The Blue Flame #5
Vault Comics 2021
Written by Christopher Cantwell
Illustrated by Adam Gorham
Coloured by Kurt Michael Russell
Lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
The Blue Flame presents his opening argument to the Tribunal Consensus, finally beginning to make his case for the salvation of humanity by leading a hyper-visual tour of its beautiful accomplishments. But at home in Milwaukee, Sam Brausam is still dealing with extensive PTSD and becomes volatile in the house. With a baby well on the way, his sister Dee demands he go to a tragedy support group and seek help or move out. As the defence makes its counter opening argument, Sam faces prying and morbid curiosity from his new group therapy peers, leading him to seek solace with Reed Gordon again—but she may be unwilling to offer any, given her own dark and tragic past.
With everything going on I just love the way Dee moved in to help him, usurped the house and is willing to throw him out on the street when it isn’t even her house. That is just A level nastiness right there and poor Sam has no clue how to handle everything he’s going through but let's just throw his broken body and mind into the gutter without a second thought. If I hadn’t felt sorry enough for Sam before this issue, well this just raises how much I want to see him succeed despite those around him giving up on him.
I am very much enjoying the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. The character development that we see through the narration, the dialogue, the character interaction as well as how we see them act and react to the situations and circumstances which they encounter does a sensational job focusing on their constantly evolving personalities. The pacing is excellent and as it takes us through the pages revealing more of the story we’re engaged at an extremely high level.
I greatly appreciate how we see this being structured and how the layers within the story continue to emerge, grow, evolve and strengthen. I also like how we see the layers open up new avenues to be explored and how these add such great depth, dimension and complexity to the story. How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward are impeccably achieved.
The linework is nice to see and with its varying weights we get some very nice attention to detail throughout the book. Now I’d really like to see more backgrounds being utilised, that meeting should’ve made me feel more than it did considering where it was held but lack of backgrounds took some depth of emotion out of it. Still when we do see them they work wonders in the composition of the panels to bring out the depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show an extremely talented eye for storytelling. Also there is some beautiful use of creativity and imagination within these pages, mainly reserved for the hearing with the various species, though that transformation was pretty darn impressive too.
Sam is so complicated and yet so simple. He’s got these powers and he coasted a lot through life with them without really applying himself to anything more. Now that he’s a shell of his former self and his mind is as damaged as his body and the people around him he calls friend are proving to be anything but it makes him and what he is going to be going through that much more poignant and powerful to witness. I just hope he doesn’t backslide from here. The writing is impeccable and the characterisation is flawless while it’s all brought to life by these interiors creating a truly unique look and experience at what being a hero is.
About the Creator
Steven Leitman
Just me talking about the comics I enjoy reading, ones that you might not know exist and spotlighting the indie creators that excite me.
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Silver Screen Magic with Mae West
American actress and singer Mae West became a popular film actress during the Great Depression. She started entertaining in vaudeville, then performed on Broadway, and finally went to Hollywood. She signed up with Paramount Pictures and made her debut in the 1932 film “Night After Night.” She also starred in musicals, comedies, and crime dramas. The American Film Institute named her one of the best classic Hollywood actresses.
