Mike Dugan

* Mike
* S.T.R.I.P.E. 2.0

**Michael "Mike" Dugan** is a character in The CW and DC Universe series *Stargirl*.

Mike is the overly-charming son of Pat and the new step-relative to household newcomers Barbara and Courtney Whitmore. Mike's eager attitude initially causes a distance between him and the Whitmores, though he bonds with Barbara over time, with her assuming the motherly role that he's lacked during his life.

His observant nature makes him question what Pat and Courtney are really doing, and his persistence makes things difficult for the duo to operate in secrecy. After Courtney was injured, the siblings accepted one another, though they faced obstacles due to Mike's lack of knowledge about the Justice Society. When Pat does finally tell Mike about his present-day antics, the boy proves to be a valuable asset to the team as an ally, who hopes to one day follow in his father's footsteps and become a hero.

Mike and his best friend Jakeem Williams form the Young All-Stars to prove themselves to the JSA, who don't take them seriously. Together, they recruit Cindy Burman and defeat a returned Dragon King. Years later, in 2031, Mike joins the JSA as **S.T.R.I.P.E. 2.0**, paving a legacy of his own.

## Biography

Mike is the only child of Pat Dugan and Maggie Shaw, whose relationship was short-lived. Pat didn't know about Mike until after he and Maggie split up. But when he found out, he had never been so happy. There was nothing that was going to keep him from being in Mike's life. The couple shared custody for a couple years until one day, a policeman knocked on the door with Mike. The officer explained that Mike had been in a shelter overnight, alone, while Maggie left to get high. She didn't show up again until after she'd been arrested for possession. Pat sued for full custody and she didn't put up a fight, which meant Pat became as single father. Mike asked about his mom a few times growing up, as he wanted to speak with her, but Pat told him no. Eventually, Mike stopped asking.

Mike lived with Pat, in California with their dog. They moved around a lot when Mike was younger, but seemingly settled in California after Pat met Barbara Whitmore. When Pat and Barbara married, Mike gained a stepmother and new stepsister, Courtney. The blended family moved from California to Blue Valley, Nebraska. While he wasn't thrilled about the idea of moving to a nowhere town, he quickly adjusted to the lifestyle by throwing himself into gaming.

## Series

### Season 1

Pat Dugan arrives at the former house of the Whitmore's, his son Mike in the passenger seat and their dog Buddy in the backseat. Mike voices his disapproval about moving to a rural location that doesn't have several popular California food locations. Pat begs his son to stay positive, only to get a snarky reply that he's positive it'll blow ass. Mike tells his father he thought they were gonna stop moving around when he hooked up with Barbara, a term Pat rejects. Mike tries to pitch other ways of saying hooked up, but Pat ignores his son's snarkiness.

The blended family and their movers arrive at their new house, with Mike being awestruck by the size of his new home. Pat's attention is distracted as the movers begin to handle a mysteriously long trunk, exclaiming its delicate. He tells them he'll handle, and asks his family if they want to get a bite to eat. Mike is enthusiastic about the idea of getting food.
The four walk into the heart of the town, greeted by fellow residents. Mike is confused as to why the townspeople are talking to them, to which Pat explains that they're being nice. Mike initially doesn't like it until a cute girl walks past him, waving hello. He quickly changes his mind on the sentiment. The family stumbles upon Richie's, the diner where Pat and Barbara met two years ago. Mike mocks the story that he's heard a dozen times.
At dinner, Mike enthusiastically talks about his first day of school. He is excited about how quickly he met his new game design friends. He fills his family in on the game they are designing, dodging Pat's question about the violent game being approved. He asks if he can go over to his friend's house and skip dinner. Pat agrees but gives him a curfew that Mike doesn't appreciate. Courtney notices Mike microwaving marshmallows and rejects his offer to have some. As she is leaving the house, Pat can be heard scolding Mike for feeding the marshmallows to Buddy.

In the morning, the family comes together to eat breakfast together. Mike isn't thrilled about the healthy food and wants Pop-Tarts, but Pat dismisses the idea. Barbara notices Courtney's injuries, and Courtney lies that she fell down the basement stairs. Pat comes to the table and gets asked where he got his injuries at. He comes up with the same excuse and elaborates that he fixed the problem as Courtney distracts Barbara and Mike with food. Mike and Barbara still take note of their weird behavior. Barbara leaves, and Courtney drops the good girl facade and announces she's not hungry. Mike then takes Courtney's pancakes.

The following morning, Pat reminds Courtney, Mike, and Barbara about family dinner with mandatory attendance for everyone. Mike asks Pat what he's making. Pat states that he is making real fish but Mike wants him to make fish sticks instead, even though they are notoriously unhealthy. Pat reminds Mike that he can't get everything he wants.

Pat's fixing up S.T.R.I.P.E. in his garage when he gets a phone call from Mike's school. Mike was caught playing video games during class and is being sent home early. At home, Mike complains about what he's going to do without his games and is lectured by Pat that back in his day, he played in the arcade, and his favorite game was *Paperboy*. Pat tells Mike, who rudely asks if the story has an ending or just goes on forever, that his father told him to stop feeding quarters into the machine and start earning his money. Thus, he made Pat into a paperboy, which Pat will make Mike as well.
Later that afternoon, Mike enters the kitchen to grab a snack where he interrupts a conversation between Pat and Courtney. Mike asks if he interrupted something, but Pat lies and says he isn't. He then gives him money to go to the store, claiming it's an advance on the paper route. Mike gleefully leaves to get whatever he wants from the store.

That night, Barbara arrives home for family dinner but finds no one but Mike. She asks him where everyone's at, but Mike doesn't know. She asks him if he ate dinner already, and he holds up a bag of chips. She asks if they fed the dog, to which he holds up another bag of chips. The following night, Mike notices Barbara's absence but is silenced by Pat who refuses to speak about it.

In the kitchen, Mike looks around for a Pop-Tart and asks Pat what he's making for dinner as he wants to invite his friend, Jakeem, over. He then comments on Courtney not having any friends. Pat states that he is making real fish but Mike wants him to make fish sticks instead, even though they are notoriously unhealthy. Pat reminds Mike that he can't get everything he wants, but Jakeem is still welcome to come over. He is later grossed out by Barbara and Pat's public display of affection in a kiss, commenting to please not do that around the children.

That night, Mike is excited to put his Pop-Tarts in the toaster, even singing a little Pop-Tart song he made up. He tries to push the lever down but is confused when it doesn't work. He tries a few times before turning the toaster. He is shocked to see three large claw marks on the side of the metal. He turns around slightly and shouts for his father to come to the kitchen.

Mike is placing the finishing touches on his candy volcano for the science fair that day. Albeit last minute, which annoys Pat but Mike claims he does his best work under pressure. Barbara enters a few moments later and is impressed by the project, earning positive feedback from Mike. He is using the leftover Halloween candy to construct the volcano, even planning to use the chocolate syrup as lava. She asks him when the fair starts and, even though it conflicts with a meeting, she states she will reschedule to be there. Especially since Pat isn't going. Mike appreciates the offer but tells her that he doesn't want to be the nerd visited by his parents.

Mike attends the Blue Valley Middle School science fair and stands by his volcanic booth, alone. He looks over to another booth where a girl is standing with both her parents, a dubious yet disappointed look on his face. He frowns but moments later Barbara rushes over, apologizing for being late and hopes she didn't miss anything. Mike is happily surprised that Barbara came to the fair and eagerly explains his project to her. His class learned about the different kinds of volcanos so he incorporated that into his candy volcano. She asks him what kind of volcano this one is to which he gives her a funny look and tells her that it's chocolate syrup. He holds up the bottle and then proceeds to empty the entire thing into the opening of the volcano. Moments later, it erupts causing chocolate syrup to run down the sides of the volcano and toward the screaming marshmallow men. Barbara exclaims happily and remarks on how cool it is. Mike smiles at her happily.

