Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Batman #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”
Flash #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”
Justice 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”
Superman #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”
Batman #292 – “The Testimony of the Riddler” – David V. Reed/John Calnan/Tex Blaisdell
The “trial” storyline from last issue continues here, with a gathering of villains trying to get the truth about which one of them killed Batman. This time, it’s Riddler’s turn to tell his tale, which he does in another extended flashback. He tells his fellow crooks about how he lay in wait on one of Batman’s patrol routes so he could give the Caped Crusader a clue to his next crime—which is the Riddler’s shtick, as I’m sure you all know. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 292, Brave and the Bold 137”
Black Lightning #4 – “Beware the Cyclotronic Man” – Tony Isabella/Trevor Von Eeden/Vince Colletta
We continue with the ongoing saga of Black Lightning vs. Tobias Whale and the 100 vs. the Metropolis Police Department. Black Lightning has just stopped a drug shipment at the docks, but the cops show up to arrest him. He fights back (which probably isn’t going to endear him to the fuzz) and wonders how the police always seem to know where he’ll be. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Black Lightning 4, Jonah Hex 4”
Flash #253 – “Don’t Mess With the Molder” – Cary Bates/Irv Novick/Frank McLaughlin
This one continues from last issue when Flash was melted by the Molder, who’s really Ralph (Elongated Man) Dibny in disguise. Ralph went undercover as a crook, but somehow turned into a real criminal and wasted Flash. Iris sees it on TV and freaks out, and Sue (who knows about Ralph’s disguise) can’t believe her eyes. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 253, Wonder Woman 235”
Justice League of America #146 – “Inner Mission” – Steve Englehart/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin
This one follows immediately after last issue, with a resurrected Red Tornado being mobbed by the Justice League. But not everyone is thrilled to see old Reddy back from the dead; Superman is suspicious since last time Red Tornado came back from the dead, it was part of a plot by T.O. Morrow. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 146, Superboy & the Legion 231, All-Star Comics 68”
Superman #315 – “Good Evening Superman: I’m Clark Kent … and You’re Not!” – Martin Pasko/Curt Swan/Dan Adkins
This one continues from last issue, showing us what’s happening after the plague ended in Central City. Superman and Supergirl go to the Fortress of Solitude and send Nam-Ek into the Phantom Zone. Supergirl takes off, leaving Supes to relax. But his downtime is interrupted when an alarm goes off warning him that SKULL is making a move. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 315, Action 475”
Batman #291 – “Where Were You on the Night Batman Was Killed?” – David V. Reed/John Calnan/Tex Blaisdell
This is the beginning of a four-part story about Batman being dead and different villains trying to take credit for killing him. We start out with the news that Batman is dead, but nobody is able to agree on where or how it happened. So Batman’s Rogues Gallery convene to hear testimony from villains claiming to be Batman’s killer. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 291, Detective 472, Brave & the Bold 136”