Month: December 2020

Written by John Moore

Art by Jim Mooney; Ty Templeton; Nansi Hoolahan; & John Costanza

Cover Art Featuring TV Series Actors Gerard Christopher & Stacy Haiduk as Superboy & Lana Lang

SUMMARY:

Published for February 1990, DC Comics adapts the syndicated 1988-1992 TV series.  Entitled simply “The Superboy,” eighteen-year old Clark Kent performs a heroic feat during a late summer Smallville drag race.  The next morning, Clark and childhood friend Lana Lang head off as freshmen to attend Florida’s Shuster University.  The two childhood friends meet Clark’s obnoxious new roommate, T.J. White, who is the son of Daily Planet Editor Perry White. 

Clark finds himself improvising to avert a campus blackout crisis re: a mysterious meteor.  Donning his Superboy costume for the first time, Clark soars into action to save the university.  At sea, Clark inadvertently frees an unknown alien from the meteor, only to receive his first enigmatic hint that he isn’t really an Earthling.  Seeing the next day’s newspaper, Lana, T.J., and Clark all sense that a new hero’s career has just launched.     

REVIEW:

Sporting decent artwork, this inaugural issue works off the TV series’ first season premise that Clark Kent’s debut as Superboy occurs as a college freshman.  Hence, this issue is a ‘prequel’ to the first episode.  The cast’s likenesses are non-existent, as DC Comics opts for an otherwise conventional Superboy adventure.  Still, to its credit, this comic aspires to entertain without resorting to cheap violence or profanities.  Even if it’s a middling read, Superboy # 1 is a kid-friendly option for readers not previously familiar with this incarnation of the future Man of Steel.    

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a single-page introduction for an ongoing letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    5 Stars

Written by Karl Kesel

Art by Greg S. Luzniak; Dave Bednar; Dan Davis; Jackson Guice; Luke McDonnell; Andrew Pepoy; Peter Gross; Ray McCarthy; Ande Parks; Stan Woch; Chris Eliopoulos; & Tom McCraw

Cover Art by Greg S. Luzniak & Karl Kesel

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for 1994, this 56-page one-shot is entitled “The Super Seven, Part II: Men of Steel.”  Concluding an Elseworlds two-parter starting in The Adventures of Superman Annual # 6, a conquered Earth is in the hands of the alien Malazza-Rem (known as ‘The Horde’).  Having coerced humanity to help destroy its super-heroes, The Horde has now held Earth for a decade.  Assembling the world’s last metahumans, the ‘Super Seven’ are: Batman; Superman; Wonder Woman; Green Lantern Hal Jordan; a crippled Flash/Wally West; Metallex (Metallo/Lex Luthor); and a mysterious Superboy.  Leading Earth’s underground resistance, the outmatched Super Seven mount a desperate last stand in Metropolis versus The Horde.  A double-agent may well doom them all.

Note: DC’s 1994 Annuals deployed an Elseworlds theme.

REVIEW:

It’s a dynamite read.  To writer Karl Kesel’s credit, one doesn’t need the storyline’s first half to enjoy this ‘Super Seven.’ While the artwork telegraphs the traitor’s identity, this spoiler doesn’t detract from Kesel’s compelling script.  Hal Jordan and Batman’s heroics steal the show from Superboy, as both his brash character and Superman underwhelm too much of the time. 

Resembling a Terminator robot, the Metallo/Lex Luthor composite also proves intriguing – particularly, in the last few pages.  Wonder Woman and a well-played Wally West both add valuable, if not brief, supporting roles.  Deploying a veritable arsenal of artists, the visuals are excellent (for that era), including a terrific last page and a spot-on cover image.  Superboy Annual # 1 proves an absorbing Elseworlds tale well worth re-discovery.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  Refreshingly, there are minimal ads.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  8½ Stars

Written by Peter David

Art by Gary Frank; Cam Smith; Pat Prentice; Gene D’Angelo; & Digital Chameleon

Cover Art by Gary Frank & ‘C/Z’

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for January 1997, this slim 20-pager is entitled “Chemical Imbalance.”  In Smallville, a troubled Supergirl briefly disrupts an evangelist revival meeting she attends with Jonathan and Martha Kent.  In Leesburg, the acid-spewing and now-sentient Chemo resurfaces to force Supergirl into a confrontation that leaves her feeling ashamed.            