They return home that evening where they proceed to eat the volcano and watch an old black and white film. Barbara thinks he deserved better to win - or at least better than last, to which Mike tells her that it's okay. They learn they have similar tastes in film and food. Pat comes home and asks where Courtney is, to which Mike rolls his eyes and ignores his father. After Barbara answers Pat, he watches Mike and Barbara continue to laugh and bond.

Mike is eating breakfast when he overhears Courtney and Pat talking about him teaching her something, and he asks what they were talking about. The pair cover by saying they were talking about Pat teaching Courtney how to drive. Mike is a little annoyed by the gesture and listens to Pat and Courtney bicker over allowing her to drive, all while Pat slides him the cereal box and milk without looking. They have a good rhythm between them. Pat tells Courtney that she can't just *jump behind the wheel of a vehicle* she has to learn the *rules* first. Otherwise, it's a great way to get herself and those she loves killed. Mike remarks on the harshness of his father's grim outlook.

After school, Mike bids farewell to Barbara who is going away for the night for a work trip. He gives her snacks for the road, smiling nervously that they're his favorites for a dull road trip with his dad. Pat gives Mike a look before assuring Barbara that the family will be fine, as they're just going to a football game at Blue Valley High. Barbara insists on a hug from the kids before she leaves, which Mike awkwardly, yet happily, gives.

Mike is engrossed in the game and enjoying it, but glances over at his father and Courtney who are talking about something and not paying attention to the game. Mike asks what they're looking at, but they both claim it's nothing. Pat asks if they want any food, prompting Mike to give him a list which Pat chuckles saying that he'll get him a hot dog and soda. Pat leaves and, once he's gone, Mike lets out an annoyed sigh. He abruptly states that Pat is his father, not Courtney's. She is confused about his outburst, and he elaborates them hanging out all the time. Teaching her how to cook and drive and be annoying. She tries to interrupt but he refuses to let up, adding that he doesn't see her with Barbara all the time just because he doesn't have a mother. Instead, he deals with it despite everything that he and Pat have been through. Things she doesn't even know about. He stands up and walks away from her despite her protests.

By the time Mike returns, Courtney is gone. He is joined by Pat who has food and asks about Courtney, but Mike claims he hasn't seen her. He doesn't understand the point of going to a game if they aren't going to actually *watch* the game. Pat looks around, but grows worried about Courtney, and leaves Mike in the bleachers to search for his stepdaughter. This gesture annoys Mike who just wants to watch the game with his father.

The night of the game, Courtney and Pat were in what the public is lead to believe is a car accident on the way home from the game. Mike, on the other hand, got a ride home from a friend and was absent during the time of the "accident". When she is discharged from the medical center, Mike visits Courtney's room with a plate of pizza bites, telling her that he saved her some. Courtney remarks that he never gives up pizza bites which made him chuckle. He apologizes for what he said at the homecoming game, he didn't really mean it. Courtney says she's already forgotten about it. He nervously opens up to her, saying that Courtney and Pat have been spending a lot of time together, and as much as he *says* he doesn't want to do the same with Pat, he's still his father and he never had to share him with anyone else before. He also adds that he's glad Pat is her dad too because that makes Courtney his sister, which is pretty cool. Courtney smiles returning the sentiment that it is cool, calling him *little bro*.

Mike is present at the Whitmore-Dugan dinner with the Mahkent family, where is uncharacteristically quiet. He does, however, see the way Jordan and Barbara interact and seem annoyed by them. Jordan remarks that he would like more dumplings just as Mike decides to pile the last few dumplings onto his plate, which annoys Jordan deeply. Mike gives a half-hearted apology as he sits back down. Courtney retrieves another bowl of dumplings from the oven, but when she returns, Mike is caught feeding Max the dumplings from the table. Pat scolds Mike for feeding the dog from the table, while Cameron finds the ordeal funny.

The Mahkent's leave and Mike goes to bed but is awakened by arguing between Pat and Barbara. He goes downstairs to find his dad and confronts him, saying that Barbara came back upstairs. He asks what's going on but Pat brushes over it saying that he can't explain right now, prompting Mike to ask if the couple is getting a divorce. Pat sits on the steps sighing that he hopes not. But he's going to stay at The Pit Stop tonight. Mike insists on going with Pat, who initially discourages the idea, but Mike is persistent. He reminds his dad that the Dugan's have to stick together. Pat begins to tell Mike he loves him, but Mike jogs up the steps to get packed, telling Pat not to get all soft.

Mike sleeps in the backseat of Pat's car at The Pit Stop when Courtney visits in the morning to talk to Pat. Pat leaves in a hurry which is when Mike gets up and goes outside. He asks Courtney if she knows what Barbara and Pat are fighting about, and she confirms that she does know. He wants to know what it is but she can't tell him right now. He gets annoyed as they are supposed to siblings, and siblings tell each other secrets and trust one another. Courtney starts to say something when he cuts her off, glumly saying that he knows they aren't *real* siblings. He just thought they were different. He tells her to forget it and goes back in the garage, closing the door before she can protest.

The Dugan's return to their home that night, where Mike answers the door in the morning to a man claiming to Courtney's father, Sam Kurtis. He goes to the basement where he interrupts a meeting between Barbara, Pat, and an upset Courtney. He informs that he's sorry to interrupt their gathering but a man is at the door for Courtney. He is absent from the exchange between Courtney and Sam but follows Pat and Courtney upstairs when she flees upset. Mike tries to prod into what is going on and if that guy is really Courtney's father. Pat tries to tell him to stop that he'll explain later, but Mike pushes despite his father's warnings and Courtney's emotional state. Pat snaps at his son to stop for once and leave it be, which makes Mike very upset. He emotionally admits that he doesn't know what he did wrong or why his dad won't tell him what's going on. Pat turns and places his hand on Mike's shoulder, saying that he's sorry to have yelled and Mike didn't do anything wrong. He will explain everything later, but right now, Mike has to go to school. This annoys the kid who shakes his head and leaves.

The next night, Mike is taken to The Pit Stop by his father who is trying to show him something. Mike isn't interested in seeing another old junker his dad is fixing up, and finds a drill that he begins messing with. Pat warns him to stop playing with the drill as it isn't a toy. Miek continues to use the drill, pointing it like a weapon and turning it on so the sound drowns out Pat's voice. Pat is angered by Mike's flippancy and grabs the drill out of Mike's hands, telling him again that he said to stop and listen to him. Mike shouts back to stop yelling at him all the time and storms off. Pat sighs watching his son walk off, knowing that he's upset his son.

Pat is attacked a minute later by Larry Crock who is also the villain Sportsmaster. The attack seriously injures Pat due to Larry's advanced fighting skills while Pat isn't much of a fight. The fight extends to the room where Pat stores STRIPE, and before Larry can deliver a knockout punch, he begins to scream. Mike has snuck up from behind Larry and used the drill to drill into Larry's side, rendering the villain incapacitated. Larry turns angrily while Mike lowers the drill. Pat staggers to his feet and calls Larry who turns just in time to be hit across the head by a large tailpipe. Pat approaches Mike asking if he's okay, but Mike is entranced by the giant robot in front of him. He asks what that is and who the man was, prompting Pat to explain that it's the robot he built and the guy is an old friend. He walks over to STRIPE and activates the robot, while Mike iterates in shock that Pat built the thing. He remarks that it's so cool. Pat smiles saying that he'll explain everything later, but right now, they have to get out of here. He tells Mike to bring the drill and the boy raises it up to show he still has it.

The Dugan's arrive at a secluded cabin in the woods where they are greeted by Yolanda, Rick, and Beth, who were there before. The group watches as STRIPE lands on the lawn. Barbara asks in awe how Pat did that, and Pat holds up a fab saying that STRIPE has a remote control. Miek eagerly asks when he gets to drive it, prompting Pat to quickly respond with a sure *never*. A car approaches and Mike looks over at the vehicle, along with the group, but they are relieved to see the person driving is Justin. Buddy runs from Mike's side to greet Justin, much to Mike's joy. The group moves their operation inside for food and rest.

