Originally posted by bluewaterrider
Oh!I should explain about my last scan:
Starbreaker is an EXTREMELY powerful JLA opponent.
There is an excellent respect thread dedicated to him elsewhere on this board that shows him LITERALLY pushing planets into suns.
Without the explanation given by McDuffie, that Paladin scene would probably seem the equivalent of Marvel Comics' Beyonder being taken down with a slingshot...
What was the explanation?
Paladin didn't use an ordinary revolver, Mike.
He used ammunition formed of superdense lutetium and a customized rail gun to fire it. An "atomic" bullet, if you will.
These tend to be given a lot of weight in comics, and I DON'T refer now to objective mass and density but instead to their effectiveness.
Atomic bullets were considered, for instance, to be capable of taking out even the godlike SILVER AGE Superman with one shot, as the following page from a story from back then will prove:
http://i48.tinypic.com/2cymgwk.jpg
Source: Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane #12
Writer: Mort Weisinger
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Of course, the other thing was that Starbreaker had been weakened by an energy transferral attack by Dr. Light moments earlier. Preventing regeneration/self-revitilization/ rapid healing, etcetera.
So Paladin hit Starbreaker with something virtually guaranteed to penetrate and do damage regardless of circumstance. And the prior JLA attack made the damage stick.
Lana had been made invulnerable by that point in the story, and by magical, not merely scientific means:
http://i48.tinypic.com/28qryau.jpg
(for reference information, see previous post; Lana bathed in that serum a page or 2 later, gaining the powers alluded to.)
Invulnerability granted by magic tended to be portrayed as greater than the standard kryptonian variety of invulnerability during this era.
http://i47.tinypic.com/2ymx7a0.jpg
Moreover, not only are the villains convinced that their attack will be lethal, but Superman himself refers to Lana taking a charge meant for
him. Presumably, we are meant to understand that these shooters are right -- why else have Lana step in the way AFTER already demonstrating her invulnerability to us not once but twice?
Guys, one request:
My idea is to have this as a thread that is ALL ages friendly.
Please show restraint both in what you post AND in what you allow to appear as your custom "signature" uploads.
Come to these boards as a guest and without signing in as a registered user and you should see what I mean -- what I am referring to appears when you come into the thread that way but not when you log in and THEN come. Not a prude, and not trying to single anyone out. I just want this to be a thread all people can enjoy, including parents who have younger children. Please run everything you're thinking of posting here through THAT filter before you actually upload.
Thank you for your consideration.
