Meanwhile, In Queens (comic story)
Meanwhile, In Queens was the second half of “Issue 4” of the Tales To Behold subseries of the webcomic The Cosmic Beholder. Written and drawn by Paul Hoppe, it was released both in webcomic form and in a limited print run.
It was notable as the story that finally revealed that the “Jenny Everywhere” who had been part of the Odds, and thus a major presence in the series, since its original installment, was really an incarnation of Jenny Nowhere, as well as the same person as “Evil Cloak” — although the latter had already been strongly hinted in previous installments. With Nowhere being killed as parts of the events of the story, this also ended her presence in The Cosmic Beholder as a recurring character.
Contents
Plot
Hero Hour reports on the recent “fall from grace” of Captain Perfect following the discovery of his Ultimatron plot, with Kate Kerrigan being interviewed on the matter, confirming that Perfect's invitation to join the Protectors has been officially rescinded.
Meanwhile, at the Fortress of Evening, Captain Evening gathers the other Odds — Merv the Griffin, Jenny, Centennia, the Blue Knight and Armstrong Fatbuckle — because he “has a confession to make”. After much buildup, explains that he has been secretly filming the Odds within the Fortress for their mutual safety. They blow off his apologies, not being anywhere near as fussed about these actions as the Captain expected. However, Armstrong takes the opportunity to make a confession of his own, which the group finds much more concerning: Armagedda has been back on Earth for a little while — and Armstrong went on another date with her.
Centennia immediately rules that the Odds should go see what she's up to, and they have Armstrong lead them to the place where she led Armstrong after their death, a large building in Queens. Sneaking in, they suddenly find spotlights on them as they are confronted with a gaggle of their past enemies — not only Armagedda but also Insecto, Red Vicious, Captain Perfect, and, of course, Doctor Brain, plus his witch daughter Jesse. As the Odds realise this was a setup, Doctor Brain reveals that the villains have been plotting in secret for this moment, and confesses that despite his role as master of ceremonies, the plan was not of his devising, but instead, the work of Evil Cloak.
Stepping out of the shadows, Evil Cloak finally takes off her hood to reveal herself as Jenny Nowhere. Looking back, the Odds see that the Jenny Everywhere they knew has just vanished, leaving only her clothes behind, though no one saw her do so. Baffled, Captain Evening demands an explanation from Jenny, asking if their entire friendship has been a deception. Nowhere first begins to explain that when she first landed in this world, she had lost her memories and truly believed herself to be Jenny Everywhere, until her memories started coming back; however, she then changes her story midway through to Jenny Everywhere and Jenny Nowhere having simply been two alternating, Jekyll-and-Hyde personas, confusing the Captain further, until she makes it clear she's simply toying with his emotions.
Nowhere then orders “her” villains to attack the Odds, staying out of the fight herself. While Captain Evening wrestles with Doctor Brain, still trying reason with Jenny, Captain Perfect knocks out the Blue Knight and Centennia easily takes down Insecto — with the two former lovers ending up face-to-face. Captain Perfect tries to tell Centennia to stand aside as he “doesn't want to hurt her”, but she replies that “he already has”, and they begin fighting. The Odds seem to be losing to their respective fighting partners until the Blue Knight momentarily frees Captain Evening from Doctor Brain's grip, allowing the team leader to strategise, ordering the heroes to swap opponents — with the Blue Knight proving adept at fighting the demon Red Vicious, Merv able to overpower Captain Perfect, and Centennia to neutralise the witch Jesse.
Frustrated with how the battle is going, Jenny Nowhere ends up shrugging off her “Evil Cloak” robes and reentering the power-generator of the Trans-Dimensional Portal, summoning a huge demonic entity who refers to himself as “mighty Gazoom”. As he steps out of the portal, he asks who summoned him; Nowhere explains that it was her, and, assuming this means he has to obey her, begins to order him to destroy her enemies and conquer the world in her name — but the demon instead eats her without a second thought before stepping back through the portal, warning the others never to disturb him again.
After a moment of baffled silence, the heroes and villains agree to call it a day and resume their enmities another day. Back at the Fortress of Evening, Centennia announces that after thinking about it, she doesn't feel up to joining a team full-time, much as she has enjoyed the Odds' company. Armstrong takes the opportunity to announce the team will be further diminished, albeit temporarily, in the near future by his plan of taking the Blue Knight and Armstrong on a road trip to show them more of the modern world. Realising that a chapter in all heir lives is closing, Captain Evening proposes a toast between the Odds to all the great times they shared, but it is interrupted when the emergency-signal device on Evening's belt begins blaring. He takes the call and is told by the Mayor that a monster is attacking downtown. The Odds naturally agree to head back into battle one last time.
Later, in the night, the real Jenny Everywhere coincidentally materialises in Reality Z-25 31-H, in the streets of New York City.
Worldbuilding
Jenny Everywhere
- The incarnation of Jenny Everywhere whom Jenny Nowhere had been impersonating finally, coincidentally materialises in Reality Z-25 31-H at the end of the story.
Universes
- This story takes place entirely in Reality Z-25 31-H.
Other
- Kate Kerrigan is the official spokeswoman of the Mighty Protectors.
- Red Vicious recognises Merv the Griffin as a fellow Demon.
Continuity
- The story opens with Hero Hour (introduced in COMIC: Interview With A Superhero) reporting on the events of COMIC: Meanwhile, On Earth, revealing the identity of Captain Perfect's previously unmentioned former sponsor as Kate Kerrigan.
- Armagedda relates how she swore a solemn oath not to pulberise the Earth or its inhabitants, which occurred in COMIC: Tales To Behold.
- This story takes place prior to COMIC: Journey Out Of Misery, and explains why Jenny was no longer part of the Odds in that story. The end of Meanwhile, In Queens leads directly into their appearance partway through the events of Journey Out Of Misery.
Behind the scenes
Read online
Meanwhile, In Queens is available online on the Cosmic Beholder blog.
