Grizzly & The Bear Patrol #17

I started working on this issue right after the previous issue back in January, and possibly before. It's the second half of a two-parter and I despise leaving a story (or anything really) undone. So, I've been working some long hours to get this issue finished. I do like how it turned out.

If you need to catch up on Issue #16 first, you can read it here.

As usual, the bulk of the pages are behind the cut to save space on your pages. There are issue notes at the bottom behind the spoiler cut. Enjoy! :)

• While Grizzly and Colour Cub both are in the issue, they are not involved in the main actions of the issue. Grizzly and Colour Cub are arguably the most powerful members of the team. In this issue, the other members of the team must work together to stop Serpentine. Without Grizzly and Colour Cub, Echo's power is also limited to copying the remaining members. It reminded me of the Legion of Super-Heroes, where each member only has one ability and defeating the villain always takes coordination and teamwork.



• This issue includes Dr. Johnathan Davis, who first appeared in Issue #4 and was turned into "Dynamo" in Issue #8, where he last appeared. I've kept the character in the background as the Bear Patrol's official physician.



• At the time I was writing this issue, the case for gay marriage was heading toward the SCOTUS. I included in this issue a situation where Grizzly was asked to leave Colour Cub's room because they were not married or family by a bitchy, bigoted nurse. I handled it humorously (I hope), but I also wanted it to come across that it was a serious concern for any gay person. With the SCOTUS now reviewing the case, it seems very timely.



• The Bear Patrol has to do some detective work in this issue to track down Serpentine. In past issues, I feel that tracking down the villain (or the hero) came off as a bit easy, so I wanted to show that the team could pull the facts together as they went along. Granted they did a little "trespassing" (not breaking and entering) as Red Beard could teleport into a home or office without breaking in. I guess in the name of justice it's not so bad. Batman does it all the time.



• This issue is the second where Grizzly is not in costume anywhere (except the cover). The last was issue #11.



• I honestly have no idea what the next story will be about. The only story I am working on for a future issue is about Grizzly and Colour Cub's wedding, but it's got a while to go.

Any questions, comments, or criticism? I welcome any and all of them.