Category: Comics Reviews

Comics Reviews: Superman 318, Action 478, Warlord 10

Superman 318 coverSuperman #318 – “The Wreck of the Cosmic Hound” – Martin Pasko/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

This one seems kinda goofy at first glance, but turns out to deal with some pretty deep themes. Unfortunately, it starts with that stupid storytelling device of having something dramatic happening (in this case, Superman is being crushed by cosmic energy bands shaped like a gigantic dog’s head), then using flashbacks to catch us up. I hate it when they do that! Just tell the damn story already! Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 318, Action 478, Warlord 10”

Comics Reviews: Batman 294, Detective 474

Batman 294 coverBatman #294 – “Testimony of the Joker” – David V. Reed/John Calnan/Tex Blaisdell

The four-part “Who Killed Batman?” storyline concludes here with the Joker making his claim. Unlike the other claimants, Joker hasn’t provided evidence to back up his claim, so Two-Face and the other villains are hearing everything for the first time. That’s right … it’s flashback time! Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 294, Detective 474”

Comics Reviews: Black Lightning 5, Jonah Hex 6

Black Lighning 5 coverBlack Lightning #5 – “Nobody Beats a Superman” – Tony Isabella/Trevor von Eeden/Vince Colletta

This one continues right from last issue, with Superman finding Black Lightning standing over Jimmy Olsen’s body and getting ready to pound Lightning’s ass into the ground. Of course, we know that it was Cyclotronic Man  who almost wasted Jimmy (and there’s a handy flashback to remind us), but Supes doesn’t, so he and Lightning mix it up. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Black Lightning 5, Jonah Hex 6”

Comics Reviews: Flash 255, Wonder Woman 237, Green Lantern 98

Flash 255 coverFlash #255 – “Flashback to Danger” – Cary Bates/Irv Novick/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts with Flash returning home after having been out all night. Lucky for him, Iris isn’t there, but Stacy Conwell is, and she’s conjuring another demon in her room. Those wacky college kids … Flash tries to pull Stacy away from the demon and accidentally stuns her. The demon disappears and Flash changes back to Barry and asks Stacy about her necromantic activities. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 255, Wonder Woman 237, Green Lantern 98”

Comics Reviews: JLA 148, Superboy & the Legion 233, All-Star Comics 69

JLA 148 coverJLA #148 – “Crisis in Triplicate” – Martin Pasko, Paul Levitz/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin

There’s a lot going on in this issue, so hang on to your hats. We start with a recap of last ish—Abnegazar, Rath, and Ghast were summoned to the 30th Century by Mordru to serve him, but they zapped him instead so they could have all the power for themselves. The JLA and JSA were banished into Limbo, except for Green Arrow and Black Canary, who are trapped in a miniature hourglass around Mordru’s neck. Oh, and the Legion of Super-Heroes is there too. Got all that? Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 148, Superboy & the Legion 233, All-Star Comics 69”

Comics Reviews: Superman 317, Action 477

Superman 317 coverSuperman #317 – “The Killer With the Heart of Steel” – Martin Pasko/Curt Swan/Dan Adkins

This continues right from last issue, with Metallo gloating about how he beat Superman and how he plans to use Superman’s super heart to power his own android body. Metallo leaves Superman to die, surrounded by kryptonite. When will these villains learn, you never walk away and assume the hero will die; once you’re out of sight, all kinds of crazy shit can happen. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 317, Action 477”

Comics Reviews: Batman 293, Detective 473, Brave & the Bold 138

Batman 293 coverBatman #293 – “The Testimony of Luthor” – David V. Reed/John Calnan/Tex Blaisdell

This is part three of the “Who Killed Batman?” storyline. This time around, Luthor makes a claim to be Batman’s killer, though he basically categorizes it as collateral damage. We get another extended flashback as Luthor tells his story. Of course, he makes sure to play up the genius of his intricate plan. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 293, Detective 473, Brave & the Bold 138”

Comics Review: Flash 254, Wonder Woman 236, Green Lantern 97

Flash 254 coverFlash #254 – “To Believe, Or Not To Believe” – Cary Bates/Irv Novick/Frank McLaughlin

This one’s a bit weird, though I suppose you could say that about a lot of Bronze Age Flash stories. It starts innocently enough: a girl crawled out onto a ledge to rescue her cat and now she’s stuck. The cat wiggles free, so the girl jumps after it and Flash shows up just in time to save them both with one of his famous updrafts. Continue reading “Comics Review: Flash 254, Wonder Woman 236, Green Lantern 97”

Comics Review: JLA 147, Superboy & the Legion 232, Jonah Hex 5

JLA 147 coverJustice League of America #147 – “Crisis in the 30th Century” – Martin Pasko, Paul Levitz/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin

This one’s a JLA/JSA crossover, with the added bonus of the Legion of Super Heroes appearing … it’s some kind of mega-crossover! It actually starts with some of the JSA getting ready to return Psycho Pirate to Earth-2 after chasing him to Earth-1 and capturing him in All-Star Comics #68. But the Leaguers want their friends to hang out, so Green Arrow shuts off the dimensional transporter (almost starting a fight with Wildcat) and the JSA decides to stay and have some fun. Continue reading “Comics Review: JLA 147, Superboy & the Legion 232, Jonah Hex 5”

Comics Review: Superman 316, Action 476, Warlord 9

Superman 316 coverSuperman #316 – “The Heart Attack That Crippled Superman” – Martin Pasko/Curt Swan/Dan Adkins

This continues the Metallo/SKULL storyline from a few issues ago. We see Metallo robbing the Metropolis Natural History Museum of some kryptonite and Superman trying to stop him. Supes gets zapped by  Metallo’s green K chest beam and Metallo takes off with the kryptonite. Continue reading “Comics Review: Superman 316, Action 476, Warlord 9”