Polite Dissent

Legion of Super-Heroes #5
Mark Waid, writer
Barry Kitson and Art Thibert, finishes

Imra Ardeen (Saturn Girl), Garth Ranzz (Lightning Lad) and Brin Londo (Timber Wolf, though he is not identified as such here) are trapped on the remote (and unimaginatively named) Rimworld 19. Along with a group of potential Legion recruits, they attempt to repel an attack by super-powered invaders.

During the battle, the telepathic Imra uses her telepathic powers to counter the fear the recruits are feeling.

Imra: This is precision work. The amygdala is a very delicate portion of the brain to have to alter.

The amygdala is a small area found in the brain that is indeed involved in the fear response. It also has a role in aggression.

• This is the first time I remember seeing a telepathic character specifically refer to brain anatomy.
• “Amygdala” is also the name of one of Batman’s villains, most recently appearing as a supporting character in Nightwing.

Amazing Fantasy #8 “Posion Tomorrow, part 2: Motherless Country”
Fred Van Lente, writer
Leonard Kird, penciler

The Scorpion (the young female one) is in Madripoor tracking down her birth mother. At the orphanage she runs across the 4T’s, a gang involved in kidnapping and prostitution As to be expected, a fight follows. During the melee, the Scorpion is injected with a syringe.

SHIELD Agent: Sir — this is bad — her vitals are going haywire! These readings — that needle must have been filled with curare — it’s a muscle relaxant — 4T’s can use it to sedate the girls – Scorpion’s been given a lethal overdose! First comes respiratory paralysis, then –

Curare is a poison derived from a South American plant. The natives used it as an arrow poison when hunting monkeys.

Medically, curare is a type of muscle relaxant. Not the type the doctor might prescribe for a strained back, but a one that paralyzes muscles. It works by blocking the communication between nerves and muscles. The facial muscles are typically affected first followed by the muscles of the neck. The patient suffers an inability to hold the head up or swallow. In lethal doses, paralysis of the respiratory muscles (including the diaphragm) comes next which leads to death by respiratory failure.

The agent has it wrong: respiratory paralysis is last, not first. Also, despite what the art suggests, curare has little effect on the heart. Still, it can be a particularly nasty poison.

• Curare (or more correctly, its derivatives) are an important part of surgical anesthesia.
• “Curare” is also the name of one villains from Batman Beyond.