The Falcon: Where Griffons Fly

So, Detective John Jones has two strikes in his attempt to capture the Fantastic Human Falcon.  

Planning pays off, people.

But Detective Jones himself has a plan! It is to lie in wait near what is the Falcon's likely next target: a rich guy's big bronze bird statue.

"Coffee is for closers, Jones."

Specifically, a statue of the mythical griffin. It's a neat touch: The Falcon steals an Eagle while releasing a Lion, after which he will steal a Griffin (which is a combination of an Eagle and a Lion).  The man's an artist of crime.

So, you'd think Detective Jones would just shoot the Falcon's gas tank when he shows up.  But that way is too normal for JJ.

"SKINNER / JETSON / BUMSTEAD!!!!"

But John has already become J'onn (he can't do his job without his 100 super-powers) and has invisibly hid himself inside the cage that holds the Griffin statue.

Want to lose sleep tonight? Try to figure out why a bronze statue is in a CAGE.

You'll recognize this ploy; hiding inside the object being stolen into order to infiltrate the villain's lair is exactly how J'onn defeated Mr. Moth.  

The Falcon is gloating with glee at his success, when J'onn rudely interrupts him.

"Materialize" is the correct word for returning from a state of intangibility, J'onn, not from a state of invisibility.  The word for that is... um.... okay, fine; there's not really a good word for that.  Given how common it is, you'd think comics would have invented a word.  Re-visibilize..?

A lot to unpack here.  

First, the Falcon really IS all about interior decorating.  Just like Mr. Moth, his motive is Living The Theme, not making a profit.  And he's going for a rustic vibe with an oil lamp and a hay floor; I bet he already has shiplap on order. 

Second, he doesn't grant his fine parrot the courtesy of using its NAME (which is "Peter", as you'll recall).  People like you don't deserve parrots, Falcon.

Third, J'onn appears to be about to show himself in his Martian form (something he was NOT doing yet).  Unless he's going to ... magically appear as John Jones? Really, who can tell WHAT J'onn is thinking, even WITH thought balloons?!  

And fourth... Chekov's Oil Lamp, whose purpose I am sure you have already divined.

"Not if I can help it, Falcon!"
But you can't help it, John; you never can.

So... J'onn magically appears as John.  True to form, the Falcon is concerned only with feathering his nest. Unconcerned about getting caught, his first and only thought is "I must find another place to decorate!" It's a very bird-like attitude. As for J'onn, for someone deathly allergic to fire, you'd think he'd be a little more focused on the fact that his quarry is armed with an OIL LAMP. 

"Unexpected"? Pretty sure John is the ONLY person who'd be surprised by this.

Oh. NOW I get it.

I was so focused on Chekov's OIL Lamp that I forgot about Chekov's OSTRICHES (which, unlike the oil lamp, were actually introduced in the First Act).  Here it goes...

Next to certain this is false, but comics are full of such "factoids".

Could have just put on the fire WITH the eggs, J'onn, and gotten a hearty breakfast while you were at it.

The Falcon, as discussed, is off to find a new nest to feather.

"This time, I'll hew toward Mid-Century or Scandinavian." 

But JJ is literally on his tail, being impish.

Perhaps "gremlinesque" is a better term.

No wonder JJ didn't call the FAA earlier; he clearly has not respect for the safety of the national air space.  All's well that ends well (for J'onn, at least); even Captain Harding is finally satisfied.

You see why these guys wear masks.

No explanation of how John managed to take credit for controlling the Falconplane; such details are often overlooked.  Anyway, if the scene above looks familiar, it should, for the same reason ALL these scenes seem familiar:

They will all be repeated one year later in the Mr. Moth story.

It really is the MOST blatant re-tread of a story (and after only one year!) that I have ever seen.