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Nathan Greno
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Joined: 20 April 2006
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 2:59pm | IP Logged | 1  

I recently reread JB's AF run (via the TPBs) and for the first time it hit me why JB killed off Guardian. I really loved the character when I was a kid, but he truly has the least interesting personality of the group. Mac is kind of a one-note character... super cool costume, neat power, but a bit flat beyond that. Many of his solo pages in the series seem to be motivated by plot, not character. 

What Guardian seemed to do best was hold the team together. He was the glue. I feel the book lost it's way when he died. Heather might have been a stronger figure, but Mac somehow held the group together better for me. Maybe it was mostly a visual thing... the design of that suit is simple but incredible. 

Haven't read these issues in a long time... it's fun to see how your "sight" changes over the years. 

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John Byrne
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Joined: 11 May 2005
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 3:01pm | IP Logged | 2  

As I said at the time, Mac was the least interesting character, yet his death generated the most interesting storylines.
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Peter Martin
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 3:22pm | IP Logged | 3  

When we join the team in Alpha Flight#1 they've just had their funding cut and yet it was with the death of Mac that they seemed most under threat -- that they could simply fall apart, so 'he was the glue' seems a very fair  assessment to me.

And, boy, did he have a great costume.


Edited by Peter Martin on 16 November 2011 at 3:22pm
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Nathan Greno
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 3:26pm | IP Logged | 4  

JB: As I said at the time, Mac was the least interesting character, yet his death generated the most interesting storylines.

---

It took me a long time to see that for some reason!

Always listen to Master Byrne...
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Ryan Maxwell
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Joined: 16 April 2004
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 4:00pm | IP Logged | 5  

Sniff...

I completely agree with you, JB, but it's still tough reconciling that 10 year old kid in me.  He's still a little bitter.

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Ivan Black
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Joined: 09 May 2009
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 4:04pm | IP Logged | 6  

Every time I re-read that page, I find myself wanting him to have a few seconds more, though I know what will happen. Kind of hoping each time, that THIS time around, he'll make it...
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William T. Byrd
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Joined: 04 August 2009
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 4:31pm | IP Logged | 7  

I was one of those 10 year olds that got really mad when Mac died... When it seemed to be that Mac had returned later in the run, I was happy no matter how convoluted the explanation was...

And then next issue I was really mad again when it turned out to be a trap.

And then some years later with Byrne gone and me being older, I was even more mad when Marvel actually did bring him back. 
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Mario Mariano Ruiz
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Joined: 12 June 2011
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 4:52pm | IP Logged | 8  

I remember reading the story arc as a Navy recruit in bootcamp and during A- School. I was  captivated as with most of JB's stuff. When I read the it now I'm instantly 18 years old and 90 pounds lighter :)
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Joe Smith
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 4:57pm | IP Logged | 9  

I was seventeen, and it crushed me.
As if my Mr. Fantastic had been killed.
Echo the above sentiments about wishing for a different outcome
with each rereading.
Taught me about loss, it did for sure.
I always wanted to hug Heather and protect her after that happened.
Still sad.
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Flavio Sapha
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 5:49pm | IP Logged | 10  

I will never forgive.

:-(
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Valmor J. Pedretti
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Joined: 14 October 2011
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 6:42pm | IP Logged | 11  

That death scene got imprinted on my brain forever. One of the greatest.
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Nathan Greno
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Posted: 16 November 2011 at 7:08pm | IP Logged | 12  

I know some people blame Heather, but I remember being pissed at Sasquatch when I first read Alpha Flight #12...



..."He's right. I should be able to take him apart easily."

Dammit, Walt! You should have taken the chance...

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