Month: December 2020

Written by Scott Snyder; James Tynion IV; & Joshua Williamson

Art by Riley Rossmo; Marcus To; Hi-Fi; Andworld Design; & Francis Manapul

Cover Art by Francis Manapul

SUMMARY:

The untitled third chapter of this four-part mini-series was released by DC Comics for July 2018.  Working together, the unlikely duo of Martian Manhunter & Starro the Conqueror combine their telepathic talents to try saving the universe.  At the Arctic Circle, Green Arrow and Amanda Waller argue over Earth’s last chance for defense. 

Inside the planet Colu’s prison block, Batman’s team (Deathstroke; Lex Luthor; Lobo; and Beast Boy) interrogate Brainiac 5.  In Colu’s ‘Tomb of the Science Priests,’ Wonder Woman’s team (Zatanna; Raven; Doctor Fate; and Etrigan the Demon) revive the Tree of Wonder. 

In Colu’s ‘Core Data Bank,’ Cyborg’s squad (Flash; Robin; & Harley Quinn) tap into the planet’s database.  Over in the ‘World Nursery,’ Superman’s alien team (Starfire; Sinestro; Starro; & Martian Manhunter intend to evacuate the captive worlds, including Tamaran, off-planet.  All may be lost, as Colu implodes.       

REVIEW:

Upon reading the summary above, yes, that’s the dreck DC Comics is pitching here. In fairness, there’s a remote chance this chaotic mini-series might actually make a lick of sense, if absorbed in its entirety.  However, what exactly DC sought to accomplish beyond unleashing yet another cosmic cataclysm to boost sales is tough to gauge. 

The déjà vu that long-time comic readers will likely experience in Issue # 3 is DC’s cliché-fest of weak mega-events (i.e. the 1990’s).  Hence, this tired rehash is an exercise in mediocrity (or maybe a futile contractual obligation for the creative team).  Indicative of a phoned-in script, it doesn’t help that this incoherent epic is hampered by barely adequate artwork.  This issue’s sole asset, unfortunately, is artist Francis Manapul’s solid cover image.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The single-page “DC Nation” column hypes the Barry Allen vs. Wally West feud in Flash # 47.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                          3 Stars

Written by Roy Thomas & Dann Thomas

Art by Todd McFarlane; Mike Hernandez; Steve Montano; Adrienne Roy; Anthony Tollin; & ‘Cody’

Cover Art by Michael Bair & Anthony Tollin

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for November 1985, this Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover is titled “Crisis on Infinitor’s Earth.”  On Earth-Two’s Milwaukee, the Infinitors (Jade; Silver Scarab; Northwing; & Fury) contend with mass damage wreaked by a Crisis-spawned tornado, with relief from the Justice Society’s Green Lantern and Starman.  In Los Angeles, the original Dr. Mid-Nite conducts medical tests on Nuklon, as they are joined by the JSA’s Rex “Hourman” Tyler, his 19-year old son: Rick Tyler, and Mid-Nite’s gifted intern, Dr. Beth Chapel.  An earthquake-caused fire sends Dr. Mid-Nite, Nuklon, and Hourman into action.  The origins of the second Hourman and a female Dr. Mid-Nite become intertwined.       

REVIEW:

Boasting high-caliber artwork (including a great cover image), this Crisis tie-in offers a refreshing read.  Courtesy of Roy Thomas & Dann Thomas, the Crisis angle is well-played by challenging the Infinity squad and the JSA re: managing damage control. 

