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Today, we check out War of Kings: Ascension #1, Dark Reign: Hawkeye #1, All New Savage She-Hulk #1, and Blast to the Past with Marvel Mystery Comics #'s 8-10. Enjoy and spread the word!
Spoilers Ahead!
That's a lot of new number ones for one week! That means one of these weeks will probably be even LARGER than they've been lately! Awesome.
As always, you can easily check up on past articles of Super Reads. If you're reading this on The Outhouse, you'll see a link titled "Super Reads" under the "Features" button on the top of the page. Click on it and you can check out what happened in every issue dealing with Secret Invasion, Dark Reign, and War of Kings (because I obviously have an addiction). If my directions are confusing, click here to catch up or remember back on all 45 previous articles. It's perfect for all your reading needs.
Time to get our war on.
War of Kings: Ascension #1
Writers: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Penciler: Wellington Alves
Back in Secret Invasion: War of Kings, Grand Commander N'jke Jeeku tried to lead the remaining Skrull Armada ships away from earth only to encounter the Inhumans and their rage. His ships were destroyed and his men killed.
Except, it turns out that death takes a long time for a Skrull. N'jke somehow survived the Inhuman's onslaught but is left in outer space with a very faulty space suit and little time for regret. He's actually pissed off that the Inhumans didn't finish the job and give him a warrior's death. This dying of suffocation and cold is sort of a weak way to go. In his dying moments (which are extremely prolonged), he notices a flickering off in the distance and makes his way towards it. What he finds is a blue glowing gem that combines with his form to make...
Talon. That's one mystery solved.
In the here and now, Darkhawk and Talon are playing around in the Negative Zone. Talon is trying to teach Darkhawk how to fully bond with his Darkhawk gem which, as of right now, is causing him to go mad by feeding him information that he just can't process. To this end, they've gone to the N-Zone for some good training grounds and, at this point, are fighting Chitinauts of the Seventh Stridation that serve some dude named Catastrophus. Our two Brothers of the Raptor entered their territory and are easily ID'd as the outsiders they are. This battle goes on to prove two things.
1) Chris Powell, wearing the Darkhawk armor with the red visor, isn't an expert on Marvel minutae. He's never been to the Negative Zone and hardly knows what's going on inside. He also missed out on the Annihilation War which involved an attack on some space civilizations by Annihilus and his Negative Zone army.
2) Talon might be Darkhawk's best chance at sanity but he's also kind of a dick. He switches to Warflight Mode and has no compuctions about slaughtering the entire Chitinaut force. Later on, he basically goads Chris into anger.
Darkhawk is still having trouble reconfiguring his armor and has only been able to do it by accident at this point. His oncoming madness has given him quite a temper that he's barely keeping in check. Seeing Talon simply wipe out his enemies also serves to remind Chris that they operate by different codes. Darkhawk doesn't kill. Talon obviously does.
After the two get into a small fight that seems to be about Talon getting Darkhawk to control his anger. The result is Chris going to some Neg Zone mountain top to cool off. He's switched out of his armor to do that chilling.
This isn't what he expected, really. He went along with Talon not only to learn how to control his armor and not go mad but also to make something of himself much like his friend Nova did during the Annihilation War. When Talon hears about this, our Obi-Wan tells Powell that the Nova Centurions are minor peacekeepers compared to the Brotherhood of Raptors. The Brotherhood change the universe. They just don't serve and protect. The problem is, the Raptor armor was never designed to be used by humans. It's really old and humans weren't part of the equation when it was built. Because of this, it's lead to Chris not being able to access many of it's abilities not be able to access the "Datasong of the Null Source."
When Talon was reactivated, he found a universe lacking any of his brothers. Only Darkhawk remained, damaged by incompatibility. Still, a damaged Raptor is still something to work with. Talon needs the help and believes that he can still unlock Darkhawk's full potential. With that, he tells Chris to change back to armored form before the Negative Zone has an effect on his squishier form.
The two Raptors make their way to the Heteropteron. This is Catastrophus's main base and it's mobile. It's like a big Fortress RV. In the sky. Talon continues to give Darkhawk lessons on the nature of the Raptor. They are totally powerful machines but their true strength comes from insight and guile. With these weapons, they change the course of history and culture. It's time to scout the Heteropteron but they aren't going to go in personally.
Talon takes his claw-cable and alters it's form to that of a silverhawk (yes, it DOES look like something from the Silverhawks cartoon). They are both able to see through the bird's visor and get a good look at the fortress interior. Talon keeps doing his best exposition orator impersonation ever, giving Darkhawk a quick lesson on just who and what Catastrophus is. You want a bit of that? Alright!
Catastrophus is one on the Lieutenant Lords left to rule over the Negative Zone now that Annihilus is gone. He's made his own insect army to rule over his territory and probably is looking to control a bit more in the future. To this end, he's acquired the Cosmic Control Rod that used to belong to Annihilus. It's some major voodoo and needs to be liberated.
The two Raptors enter the facility and are immediately overwhelmed. Talon is in the lead and is trying to get Darkhawk to keep his anger in check while both of them are blasting the bad guys. Suddenly, the elder Raptor is no where to be seen and Chris is surrounded. Off panel, Talon tells Darkhawk that he's in deep trouble and needs assistance, begging that the younger Raptor change modes to Full Combat. Chris hasn't changed since his first reconfiguration on earth and says as much.
And here's the moment I've been waiting for since War of Kings: Darkhawk #2. Talon isn't in any trouble. He's hiding and goading Darkhawk on from a relatively safe position. This COULD just be about training Chris to use the armor by placing him in a position of stress but... well, you'll see.
Darkhawk is being completely over taken by the enemy and, finally, reconfigures to Full Combat Mode. Rippling with guns, he kills everything in sight... so it's a good thing Talon was in hiding. After the artillery fire is over with, Darkhawk has regrets but and emerging Talon is happy to see his comrade has been able to reconfigure and tells him that "before we're done, you'll be wading through the blood of thousands." That raises even more warning lights.
Talon tells Darkhawk that he has now fully bonded to the gem and is now connected to the Datasong. Listen to the sweet melodies of... assassination? Kidnapping? Is that how they shape the universe?
Makes sense, actually.
But to a morally upright earther, it's not playing for the good guys. It's getting down and dirty with the villains. Darkhawk attacks Talon and learns that Chris's services are no longer required. No, the elder Raptor isn't killing Chris. He's just removing him from the equation so that the TRUE Raptor within can take over. You see, the part where Raptor armor wasn't supposed to be wielded by a human? That was because Chris stayed in control of the armor instead of being a host for it. N'jke Jeeku isn't in control of the Talon armor. His personality has been over taken by Talon. Chris Powell was a different story and it's been the fight between him and the Darkhawk gem (and probably other incompatibility issues) that has been driving him mad and making him cranky and irritable. Talon finally forces Chris to give up his control to reveal...
Time to get to the maiming and killing.
Dark Reign: Hawkeye #1
Writer: Andy Diggle
Penciler: Tom Raney
Rogue Hulk-Buster? Check
Dark Avengers? Check
Sentry and Captain Marvel? Hmmm... suspiciously absent.
Iron Patriot is quick to call out his fellow teammates on their absence. After some grandstanding in front of the cameras, IP calls out the Hulk-Buster armor and it's inferior Stark-tech. He fires some superior Oscorp blasts from his gauntlets but they are reflected off the H-B's shields and returned to sender. Osborn and an unfortunate Ms. Marvel (who was flying right behind him) get knocked into a nearby building.
The one thing the Dark Avengers don't have going for them is a sense of teamwork. These dudes don't play well together. The T-Bolt members stand a better chance of actually having some of that work for them but the most team oriented members were left behind. This is a grand standing team if there ever was one.
Since this is his book, the Dark Avenger, Hawkeye, is going to use that to his advantage. He's not seen as a threat to the Hulk-Buster but he's gonna play the angles of the battle to make himself more deadly than the rest. While Dark Wolverine goes after a leg and gets the HB's attention, Hawkeye fires a grappling hook arrow onto the headpiece of the Hulk-Buster and follows the line up. He locates the crash-rescue system (a SHIELD failsafe) and blows the head off the armor.
The guy in the armor wastes little time ejecting from the war machine. Iron Patriot wants him brought back alive but that's not exactly what Hawkeye's blast arrors DO. They mostly blow things up. Hawkeye's not done yet, though. While his fellow Avengers climb to the top of the Hulk-Buster, Hawkeye jumps off telling them it's all over. Just then, the armor topples, hitting a bus full of innocents as Osborn stands around being inept. It is... actually pretty funny. Poor innocent by-standers and their hilarious deaths. I may be getting immune to being affected by fictional death...
You'd think something like this would be a hard sell on the American people and you'd be wrong. Only one guy in the crowd of reporters isn't eating up every word Osborn throws down and he's getting the skinny right from the psychopath. That's right! Ben Urich is in the house! Hawkeye is telling him just how much of an artform killing is and Urich suddenly finds the dude pretty familiar. Now, if you've read Dark Avengers #1 (I have!), you'll know that talking to the press should get you a one-way ticket back to Thunderbolts Mountain and, after Hawkeye's antics today, that would probably be a good place for him. Luckily, he's garnered a little favor from Norman and just gets sent back to Avengers Tower while Iron Patriot strikes a heroic pose and blames the entire incident on that terrorist, Tony Stark.
Again, the only reporter with morals and ethics in the crowd is Ben Urich. He questions Osborn on Stark even being involved here and on how the Hulk-Buster seemed to be there to commit robbery, not terrorism. The H-B was, after all, headed to the Federal Reserve. While we're at it, didn't the actions of the Avengers lead to a bus full of deaths? Osborn has Urich arrested for "national security" reasons. That's how to play a crowd. Boosh!
This doesn't mean that Hawkeye doesn't get chewed out. He does. Bullseye... I mean, Hawkeye is astonished to learn that Osborn actually isn't playing some angle here. He's actually trying to be America's top cop. Now, that doesn't mean he isn't corrupt as hell. It just means he expects the Avengers to do their damn job and not kill innocent civilians. He gets to kill the bad guys, yes, but not regular civilians.
Osborn lets Bullseye know that there will be killing in his future as soon as they find out who was behind this attack on the Federal Reserve but that the killing of the Hulk-Buster pilot puts that investigation at a severe disadvantage. There's a threat that if Hawkeye doesn't toe the line and stop killing innocents on live TV that he won't just find himself off the team but dead. Our hero leaves to work off some steam.
He wears the Hawkeye costume.
Heading to the Meatpacking District, Hawkeye is witness to a mugging... possibly a rape in progress. Three men attack one woman and try to get her into their van. It's a good thing there's a super hero around. One thug gets an arrow through the head. The other two pull guns only to have one shot through both hands and stuck to the van. The third tries to surrender only to have an arrow shot through his mouth. This... probably isn't how Clint Barton would handle things.
It does make Bullseye a little more satisfied with being limited to the bow and arrow, though.
He does his best to calm the thug's victim down a bit and, when she learns that it was an Avenger that saved her, she warms up pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it's easy to tick Bullseye off. Saying things, like, "my son was so excited to see your boss on TV" is a pretty easy way to do it. She tries to get his autograph for her kid only too have Bullseye give her pen back to her.
Yeah... just like that.