By Rasma Raisters6 days ago in Geeks
Freezing Rain and Ice Disrupt Travel Across Central and Eastern Europe
Dangerous winter weather brings chaos to roads, rails, and airports as authorities urge caution A powerful wave of freezing rain and ice storms has swept across large parts of central and eastern Europe, bringing daily life to a near standstill and creating hazardous travel conditions for millions. From Germany and Austria to Poland, the Czech Republic, and parts of the Balkans, ice-coated roads, grounded flights, and disrupted rail services have turned routine journeys into dangerous ordeals. Meteorologists warn that freezing rain — one of the most treacherous winter weather phenomena — poses a greater risk than snowfall because it creates an invisible glaze of ice that is nearly impossible to detect until it is too late. What Is Freezing Rain and Why Is It So Dangerous? Freezing rain occurs when rain falls through a layer of warm air and then passes into sub-zero temperatures near the ground. Instead of freezing mid-air like snow, the rain remains liquid until it hits a cold surface, where it instantly turns to ice. The result is black ice — a thin, transparent layer that covers roads, sidewalks, power lines, aircraft wings, and railway tracks. Unlike snow, it offers no traction and is extremely difficult to remove. Experts describe freezing rain as one of winter’s most dangerous hazards, capable of crippling transport networks within hours. Travel Chaos Across the Region Across central and eastern Europe, the effects have been swift and severe. Major highways have reported multi-vehicle accidents, while local roads have become impassable in rural and mountainous areas. In several countries, authorities temporarily closed sections of motorways after trucks jackknifed on ice-slick surfaces. Rail networks were also hit hard. Ice accumulation on overhead lines caused power failures and signal disruptions, forcing trains to run at reduced speeds or be canceled altogether. Thousands of passengers were stranded at stations as operators struggled to keep services running safely. Air travel faced similar challenges. Airports in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic reported delays and cancellations as aircraft required repeated de-icing. Even a thin layer of ice can dramatically affect an aircraft’s lift, making safety checks essential but time-consuming. Emergency Services Under Pressure Emergency responders across the region were stretched thin as calls surged. Ambulances struggled to reach patients on icy streets, while fire brigades responded to accidents, fallen trees, and damaged power lines. Hospitals also reported a rise in slip-and-fall injuries, particularly among older residents. Broken bones, head injuries, and hypothermia cases increased as people attempted to navigate frozen sidewalks. Authorities urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and to remain indoors whenever possible. Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage Beyond transport, the ice storm also affected energy infrastructure. Ice-laden power lines sagged and snapped under the weight, leading to localized power outages in several regions. In rural areas, repair crews faced dangerous conditions as they worked to restore electricity. Icy roads slowed response times, leaving some communities without power for extended periods during freezing temperatures. Telecommunications networks also experienced disruptions, further complicating emergency response efforts. Economic Impact and Business Disruptions The freezing rain has had an immediate economic impact. Delivery services were delayed, factories reduced shifts due to staff shortages, and retailers reported lower foot traffic as customers stayed home. Logistics companies warned that prolonged icy conditions could disrupt supply chains, particularly for food and medical supplies that rely on just-in-time delivery systems. Tourism was also affected, with winter destinations reporting canceled bookings and delayed arrivals, even as ski resorts benefited from colder temperatures at higher elevations. Climate Change and Extreme Winter Weather Scientists point out that climate change may be contributing to more frequent freezing rain events. As winters become warmer overall, temperatures often hover around the freezing point — the exact conditions needed for freezing rain. This creates a paradox where regions experience fewer snowstorms but more ice storms, which can be far more destructive. Climatologists warn that infrastructure across Europe was largely designed for snow, not prolonged ice events, leaving cities vulnerable as weather patterns evolve. Authorities Urge Vigilance Governments and meteorological agencies issued repeated warnings, advising drivers to reduce speed, increase braking distance, and equip vehicles with winter tires and emergency kits. Pedestrians were encouraged to wear non-slip footwear and use handrails whenever possible. Schools in several areas shifted to remote learning to reduce travel risks. Officials emphasized that patience and caution save lives, reminding citizens that even experienced drivers cannot control a vehicle on black ice. Looking Ahead Forecasts suggest that temperatures may gradually rise in some areas, easing icy conditions, while others could face additional freezing rain before the system moves on. Cleanup and repairs are expected to continue for days, even after the weather improves. The freezing rain sweeping across central and eastern Europe serves as a stark reminder that winter’s most dangerous storms are not always the most visible. As climate patterns continue to change, authorities and citizens alike may need to rethink how they prepare for — and respond to — ice, not just snow.
By Fiaz Ahmed Brohi5 days ago in Geeks
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