Falcon #3 (January 1984)

Hello, and we're back to reviewing the Falcon's 1980s mini-series. I have previously reviewed issues one and two, and now we're going to look at issue three! So far, the mini-series has been pretty good. The first issue was merely okay, but the second was a more fun read. Hopefully, the third issue is a real charm.

The cover is an interesting one, if a bit generic. It's a close-up of the Falcon's face, with Redwing on his shoulder. It's well-drawn, and it's an attention getter.

"Faith!"
Writer: Jim Owsley
Pencils: Mark Bright
Inks: Mike Gustovich
Letters: Rick Parker
Colors: Stephen Mellor
Editor: Larry Hama
Editor-In-Chief: Jim Shooter

The issue starts out with an awesome full page-spread of the Falcon and Redwing flying through a city in flames.

"I've heard of a hot time in the city, but this is ridiculous!"

The city is in flames, and Sam has been working hard to help how he can. He thinks the fires may have been started by The Legion, the gang whose march turned into a riot thanks to a dumb cop. Sam is getting people out of burning buildings, and hears that there is an old man who is trying to save the items from his store as it is burning.

Sam bursts in and saves the old man, and in true action film style, the store blows up.

"I wish I could think up a cool store-related pun right now."

Meanwhile, a mysterious tenant is watching Sam and thinks the avian-themed hero has discovered he is in the area. It's revealed to be Max Dillon, aka Electro, one of Spider-Man's Rogues Gallery.

"Curse you, Falcon! Even though I gave you no indication I was here!"

He was laying low waiting to make his big comeback, but the paranoid elctrokinetic thinks Falcon may be somehow on to him...even though he has done nothing to get Sam's attention.

Sam finally returns home after a long day, only to find Sgt. Tork waiting for him and a pair of tied-up Legionnaires.

"Tork, you are into some weird stuff, man."

Tork explains he caught them about to graffiti Sam's home, and suggests giving them a beating. Sam refuses and unties the kids, saying that he has never been unfair with the kids, but the Legionnaires kick Sam and Tork and flee. However, Sam suits up and catches up with them, saying he wants to talk. Tork also catches up...with a shotgun, enraged that the kids hit them.

Sam implores Tork to back off. However, Tork pushes a button, saying that Falcon is so forgiving towards others because he never forgave himself for his days as drug dealer "Snap" Wilson. He then tells Sam he himself has a job to do, too.

"One day, Rick Remender will retcon all this 'Snap' stuff away..."

The next day, it's revealed that the President is coming to Harlem for a "fact-finding" mission. One person snidely remarks it's a "vote-finding" mission. Ha! Meanwhile, Falcon is visiting the storeowner he rescued, wanting to cheer him up a bit after losing everything. He finds that the storeowner, Mr. Brown, has fled his room, and is on the ledge outside.

Sam takes off his wings and joins him. Mr. Brown explains that he literally has nothing left thanks to the fires destroying his store. Sam sympathizes, talking about how he went bad and became "Snap" after his parents died, and his encounter with the Cosmic Cube that changed him. He tells him that he sometimes doesn't know who he is, but he continues his life on, because he can't give up. The pep talk helps, and Mr. Brown goes back inside.

Max Dillon watches this, and is convinced Falcon and SHIELD set it up in an attempt to draw him out. He vows to take the Flacon out next time they cross paths. Electro needs to calm his butt down.

Meanwhile, the President's little "fact-finding" tour is in full swing...in the form of his being driven through town in the Presidential limo. The signal is given, and the Legion attacks.

"It's Michael Bay time!"

The Legion attack, and in the confusion, they manage to kidnap the President. Yeah. A street gang managed to get past the Secret Service. Yup. Not surprising, this is the same people that couldn't catch a couple gatecrashers at a Presidential party. Falcon flies in, and figures the Legion managed to escape through the sewers...even though they could've used the alleys to escape, considering we can assume the Legion knows the neighborhood like the back of their hands. Falcon gets blasted, and Electro reveals himself.

"I know how to make a SHOCKING entrance!"

You know, I LOVE Electro's classic costume.  I do get it would look silly in live-action, but I would love to see this suit back in cartoons and comics. They fight, but Falcon realizes that as long as he stays in the air, Electro's blasts can't hurt him because he's not grounded. Yeah, I don't think that's how it works.

Falcon realizes he has n time to fight Electro and flies off...you'd think that he'd just knock the guy out first before leaving, but luckily a Secret Service agent is there. Did Falcon know that guy was there? Falcon flies to an old dead factory which the Legion uses as a stronghold.

Back at the Precinct, Tork realizes something isn't quite right. He goes up to a couple of young gang members who look like much older men due to the art, and realizes that they were not at Sam's apartment to steal his TV, but to give Sam info to set him up for a hit. Wait, Tork caught them graffiting Sam's home. Why is saying they were after his TV? The gang members defiantly remind Tork that they are underage, as such, they don't have to talk to him.

Tork decides to take a page from Dirty Harry. He tears up the boys' arrest reports and "suggests" that they "accidentally" fall down some stairs and break their legs. They spill the beans, and Tork realizes that the Legion intend to kill Sam. Back at the factory, Sam tries to talk to the Legion, but they're more interested in trying to shoot him. Electro also shows up, and they fight. You'd think that the Legion would want to still try and shoot Falcon while he's distracted, but I'm assuming they can't get a bead on him because of how he's moving.

"Falcon PAWNCH!"

Electro is able to beat Falcon, but he feels the effects of Falcon's punches and goes down himself.

"I won! I won...I go nappy time now..."

The issue ends with a man visiting Sgt. Tork. Who is that man? Why, it's the Star-Spangled Man With A Plan, the Sentinel of Liberty, Captain America!

"I'm here to deliver some FREEDOM and JUSTICE!"

This issue was...not that bad. I loved the idea of Falcon battling Electro. I also liked the scene with Falcon comforting Mr. Brown and convincing him not to take his own life. I thought that also helped show what kind of man Sam Wilson is, he isn't someone who just punches criminals, he wants to bring a little hope to people in an area this is depicted as needing some. It thought that was a nice scene. Captain America's appearance in the end was a nice surprise, but I wonder how he knew Falcon needed some help. Wait, did he hear about the riots on the news? Maybe the next issue will reveal that.

I thought the story itself was...okay. It wasn't bad, and I honestly can't think of much else to say about it, really. Mark Bright's pencils are pretty good. The battle with Electro was good, but I feel somewhat the he was thrown in a little bit to bring some superhero action into the mini, even though we already got some with Falcon fighting the messed up Sentinel.

My one major complaint with this story is something that I've had an issue with this entire mini so far: There's no over-arcing story. If Electro was the main villain of the mini, then his appearance would have a point. But still the issue wasn't ruined for me. It's a good issue with good artwork, and it's cool seeing Captain America make an appearance, considering his connections to Falcon. I hope the final issue makes one fun team-up!