Although most of the series have been in story-arcs which span a few issues each, there are also standalone issues which are self-contained, that is, the sub-plot ends at the very last page of that issue. This section of 100 B.U.L.L.E.T.S is meant to separate these stories from the story-arcs, but never discount these sub-plots from the overall picture. It could cost you your life.
#8 - "Day, Hour, Minute...Man"
What's It About: Agent Graves meets up with Lono to talk about past, present, and future.
What Happens: Right at the beginning, Agent Graves exchanges a hybrid marijuana seed containing nicotine for cash with a drug lord, then double-crosses him by leading the authorities to him. However that's just the hors-d'oeuvre. Graves then takes the cash to meet Lono. Despite being professionals, they act casual enough and even chat about The Trust, Minutemen and also, Shepherd. An interesting dialogue, if u read the series in chronological order. At the end, the cash is passed on to Lono and unbeknownst to him, a few guys are after his money. There's also a shocking revelation that Shepard was using a listening device to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Interesting Thoughts: There are 2 characters in an obvious sub-plot - Carlo and his girlfriend Sophie - who actually return in the story arc featuring Loop Hughes. Carlo is actually Loop Hughes' cousin.
Perplexing Questions: Was Shepherd in cahoots with Graves or with Lono? Most likely Graves, and if so, what's the deal between them?
#11 - "Heartbreak Sunnyside Up"
What's It About: Agent Graves reveals to a mother the sad truth about what happened to her runaway daughter.
What Happens: Lilly, the mother is accosted by Graves at a small diner where she works. Lilly's daughter - Tina - is revealed to have ran away 4 years ago, when she was 12, and after that went through a life of hell before succumbing to death. However the 100 untraceable bullets given to Lilly were meant for the sole person who caused Tina to run away in the first place. Read it to find out who!
Interesting Thoughts: At the end, Graves carries a forlorn expression with him as he watches, in the background, Lilly kill the person whose photo was in the attaché. Could it be that Graves does have a soft side?
#20 - "The Mimic"
What's It About: Benito Medici meets up with Shepherd to discuss The Trust's number 1 enemy - Agent Graves.
What Happens: This self-contained issue brings forth a lot of discussion, the only kind of action coming from a background subplot which is slightly inconsequential. Benito's father, Augustus, is worried about Graves and thus Benito is here to get the re-assurances from Shepherd that Graves is no threat. Both of them talk about Atlantic City and Graves' personal vigilante acts of justice. Nothing much which hasn't already been said.
#26 - "Mr. Branch & The Family Tree"
What's It About: In Paris, Mr. Branch reveals everything he knows about The Trust and the Minutemen to a paid hooker.
What Happens: Mr. Branch brings home a pretty girl (later known to be Echo Memoria in #35) for some late night pleasure. As they're getting undressed and getting steamy, Mr. Branch talks about The Trust, Agent Graves etc., under the impression that she didn't know English. Nothing really new props up, except this: "Was the Minuteman's job to make sure the thirteen families in The Trust stayed out of each other's pockets."
It later turned out that the whore did know English and she would return in #33.
#27 - "Idol Chatter"
What's It About: A former baseball champ meets Agent Graves for the second time, and they talk about what they said and did many years ago when Graves presented him with the 100 bullets to go after her wife's killer.
What Happens: As Agent Graves is in a hospital ward, explaining to Milo Garrett (cameo appearance) that his accident was no fluke, he bumps into a former baseball star whom he also gave carte blanche in the past. This baseball star (name unrevealed) was told by Graves that his wife was murdered - by John F. Kennedy. They continue the chat on what happened, talking about JFK's assassination in 1963 and what was his role in it. The baseball star laments somewhat about what he did, but Graves points to the baseball star's heart, and says: "don't concern yourself with the big picture, because the answer to my question is right there...in the details". A poignant story, which ends with Graves placing some flowers at the baseball star's wife's grave, saying "From your biggest fan..."
Interesting Thoughts: Of course this being a fictional story, JFK did not have anything to do with any murder (or that which the public knows), but JFK's assassination was very real, and the fact that the real killer was not found, or kept behind closed doors, is the groundwork for this story, and makes it very interesting. Because if the killer had been shot with untraceable bullets, he wouldn't be caught, right?
#37 - "On Accidental Purpose"
What's It About: Agent Graves and Mr. Shepherd finally have a personal one to one talk about recent times, particularly focusing on Dizzy Cordova and the death of Milo Garrett. Meanwhile Dizzy visits her home in Chicago.