REVIEW:

Aside from glossy artwork, its intriguing premise is better than the outcome.  Despite Peter David’s considerable writing talents, the Matrix Supergirl’s crisis-of-conscience fails to generate much interest.  In large part, this lackluster duplicate of Kara/Supergirl lacks the timeless appeal of the true Girl of Steel.  More so, a poignantly re-imagined Chemo proves only a single-issue presence.  Peter David’s idea for this new Chemo is reminiscent of how one unique incarnation of Marvel’s Ultron makes West Coast Avengers # 7 such a vintage read. 

Unfortunately, Supergirl # 5 doesn’t come close to that same kind of emotional wallop, as David’s story is a paint-by-the-numbers plot.  It’s worth a single read, but the absence of the real Kara/Supergirl diminishes any reason to keep it.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  Oddly enough, the story begins on the inside front cover and finishes on the back inside cover.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    4½ Stars

Written by Andrew Kreisberg

Art by Mike Norton; Josef Rubenstein; Sal Cipriano; & David Baron

Cover Art by Ladrönn

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for July 2009, it’s entitled “Enemies List, Part Five: The Silence of Sounds.”    Blustery newlyweds Oliver Queen and Dinah Lance (in costumes, no less) are exasperating their marriage counselor, Dr. Burke.  Their prickly counselor tries probing Dinah’s relationship with her late mother (the Golden Age Black Canary), which includes a short flashback re: her first traumatic ‘canary cry.’   Even Oliver is startled by Dinah’s hostility.  Suddenly, all sound has been neutralized.  Green Arrow and Black Canary immediately realize that the outbreak has affected everyone in downtown Star City.  The Queens desperately try to control the city’s instant rioting.

To cover more ground, an outmatched Dinah and Oliver split up into solo action.  While Green Arrow finds an ardent female admirer using some of his discarded arrows, Dinah’s teenage flashback continues.  In the present-day, Dinah is nearly flattened by an out-of-control truck, as she confirms whether or not her sonic cry has also been muted.  Quoting Hamlet, the gloating villain gazes upon the city’s chaos.                  

Note: The Shield makes a quick cameo.        

REVIEW:

For fans of this powerhouse couple, writer Andrew Kreisberg does a solid job conveying Dinah & Oliver’s combustible personalities (especially Dinah’s).  While Oliver’s dialogue consists of a resentful hubby attending counseling only at his wife’s insistence, Kreisberg’s take on Dinah is impressively multi-dimensional. 

Between her sudden mood shifts during the counseling session to a reflective flashback of her teenage years, Black Canary shines when Kreisberg focuses on her.  Including a spot-on cover image, the visuals by the art team are certainly well-done.  The only off-note is that Ollie’s admirer and the villain aren’t necessarily identifiable to anyone who hasn’t read the previous issues in this storyline. 

Still, Green Arrow & Black Canary # 20 continues the storytelling magic between these two characters, even when it involves the unsettling realities of marital counseling.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a five-page preview of Detective Comics # 854, which starts Batwoman’s Elegy storyline.  In the single-page DC Nation column, Executive Editor Dan DiDio hypes his company’s newest acquisitions: pulp fiction legends Doc Savage and Justice Inc.’s Avenger.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             8 Stars

Written by Peter Calloway

Art by Jeremy Haun; JD Smith; & Steve Wands

Cover Art by Guillem March

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for February 2011, “Yrotsih” explores Zatanna Zatara’s reluctant alliance with Talia Al Ghul to strip Catwoman’s knowledge of Bruce Wayne’s secret identity.  Seeking ghostly solace from her late father, Zatanna concludes that protecting Bruce’s life outweighs Selina’s love for him.  As Selina “Catwoman” Kyle argues with Pamela “Poison Ivy” Isley re: Batman’s true identity, Harley Quinn plays referee.  Diverting Harley and Poison Ivy elsewhere, Zatanna searches a captive Selina’s mind. 

Inside Selina’s psyche, Zatanna catches insightful glimpses of Selina’s long history of Bruce, not to mention reconciling her own prior tampering with Selina’s mind.  With her mind wipe spell nearly completed, Zatanna abruptly restores Selina’s memories.  Setting up an imminent showdown, Talia is defiantly confronted by Zatanna re: her ulterior motive.  

