Writer: John Arcudi
The bloody fight between Armadillo and Daniel Axum continues with Daniel coming out as the winner. After the fight Rey Trueno pays Daniel for winning the fight and talks about him being the Regional champ. As Daniel walks away he thinks that's he done with the fighting league now that he has some money.
On the way out he's noticed by Lydia the woman who was cheering against him when he first came into the ring against Armadillo. She explains her behaviour as she was trying to motivate him. Lydia walks him outside as a bloody and battered Armadillo wanders around until collapsing on the floor.
Daniel pays his tab at the tavern and leaves to visit his boy. He has six months of child support payments so his ex-wife Gina is pleased to see him. Daniel then spends time with his boy building a snowman.
Later at home Daniel's mother doesn't like how he has plenty of money again because of his past. Daniel's also paid the rent for the next four months as well. He also tells his mother he's got everything under control when she voices concerns over him.
At work his boss sits Daniel down for a talk and is sorry about not being more tactful when it came to his parole officer before. His boss gives him a talk about responsibilities, his job, and about other things in life like Daniel is at a crossroads.
Daniel tracks down Rey Trueno at the tavern he goes to and asks about the underground fighting league. Rey assures Daniel that it isn't illegal and with that Daniel starts fighting regularly and often in the league. Winning his fights Daniel has enough money to bring gifts home, buy presents for his kid, and gamble. He also enjoys the attention of ladies.
The coach Cady and Rey Trueno talk about Daniel winning all his fights over the past three weeks and about all the things that can do with him while Daniel plays around with Lydia.
Comments: That wasn't quite as bad. This issue seems to be an improvement over the last two issues probably because things have finally started moving. It also might be because once Daniel has some money he's doesn't seem so negative. He also doesn't do anything terribly bad.
Its pretty much a given that after Daniel says he's through fighting and that he got his money that he's going to go back continue fighting in the league. This helps getting things going as three weeks are quickly summarized in two pages and it's shown what he's going with the money he's earning. With Daniel's money there is also the different reactions from people and how they now treat him and his mother doesn't seem bad here either. Everyone's up to their own games to for whatever reason when they see he has money too that adds an extra angle to his situation, which I liked.
Still even though I was more interested this month I don't really care about the characters or the title that much. The art's okay but its just not that entertaining compared to the other titles I read.
Thunderbolts and all associated characters are the property of MARVEL COMICS TM&©2003.