerry Conway; Drawn by Ron Wagner (pencils) & Danny Bulanadi (inks)

Appearances: Spitfire [Jenny Swensen]; Troubleshooters [Eric Chin; Tim Ferris; Eduardo "Eddie" Giotti; Andy Meadows; Teresa "Terry" Roberts]; Fritz Krotze (villain); Detective Sloan; Detective Jenkins; Mick Bronson (dies); Major Benton (introduction); Richard Faylen (villain); Steel Hawk [Arun Bahkti] (introduction, villain)

Brief synopsis: Tim Ferris designs speed-enhancing “Fastball” leg braces and Terry Roberts creates cybernetic “Think Tank” headgear from M.A.X. technology. Spitfire breaks into Krotze International, where she escapes with information about the company. In the process she accidentally shoots Major Benton, Krotze's Defense Department liaison, in the shoulder. The Club sends international terrorist, Arun Bahkti, aka Steel Hawk, to deal with the situation.

References: As noted on page 2:1, pages 1 through 22:1 take place two weeks after the previous issue. As noted on page 22, page 22:2 through 22:4 take place the next morning. On page 3:1, Jenny Swensen states that it has been "a few months" since her father was killed, but on page 5:4, Bronson states that it has been a "couple a months ago."

--------------------

S&TT 4
Published: January 1987
Written by Gerry Conway; Drawn by Todd McFarlane (penciler) & Bob McLeod (inker)

Appearances: Spitfire [Jennifer Ann "Jenny" Swensen]; Troubleshooters [Eric Chin; Tim Ferris; Eduardo Giotti; Andy Meadows; Terry Roberts]; Steel Hawk (villain); Fritz Krotze (dies); Senator Dan Hurt (introduction); Richard Francis Faylen (dies); Jes Lumley (introduction); Detective Oliver Sloan; Detective Sidney Jenkins; Major T. H. Benton; Senator Boyd (introduction); Senator Cummings (introduction); Chairman Dibble

Brief synopsis: Jenny appears before Congress in the M.A.X. armor and hands over the disk on Krotze as evidence of his dealings with the Club. Steel Hawk captures Krotze and beats him to death with a metal baseball bat, making it appear that Jenny killed him in the armor. Steel Hawk tries to kill Jenny to prevent her from denying the charges, and he nearly succeeds, crippling the M.A.X. armor in the process. However, she manages to shatter his leg, but he is able to flee as the police arrive. Detectives Jenkins and Sloan then arrest Jenny for the murder of Krotze.

References: As noted on page 1, page 1 takes place "weeks since Krotze disappeared". As noted on page 2, pages 2 through 12 take place four weeks since the previous issue. As noted on page 13, pages 13 through 22 take place two days after page 12. As noted on page 6:4-6:5, most of the previous issue took place "a month ago" on “the night of September 12”.

--------------------

S&TT 5
Published: February 1987
Written by Gerry Conway & Roy Thomas; Drawn by Herb Trimpe (pencils) & Tony DeZuniga (inks)

Appearances: Jenny Swensen; Troubleshooters [Eric Chin; Tim Ferris; Spitfire [Eduardo Giotti]; Andy Meadows; Theresa "Terry" Roberts]; Star Brand [Ken Connell]; Bernie Strazcynski (introduction); Detective Sloan; Detective Jenkins; Steel Hawk (villain); Baker (introduction, villain)

Brief synopsis: With Jenny in prison, the Troubleshooters steal back the M.A.X. armor from the police. Ken Connell visits Jenny in prison and learns about the Troubleshooters' plans. She also tells him of her suspicions of problems with the suit's power pack. Connell saves Giotti from being killed in the malfunctioning armor by hurling the power pack high into the air before it explodes. A nearly-recuperated Steel Hawk is contacted by the Club to assassinate the UK Prime Minister who will be traveling to Boston.

References: As noted on page 1, pages 1 through 3:3 take place on November 13, [1986]. As noted on page 3:4, pages 3:4 through 7:4 take place four days later [November 17, 1986]. As noted on page 3:4, Jenny Swensen has been in jail for 38 days [since October 10, 1986]. As noted on page 7:5, pages 7:5 through 9 take place two days later [November 19, 1986]. As noted on page 10, pages 10 through 22 take place the next day [November 20, 1986].

Note: Last appearance of the Model II, MAX armor since it is all but destroyed in Giotti's battle with Ken Connell.