As the night goes on, Mike goes outside to find Courtney who is keeping watch for any unwanted visitors. They exchange small talk before Mike comments on how great STRIPE is, pride for his father evident in his face. He wonders what would have happened if he found the staff first and if he would have been chosen instead. Courtney agrees that it would have been interesting, with Mike joking that it would have made his paper route a lot easier. She chuckles and agrees. He asks if he can touch the staff which she is fine with. He approaches the staff and slowly extends his hand out before gripping the metal tightly. The staff stays dormant. Mike is let down a bit which Courtney can tell so she apologizes for the disappointment. He shrugs putting his hands in his pockets. He knows that his father doesn't have any powers either, but he still built STRIPE. Mike wonders if he could do something like that one day for the JSA, and Courtney responds that it would be really cool.

The group meets in the living room of the cabin as Rick gives a rundown on the map he discovered in his father's journal. Mike listens as the JSA makes a plan that includes Justin and Barbara. When the meeting ends, Mike asks Pat what his job is. Pat places his hand on Mike's shoulder, telling him that he has the most important job of all. Mike's eyes widen as he is filled with hope for the task. Pat states that Mike gets to watch the dog, much to Mike's disappointment.

The JSA and company launch into a brutal night-long battle against the ISA, only for the fight to emerge on the streets of Blue Valley. Icicle is the last ISA member standing with Stargirl facing off against him on top of The American Dream before they fall to the ground. Her staff is rendered useless due to being frozen, while Icicle stands from the road ready to fight again. Icicle is about to attack when Mike rams the Dugan van into Icicle, shattering the villain into thousands of ice pieces. He slams on the breaks and the tires squeal. He looks over at the mixed expressions of the JSA, asking if this means he can be in the JSA, with Buddy eagerly barking at the end. Justin grins complimenting the lad on his driving, while the rest of the group breathes a sigh of relief that the battle is finally over. Mike gets out of the car and joins the group with Courtney hugging her brother. They watch as Pat and Barbara rekindle their relationship with a kiss on top of The American Dream building. Mike is present on the JSA says goodbye to Justin the next day.

Six-weeks-later, Christmas has arrived at the Whitmore-Dugan household. Rick, Yolanda, and Beth spend the holiday at the Dugan home. Mike is tasked with dishing food onto plates and places a drumstick on a paper plate at the end of the table. Buddy jumps up on the table and steals the drumstick and runs off with it. Mike curses as that was the last drumstick and darts after the dog, with Pat scolding him to watch his language. Mike covers by exclaiming *gully-gee!* as he pushes past Courtney who is coming down the steps. He emerges several minutes later with a *FujiFilm* polaroid camera and a tripod. He calls the Whitmore-Dugan family together for a photo, which includes Rick, Yolanda, and Beth. Mike starts the timer and hurries over the family just in time for Buddy to bark and the camera to snap the photo.