This freaks the surviving criminal out. This isn't how it's supposed to play out! Hawkeye is quick to mention that he had worse planned for the lady than a quick death but that's probably falling on deaf ears right now with all the blubbering and surrendering and I'll-never-do-crime-again-ing.
Y'see, Bullseye isn't here to do good deeds. He's here to get his kicks. Kill people. Get credit for his kills. There's one to go.
He jams the gas pedal down with an arrow, hit the ignition on the van and pops the vehicle into drive. It hits the wall of the parking ramp and goes for a big fall, striking two approaching police cars on landing.
A job well done, Hawkeye removes an arrow and starts marking his victims with a bullseye symbol on their foreheads. Unfortunately, there's a new copter getting this all on film flying above him.
That's gonna have some repercussions...
All New Savage She-Hulk #1
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Penciler: Peter Vale & Robert Atkins
There are times that you say to yourself, "W.T.F?" Other times, you just go with it.
On rare occasions, you're forced to do both.
I'm not going to pretend I know everything about the brand new She-Hulk. I'm just going to do the best I can to get through this issue and forget it ever happened. I hope you all can do the same. Here we go. Breathe deeply.
In between time and space is the headquarters of the Alternate Reality Monitoring and Operational Response Agency. ARMOR. It might not be between time and space. It might be right next door. I don't know. I just read these things. The point is, they're dealing with an emergency. Something dangerous is time traveling into New York City and it's their job to be there no matter what. So there they go, teleporting their armies we've never seen before to New York City.
Unfortunately, once they get there, the thing that's supposed to be appearing doesn't exactly appear where they think it will appear. It's actually below them. And rising fast. Oh, there it is.
You'll recognize this girl from the cover. This is the All New Savage She-Hulk and her wrist fem-puter. The fem-puter doesn't just fem-pute. It also taunts people for their lack of boobs and how superior women are. I mean, just look at that green one. She's kicking their @$$es. The fem-puter also annalyzes the battleground and delivers tactical information but, and this is key, is really annoying. Because of that, we'll stop calling her fem-puter and give her the name she was born with: Boudicca. She doesn't deserve the name fem-puter.
So, the forces of ARMOR are proving wholly inadequate at bringing down one She-Hulk wannabe and her talking wristwatch. Our resident green chick is on some sort of time table, though and doesn't stick around for a prolonged battle. She has places to go!
Back at ARMOR headquarters, the Director of ARMOR, Charles Little Sky, has seen the resultant destruction delivered to his field team and decides to switch tactics. It's time for Contingency Plan-B. That plan is all sorts of awesome. Just you wait.
ARMOR has a Shock Carrier on the scene and it REALLY wants to send in more troops because that worked out so well last time. ARMOR makes sure to tell them NOT TO FRICKIN' ENGAGE. DON'T EVEN TEST ME ON THIS! That lets She-Hulk-Wannabe run to wherever she needs to run to. Turns out, she can run pretty fast. Maybe she couldn't give Quicksilver a run for his money, but it's still pretty fast.
Since ARMOR isn't gonna give us pages of carnage, it's probably time for a flashback/forward/my-brain-hurts-with-all-the-alternative-timeline-time-travel. The leader of the future society on Earth-8009 is named Gynosure. She's a robot/cyborg thing and she leads a society of all women, all the time. They are grown genetically and there's a big problem. The genetic cradle is broken. To fix it, she summons Lyra, the offspring of Thundra and the Hulk through genetic sampling. Now we know our new She-Hulk's name.
Lyra is sent on a mission to save the future from the dangers of procreation. It's icky and wrong and is extinct in the future. The Gynosure also gives Lyra the annoying trinket we will call Boudicca. It is a back-engineered Virual Pet and that totally explains why it's so annoying. As Lyra leaves to gather her women for the long mission ahead, we see just who built those genetic cradle devises. Oscorp.
I always thought Norman Osborn would be responsible for getting rid of sex.
Lyra leads her on a long mission through the tatters remains of our civilization (also, there are sabretooth tigers because the future is also the past). The voice over tells of how the men of this world are pretty damn delusioned and worship the lost heroes of the past. It takes the women a few days to find some of these men but, when they do, the fight is fierce.
In the here and now, Boudicca has lead Lyra into the ruins of Avengers mansion. Lyra wasn't expecting ruins and, if she's after Osborn, she's at the wrong Avengers Headquarters. While Boudicca begs to have her memory deleted for this failure (and we all can hope), Lyra acknowledges that mistakes happen and that it's expected that everything can't go according to well-laid plan. Just then, ARMOR attacks her even though they aren't supposed to do so.
Obviously, they're as successful as earlier attempts. This time, however, Lyra needs information and takes one of the ARMOR agents prisoner. His name is Alexander Erde and he's as annoyed at Boudicca as the rest of us are. Still, he answers her questions because they aren't exactly secret. She's looking for the Avengers and, yes, they are in Avengers Tower. He asks her why she's looking for the Avengers and Lyra responds that she's looking for the greatest hero of the time.
Boudicca shouts that they only have five hours and fourteen minutes to complete their mission. Agent Erde doesn't get killed but that's probably got something to do with the statue of the Hulk looming over them. Instead, he gets taken along for the ride.
Meanwhile, Director Little Sky is having a meeting with Director Osborn. Norman's wondering why ARMOR troops are massing in New York City and why, specifically, they are blocking traffic outside of Avengers Tower. Little Sky assures the Director of HAMMER that they are merely boxing in a tran-reality bogey and that everything is perfectly fine. There should only be a few more issues of distraction. Osborn isn't buying it (and neither are we). He has oversight of ARMOR and promises retribution if this isn't handled quickly.
Back in New York, things are going as well as we could expect. ARMOR troops are being knocked over like ten pins and our little Mary Sue is doing the knocking. It's only a matter of time before something knocks back.
Looks like Contingency Plan-B, the REAL She-Hulk, arrived just in time. Thank you, Marvel.
And now, the very first Marvel Crossover back when you didn't even have to buy another book to get the whole thing!
Marvel Mystery Comics #8
Writer: Bill Everett
Artist: Bill Everett
The Sub-Mariner is a ticked off teenager with the mission of destroying the surface world. Unfortunately, he's conflicted. Sometimes he likes to help out the surface world only to get back stabbed. That leads the cycle all over again. The last time he went on a rampage, he was only stopped by his police woman friend, Betty, who let him know that the Human Torch was tracking him down. With that, Namor returned to his surface world palace, the Statue of Liberty, to plan his next move. Seeing as this is a Golden Age Comic, expect the most awesome nonsense you've ever witnessed.
Namor hangs out in the Statue of Liberty for not too long until his wild teenage emotions cause him to plan a plan of awesome. He dives into the water and swims over to a sub-chaser in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He steals a depth charge, buries it in the Hudson Tunnel, sets the charge, and has it go off, giving every this in the area a good shake in the process. Take that, Human Torch! The Hudson Tunnel itself is flooded and people are probably killed inside but, by that point, Namor is off to commit more acts of random mischief and violence.
Namor decides to head to the zoo as ambulances rush to the tunnel in a desperate attempt to save people's lives. On the way, he encounters a police bi-plane and rips the propeller off. The bi-plane goes into an inescapable dive and, unlike those G.I.Joe cartoons, there's no parachute. The Sub-Mariner continues on his way to the zoo.
This is, by the way, the most dangerous zoo in the history of all mankind. It's like these animals were beaten on a daily basis and are just waiting for the chance to get out and kill something. I'm guessing the zoos of the 1940's probably weren't the greatest in humane treatment of animals, after all. Namor shows up and wastes no time in freeing the lions from their cages. The Zoo keepers move to restrain the animals but that's not in Namor's plans at all. He throws an iron bar at them all and they topple to the ground. The narrative makes it even more violent than the picture. "The whirling bar cuts down the keepers like a scythe cuts down grass..." Yeah, people lost limbs just off panel. On panel, they don't look like it was a cake walk.
Unfortunately for Namor, the lions don't discriminate between surface people and water people in speedos. He's attacked by a huge cat. No sooner does he throw that one down than another lunges at him. Namor punches the second beast in the jaw and the blow kills the cat. Since this experience went so well for him, Namor prances off to the snake house for more fun and excitement.
There's no good stories at the snake house. The Sub-Mariner simply smashes the glass cages open, letting the reptiles slither out and bite people at their leisure. Namor's already run off to find bigger and more violent animals to release from their cages.
He finds them at the elephant house. These particular elephants are labeled "Dangerous Do Not Feed." They're perfect for killing people! The Prince of Atlantis lets out an entire herd of pachyderms and watches as they stampede around the zoo. The results are only too predictable until the book experiences that rare moment when a villain's heart has a sudden change...
Now, a normal super hero would rescue the baby and be off but that's not Namor's style. He lands in front of the elephant and lifts the beast over his head and then throws it towards the other elephants. It's more important to look awesome than to simply rescue a baby. Namor then picks up the baby and, instead of returning it to the cowardly nurse, flies it to a nearby medical center. They try to compliment him on a job well done but that just pisses him off. He'll have to cause more crime to make up for the good deed.
By the way, this is by far the greatest thing I have ever read in my life. More comics have to be this nonsensical and hysterical. I suddenly want to buy up as many Golden Age comics as I can find.
The Sub-Mariner flies off and lands on the George Washington Bridge. Since he knows that, in the future, it will be one of the two bridges that the Green Goblin might have killed Gwen Stacy on, he tries to stop the future debate and destroy it well beforehand. He destroys one of the uprights but then gets distracted by the arriving Human Torch. It's fight time!
The Sub-Mariner throws a steel girder at the hero only to have the Torch melt it down before it reaches him. Namor rushes his foe but the Human Torch fires a ring of flame at him. Namor expels water from his body but is still unable to rid himself of the flames. For now, all he can do is jump off the bridge and return to the river below. The two stars shout taunts at each other to end this chapter.
Writer: Carl Burgos
Artist: Carl Burgos
And now, the Human Torch's side of events which is only slightly less hilarious.
The Human Torch is a member of the New York Police Force but that only means that he unintentionally puts lives in danger instead of doing it on purpose. He's flying around looking for the Sub-Mariner and having very little luck finding the watery dude. He sees a police car and decides to see if they've had any better luck. They haven't but they offer the guy a ride to Police Headquarters. The Torch must be tired of flying around and takes them up on it.
The Torch meets with the Police Chief to tell him that the Sub-Mariner has just vanished. The Chief calls him yellow and the Human Torch nearly knocks him out for the insult (yes, he's that kind of guy). Before blows can be struck, word comes in that Namor is on the attack again. Torch burns right through a brick wall (because that's possible) in order to pick up on the Sub-Mariner's trail. The Chief is simply happy that there's gonna be a big battle between the two and orders the other officer to get a mason up to fix the wall. It'll probably be burned through a few more times before the Torch retires.
The Torch flies on the scene of a demolished elevated train and those of you who just read the Sub-Mariner chapter above might be a little confused because this didn't happen in that chapter. It actually happened in the last issue of Sub-Mariner. Yeah, Namor does a lot of bad stuff. It's hard to keep up. The Torch decides that THIS TIME he'll actually work to fix things up. He melts the pillars back into place and then gets to work on the train tracks. There's a crane on hand to lift the crashed train cars but the wheels are bent out of shape and won't fit the tracks. Torch solves that problem by melting them back into perfection. Any problem can be solved with a little open flame.
