Month: November 2020

Comics Reviews: Batman 379, Detective 546, Batman & the Outsiders 17, Firestorm 31

Batman 379 coverBatman #379 – “Bedtime Stories” – Doug Moench/Don Newton/Alfredo Alcala

Last issue, Batman and Robin captured a computer from Mad Hatter that the villain was using to download information straight from people’s brains. Apparently, Hatter has become quite the techie because as this story opens, we see him perfecting a new electronic device that lets him control a person’s mind. Elsewhere, Julia Pennyworth shows up at the scene of a massive fire on her first assignment for Picture News. She’s literally shoved out of the way by a TV cameraman and told by TV reporter Olivia Ortega that print journalism is dead and that she’s wasting her time. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 379, Detective 546, Batman & the Outsiders 17, Firestorm 31”

Comics Reviews: 1985 Preview

Crisis 1 coverWell, my 1984 reviews are done, so now it’s on to 1985, which was a pretty big year for DC. Several long-running series ended (Flash, Titans, Legion, Jonah Hex) to make way for new stuff in the next two years. All this transition was prompted by Crisis on infinite Earths, where DC basically rebooted their entire Universe, retroactively wiping out all the parallel Earths and saying that all their stories take place (and always did) on one single Earth. I know a lot of people hated that idea, but I kinda liked having all the heroes on one Earth so the writers didn’t have to come up with some reason for them to cross dimensions every time they did a team-up (or even a cameo). That being said, I didn’t actually read Crisis when it first came out, as I was moving toward reading Marvel exclusively around that time. So, many of these stories will be brand new to me and I’m looking forward to finally checking them out. As usual, I’ll be dividing my reviews into groups to make things easier. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: 1985 Preview”

Veronica Mars Reviews: Season 3, Episode 17

Veronica Mars S01 titleEpisode 17: Debasement Tapes

This one starts with Veronica and Wallace watching a Joan Crawford movie (for Wallace’s Film Studies class) and talking about Veronica and Piz’s big smooch last episode. Apparently Veronica kinda freaked out after Logan saw her and Piz kissing, so she took off. Piz called her (once) the next day, but she hasn’t heard anything since and wonders if Piz is pining for her. Wallace says Piz seems just fine, which isn’t quite the response Veronica wanted. Continue reading “Veronica Mars Reviews: Season 3, Episode 17”

Comics Reviews: Superman Annual 10, DC Comics Presents Annual 3

Superman Annual 10 coverSuperman Annual #10 – “The Day the Cheering Stopped” – Elliot S! Maggin/Curt Swan/Murphy Anderson

This one starts with Superman saving an alien planets from a meteor swarm, then gets kinda esoteric, musing on why Superman’s name is the same in so many alien languages. We get a story about a strange sword (the Sword of Superman) forming spontaneously out of the matter left over from the Big Bang. So, Superman is less a man than a universal concept? Whatever. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman Annual 10, DC Comics Presents Annual 3”

Comics Reviews: All-Star Squadron Annual 3, Firestorm Annual 2

All-Star Squadron Annual 3 coverAll-Star Squadron Annual #3 – (No Title) – Roy Thomas/Rick Hoberg, Rich Buckler, Wayne Boring, Richard Howell, Carmine Infantino, Don Newton, Martin Nodell, George Perez, Keith Giffen/Jerry Ordway, Mike Machlan, Frank Giacoia, Bill Collins, Joe Giella

This is a flashback story that takes place early in the JSA’s career. Basically, it’s Roy’s way of explaining certain details about those early 1940s stories: why Green Lantern suddenly quit the JSA; why Hourman took a long leave of absence; why Dr. Fate changed helmets; and most importantly, why the various JSA members seem to have aged so well (or so slowly) since the War. As you can see from the art credits, this is one of those all-star jam issues, where each chapter is done by different artists. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: All-Star Squadron Annual 3, Firestorm Annual 2”

Veronica Mars Reviews: Season 3, Episode 16

Veronica Mars S01 title

Episode 16: Un-American Graffiti

This one starts with Veronica running into Logan in the cafeteria at Hearst. He buys her a coffee and invites her to a birthday party he’s throwing for Parker. That kinda weirds her out, since she’s still getting used to the idea of Logan and Parker dating.

Continue reading “Veronica Mars Reviews: Season 3, Episode 16”

Comics Reviews: JLA 233, Warlord 88, Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 3

JLA 233 coverJustice League of America #233 – “Gang War” – Gerry Conway/Chuck Patton/Bill Anderson

The next few issues are basically introducing us to the various new JLAers and their backgrounds, as well as setting up a new team of super-villains for them to fight. This one starts with a JLA member break-dancing. Yeah, you read that right … welcome to the Detroit League, baby! One of the JLA’s new recruits (Vibe) is showing off for the crowd, which includes Zatanna and Vixen in their civilian clothes. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 233, Warlord 88, Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 3”

Comics Reviews: Flash 340, Wonder Woman 322, Green Lantern 183, Warlord 87, Jonah Hex 88

Flash 340 cover

Flash #340 – “Reach Out and Waste Someone” – Cary Bates/Carmine Infantino/Frank McLaughlin

Last issue, a number of Flash’s Rogues set him up by convincing a dimwit named Dufus that Flash had killed his pet mouse. The Rogues equipped Dufus with some high-tech weapons and armour, dubbing him Big Sir. Big Sir found Flash and knocked him out before dragging him out into the country to finish him off. The Rogues celebrate the success of their plan by slapping around some cops and taking off to commit some major crimes.

Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 340, Wonder Woman 322, Green Lantern 183, Warlord 87, Jonah Hex 88”

Veronica Mars Reviews: Season 3, Episode 15

Veronica Mars S01 titleEpisode 15: Papa’s Cabin

This one starts with Veronica in criminology class, feeling a little awkward because her dad (who’s now acting Sheriff since Lamb’s death last episode) suspects Professor Landry of being involved in Dean O’Dell’s death. Landry assures Veronica he’s innocent and her father’s suspicions don’t alter Landry’s respect for her as a shining star in his class. Continue reading “Veronica Mars Reviews: Season 3, Episode 15”

Comics Reviews: JLA Annual 2, Tales of the Teen Titans 49, Tales of the Legion 318, Legion of Super-Heroes 5

JLA Annual 2 coverJustice League of America Annual #2 – “The End of the Justice League” – Gerry Conway/Chuck Patton/Dave Hunt

This is the introduction of the famous (or infamous) Detroit Justice League, the new team that stays around through the end of the JLA series. I’ll review the December issue of JLA next week, since it takes place after this issue. This story starts with the Justice League in orbit, trying to salvage what’s left of their Satellite headquarters, which was destroyed during the Martian invasion in issue 230. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA Annual 2, Tales of the Teen Titans 49, Tales of the Legion 318, Legion of Super-Heroes 5”