### Season 3

The Whitmore-Dugan's return from their family trip to Yellowstone Park. Sylvester Pemberton greets them as they come through the door, calling them his, "Star family", earning love from Buddy. He asks how the trip was, getting three different answers. He comments on Pat's facial hair, joking that he left home a boy and came back a man. Mike isn't thrilled about it, earning a sideways look for Sylvester, as facial hair is a man's birthright. He'll understand when he starts shaving. Mike argues that shaves, but Sylvester doesn't believe him. Barbara goes into the kitchen and remarks on him fixing everything, including the new expensive marble countertop. He knows a house needs to earn his keep. Pat had that on his list, confusing Courtney and Mike who didn't know he had a list.
When Sylvester and Pat return from their late night as superheroes, Mike, Barbara, and Courtney wait for them. They confront the duo on where they were. While Mike is silent, he gives Pat a look of disapproval.
Mike and Jakeem prepare for their paper route, stacking papers in their sacks. Jakeem questions the "bizarre accident in trailer park leaves one dead" headline, shaking his head as the rest of Blue Valley thinks it was a tornado. Mike is thrilled, as it's the best thing that could ever happen to them - a murdering murderer being murdered. If they can catch the killer, everyone's going to take them seriously. Jakeem reminds him they aren't detectives, but Mike puts a hand on his shoulder, as they are now. Thunderbolt zaps to life, beginning to ramble on about "*Columbo*", a reference that confuses Jakeem.
That afternoon, the boys meet in the bathroom of BVHS, scanning the stalls to make sure they're alone. Jakeem reminds Mike that his dad said they should only use the Thunderbolt in emergencies. Mike tells him to stop saying that. The door they walked through says "me", not "boys". He stops Jakeem from checking, as he can do it on the way out. Jakeem retorts that's the kind of attitude that leads to toxic masculinity, which Mike doesn't know anything about. Jakeem doesn't have an explanation, either. Mike gives him the wish to find out who killed The Gambler. He went through a dozen drafts, so it's foolproof. It feels like cheating to Jakeem, but Mike urges him to just do it. Jakeem makes the wish and Thunderbolt zaps awake. It's an excellent question. This is why he spent years studying calligraphy. He burns the answer into the wall in giant pink calligraphy letters, adding an exclamation point at the end - "The killer has many names!". Mike exclaims it's a rip-off, wanting him to wish for it again. Jakeem reminds him they can't wish for the same thing twice. They decide to leave before anyone sees what Jakeem did to the wall. They hurry out, the "boys" bathroom door closing behind them.
In the morning at the Whitmore-Dugan House, Courtney makes a big breakfast for the family. Barbara is happy by the meal, asking what the special occasion is. Courtney claims there is none, but Mike thinks she's still kissing up for ditching school. Pat remarks that it looks great and thanks her. She smiles that she learned from the best. As the family sits for their waffles, Courtney jumps back to what's important. They know The Shade was at the diner when The Gambler was killed, which puts them back at square one. They know the killer has incredible strength and that The Gambler was stabbed in the heart with something, which is why there was so much blood. Barbara stops drinking her juice and puts it back on the table. It's a little too much murder talk in the morning for her liking. Mike shrugs it off as he grabs a waffle - it doesn't bother him. Barbara asks if Sylvester is coming up, but Pat tells everyone he went on a walk to find balance, and get to know the real Blue Valley. Mike snorts that he's going to be disappointed. Pat disagrees, because Blue Valley is the perfect place to hit the old reset button. If someone can't find balance here in the heartland, he doesn't think they can find it anywhere. Mike asks if he works for the chamber of commerce. Crusher, Paula, and Artemis Crock arrive suddenly. Crusher agrees with Pat - balance is important, starting with a balanced breakfast. He throws away the waffles as that stuff will kill him. Artemis cheerfully greets Courtney, presenting Quinoa and tofu bowls alongside Paula, who knows Barbara will love it. Larry tells everyone to pull up a chair as the whole family's on the program now. They join the family, ignoring the awkward tension that arises. Larry pulls Mike and Pat into a three-way hug and tells Mike to dig in. The boy laughs nervously and Larry stares him down, repeating for him to dig in.
After school, Mike eavesdrops on Cindy telling Sylvester about the Crocks being blackmailed by Sharpe. Sylvester decides to get Cosmo and go get the criminals. Mike calls Courtney to tell her everything. The next day, Pat works on sewing Sylvester a new suit, unaware when Mike peaks his head into the room. He sees his father working and closes the door over again.
Back at BVHS, Jakeem and Mike look at the message from Thunderbolt that is still burned onto the wall. "*The Killer*" has been crossed off and "*your mom*" written under it. Mike thinks Dragon King makes sense, though Jakeem questions if he's really the guy with the reptile skin and the big sharp teeth. Mike never saw him but thinks it has to be an exaggeration. He begins to ponder that Dragon King could still be in the tunnels under Blue Valley. Maybe The Gambler found out and that's why he "got offed". He wants to check as this is their chance to finally solve the mystery before school gets out and before Courtney and the others do. Jakeem asks when it became a competition, so Mike glibly tells him that no one takes them seriously. They should ditch P.E. and go get S.T.R.I.P.E., though Jakeem thought Pat hid them. Mike tells him to wish for them. From outside the bathroom, a bright pink glow grows brighter and bigger until the door itself blows off the hinges. A mountain of keys pours out of the bathroom, with Mike and Jakeem sitting atop it. Jakeem wonders which key it is, earning a glare from Mike who quickly walks away, pulling Jakeem's focus from the keys when he looks back.
In the morning, Mike looks for his Super Sugar Check. Sylvesterput everything in alphabetical order, which isn't an answer for the boy. Sylvester explains it's between the rice cakes and the tortilla chips, two from the left, one up from the bottom shelf. The boy finds it right in front of him. Sylvester sarcastically calls it a real breakfast of champions. The boy's silence resonates with Sylvester, who remarks that Mike doesn't like him very much. Sylvester knows they're different types of people. Mike snaps that he means Sylvester's a JSA type of person and he's not. Sylvester quickly tells him no. The JSA was made up of all sorts of people, and they were not all best buds. He got on Dr. Fate's nerves worse than Wotan. Mike questions what the hell a Wotan is, asking if it's a skin disease. Sylvester explains Wotan was Fate's archenemy, and he thinks he did have a skin disease as he was green. The point is, Mike stopped Icicle, and he's the one who put Sylvester in the ground. So in a way, Mike got him justice. Mike retorts it was an accident, though Sylvester isn't convinced. Either way, going up against Eclipso was real superhero stuff. When he was Mike's age, no one took him seriously either, so he made things happen. He proved everybody wrong about the Star-Spangled Kid by going places and doing things that said he couldn't. Maybe the two aren't so different, after all.
Pat joins them by cheerfully asking who wants an omelet. Barbara and Courtney walk in, giving each other a hug. They discuss how things went with the kids last night, learning Sylvester came up empty handed with no Dragon King. Sylvester plans to find one of his hidden labs across the country, which is news to Courtney. Sylvester explains that he and The Crimson Avenger tracked them back in the day. There's one south of them he wants to check out. As he talks, Courtney keeps checking her phone and smiling. Sylvester knows she missed out on the tunnels, so he offers to wait until after school if she wants to come check them out herself. She's good as they've got it covered. She grabs an orange and tells everyone to enjoy the waffles, walking out happily. Pat corrects that they're having omelets. Sylvester wonders if Courtney knows the difference.
Blue Valley High School is abuzz with morning news. Mike and Jakeem talk by the lockers. The tunnels are empty, which Jakeem thinks is good. Mike thinks this means they still have a chance of catching the perp themselves. That's what Starman said they should do, surprising Jakeem. They have to step outside of their comfort zones, but Jakeem likes his comfort zone. It doesn't have crocodile people in it. Besides, he thought they weren't going to do this alone, he thought they were supposed to form a team. A locker slams shut as Brian Tanner Balloid and Travis walk up. They're collecting money for the hungry - the hungry being them. It's a tax for being losers. Jakeem thinks that's fair but Mike stops him. Mike wishes they could figure this out, sparking inspiration from Jakeem. He whispers to Thunderbolt that he really wishes these bullies were nicer to them. Thunderbolt affects them, making their eyes glow pink. They bullies now nicely ask for their money or else they'll hit the boys really, really hard in their quite handsome faces. Cindy intervenes and takes down both boys, putting Brian in an arm lock. If she catches him messing with the freshman again, she'll break way more than his arm. He groans why she cares, but she doesn't, sauntering off. The boys watch her go, a pink glow surrounding her as they admire her.
Once class ends, Mike and Jakeem watch Cindy from around a corner of lockers. Thunderbolt sparks that Operation: Dragon Queen is a go. The boys argue over who will go to talk to her. By the time they both decide to go, Cindy is at the corner to get into her locker. They greet her and she coolly asks what they want. Mike has a preposition for her, which makes her smirk as that's not what he means, but tells him to go ahead. He tells her to face it - Courtney and the others are not her biggest fans, and a woman with her skills needs to be appreciated. Jakeem blurts out worship. Mike stammers that the appreciation is just not coming from the JSA. He asks her to ditch those ingrates and join them, the Young All-Stars. Cindy pauses then bursts out laughing, calling it adorable. They boys eagerly think that's a yes, but she chuckles that it's never going to happen, ever. She means that in the nicest way and walks off. Mike calls after her that they haven't told her the perks yet. Thunderbolt asks what she said, as he couldn't hear. Jakeem wonders if she just doesn't like the name, which is a bit long. Mike thinks that's the best part, but eventually agrees to workshop the name.
