Month: January 2021

Comics Reviews: Superman 407, Action 567, DC Comics Presents 81, All-Star Squadron 45, Infinity Inc 14

Superman 407 coverSuperman #407 – “Peril of the Pass-Along Powers” – Gerry and Carla Conway/Irv Novick/Dave Hunt

This is another goofy Superman story that seems like it belongs back in the Silver Age. Mr. Mxyzptlk casts a spell (while invisible) on Superman so Supes will pass on 75% of his powers to the first friend he touches, who will pass some of that power on to another friend, and so on. Superman notices something destabilizing the bedrock of Metropolis and finds a giant metal worm underground, eating through the city’s foundations. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 407, Action 567, DC Comics Presents 81, All-Star Squadron 45, Infinity Inc 14”

Xena Reviews: Season 1, Episode 5

Xena title cardThe Path Not Taken – Director: Stephen L. Posey/Writer: Julie Sherman

This one starts with a young couple (Agranon and Jana) getting all lovey-dovey in a meadow while they talk about their upcoming wedding. Apparently their kingdoms (Boeotia and Kolonus) having been feuding for years, so neither of their families is too enthusiastic about the marriage, but it may be just what both kingdoms need to heal the rift between them. Unfortunately, a band of masked thugs show up and beat the shit out of Agranon, kidnapping Jana. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 1, Episode 5”

Comics Reviews: Batman 383, Detective 550, Batman & the Outsiders 21, Firestorm 35, Vigilante 17

Batman 383 coverBatman #383 – “Just as Night Follows Day” – Doug Moench/Gene Colan/Alfredo Alcala

This month’s Batman stories are a little different, both of them being more focused on inner conflict than on pounding bad guys. This is issue is basically about how Batman sometimes has trouble maintaining two identities and the toll it takes on him. In a way it’s almost funny: the story starts with Batman having been up for three days and four nights with hardly and rest. Now he’s looking forward to actually spending a day asleep in bed, but various unexpected events conspire to keep him awake. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 383, Detective 550, Batman & the Outsiders 21, Firestorm 35, Vigilante 17”

Comics Reviews: Flash 344, Wonder Woman 324, Green Lantern 187, Warlord 92, Jonah Hex 90

Flash 344 coverFlash #344 – “Betrayal” – Cary Bates, John Broome/Carmine Infantino/Frank McLaughlin, Joe Giella

Last issue, Flash got a shock when his longtime friend Kid Flash was called to testify in Flash’s murder trial … for the prosecution. Flash’s lawyer (Cecile Horton) reminds him that if Kid Flash was subpoenaed he has no choice but to testify, but Flash is still pretty shaken up. He reflects back on his past with Kid Flash and we get a couple of reprints shoehorned into this story. I don’t know if the book was running late, or if Bates just needed some filler leading up to the end of the series in issue 350, but as usual I’m not going to go into depth on the reprint stories. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 344, Wonder Woman 324, Green Lantern 187, Warlord 92, Jonah Hex 90”

Xena Reviews: Season 1, Episode 4

Xena title cardCradle of Hope – Director: Michael Levine/Writer: Terence Winter

This one starts with a king (Gregor) consulting a seer about the troubling dreams he’s been having. She tells him there’s a child in his future, but Gregor informs her his wife died in childbirth six months ago, so that’s impossible. The seer insists there’s a baby in Gregor’s future, who’ll grow up to take his throne. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 1, Episode 4”

Comics Reviews: JLA 237, Legion of Super-Heroes 9, Tales of the Legion 322, Tales of the Teen Titans 52, New Teen Titans 7

JLA 237 coverJLA #237 – “Lest Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot” – Gerry Conway/Chuck Patton/Mike Machlan

This one starts with Aquaman moping over Mera leaving him. Vixen points out that Aquaman is a hard guy to get through to, so maybe Mera leaving was the only way she could get his attention. Vixen advises Aquaman to go after his wife, but he doesn’t want to walk out on the League. He’s also wondering what happened to Superman, Flash, and Wonder Woman, since he’s heard nothing from them since the new League formed (which we learn was only three weeks ago). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 237, Legion of Super-Heroes 9, Tales of the Legion 322, Tales of the Teen Titans 52, New Teen Titans 7”

Comics Reviews: Superman 406, Action 566, DC Comics Presents 80, All-Star Squadron 44, Infinity Inc 13

Superman 406 coverSuperman #406 – “The Fight for the Right to Be Superman” – Paul Kupperberg/Irv Novick/Dave Hunt

This one starts with a wrestler named Moe Ramboe having a dream about beating the crap out of Superman. Apparently Moe used to wrestle under the name “Superman” until the Man of Steel came along, and Moe wants his old moniker back. After beating Superman and reclaiming the name, Moe wakes up with a yell, bringing his brother Jake running. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 406, Action 566, DC Comics Presents 80, All-Star Squadron 44, Infinity Inc 13”

Xena Reviews: Season 1, Episode 3

Xena title cardDreamworker – Director: Bruce Seth Green/Writer: Steven L. Sears

This one starts with Gabi playing at sword-fighting (against a tree, which will be a recurring theme) until Xena catches her and gives her hell. Xena warns Gabi about fighting, saying the mere fact of having a sword in your hand makes you a target. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 1, Episode 3”

Comics Reviews: Batman 382, Detective 549, Batman & the Outsiders 20, Firestorm 34, Vigilante 16

Batman 382 coverBatman #382 – “The Vengeance Spiral” – Doug Moench/Rick Hoberg/Rudy Nebres

Last issue, Batman and Robin rescued some hostages at the Egyptian Embassy from a terrorist called Darkwolf, who managed to get away (which doesn’t sit well with Batman). Meanwhile, Vicki Vale and Julia Pennyworth followed a lead on a mysterious panther that had attacked a couple of people in Crime Alley and ran right into the big cat … and its master, Catwoman. Given their history (in issue 355), Vicki is understandably wary around Catwoman, but Catwoman only cares about her panther, Diablo. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 382, Detective 549, Batman & the Outsiders 20, Firestorm 34, Vigilante 16”

Comics Reviews: Flash 343, Green Lantern 186, Warlord 91

Flash 343 coverFlash #343 – “Revenge and Revelations” – Cary Bates/Carmine Infantino/Frank McLaughlin

Last issue, Flash received a file from a private detective he hired to find out why his lawyer (Cecile Horton) hates his guts. After reading the file, Flash realizes Cecile blames him for her father’s death and is only acting as his defense lawyer out of professional duty (since she took over his case from her law partner after he was injured). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 343, Green Lantern 186, Warlord 91”