Puck in X-Men Noir: Mark of Cain #4

X-Men Noir: Mark of Cain #4
May 2010 (MAR on cover)

This four-issue miniseries comes to a close as everyone who hasn’t already double-crossed everybody else finally gets their turn to double-cross everyone. The very talky “classic movie mistake: don’t explain so much!” ending leaves the reader to go back to issues 1-3 to figure it all out, which seems irritating at first until the appreciation for the noir elements kick in and the complexity of it all notably distinguishes this series. Puck appears in a few panels as an adventurer/thief and companion to Captain Logan.

Puck is shown with his theiving companions aboard the Noir-universe equivalent of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, known as the “Dirigi-carrier”. Looking dapper in his three-piece suit, he just stands around while everyone else delivers the lengthy backstory for the whole series. One side note: Fred van Lente did his homework and referred to the Dirigi-carrier as a ship in the Army Air Force, which is what the United States Air Force was called in the early 1940s.

Near the end of the book, Puck appears again when, after much scheming and backstabbing, he and Captain Logan are led off to the prison at Genosha Bay. Unfortunately, the formerly impeccable three-piece suit has been replaced by standard issue prison stripes. A sad ending for Puck in this series, but the hope of a rescue from their former teammate The Angel, who they believe has a strong sense of loyalty, leaves the reader hopeful for a speedy return.

Note: this issue has a variant cover, also by Dennis Calero.

X-Men Noir: Mark of Cain #4 – Dennis Calero variant

Tags: Noir, Puck