Polite Dissent

This is one of the best issues of the series. It focuses mostly on Dove, but it also manages to tie up several dangling plots including Ren and Hank, as well as Dawn and the mysterious Brian. It also introduces a new plot thread: “The Black Russian¹.”

While the script alone is entertaining (especially the dialogue), the best part of the issue is the art. Guest artist Kevin Maguire turns in some of his patented fantastic penciling. His use of facial expressions is so essential to the storythat I don’t think any other artist could have pulled it off so well.

As the issue begins, it’s the Christmas season and Dawn is sitting by the window, looking out at the snow. Her father is out of town on a job for S.T.A.R. Labs and her mother just got called away on a diplomatic mission. Home alone² with nothing to do until Donna’s party that evening, Dawn decides that an afternoon spent shopping would be perfect.

She heads to We R Toys to pass the time. The big draw at the store is a live performance of the Super-Powered Samurai Saurians³ (an intentionally unsubtle nod to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). In the middle of the show, robbers dressed as Santa and his helpers strike. Dawn quickly changes into Dove and has little trouble subduing the criminals. In the end it turns out that it wasn’t a robbery as much as an act of revenge. The leader of the crooks was a failed toy manufacturer who blamed We R Toys for his company’s failure. When he tries to slink away in the confusion, the Saurs capture him and the kids erupt in cheers.

The police arrive to find Dove (with help from the Saurs, or course) has already taken care of business. Captain Arsala and Dove flirt a little, but then she flies off telling him that she’s late for a party.

And late she is. Donna growls at Dawn for being late to her Christmas party but relents when she admits that Brian, the guy she’s been trying to set up Dawn with since the second issue, is also late. Surprisingly, Ren is not at the party. Hank asks Donna where she is, and she explains that Ren is a little upset over something she overheard⁴. The gang takes the opportunity to give his Hank his Christmas present: an answering machine. Kyle tells hank to go home, hook up the machine, and wait for Ren to make the next move.

Brian arrives and Dawn is shocked to discover that her blind date is Brian Arsala, captain of the Washington Special Crime Unit. As Dawn and Brian talk, Hank heads back to his appartment. Arsala asks Dawn if he was her boyfriend, but she tells him that Hank is the big brother she never had⁵. Back at his apartment, Hank plays the message on his answering machine, which is from Ren. He heads out to find her and discovers that she is conveniently is waiting outside his door. He promises Ren that he’s not in love with Dawn and they kiss and make up. And Tiny Tim wishes everyone a Merry Christmas (OK, I made that part up).

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Notes:
^1. The Black Russian is the alter ego of Roger, one of Hank’s friends from the wrestling team. He plays a key role in the next issue.
^2. Conspiracy theorists start your engines: In this issue, Dawn clearly refers to being an only child. So then where did her “sister” Holly, the new Hawk, come from?
^3. The Super-Powered Samurai Saurians (the Saurs) include Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and an unnamed fourth Saur. Since their headquarters is at Mt Rushmore, it’s probably safe to assume that the fourth Saur is named Washington. They even have their own theme song:

When we get into the action
Villains take a tumble
‘Cause we’re Super-Powered Saurs
and we like to rumble
…
We’re the Super Powered Samurai Saurians
comin from Mt Rushmore to your neighborhood!

^4. She overheard Dawn and Hank talking about what happened on Druspa Tau, and whether they were supposed to be in love with each other.
^5. This conversation will become important later.

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This comic is December 5th in my 2004 Comic Book Cover Advent Calendar

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