Black Fist, and Dark Watch Fixer's incap

Ok, so we know that Mr Fixer used to go by Black Fist.

 Looking at the comic numbers, he started in "Justice Comics" after the first appearance of the Bunker suit (possibly GI Bunker), but before the "Mystery comics" run (where the Freedom 5 and their members are featured).  

This led me to believe that he was around in the 70's or thereabouts.  Now, correct me if I'm wrong- but a kung-fu hero in the 1970's called "Black Fist" sounds pretty appropriate.  It was the era of classic martial arts movies and blaxsploitation films!

Doing some research about comics of the era, I started thinking about Iron Fist and Power Man.  They got their start in the 70's, individually and as the "Heroes for Hire" team.  

So... What if Fixer had a partner, once upon a time?

Thinking about it, that partner would likely have skills that complimented Fixer. If we are keeping to the 2-man team trope, the partner always has a different skill set, but with some overlap and never one that completely overshadows the other.  You don't see a duo that comprises a person who can re-arrange matter on an elemental level and one that is really good with knives.  theres always a measure of equality and a reason that they are partners.  

Fixer is all about technique and control (and he's blind).  Theres a LOT of potential options for a partner there.      

Black Fist and (something)!  Cleaning up the streets!

So what would happen to the partner when Fixer decided to walk away?  It seems conceivable that the partner would be left in the lurch.  Maybe he'd keep fighting.  Maybe he'd quit.  Maybe he'd get in a fight and badly beaten.  

Maybe he's been living with that bitterness for decades.

Then he sees Fixer alive and well, and seemingly in the prime of his life.  Or maybe he gets an offer in the mail with photos of Fixer alive and well, and a promise that he too can have his youth and vigor back.  

We know of at least two people with access to a chemical treatment that rejuvenates and enhances.  Both of whom have a grudge against Fixer.  One of whom was alive at the time Black Fist was in operation, and might well remember a partner...

Picture it- Fixer hears the voice of an old friend, someone that he hasn't seen (figuratively speaking) for years.  Maybe theres some guilt there at leaving his friend.  

They talk for a while.  Fixer goes in for the arm grab, or the manly hug...

and then stabbing!

This could explain the nasty little smile on heartbreaker's face.  The way he got in close to one of the best fighters alive without any injury.  the way Fixer looks so surprised. 

And somewhere the chairman is laughing.

The connection between the Black Fist name and 1970's era blaxploitation films/comics is spot on. 

Heartbreaker shares a similar cowl to Marvel's Iron Fist whom you mentioned. Is it possible that Mr. Fixer is the Luke Cage (Power Man) to Heartbreaker's Iron Fist?

Fixer's Bio mentions that 25 years ago he ran a martial arts school under the name H.R. Walker. This could very well fall into the timeline where he was still Black Fist. He closed the school down when a bunch of students were gunned down, shaking his faith in teaching and martial arts, which might have caused him to hang up the Black Fist mantel in the first place.

My other train of thought goes away from the Power Man/Iron Fist duo. What if Heartbreaker was one of those students "gunned" down? Not only did the schools "training" not save him, but the school was closed down for good immediatly. If this kid had any strong feelings toward H.R. or the school, it could very well have broken his heart (in a manner of speaking). And if the kid was mortally wounded but put up an impressive fight, you can be sure the Chairman would have taken notice, possibly saving him and enhancing him with the same power boosting chemicals he gave the Operative. 

So much potential there.

Kid goes out and gets hurt following his Master's teaching.  He is believed to be dead, but in reality Chairman has him.  His master retreats into the shadows, abandoning the cause, and Chairman turns him, convincing him that the only way to make things better is through The Organization.

BTW, Heartbreaker is the term being used for the villain on Dark Watch Fixer's incap side.

Poor Mr Fixer.  Brought back to life only to get betrayed it would seem.  

I know the bio of Mr Fixe lists having a partner but it does seem odd that his deck makes no mention of it.  I'm still not fully sure what role Zhu Long played with him either since he shows up as a nemesis and in Overdrive in his deck.   Mr Fixer out of all the heroes has been around the longest so heartbreaker could be anyone from his past or upcoming in the SotM timeline. 

Just wanted to point out we don't actually know how old The Scholar is.

He's around 60, give or take a few years. Fixer is comfirmed in his 80s, I have a feeling Fixer is older.

I stand corrected.

I think Haka is even older, isn't he?

That's exactly what I thought when I saw this, but was too lazy to post it. Love Mitchell and Webb!

Ha. I didn't even have to watch, because it's the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the original statement. And that's Numberwang.

Yeah that would be right.  Mr Fixer does still have a long timeframe to pull from.

Do we actually know that's how old he is? His bio says "58, give or take a few…", but I get the impression he's far older than that (and that the "a few" is followed by "decades").

I have to get the board game version. It looks amazing.

I liked Numberwang (and Mitchell and Webb) when they were 'just' a radio comedy series, you're all late to the party.

