Comics Reviews: Superman 409, Action 569, DC Comics Presents 83, All-Star Squadron 47, Infinity Inc. 16

Superman 409 coverSuperman #409 – “The Sleepwalker From Krypton” – Craig Boldman/Curt Swan/Al Williamson

This one starts with a UFO hunter named Ferlin Nyxly tracking a possible alien spaceship out in the countryside. Apparently, Nyxly has encountered aliens a couple times before and tried to use their superior tech for himself, but was stopped by Superman. Nyxly finds the alien (well, it finds him after he falls off a cliff and almost breaks his neck) and he ends up stealing the alien’s ship, which can turn invisible. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 409, Action 569, DC Comics Presents 83, All-Star Squadron 47, Infinity Inc. 16”

Comics Reviews: Superman 408, Action 568, DC Comics Presents 82, All-Star Squadron 46, Infinity Inc. 15

Superman 408 coverSuperman #408 – “The Day the Earth Died” – Ed Hannigan (plot), Paul Kupperberg/Curt Swan/Al Williamson

This one starts with Clark Kent having a nightmare about the world being ravaged by nuclear war. When he wakes up, Clark starts wondering why he hasn’t done something (as Superman) about all the nukes that are present on Earth. With his power, he could easily destroy them and make the world a safer place. He contemplates that while flying around as Superman and helping various people. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 408, Action 568, DC Comics Presents 82, All-Star Squadron 46, Infinity Inc. 15”

Comics Reviews: Superman 407, Action 567, DC Comics Presents 81, All-Star Squadron 45, Infinity Inc 14

Superman 407 coverSuperman #407 – “Peril of the Pass-Along Powers” – Gerry and Carla Conway/Irv Novick/Dave Hunt

This is another goofy Superman story that seems like it belongs back in the Silver Age. Mr. Mxyzptlk casts a spell (while invisible) on Superman so Supes will pass on 75% of his powers to the first friend he touches, who will pass some of that power on to another friend, and so on. Superman notices something destabilizing the bedrock of Metropolis and finds a giant metal worm underground, eating through the city’s foundations. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 407, Action 567, DC Comics Presents 81, All-Star Squadron 45, Infinity Inc 14”

Comics Reviews: Superman 406, Action 566, DC Comics Presents 80, All-Star Squadron 44, Infinity Inc 13

Superman 406 coverSuperman #406 – “The Fight for the Right to Be Superman” – Paul Kupperberg/Irv Novick/Dave Hunt

This one starts with a wrestler named Moe Ramboe having a dream about beating the crap out of Superman. Apparently Moe used to wrestle under the name “Superman” until the Man of Steel came along, and Moe wants his old moniker back. After beating Superman and reclaiming the name, Moe wakes up with a yell, bringing his brother Jake running. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 406, Action 566, DC Comics Presents 80, All-Star Squadron 44, Infinity Inc 13”

Comics Reviews: Superman 405, Action 565, DC Comics Presents 79, All-Star Squadron 43, Infinity Inc 12

Superman 405 coverSuperman #405 – “The Mystery of the Super-Batman” – Craig Boldman/Alex Saviuk/Karl Kesel

This one starts with some crooks robbing a set of gold pan-pipes from the Metropolis Museum, knocking a homeless dude aside on the way out. They’re stopped by a Batarang slamming right through their car engine. The Batarang wasn’t thrown by Batman, but by Superman … wearing a Batman cape and cowl. Later, Clark calls Wayne Manor to assure Batman he has a good reason for (semi-)impersonating him and we get some flashbacks showing what happened up to this point. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 405, Action 565, DC Comics Presents 79, All-Star Squadron 43, Infinity Inc 12”

Comics Reviews: Superman 404, Action 564, DC Comics Presents 78, All-Star Squadron 42, Infinity Inc 11

Superman 404 coverSuperman #404 – “Born to be Superman” – Paul Kupperberg/Carmine Infantino/Bob Oksner

This one is an imaginary story, which means I’m not too impressed by it. I prefer stories that actually happen (so to speak) in their comic book settings; imaginary stories always leave me wondering why I should care, since the stories don’t really count. (I know, I know, they’re all imaginary stories …) Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 404, Action 564, DC Comics Presents 78, All-Star Squadron 42, Infinity Inc 11”

Comics Reviews: Superman 403, Action 563, DC Comics Presents 77, All-Star Squadron 41, Infinity Inc 10

Superman 403 coverSuperman #403 – “The Greatest Thief in the Universe” – Paul Kupperberg/Curt Swan/Bob Oksner

This one starts with an alien drone ship flying down toward Metropolis, seemingly about to crash. Superman stops it, but before he can figure out where it came from, the ship takes off into space and disappears. Turns out the drone belonged to the Monitor, who was gathering information for a client, the Thief-Master of Ramox. Thief-Master traded info on his own planet for the data from the Monitor in preparation for a series of heists. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 403, Action 563, DC Comics Presents 77, All-Star Squadron 41, Infinity Inc 10”

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: Superman 402, Action 562, DC Comics Presents 76, All-Star Squadron 40, Infinity Inc. 9

Superman 402 coverSuperman #402 – “How Do You Hide a Superman?” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Bob Oksner

This one starts with Daily Planet writer Justin Moore wandering the streets of Metropolis, suffering from a terrible affliction … writer’s block. Justin hears a call for help from an alley and finds a guy who looks and sounds just like Superman except he also looks like a homeless person. The guy swears he is Superman and that he was attacked by some guys he calls Marauders, an attack which caused him to lose most of his super-powers and almost all of his memory. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 402, Action 562, DC Comics Presents 76, All-Star Squadron 40, Infinity Inc. 9”

Comics Reviews: Superman 401, Action 561, DC Comics Presents 75, All-Star Squadron 39, Infinity Inc. 8

Superman 401 coverSuperman #401 – “Operation: False Front” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Bob Oksner

This one begins with the nightly broadcast of WGBS news being interrupted by a couple of Lex Luthor’s henchmen, who just happen to be joined at the hip. Clark Kent stands up to them and gets slapped down (or pretends to, to hide his super-powers) and the thugs relay a message on air for Superman from Luthor, who challenges the Man of Steel to meet him 5,000 feet above Metropolis at noon tomorrow … or Luthor will do something terrible. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 401, Action 561, DC Comics Presents 75, All-Star Squadron 39, Infinity Inc. 8”