Tag: 1984 Annuals

Comics Reviews: Superman Annual 10, DC Comics Presents Annual 3

Superman Annual 10 coverSuperman Annual #10 – “The Day the Cheering Stopped” – Elliot S! Maggin/Curt Swan/Murphy Anderson

This one starts with Superman saving an alien planets from a meteor swarm, then gets kinda esoteric, musing on why Superman’s name is the same in so many alien languages. We get a story about a strange sword (the Sword of Superman) forming spontaneously out of the matter left over from the Big Bang. So, Superman is less a man than a universal concept? Whatever. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman Annual 10, DC Comics Presents Annual 3”

Comics Reviews: All-Star Squadron Annual 3, Firestorm Annual 2

All-Star Squadron Annual 3 coverAll-Star Squadron Annual #3 – (No Title) – Roy Thomas/Rick Hoberg, Rich Buckler, Wayne Boring, Richard Howell, Carmine Infantino, Don Newton, Martin Nodell, George Perez, Keith Giffen/Jerry Ordway, Mike Machlan, Frank Giacoia, Bill Collins, Joe Giella

This is a flashback story that takes place early in the JSA’s career. Basically, it’s Roy’s way of explaining certain details about those early 1940s stories: why Green Lantern suddenly quit the JSA; why Hourman took a long leave of absence; why Dr. Fate changed helmets; and most importantly, why the various JSA members seem to have aged so well (or so slowly) since the War. As you can see from the art credits, this is one of those all-star jam issues, where each chapter is done by different artists. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: All-Star Squadron Annual 3, Firestorm Annual 2”

Comics Reviews: JLA 233, Warlord 88, Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 3

JLA 233 coverJustice League of America #233 – “Gang War” – Gerry Conway/Chuck Patton/Bill Anderson

The next few issues are basically introducing us to the various new JLAers and their backgrounds, as well as setting up a new team of super-villains for them to fight. This one starts with a JLA member break-dancing. Yeah, you read that right … welcome to the Detroit League, baby! One of the JLA’s new recruits (Vibe) is showing off for the crowd, which includes Zatanna and Vixen in their civilian clothes. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 233, Warlord 88, Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 3”

Comics Reviews: JLA Annual 2, Tales of the Teen Titans 49, Tales of the Legion 318, Legion of Super-Heroes 5

JLA Annual 2 coverJustice League of America Annual #2 – “The End of the Justice League” – Gerry Conway/Chuck Patton/Dave Hunt

This is the introduction of the famous (or infamous) Detroit Justice League, the new team that stays around through the end of the JLA series. I’ll review the December issue of JLA next week, since it takes place after this issue. This story starts with the Justice League in orbit, trying to salvage what’s left of their Satellite headquarters, which was destroyed during the Martian invasion in issue 230. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA Annual 2, Tales of the Teen Titans 49, Tales of the Legion 318, Legion of Super-Heroes 5”

Comics Reviews: Flash 338, Wonder Woman 320, Green Lantern 181, Jonah Hex 87, Warlord Annual 3

Flash 338 coverFlash #338 – “The Revenge of the Rogues” – Cary Bates/Carmine Infantino/Frank McLaughlin

Last issue, pied Piper used his ultimate weapon to summon what he calls “Speed Demons”, extra-dimensional creatures that move at super-speed. The Speed Demons surrounded Flash, paralyzing him and pulling him toward some power lines. Flash can’t move his extremities, but he still manages to start spinning at super-speed, tossing the Speed Demons off his body and into the power lines. The Demons are disintegrated, but the power lines break and Flash gets feeling back in his legs just in time to avoid getting fried. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Flash 338, Wonder Woman 320, Green Lantern 181, Jonah Hex 87, Warlord Annual 3”

Comics Reviews: Batman 375, Detective 542, Batman & the Outsiders Annual 1, Firestorm 27, Vigilante 10

Batman 375 coverBatman #375 – “The Glacier Under Gotham” – Doug Moench/Don Newton/Alfredo Alcala

This one starts with some poetry and a number of drawings of Gotham encased in ice. Yeah, Mr. Freeze is the villain (how did you guess?), but the drawings come from one of his henchmen, a guy named Sammy who’s quite adept at fantasy depictions but couldn’t make it as a commercial artist. The other members of Freeze’s gang (especially one named Lou) don’t really share his vision of freezing Gotham, saying it’ll bring the Army down on them. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 375, Detective 542, Batman & the Outsiders Annual 1, Firestorm 27, Vigilante 10”

Comics Reviews: JLA 228, Legion of Super-Heroes 313, Tales of the Teen Titans 44, Tales of the Teen Titans Annual 3

JLA 228 coverJustice League of America #228 – “War—of the World?” – Gerry Conway/George Tuska/Alex Nino

This one starts with a familiar character (J’onn J’onzz aka Martian Manhunter) in a spaceship being pursued by other ships sent by someone called the Marshal. The other ships are piloted by green-skinned aliens (presumably Martians like J’onn) and one of them is a woman named J’en, who seems to have feelings for J’onn but knows her duty is to stop him. J’onn flies his ship past the JLA Satellite on the way to Earth, alerting his ex-teammates that something’s up. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 228, Legion of Super-Heroes 313, Tales of the Teen Titans 44, Tales of the Teen Titans Annual 3”