Reviews, ruminations, and (occasional) ramblings.
Justice League of America #222 – “Death Games” – Gerry Conway/Chuck Patton/Romeo Tanghal
Last issue, the JLA tangled with several beast-men, human-animal hybrids like something from the Island of Dr. Moreau. Firestorm encountered one of the beast-men (a cat lady named Reena) who asked him for help. He brought her back to the JLA Satellite so she can tell the JLA her story. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 222, New Teen Titans 38, Legion of Super-Heroes 307, Warlord 77”
All-Star Squadron #28 – “By Hatred Possessed” – Roy Thomas/Richard Howell/Gerald Forton
Today I’m finishing up with the All-Star Squadron and Warlord issues that were pushed out of synch because of their annuals. The next couple posts will wrap up the other 1983 Annuals and then I’ll do my preview for 1984. Last issue, Dr. Fate went looking for the Spectre and found him guarding the tomb of Kulak, evil sorcerer. Fate and Spectre fought and Fate ended up being tossed through countless dimensions into oblivion. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: All-Star Squadron 28, Warlord 76”
Superman #390 – “Lost on a Comet” – Cary Bates (plot), Elliot S! Maggin/Curt Swan/Dave Hunt
This one starts with Vartox, in a deep state of unconsciousness, inside a comet in the far reaches of space. The comet runs into an alien spaceship, dislodging Vartox, who can’t remember who he is or how he got there. His heroic instincts are intact though, and he immediately tries to help the stricken ship. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 390, Action 550, DC Comics Presents 64, Warlord 75”
Superman #389 – “Brother Act” – Cary Bates (plot), Paul Kupperberg/Curt Swan/Dave Hunt
This one starts with some guy in a phone booth trying to call Clark Kent at WGBS. Someone in a crane sends the wrecking ball toward the phone booth, trying to pulverize the guy. Since this is Metropolis, Superman shows up to save him. Supes assumes it was an accident until the crane operator is found half-conscious, claiming someone hit him from behind. The would-be victim disappears (shedding a disguise) before Superman can question him. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 389, Action 549, DC Comics Presents 63, Warlord 74”
Superman #388 – “The Kid Who Played Superman” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Dave Hunt
This one starts with Lois Lane returning to WGBS after her time off. She heads straight for Perry White’s office and gives him hell for replacing her with Lana Lang on the big Middle East story she’d been working on. Perry lets her say her piece, then reminds Lois that she’s the one who walked away when it looked like the assignment had fallen through, and since she decided to take extra time off and not tell anyone where she was, Perry had no choice but to send Lana to salvage the story. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 388, Action 548, DC Comics Presents 62, Warlord Annual 2”
Superman #387 – “The Conqueror From the Past” – Paul Kupperberg, Bob Rozakis (plot)/Curt Swan/Vince Colletta
This one starts with Josh Coyle, news director at WBGS, almost having a heart attack when Clark Kent shows up on time for his news broadcast. it’s kind of a running joke that Clark is always late—or absent—which has given Josh ulcers, so he almost can’t believe Clark’s there on time for once. This broadcast is special because it covers Lana Lang’s assignment in Egypt that’s been building over the last few issues. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 387, Action 547, DC Comics Presents 61, Warlord 73”
Superman #386 – “Luthor Lashes Back” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Dave Hunt
This one starts with Lex Luthor’s battle-suit flying around Metropolis by itself, freaking out citizens. Luthor is heading into the Galaxy Building, where Perry White almost recognizes him but figures Luthor wouldn’t be bold enough to just stroll right in. A guard feels the same way, but knows it really is Luthor when he phases right through the wall. He phases into Clark Kent’s office (tossing Justin Moore out on his ass) and tells Clark he has a front page story for him. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 386, Action 546, DC Comics Presents 60, Warlord 72”
Superman #385 – “Luthor Rises Again” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Dave Hunt
This one starts with Lex Luthor grieving in the shattered remnants of Lexor, the planet where he was considered a hero and had a family. Lexor was destroyed in a battle between Luthor and Superman (in Action 544) and now Luthor wants revenge. He brings a large chunk of Lexor back to Earth, depositing it in the South Atlantic (and crushing a crimelord on his yacht) to form Luthor’s new base … L Island. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 385, Action 545, DC Comics Presents 59, Warlord 71”
Superman #384 – “Steve Lombard—Down, Out, and Dead?” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Dave Hunt
This one start with a skinny dude named Leo Morey showing up at WGBS just before air time. Leo’s in a foul mood and is looking forward to confronting someone who sounds like a real dick … three guesses who that might be. Yup, it’s Steve Lombard. Steve and Leo were roommates in college and apparently Steve was an asshole back then too, making Leo the constant butt of his jokes. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 384, Action 544, DC Presents 58, Warlord 70”
Superman #383 – “Your World or Your Life, Superman—One Must Die” – Cary Bates/Curt Swan/Dave Hunt
This one starts with Superman out in space, coming across a weird energy phenomenon. He checks it out (by flying right through it) and determines it’s no threat to any nearby systems, so he heads back to Earth. On Earth, Lois Lane is on a plane heading for her new assignment in the Middle East. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 383, Action 543, DC Comics Presents 57, Warlord 69”