Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Episode 15: Papa’s Cabin
This one starts with Veronica in criminology class, feeling a little awkward because her dad (who’s now acting Sheriff since Lamb’s death last episode) suspects Professor Landry of being involved in Dean O’Dell’s death. Landry assures Veronica he’s innocent and her father’s suspicions don’t alter Landry’s respect for her as a shining star in his class. Continue reading “Veronica Mars Reviews: Season 3, Episode 15”
Justice League of America Annual #2 – “The End of the Justice League” – Gerry Conway/Chuck Patton/Dave Hunt
This is the introduction of the famous (or infamous) Detroit Justice League, the new team that stays around through the end of the JLA series. I’ll review the December issue of JLA next week, since it takes place after this issue. This story starts with the Justice League in orbit, trying to salvage what’s left of their Satellite headquarters, which was destroyed during the Martian invasion in issue 230. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA Annual 2, Tales of the Teen Titans 49, Tales of the Legion 318, Legion of Super-Heroes 5”
Superman #402 – “How Do You Hide a Superman?” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Bob Oksner
This one starts with Daily Planet writer Justin Moore wandering the streets of Metropolis, suffering from a terrible affliction … writer’s block. Justin hears a call for help from an alley and finds a guy who looks and sounds just like Superman except he also looks like a homeless person. The guy swears he is Superman and that he was attacked by some guys he calls Marauders, an attack which caused him to lose most of his super-powers and almost all of his memory. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 402, Action 562, DC Comics Presents 76, All-Star Squadron 40, Infinity Inc. 9”
Batman #378 – “One Hat Madder” – Doug Moench/Don Newton/Alfredo Alcala
This one starts with Batman gaslighting Mayor Hill some more, letting him know his term will soon come to a premature end. It seems to be working, as Hill is paranoid and jumpy, sending his bodyguards out to chase shadows. Elsewhere, Mad Hatter is using a computer to figure out where the loot amassed by Sturges Hellstrom and his Nightmares Inc. scam went. Mad Hatter figures since Anton Knight killed Hellstrom and Anton’s ex Natalia lives in a fancy penthouse, she probably has a pretty good idea where the stolen money went. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 378, Detective 545, Batman & the Outsiders 16, Firestorm 30, Vigilante 13”
Flash #339 – “Warday” – Cary Bates/Carmine Infantino/Frank McLaughlin
Last issue, five Rogues (Captain Boomerang, Captain Cold, Weather Wizard, Trickster, and Mirror Master) broke a huge dude named Dufus Ratchet out of the mental hospital and outfitted him in high-tech armour (obtained from the Monitor). The Rogues are setting Dufus (now named Big Sir) up to go after the Flash, to avenge Flash’s defeat of their fellow Rogue Pied Piper, which left Piper mentally unstable (well, more than usual). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 339, Wonder Woman 321, Green Lantern 182, Warlord 86”
Justice League of America #232 – “Battlegrounds” – Kurt Busiek/Alan Kupperberg
Last issue, the JLA met a couple of kids and their aunt and traveled to Earth-2 to fight the kids’ father, Joshua Champion. Champion had tapped into an alternate dimension and was mentally dominated by the Commander, who imbued Champion with power to help Commander’s invasion of Earth’s dimension. Champion resisted and gave his kids (Ian and Victoria) and his sister (Meredith) powers of their own, hoping they could resist the Commander. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 232, Tales of the Teen Titans 48, New Teen Titans 3, Tales of the Legion 317, Legion of Super-Heroes 4”
Superman #401 – “Operation: False Front” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Bob Oksner
This one begins with the nightly broadcast of WGBS news being interrupted by a couple of Lex Luthor’s henchmen, who just happen to be joined at the hip. Clark Kent stands up to them and gets slapped down (or pretends to, to hide his super-powers) and the thugs relay a message on air for Superman from Luthor, who challenges the Man of Steel to meet him 5,000 feet above Metropolis at noon tomorrow … or Luthor will do something terrible. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 401, Action 561, DC Comics Presents 75, All-Star Squadron 39, Infinity Inc. 8”
Batman #377 – “The Slayer of Night” – Doug Moench/Don Newton/Alfredo Alcala
This one starts in court, where Natalia Knight (aka Nocturna) is petitioning to adopt Jason Todd after he was removed from Bruce Wayne’s custody last issue. Bruce argues that Natalia is not a suitable parent because of her connection to Anton Knight, the Night Thief, who recently broke out of prison. The judge rules that Anton’s crimes can’t be held against Natalia, especially since Anton exonerated her when he as captured. Bruce raises some more points (looking rather desperate), including the fact that they should ask Jason what he wants. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 377, Detective 544, Batman & the Outsiders 15, Firestorm 29, Vigilante 12”
Flash #338 – “The Revenge of the Rogues” – Cary Bates/Carmine Infantino/Frank McLaughlin
Last issue, pied Piper used his ultimate weapon to summon what he calls “Speed Demons”, extra-dimensional creatures that move at super-speed. The Speed Demons surrounded Flash, paralyzing him and pulling him toward some power lines. Flash can’t move his extremities, but he still manages to start spinning at super-speed, tossing the Speed Demons off his body and into the power lines. The Demons are disintegrated, but the power lines break and Flash gets feeling back in his legs just in time to avoid getting fried. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 338, Wonder Woman 320, Green Lantern 181, Jonah Hex 87, Warlord Annual 3”
Justice League of America #231 – “Family Crisis” – Kurt Busiek/Alan Kupperberg/Rich Buckler
This (and the next one) is obviously a fill-in issue before the big revamp. This story is narrated by an unseen being (the Commander), who’s been watching the JLA for a while but doesn’t seem to understand them too well, and is involved with someone he calls “the Champion”. After nine JLAers transported to Earth during the Martian invasion (which we saw in the last few issues), Superman, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl showed up on the Satellite in response to a call from Flash. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 231, Tales of the Teen Titans 47, New Teen Titans 2, Tales of the Legion 316, Legion of Super-Heroes 3”