As the team’s most imposing member, Nuklon’s presence helping contain the hospital fire next to ‘down-to-earth’ veterans Dr. Mid-Nite and Hourman makes for an interesting contrast.  Gaining worthy face time is Beth Chapel, as she is a likable addition to the team’s expanding cast.  The more compelling sub-plot is Rex Tyler’s hypocritical opposition to his unfocused son popping Miraclo like his father and becoming another instant Hourman.  Suffice to say, Infinity Inc. # 20 is worth re-discovery for fans of DC’s original Earth-Two.  It’s really a treat to enjoy these DC characters still in their original incarnations. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Roy Thomas handles the single-page letters-and-answers column, as well as cover reveals for Infinity Inc. Annual # 1 and Infinity Inc. # 21, which officially debuts Dr. Mid-Nite II and Hourman II.  On the back inside cover, a guest contributor covers the “Meanwhile …” column, as news re: the DC Bullets softball team is included.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:          8 Stars

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Jason Fabok; Brad Anderson; & Carlos Mangual

‘Lego’ Variant Cover Art by Joshua Middleton

SUMMARY:

Published under The New 52 banner by DC Comics for January 2015, the start of The Amazo Virus is entitled “Chapter One: Quarantined.”  More than five hundred citizens are critically ill from a mutated virus that Lex Luthor spawned using an artificial enzyme he took from Amazo.  The likely fatal symptoms include a normal human’s manifestation of a dangerously random super-power. 

Among the casualties are Aquaman; Shazam; Green Lantern Jessica Cruz; Cyborg; and Flash.  Due to their non-human existence, Wonder Woman & Superman are immune to this plague.  Knowing his own sister is a victim, Luthor admits to Wonder Woman he has 24 hours or less to concoct an antidote before the Leaguers die. 

In a ravaged Metropolis, Batman & Superman desperately search for the elusive ‘Patient Zero,’ who likely carries the necessary anti-bodies for a cure.  While Steve Trevor and Luthor discuss the sole option for curing this ‘super-disease,’ an unknown enemy is seeking assassins to carry out a high-priced hit on Luthor.

Note: Though the image isn’t available here, artists Jason Fabok & Brad Anderson created this issue’s main cover.

REVIEW:

What pops out most is the outstanding glossy visuals by the art team, especially top-caliber renditions of Wonder Woman and Lex Luthor.  The same applies to Batman and the New 52 Superman.  Writer Geoff Johns’ ‘super-plague’ storyline inevitably has a few gross moments, but his concept (Luthor as the League’s savior) makes for an intriguing read.  Although this storyline starts under way, Johns sufficiently clues in readers re: the backstory.  His dialogue for various sequences (i.e. Luthor & Wonder Woman; Luthor & Captain Cold; Batman & Superman’s scenes) is excellent.  As a complete package, Justice League # 36 definitely proves well-played!     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “Channel 52” column offers a two-spread promoting a Harley Quinn Holiday Special.  The single-page “DC All Access” promotes Meredith Finch & David Finch’s arrival as Wonder Woman’s new creative team.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                8½ Stars

Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Art by Fernando Pasarin; Oclair Albert; Gabe Eltaeb; & Rob Leigh

Cover Art by Fernando Pasarin; Oclair Albert; & Romulo Fajardo Jr.

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for July 2018, this 48-page one-shot has Lois, Clark, and their young son, Jonathan, in Big City for a journalist colleague’s funeral.  As Superboy, Jon helps Damian “Robin” Wayne rescue a critically-wounded Dynomutt. Interrupting the canine cyborg’s repairs at Crowne Tower, the boys are attacked by a mind-controlled Blue Falcon (aka Radley Crowne). 

As told in flashback, the maniacal Red Vulture was one of Crowne’s first cybernetic experiments and now seeks immortality by stealing Dynomutt’s far superior technology.  In the present-day, it’s up to Superboy & Robin to save Dynomutt before the Red Vulture takes lethal vengeance.  The ex-Dog Blunder poignantly reveals what the playful nickname, “B.F.” really stands for, and it’s not ‘Blue Falcon.’    

Notes: Though the image isn’t available here, there is a variant cover by Doug Mahnke & Wil Quintana. This comic is also reprinted in the DC Meets Hanna-Barbera , Volume 2 trade paperback.