With his good deed done for the day, the Torch is visited by Police Woman, Betty, the Sub-Mariner's only friend. She takes Torch on a drive, trying to convince him that her friend, the Sub-Mariner, isn't all bad once you get to know him. He's just easily angered. Y'know what, lady? I've read his part in this story and the dude needs to be taken down. I don't think any court in the land would let him off for the destruction he's caused.
Just then, word comes over the police radio that Namor has been spotted on top of the Empire State Building (this is where he ripped the mooring mast off-- also last issue). Torch demands Betty drive them both right over but her car is stuck in a traffic jam and this is apparently the era before police sirens. The Human Torch wastes no time burning right through her car roof in his impatience to get to the scene. This causes the car to burst into flames.
The Torch wastes more time saving Betty from the destruction he caused. He flies back to the car and gathers all the flames to him. This puts out the fire by taking it away. With that, he heads to the Empire State Building. He gets to the scene just as Namor is throwing the mooring mast to the ground below. It lands, crushing people but somehow not killing some of them. Torch does the rescue thing and decides that melting the mooring mast is the best way to save lives. He then starts to drag crushed (and now badly burned by molten metal) bodies away from the wreckage but the police tell him they've got this. Torch is free to chase after the Sub-Mariner once more.
Torch flies to the top of the Empire State Building to find the Sub-Mariner has left the scene. In the meantime, Namor has been warned off by Betty, gone to the Statue of Liberty to sulk, flooded the Hudson Tunnel, and made his way to the Zoo to release a host of animals. From the top of the tower, the Human Torch spots the rampaging beasts and immediately knows that it's the work of his new enemy. At any rate, it's a situation that he'll have to deal with.
Torch lands in the middle of the animals and they all back away from the guy lit up like a match stick. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean they stop attacking the zoo keepers that AREN'T burning.
Torch uses his flame powers to round up the animals and force them back into their cages. He then uses those same powers to melt the bars back into place. Once of the zoo keepers tells him that, yes, the Sub-Mariner paid them a visit before a gorilla attacks the pair. Funny... I don't remember Namor releasing any primates...
Regardless, there's a gorilla loose. It grabs a stunned Human Torch and throws him at a wall before anyone can yell "Flame on." Lucky for the Torch, he instinctively bursts into flame and, since he's in a Golden Age comic, is able to melt through whatever the wall is made out of that he was intended to smash into before that smashing can occur. It was probably brick because those seems to melt quickly in Golden Age times. I blame faulty building materials.
Emerging from the scene, Torch finds his friendly zoo keeper informant about to have his head smashed against the pavement. A few balls of fire thrown in it's direction causes the gorilla to drop that poor zoo keeper and leap up a wall to escape. Torch meets the primate on the roof to deliver a smashing blow to his face, causing the gorilla to fall from the building and... apparently die when landing. No animals were harmed in the making of this comic, indeed.
Betty makes another appearance to tell the Torch where he can find the Sub-Mariner. He's causing mischief (and death!) at the George Washington Bridge. The superhero flies to the scene and we get a retelling of the Namor encounter.
Torch melts the steel beam thrown at him and surrounds Namor with a ring of flame. Namor's "sprinkler system" tries to douse the flame but, failing, the Sub-Mariner is force to dive into the river below. The two exchange taunts and that's our comic, folks!
Marvel Mystery Comics #9
By: Bill Everett, Carl Burgos, & John Compton
Namor wastes no time in thinking up some way to defeat the Torch (or just cause havoc, it's all the same for the Sub-Mariner). He swims down to his aerial sub and retrieves a high-pressure air tank. Namor flies it back to the Statue of Liberty only to be face to face with the Torch as he lands. The Torch flings a fireball at the Atlantean but the Sub-Mariner is quick to dodge. It's time to put his plan into action.
The Sub-Mariner aims the air hose at the Human Torch and fires a blast of compressed air at him. Now, normally, that would actually give the Torch more oxygen to ignite but we're dealing with Golden Age physics. Also, it's possible that this air doesn't have any oxygen in it. It IS Atlantean air, after all. At any rate, it douses the Torches flame and even knocks the hero out. Namor presses his advantage and, picking up the prone form, punches the Torch off the Statue of Liberty.
The Human Torch wakes up just before smashing into the water below and tries flaming on to break his fall. He's only partially successful. He saves his own life but still drops into the ocean. Now he's on Namor's playing field and that means he's pretty much done for. The Sub-Mariner knocks him unconscious one more time and drags the android back to the aerial sub to examine him.
What happens next is pure comedy and Golden Age physics at it's most incredible. Namor tries to work another air pressure hose in the aerial sub only to have it jam up on him. When it finally works, he's lost control of it and it creates air bubbles all over the sub. One of these bubbles encapsulates the Torch and carries the hero out of the sub... and Namor can't do anything about it. The air bubble is unbreakable and keeps rising to the surface. Frustrated, the Sub-Mariner gives the bubble a sharp smack only to watch it soar to the surface even faster than before. The Torch has awoken from his nap by this point and flames on just as the bubble bursts on the surface of the water.
Namor returns to his aerial sub but doesn't have enough air to give chase with it. He decides on another plan instead.
Meanwhile, the Human Torch has returned to Police Headquarters just in time to get into an argument with Betty about what to do about the Sub-Mariner (and, yes, he did melt his way in again). This fight is interrupted by a televised Sub-Mariner demanding that the Torch leave him alone or else. That's a taunt if I've ever heard one! The Human Torch rushes to the TV station while Betty begs him to stay out of it. What angle is that woman playing, anyway?
Torch ends up burning a hole through the roof of the TV station, setting back television ten years (at least!) but at least it gets him to the fight with the Sub-Mariner that much quicker. Or it would have if the Torch hadn't given his foe a means of escape. Turns out you can fly out of burnt holes in the roofs of buildings. Huh.
The two super powered foes race around the city until Namor reaches the reservoir. The Human Torch has narrowed the distance by this time but is only able to cover the reservoir with a sheet of flame moments after the Sub-Mariner has dived below the water. Namor, however, is trapped, giving Torch the time he needs to call this one in to the Police.
Below the water, Namor is having more problems. The reservoir contains a lot of chlorine and the Sub-Mariner is slowly choking to death. He tries to escape but the sheet of flame covering the reservoir prevents this. Weakening, the teenage troublemaker passes out.
By this point, the police have arrived in force (as well as the Police Commissioner's Assistant and Betty). The Torch's plan is simple in it's elegance. He's brought in some police planes that begin to bomb the reservoir. I'm hoping no one in New York needs clean water for a while. The blasts from the bombing somehow causes the Sub-Mariner to be thrown out of the reservoir. He's groggy, but alive.
The battle resumes between the two Marvels. Namor tries slugging it out with the Torch. The Human Torch flies away from that and surrounds Namor with fire once again. This time, the Sub-Mariner isn't so lucky when jumping free of the fire.
Namor hitches a ride on the attacking police plane and is, again, quickly followed by the Human Torch. There's a stand-off going for only a moment. Torch can't fire at the plane while the pilot is still aboard and Namor is stuck with the plane since his little ankle wings are damaged. The Sub-Mariner quickly stops that, though, he slugs the pilot out of the plane. Only at the last moment does he decide that nothing gets accomplished if he just lets the police pilot die and, instead, opens the man's parachute before tossing him, still unconcious, out of the plane. I'll leave it to you to decide if the pilot actually lives or not.
Up in the air, the stand off is now OVER. The Human Torch fires a successive round of fireballs at the plane before going in and cutting it in two. By this point, Namor has reached open water once more and is safely out of the Human Torch's grasp.
Below the water, Namor tries to figure out what to do to get the man off his back. Suddenly, he thinks of the perfect solution.
The Human Torch tries to find his own solution to this predicament. Betty is still advocating just leaving the dude alone but that's quite possibly the stupidest plan ever. Have you been paying attention, lady? Namor is a frickin' dangerous bastard. The Comish isn't much better, though. He suggests chemicals. Torch is just crazy enough to go with that.
Torch rushes to the Police Department's chemical lab to find out what kind of chemical would wipe the Sub-Mariner off the face of the planet. There's only one answer. Sulphuric Acid. Betty is, again, not all about this plan. It reeks of success and the death of her friend. It mustn't be allowed! The Torch laughs in her general direction and then flies off to Torpey Chemical Works, the only place where they carry sulphuric acid in enough quantity to make it successful.
Torch arrives at the plant and is given a number of large bottles of the acid. Now he just has to find the Sub-Mariner... which appears to be pretty damn easy because Namor is at the plant for his own reasons. The Torch begins launching the jars of sulphuric acid at the Sub-Mariner and it's not long before one of the jarr hits not his enemy but a painter's stage. The falling stage is directly over a vat of nitroglycerine and the Sub-Mariner is able to make it to the water reservoir in the center of the room just before that vat explodes. Seriously? A conveniently placed water reservoir? Huh.
At this point, the Torch is busy putting out fires so Namor is able to escape the room. He doesn't go far, though. The Sub-Mariner is looking for something in the testing lab. He finds it quickly and returns to cover the Torch with a two-ton translucent case. Caught within, the Torch isn't able to break through the rubbery case and lacks the air to flame on. Namor only makes the mistake of lifting the casing once to find the Torch able to flame on once more. The Sub-Mariner is quick to return the hero to the airless confines of the tube.
And so, they're at a stand still. Namor can't release the Torch or he'll start the cycle of violence all over again. If he leaves the Torch within, someone will let him out and it's back to that cycle of violence. It's lose/ lose or at least lose/win only for a while.
Marvel Mystery Comics #10
By: Bill Everett & Carl Burgos
You can tell that, at this point, Mr. Everett and Mr. Burgos (and everyone else that wasn't officially given credit but undoubtedly helped out) were tired of this story and couldn't work their way out of it easily. You couldn't have one of your babies getting beat up by someone else's hero so it was left to the ability to compromise to get out of this sticky situation. It was time for a one page conclusion to the first Marvel crossover/beat 'em up ever.
You can add to that the fact that World War II was getting closer and closer and it was more fun to have your character killing Nazis that beating on each other. They needed to get out of this jam so that they could go to town on the threat of the Third Reich. I mean, Namor could get away with killing Nazis. Anyone could.
It was, unfortunately, time to listen to Betty. No one wanted to do it. Not even Namor. But it was either that or have this thing fill up another three or four issues before ending in one of their deaths. It was way too early for that.
So, the Commissioner and Betty arrive on the scene to find Namor and the Torch in a stand still. Betty offers the compromise that, if Namor goes away and leaves them alone, the Torch will stop relentlessly pursuing him. It's no where near the perfect solution to this problem. That would involve the Sub-Mariner going to jail for a very long time. Still, it's the best that could happen then.
With that, Namor takes his leave with the Human Torch and Betty saying their last good-byes... I mean, until he showed up later on for another tussle. For now, it was Nazi killing time.
And that's all I wrote! Stayed tuned! I'll be back sooner than you think. Or maybe not! I'll keep ya guessing. :P
Until then: Who Do YOU Trust?