Mike juices fruits and veggies in the kitchen, which surprises Barbara and Pat. He remarks that Mike's making a mess and that it looks like a farmer's market, while Barbara asks where it all came from. It came from the Crocks. When Mike got up for his route, they were in the kitchen messing around. Barbara is proud of him for being healthy. The Crocks took his cereal and the doughnuts, with Pat adding how Crusher came in yesterday to throw away his light beer. Mike tells Pat to stand up for his house. Barbara knows Crusher and Paula are a bit much, but they do have good habits. It would be good if some of them rubbed off on the family. Pat's just under the impression they were trying to help them be better people. Sylvestercomes up from the basement, sighing over his late night, as he found no sign of Dragon King. He feels like he's on a wild-goose chase. Mike clarifies that it isn't Dragon King, but Sylvester isn't sure, they can't rule anything out. He wants to update Courtney, but Mike mentions she already left. Pat and Barbara question where she went. Sylvester references Yolanda saying Courtney's meeting with Icicle's kid, Cameron Mahkent.
Jakeem and Mike stand outside Cindy's house with chocolate and flowers. If she doesn't eat sugar they'll give the flowers, and if she doesn't like flowers, they'll have to bribe her with something else. The boys talk on the front porch. Cindy has to join them, especially if everyone else thinks she's working with Dragon King. Cindy Burman might be guilty of many things, but killing The Gambler is not one of them. That's beneath her, as she's got class and information. She has access to all the files on the ISA, stuff the others don't even know about. So while Courtney's slacking off, they can figure out the puzzle. Jakeem reminds him the point of everything his sister wanted was for them to all work together. Mike wants to win, and nobody wins if they do that. Jakeem shrugs as he's just saying. Courtney wants everyone to trust each other, but then this murder happens, and no one trusts anyone. They should be transparent. Mike scoffs that he's as transparent as a window. He rings the doorbell and Cindy answers. He greets her, grinning that the Young All-Stars bring her offerings. She smirks and gives a simple no, slamming the door shut on them.
Zeek enjoys a burger at Richie Rock's Diner when Mike and Jakeem enter. They have a little bit of a problem, a girl problem, and need his help. With his interest piqued, Zeek sets down his burger and faces the boys. The fellas have come to the right place. Mike explains there's this girl they both like, but she won't even pay attention to them. In fact, she'll barely talk to them and they wonder how they can get her to give them a chance. Zeek muses over the young romance, competing for a lover's heart. Mike and Jakeem quickly protest that, but Zeek presses on over them. He's taken a turn on love's cosmic merry-go-round. He's danced under the moonlight on the beaches of Monaco with the duchess of Liechtenstein, and has his heart broken by a poor chimney sweep's less interesting daughter. Jakeem is stunned over him dancing with a duchess. Zeek smiles that he did then some. She showed him every swift move of the Viennese waltz, and he taught her the funky chicken. They were quite the pair, but anyhoo, he found there are two universal truths in life. One, you can't un-strip a screw, and two, not to give up on love. Jakeem asks if he misses any of them, but he doesn't long for lost love. There's only been one girl in all the world that he thinks has tamed his wild heart. He turns around to wave to Maria, who returns the gesture with a smile. If it's meant to be, it'll be. The boys nod and leave the diner. Mike sighs that it was a waste of time, but Jakeem thought it was interesting.
Meanwhile, the JSA discovers that someone has been watching them with hidden cameras. The make a plan to remove the cameras from their homes, school, and frequent places. The Whitmore-Dugan family sits for dinner, awkwardly trying to act as though everything is fine for the cameras. Pat asks Michael if he'd prefer a leg or a thigh. Mike thinks a thigh would suffice, so Pat remarks that one wing is coming up. Over the comms, Sylvestergroans at Pat, wondering if he and Leonardo DiCaprio can lay it on any thicker. Courtney clears her throat, asking her mom how work was today. Barbara shrugs it off as not bad, asking about school, which was boring as usual. Sylvester calls the girls naturals. Courtney elaborates that class, homework, and painfully, friends are fine. Sylvester tells them Beth needs ten more minutes, so just try and act normal until then. Pat asks Michael if he would lead them in grace, confusing the boy. Pat brushes it off as he's got it. They finish their prayer, which is remarkably similar to the pledge of allegiance.
Once the lights go out, the Whitmore-Dugan's jump up, clicking on their flashlights. Courtney remarks that Beth has no idea how much time they have until the power comes back, so they have to find the cameras and take them down. Mike turns to Courtney, shining the flashlight on his face, asking how creepy he looks. She rolls her eyes that it's no scarier than usual, and he jabs that hurts. She chuckles that she was kidding. Later, Mike walks down to the basement, searching for his dad and Courtney. He sees their flashlights on the floor and runs back up the steps, calling out for Barb. Mike and Barbara wander the house, wondering where Pat and Courtney went as they couldn't have just vanished. Someone knocks on the door so they answer, finding Yolanda on the other side holding a duffle bag. She knows she and Courtney aren't really speaking, but she had nowhere else to go. She breaks down in tears and Barbara embraces her with a hug. Mike watches the scene unfold, looking sympathetic.
Pat is sent to The Shadowlands and one of his torments is Mike telling him he feels unloved and ignored by Pat. When Courtney and Pat return from their unwitting trip to Civic City, Mike and Jakeem head to breakfast at Richie Rock's Diner. Jakeem is ready to start delivering, but Mike wants to quit since they have more important things to do. Jakeem can't quit as his dad would kill him. Mike wants to figure out who planted those spy cameras before anyone else does. They'd win mega hero points. Jakeem isn't interested in the glory - Mike's sister and her friends will find the killer. He's more worried about Cindy, which shocks Mike. Jakeem argues that Cindy stood up for them, but they didn't stand up for her. She's out there alone turning into a crocodile. Thunderbolt wonders if she'll grow a tail. Mike ignores the imp and questions Jakeem if he really wants to skip out on all the glory, deliver the dumb papers, and go help Cindy with her reptile acne. Jakeem wonders if Thunderbolt could cure her. Helping her is the right thing to do - after they deliver the papers. After a moment of hesitation, Mike caves and agrees to help. Thunderbolt chimes in that as he has a tail, which is pretty useful. He can use it to point at things, balance, and it is incredibly attractive. He continues to ramble as the boys get up from their booth.
The school bell rings and students file into classrooms. Mike checks the hallways then tells Jakeem that the coast is clear. They stand in front of a locker as Jakeem wishes that Cindy Burman's locker at Blue Valley High in Blue Valley, Nebraska, 68434, USA, would open very quietly. Thunderbolt happily obliges. The boys dump Cindy's belongings into a bathroom sink. Thunderbolt has to tell Jakeem that, ethically, this puts them in a gray area. He knows they're technically investigating this girl under the promise that might be a bad guy, but also, it looks like breaking and entering of a girl that he has a crush on, so this could be considered stalking. Jakeem finds metal cleaner in the bag, though Thunderbolt points out that someone with a giant knife in her arm might need it. The boy drops it, grossed out, while Mike asks why he can't just wish to know where she is. Jakeem, as Thunderbolt once again points out, can't wish for the same thing twice. He requests to go back in Jakeem's pocket because of the smell. Jakeem finds a list of places that he assumes are Cindy's father's laboratories, similar to the ones Sylvester checked out. All of the places are crossed off except one, the Etter Produce Farm. It's circled for some reason that they're going to find out why. Jakeem knows about the place as he heard stories about Mr. Etter selling moonshine to the seniors in town before he was busted by Officer Hardy. Mike has a feeling that this is it, their lead Detective Williams. It's time to go save the alligator girl.
They bike to Etter Produce Farm in the dark of night. They drop their bikes to the ground and takes a few steps forward. Jakeem remarks that it's creepy out here. Thunderbolt is an all-powerful genie in a pen, and even he's creeped out. Mike tells Jakeem to man up as he wants to find Cindy. He wonders why Dragon King would pick a low-tech farm for a high-tech lab. Jakeem explains that it's where the main power lines cross with the main water lines. Plus, it's remote, and the boys peek into the farmhouses front door. They don't see anything inside and determine no one's home. They can't see the dead body of Mr. Etter on the other side. They decide to check out back, seeing a barn several yards away. As they get closer, Jakeem muses they should have brought a flashlight. Mike reminds him that he has a living on, and Jakeem remembers, clicking the pen and calling The Thunderbolt forward.
The trio enters the barn, which is empty, as Thunderbolt wonders if they should even be doing this. It's not technically breaking and enter, but it is really creepy. He's seen this as a set piece for a lot of independent horror films, before. Jakeem doesn't think Cindy Burman would ever hole up here. Thunderbolt thinks she could do a lot with this place - open floor place, rustic decor, she could even open a B&B. Jakeem wonders if there's a secret laboratory underneath it or something, but Mike doesn't see anything but junk. They reach the end of the barn when a deep growling cuts through the still air. The trio freezes as the boys ask if that was Thunderbolt, who tenses as he doesn't growl - that's not his thing. They slowly turn around as heavy footsteps slam on the wooden floor, shaking the barn. A giant albino gorilla leaps forward and roars at them. They scream in terror and flee the scene, Thunderbolt zapping back into his pen. The gorilla continues to roar and then growls, promising to kill every last one of them.