REVIEW:

Though Zatanna wouldn’t likely be naïve enough or unwittingly manipulated into aiding Talia, writer Peter Calloway’s storyline is still exceptionally well-played.  Including an awesome cover image, the issue’s visuals are simply top-caliber.  With all the necessary creative elements in place, Gotham City Sirens # 18 is a stellar read for fans of these characters.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

From DC Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler ‘s short Happy New Year greeting representing the single-page “DC Nation” column, with some help from Batman.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 9 Stars

Written by Gerry Conway

Art by Rafael Kayanan; ‘Akin;’ ‘Garvey;’ Carrie Spiegle; & Nansi Hoolahan

Cover Art by Rafael Kayanan & Dick Giordano

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for December 1985, the issue is entitled “A Long Night’s Journey Into Day.”  Continuing a scene from Crisis on Infinite Earths # 9, Lorraine “Firehawk” Reilly tag-teams with Donna “Wonder Girl” Troy.  They desperately search for Lorraine’s father and Donna’s husband, both of whom are missing amidst the ongoing Crisis’ chaotic time-warps.  Amidst cloud cover above Lower Manhattan, Firehawk and Wonder Girl discover they are now in 1776, just prior to a pivotal Revolutionary War maneuver by General George Washington.

Seeking medical assistance for a critically-ill Donna, Firehawk reveals their presence to frontier heroes Tomahawk and Dan Hunter, who implicitly trust these strange new allies.  Reluctantly providing a critical diversion, Firehawk (joined by a recovering Donna) engage the British in combat to help Washington’s forces evacuate from Brooklyn.  As the girls resume their search, Lorraine re-evaluates her life as Firehawk.         

Notes: Re: the cover’s deceptive ‘all-new’ reference, Firehawk’s costume change debuts in Crisis on Infinite Earths # 8.  Although it isn’t referenced in this issue, Firestorm is absent due to Crisis on Infinite Earths # 9-10.   

REVIEW:

Told from Firehawk’s perspective, this well-written tale from Gerry Conway delivers a vintage Crisis cross-over.  Primarily, the believable chemistry between Firehawk and Wonder Girl confirms they can carry an entertaining adventure.  A poignant touch is Conway’s inclusion of Firehawk’s wistful recollection of her late mother, who died when Lorraine was four years old.  Though Tomahawk and Dan Hunter doesn’t add much, the time-warp angle at least gives this story an unpredictable ambiance.  Assisting Conway is an excellent art team, whose visuals (including the cover image) age remarkably well.  Impressively, The Fury of Firestorm # 42 is a storytelling gem from the mid-80’s that holds its own without the lead character.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a two-page “Nuclear Reactions” letters-and-answers column with Conway.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                8 Stars

Written by Gerry Conway

Art by Rafael Kayanan; Alan Kupperberg; Philip Felix; & Nansi Hoolahan

Cover Art by Rafael Kayanan & Dick Giordano

SUMMARY:

Published for April 1985 by DC Comics, this standard-length issue is entitled “The Big Freeze!”  A terrorist-related catastrophe high above Manhattan is Firestorm’s priority.  Among the onlookers are some of Ronnie Raymond’s high school classmates, i.e. his would-be girlfriend, Doreen. 

The other half of Firestorm, Martin Stein, ponders a needed career move to Pittsburgh.  Stein is soon contacted by the New Jersey police re: a missing Dr. Louise Lincoln.  At New York’s Daily Express HQ, Felicity Smoak floats the idea of suing Firestorm for heroic ‘malpractice’ to its editor-in-chief — Ronnie’s own father.  Ronnie is ripped away from a confused Doreen by Stein as Firestorm to investigate a suspicious emergency at Lincoln’s worksite.  A new Killer Frost emerges.

Note: The ending is a precursor to a Firestorm/Killer Frost/Harbinger sequence in Crisis in Infinite Earths # 1.               

REVIEW:

Once again, short of possibly Marv Wolfman, co-creator Gerry Conway proves he’s the best at writing at the Raymond/Stein Firestorm.  Considering how Fury of Firestorm was structured after Conway’s popular run on Amazing Spider-Man, this issue’s kid-friendly entertainment remains considerable.  Its introduction of DC’s best Killer Frost is another reminder why Firestorm was such a reliably fun Justice Leaguer in the early-to-mid-80’s — long before Booster Gold, Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle, and Wally West’s Flash assumed the role of providing Spider-Man-style joking. 

Considering how, post-Crisis, DC Comics squandered the Raymond/Stein Firestorm, Issue # 34 is evidence that the character’s unique entertainment value is derived from Conway’s ace storytelling.  With excellent visual support by the art squad (including a spot-on cover image), The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Man # 34 merits a chance for re-discovery.

