Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Batman #430 – “Fatal Wish” – Jim Starlin/Jim Aparo/Mike DeCarlo
This one starts with a guy named Tim Conrad, who was recently fired from his banking job, climbing onto the roof of the bank building with a rifle. Conrad starts shooting people at random, gunning down civilians left and right. Batman shows up and Commissioner Gordon tells him what’s going on (and asks about Robin, so apparently Gordon doesn’t know Robin is dead). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 430, Detective 597”
Wonder Woman #26 – “The Immortal Storm” – George Perez/Chris Marrinan/Will Blyberg
This one starts with Wonder Woman heading home from the Pacific after saying farewell to the justice League. Most of them are quite impressed by her (although Ice is a bit worried that Guy might have a thing for her) and Wonder Woman herself thinks it might be nice to belong to the League (which is foreshadowing her brief membership in the Justice League Europe). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 26, Firestorm 81”
Green Arrow #14 – “Moving Target” – Mike Grell/Dan Jurgens/Dick Giordano, Frank McLaughlin
This one starts with Oliver (Green Arrow) Queen and Dinah (Black Canary) Lance attending a production of Cats. As they’re coming out of the theatre, a sniper on a roof across the street takes a shot at Oliver. He’s saved by dumb luck, just like at the end of last issue, but finally realizes someone is gunning for him. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Green Arrow 14, Young All-Stars 22, Suicide Squad 23”
Justice League International #23 – “Gross Injustice” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Kevin Maguire/Joe Rubinstein
This story takes place in the aftermath of the alien Invasion crossover. The JLI are still on the small Pacific island where they fought the Khunds last issue and are arguing about what to do with the crashed Khund ship. Mr. Miracle is worried about booby traps (or worse), but Guy gets impatient and picks the ship up with his ring’s force beam. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 23, Legion of Super-Heroes 56, New Titans 52”
Batman #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”
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”
Batman 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”
Justice 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”
Legion 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”
Young 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”