Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes 31, New Teen Titans 28

Legion of Super-Heroes 31 coverLegion of Super-Heroes #31 – “Knights in Shining Armor” – Paul Levitz/Greg LaRocque/Mike DeCarlo

This story is mostly set in the past and features several Legionnaires who have died over the years. It reads like filler, since there’s no reference to the current ongoing storylines. The framing device has Projectra (or Sensor Girl, if you prefer) visiting the grave of her dead husband (Karate Kid) on the Cemetery Asteroid. She runs into Invisible Kid, who’s there to pay tribute to his fallen predecessor and the other Legionnaires who have died. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes 31, New Teen Titans 28”

Comics Reviews: JLA 259, All-Star Squadron 66, Infinity Inc. 35

JLA 259 coverJustice League of America #259 – “Homecoming” – J.M. DeMatteis/Luke McDonnell/Bill Wray

Last issue, Vibe was killed by one of Professor Ivo’s robots and this issue starts with J’onn J’onzz, Vixen, and Steel finding his dead body. J’onn recognizes the false face the robot attached to Vibe’s corpse, so he knows Ivo is behind the murder. The Leaguers are pretty devastated by Vibe’s death and a run-in with the cops doesn’t help their mood. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 259, All-Star Squadron 66, Infinity Inc. 35”

Comics Reviews: Batman 404, Detective 571, Outsiders 16

Batman 404 coverBatman #404 – “Who I Am, How I Come to Be” – Frank Miller/David Mazzucchelli

This is the first chapter of the famous Year One story, which established a new origin for Batman. Most of the elements of this origin seem to have stuck, with a few minor details getting retconned later. This tells us how Bruce Wayne first became Batman, but it’s also an origin story for Commissioner Gordon, showing how he became who he is and why he and Batman trust each other so much. Much of the story is told in parallel, contrasting Batman and Gordon, but also showing the similarities between them. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 404, Detective 571, Outsiders 16”

Comics Reviews: Firestorm 55, Vigilante 37, Warlord 113

Firestorm 55 coverFirestorm #55 – “The Stench of Brimstone” – John Ostrander/Joe Brozowski/Steve Mitchell

This issue is a crossover with the Legends mini-series. Legends was about Darkseid manipulating humanity to turn them against superheroes, paving the way for Darkseid to take over Earth. Darkseid created a monster named Brimstone from sentient nuclear plasma and sent it on a rampage. Firestorm, Cosmic Boy, and the JLA all got their asses kicked and Firestorm had to leave the others to go after Brimstone. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Firestorm 55, Vigilante 37, Warlord 113”

Xena Reviews: Season 3, Episode 3

Xena title cardDirty Half Dozen – Director: Rick Jacobson/Writer: Steven L. Sears

This one starts with a new warlord named Agathon taking out a bunch of Athenian troops with weapons that can cut through their armour like butter, and armour that conventional weapons can’t pierce. Turns out Agathon is a protégé of Ares, who gave him the indestructible weapons and armour. Elsewhere, Xena and Gabi rescue a guy named Walsam, who’s about to be executed. Walsam wonders why Xena helped him and she says she needs his help to fight Ares. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 3, Episode 3”

Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes 30, New Teen Titans 27

Legion of Super-Heroes 30 coverLegion of Super-Heroes #30 – “Brainy’s Lucky Day” – Paul Levitz/Greg LaRocque/Mike DeCarlo

This one starts at Legion headquarters with Brainiac 5 apologizing to Projectra (or Sensor Girl as she now prefers to be called) for his suspicions about her. Projectra is cool and says she forgives him, which throws him off a bit; I guess he expected her to have some resentment. Ultra Boy, Mon-El, and Blok are preparing to accompany Ambassador Relnic on a diplomatic mission to Dominator space, but they still don’t know Relnic is being controlled by Universo. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes 30, New Teen Titans 27”

Comics Reviews: JLA 258, All-Star Squadron 65, Infinity Inc. 34

JLA 258 coverJustice League of America #258 – “Saving Face” – J.M. DeMatteis/Luke McDonnell/Bob Smith

This one starts with Professor Ivo spilling his guts to a psychiatrist, ranting about how the JLA ruined his life. The psychiatrist points out that Ivo is the one who kept attacking the JLA and he’s the one who invented the “immortality serum” that extended his life but turned him into a monster, so blaming the League for his problems is stupid (and insane). Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 258, All-Star Squadron 65, Infinity Inc. 34”

Xena Reviews: Season 3, Episode 2

Xena title cardBeen There, Done That – Director: Andrew Merrifield/Writer: Hilary J. Bader

This one starts with Xena and Gabi waking up to a rooster’s crow. They’re sleeping in a stable and Joxer comes in with goose eggs for breakfast. After accidentally dropping a horseshoe on Joxer’s head, the stablehand informs them there are two factions in town (Menos and Lykos) who hate each other and have been on the edge of open warfare for years. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 3, Episode 2”

Comics Reviews: Batman 403, Detective 570, Outsiders 15

Batman 403 coverBatman #403 – “One Batman Too Many” – Max Allan Collins/Denys Cowan/Greg Brooks

This one starts with Batman fighting Joker and Two-Face, killing both of them at the end of the fight. We soon find out this isn’t the real Batman, it’s Tommy Carma, the rogue cop who was killing criminals last issue and was caught by the real Batman. Carma is so deluded, he actually believes he is Batman and his fight with the two villains was actually him killing a couple of orderlies at Arkham Asylum, thinking they were Joker and Two-Face. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 403, Detective 570, Outsiders 15”