Note: Firestorm’s other co-creator is artist Al Milgrom.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Doubling as the series editor, Conway handles the two-page “Nuclear Reactions” letters-and-answers column.  Dick Giordano’s “Meanwhile …” column is on the inside back cover.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:           8 Stars

Note: On DVD, both Super-Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Team and its sequel – The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians from the mid-80s are ideal re: seeing an animated Firestorm.  Far more recently, the Justice League Action TV cartoon series restores the Raymond/Stein version of Firestorm pretty close to Conway’s vision. 

Written by John Ostrander

Art by Joe Brozwski; Sam De La Rosa; Duncan Andrews; & Nansi Hoolahan

Cover Art by Joe Brozowski & Sam De La Rosa

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Journey to Eden,” DC Comics published this opener for a three-parter in November 1988.  After successfully double-teaming Brimstone, the new Firestorm ill-advisedly kisses Firehawk without her consent.  Separately, Ronnie Raymond and his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Arkadin, concur that they should help Firestorm make a fulfilling life.  While Mikhail’s wife comforts him at home, Ronnie accepts his father’s offer to join him on a journalism assignment looking into East African famine relief – specifically, to Ogaden – just south of Ethiopia. 

Ronnie & Lorraine Reilly remain a couple, though Lorraine doesn’t reveal possible complications she has experienced as Firehawk.  In a brief subplot, Ronnie’s step-mother, Felicity Smoak, meets her new boss: Karen Starr (who is secretly Power Girl). In Eastern Africa, the Raymonds (Ronnie and his father, Ed) witnesses the bleak daily horrors of modern famine. A despondent Ronnie summons Mikhail, so their Firestorm will make an environmental difference.

Note: In this version of Firestorm, Ronnie and Mikhail are both talking heads, with the Nuclear Man a mysterious third entity itself – neither of them know yet it’s an amnesiac Martin Stein.

REVIEW:

Clearly, writer John Ostrander doesn’t deploy Firestorm at his best – unlike the character’s co-creator, Gerry Conway, and, for instance, Marv Wolfman.  In the mid-80’s, both Conway and Wolfman capably knew how to convey Firestorm/Ronnie Raymond, Firehawk, Ed Raymond, etc. – Ostrander’s topical style comes off far more heavy-handed.

Ostrander, in fairness, deserves kudos for exploring (rather than exploiting) two huge 80’s issues: humanitarian relief in Africa and an end to Cold War animosity between Russia and the United States.  Yet, Ostrander’s convoluted re-imagining of Firestorm, despite his good intentions, just isn’t entertaining.  Frankly, it sucks all the charm out of Firestorm‘s world.  

Going back a few years, Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond/Martin Stein) and Lorraine Reilly/Firehawk were energetic new stars at the time of 1985-86’s Crisis on Infinite Earths.  For that, credit goes to Conway and, for Crisis, Wolfman.  Yet, in DC’s post-Crisis reboot, both characters were oddly deemed expendable — presumably, to help make room for Wally West’s Flash, among others, as new DC headliners. 

Not knowing what else to do with Firestorm, DC Comics relied upon Ostrander’s wonky adjustments multiple times (i.e. far too quickly aging Ronnie out of college and giving him an awful ponytail/mullet; and Firestorm’s series-killing transformation into a Fire Elemental). The removal of long-time cast members (i.e. Stein, Lorraine/Firehawk, Cliff Carmichael, etc.) for inordinate stretches also numbered among Ostrander’s questionable moves.  Yet, that was only half the problem. 

Prior to Conway’s departure, regardless of the art squad, Firestorm’s artwork was consistently good/above-average.  However, the faded visuals in Firestorm # 77 offer further evidence of a tired, past-its-prime series begging for cancellation.  Joe Brozoski’s penciling work is fine, but this issue’s uninspired inking after the first page is just feeble.  The spot-on cover image (a different angle of Page 1) presents the only other instance of big-league inking. 

Despite its noble plot threads, Firestorm the Nuclear Man # 77 is a regrettable dud.  One can only imagine what the energetic Raymond/Stein version of Firestorm could do in Eastern Africa – in either Conway or Wolfman’s hands, the intriguing possibilities might have resulted in a much-needed gem re-invigorating this series.    

Note: This series lasted until Issue # 100 in 1990.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is a two-page “Nuclear Reactions” letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING:             3½ Stars