Okay, a few days ago I was mentioning how I wondered why more heroes did not hade looser fitting sleeves on their costumes like Firestorm does - but this is going a bit too far. Manhunter's sleeves were more than just loose, they were positively voluminous! Perhaps he was hiding extra weapons in them?
These two previously met in STF #3081 and first crossed paths in in STF #1402...
Mockingbird is another one with sleeves like that. But she kept her battle staves up there, so I would have to surmise that he kept his throwing stars and weapons of that nature in there.
ReplyDeleteJeremy is right. The shurikens would definitely fit in those extra-wide sleeves. The left-hand one, anyway, if he was a right-handed thrower. And, if so, then the other sleeve probably contained extra ammo clips for his broom-handle Mauser.
ReplyDeleteHmmm! I wonder if they're being pitted against each other by Lord Kobra? Similar to how he pitted Checkmate against the Suicide Squad during "The Janus Imperative" story arc!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Manhunter's sleeves are just airbags, in case of a fall.
ReplyDeleteSo, the sleeves are distracting to those you are fighting. Or like a colorful tail of a lizard, keeps you from getting hit in a more important place. Gi sleeves are similar (but not quite as big). However, they probably do pose a danger to being grabbed by skilled opponents. That means their benefit depends on the situation.
ReplyDeleteAlso, sweet cover!
ReplyDeleteManhunter's design was based on kimono's that samurai wear. Archie Goodwin was a big fan of Kurosawa movies.
ReplyDeleteCross purposes? Two different targets? As freelancers, they could be doing nothing the other would be against, especially if they started as allies.
ReplyDeleteThis would be why a new reader might pick up the book.
This fight would likely leave Manhattan with about as much collateral damage as could be done by two unenhanced humans. First responders would definitely have their hands full, and some of the City's protectors may be called upon to help.
ReplyDeleteSay, didn't Red Tornado spend some time based in NYC? Based on that, what if he were to join the Avengers? For similar reason -- in addition to the dichotomy of type -- he could also be an interesting pair-up partner with Doctor Strange.
I still think they're being manipulated to fight each other. If not by Lord Kobra, then maybe by Wilson Fisk trying to prevent some rival's incursion. Like, say, the Green Dragon Tong from Gotham City?
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else, that might also serve to get GL Alan Scott involved!
I forget the name of the spear but in martial arts there is a spear used that has the tip on one end and a colorful ribbon or ribbons on the other end. In a fit the ribbon is used as a weapon to distract, and in some cases, blind the opponent. This is another reason Manhunter's sleeves are lengthened the way they. He is a living weapon. A Jason Bourne before Jason Bourne (I don't remember when the Bourne Trilogy books first came out).
ReplyDeleteI thought Iron Fist was the Living Weapon.
ReplyDelete