What Happens: Graves gets to the point and asks why Dizzy isn't with Shepherd, and Shepherd said she wanted to go home. Shepherd talks about her fondness for Dizzy, but indirectly implies that it is a professional liking. Graves is somewhat unhappy when Shepherd says Dizzy is not ready (ready for what?). Graves continues about his attack on Daniel Peres, and mentions it was his intention to let Augustus gain the power of leadership in The Trust.
Graves then talks about his man in L.A - Milo Garrett. When Shepherd asks how he was killed, Graves says one word - "Lono". "Done" was the immediate reply.
In the meantime, Dizzy meets her old friends - Kimmy and Angie. When she finally gathers the courage to visit her mum, Bonita Cordova, she finds out that she left without a trace for almost a year, probably just after she left Chicago with Shepard in #3.
Perplexing Questions: Graves mentioned in this issue that he would activate one of the Minutemen sleeper agents, referred only as The Point Man. Other secret codenames heard were The Monster and The Saint. So who exactly are these people?
#38 - "Cole Burns Slow Hand"
What's It About: Cole Burns returns to his former hunting ground and tries to win back the heart of his lover - Sasha (last seen in #10) - whom he had left without saying a word, except for a ring.
What Happens: The issue starts off with a couple of hoods getting ready to rob a small pub. The scene then switches to Sasha's apartment where she is shocked to find Cole already inside her house. Cole is whispering all the sweet nothings he can muster but Sasha is more pissed than glad to see him. When Sasha starts swearing at him, Cole grabs her waist gently and says: "Is that any way to talk to the man you love?"
Sasha slaps him.
Cole wants to make up. He knew he was wrong to leave, although he would not openly admit it. Sasha, on the other hand, starts to relive the torment she went through when he left, the sense of betrayal that she cannot forget. As Sasha puts it, "Jesus, Cole, I haven't seen or heard boo from you in over a year, you think you can just waltz on back, pick where we left off?"
The conversation continues but in the end Sasha returns the ring to Cole and he leaves. He heads to the pub that is being robbed, wanting to get a drink, but finds the two buggers and kill them without so much of a thought.
Quotable Quotes: Sasha: "But love's not something you misplace. When it's lost, it stays that way."
Cole: "If you want it to."
Sasha: (After some thought) "I guess I do."
#39 - "Ambition's Audition"
What's It About: This issue revolves around Benito Medici, his relationship with his father and Mr. Shepherd, and how being part of The Trust has an effect on his life.
What Happens: The beginning starts off with Benito and his father, Augustus, having a small family chat. The conversation is somewhat forced and vapid. When Augustus says he's leaving for Little Havana, Benito decides to tag along.
Mr. Shepherd, who is already in Little Havana, is checking out the area for any hoodlums who might be eyeing Augustus.
In the limo, Augustus is trying to infuse some responsibility into his son but Benito is not interested. Augustus wants his son to be able to take care of himself, but Benito feels he's already more than capable. Benito goes on his own to get some coffee while Augustus goes to play a game of dominoes with some old friends.
Later, when Mr. Shepherd reports to Augustus that he scared away a bunch of hooligans who might be after him, Augustus suddenly goes into a state of panic. When Shepherd tells him that the danger's gone and to take it easy, Augustus shouts: "No, Shepherd, you don't understand! It's Benito!"
The hunch was right, and Benito would have been long dead had it not been for Mr. Shepherd who quickly and efficiently gunned down all of them. Benito is in a slight state of shock and disbelief and his father immediately arrives in his limo after that. He shouts for his son to get in. Benito turns to Mr. Shepherd, and the reply is, "Benito...do what your father says."
Interesting Thoughts: This issue highlights the frailty of life when one lives on the high and fast road. But more importantly, this sequence of events describes the unique relationship between Augustus, Benito, and Shepherd. Mr. Shepherd is like a mentor to Benito and because his father isn't able to connect well with him, Benito already sees Shepherd as a foster father. This is why he looks to Shepherd for advice when his life was in such peril. Nevertheless, Benito realises in the end that life is not to be taken for granted, and wishes to get to know his real father better.
Quotable Quotes: Augustus: "Are you all right? Benito?"
Benito: (Looking a little stressed) "...Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry about your game."
Augustus: "What? Don't worry about - -"
Benito: "Dad - - maybe when we get home...you can teach me how to play."