--------------------

S&TT 6
Published: March 1987
Written by Gerry Conway & Cary Bates; Drawn by Vince Giarrano (pencils) & Tony DeZuniga (inks)

Appearances: Jenny Swensen; Troubleshooters [Eric Chin; Tim Ferris; Eduardo Giotti; Andy Meadows; Teresa "Terry" Roberts]; Steel Hawk (villain); Baker (villain); Rayburn (introduction); Bernie Strazcynski; Senator Hurt; Detective Sloan; Detective Jenkins; Agent Talbot (introduction); Margaret Thatcher (introduction)

Brief synopsis: The District Attorney drops the charges against Jenny when Detectives Jenkins and Sloan, who suspect that Steel Hawk had killed Krotze, agree to testify in her defense. The Troubleshooters learn where Steel Hawk is based and learn that he intends to assassinate the British Prime Minister. Andy Meadows field-tests his “Beamsplitter” energy blasters.

References: As noted on page 1, pages 1 through 22 take place on December 19, [1986].

--------------------

S&TT 7
Published: April 1987
Written by Cary Bates; Drawn by Alan Kupperberg (layouts) & Tony DeZuniga (finishes)

Appearances: Jenny Swensen; Troubleshooters [Eric Chin; Timothy "Tim" Ferris; Eduardo Giotti; Andrew "Andy" Meadows (dies); Theresa "Terry" Roberts]; Steel Hawk (villain); Baker (villain); Dean Norris (introduction); Bernie Strazcynski; Edmund Roth (BTS)

Brief synopsis: Steel Hawk is ambushes the Troubleshooters. Tim Ferris is severely injured and needs to have both legs amputated. The assassin is able to tackle Andy Meadows from behind and kills him using Meadows' “Beamsplitter” weapon. Jenny is informed that she has lost tenure at MIT and, later, is abducted while walking down the street.

References: As noted on page 1, pages 1 through 2 take place on January 14, 1987. Pages 3 through 5:1 take place in Jenny Swensen's dreams [the same night?]. Pages 5:2 through 7 take place immediately after page 5:1. Pages 8:6 through 10:2 likely take place that night or the next day. Pages 10:3 through 22 take place the next day [January 15, 1987].

Note: Tim Ferris' M.A.X. suit is called "Fastback" in this issue.

Flashback (8:1-8:5)
Appearances: Tim Ferris; Margaret Thatcher; Steel Hawk (villain)
Brief synopsis: Operating at super-speed, Ferris uses the Fastball braces to grab Steel Hawk's bomb and hurl it into the air before it can explode and kill the British Prime Minister.
References: As noted on 8:1, the flashback takes place on 5:59 pm, December 19, [1986].

--------------------

S&TT 8
Published: May 1987
Written by Cary Bates; Drawn by Alan Kupperberg (layouts) & Tony DeZuniga (finishes)

Appearances: Jenny Swensen; Troubleshooters [Eric Chin; Eduardo Giotti; Terry Roberts]; Andy Meadows (dead); Edmund Roth (introduction); Brick (introduction); Agent Brenton (introduction); "Slash" Hannigan/Jake Travest (introduction); Steel Hawk (villain); Varna (introduction, villain)

Brief synopsis: Terry Roberts uses “Think Tank” to hack into the FBI's database and gain information on Steel Hawk. Using his “Strong-Arms”, Eduardo Giotti surprises the assassin and beats him savagely. Steel Hawk only survives when a compatriot, Varna, fights off Eduardo and carries the terrorist away. It is revealed that agents of Edmund Roth had abducted Jenny Swensen. After verifying her loyalties through a series of tests, Roth tells her she will now be working for the U.S. government.

References: Pages 1 through 3:4 take place immediately after the previous issue [January 15, 1987]. As noted on page 3:5, pages 3:5 through 22 take place the next day [January 16, 1987].

--------------------

S&TT 9
Published: June 1987
Written by Cary Bates: Drawn by Alan Kupperberg (breakdowns) & Tony DeZuniga (inker)

Appearances: Jenny Swensen; Eduardo Giotti; Teresa Roberts; Edmund Roth; Jackson "Jake" Travest; Steel Hawk; Varna; Dajit (introduction)

Brief synopsis: Eduardo Giotti destroys the "Strong-Arms" and, with Terry Roberts, retires from action. Jenny Swensen refuses to join the CIA under Roth. He pretends to put her on a plane home, but ends up sending her to Afghanistan. Also aboard is Jake Travest, another agent manipulated by Roth. Travest causes Jenny to follow him after he parachutes out of the plane. Shortly after landing, they encounter Soviet soldiers wearing Model I M.A.X. armor sold to the Soviets by Krotze and the Club.

