Comics Reviews: Firestorm Annual 3, Vigilante Annual 1, Warlord Annual 4

Firestorm Annual 3 coverFirestorm Annual #3 – “Sparx” – Gerry Conway/Rafael Kayanan/Ian Akin, Brian Garvey

This story takes place just before Ronnie’s graduation and Professor Stein’s move to Pittsburgh. It starts with some modern-day pirates robbing a tourist boat on the Hudson River. Firestorm tries to stop them, but his powers conk out when he makes himself intangible (not the first time that’s happened), which results in the Statue of Liberty being damaged. Firestorm fixes it, but he still looks like an idiot for letting it happen in the first place. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Firestorm Annual 3, Vigilante Annual 1, Warlord Annual 4”

Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 1, New Teen Titans Annual 1

Legion Annual 1 coverLegion of Super-Heroes Annual #1 – “Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold” – Paul Levitz/Keith Giffen, Karl Kesel/Mike DeCarlo, Ernie Colon, Steve Mitchell

This one starts with a handful of Legionnaires (Brainiac 5, Shrinking Violet, Colossal Boy, Chameleon Boy, and new recruit Magnetic Kid) sitting around headquarters bored while everyone else is off on a mission. Brainy suggests they do something constructive and Magnetic Kid reminds them that they never figured out who tried to kill Laurel Kent with a kryptonite bullet in issue 8. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Legion of Super-Heroes Annual 1, New Teen Titans Annual 1”

Comics Reviews: JLA Annual 3, Infinity Inc. Annual 1

JLA Annual 3 coverJLA Annual #3 – “Force of Nature” – Dan Mishkin/Rick Hoberg/Mike Gustovich

This one starts in orbit, with Red Tornado on the remains of the JLA Satellite. Reddy is trying to activate what’s left of the JLA computers so he can analyze himself. While fighting the Monitor (this takes place during the Crisis), someone remarked that Red Tornado was “more than machine and more than man”, so he wants to figure out what that means. But he ends up overloading the computers and the bulk of the Satellite catches fire and plummets toward Earth. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA Annual 3, Infinity Inc. Annual 1”

Comics Reviews: Superman Annual 11, DC Comics Presents Annual 4

Superman Annual 11 coverSuperman Annual #11 – “For the Man Who Has Everything” – Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons

This one starts with a weird prologue of Kal-El living on Krypton, working as a scientist, and celebrating his birthday with his family … including his wife (Lyla) and kids. The story moves to Earth, where Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman arrive at the Fortress of Solitude to celebrate Superman’s birthday. This is Jason’s first trip to the Fortress, and his first time meeting Wonder Woman; hard to say which he’s more impressed by. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman Annual 11, DC Comics Presents Annual 4”

Comics Reviews: Batman Annual 9, Batman & the Outsiders Annual 2

Batman Annual 9 coverBatman Annual #9 – “The Four Faces of Batman” – Mike W. Barr

This annual features four stories highlighting different facets of Batman’s character: the Child, the Avenger, the Detective, and the Man. Every story was written by Mike W. Barr but illustrated by different artists, who I’ll list separately for each story. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman Annual 9, Batman & the Outsiders Annual 2”