Comics Reviews: JLA 172, Superboy & the Legion 257, Jonah Hex 30

JLA 172 coverJustice League of America #172 – “I Accuse!” – Gerry Conway/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin

You’ll remember last issue Mr. Terrific was killed during the annual JLA/JSA reunion on the Satellite. At first, it looked like an accident—an explosion blew out a wall on the Satellite—but it was determined Mr.Terrific was strangled and the explosion was meant to cover up his murder. Since nobody entered or left, and no one is hiding aboard the Satellite, it looks like one of the superheroes is the killer. Superman comes to that conclusion quickly and asks the two Green Lanterns and Dr. Fate to seal off the Satellite until they figure out who the murderer is. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 172, Superboy & the Legion 257, Jonah Hex 30”

Comics Reviews: Superman 341, Action 501, DC Comics Presents 15

Superman 341 coverSuperman #341 – “The Man Who Could Cause Catastrophe” – Len Wein/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts with an earthquake opening a huge fault in downtown Metropolis. Superman shows up to rescue the people who fell in, then closes the fault in a very Silver Age way: he fashions a huge needle and thread out of broken lamp posts and telephone cables and sews the fault back together, sealing it with his heat vision. I can’t even begin to analyze all the reasons that wouldn’t work. Superman can’t figure out what caused the fault in the first place, since Metropolis is built on solid bedrock, but we see the man who engineered the whole mess … Major Disaster. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 341, Action 501, DC Comics Presents 15”

Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 12

Lost GirlEpisode 12: Judgement Fae

This one starts (like many before) with a sex scene; Bo and Lauren are going at it in the shower. But now that Lauren has the ability to mimic the powers whatever Fae she touches, their encounter is more balanced, allowing them to drain each other mutually. Continue reading “Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 12”

Comics Reviews: Batman 317, Brave & the Bold 156, Warlord 27

Batman 317 coverBatman #317 – “The 1001 Clue Caper” – Len Wein/Irv Novick/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts with a cop giving Batman a package at the police station. It’s a book of 1001 Riddles, which tells Batman the Riddler is back to his old tricks. Robin (who’s still helping Batman during his break from university) wonders how they can figure out which riddle in the book is the one Riddler will plan his crimes around. Batman says there’s no point trying to guess; they just have to wait for Riddler to make a move … which doesn’t take long. Riddler steals a truck full of chickens (!) not long after, which hardly helps since there are plenty of riddles about chickens. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 317, Brave & the Bold 156, Warlord 27”

Comics Reviews: Flash 278, Wonder Woman 260, Green Lantern 121

Flash 278 coverFlash #278 – “Road to Oblivion” – Cary Bates/Alex Saviuk/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts with flash tracking Captain Boomerang to a hidden lair underneath an Australian theme park. Boomerang has stolen some necklaces with his trick boomerangs and Flash followed them straight back to his hideout. Naturally Boomerang doesn’t give up without a fight and deploys a variety of trick boomerangs (electrical, explosive) against the Scarlet Speedster. When Flash evades all the fancy boomerangs, the Captain tries to escape on a flying table that’s shaped like … you guessed it, a boomerang. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 278, Wonder Woman 260, Green Lantern 121”

Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 11

Lost GirlEpisode 11: Sweet Valkyrie High

This one starts with a little romance … very little, since Lauren’s new mimic powers make it difficult for her and Bo to connect. Bo wants to talk about it, but Lauren switches the topic to Hades, Bo’s father. Bo is conflicted, knowing Hades is bad (duh), but also grateful for the help he’s given her lately. Continue reading “Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 11”

Comics Reviews: JLA 171, Superboy & the Legion 256, Jonah Hex 29

JLA 171 coverJustice League of America #171 – “The Murderer Among Us: Crisis Above Earth One” – Gerry Conway/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin

This issue starts with the annual JLA/JSA meeting being formally adjourned by Zatanna. Afterwards, everyone hangs out and we get to see the more personal sides of the heroes. Hawkman (that’s Carter Hall, the Earth Two Hawkman) praises Zatanna’s running of the meeting and she mentions having doubts about being right for the team. Carter tells her she wouldn’t have been picked for the team if she hadn’t proven herself first, and Zatanna’s so happy with his praise she kisses him … on the cheek. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 171, Superboy & the Legion 256, Jonah Hex 29”

Comics Reviews: Superman 340, Action 500, DC Comics Presents 14

Superman 340 coverSuperman #340 – “The Night of the Walking Bomb” – Len Wein/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

You’ll remember last issue a not-so-friendly rivalry between two old friends turned deadly when one of them (Ray Ryker) sabotaged the nuclear plant where the other (Grant Haskill) worked. When the bomb exploded, Haskill’s mind was forcibly transferred into a robot he’d been using to safely work around the plant. Superman was unaware of all that and just saw a menacing figure threatening Lois, so he attacked the robot. Haskill was still confused by the mind transfer and lashed out, hitting Superman with some weird energy that seemed to turn him into a true Man of Steel—a steel statue. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 340, Action 500, DC Comics Presents 14”

Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 10

Lost GirlEpisode 10: Like Father, Like Daughter

This one starts with Bo and Dyson staking out Zee’s place, waiting for her to show up so hey can confront her. Lauren calls and asks about Bo reviving her at the end of last episode. To me, it looked obvious that Lauren was sucking the chi from Bo—the implication being that Lauren’s messing around trying to extend her life span has turned her into a succubus. Continue reading “Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 10”

Comics Reviews: Batman 316, Detective 486, Brave & the Bold 155, Warlord 26

Batman 316 coverBatman #316 – “Color Me Deadly” – Len Wein/Irv Novick/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts with some punk being pursued through an alley by Robin. The punk is cut off by Batman and freaks out, surrendering immediately. Apparently, he started a fire at the hospital, which makes Robin want to pound him a bit, but he decides the guy is probably some kind of nut and forgoes the beating. The Dynamic Duo hauls the dude back for the cops and Commissioner Gordon says the fire is already out and there was only some minor damage on the tenth floor. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 316, Detective 486, Brave & the Bold 155, Warlord 26”