Author: anarchyinsk

Comics Reviews: Batman 429, Detective 596

Batman 429 coverBatman #429 – “A Death in the Family Chapter 6” – Jim Starlin/Jim Aparo/MikeDeCarlo

Last issue, Batman found out Joker had killed Jason Todd (aka Robin), but before Batman could go after him, he found out Joker had been appointed Iran’s official Ambassador to the United Nations. Not only does that mean Joker is untouchable (because of diplomatic immunity), but apparently he’s been retroactively pardoned for all his past crimes. I don’t think that’s how diplomatic immunity works, but whatever. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 429, Detective 596”

Comics Reviews: 1989 Preview

Welcome to my preview of the 1989 DC comics I’ll be reviewing. I’m pretty much sticking with the same titles as 1988, although there are a few changes. Young All-Stars and Legion both end this year, but a new Legion series starts (the so-called “Five Years Later” Legion) which I will be adding. Justice League Europe also started in 1989, so I’ll add that to my list. As in 1988, some of the titles (notably the Batman ones, Green Arrow, and Suicide Squad) published extra issues in 1989 and I’ll be reviewing all of them. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: 1989 Preview”

Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 12

Xena title cardGod Fearing Child – Director: Philip Sgriccia/Story: Chris Manheim/Teleplay: Robert Gaston Orci, Alex Kurtzman

This one starts with Zeus hearing a prophecy from the Fates that the birth of a child not begotten of man (in other words, Xena’s baby) will herald the end of the gods. Xena and Gabi run into Hercules (who has a stuffed hydra named Iolaus for the unborn baby) and they’re attacked by Proxidicae, soldiers sent by Zeus. They pound the Proxidicae and learn that Zeus wants Xena’s baby dead. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 12”

Comics Reviews: Batman Annual 12, Wonder Woman Annual 1

Batman Annual 12 coverBatman Annual #12 – “Slade’s Demon” – Mike Baron/Ross Andru, Pablo Marcos/Denis Rodier

This story is about a murder mystery weekend at the mountaintop estate of Deacon Slade. Deacon built the estate himself, but he was banging the builder’s wife. When the builder found out, he went nuts and slaughtered nine people with an axe before the cops shot him. Apparently, Deacon also pushed the builder’s assistant over a cliff. Rumours also hinted that Deacon was into demonology and was planning some kind of ritual sacrifice. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman Annual 12, Wonder Woman Annual 1”

Comics Reviews: Justice League International Annual 2, Suicide Squad Annual 1

Justice League International Annual 2 coverJustice League International Annual #2 – “Hit or Miss” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Bill Willingham/Joe Rubenstein

This one starts with Rumaan Harjavti (dictator of Bialya) rummaging through Maxwell Lord’s destroyed office for something that might help him strike back against the Justice League. But someone else had the same idea … the Joker. He’s found Max’s Rolodex, hoping there’s a clue to Batman’s identity in it. Harjavti proposes a trade-off: if Joker eliminates the JLI, Harjavti will use all his resources to narrow down the possibilities of Batman’s secret identity. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International Annual 2, Suicide Squad Annual 1”

Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 11

Xena title cardPunch Lines – Director: Andrew Merrifield/Writer: Chris Manheim

This is another clip show (this time focusing on humorous clips), with another elaborate framing device. Xena and Gabi are spending the night in one of Aphrodite’s temples and Gabi tries to get some writing done, but she has writer’s block. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 11”

Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 4, New Teen Titans Annual 4

Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 4 coverLegion of Super-Heroes Annual #4 – “Secrets Within the Star” – Paul Levitz/Barry Kitson, Bruce Patterson/Romeo Tanghal

This one starts with Dawnstar using her homing power to lead the members of the Legion Espionage Squad (Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, and invisible Kid) to Chameleon Boy, who infiltrated Starfinger’s criminal organization a while back. Phantom Girl found Cham while he was undercover, but backed off when he told her to. Now she’s feeling guilty and figures he might be in trouble. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 4, New Teen Titans Annual 4”

Comics Reviews: Young All-Stars Annual 1, Infinity Inc. Annual 2

Young All-Stars Annual 1Young All-Stars Annual #1 – “The Mekanique Paradox” – Roy and Dann Thomas/Mike Gustovich, Joe Kubert, Brian Murray, Michael Bair/Tony DeZuniga

This one starts with Mekanique and Per Degaton sneaking into the Perisphere (aka All-Star Squadron headquarters). Degaton is a bit nervous about going into the stronghold of his enemies, but Mekanique seems confident they can handle even a full team of All-Stars. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Young All-Stars Annual 1, Infinity Inc. Annual 2”

Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 10

Xena title cardLyre Lyre, Hearts on Fire – Director: Mark Beesley/Writers: Adam Armus, Nora Kay Foster

This one starts with Draco and his men looking through some ruins for Terpsichore’s Lyre. They find it, but some Amazons show up (led by Amoria) to claim the Lyre, since it’s on their land. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 10”

Comics Reviews: Detective Comics Annual 1, Green Arrow Annual 1, Question Annual 1

Detective Comics Annual 1 coverDetective Comics Annual #1 – “The Monkey Trap” – Denny O’Neil/Klaus Janson/Tony DeZuniga

This is the first of a three-part story that continues in the Green Arrow and Question annuals, linked by the story of a Japanese sensei who imparts some wisdom to each of the heroes in exchange for their help later. We start with a scene from the sensei’s past, when he was a soldier in Manchuria during the Sino-Japanese War. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Detective Comics Annual 1, Green Arrow Annual 1, Question Annual 1”