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560 Orontium aquaticumCommon Names: golden club, neverwet Family: Araceae (arum Family)
The leaves of golden club are bluish green, 6-10 in (15-25.4 cm) long and 2-4 in (5-10.2 cm) wide on petioles (leaf stems) up to 18 in (46 cm) long, and may be submerged, floating or standing upright in the air. They have a powdery bloom on them (that is, the leaves are glaucus) that causes water to bead, hence the name, "neverwet." The petioles arise from a large, thick rhizome (rootstock) that is usually quite deep in the mud. In spring tiny yellow flowers are borne on a spadix about 4 in (10.2 cm) long at the end of a white cylindrical stalk that usually stands above the leaves. Small blue-green berries follow in summer.
Golden club, Orontium aquaticum, occurs naturally in shallow water and swamps mainly on the Atlantic Coastal Plain from New York to Florida and west to Louisiana. There are a few isolated populations farther inland. There is only one species in the genus, but the family, the Araceae or arum family, includes such familiar plants as Jack-in-the-pulpit, skunk cabbage and the elephant's ear (Colocasia esculenta).
CultureLight: Does best in bright light, but can tolerate semi-shade. Direct sunlight brings out the full beauty and luster of the leaves. Moisture: Keep the rootstock of golden club wet. It can be grown completely submerged or in saturated soil with no standing water at all. Hardiness: USDA Zones 6 - 11. Propagation: Golden club spreads vegetatively by underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes can be divided in spring for transplanting. Also, the shoots that arise from the rootstock can be separated off and transplanted. The seeds are said to be easy to germinate in a seed-starting mix under an inch of water.
Golden club does well at the edge of garden ponds or in shallow ornamental pools. It is at its best in full sunlight in about a foot of water so the leaves can float, water lily-like. Plant rhizomes directly in the substrate at the water's edge or out to a maximum depth of 18 in (46 cm).
Golden club mixes nicely with marginal, shoreline plants like pickerelweed and irises and also goes well with floating plants like water lilies and hyacinths. The rootstocks can be sliced, thoroughly dried and ground into a flour that is said to be tasty and nutritious. The nutlike seeds also can be thoroughly dried and ground into flour or boiled and eaten like beans.
All parts of golden club contain calcium oxalate crystals which cause an intense burning sensation in the mouth if eaten raw. Boiling does not eliminate this acrid characteristic, but thorough drying does.
Steve Christman 07/29/99; updated 10/2/03

