Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
New Titans #68 – “New Deal” – Barbara and Karl Kesel/Steve Erwin/Bob Smith
This one starts with the Royal Flush Gang preparing to work for the Joker. The Royal Flushers have kinda gone downhill in the last few years: Queen is an alcoholic, Jack a fading gigolo, King and Ace (who’s human now, not a robot) are pulling small-time robberies to get by, and Ten is making like Fagin, using a gang of street kids as thieves. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 68, Legion 9, Suicide Squad 43”
Justice League America #40 – “Hell on Earth” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Adam Hughes/Jose Marzan Jr.
Last issue, Despero came to Earth looking for revenge against the JLA for defeating him, but he soon found out that particular iteration of the team no longer exists. After killing Gypsy’s parents, Despero confronted the new Justice League, his hatred making no distinction between them and his original targets. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League America 40, Justice League Europe 16”
Healing Hands – Director: Sudz Sutherland/Writer: Andrew Burrows-Trotman
This one starts with Trudy and her mom (Mildred) going to church. The pastor (Edmund Thompson) gets everyone going with his sermon, then brings out his daughter Elsie, who’s apparently a healer. Trudy seems a bit skeptical, but Mildred is a believer and wants to get her hip healed. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 1, Episode 4”
Batman #450 – “Wild Card” – Marv Wolfman/Jim Aparo/Mike DeCarlo
This one starts with the cops finding a judge (known as the “Hanging Judge”) hanged in his apartment. Commissioner Gordon is sure the Joker is behind it, even though he supposedly died in issue 429. Gordon still hates the Joker for crippling his daughter Barbara, something his fellow cop (Hanrahan) tells the other cops … and us, just in case we forgot. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 450, Batman 451, Detective 617, Detective 618, Legends of the Dark Knight 9”
Wonder Woman #43 – “The Armageddon Aria” – George Perez, Mindy Newell/Chris Marrinan/Romeo Tanghal
Last issue, Wonder Woman found Maxine Sterenbuch and Solomon Buchman going through Julia Kapatelis’s house. Maxine had some files on Silver Swan she wanted Wonder Woman to have, but Silver Swan showed up and attacked Solomon, then came after them. Swan went a little overboard, letting out a devastating sonic scream, but Wonder Woman managed to dampen its effects by getting her golden lasso around Swan’s waist. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 43, Green Arrow 33, Firestorm 98”
Summer in the City – Director: Norma Bailey/Writer: Carol Hay
This one starts with Frankie at a gym watching a boxer (Moses Page) train. Hemingway shows up and she gives him shit for his half-assed reporting on previous bouts. Later, Frankie and Moses are out for a walk and it’s pretty obvious that they’re attracted to each other. They’re interrupted by a young guy named Eric Morrison, who says he’s the son of Captain Morrison, who Frankie worked for during the Great War. Eric says he has a problem with his car (which he “acquired” somewhere) and shows her a steamer trunk in the back of the car that has a dead body in it. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 1, Episode 3”
New Titans #67 – “If Looks Could Kill” – Marv Wolfman, George Perez/Tom Grummett/Al Vey
Last issue, Raven told Jericho she was dating Eric Forrester, the studly asshole the Titans met at STAR Labs a while back. Raven hasn’t banged him yet and Forrester seems very understanding about it, but we saw him leaving a dead woman’s body in his room last issue, so I’m thinking Raven’s first time might be her last if she bangs him. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 67, Legion 8, Suicide Squad 42”
Justice League America #39 – “Blow Up” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Adam Hughes/Joe Rubinstein
Last issue, Despero returned to Earth to get revenge on the JLA for defeating him, not realizing that the team who beat him no longer exists. He killed Gypsy’s parents and was about to waste her when J’onn J’onzz showed up. They trade a few punches and J’onn knows immediately that he’s in for a hell of a fight. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League America 39, Justice League Europe 15”
Ladies in Red – Director: Ruba Nedda/Writer: Cal Coons
This one starts with Frankie, Trudy, and Flo investigating a very important case … trying to figure out whose dog has been sneaking in to hump a prize Great Dane. Frankie notices a guy with a gun in the house across the street, so she and Trudy (who are both apparently familiar with guns) arm themselves and go to check it out. They find a man and his maid tied up and surprise the gunmen, who start shooting and take off. The gunmen have a car waiting in the alley and get away, despite Frankie and Trudy trading shots with them. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Season 1, Episode 2”
Batman #448 – “Pawns” – Marv Wolfman, Alan Grant/Jim Aparo/Mike DeCarlo
This is the first chapter of “The Penguin Affair”, which crosses over into Detective before returning here to conclude next issue. The story starts three months ago, with an ugly hunchback being pounded by some punks. Penguin (and his sexy chauffeur, Lark) pick the hunchback up and Penguin says he’ll help him. Apparently, he feels a kinship with the guy since they’re both physically unattractive by the usual standards. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 448, Detective 615, Batman 449, Detective 616, Legends of the Dark Knight 8”