Panel 1: Note that this panel is a direct callback to a scene in the early Empowered vol. 5 story “Denial at Flood Stage,” in which a frustrated Emp stomped away from Havoc after being slapped with a gag order. Note also that the sound FX are a whimsical narrative exaggeration, as there’s no way that Emp’s effectively bare feet on space-station decking would be making any sort of noise worthy of “STOMP STOMP STOMP.” Then again, quieter but more accurate “slapp slapp slapp” sound FX wouldn’t really convey Emp’s irritation, I’m afraid.

Panel 3: Again, another reference to “Denial at Flood Stage,” when Mindf**k sparred with Havoc and referred to refusing to sleep with him at some point in the past.

-Adam Warren