subset: commoncrawl


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Intelsius PATHOSHIELD Features
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Download the PATHOSHIELD Range Sheet


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WEST GOSHEN >> Sunoco Logistics officials were on hand at West Chester University's Sykes Student Union to answer questions from Chester County residents regarding the Mariner East 2 pipeline project Monday night.
"These are the last of the county-by-county meetings we have been doing for landowners," said Jeff Shields, communications director for Sunoco Logistics. "As we start the land acquisition process and we start knocking on people's doors and sending them letters, we like to have these meetings to tell them exactly what's going on, what our plans are and what we do, in terms of building the pipeline, operating the pipeline and our safety measures."
A similar public session is planned for Wednesday night in Delaware County. Interested residents can attend the hearing from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Kings Mills, 6000 Pennell Road, Aston.
The Mariner East 1 pipeline, which is already being used, runs from western Pennsylvania to the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex, approximately 300 miles.
This pipeline, which has been in place for decades, utilizes mostly existing 8-inch-diameter steel pipeline, aside from 51 miles of a new 12-inch-diameter steel pipe between Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Now, Sunoco is working on its planned Mariner East 2 project — a $2.5 billion new underground pipeline running roughly 350 miles, from Ohio through West Virginia and ending at Marcus Hook.
Mariner 2 will be a 20-inch pipeline moving pretty much alongside Mariner East 1.
Sunoco is looking to supply more propane to meet demand on the market.
"Basically, Mariner East 2 will provide that," said Donald Zoladkiewicz of Sunoco Logistics community affairs. "Marcus Hook has always been a spot that made propane available to the marketplace, but it will be increased and adding two more locations where we can move propane to the marketplace."
The pipelines, both Mariner East 1 and 2, will be shipping natural gas liquids of propane, ethane and butane.
Mariner East 1 currently moves propane and is scheduled to ship ethane as well by the end of September.
Right now, Sunoco is in the process of getting the land needed to place the new pipeline, which will affect 10 townships in Chester County — Elverson, West Nantmeal, East Nantmeal, Wallace, Upper Uwchlan, Uwchlan, West Whiteland, West Goshen, East Goshen and Westtown.
"Basically what we are doing is working with landowners and we've begun easement acquisitions to be able to place additional lines in the ground," Zoladkiewicz said. "In many cases, we do have easements that would allow for it to be done."
What Sunoco is looking to do is establish a consistent easement corridor of 50 feet. It also wants an additional 25 feet as part of a temporary easement to use as construction space.
"In many cases, 50 (feet easements) already exists," Zoladkiewicz said. "Mariner East 2 corridor will basically overlay the existing corridor that is out there."
Mariner East 2 is not planned to have a pumping station or a vapor combustion unit in Chester County.
Since the new pipeline will go under major highways, such as Routes 30 and 202, Sunoco will use a method of horizontal directional drilling (HDD).
HDD is typically used to install pipelines underneath roads, wetlands and waterways.
Sunoco will also use HDD to place the new pipeline under Boot Road and the pumping station.
"You're not digging up Boot Road and creating a traffic nightmare," Shields said. "It still could be difficult traffic-wise, but it has to be manageable for people."
As part of the presentation, Sunoco had an open house as well for people to ask questions and a room was set up where residents could check to see if their property will be affected by Mariner East 2.
"That's where they are going to find out exactly what's happening with their property and that's what they want to know," Shields said. "Some people come in and they don't know if they'll be affected and they want to know."
Sunoco, which has been doing these open houses across the pipeline areas, will also meet with Delaware County residents Wednesday.
"We just want them to have a broader understanding and be able to deal not with just the land agents that we have, but with our Sunoco officials here who can really tell them what they know," Shields said. "We know we have a responsibility to be transparent with (the residents). We're not required, per se, to have these meetings, but it's the only way we can really imagine doing business because people need to have this information."
Contact Candice Monhollan at 610-235-2652.


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For appointments call 314.454.5437 or 800.678.5437Email Us
A new heart vavle technique gives Bixby woman another chance at life. (Adult Congenital Heart Disease)
A heart donation gives a young man new life.
An Arkansas teen found the right organ donor in St. Louis just in time. KMOV reports on a patient who received a new heart.
Baby Jack is beating the odds. His Kansas-City family holds out hope as he awaits new heart, lungs
Fox 2 reports on the opening of the St. Louis Children's Hospital Medical 3D Printing Center at Washington University Medical Campus.
KSDK reports on Evan Fink who has battled the same heart defect as Olympic gold medalist Shaun White. Both are proving they can excel at sports.
Dr. George Van Hare discusses congenital heart disease and sports restrictions with Fox 2.
Families gather to remember children lost to congenital heart disease.
What you need to know about congenital heart disease and Heart Month.
Surviving against all odds, baby Ari finds expert care at the Heart Center.
KSDK shares the story of a nurse practitioner gives heartbeat animals to Heart Center patients in memory of her son.
St. Louis Blues players Statsny and Brodziak invite Children's patients to ride the Polar Express.
Dr. Jennifer Silva, a pediatric cardiologist at Children's, is using the HoloLens to treat patients like Chase. The cardiac hologram gives doctors, families & patients a better perspective of the conditions they are facing...
Organ donation will help Elizabeth jump back in the pool - KMOV-CBS shares her story.
A Heart Center mom donates hundreds of bottles of breast milk to Texas flood victims.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch tagged along with campers at Camp Rhythm.
St. Louis Magazine names the Best Doctors in St. Louis including Dr. Pirooz Eghtesady.
Dr. Pirooz Eghtesady explains to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch how the EASE App gives parents peace of mind during operations at Children's.
WROC-CBS reports on the youngest patient in the world to receive a Potts Shunt at The Heart Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Nearly 700 'Beads of Courage' tell the story of Liby Peterson of Wichita, Kansas, who received her heart transplant at the Heart Center.
Sweet Liby was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Her beads of courage, and The Wichita Eagle, tell her story.Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article157266844.html#storylink=cpy
Dr. Pirooz Eghtesady explains the congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot, on Fox 2 News after late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel shared the story of his newborn son's diagnosis.
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, Pirooz Eghtesady, MD, PhD performs the only pediatric heart and lung transplant in the nation in 2016 on 15 year old.
The family of a Children's Hospital patient shares how they honor their son's memory, and how the actions of their neighbors have helped them through their grief.
The Today Show introduces us to Mildred Enyon, a 7-year-old heart patient who set up a nail salon to make money she could donate back to the hospital.
Dr. Caroline Lee, medical director of The Fetal Heart Center, writes in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about the importance of early detection of congenital heart defects.
In recognition of heart month in February, heart surgeon Dr. Peter Manning joins one of his tiny patients to discuss congenital heart disease with KTVI.
KTVI features Camp Rhythm, a camp started by St. Louis Children's Hospital for children with heart defects.
Dr. Jennifer Silva describes a mobile phone device to KTVI that tracks a child's heart rhythm and submits the reading to the child's cardiologist.
Dr. Jennifer Silva, cardiologist, shares advice with KTVI on whether student athletes should be tested for heart conditions.
Daniel Lyons received a heart transplant on Christmas Eve, and woke up on Christmas day to presents under the tree in his room. Channel 2 shares his story.
Little Caleb has spent the better part of his eight month life at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Now, after a life-saving heart transplant, he is ready to go home to Springfield, MO.
Governor Jay Nixon signs two child health bills at St. Louis Children's Hospital - a bill to screen newborns for congenital heart disease, and one to improve the reporting process for child abuse.
St. Louis Children's Hospital makes prestigious U.S. News Honor Roll, ranks #6 on list of Best Children's Hospitals.
St. Louis Magazine named three St. Louis Children's Hospital nurses Excellence in Nursing Award winners for 2013.
Music therapist Christy Merrell talks about the field of music therapy and its healing power with the Riverfront Times.
Cardiologist Dr. George Van Hare talks to the St. Louis Post Dispatch about legislation requiring hospitals to test newborns for heart defects.
Dr. George Van Hare, director of Cardiology, speaks with the St. Louis Business Journal about a new bill requiring heart screenings for newborns.
Dr. Charles Canter, medical director of our heart transplant program discusses caring for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome with the St. Joseph News-Press.
The Higher Education Channel highlights the story of Owen Stark, a St. Louis Children's Hospital patient who became the first in the world to use the Nova Lung artificial lung as a bridge to lung transplant.
KTVI helps us say Happy Birthday to a little guy who spent most of his first year living here in our Cardiac ICU.
KTVI/KPLR's Dan Gray feature a new song by Erin Bode that tells the story of a heart patient using that patient's heart beat.
February is heart month. Dr. George Van Hare shares some parenting advice on recognizing heart disease with the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Dr. David Balzer explains the benefits of the Melody Valve to HEC-TV's Innovations program.
Charlotte Smock Brooks' compassion for children with heart problems motivates her.
Camp Rhythm is making a difference as Kevin Tibbles of NBC News reports.
Cardiology & Heart Surgery Ranked by U.S. News. Read more
The Heart Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital


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Definition of leader
- the leaders among communicable diseases
- leaders of the army
- a leader in the reform movement
- the majority leader
- the leader of the House
- the orchestra's leader
- The concertmaster is the leader of the violin section.
The tour leader suggested several restaurants in the area.
She was the leader for most of the race, but she eventually finished second.
The class focused on the great religious leaders of the last century.
the leader of an army
a leader of the antiwar movement
Some people are leaders, and some people are followers.
The company has become a leader in developing new technology.
the leader of a popular big band of the 1930s
The Times attacked the government in a leader today.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leader.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
14th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1See Words from the same year
foregoer, forerunner, harbinger, herald, precursor;
See words that rhyme with leader Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for leader Spanish Central: Translation of leader Nglish: Translation of leader for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of leader for Arabic speakers
What made you want to look up leader? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
subject to rapid or unexpected change
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Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.TAKE THE QUIZ
The story of an imaginary word that managed to sneak past our editors and enter the dictionary.