Mike, Jakeem, and Thunderbolt try to find a way to escape. Jakeem's nonspecific wish for phone service results in a phone booth appearing. He sighs that he never learns. Thunderbolt laughs that Jakeem wished for phone service and he came through with flying colors. Mike sarcastically tells the imp he did a great job. Thunderbolt wonders if he heard a, "Thank You, Thunderbolt!", but he didn't hear that because that didn't get said. But, despite that, he tells Jakeem he's welcome. The boys climb into the phone booth as Mike tries to dial. He hears a dial tone then a prompt asking him for a dime. He asks Jakeem for a dime, but Jakeem asks why he would walk around with a dime. Mike rolls his eyes, telling him to just look. The boy pulls out the contents of his pockets, revealing a handful of old apple bubblegum. They leave the phone booth as Mike grumbles over Jakeem's insistence they help Cindy Burman, which backfired on them. Jakeem worries that thing got her. Mike thinks it probably did - she's probably in its belly, and they'll join her down there. They could be home right now if Jakeem had been more specific with the first wish. Thunderbolt muses that home is where the heart is, a very apropos statement. It actually came from one of his former masters, Gaius Plinius Secundus. He and his best friend went everywhere together, like him and Mike, even to to an active volcano, the great Mt. Vesuvius. Which again, very apropos, as it caused their demise. Mike is dumbfounded that they died, but Thunderbolt reminds him they died together. Mike grabs Jakeem's hand to speak into Thunderbolt like a microphone. They'll be no death for them today. Thunderbolt asks why there would be, unless of course, that giant, mutated, hungry, albino gorilla finds them, and then he'd have to say, "outlook not so good". He laughs but off in the distance is a distant growl followed by a thunderous roar. They groan over why that couldn't have just been thunder, then begin running.
Mike and Jakeem continue running from the creature, as Mike feverently tells him they gotta think of a wish. He comes up with a good one, telling Jakeem to say, "*I wish that my friend, Mike Dugan, and I were sitting at a booth in Richie's, enjoying strawberry milkshakes and chocolate milkshakes, respectively at 212 Main Street.*" Mike can't remember if its North or South Main Street. Thunderbolt reminds them that they gotta be specific They hear twigs snapping and start running again, this time stepping on a trap that scoops them into the air in a net. Mike asks what happened, with Jakeem wondering if they got eaten. Mike complains that Jakeem is on top of him, when Cindy Burman emerges from behind the tree. She asks what the two idiots are doing here. The boys poke their heads through the net. Mike exclaims they found her, with Jakeem questioning if it's Cindy, smiling when he sees her. He greets her with a hello, and Thunderbolt warns them not to tell her they have all of her stuff. Cindy cuts them down with her shiv, making the boys scream until they thump on the ground. She smirks and sheathes her shiv.
Jakeem exclaims that she's still alive. She asks again what they're doing there. Mike admits they're looking for her, which confuses her. They wanted to see if she was okay, now that she's turning into a lizard. Jakeem quickly adds that lizards are, by far, the most beautiful and intriguing members of the reptile family, if she were to ask him. Mike tells Cindy they found a giant, big, white gorilla while they were looking for her. Jakeem isn't good at estimates, but he'd say it was 30 feet tall. Cindy knows, as that's what the trap was for. Mike remarks she'll need a bigger trap. Cindy sighs then points over her shoulder. Down there, they'll find a road, Etter Lane, that leads right back to town. Mike tells her to come with them, but she can't. She thinks that thing is one of her dad's crazy science experiments. He suggests it has to be what killed The Gambler. She agrees it probably is, which is how she'll clear her name and shove it into the smug faces of his sister's dumbass friends faces. Thunderbolt snips that it's an admirable goal. She tell them to do themselves a favor - go play some video games and leave this to her. Jakeem starts to explain what Thunderbolt said, but a distant boom catches their attention. They look back and when they look to Cindy again, she's gone. Thunderbolt gasps that she's just like Batman. Mike plainly states she is out of her mind. Thunderbolt suggests those milkshakes they were talking about before. He asks Jakeem if he wants to make that wish.
The outside of Richie Rock's Diner shines brightly with pink light and when it dims, Jakeem and Mike have been teleported into a booth. Maria and the customers look around, confused over what just happened. A chocolate and vanilla milkshake materialize in front of the boys. They celebrate their wish working, slurping the shake. They breathe a sigh of relief. Thunderbolt laughs as he asks if they know that he totally forgot about - the gorilla. Mike sits up as he calls for the check.
At The Pit Stop, Sylvester and Pat are working on S.T.R.I.P.E.. Pat will hit the sky to see if can find any clue up there on Mike and Jakeem's whereabouts. He's about to get into the robot when the door opens, with Mike and Jakeem running in. Mike calls out for his dad, who asks where they've been. Mike explains they were in the woods. Pat hurries down the ladder to hug him. He makes sure they're both all right, ensuring they are. They got a lot of folks worried, asking if they know that. They do, and Jakeem tells Pat and Sylvester they found a monster in the woods. The adults question the statement, with Sylvester asking if it was Grundy. Jakeem blurts out it was a huge mutant gorilla. The men exchange a worried look, as Mike continues that it was a white one. They recognize the key words of a white gorilla. Jakeem asks if they know what it is, and they do. It's one of the most dangerous things that the JSA ever faced.
Courtney returns home after her meeting with Cameron, finding that Beth, Yolanda, Mike, Jakeem, Barbara, Pat, and Sylvester are gathered. Barbara asks if she's alright, and Courtney says that she's fine. Pat asks about Rick, but Beth hasn't heard back from him yet. Pat scoffs that he needs to get his head on straight, because the man that Mike and Jakeem found, he's worst threat they can imagine. Mike reminds Pat that the creature isn't a man. Sylvester says that he used to be. When the Justice Society first formed, there was a scientist, though the didn't know his real identity. He just went by "The Ultra-Humanite", but he went by a lot of other names. When they first met, he was just another criminal until he escaped the JSA by putting his brain into the body of an actress name Dolores Winters. Pat knows it sounds like a science-fiction horror movie, but it's exactly what happened. Barbara is stunned over him putting his brain into Dolores Winters, the famous actress. Jakeem asks how could he do that, with Yolanda suggesting magic. Pat reveals it was surgery, with a little help from Dragon King. Sylvester doesn't even know if the scientist body they first met him in was his original one. Anyway, he assumed Dolores Winters' identity and fooled everyone. Pat adds that Dolores went on to win an Oscar, which Beth knows is for "Remembering to Forget", as it's one of her mom's favorites. Sylvester reveals that the Ultra-Humanite had been in Dolores' skull for over a year by then. Jakeem realizes that he won the award, with Pat confirming. Sylvester adds that when the JSA found out the truth about Winters, the Ultra-Humanite sought out a body strong enough to destroy the JSA. So he and Dragon King stitched that mutated ape together and put his brain in it. Sylvester thinks that has to be the one who sucker-punched him back at The Gambler's trailer. that Humanite had been in Dolores's skull for a year by that time. Jakeem says then he technically won the award. Pat tells Jakeem exactly. Mike thinks that's probably who killed The Gambler, too. Sylvester confirms that would be his M.O., with Barbara wonder what he wants. Aside from revenge against the JSA, Sylvester admits it's anyone's guess.
Courtney suggests the Ultra-Humanite is the next Eclipso. Pat asks what she means by that. He's the next great evil that has to be stopped by all of them. That's what she was talking about when she said they had to come together - the Crocks, Cindy, and hesitantly, now the Mahkents. If this villain is as powerful as they say, it'll take everyone to stop him, including the Mahkents. Yolanda knows Courtney wants to help Cameron, but Courtney cuts her off. This isn't just about helping Cameron, it's about all of them. Good and bad have come together before, and they can do it again, and get another new start. Sylvester thinks she might be right. Pat insists it's gonna take each and everyone of them, though, working together. One-by-one, the teams agree on the decision - first the Young All-Stars and then the JSA.
Courtney concludes that the Ultra-Humanite killed The Gambler, destroyed his trailer, and stabbed him in the heart with his claw. Mike didn't see any claws, so it's more like it was his teeth. Jakeem adds they were big and sharp. Courtney dismisses the teeth, as however he was killed, this is exactly why she's been asking everyone to work together. Whether someone belongs to the JSA or the ISA, their town needs them again. She knows putting the past behind them has been challenging for everyone. Sylvester cuts her off, admitting that it's especially hard for him. Pat reassures him that he's working at it, and that's what matters. Courtney agrees as they've made progress - the Crocks are with them, and she thinks they can get Cindy back on board. Yolanda questions why they're bothering with Cindy again. It's because she's already on the hunt for the Ultra-Humanite, so she might know what he's up to. Jakeem admits that Cindy seemed pretty firm on working solo. If history has taught Pat anything, it's that whatever grand plan the Ultra-Humanite might have, it'll involve hurting a lot of people, including them. This "ain't no Donkey Kong". Sylvester chimes in that if they don't stop him, it'll be game over, imitating a losing video game sound from 1981. While Mike and Jakeem laugh, the rest of the team force smiles. Pat tells Sylvestser that he doesn't have to make a joke on top of every joke he does. Sylvester smirks that it's called banter - all superheroes use it during stressful situations to defuse tension. Pat knows, but it just seems like he always has to get the last work in on him. Sylvester doesn't know what he's talking about, and Pat points out that he's doing it right there.
A silence falls over the room. Sylvester asks if this is what he wants - no banter, just an overly serious conversation that scares the hell out of everyone. Barbara tells the guys to stop, and Pat apologizes to Barb. Sylvester does the same seconds later. Courtney shakes it off as banter aside, they need the Mahkents too. They need Cameron. Mike smirks that she means that she does. She ignores his comment, insisting he's as powerful as his father was. Mike worries that if they team up and then the Mahkents will put him on ice when they figure out that he ran their son over. Courtney assures him they won't, admitting they think she killed Jordan. Everyone questions this, but she dismisses it as not being important. A pounding on the front door casts a silence over the room. Courtney starts towards the door, with Pat telling her to be careful. She opens the door and is surprised to see Artemis Crock on the other side. She asks if Courtney has seen her parents.
