Category: Comics Reviews

Comics Reviews: Batman 443, Detective 610, Legends of the Dark Knight 3

Batman 443 coverBatman #443 – “The Coming of Crimesmith” – Marv Wolfman/Jim Aparo/MikeDeCarlo

This one starts with a family going out for a jog at night and running into some muggers. Batman shows up and pounds them, using their fear of him to dictate their responses. Tim Drake and Alfred are in Bruce Wayne’s car nearby, so Tim can see how Batman operates. Tim is eager to put on the Robin costume and become Batman’s partner for real, but Batman says he has a long way to go before he’s ready for that. Tim is determined, so he agrees to whatever training Bruce wants. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 443, Detective 610, Legends of the Dark Knight 3”

Comics Reviews: 1990 Preview

Firestorm 100 coverThat’s another year gone by in my DC Comics reviews. 1989 had some cool (and iconic) stories, so I’m looking forward to seeing what 1990 will bring. There probably aren’t quite as many iconic storylines this year, but the Batman juggernaut will continue, fed by the popularity of the movie that came out in 1989. The Firestorm series comes to an end this year, otherwise there aren’t really any big changes, though I will shuffle my review groupings a bit just for balance. As usual, I’m using Mike’s Amazing World as a reference for the cover dates. The only discrepancy will be in New Titans, whose issues 67 and 68 both came out in July (with no issues in either June or August); I’ve moved #67 forward to June just to balance things out a bit. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: 1990 Preview”

Comics Reviews: Justice League International Annual 3, New Titans Annual 5, Wonder Woman Annual 2

Justice League International Annual 3 coverJustice League International Annual #3 – “Around the World With the Justice League” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Mike McKone/Pablo Marcos, Bruce Patterson

This one starts with the natives on Kooeykooeykooey (a small island in the Pacific) discussing an idea proposed by the chief’s nephew, herb. Kooeykooeykooey is strategically located, so the Americans and Russians both want to set up bases there. Herb thinks that the natives can keep the great powers away and preserve their idyllic way of life by offering their island to the Justice League. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International Annual 3, New Titans Annual 5, Wonder Woman Annual 2”

Comics Reviews: Question Annual 2, Green Arrow Annual 2

Question Annual 2 coverQuestion Annual #2 – “Losing Face” – Dennis O’Neill/Bill Wray, Shea Anton Pensa

This one starts with the Question stopping a mugging and getting stabbed in the arm. He then has to stop the bigoted victim from taking revenge on an unconscious mugger, so he’s in a bad mood by the time he gets home. As Aristotle Rodor (aka Tot) patches his arm (using the Question mask as a bandage), they reminisce about how Vic Sage became the Question ten years ago. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Question Annual 2, Green Arrow Annual 2”

Comics Reviews: Batman Annual 13, Detective Annual 2

Batman Annual 13 coverBatman Annual #13 – “Faces” – James Owsley/Michael Bair/Gray Morrow

This one starts with Batman and Commissioner Gordon investigating the remains of a bombed-out house. The house belonged to an undercover cop (Anthony Wells), whose body is so mangled it’ll have to be identified by dental records. Wells was trying to boost his career by infiltrating a bunch of thugs led by a guy named Freddie Richards, a known associate of Two-Face. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman Annual 13, Detective Annual 2”

Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 37, Firestorm 92

Wonder Woman 37 coverWonder Woman #37 – “Stranger in Paradise” – George Perez, Mindy Newell/Chris Marrinan/Steve Montano

This one starts with a news report about the upcoming visit to Themiscyra by a special contingent of outsiders. Hermes is supposed to transport them there, but he’s disappeared and his roommate Steve Trevor won’t tell reporters where he’s gone. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 37, Firestorm 92”

Comics Reviews: Green Arrow 27, Suicide Squad 36

Green Arrow 27 coverGreen Arrow #27 – “Enter …” – Mike Grell/Dan Jurgens/Dick Giordano, Frank McLaughlin

This one starts with Oliver (Green Arrow) Queen hanging out in a dive bar. Some punk recognizes him and pulls a knife, pissed off that Green Arrow sent him to prison a while back. Arrow leaves the punk with his hand pinned to the bar with his own knife and heads home. Dinah (Black Canary) Lance bandages up a wound on Ollie’s shoulder (although I’m not sure if he got the wound in the bar fight, or if it was something he already had). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Green Arrow 27, Suicide Squad 36”

Comics Reviews: Justice League America 33, Justice League Europe 9, New Titans 61, Legion 2

Justice League America 33 coverJustice League America #33 – “Nitwits, Knuckleheads, and Poozers” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Adam Hughes/Art Nichols

This one starts with a bored Guy Gardner deciding to drop by the headquarters of the Green Lantern Corps to stir up some shit. After freaking out a passenger on a commercial jet, Guy heads to GLC HQ, where he finds Kilowog feeling sorry for himself because the Corps (and the Guardians of the Universe) have all kinda dissolved. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League America 33, Justice League Europe 9, New Titans 61, Legion 2”

Comics Reviews: Batman 442, Detective 609, Legends of the Dark Knight 2

Batman 442 coverBatman #442 – “Rebirth” – Marv Wolfman, George Perez/Jim Aparo/Mike DeCarlo

This is the fifth and final chapter of the Lonely Place of Dying storyline, but because of the way my reviews are set up I’m doing it before the fourth chapter (in New Titans 61). This one starts with Alfred and Tim Drake in the Batcave worrying because they haven’t heard from Batman or Nightwing (who left to track down Two-Face). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 442, Detective 609, Legends of the Dark Knight 2”

Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 36, Firestorm 91

Wonder Woman 36 coverWonder Woman #36 – “Changes in the Wind” – George Perez, Mindy Newell/Chris Marrinan/Steve Montano

This one starts with Hermes standing naked on the roof of Steve’s building, receiving a message from a dove sent from Themiscyra. Steve tells Hermes to put some clothes on and Hermes relays Diana’s message to him. Diana has arranged for Hermes to bring some representatives from the United Nations to Themiscyra for a big feast to formally announce their acceptance of the world at large. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 36, Firestorm 91”