Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
New Titans #62 – “Titan Plague” – Marv Wolfman/Tom Grummett/Al Vey
This one starts with the Titans (Troia, Raven, Jericho, Speedy, Starfire, and Cyborg) wading through the sewers looking for some mysterious beasts that have been killing people in a particularly grisly way. They get ambushed by the beasts (which kinda look like werewolves) and they soon find themselves in trouble. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: New Titans 62, Legion 3, Suicide Squad 37”
Justice League America #34 – “Club JLI” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Adam Hughes/Art Nichols
This one starts with Major Disaster lamenting his lack of success as a super-villain. He’s been reduced to living in a shithole apartment with Big Sir, but when he realizes Big Sir can count cards like Rainman, he decides to cash in on that talent. In New York, Maxwell Lord isn’t happy when he finds out Blue Beetle and Booster Gold have opened a casino on Kooeykooeykooey (the Pacific island recently annexed by the League) and used the JLI name to advertise it. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League America 34, Justice League Europe 10”
Batman #443 – “The Coming of Crimesmith” – Marv Wolfman/Jim Aparo/MikeDeCarlo
This one starts with a family going out for a jog at night and running into some muggers. Batman shows up and pounds them, using their fear of him to dictate their responses. Tim Drake and Alfred are in Bruce Wayne’s car nearby, so Tim can see how Batman operates. Tim is eager to put on the Robin costume and become Batman’s partner for real, but Batman says he has a long way to go before he’s ready for that. Tim is determined, so he agrees to whatever training Bruce wants. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 443, Detective 610, Legends of the Dark Knight 3”
That’s another year gone by in my DC Comics reviews. 1989 had some cool (and iconic) stories, so I’m looking forward to seeing what 1990 will bring. There probably aren’t quite as many iconic storylines this year, but the Batman juggernaut will continue, fed by the popularity of the movie that came out in 1989. The Firestorm series comes to an end this year, otherwise there aren’t really any big changes, though I will shuffle my review groupings a bit just for balance. As usual, I’m using Mike’s Amazing World as a reference for the cover dates. The only discrepancy will be in New Titans, whose issues 67 and 68 both came out in July (with no issues in either June or August); I’ve moved #67 forward to June just to balance things out a bit. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: 1990 Preview”
Justice League International Annual #3 – “Around the World With the Justice League” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Mike McKone/Pablo Marcos, Bruce Patterson
This one starts with the natives on Kooeykooeykooey (a small island in the Pacific) discussing an idea proposed by the chief’s nephew, herb. Kooeykooeykooey is strategically located, so the Americans and Russians both want to set up bases there. Herb thinks that the natives can keep the great powers away and preserve their idyllic way of life by offering their island to the Justice League. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International Annual 3, New Titans Annual 5, Wonder Woman Annual 2”
Question Annual #2 – “Losing Face” – Dennis O’Neill/Bill Wray, Shea Anton Pensa
This one starts with the Question stopping a mugging and getting stabbed in the arm. He then has to stop the bigoted victim from taking revenge on an unconscious mugger, so he’s in a bad mood by the time he gets home. As Aristotle Rodor (aka Tot) patches his arm (using the Question mask as a bandage), they reminisce about how Vic Sage became the Question ten years ago. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Question Annual 2, Green Arrow Annual 2”
Batman Annual #13 – “Faces” – James Owsley/Michael Bair/Gray Morrow
This one starts with Batman and Commissioner Gordon investigating the remains of a bombed-out house. The house belonged to an undercover cop (Anthony Wells), whose body is so mangled it’ll have to be identified by dental records. Wells was trying to boost his career by infiltrating a bunch of thugs led by a guy named Freddie Richards, a known associate of Two-Face. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman Annual 13, Detective Annual 2”
Wonder Woman #37 – “Stranger in Paradise” – George Perez, Mindy Newell/Chris Marrinan/Steve Montano
This one starts with a news report about the upcoming visit to Themiscyra by a special contingent of outsiders. Hermes is supposed to transport them there, but he’s disappeared and his roommate Steve Trevor won’t tell reporters where he’s gone. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Wonder Woman 37, Firestorm 92”
Green Arrow #27 – “Enter …” – Mike Grell/Dan Jurgens/Dick Giordano, Frank McLaughlin
This one starts with Oliver (Green Arrow) Queen hanging out in a dive bar. Some punk recognizes him and pulls a knife, pissed off that Green Arrow sent him to prison a while back. Arrow leaves the punk with his hand pinned to the bar with his own knife and heads home. Dinah (Black Canary) Lance bandages up a wound on Ollie’s shoulder (although I’m not sure if he got the wound in the bar fight, or if it was something he already had). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Green Arrow 27, Suicide Squad 36”
Justice League America #33 – “Nitwits, Knuckleheads, and Poozers” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Adam Hughes/Art Nichols
This one starts with a bored Guy Gardner deciding to drop by the headquarters of the Green Lantern Corps to stir up some shit. After freaking out a passenger on a commercial jet, Guy heads to GLC HQ, where he finds Kilowog feeling sorry for himself because the Corps (and the Guardians of the Universe) have all kinda dissolved. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League America 33, Justice League Europe 9, New Titans 61, Legion 2”