Category: Comics Reviews

Comics Reviews: Flash 288, Wonder Woman 270, Green Lantern 131

Flash 288 coverFlash #288 – “The Day it Rained Flash” – Cary Bates/Don Heck/Frank Chiaramonte

Last issue, Flash ran into his old nemesis Dr. Alchemy, who was back committing crimes again, stealing from the police lab. Flash was disappointed, since Albert Desmond had gone straight, gotten married, and put his criminal past behind him. When Barry went to see Desmond he swore he was innocent, but Desmond’s wife contradicted his alibi and the stolen stuff was found in his garage. He later escaped from police custody, making Flash certain he was guilty. We saw that Desmond was innocent and was being set up by another Al Desmond, who doesn’t look the same but who masqueraded as Desmond well enough to fool everyone. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 288, Wonder Woman 270, Green Lantern 131”

Comics Reviews: JLA 181, Legion of Super-Heroes 266, Jonah Hex 39

JLA 181 coverJustice League of America #181 – “The Stellar Crimes of the Star-Tsar” – Gerry Conway/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts out with Green Arrow making a recording for his fellow Leaguers to explain the momentous decision he’s made. We won’t find out what that decision is until later (although it’s pretty obvious from the foreshadowing in the last few issues), but the story plays out in flashback as Green Arrow recounts events leading up to the present. A couple days ago, after a JLA meeting, Green Arrow and Black Canary returned to Star City and Arrow was going on about how he thought the JLA was out of touch with the common people and all that. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 181, Legion of Super-Heroes 266, Jonah Hex 39”

Comics Reviews: Superman 350, Action 510, DC Comics Presents 24

Superman 350 coverSuperman #350 – “Clark Kent’s Vanishing Classmates” – Gerry Conway/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts at Metropolis University, with Superman coming to the rescue of an old classmate (Art Borely), who’s in a hot air balloon that’s rapidly losing its buoyancy because of a hole. Superman patches up the shoddy balloon and Art turns the rescue to his advantage, trumpeting Superman’s prowess. Apparently, Clark Kent has accompanied Lana Lang to their college reunion and Clark changed to Superman for a quick rescue after noticing Art’s trouble. He changes back to Clark and joins Lana, who’s being harassed by another old classmate, Steve Power. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 350, Action 510, DC Comics Presents 24”

Comics Reviews: Batman 326, Detective 493, Brave & the Bold 165, Warlord 36

Batman 326 coverBatman #326 – “This Way Lies Madness” – Len Wein/Irv Novick/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts with Selina (Catwoman) Kyle breaking up with Bruce Wayne. Selina’s pissed off that Bruce didn’t trust her when she was dying and was accused of robbing the museum. Bruce tries to apologize, but Selina says they’re through and heads out of town. It’s obvious they both love each other, but they just can’t get past their trust issues. After Selina leaves, Bruce wonders if his life as Batman has made it impossible to have a real relationship—and if being Batman is worth losing that. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 326, Detective 493, Brave & the Bold 165, Warlord 36”

Comics Reviews: Flash 287, Wonder Woman 269, Green Lantern 130

Flash 287 coverFlash #287 – “Dr. Alchemy and Mr. Desmond” – Cary Bates/Don Heck/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts in the police science lab, where Barry Allen and his lab assistant (Patty) are working on vest made of a new element called  Dyrithum. It supposedly has he same hardness as diamond, but it’s too heavy to make bullet-proof vests out of, so Barry and Patty are tasked with finding a way to make a lightweight vest from the material. Barry goes to get coffee and while he’s gone, someone melts a hole in the lab wall. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 287, Wonder Woman 269, Green Lantern 130”

Comics Reviews: JLA 180, Legion of Super-Heroes 265, Jonah Hex 38

JLA 180 coverJustice League of America #180 – “A Beautiful Evil” – Gerry Conway/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin

Last issue Ronnie (Firestorm) Raymond, newest member of the JLA, went with some friends to the penthouse of model Sabrina Sultress to investigate a classmate’s disappearance. Firestorm got inside, but was jumped by Sultress, who has some kind of mesmeric power. He managed to send an emergency signal, so this issue opens with the JLA busting into the penthouse. The place is empty, but Zatanna senses an evil presence and they’re attacked by a fire demon. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 180, Legion of Super-Heroes 265, Jonah Hex 38”

Comics Reviews: Superman 349, Action 509, DC Comics Presents 23

Superman 349 coverSuperman #349 – “The Turnabout Trap” – Martin Pasko/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts with Superman returning from a mission in deep space. He goes to the Daily Planet, where a new receptionist is on duty. The newcomer doesn’t know Clark, or even recognize his name, and protests when Clark walks right into the city room. Clark soon realizes why he wasn’t recognized … this isn’t exactly the Daily Planet he’s used to. The trappings are the same, but everyone’s gender is reversed, so he sees Jenny Olsen and Louis Lane talking to editor Penny White (who still hates being called “chief”). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 349, Action 509, DC Comics Presents 23”

Comics Reviews: Batman 325, Detective 492, Brave & the Bold 164, Warlord 35

Batman 325 coverBatman #325 – “Death—Twenty Stories High” – Roger McKenzie/Irv Novick/Steve Mitchell

This one starts with Commissioner Gordon in his office at police headquarters. A crime wave has hit Gotham, just as Gordon is up for re-election and now someone’s making threats against Batman, so Gordon activates the Bat-Signal and waits on the roof. He figures someone is trying to ruin his chances at being re-elected and wonders if his opponent (Brand) is behind it. He also wonders if it isn’t time for him to step aside and let someone else be commissioner. Batman shows up and scoffs at the death threat, but notices the gleam of a sniper scope on a nearby roof. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 325, Detective 492, Brave & the Bold 164, Warlord 35”

Comics Reviews: Flash 286, Wonder Woman 268, Green Lantern 129

Flash 286 coverFlash #286 – “The Color Schemes of the Rainbow Raider” – Cary Bates/Don Heck/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts with Barry Allen leaving the police station rather late. His new captain has been running him ragged, and Barry’s exhausted from all the overtime. But there’s no rest for the weary, as he overhears an alarm call for an art museum downtown. Barry changes to Flash and heads over at super-speed. He’s startled to see a rainbow outside the museum, even though it’s night-time and not raining. Flash finds the museum security guards inside crying their eyes out, but they manage to clue him in to the thief up on the third floor. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 286, Wonder Woman 268, Green Lantern 129”

Comics Reviews: JLA 179, Legion of Super-Heroes 264, Jonah Hex37

JLA 179 coverJustice League of America #179 – “The Siren Song of the Satin Satan” – Gerry Conway/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts at a really happening disco in New York. A famous model named Sabrina Sultress (aka the Satin Satan) watches a young dancer named Roscoe and gives him the come on look. He follows her out of the disco like he’s hypnotized … which I’m assuming he is. Meanwhile, on the JLA Satellite, the team has just asked a new member to join and he’s pretty excited. Yup, it’s Firestorm, sponsored for membership by Superman. Firestorm’s enthusiasm startles the Leaguers at first, but most of them end up enjoying his exuberance. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 179, Legion of Super-Heroes 264, Jonah Hex37”