Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Batman #424 – “The Diplomat’s Son” – Jim Starlin/Mark Bright/Steve Mitchell
This one starts with Robin hearing a woman screaming as he swings by a penthouse apartment. He busts in and finds an asshole named Felipe Garzonas, who attacks him. Robin kicks Felipe’s ass, but his bodyguard (Juan) has a knife and manages to corner Robin. Luckily, Batman saw where Robin detoured to and puts Juan through the wall (literally). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 424, Detective 591, Green Arrow 9”
Wonder Woman #20 – “Who Killed Myndi Mayer?” – George Perez/Bob McLeod
This one starts with Wonder Woman kicking among some street gangs, trying to get a line on who killed her publicist, Myndi Mayer. The cops are investigating too and most of the story is narrated (in Chandleresque prose) by the lead detective, Edward Indelicato. Myndi was found in her office shot in the face. She had a bloody letter-opener in her hand, indicating she fought her attacker, and there were traces of cocaine on her desk. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 20, Firestorm 75, Warlord 131”
Legion of Super-Heroes #50 – “Life and Death and the End of Time” – Paul Levitz/Keith Giffen/Mike DeCarlo
This one starts with the Legionnaires working together to figure out a way to pierce the time barrier and confront Time Trapper so they can make him pay for screwing with history and killing Superboy. Ultra Boy and Timber Wolf retrieve the Time Cube from the Institute, while Rond Vidar (who refuses to explain his sudden resurrection from the dead) helps Brainiac 5 wire everything together. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes 50, New Teen Titans 47, Suicide Squad 17”
Justice League International #17 – “Only the Dead Know Bialya” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Kevin Maguire/Al Gordon
Last issue, Batman, Green Flame, Blue Beetle, and Booster Gold went undercover in Bialya to check out Rumaan Harjavti’s new “secret weapon”. The weapon turned out to be Wandjina, the Thunder God from another dimension who was injured in a nuclear explosion. But Queen Bee had a surprise for Harjavti … Wandjina obeys her commands and he ended up killing Harjavti so she could take over the country. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 17, Young All-Stars 16”
Batman #423 – “You Shoulda Seen Him” – Jim Starlin/Dave Cockrum/Mike DeCarlo
This is an interesting little character study of Batman seen through the eyes of some cops who run into him over the course of one eventful night. The first cop (Bart) tells how he was trying to talk a junkie out of jumping off a bridge when Batman showed up. The junkie jumped, but Batman was rigged to a safety harness and swung down to catch the kid, giving him a lecture on making the most of his life afterwards. Bart figures Batman might’ve actually gotten through to the kid. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 423, Detective 590, Green Arrow 8”
Wonder Woman #19 – “The Witch on the Island” – George Perez/Frank McLaughlin
This one starts with Vanessa Kapatelis waking up still in the protective circle of Wonder Woman’s lasso. She tells her mom and the local cops how Diana fought off Circe’s monsters last issue before being felled by a bolt of energy from the sky. Vanessa still has the scroll from Stavros and gives it to her mom, Julia. Katina, one of the local rebels who have been fighting covertly against Circe’s grip of fear on the local community, tells Julia and Vanessa that Circe must’ve taken Diana to her island. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 19, Firestorm 74”
Legion of Super-Heroes #49 – “A Time to Live” – Paul Levitz/Pat Broderick/Mike DeCarlo
This one starts with Sensor Girl confronting Brainiac 5, Saturn Girl, Mon-El, and Duo Damsel about the secret stuff they’ve been doing (which isn’t so secret anymore since they brought a white dwarf star to Brainy’s lab as a power source last issue). Saturn Girl points out that they haven’t broken any Legion rules, but Sensor Girl is adamant that their plan is wrong. Mon-El’s ready to fight about it, but they’re interrupted when all the Legionnaires suddenly keel over in great pain. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes 49, New Teen Titans 46, Suicide Squad 16”
Justice League International #16 – “Bialya, My Bialya” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Kevin Maguire/Al Gordon
This one starts with Batman and Max Lord discussing Rumaan Harjavti, dictator of Bialya. Harjavti supposedly has some new super-weapon and since he’s known to be friendly with terrorists, everyone is worried about it. The League can’t be seen interfering with a sovereign country, so Max suggests they send in a covert team, using an upcoming international gala that Harjavti’s holding as an excuse. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 16, Infinity Inc. 53, Young All-Stars 15”
Batman #422 – “Just Deserts” – Jim Starlin/Mark Bright/Joe Rubinstein, Steve Mitchell
This one continues from last issue, with the two serial killers known as the Dumpster Slashers (Vito Procaccini and Karl Branneck) discussing what to do now that Batman knows they’re the killers. Branneck assures Vito that Batman has no real evidence and says they just need to kill one more person to throw Batman off the trail forever. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 422, Detective 589, Green Arrow 7”
Wonder Woman #18 – “Creatures of the Dark” – George Perez/Dick Giordano
This one starts with Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades retrieving from the body of Cronus the holy pact they created when they divided the heavens, the ocean, and the Underworld. The three gods are forging a new pact, trying to begin a new era for the Olympians. In Greece, Diana awakens in hospital after passing out while approaching a mysterious isle last issue. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 18, Firestorm 73, Warlord 130”