Well, that’s another year down; 1987 was a year of changes for DC as they showed us the new post-Crisis status quo. 1988 continues in that vein, but things start taking a darker turn with several character deaths during the year. Crisis also seems to have kicked off a slew of crossovers; Legends took place in 1987 and 1988 both starts (Millennium) and ends (Invasion) with a mega-crossover event. This year is also notable because almost every title has two extra issues at the end of the year (called Winter and Holiday issues). Four titles end this year, but I’m adding one (Green Arrow) and I’ll be sticking to the usual format for my reviews.
Batman, Detective, Outsiders, Green Arrow: Batman will be taking on some new foes (Ventriloquist, Ratcatcher, KGBeast) and some famous (or infamous) storylines take place this year, like Ten Nights of the Beast (with the aforementioned KGBeast) and Death in the Family (which seals Jason Todd’s fate as Robin). Outsiders ends on a down note after two issues, but Green Arrow replaces it in my reviews. This Green Arrow series follows the Longbow Hunters mini where GA moved to Seattle and started fighting more down-to-earth bad guys (drug dealers, polluters, gay-bashers, crooked politicians), sometimes using lethal force to stop them. Other than Black Canary (and Shado, I guess) there’s not much cross-over with the regular DC Universe. I’ve read the mini but not the ongoing, so I’m interested to see what Mike Grell does here; I’ve always liked his writing and art.
Justice League, Infinity Inc, Young All-Stars: The League gets some new
members (Fire and Ice), takes on the Suicide Squad, learns some secrets about Maxwell Lord, and confronts heavy hitters like Lobo and Manga Khan. Infinity Inc comes to an end (with another character death) and they take on Floronic Man, Helix, and Sandman. The young All-Stars fight vintage foes like Deathbolt and Baron Blitzkrieg, and we learn more about Iron Munro’s origin, which leads into the Dzyan Inheritance storyline, where Roy takes a look at the Wold-Newton universe.
Legion of Super-Heroes, New Teen Titans, Suicide Squad: The Legion confronts Starfinger and Time Trapper again and we learn more about various Legionnaires, including Quislet. The Titans have rematches with Wildebeest and Godiva, deal with Raven’s overemotional state, run into the Dial H for Hero kids, help out their old friend Red Star, and look into Wonder Girl’s origin again (since Crisis screwed up her connection to Wonder Woman). The Suicide Squad has to deal with Enchantress’s growing evil, fight the Jihad again, and takes a deep delve into Nightshade’s past.
Wonder Woman, Firestorm, Vigilante, Warlord: Wonder Woman finishes
the Trial of the Gods, and meets a couple of revamped versions of classic villains (Silver Swan and Circe). In Firestorm, Ronnie Raymond has to deal with his new role as part of Firestorm but no longer being in control. He’ll also have to fight Zuggernaut and Stalnoivolk, and gets a rematch with Brimstone (with a little help from Firehawk). Vigilante’s comic ends after two issues, with tragic consequences for Adrian Chase. And Warlord also ends its run, but in happier circumstances, as Travis Morgan and friends band together to end the threat of Khnathaiti forever.
So, that’s what’s coming up in my 1988 reviews. I’ve read some of these (Justice League, Infinity Inc, Warlord), but most of them are new to me, so I’m looking forward to checking them out. My first review for 1988 will be up on Monday … I hope you’ll all join me.