Category: DC Digital Comics

Written by Kurt Busiek

Art by Tom Grummett; Prentis Rollins; Alex Sinclair; & Comicraft

Cover Art by Tom Grummett & Michael Bair

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for September 2002, this issue is entitled “Old Business.”  Arriving at the team’s San Francisco base, Bork observes teammate Sapphire’s powers being tested.  They overhear a tense board meeting re: the team’s four partners.  Power Co. founder-attorney Josiah Power reluctantly agrees to aid his old client Jason Spheer’s Star City chemical company in a publicity ploy.  In Star City, Oliver Queen recalls a nasty incident eight years before where he and Dinah Lance traced a poisonous food additive to its manufacturer, Spheer Chemical. 

Green Arrow & Black Canary uncover Spheer’s nefarious top secret ‘Biomax Process,’ which is capable of mutating animals and even the Earth itself.  In an ensuing melee, Oliver & Dinah meet Power and the company’s president, Jason Spheer.  Back to the present-day: a fuming Oliver learns of Power & Spheer’s latest collaboration.  He intends to finally take down Spheer Chemical and confront its suspected co-conspirators, the Power Company. 

Elsewhere, an alien gem-like meteorite ominously enslaves a father and young son in Marin County.    

Note: Hal Jordan & Carol Ferris appear in a brief cameo.

REVIEW:

Capably supported by terrific artwork (including the cover image), writer-creator Kurt Busiek ironically delivers a vintage adventure without The Power Company.  This issue is really more a showcase for guest stars Black Canary & Green Arrow, as their star power easily outshines the regular cast.  For fans of Star City’s classic crime-fighting duo, Power Company # 6 proves an unexpected minor gem.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8 Stars

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Gary Frank; Jon Sibal; Rob Leigh; & Brad Anderson

Cover Art by Gary Frank & Brad Anderson

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for October 2008, the third chapter of the five-part Brainiac storyline is entitled “Greetings.”  At The Daily Planet, gossip columnist Cat Grant smugly targets Supergirl.  Absent again, Clark’s cover story is that he is presently “on assignment” in Coast City.  After Lois discreetly interrupts Supergirl’s naïve confusion re: Cat’s vanity implants, the cousin-in-laws discuss Superman’s whereabouts.  Meanwhile, aboard Brainiac’s starship, a captive Superman resists interrogation by the villain’s cybernetic drones.  Briefly escaping, the Man of Steel confirms Supergirl’s suspicions re: the stolen city of Kandor. 

Superman is stunned that he has inadvertently given Brainiac the necessary coordinates to Earth.  Supergirl is designated Brainiac’s next victim.  Brainiac’s starship commences its invasion of Earth, as the Kents in Smallville and Lois & Supergirl in Metropolis look on in breath-taking horror.  Even sleazy Steve Lombard wonders where’s the Man of Steel when you really need him.   

REVIEW:

Gary Frank’s stellar rendition of a Christopher Reeve-esque Superman is always welcome.  The art team’s visuals are once more superb, including an absolutely spot-on cover image.  Writer Geoff Johns’ storyline continues to impress with this sci-fi/horror reboot of Brainiac that resembles a homage directed at Star Trek’s The Borg, Aliens, and probably The Terminator. 

However, there are two parental advisory notes: 

1. As with Action Comics # 866, there’s another amusing gag sequence re: displaying Cat Grant’s recent cosmetic enhancements.  The well-played joke is fun adult humor, but it’s inappropriate for impressionable younger readers.  

• Superman’s Borg-like interrogation scene is a bit gross (i.e. when the Man of Steel extracts a metallic tube forcibly shoved down his throat).  The imagery may be scary to kids.

Even so, Action Comics # 868 is a near-flawless gem of Superman entertainment.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Dan DiDio’s DC Nation column talks about writer J. Michael “Joe” Stracynski’s assignment writing Brave and the Bold.  DiDio also announces that DC Comics has reacquired the necessary rights and will (this time) include Archie Comics’ super-heroes (the Fly; the Shield; Jaguar; the Mighty Crusaders, etc.) into DC Comics continuity. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              9 Stars

Note: The complete storyline is available in both hardcover and trade paperback form.

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Written by Mark Kneece & Bo Hampton

Art by Bo Hampton; Tracy Hampton Munsey; Olyoptics; & Airika Lindsay

Cover Art by Bo Hampton

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for Late August 1992, this standard-length issue concludes the “Destiny” two-parter.  Mirroring an ages-old legend linked to Norse mythology, Batman and Jon Riksson (the descendant of the Viking Prince) arrive in the remote Norwegian village of Gallund.  The duo finds that that Jon’s father and his sister, Frieda, have been abducted by the sinister Asgard International group, as it is willing to kill any resistance. 

Awaiting an opportunity to infiltrate Asgard’s underground mine upon nightfall, Batman & Jon learn more of the epic journey that a trio of ancient allies: the Viking Prince, Freyja the psychic, and a primitive ‘Bat Man’ made to find the mystical Stones of Lodge.  In the present-day, Batman & Jon make their move against Asgard International, as the implied fate of their ancient Norse counterparts is revealed.      

REVIEW:

Anchored by occasionally murky visuals, this Brave and The Bold-style team-up exploring a mystical Norse prophecy is a slow yet intriguing read.  Its best element is likely the existence of a Viking-like ‘Bat Man,’ who makes some critical contributions to this storyline, along with his potential love connection to the mysterious Freyja. 

One might wonder why the modern-day Batman is so easily captured late in the story, but this contrivance is made up for with a well-played finish.  In all likelihood, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight # 36 probably isn’t going to appeal to pre-teens.  However, its sophisticated adult storytelling (i.e. a reliance on Norse mythology) makes a welcome temporary shift away from the usual Gotham City shenanigans.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

In addition to a two-page letters-and-answers column, there’s a full-page “Inside DC” column by Michael Eury promoting the company’s ambitious 1992 Bat-projects agenda.  Including references to the Batman Returns live-action film and the upcoming Batman: The Animated Series, DC refers to it as ‘Year of the Bat, Phase II.’    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                6 Stars