Issue(s): Night Thrasher #5
Cover Date: Dec 93
Title: "The high ground"
Credits:
Fabian Nicieza - Writer
Javier Saltares - Penciler
Javier Saltares - Inker
Paula Foye - Assistant Editor
Rob Tokar - Editor

Review/plot:
Last issue we saw the Taylor Foundation reject Gloria Hancock's bid to fly (what she claimed was) aid into Bosnia. In this issue, Night Thrasher has the Taylor Foundation doing that themselves. He's personally on the plane, in his civilian identity, along with all of his board.

Last issue we also saw that Hancock contracted to have the "Air Force", a group of people in bird exoskeletons, attack the Taylor Foundation. So they attack the plane while it's on route.

Sprocket is flying the plane, but she's unable to shake them. Night Thrasher's identity is apparently a secret from the board, so he has to find a way to defeat the birds without giving it up.

For a little bit of flavor, it also turns out that Sprocket used to date one of the birds, Cardinal.

Night Thrasher eventually finds a way to hack into the birds' exoskeletons.

Thrash then conscripts the birds into helping with the war relief.

Best character moment is when Cardinal recognizes that Father Janes was in 'Nam.

Also in this issue we continue to see Bandit (not named) approaching people from Night Thrasher's life. This issue it's Silhouette. He surprises her, causing her to (sigh) phase out of her clothing. He then looks her over admiringly and says that Thrash is an idiot for letting her go.

Quality Rating: C

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: The MCP place this along with Night Thrasher #2-4 between New Warriors #38-39. But a footnote in this issue includes New Warriors #39. The reference is vague and could be ignored, but i don't think there are any dependencies either way, so i'm going to honor the footnote and place this after #39.

References:

• Sprocket tells Night Thrasher that "after everythin' that's gone down lately" he doesn't want to risk losing his secret identity. The footnote points to New Warriors #37 through New Warriors #39 and Night Thrasher #1.
  
• Night Thrasher is aware of the bird people from when Nova fought some of them New Warriors #35.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

THIS is Saltare's work?? REALLY?? He is capable of so much better than this.