References: As noted on page 2:7 and 6:1, pages 1 through 22 take place two weeks after the previous issue.

--------------------

Codename: Spitfire
C:S 10
Published: July 1987
Written by Cary Bates; Drawn by Marshall Rogers (storytelling) & Tony DeZuniga (finishings)

Appearances: Jenny Swensen; Jake Travest; Dajit; Rehnad (introduction); Edmund Roth; Agent Anne Pollicino (introduction)

Brief synopsis: Jake Travest manages to overpower a Soviet soldier in the M.A.X. armor, and Jenny modifies the armor so that when the Soviets bring the armor into their base it will neutralize the other suits of armor. However, the Afghani rebels add a bomb to the armor, so that it kills the Soviets and destroys all the suits of armor in the base. Despite her anger over the loss of life, Jenny realizes the danger of allowing M.A.X. technology to get into the wrong hands and she agrees to join Roth's CIA anti-terrorist operation, Project: Spitfire.

References: Pages 1 through 4:4 take place immediately after the previous issue. As noted on page 5:1, pages 4:5 through 22 take place three weeks later.

--------------------

C:S 11
Published: August 1987
Written by Fabian Nicieza; Drawn by Grant Miehm (penciler) & Mike Esposito (inker)

Appearances: Spitfire [Jenny Swensen]; Jake Travest; Edmund Roth; Anne Pollicino; "War Tiger" (introduction, villain); Dr. Granger (introduction); Bryson (introduction)

Brief synopsis: Jake Travest and Jenny Swensen, wearing a new experimental, Model III, M.A.X. armor, attempt to rescue a contra leader in Nicaragua. The mission ends badly as Spitfire narrowly escapes, suffering multiple burns and other injuries, while Travest is captured by the Sandinistas. Despite still being badly injured and the M.A.X. armor still damaged, Jenny dons the armor and rescues Travest.

References: Pages 1 through 22 take place over a number of hours, some time after the previous issue. As noted on page 23, page 23 takes place 27 hours after page 22.

Note: First appearance of the experimental, Model III, M.A.X. armor.

Flashback (6:1-8:1; 9:1-10:6; 12:1-15:7)
Appearances: Spitfire [Jenny Swensen]; Jake Travest
Brief synopsis: Jenny and Jake's failed mission to rescue the contra leader is caused by a malfunction in the new experimental M.A.X. armor. As a result, Jake is captured and Jenny badly injured.
References: Takes place approximately 2 hours before page 1.

--------------------

C:S 12
Published: September 1987
Written by Len Kaminski; Drawn by Javier Saltares (pencils) & Jim Fern (inks)

Appearances: Spitfire [Jenny Swensen]; Jake Travest; Edmund Roth; Anne Pollicino; Evan Reinger (introduction, villain, dies)

Brief synopsis: Jenny attempts to recover an experimental jet stolen by freelance agent, Evan Reinger. Jenny is forced to kill Reinger and destroy the jet to prevent him from escaping with it.

References: The issue takes place over a short period of time, some time after the previous issue.

Flashback (6:2-7:4)
Appearances: Jenny Swensen; Karl Swensen
Brief synopsis: A young Jenny and her father discuss his pacifism and unwillingness to work with the Defense Department.
References: Takes place when Jenny was a girl.

--------------------

C:S 13
Published: October 1987
Written by Sandy Plunkett; Drawn by Sandy Plunkett (layouts), David Hoover (pencils) & Tony DeZuniga (inks)

Appearances: Spitfire [Jenny Swensen]; Agent Willy Deere (introduction); Edmund Roth; Agent Celia Cliff (introduction, dies); Saxon St. John (introduction, villain, dies); 3-MC [Enrique] (introduction, dies); Jorge (introduction)

Brief synopsis: Jenny accompanies C.I.A. agent, Willy Deere, designer of the more compact M.A.X. armor, to Puerto Rojo, to stop Saxon St. John, a freelance member of the Club who has been adapting his own version of M.A.X. technology to the creation of cyborgs. Deere kills St. John and Jenny destroys all records of St. John's work.

References: The issue takes place over several days, some time after the previous issue.

Note: First (and only?) appearance of the more compact “Model IV”, M.A.X. armor.

