The Superhero in the Alley

Season 1, Episode 12, Aired
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Episode Summary

Brennan and Booth investigate the origins of a decomposed body that's been found in a local alley fully dressed in an unorthodox costume. They determine it's the remains of a reclusive teen that they discover has a secret second life.
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Fan Episode Reviews (21)

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  • The comic book world comes to life

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By vicky24c, May 16, 2011 Report Abuse
    In this episode of Bones, the following happens. When a body is found by a bunch of school kids, Booth and Bones are called in to investigate. When they get the body back to the lab, they believe that the victim was between 14 18 years old. We soon learn that the victim was 17 years old and was called Warren; he went missing over 2 months ago. We also learn that he was home schooled, was into graphic novels (comic books) and that the costume he was found in was that of a superhero from one of the novels. They soon learn that he was writing his own novel. We learn from the bones that if Warren hadn't been killed he would have been dead by now anyway. He had cancer as a child, and it had returned. They soon learn that Warren worked at the local bowling alley and that he had a girlfriend who worked there. We soon learn that it was the owner's wife who killed Warren, after he tried to protect her from her husband who was beating her. We are then at the funeral for Warren and we see Angela turning up and she hands Bones a copy of Warren's novel, which is then handed to his mother.moreless

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  • Our Squints get drawn into the wolrd of comic books.

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By Angel2408, Dec 14, 2010 Report Abuse
    I love this episode. Although there isn't anything special that catches the eye "Super-Hero in the Alley" is one of those episode that gets to me every time I watch it.

    Brennan and Booth investigate the death of a teen who liked to play superhero, at least this it what it seems to be. I loved the exchange in the alley where Bones and Zack are busy with describing the body, but Booth was more fixated on the maggots. Also, we know now for certain that Bones can't resist when Booth uses his "charm smile" on her. Cute moment.

    Our dream team meets up with a group of comic book role-playing geeks that give even Bones the creeps, who is usually not affected by this kind of thing.
    I also liked the comparisons made by Booth and Bones regarding the other who is more like Warren Granger.

    In the surprising end though none of this "out there" group has anything to do with Warren's death, but it was rather the result of an abusive husband.

    And the last reason I really love this episode is for the best use of music in it with "Feel it Now" by The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.moreless

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  • This is another great installment.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By vonkie_1991, Dec 10, 2010 Report Abuse
    This case is very well written and in my opinion very cleverly plotted. I just love this episode.
    We also get to meet Booth's charming smile, like she calls it. And I have to be honest I agree with her a hundred percent. I found the storyline really beautiful. Our victim was dying, and he didn't tell anyone that he was dying not even his parent, that must have been hard. He also wanted to make a difference to the world before he would die. And he died while trying to help a woman who was being abused by her husband. And in my eyes he really was a hero.moreless

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  • this was a good ep

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By cube2k8, May 11, 2010 Report Abuse
    in this ep of the show bones they have to investgate a kid that was murderd in the alie dressed like a superhero and they do some checking and realizie the kid was going to die even if he was not murderd and they later find a bone that was not his . and they also learn that he loved comics and dressed like one that was like his identy and they learend he had a another girl that he talked to but he deied to go save her after he saw his husband hit her . and they fought and he killed him with a thing that is used for bowling balls this was a sad ep i thought . and a really good story.moreless

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  • An excellent Bones episode, complete with humour, twists, and a serious, more meaningful side.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By dontstealmyair, Apr 08, 2007 Report Abuse
    The episode differed from the usual Bones episodes. It still had the funny, appealing side with witty banter and humourous situations. However, it also had a more serious side. It was about a teenaged boy with little to no friends, living in a fantasy world of fictional characters. Clever twists were integrated into the episode, keeping the viewer's interest and changing the plot line a bit. The actors, both reoccurring and guest, played wonderfully. A significant ending to the episode was also given. It added a deeper level of character development and showed the compassionate side of the characters. All in all, a great episode worth watching over and over.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Goof: At 14 minutes, Brennan says the victim was "Stabbed here, at the base of the spine." As she says this, she points to the to the base of the victim's skull, not the base of the spine.

      Edit
    • Batman is the only mainstream comic hero (or official comic hero) mentioned by name in this episode. Aside from that, the only other reference to a mainstream comic hero is when we briefly see the cover of a Superman comic Brennan flips through at the comic store. Edit
    • When Hodgins is saying he thought Zack would be a reader of comics, he mentions the following film and shows from the sci-fi genre: Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Featured Music: "Bat Country" by Avenged Sevenfold (played at the Doomsday Club) "Ah! Leah!" by Donnie Iris (heard at the bowling alley) "Feel It Now" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (played during the cemetery scene) "Out Of Control" by She Wants Revenge "Body Talk" by KIX Edit
    • The first name of the comic-writing victim, Warren Granger, and the last name of his artist associate, Stew Ellis, are combinations of the name of Warren Ellis, a well-known comic book scribe who wrote books such as Planetary and Transmetropolitan. Edit
    • International Air Dates: Denmark: April 25th, 2006 on TV3 Norway: Thursday August 31st, 2006 on TV3 Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Booth: All this kid wants is to feel like a hero. Suddenly he's facing the damsel in distress. Brennan: Lucy McGruder is ten years older. Booth: No, it's not the damsel part that matters. It's the distress that appealed to the kid. You know, I mean look, it wasn't about the sex or the romance. It never was. Brennan: He wanted to make a difference in the world before he died. I told you he was more like you then me. Edit
    • Brennan: Her husband beats her. Booth: Bones! Talk about multiple hypotheses. Brennan: It's a leap, yes, but it was bound to happen, me spending so much time with you. I mean that as a compliment. Edit
    • Brennan: You said before that Warren reminded you of me. You think I'm just like him, that he hid from life by immersing himself in a fantasy world where he fought crime, and I do the same thing. Only I don't have super powers, I have science. Booth: C'mon Bones, you do fight crime. It's not a fantasy. As far as any normal person is concerned, you do have super powers. Brennan: You're just saying that to me. Booth: No, I don't do that. Brennan: Yes you do. You lied to Warren Granger's mother to make her feel better. That seems to be your super power. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Abigail: Before he disappeared, he gave me his entire Neil Gaiman collection. When the victim's friend, "Blue Minnow" (Abigail), mentions Neil Gaiman, she's referring to the popular writer of Miracleman, Marvel 1602, and Sandman. Edit

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