Category: Comics Reviews

Comics Reviews: Superman 327, Action 487, DC Comics Presents 2

Superman 327 coverSuperman #327 – “The Sandstorm That Swallowed Metropolis” – Marin Pasko/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts where last issue left off, with Clark Kent being accosted in his apartment by a dude dressed in a snake outfit (and his henchmen). The guy is Kobra, an international high-tech terrorist who appeared in his own mag for seven issues, then fought Batman and Aquaman a couple times. Kobra explains that his high-tech weapons are looted from ancient civilizations and UFO crash sites. The teleporter device Superman took from SKULL last issue was one that SKULL stole from Kobra, and when Kobra tracked it to Clark Kent’s apartment, he accidentally found out Clark was Superman. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 327, Action 487, DC Comics Presents 2”

Comics Reviews: Batman 303, Detective 479, Brave & the Bold 143

Batman 303 coverBatman #303 – “Batman’s Great Identity Switch” – David V. Reed/John Calnan/Dick Giordano

This one starts with Batman fighting Neanderthals. Don’t worry, he wasn’t thrown into the past by Darkseid (like that could ever happen!), he’s just fighting some thugs dressed like Neanderthals at the Natural History Museum. One of the cavemen bonks him with a rock and they flee. The guards find a stunned Batman and ask him if “Dodo Man” was trying to rob the Museum, but Batman’s too confused to give them answers. He leaves and notices the Bat-Signal outside, so he ducks into the shadows and changes into … Bruce Wayne? Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 303, Detective 479, Brave & the Bold 143”

Comics Reviews: Flash 264, Wonder Woman 246, Green Lantern 107

Flash 264 coverFlash #264 – “The Golden Glider’s Final Fling” – Cary Bates/Kurt Schaffenberger/Frank McLaughlin

Remember last issue when Barry was talking about quitting as the Flash because Ringmaster made him look bad numerous times? Well, he did it. The police commissioner opens a box containing Flash’s ring (which pops out his costume) and a very old-fashioned tape recorder. The tape is from Flash, telling the cops that he’s packing it in. The commissioner is worried and gets Barry Allen to authenticate the tape (how’s that for irony), which he does. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 264, Wonder Woman 246, Green Lantern 107”

Comics Reviews: JLA 157, Superboy & the Legion 242

JLA 157 coverJustice League of America #157 – “Till Doom Do Us Part” – Gerry Conway/Dick Dillin, Juan Ortiz/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts with a really attractive woman (named Siren) going on a diatribe about how much she hates the Justice League. She’s surrounded by enthralled helpers—all men, naturally—and says it’s time for them to eliminate the JLA once and for all. In Ivy Town, Ray Palmer finally tells his fiancée Jean Loring that he’s the Atom. You might say he left it a bit late, since their wedding is tomorrow, but Ray was worried that Jean might have another nervous breakdown when she found out. Jean’s not going nuts, but she is pretty pissed off and leaves Ray wondering if there’ll still be a wedding. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 157, Superboy & the Legion 242”

Comics Reviews: Superman 326, Action 486, Jonah Hex 15

Superman 326-coverSuperman #326 – “A Million Dollars a Minute”– Martin Pasko/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts right after the end of last issue, with Superman telling everyone he’s agreed to go on UBC live and reveal his secret identity to the world. Superman says commercial time is selling for a million dollars per minute and even shows reporters the contract where he agrees to reveal his identity. Lana gets all choked up and Superman suddenly comes to his senses, wondering where the hell he is. He takes off and goes to see Jenet Klyburn at STAR Labs. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 326, Action 486, Jonah Hex 15”

Comics Reviews: Batman 302, Firestorm 4, Warlord 14

Batman 302-coverBatman #302 – “The Attack of the Wire-Head Killers” – David V. Reed/John Calnan/Dick Giordano

This one starts very soon after last issue, with Batman wanted for murder. Dick (Robin) Grayson shows up, wondering what the hell’s going on and Batman gives him (and us) a recap of last issue. Basically, there’s an unknown crime boss in Gotham who uses neural implants in a cabal of “wire-head killers” to protect himself from his mob underlings. If any mobster kills him, the wire-heads slaughter the killer and everyone associated with him. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 302, Firestorm 4, Warlord 14”

Comics Reviews: Black Lightning 10, Jonah Hex 14

Black Lightning 10 coverBlack Lightning #10 – “The Other Black Lightning” – Tony Isabella/Trevor von Eeden/Vince Colletta

This one starts with some cops (or maybe Feds) transporting Trickster to a trial in California. But Trickster has other plans, and escapes the plane in mid-air by using some illusion-casting devices he stole from Mirror Master. He bails out and lands near a costume he’d previously stashed. Trickster figures it’s time to lay low and hone his skills, so he decides to get a job as a high-wire act for a circus (the same one his parents worked at years ago). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Black Lightning 10, Jonah Hex 14”

Comics Reviews: Flash 263, Wonder Woman 245, Green Lantern 106

Flash 263 coverFlash #263 – “Nobody Stays a Flash Forever” – Cary Bates/Irv Novick/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts with a news report reminding us what’s been going on for the last couple of issues: Ringmaster, a new super hero showed up out of nowhere and caught Golden Glider, who Flash failed to stop. Now everyone’s speculating that Flash may be all washed up. Barry (Flash) Allen is watching the report and gets all huffy about it. He goes for a run on the cosmic treadmill, but his exercise is interrupted  by Golden Glider popping up on the TV and  taunting him about how she arranged for Ringmaster to steal Flash’s thunder—and his wife. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 263, Wonder Woman 245, Green Lantern 106”

Comics Reviews: JLA 156, Superboy & the Legion 241, All-Star Comics 73

JLA 156 coverJustice League of America #156 – “The Fiend With Five Faces” – Gerry Conway/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts with Aquaman emerging from the ocean in Honolulu and staggering through the streets mumbling about having to warn the JLA about a fiend with five faces. He’s accosted by a couple of muggers (who he quickly slaps down), then finds a cab. The cabbie is really excited to have such a distinguished person in his cab and takes Aquaman to a building where the JLA transporter tube is located. (The joke is that the cabbie thought Aquaman was Steve McQueen—ask your parents.) Aquaman beams to the JLA Satellite where Ralph (Elongated Man) Dibny is on duty. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 156, Superboy & the Legion 241, All-Star Comics 73”

Comics Reviews: Superman 325, Action 485, DC Comics Presents 1

Sup 325-cover (Copy) (Copy)Superman #325 – “The Super Sellout of Metropolis” – Martin Pasko/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts with that idiotic story device where we see a scene then learn what led up to it in a flashback. Pretty much this entire issue is a flashback, which might be a new record. Anyway, we start with Superman signing autographs in front of the UBC Building and learn that Supes has signed an exclusive (and lucrative) contract with UBC to appear on air. Lois, Lana, Perry White, and Morgan Edge are nearby, upset that Superman seems to be selling out, especially to UBC. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 325, Action 485, DC Comics Presents 1”