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June Chocheles
Task Manager, Technology Transition Assistance – Federal R&D Programs
Foundation for Enterprise Development
Through her current engagement with the Foundation for Enterprise Development, Ms. Chocheles serves as the Transition Assistance Task Manager for the DARPA SBIR/STTR Transition Support and Commercialization Program. This program develops and delivers customized assistance services, as well as resources and tools for DARPA Phase II SBIR and STTR companies to support transition strategy refinement as well as secure partners, collaborators and Phase III funding to transition products, solutions and services into operational environments. She is also a member of the mentoring and training delivery team for the San Diego Regional Innovation Cluster, a collaboration of business, government, and academia dedicated to helping San Diego small businesses in the Defense and Homeland and Security sectors. She is the President of the Athena San Diego Foundation Board awarding annual scholarships for young women pursuing undergraduate studies in the STEM fields, and is the Chair of the San Diego Chapter of Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Community Advisory Council. Ms. Chocheles received a BA and MA in History from Stony Brook University in New York.
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Please contact: Chris Erb


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Artist paints herself 'skinny'
Jody Steel has been filmed painting herself skinny to highlight what it's like to struggle with body image.
Artists eats his own hip and says it tasted like "wild sheep"
A Norwegian conceptual artist asked doctors to keep his hip bone after a hip replacement operation and later decided to boil it and taste it "on a whim".
Artist compares 'average' shapes of men from around the world
Ever wondered what the average man's body looks like?


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How to make a Batarang, because you know you want one
What fan of Batman, whether as a child or as an adult, hasn't wished to own Batarangs that could scare the bejeezus out of a bad guy or, I don't know, maybe sever a carotid artery? Well, now you can make your own … as long as you have a fully equipped blacksmith shop at your disposal.
Tony Swatton, a veteran armorer and master blacksmith who has created props for the likes of Batman Forever, The Dark Knight, Thor and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, hosts a web series called Man at Arms in which he recreates famous weaponry from movies and television series (he's tacked everything from Raphael's sais from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Jaime Lannister's sword from Game of Thrones). In the latest installment, he turns his attention to the Batarangs from the Batman movies.
Normally I would razor-sharpen a knife or a sword," Swatton says. "I'm not quite putting that degree of sharpness on it, but a comparative sharpness to these Batarangs would be as sharp as I sharpen an ax. These are not stunt Batarangs. These ones will tear stuff up."
Don"t believe him? Watch the video below.
(via Batman-News)
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Homemade Hot Chocolate
½ cup cocoa
½ to ¾ cup sugar (depends on how sweet you want it)
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
splash of vanilla
homemade whipping cream
chocolate shavings
Stir together dry ingredients. Add warm milk (either heated on stovetop or in microwave), stirring well to combine. (Use a small whisk). Pour into mugs and add a splash of vanilla. Top with homemade whipping cream and chocolate shavings.
**Adults may add a shot of Irish cream to their hot chocolate.


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The Audit Committee's primary responsibilities are to review the financial statements; to have assurance that there are suitable internal and risk management systems in place; to consider the appointment of the external auditors and their independence; and to review audit effectiveness.
The Audit Committee consists entirely of Non-Executive Directors. Richard Green chairs the Audit Committee. Stephen Puckett is the other independent Non-Executive Director on this Committee.


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Actually everyone does. Cholesterol lowering vitamins are critical for maintaining optimum health and are the key to lowering your bad cholesterol level.
The dangerous drugs that many take should be avoided at all costs.
There are so many misconceptions when it comes to trying to lower cholesterol. The accurate, concise and unbiased information you'll find here on vitamins to lower cholesterol will help you make an informed decision on what it really takes to lower your cholesterol.
You may already be aware that heart disease in general kills more people than any other aliment. Even worse is the fact that it seems to kill a lot of people that you would think are healthy, at least healthy on the outside.
It has been estimated that in excess of 4 out of every 10 people alive, both men and women, will eventually be affected by it to a point where it will be the cause of their death.
Years ago heart disease and high cholesterol was thought to affect only the elderly. However, it is actually very common in young active people as well.
It doesn't matter how active you are or if you look healthy you can still have dangerously high cholesterol levels. This is a proven fact! This group can have a very difficult time in controlling their cholesterol levels just as much as someone who is not active at all.
Even if you seem healthy on the outside and follow good eating and exercising habits there's no guarantee that you'll have the right cholesterol levels.
So many different pharmaceutical companies state that they have developed a pill or tablet that will reduce your high cholesterol. However it has been proven that a number of these drugs are far too dangerous and have too many side effects for most people to take.
For many years now there has been very exciting research carried out on cholesterol lowering vitamins and the results have proven over and over that they are your best choice for lowering cholesterol naturally. This research is what scares the money-grabbing drug companies.
Heart health is something you have to take very seriously regardless of how healthy you think you are right now and cholesterol lowering vitamins are one of the best ways to do this.
If you exercise you will build up what are known as free radicals. These will trigger a lot of harm to your body and this includes increasing your bad cholesterol levels. They must be controlled and it doesn't matter if you are healthy or not, they affect everyone the same.
Vitamins to lower cholesterol actually help in lowering cholesterol naturally and take care of the free radicals before they negatively affect your body.
Everyone is at risk!
The media seems to think that everyone who has a cholesterol problem got that way because they are obese and eat nothing but fast food and any other cheap junk food they can get their hands on.
This is totally false.
The quantity of bad cholesterol flowing around in your bloodstream hardly has anything to do with your diet at all.
As mentioned earlier a lot of people think that they do not have to think about heart disease or high cholesterol until they are much older.
You need to understand this: It has much more to do with genetics than anything else. This means that age, diet, etc. are meaningless. High cholesterol levels always have seriously affected those who have just reached adulthood and it always will, regardless of diet and exercise.
You need to know your family health history and then focus on keeping your cholesterol levels under control. It has been found that using cholesterol lowering vitamins will help to ensure good long-term heart health.
Do you know what cholesterol really is? Surprisingly a lot of people do not.
You do actually need some cholesterol to maintain optimum health and it goes a long way to help with your hormones, your cells and nerves.
There are two different types of cholesterol the LDL cholesterol and the HDL cholesterol. The LDL type is the bad one and the HDL is the good one.
The LDL actually takes cholesterol to your cells but the HDL removes the excess cholesterol from your blood and takes it to your liver to discard.
Your arteries will fill up with cholesterol deposits if you have too much LDL. This of course can be a cause of a heart attack or stroke. This can also happen if you do not have enough HDL in your system.
All men an women from the time they reach adulthood need to go to their doctor at least every 5 years for a cholesterol check. And again it doesn't matter how active you are this is something that you really should do.
Food by itself can not control your cholesterol like you think it should.
Food and any special diets that are promoted in the media actually do not help to lower cholesterol like you think. On the flip side of this it has also been found that a lot of diets that are supposed to be bad for you because of the cholesterol contained in them actually do not add to the bad cholesterol in your system.
Do not worry if you have a few eggs now and then they have very little affect on your cholesterol levels. It is your liver that is responsible for making the extra cholesterol that is in your arteries.
There are a couple choices available to you to help lower and control your cholesterol.
The first alternative you have is not the best but it is the most used. Drugs known as "statins" are the drug of choice that drug companies promote as something that will help you.
However, they can cause additional health problems. And they do not help to increase your good cholesterol levels.
These drugs have been found to cause injury to the liver, exhaustion, stomach problems, constipation and many other issues.
The second option is to use vitamins to lower cholesterol.
Cholesterol lowering vitamins do not have any known side effects and seem to work better than the popular drugs.
Cholesterol Lowering Supplements
Cholesterol lowering vitamins have so many benefits over drugs but there are very few companies who have perfected them. Make sure you choose the one that will benefit your health the most.
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Saudi jails 13 for "terror" offences
A Saudi court Wednesday sentenced 13 people to up to 14 years in prison for backing "terrorist organisations", training with Al-Qaeda and luring young people to fight abroad, media reported.
The ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom recently toughened measures against Islamist groups, listing Al-Qaeda-linked organisations fighting in Syria among terrorist movements.
The 13 — nine Saudis, two Jordanians, an Egyptian and one Syrian — were convicted of providing support to people wanted for security reasons, and "supporting terrorism, as well as terrorist acts and organisations", the official SPA news agency said.
Some defendants were charged with undergoing weapons training at "Al-Qaeda bases", SPA said.
Charges also included "coordinating to arrange the travel of misled youths to areas of trouble and fighting", the agency said, without elaborating.
One defendant received a 14-year jail sentence, while the remainder were jailed for between three and nine years.
The interior ministry this month published a list of "terror" groups, including Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Nusra Front which is Al-Qaeda's official Syrian affiliate, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, another jihadist group fighting in Syria and Iraq.
It also includes the little-known Saudi Hezbollah Shiite militant group, as well as Shiite Huthi rebels fighting in neighbouring Yemen.
The ministry said it will prosecute those who back such groups "financially or morally", or seek to promote them in the media and on social networks.
It also forbids "participation in, calling for, or incitement to fighting in conflict zones in other countries" as well as calling for demonstrations or taking part in them.
After a wave of deadly Al-Qaeda attacks in the kingdom between 2003 and 2006, Saudi authorities cracked down on the local branch of the group founded by the late Osama bin Laden, himself Saudi-born.