Well the accompanist of one of my choirs is called Robert Webb. And I've had erotic dreams about David Mitchell, so I think I win.

Lately, I've been thinking about the logo for the Organization.  I think it is heraldric, displaying the colossal arrogance of Chairman Pike with a threat and a boast.

The top half is a barbed thing with rays coming off of it.  I'm pretty sure that this is a lance/spear/harpoon/pike.  I'll let you guess which of those is my top choice. The bottom half is a bit harder to figure out, and there could be a lot of interpretations.  A snake or serpent is certainly a possibility, as is a Chimera. A dragon (of the chinese variety) is another interesting idea, especially given the Operative's tattoo.  There are black and silver rays coming off of the spear. 

Now, in heraldric symbolism, the spear/pike means an honorable warrior or a valiant knight.  Serpents equate to wisdom in heraldric symbolism.  Chimeras to terror, and dragons to power/protection. Rays tend to be a symbol of things like glory. Black means grief.  Silver means peace. 

So, put it all together.  Its a boast.  It straight up tells everyone that Pike is the Chairman of the Organization! think about the arrogance that he has, and tell me he isn't the kind of person to do that!

Its also carries a threat, in that the (silver) spear is in control of the (black) Serpent/dragon, which could carry a message like like:

 "Anger Pike and his Dragon will bring you grief and sorrow."

Its no "I'm the one who knocks!"...but I'm pretty sure the Operative doesn't knock anyway.

EDIT: Oh, I forgot to talk about heartbreaker, and how this relates!

So, pretty much every character's symbol in Sentinels makes sense once you learn more about their backstory,powers, and position. But Heartbreaker is giving me trouble because he has no (visible) recognizable symbol.  He has some sort of pattern on his chest, but it is extremely difficult to figure out what it is based on the part we can see.  So this made me start thinking about the Organization, since I'd never really thought about their symbol.

Literally, I just spit my coffee out back into my cup at my desk.

Heartbreaker: New thought.

So we see a lot of ninjas through the card art. Fixers deck, DW Fixers front side, KNYFEs deck, Operative gets shot with arrows in what looks to be a dojo, Xu's Bell, theres a ton of asian flare around. The ninja's are almost certainly tied to Zhu Long and his dragon clan(s). I doubt we will see them in the WotC expansion, but more on them is comming.

Zhu Long is a Red Dragon. He has a Red Dragon tattoo across his face, easily seen on his card in Vengeace or in Mr Fixers deck (not to mention he literally transforms into one as well). Operative and DW Fixer both have BLUE dragon tattoos. This could mean there are two rivaling Dragon clans?

Heartbreaker's weapon, although obsructed quite a bit, looks to be most likely a Sai (you know, the 3 pronged knife Rafel uses in TMNT). Very much a weapon with a heavy asian/martial arts flare. 

Now, IF there are two rival dragon clans, Red vs Blue, Heartbreaker could very well be one of Zhu Longs (red) best assasins.

IF there are two rival dragon clans, Red vs Blue, does that mean Operative and DW Fixer team up? Gives credence to my prior speculation that some of the final hero decks for SotM will actually re-use Nemmy Icons

Ooh, a hero Operative? That'd be neat.

I find it a TOUCH unlikely, given that she is a villain in Tactics, but under a galactic threat I could see it happening.

Thought:

Do we know which came first, Dark Watch or Vengeance?

If DW is after Vengeance (for some reason I think it is, but I can't remember if it is valid) could the Fixer Tatoo have come from a story arc against Zhu Long, after the Chairman's defeat?

Maybe Slim goes hunting when the Operative and Pike vanish, and there is an awesome Fixer vs. Zhu Long series.  Maybe even a war out of Fixer's past, that he thought he left behind. (like the Gambit - thieves guild thing)

It would be cool if a young Mr. Fixer was involved in a gang but got out, only to see his star pupil join the gang he left.

A story where he tries to save her, returning to the gang wars, they defeat Zhu Long only to see The Operative choose a life of crime afterward would be awesome.  It would also let The Operative be a hero for a bit, and Fixer + Operative would be amazing.

Dude I love it. That's some awesome stuff. It makes me wonder though. Every gang needs a leader right? If we are running with a rival gangs theory, and Zuh long is heading the read team, who mans blue?

Nightmist was mentored by The Chinese Master as per her bio. Maybe he isn't just some throwaway character. Also working off the "fixer with no hat =dead" thing, maybe Nightmist goes to see her old master about resurrecting Fixer (presumably killed by the Operative). This prompts her to search out the Staff of Anubis and the idol of anput. She then brings Fixer back with the masters help and her new found power.

But there is a cost it seems. Fixer is now forced back into this gang war as payment. Bitter Strike right? Add the who backstory of fixer maybe being in this gang before, teaching operative only to have her end up killing him, and that would be good reason to be bitter.