Pat turns on S.T.R.I.P.E. when his phone rings. He answers a call from Court, and his face falls at the news he's given. Mike looks up from the station where he's working. He looks over at Pat, asking what it is. He learns that Larry and Paula have been murdered by a returned Icicle.
Meanwhile, at Jakeem's house, he and Mike try to word the perfect wish. Jakeem's got a good one - he's going to wish that Icicle didn't have his powers. That is a great idea to Mike, because then he can't turn Mike into a popsicle, and the team will have no problem dragging his ass to jail. Jakeem holds up his notepad and wishes that, "*I wish that Jordan Mahkent, the man also known more commonly by the Justice Society of America as Icicle, and currently residing in Blue Valley, Nebraska, did not have the ability to freeze me or my friends, because he was just a normal human being without powers of any kind. Amen.*" Thunderbolt apologizes, as he can't do that. Mike questions why not. If Thunderbolt takes Icicle's powers away, he'd kill him, and they know he can't kill anyone. Jakeem is astonished that his powers are keeping him alive. He asks Mike what he did to him. Mike admits he hit him with a truck, turned him into slush, but saved everyone. He turns away then looks back at Thunderbolt, telling the dumb pen to listen. He needs to take Icicle's powers away, and kill him, because if he doesn't take his powers away, Thunderbolt's killing way more people, probably including Mike. Thunderbolt apologizes as he can't do what they're asking. Jakeem sighs as they need to keep thinking.
From the doorway, Cindy remarks they're gonna need help with that. The boys are shocked to see Cindy, who informs them their doors were unlocked. She could have been Jordan Mahkent, and wonders where they would be then. Jakeem admits they'd probably be frozen. Mike asks what Burman is doing here. With everything going on, she decided it's a lot for anyone to do alone, especially the two of them. She sits on Jakeem's bed and forces a smile - she wants to team up. Thunderbolt gasps dramatically. Mike's unamused and points to her, asking if she's serious. She merely remarks sure, why not. Jakeem grins and excitedly steps forward, welcoming her to the Young All-Stars. She lets out a noise as they're gonna have to work on that name. He nods eagerly as that's fine. He looks down at her and, through his teeth, muses that she's sitting on his bed. Thunderbolt mockingly says, "smooth", while Cindy averts her eyes and grimaces.
Underneath the Burman house, the Young All-Stars enter the ISA's former headquarters. Mike thinks it's awesome. He asks if the ISA just sat around looking at a paint of themselves. He's not sure if they want to use this for the Young All-Stars HQ, as it's pretty cold down there for a reptile. No offense to Shiv. Jakeem asks what's happening to her and she shakes her head. He only wants to help as they're a team now, and that's what teammates do. Her dad experimented on her for her entire life. He put metal shivs in her arms and pumped her so full of chemicals her hair turned white. She thinks her father did something else to her, something that lay dormant until she came back from The Shadowlands. Mike asks if it hurts, and it does, sometimes. Jakeem summarizes that she took The Gambler's laptop too look for her dads hidden labs. She did, but she searched through all the labs she could find, hoping one might have answers on how to reverse this. Jakeem has an idea, taking out Thunderbolt. He's going to wish for something. Mike grabs him and shakes him a little, telling the madman to wait. He should write it down first, think it through. Jakeem knows what he's doing and tells Mike not to embarrass him in front of her. He turns back to Cindy and wishes that Thunderbolt would take him, Mike, and Cindy to the labs that has what they're looking for. Thunderbolt sparks to life and zaps them away.
The Young All-Stars navigate the underground tunnels where they're headed to place to "find what they're looking for". Mike asks what they're looking for, which Jakeem answers is a cure. Thunderbolt explains that Cindy Burman was, but Jakeem made the wish and was looking to impress her. So ta-da, here's his chance. Mike asks what that means but Thunderbolt refuses to answer. Mike tells him to pull the guy out there and "so-kewl" his pink ass. Cindy tells them to wait, recognizing a dragon painting on the wall. They're by on of her dad's labs. She excitedly tells Jakeem that she thinks he did it, telling the idiots to follow her. Jakeem is happily to have done it, but Mike wonders what he did exactly.
Mike realizes they're in one of Cindy's dad's creepy labs. Jakeem echoes the very creepy statement. He asks what they're looking for, assuming it's a potion. Mike scoffs that Dragon King's not a wizard. Jakeem defends his belief as there was a wizard in the ISA, and Mike admits there was. Cindy nervously tells the boys that someone's been working in there. She nudges a half-open book as proof. Mike thought she said her dad was dead. She admits he's supposed to be.
Jakeem pokes at a jar with eyeballs in it. Mike swats his hand away as he might catch what Cindy has. She hears him and Jakeem scolds Mike, asking what's the matter with him. Mike tries to justify it but Jakeem doesn't let up. Cindy looks around the lab until she finds a body covered in a white sheet. Mike turns on the overhead light. Cindy carefully pulls back the sheet, revealing Dragon King's body. The smell gags the trio, but Cindy shakes it off. It's her dad's body. She pulls off his hood to reveal the top of his head is cut off and his brain is missing. Heavy footsteps shake the lair as a huge albino gorilla emerges from the hall. He greets Cindy as his daughter, revealing himself to be Shiro Ito/Dragon King. She's in shock as she looks at her dad. Mike questions his identity. Cindy realizes he put his brain in that thing. Mike puts the pieces together; if Dragon King put his lizard brain in the white ape, he wonders where the Ultra-Humanite's brain is.
Dragon King grumbles lowly that he's missed Cindy, his greatest experiment - well, until now. Cindy tells Mike and Jakeem to be ready to run, so they sneak aside. Cindy tells her father that the new look is not an improvement. He snarls angrily and approaches her, so she throws one of the jars at him. It explodes giving the trio time to run away as Dragon King's left stunned.
Shiv launches out of a manhole, pulling Jakeem out behind her. She urges them along as Mike struggles to climb out. She pulls open a gate and leads them into an empty lot. They see the Blue Valley Tires sign, with Mike suggesting a foolproof wish to get them out of this mess. A roar splits through the air, and Shiv yanks Jakeem along.
Jakeem and Mike try to figure out where to wish themselves. They decide on The Bahamas, somewhere towards the ocean. Dragon King roars then punches the crates the trio is hiding behind. Shiv goes flying through the air as the boys take cover. Dragon King calls out to Cynthia, telling his dear daughter to come now. The boys assemble behind Shiv as Dragon King taunts her that she doesn't belong with them. She belongs with him - she belongs to him. Cindy unsheathes her shiv and asks if he wants to see what his little pet project can really do. She runs towards him and leaps into the air with a shout, just as Dragon King swings at her.
Shiv continues to fight her father but is losing to the oversized mutated gorilla. Mike sits and tells Jakeem to look at him now. He pulls the boy to his level, telling him again to look at him. He puts a hand on Jakeem's shoulder, telling him to do everything they say. Stop overthinking, be direct, be honest, and be specific. Jakeem stands and looks at Shiv, who is about to be torn apart by Dragon King. Her bones crack under his weight. He grumbles that it'll be over soon. Jakeem points Thunderbolt at the duo, wishing the most beautiful woman in the world will never have to be bothered by her father again. Nothing happens and Mike complains that he just said to be specific. Who's to say she's the most beautiful woman in the world? Jakeem turns back to the duo, commanding with the gumption that he does. He said it, the kid with the pen. His eyes glow pink and streaks of pink lightning emerge from his eyes. The energy ripples down his body and triggers the pen, releasing Thunderbolt. The imp cheers that his wish is granted. He launches at Dragon King and scoops him into the air. Shiv struggles to sit as silence falls over the factory. From above, a white stuffed animal gorilla falls with a whistling noise. The pink energy around it slowly fades as it lands promptly in Shiv's lap with a squeak. She picks up the toy with a mixture of surprise and disgust. Thunderbolt emerges from the side, musing that it's for her, his queen, from her not-so-secret admirer. It's Jakeem, it's from Jakeem.
One day after the Battle of Blue Valley, Pat and Barbara park outside Richie Rock's Diner, supporting Mike as someone should be inside. They'll wait outside if that's okay unless he wants them to leave. Mike asks them to wait, and they agree with a forced smile. Barbara wishes Mike luck as he gets out, walking into the diner and passed Maria. Mike's birth mother Maggie Shaw stands from the table by the window, greeting Mike. The duo takes a seat. Pat looks at Barbara and holds her hand.
After some time, Pat and Barbara watch as Mike hugs Maggie and then leaves the diner. Maggie waves goodbye to Mike and mouths a bye to Pat. Mike gets in the backseat and Pat asks him how it went. It was nice. It seems like she's got some stuff figured out, and seems like she's doing good. Barbara looks away and Mike notices. He thanks Pat for asking if he wanted to see her. Pat's proud of him, which makes Mike nod. He looks at Barbara and says, "thanks mom". She looks at him with an emotional smile. They love him very much. Mike looks between his parents, softly saying he loves them too. Pat nods and starts the car.
One night at the Whitmore-Dugan House, Mike and Jakeem chase after Buddy, who has hold of the Dragon King gorilla plushie. They shout for him to put it down as it's dangerous and very bad. Jakeem cries out that Buddy ripped his arm off, with Mike exclaiming that's not his arm. Cindy smirks from the smaller kitchen table, asking her daddy even if he's having fun.
Ten years later, Richard Swift leads a group of eager patrons on a tour of a museum. He guides the ladies and gentlemen, telling them not to be shy. They arrive at the centerpiece of the entire museum. The meeting table of the Justice Society of America. He identifies who sits around the table, pointing at where the chairs would be. Starwoman, Wildcat, Jade and her brother Obsidian, Dragon Queen, S.T.R.I.P.E. 2.0, Jakeem Thunder, Icicle, Artemis, Sand, Damage, as well as Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite. The latter of whose impending nuptials are just around the corner. He proudly says they are officiated by "yours truly", smirking. With those two, come their loyal if somewhat foul-smelling and simple-minded friend, Solomon Grundy.

