The DC Universe is a surprisingly small place, with many characters having existing relationships before they became heroes. For instance, Guy Gardner and John Henry Irons were friends in college before becoming Green Lantern and Steel respectively. A similar relationship has been retconned into the life of Michael Holt in Mr. Terrific: Year One.
Written by Al Letson, with art by Valentine De Landro and Edwin Galmon, Mister Terrific: Year One #2 continues to review and revise the history of Michael Holt. Most of this issue recalls how Holt briefly considered ending his life after it fell apart. However, the new story gives him an additional motivation with the violent death of his best friend, Dre.
Dre had been investigating the crimes of Athena Prescott, to whom Michael Holt had sold his company after the accidental death of his wife and unborn son. Dre went to Michael with proof, but was shot by a sniper in Prescott’s employ. As he contemplated jumping off a bridge afterward, Michael thought back on his life and how he and Dre had met. This revealed a friendship that the future Mr. Terrific formed with another DC hero.
Mr. Terrific and Black Lightning are friends now
Michael recalls how he and Dre grew up together and pushed each other to athletic success. They both went to the Olympics and competed in the decathlon. They also befriended another athlete named Jeff, who went on to win the Gold. DC Comics fans will recognize “Jeff” as Jefferson Pierce, who also competed in the decathlon at the Olympics before he became the superhero Black Lightning.
Strangely enough, Mr. Terrific and Black Lightning were originally depicted as meeting for the first time during 2005’s Infinite Crisis. This in spite of their both being introduced as representing the United States in the decathlon at the Olympics. The retcon that the two heroes were friends makes sense given how few athletes compete at that level. It also gives Michael Holt someone to talk to as he considers becoming a superhero himself, as the flashbacks also establish he knew Jeff was Black Lightning at the time.
Mr. Terrific: Year One #2 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