REVIEW:

Writer Peter J. Tomasi’s reboot of this classic Hanna-Barbera duo owes a big wink to Tim Burton’s macabre Frankenweenie parody.  Tomasi’s ghoulish re-imagining works by including plausible story elements: i.e. Lois & Clark attending a funeral in Big City; Bruce Wayne & Radley Crowne as old friends; Blue Falcon as a Batman, Inc. operative; and Big City existing in proximity to Gotham City, etc.  By further extension, it’s no surprise how easily Big City’s own Dynamic Duo assimilates into DC Comics continuity 

The inclusion of the ‘Super Sons’ adds to this retroactive fun, as both boys exert a believable bond with Dynomutt.  Even more impressive is that Tomasi’s storyline is so well-anchored by superb artwork, including a spot-on cover image.  The sole fault stems from an absence of good-natured humor, aside from Superboy’s incredulity at meeting a talking Dynomutt.  In their goofy original incarnations, Dynomutt & Blue Falcon were at their best spoofing Batman & Robin, but this dark re-imagining still offers the characters a fresh opportunity. 

Tomasi’s version of Dynomutt & Blue Falcon adheres to the duo’s 21^st Century make-over already seen in a Scooby-Doo animated film and a guest spot in a Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated episode.  Further, conveying this Radley Crowne as a blond Bruce Wayne-type with a Dr. Frankenstein complex is unmistakable.  Though this comic isn’t suitable for Dynomutt’s youngest fans, the Super Sons / Dynomutt & Blue Falcon one-shot still delivers a dynamite read.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The single-page “DC Nation” column hypes Jim Lee’s designs for Superman’s latest nemesis: Rogol Zaar.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8 Stars

Written by E. Nelson Bridwell

Feature Art by Ramona Fradon; Bob Smith; Ben Oda; & Adrienne Roy

Back-Up Feature Art by Kurt Schaffenberger; Robert Smith; C. Robins; & Adrienne Roy

Cover Art by Ramona Fradon & Bob Smith

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for February 1980, the featured tale stars the Super-Friends in “Invisible Defenders of Earth!”  Aboard the Justice League’s satellite, Wonder Woman and the Wonder Twins observe a hostile alien presence invading Earth.  Its extermination squad even has a ship possessing a kryptonite radiation shield that extinguishes all life.  Forced to improvise, Wonder Woman’s magic lasso makes her vulnerable organic limbs invisible.  Once the same protection is given to Superman, Aquaman, Batman, & Robin, the Super-Friends fight back against the invasion.

The eight-page back-up feature stars the Wonder Twins in “Scholars from the Stars.”  Per their mentor’s advice, Zan & Jayna go undercover at Gotham Central High School to further their education.  As blonde twins, Zan & Jayna pull outlandish pranks on nosy classmates following them home.  With help from one of Professor Nichols’ inventions, the Wonder Twins must then rectify their mistake.                 

REVIEW:

Its surprisingly decent visuals surpass the usual Hanna-Barbera-style animation of the long-running TV series.  Though not likely to inspire multiple reads, this forgettable issue sports okay kiddie entertainment. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a single-page “Daily Planet” news-and-notes column.  Also included is a single-page “Super Fans” letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     4  Stars

Written by Sarah E. Byam

Art by Trevor von Eeden; Bob Smith; Julia Lacquement; & Steve Haynie

Cover Art by Trevor von Eeden

SUMMARY:

Entitled “The Art of Whorr,” this issue was published by DC Comics for April 1993.  In Seattle, a temporarily boot-less Dinah “Black Canary” Lance defends her retiring cobbler, Tony Cinchelli, from a violent neighborhood shakedown by local mobsters.  While Dinah obtains some background info from her journalist friend, Gan, conniving real estate developer Jacob Whorrsman realizes that Black Canary is an imminent threat.  Explosive sabotage sends Dinah to the rescue of a friend and his sympathetic niece.

REVIEW:

It’s an uninspired filler story.  The only bit of fun is Dinah’s obligatory showdown vs. two large thugs, including one of them getting his pants humorously slashed.  Yet, writer Sarah Byam doesn’t bother explaining why Black Canary is voluntarily running around in her fishnet-clad feet without temporary footwear (while her beloved boots are being repaired).  For that matter, the sole plot twist (a cliché, no less) is hampered by no explanation re: how Dinah makes a critical deduction – or even what leads her to do so. 