Banners for each member hang around them, along with exhibits dedicated to their specialties, and wings in honor of Wildcat, Dr. Mid-Nite, Jakeem Thunder, and Dragon Queen. Artifacts surround the museum, including Excalibur, Sandman's mask, a pink pen, and Shiv's scepter. Shade stops at the front of the table. United, they stopped the Injustice Society from brainwashing America, then prevented the demonic brute Eclipso from merging his nightmarish world with theirs. They shut down the Ultra-Humanite before he could tarnish Starman's legacy. They brought the true Sylvester Pemberton back to life. Then, they rescued the Seven Soldiers of Victory from a cosmic deity called The Nebula Man. He turns to look at the table. They're the greatest heroes the world has ever seen. But they won't be the last. Because there are other legacies of heroism waiting for a new generation to find, to take on, to rise up. For as much as evil has tried to destroy the Justice Society of America, it cannot. Nothing can.

## Personality

Mike is an unctuous young boy in his early teens with a smug attitude. He doesn't hesitate to voice his, oftentimes, unfiltered opinions. He is intelligent and enjoys playing video games to the point where he designs them with his friends. Mike can often have a disregard for authority figures due to the generalized lack of discipline from his father. Despite Pat's attempts to curve Mike's abrasive tones, he still beats to the sound of his own drum and is independent for a boy his age. He adores sweets and all things sugar, a trait that annoys his father but Mike barely pays attention to his father's attempts to get him to eat healthier. As Mike notices Courtney and Pat beginning to hang out all the time, he becomes increasingly more annoyed. He eventually lashes out at Courtney, emotionally stating that Pat is his father and not hers. He isn't hanging around Barbara all the time to make up for not having a mother and tells Courtney to deal with the absence of a parent like he does.

Upon discovering his father and stepsister's secret lives as superheroes, Mike is incredibly accepting and wants to join the team. He embraces the JSA as his family and they, in turn, are accepting of him as being one of them. He is also seen to be reliant on Courtney who is seen to very protective over him, especially when he is kidnapped by Cindy and Injustice Unlimited. According to Thunderbolt, Mike is also a very lonely kid which is why Thunderbolt was drawn to him. As noted by Larry "Crusher" Crock, Mike often runs his mouth, which gets him into trouble.

After becoming a trainee member of the JSA, Mike now understands the burden of having to keep his father and sister's secret, but is just glad to be included in the group. When Jakeem ends up wielding Thunderbolt, Mike takes it upon himself to teach his friend the ropes of how to wield the genie. This shows his maturity towards his is new role. Mike is also very brave, and is not afraid to get into a fight if he has to. This is shown when he boldly attacks the Shade, takes a shot at Cindy to protect Courtney and when he fights Eclipso one-on-one using S.T.R.I.P.E despite knowing how dangerous Eclipso is.

## Physical Appearance

Mike is a young boy with thick brown hair, light brown eyes, tanned skin, and a slim build. He wears relaxed and casual graphic t-shirts with jeans. He was shorter than Courtney in season one, but grew to be slightly taller than her in season two.

## Quotes

**Mike:** Good-bye In-N-Out, good-bye friends, good-bye indoor plumbing.
**--** "*Stargirl*"

**Mike (to Courtney about Pat):** He's my dad you know, not yours. I'm talking about you and him hanging out all the time. Him teaching you how to learn to drive, and cook, and be annoying. Do you see me with Barbara 24/7 because I don't have a mother? No, you don't. Because I deal with it. Pat and I have been through a lot, more than you know.
**--** "*Shiv Part One*"

**Mike (to Courtney):** I'm also kinda glad that he's your dad too 'cause that makes you my sister, and that's pretty cool.
**--** "*Shiv Part Two*"

## Appearances

* His appearance in "*Chapter Eight: Infinity Inc. Part Two*" was an illusion in The Shadowlands, not the actual character.

## Notes and Trivia

* Mike was unaware of his father's past as a member of the Justice Society of America until "*Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Part One*".
* He placed last in the Blue Valley Middle School science fair for his chocolate syrup volcano.
* He is responsible for the death of Icicle, making him one of three members of the modern day JSA to kill someone. The first being Yolanda Montez, who killed Henry King Sr., and the third being Cindy Burman, who killed her mother and Dragon King.
* Mike has come to accept Barbara as the mother-figure in his life much quicker than Courtney accepted Pat as her father-figure.
* Mike is the second character to embrace his step-parent as his actual parent. In Summer School: Chapter Eight, he calls Barbara "Mom" for the first time. However, he says it with affection while Cindy was basically mocking Bobbie.

## References

1. ↑ Mike mentions in "*Summer School: Chapter Nine*" that he's 15, and allotting for the 10 year time skip, Mike would be 25.
2. ↑ "*Stargirl*"
3. ↑ "*S.T.R.I.P.E.*"
4. ↑ "*Icicle*"
5. ↑ "*Wildcat*"
6. ↑ "*The Justice Society*"
7. ↑ "*Shiv Part One*"
8. ↑ "*Shiv Part Two*"
9. ↑ "*Brainwave*"
10. ↑ "*Brainwave Jr.*"
11. ↑ "*Shining Knight*"
12. ↑ "*Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Part One*"
13. ↑ "*Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Part Two*"
14. ↑ "*Chapter One: The Murder*"
15. ↑ "*Chapter Two: The Suspects*"
16. ↑ "*Chapter Three: The Blackmail*"
17. ↑ "*Chapter Four: The Evidence*"
18. ↑ "*Chapter Five: The Thief*"
19. ↑ "*Chapter Six: The Betrayal*"
20. ↑ "*Chapter Seven: Infinity Inc. Part One*"
21. ↑ "*Chapter Eight: Infinity Inc. Part Two*"
22. ↑ "*Chapter Nine: The Monsters*"
23. ↑ "*Chapter Ten: The Killer*"
24. ↑ "*Chapter Eleven: The Haunting*"
25. ↑ "*Chapter Twelve: The Last Will and Testament of Sylvester Pemberton*"
26. ↑ "*Chapter Thirteen: The Reckoning*"