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Inspection of the Secure Electronic Network
for Travelers' Rapid Inspection
Report Number I-2000-019
June 2000
SENTRI and Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform
and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
Section 110 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 mandated a major new requirement for INS that modifies the current inspection process at not only the nation's land ports-of-entry, but at every air and sea port-of-entry as well. Section 110 required INS to develop and implement a new system which would automatically collect entry and exit data at all land, air and sea ports-of-entry by September 30, 1998. In particular, this new automated system would:
Given the enormous infrastructure such an automated system would require and the significant technological challenges this poses to INS, Congress agreed in October 1998 to delay the implementation of Section 110 until April 2001. Congress also instructed INS to conduct a feasibility study on implementing Section 110 at land ports-of-entry. Since July 1998, INS has also tested various technologies in an effort to determine how best to meet Section 110 requirements.
Because of its use of radio frequency transponders and other automated technologies, SENTRI has been considered by some as a possible means for implementing the automated entry-exit control system required by Section 110. In July 1998, for example, congressional hearings were held to discuss the feasibility of employing SENTRI's technology as a way of meeting Section 110 requirements. Currently, SENTRI's automated operating system collects only entry data because the SENTRI lane is open only in the direction leading into the United States. To collect exit data, SENTRI would first have to be expanded to travelers exiting the United States. The INS, however, does not currently have plans to expand SENTRI to lanes leaving the United States. Nonetheless, INS is continuing to test various modifications to SENTRI's existing technology as well as other technologies in an effort to develop Section 110's required entry-exit control system.


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|International Criminal Court Bill [Lords]
The Chairman: With this it will be convenient to take amendment No. 52, in page 14, line 17, leave out subsection (4).
Mr. Maclennan: I want to raise again matters that were raised in another place by my noble Friend Lord Avebury, who was supported by Lord Lester of Herne Hill. The debate will allow the Government to reconsider an important issue.
As it stands, the clause affords the Minister the discretion to refuse delivery in certain cases. That approach is too cautious. It allows a discretion to the Minister that it would be wiser not to allow. The clause leaves diplomatic immunity intact for non-state parties unless a waiver is obtained by or from the ICC. Clause 23(4) leaves it to the Minister to decide to whom immunity should attach in relation to non-state and state parties alike. Once again, that might leave the Minister open to considerable political pressure and prevent the United Kingdom from co-operating effectively with the ICC.
In another place, the Attorney-General made a distinction between discretion in relation to state parties, to which subsection (1) refers, and non-state parties, to which subsection (2) refers. The justification for that distinction is hard to see. My noble Friend Lord Avebury pointed out that it was wrong for the Secretary of State to have the discretion in relation to non-state parties because of the sequence of events as a result of there being a dispute. The Attorney-General reaffirmed that there would always be consultation between the Secretary of State and the ICC and between the Secretary of State and a non-state party to ascertain, first, that no waiver had been issued and, secondly, that the person had the immunity that he claimed to have had.
The Secretary of State would want to exercise such discretion if he disagreed with the court about whether the accused had made out a case that he was a member of a non-state party and had the immunity that he claimed to have had. All NGOs that have examined that point have told the Government that it should be a matter for the ICC in accordance with the statute of Rome. The Attorney-General said that he thought that, in certain exceptional cases, subsection (4) could be necessary and that he was standing firm on the non-state parties. While there may be circumstances in which discretion may seem desirable on the part of the Executive, it is unnecessary and undesirable that the Secretary of State should be subject to political pressure if he were to decide in which particular exceptional circumstances subsection (4) applies.
My amendment is based on articles 66 and 120 of the New Zealand statute, which provide that when the Minister is concerned about the clash of the international obligations of New Zealand including immunities, he can consult the ICC to ask whether it wishes to proceed with the request. Such a consultation procedure would remove the Government's veto, but would allow the Secretary of State to raise his concerns about either state parties or non-state parties and to ask whether the court considers that an effective waiver has been issued and whether it properly applies to the individual concerned.
Let us suppose that there is a dispute about the effective Government of a state and the individual argues that the party that has issued the waiver and accepted the jurisdiction of the court does not have the necessary authority to do so. It seems highly unlikely that the ICC would ask us to set aside our international obligations in relation to state or diplomatic immunities, except when the state concerned has accepted its ability to do so. I understand that to be the purpose of article 98 of the Rome statute, and we should trust the ICC, when it is established, in respect of that statute.
If there were a conflict between the judgment of the Government and that of the ICC in such a matter, this country would be under an obligation to abide by the statute and to give the ICC priority. The amendment would not simply delete subsection (4), but would provide for consultation to eliminate such a conflict. In most circumstances, that would be the natural consequence of such a referral.
Mr. Blunt: It is a pleasure to follow the right hon. Gentleman. I am slightly at a loss about the effect of his amendment and I am not sure that it entirely distinguishes between state and non-state parties. My amendment would delete subsection (4), the reason for which I hope is crystal clear. Will the Solicitor-General, if he is replying to this part of the debate, explain the consequences of amendment No. 52? A distinction will have to be made between state and non-state parties to the agreement. I am happy to come back on Report and table another amendment making that distinction, which would leave subsection (4) as it is but for the removal of ``(1) or'' in line 19. The subsection would then refer to non-state parties, as subsection (1) refers to state parties.
11.15 am
The importance of the issue cannot be understated, as it goes to the heart of the statute itself. Article 27 is absolutely explicit. It states:
Will the Solicitor-General explain part of article 98, which to a small extent seems to qualify the absolute position taken in article 27? Later, I hope that we may have a discussion about universal jurisdiction and whether it is right for the United Kingdom, if it is a party to the words of article 27 and in the preamble to the statute, to try not only our own nationals when they fall within this jurisdiction but nationals of other countries for the heinous crimes laid out in articles 5 to 8 of the statute. We will have that discussion later, and ask whether the measures should apply to non-state parties as well as state parties, who are then within the scope of British law and within the United Kingdom.
Although article 27 is explicit, article 98.1 adds the point that countries that have not ratified the treaty and are therefore non-state parties will clearly have different international obligations with state parties. As I understand it, article 98.1 simply states that a non-state party to the agreement or a third state can properly expect the immunity of its diplomats and Heads of Government in dealing with a state party to be respected, as they are not a party to the ICC. Article 98.1 seems to give that protection to the diplomats and representatives of non-state parties. The Government clearly have a proper case to make in that regard, that the ICC and the statute and the international law that has been created to establish it, cannot be seen to override previous international law, not least that relating to immunity.
It is clear, however, that states that ratify the statute accept article 27 and, therefore, accept that immunity will not apply to their own people. How, then, can the Solicitor-General possibly defend subsection (4)? The subsection explicitly gives discretion to the Government by stating:
Later, we shall discuss universal jurisdiction. I contend that subsection (4) can be dispensed with if the ICC is to be supported in the terms that the Government have put forward in signing up to the statute. If we in the United Kingdom are on the receiving end of a warrant from the ICC to surrender somebody who has been accused of crimes, why should the United Kingdom intervene? There is a case to be made for that, and I would like the Government to make that case when they say that my amendment, as drafted, would not be correct.
We must examine the Government's position, as set out in the explanatory notes, when we consider the matter, and how the Government have moved under pressure from the NGOs to which the right hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (Mr. Maclennan) referred. In the initial consultation about the ICC there was no mention of diplomatic immunity. When that was pointed out to the then Minister, the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), he was shocked that the Bill would drive a coach and horses through the ICC because it would not deal with the matter of diplomatic immunity. Following that consultation, diplomatic immunity is in the Bill.
To be fair to the Government, the explanatory notes to clause 23 present their understanding of the case, which states:
What do the provisions of article 98.2 mean? I sat down with and without a wet towel and read it several times to try to understand what it means and whether it is different from article 98.1, but I do not understand. I should be grateful if the Solicitor-General would explain, in simple language that a simple ex-soldier like me can understand, what article 98.2 is intended to achieve.
|©Parliamentary copyright 2001
|Prepared 1 May 2001