As for the artwork, the cover image is okay, but, otherwise, the visuals are strictly unremarkable.  Curiously enough, football shoulder pads are hidden under Dinah’s fitted black jacket, or at least it can be construed that way.  Suffice to say, this clunky look isn’t a great variation on Black Canary’s classic outfit.

Even for long-time Dinah Lance fans, Black Canary # 4 proves a disappointingly bland read.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The last page is a “DC Bullets” news-and-notes column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:           4 Stars

Written by Gail Simone

Art by James Riaz; Robin Riggs; Hi-Fi Design; & Travis Lanham

Cover Art by Jerry Ordway & Brian Miller

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for December 2006, Headhunt concludes with “Part Four: Class Dismissed.”  Black Canary & Huntress pursue the ruthless Turkish gunrunner, Yasemin, into a derelict apartment building.  A hostage situation separates the Birds, as Yasemin faces a wrathful Huntress alone.  At the team base, Oracle defends herself from a mysterious teen intruder claiming to be the new Batgirl.  Trying to discourage the kid’s wonky enthusiasm, Oracle schools the would-be Batgirl as to the mantle’s grim reality.  Later that night, upon sharing her memoir with Oracle, Black Canary poignantly reveals to Oracle and Huntress why she is leaving the Birds.                   

REVIEW:

In a ‘series finale’ of sorts, writer Gail Simone brings her A-game.  Depicting all three Birds (plus Blackhawk Zinda’s amusing cameo) at their best, Birds of Prey # 99 delivers a worthy cross-roads leading into a game-changing 100^th issue.  The art team’s visuals also make a solid contribution.  For fans of the original Birds of Prey series, this issue is definitely worth the read.    

Note: There’s an artistic gaffe: the wanna-be Batgirl’s red hair is omitted in her last two panels. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Dan DiDio’s DC Nation column refers to DC event brands as means of promoting Year One mini-series projects for Green Arrow, Metamorpho, Black Lightning, Teen Titans, & Huntress.  Thumbnail cover reveals are for Birds of Prey # 100; Action Comics # 844; Justice # 8; and Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers # 1.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               8½ Stars

Written by Gail Simone

Art by Paulo Sequeira; Robin Riggs; Hi-Fi Design; & Pat Brosseau

Cover Art by Jerry Ordway & Brian Miller

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Headhunt, Part Two: The Piper Must Be Paid,” it was published by DC Comics for October 2006.  In suburban Dayton, Ohio, the Birds (Black Canary, Huntress, Blackhawk Zinda, & Gypsy) contend with the Secret Society’s Talia Al Ghul, Felix Faust, & Cheetah re: the teenage Black Alice’s future.  With Black Alice’s bewildered father in the middle, the two factions bid for her faith. 

Urged to flee, Alice is pursued to U.S. Air Force’s National Museum.  The outmatched Birds must survive battling the Society’s magical forces.  Tempted by the Secret Society’s recruitment, Black Alice makes a startling decision.  Meanwhile, in Gotham City, a mysterious Batgirl resembling Barbara Gordon takes flight.          

REVIEW:

Capably supported by the art team’s visuals (i.e. an accurate cover image), writer Gail Simone puts forth a strong effort establishing Black Alice as the DC Universe’s most powerful teen sorceress.  Pitting Black Canary vs. Talia & Cheetah is a terrific idea, as is Zinda’s explosive usage of an antique WWII bomber.  Including the ending’s macabre twist, Simone’s classy writing hits all the necessary marks.  The tantalizing Batgirl sub-plot offers an additional asset.  Aside from Dinah’s implausibly fast recuperation from a near-fatal lynching, Birds of Prey # 97 proves a well-played read for fans.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Dan DiDio’s DC Nation column plugs Teen Titans-related projects and Darwyn Cooke’s take on The Spirit.  Thumbnail cover reveals are for Birds of Prey # 98; Justice League of America # 1; Flash # 3; and Manhunter # 25.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8 Stars