--------------------

Amazing Fantasy 19/2
Published: May 2006
Written by: Justin Gray; Drawn by Marshall Rogers (art) & Al Vey (inks)

Appearances: Spitfire [Jenny Swensen]; Karl Swensen; Dimitri Durovich (introduction, dies)

Brief synopsis: Jenny Swensen pilots the M.A.X. Armor, Mark I to help contain the radiation at Chernobyl. She encounters Dimitri Durovich, a scientist who had absorbed massive amounts of radiation in the process of trying to save everyone and is at risk to meltdown himself. Jenny tunnels into a nearby river and immerses him in the waters to prevent the meltdown. With Dimitri's urging, she collapses the underground cavern on top of him.

References: As noted on page 1, the story takes place on April 26, 1986.

--------------------

Chronology entries:
3-MC/Enrique
{C:S 13}

Baker
{S&TT 5}
S&TT 6
S&TT 7

Benton, Maj. T. H.
{S&TT 3}
S&TT 4

Brick
{S&TT 8}

Bronson, Mick
{S&TT 1}
S&TT 3

Chin, Eric
{S&TT 1}
[Star Brand 2]
S&TT 2
S&TT 3
S&TT 4
S&TT 5
S&TT 6
S&TT 7
S&TT 8

Cliff, Celia
{C:S 13}

Connell, Ken/Star Brand
[…]
S&TT 5
[…]

Dajit
{S&TT 9}
C:S 10

Deere, Willy
{C:S 13}

Dibble, Chairman
{S&TT 1}
S&TT 4

Durovich, Dimitri
{Amazing Fantasy (vol. 2) 19/2}

Faylen, Prof. Richard
{S&TT 1}
S&TT 2
S&TT 3
S&TT 4

Ferris, Timothy
{S&TT 1}
[Star Brand 2]
S&TT 2
S&TT 3
S&TT 4
S&TT 5
S&TT 6
S&TT 7 (8:1-8:5)-FB
S&TT 7

Giotti, Eduardo
{S&TT 1}
[Star Brand 2]
S&TT 2
S&TT 3
S&TT 4
S&TT 5
S&TT 6
S&TT 7
S&TT 8
S&TT 9

Hurt, Sen. Dan
{S&TT 4}
S&TT 6

Jenkins, Det. Sidney
{S&TT 1}
S&TT 3
S&TT 4
S&TT 5
S&TT 6

Krotze, Fritz
{S&TT 1}
S&TT 2
S&TT 3
S&TT 4

Meadows, Andrew
{S&TT 1}
[Star Brand 2]
S&TT 2
S&TT 3
S&TT 4
S&TT 5
S&TT 6
S&TT 7
S&TT 8 (dead)

Pollicino, Anne
{C:S 10}
C:S 11
C:S 12

Reinger, Evan
{C:S 12}

Roberts, Teresa “Terry”
{S&TT 1}
[Star Brand 2]
S&TT 2
S&TT 3
S&TT 4
S&TT 5
S&TT 6
S&TT 7
S&TT 8
S&TT 9

Roth, Edmund
S&TT 7-BTS
{S&TT 8}
S&TT 9
C:S 10
C:S 11
C:S 12
C:S 13
[…]

St. John, Saxon
{C:S 13}

Sensei
{S&TT 1}
S&TT 2

Sloan, Det. Oliver
{S&TT 1}
S&TT 3
S&TT 4
S&TT 5
S&TT 6

Steel Hawk/Arun Bahkti
{S&TT 3}
S&TT 4
S&TT 5
S&TT 6
S&TT 7 (8:1-8:5)-FB
S&TT 7
S&TT 8
S&TT 9

Strazcynski, Bernie
{S&TT 5}
S&TT 6
S&TT 7

Swensen, Prof. Jennifer “Jenny”/Spitfire
C:S 12 (6:2-7:4)-FB
Amazing Fantasy (vol. 2) 19/2
{S&TT 1}
[Star Brand 2]
S&TT 2
S&TT 3
S&TT 4
S&TT 5
S&TT 6
S&TT 7
S&TT 8
S&TT 9
C:S 10
C:S 11
C:S 12
C:S 13
[…]

Swensen, Dr. Karl
C:S 12 (6:2-7:4)-FB
Amazing Fantasy (vol. 2) 19/2
{S&TT 1}

Thatcher, Margaret
{S&TT 6}
S&TT 7 (8:1-8:5)-FB

Travest, Jackson “Jake”/”Slash” Hannigan
{S&TT 8}
S&TT 9
C:S 10
C:S 11
C:S 12
[…]

Varna
{S&TT 8}
S&TT 9

“War Tiger”
{C:S 11}
-Dan
Locked