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Molluscum contagiosum is a skin condition that is characterized by an appearance of small warty lumps in groups or clusters. The condition is highly contagious and is caused by a virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact, contaminated towel, body fluids and other contaminated items such as toys. In adults, it is mostly contracted through sex because of the close skin-to-skin contact, and usually, the lumps will appear on the adult genitalia.
Now, when it come treating molluscum contagiosum, there are several ways that you can treat it depending on which treatment option suits you best. Below are few things to consider in selecting treatment for molluscum contagiosum condition.
The affected area of the body
If the affected area is around your genitalia, then it may be important to visit your GP and be tested for any other possible STD's infection. If the infection is on your face, armpits or your arms, then your dermatologist can recommend various treatments available. For infection around your genitalia, you may need to cut back some hair to enable the medication, especially when applying creams so as to work efficiently.
How severe is the condition
Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment can be optional especially if the affected area is concealed like around the armpits. This is because the immune system can quickly eliminate the disease without necessarily taking any medication. However, if the condition is severe, then you can take some medication to help the body fight off the virus.
How strong your immune system
For people with a weaker immune system, treating the condition can prove to be troublesome and taking time. It is important that you talk to your doctor to help you in finding the best treatment option and medication that will work efficiently. People suffering from diseases like cancer and HIV tend to have weaker immune system may require the help of the doctor to treat the condition.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
For the pregnant woman with molluscum contagiosum, it is essential that you consult with your doctor before beginning any treatment. This is important because of the deep side effects the medication could have on your unborn baby. It is important to that mother who is breastfeeding not to take any medication until the doctor says it is safe.
Molluscum contagiosum infection should not cause any worries as the condition can easily be treated. What you need to do is be consistent with the treatment. Strictly following the medication instruction will enable the lesions to resolve quicker and be healthy again.


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text: Discover Paradise With Our Cabo San Lucas Hotel Offers Situated between the dramatic cliffs and the clear blue sea, Grand Solmar Land's End Resort & Spa is like nothing you've seen before. Make your experience even more memorable with an exclusive Los Cabos travel deal. Join our email club to receive exciting hotel specials, with complimentary dining, spa treatments and luxurious seaside suites. Discover a Cabo San Lucas resort where amazing experiences come naturally.


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- SolusVM Xen PV Templates
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OpenSuse 12.2 for VMWare on x86-64
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Did you know the animals actually have a purpose?
When it was first revealed almost three years ago at E3 2013, Tom Clancy's The Division certainly looked exciting. However, following multiple delays and allegations of graphical downgrades and potential problems, it became even more interesting, but suddenly for all the wrong reasons. Eventually – weeks after the worldwide launch – The Division has managed to achieve widespread critical acclaim from the majority of reviewers.
If you were as relieved as I was when the finished article actually turned out to be great, then chances are you've also been playing The Division as regularly as I have. After all, why wouldn't you? It's a massive project that's so densely populated with things to do and discover that the chances you've already grown bored with it are very slim.
With that in mind, it's time to consider various features and secrets that you may not have discovered just yet, despite them being tremendously useful to the way you approach the game. The Division has so many facets to its gameplay that not everything is highlighted as obviously as it could be. Fear not though, as I'm here to help you along with some of the more nuanced gameplay tips that could have a big impact on your Agent's effectiveness.
Here are ten crucial tips that The Division doesn't explicitly tell you…
10. You Can Take A Leap Of Faith
Okay, compared to another Ubisoft series – Assassin's Creed – the leaps on offer in The Division may not be quite as death-defying or visually impressive. What they can be, however, is immensely useful if you find yourself in need of a quick escape route when under pressure from wave after wave of enemy fire.
While you are able to climb and dash over obstacles in The Division, there's strangely no free jumping option. As a result, you'll find yourself relying on ladders to move down from a lot of platforms over a few metres in height. This is fine in regular play, but if you're under pressure from enemies you can make yourself an easy target by getting stuck on one of these.
But where drop prompts do appear when you approach scaleable ledges, the game doesn't tell you that you can drop from a ladder with a press of the same button. This is especially useful in the Dark Zone where you may already have found yourself as a sitting duck when trying to escape one of the many high points in the area. You'll take some fall damage, but it'll hurt a heck of a lot less than a few head shots!
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Suzanne Collins Quotes About LeavingQuotes about: Leaving
Finnick?" I say, "Maybe some pants?" He looks down at his legs as if noticing his outfit for the first time. Then he whips off his hospital gown leaving him in just his underwear. "Why? Do you find this" -- he strikes a ridiculously provocative pose -- "distracting?" I laugh. Boggs looks embarrassed and Finnick looks more like the guy I met at the Quarter Quell
Today I might lose both of them. I try to imagine a world where both Gale's and Peeta's voices have ceased. Hands stilled. Eyes unblinking. I'm standing over their bodies, having a last look, leaving the room where they lie. But when I open the door to step out into the world, there's only a tremendous void. A pale grey nothingness that is all my future holds.
Suzanne Collins
- Born: August 10, 1962
- Occupation: Writer
- Cite this Page: Citation


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Rose Mary Brennan of Joliet and William Brennan of Chicago announce the engagement of their daughter, Erin Ann, to John Young Shipka, son of Ronald and LaVerne Shipka of Ocean Ridge, Fla., formerly of Chicago.
The future bride has a master's degree from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. She is president of Brennan's PEB & Associates Inc. in Chicago.


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splash coat rack - hivemodern.com
Powder-coated steel and solid walnut stand at the ready to relieve you of jackets, hats, scarves and bags in style. Dress it up or keep it naked. Either way it remains easy on the eyes. Who says utility can't be attractive? Available in your choice of five colors. Assembly required.
20" dia. | 65" h
20" dia. | 65" h
Discovered by Amy Sarisky in home sweet home.


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Lost Turkey Trail is a 15.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Windber, Pennsylvania that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
nature trips
trail running
wild flowers
Playfully named by its original trailblazers, the Youth Conservation Corps in 1976, the Lost Turkey Trail is an interesting passageway through the forest west of the Allegheny Front.
I've thru hiked in both directions. Lack of vistas is easy to get over as the terrain changes every mile or so. Plenty of good water sources. Southbound from Blue Knob has some challenging decents. Be sure your pack is balanced well. I took my time and finished each trek in three days.
Could not find the turkey
Unsure what to expect and after receiving some terrain tips from Blue Knob maintenance workers, the Cuz and I decided our trail head would be the Babcock picnic area. As a result of this decision, we were able to acquire a map at an outbuilding, of which, became a necessity as did a compass during our trek due to the lack of and/or hidden/confusing blaze marks (e.g., from orange, to red and orange, to yellow, then red etc. Be advised to NOT follow the diamond shaped orange reflectors). In addition, the continuing blaze markings after mile fifteen (backwards from Babcock) along an access road were not visible. Preferring assents over descents, especially steep, our decision to begin at Babcock paid off as the terrain consisted primarily of assents. Stream access for filtering potable water is available, but be sure to pre-map prior to your trek. Camp sites/fire rings are non-existent for over half the trail, thus responsibly constructing your own is necessary. Short wearers beware of nettles, especially in the lower regions near water. In addition to steepness, the trail consisted of numerous quagmire type conditions. Although lush with plant life, this trail receives only one star, due to the lack/non-existence of vistas and/or visual stimulation. In all fairness however, this trek may be better suited for fall/early winter conditions, as there is potential for visual beauty. Note: Although reaching our terminus in three days, this trail in entirety, in my opinion, is NOT for the average beginner backpacker.
Most people apparently park at the lot near the cross of 56 (Clear Shade Dr.) and Babcock Creek Rd.) but we parked in a pull-off just steps from where the trail crosses Hollow Rd. and highly recommend this if you want a more difficult hike, as it is between two ridges where the trail dips down to meet the road. However the slope to the northwest from the road was too difficult for us to safely traverse back down. So we took the snowmobile trail north to Old Bedford Pike, (which turns into Skyline Drive as it crosses Hollow Rd.). We walked back to the car on the road once we hit Old Bedford.
The trail itself is very well maintained and has changing scenery every mile or so. It's mostly easy, as you can see from the terrain maps. But do be careful as there are some slightly muddy areas (without recent rain) and steep inclines near Hollow Rd. and the improved dirt road that extends from Buffalo Rd. across Skyline.
For a Saturday afternoon at the end of September on such an easily-accessible, beautiful trail, I was surprised to only run into two other hikers - older ladies who said they were locals and regularly hike 8-12 miles in a day. Pretty cool, huh!
Things you should know:
*The trail is not a loop.
*The free maps available at the parking areas do not show the entire trail, which continues north-east.
*You can find alternate parking areas near where the trail crosses the roads.
*All roads but 56 are well-maintained logging roads made from asphalt or dirt.
going from babcock picinic area to blue knob state park...trail is pretty easy until you hit game lands near the state park. from there on it has challenging terrain and blow downs.
I was not overly impressed with this trail. My dad and I hiked the entire trail in early June, 2011. There were no vistas or good views. We started at Blue Knob State Park and hiked to the southern terminus at The Babcock picnic area. The first 14 miles of the trail is either up or down and not many places to set up camp. I would give yourself three days to complete the trail, otherwise you are going to put in some miles going up and down the mountains. I would also definitely get a map from the DCNR website as there are a few places that are not well marked. However, most of the trail is easy to follow. Hike your own hike.............