Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Young All-Stars Annual #1 – “The Mekanique Paradox” – Roy and Dann Thomas/Mike Gustovich, Joe Kubert, Brian Murray, Michael Bair/Tony DeZuniga
This one starts with Mekanique and Per Degaton sneaking into the Perisphere (aka All-Star Squadron headquarters). Degaton is a bit nervous about going into the stronghold of his enemies, but Mekanique seems confident they can handle even a full team of All-Stars. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Young All-Stars Annual 1, Infinity Inc. Annual 2”
Justice League International #16 – “Bialya, My Bialya” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Kevin Maguire/Al Gordon
This one starts with Batman and Max Lord discussing Rumaan Harjavti, dictator of Bialya. Harjavti supposedly has some new super-weapon and since he’s known to be friendly with terrorists, everyone is worried about it. The League can’t be seen interfering with a sovereign country, so Max suggests they send in a covert team, using an upcoming international gala that Harjavti’s holding as an excuse. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 16, Infinity Inc. 53, Young All-Stars 15”
Justice League International #15 – “Gnort and South” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Steve Leialoha/Al Gordon
Last issue, Manga Khan brought his Cluster to Earth and laid down an ultimatum. The Cluster travels from planet to planet forcing worlds to join their “Cosmic Shopping Network” and if they refuse, the Cluster ravages their planet and moves on. (I know that sounds like a contrived plot summary, but I’m just repeating what Manga Khan’s assistant L-Ron said.) Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 15, Infinity Inc. 52, Young All-Stars 14”
Justice League International #14 – “Shop or Die” – J.M. DeMatteis/Keith Giffen, Steve Leialoha/Al Gordon
This issue really leans into the goofball humour we think of when we think of JLI. It starts with an alien on a planet with the unlikely name of Yecktamecktokovia watching as the planet’s technology is sucked up into orbit by a giant spaceship. Apparently the ship (called the Cluster) is retrieving the tech from the planet which it has just decimated. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 14, Infinity Inc. 51, Young All-Stars 13”
Justice League International #13 – “Collision Course” – J.M. DeMatteis/Keith Giffen/Al Gordon
This one starts with a look at Nemesis, who’s still in a Russian prison after being captured in Suicide Squad 7. The Russians plan to execute him for espionage and make a public statement about that, which gets attention back in the States. Rick Flag is ready to take the Squad in to rescue Nemesis, but Amanda Waller figures it’s a trap to grab more Western superheroes and make the Americans look bad. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 13, Infinity Inc. 50, Young All-Stars 12”
Justice League International #12 – “Who Is Maxwell Lord?” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Kevin Maguire/Al Gordon
This one continues from last issue, with a rather upset Metron wanting to know why the Justice League suddenly busted into his lair. Since Mr. Miracle knows Metron, it’s up to him to calm the riled New God. With his unmatched intellect, Metron soon realizes that the League was drawn to this place just as he was, in the hope of starting a conflict between the two parties. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 12, Infinity Inc. 49, Young All-Stars 11”
Justice League International #11 – “Constructions” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Kevin Maguire/Al Gordon
This one starts with Maxwell Lord welcoming J’onn J’onzz and Captain Atom to his office. Max looks pretty good for someone who was shot a couple issues back, but he has a problem and was hoping J’onn and Captain Atom’s friends from Millennium (especially Superman and Green Lantern) could help him with it. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 11, Infinity Inc. 48, Young All-Stars 10”
Justice League International #10 – “Soul of the Machine” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Kevin Maguire/Al Gordon
This continues the Millennium storyline that ran through most of DC’s books for the first couple months of 1988. A contingent of superheroes (Superman, J’onn J’onzz, Hal Jordan, Katma Tui, Arisia, Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Dr. Fate, Captain Atom, and Firestorm) have gathered near the planet Orinda, the Manhunter homeworld. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 10, Infinity Inc. 47, Young All-Stars 9”
Justice League International #9 – “Seeing Red” – Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis/Kevin Maguire/Al Gordon
Like all the January issues, this one ties into the Millennium mini-series. It starts with the JLI returning from being briefed about the Manhunters, but before they have time to digest that knowledge, their new teammate Rocket Red announces that he is a Manhunter. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Justice League International 9, Infinity Inc. 46, Young All-Stars 8”
Outsiders Special #1 – “From Here to Infinity” – Mike W. Barr/Chuck Patton/Bob Smith
This story takes place after Infinity Inc 42 and Outsiders 21. It starts with Sylvester (Skyman) Pemberton in Markovia, looking for a location to shoot a movie about the JSA’s wartime exploits. He’s a little leery of Markovia’s new prime minister (Vittings) who seems like an isolationist who isn’t big on international cooperation. But his liaison (Ms. Kazmeyer) assures him Vittings will be glad of the revenue the movie will bring. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Outsiders Special #1, Infinity Inc. Special #1”