Month: December 2020

“Doom Patrol”  Feature Written by Keith Giffen. Art by Matthew Clark; Livesay; Pat Brosseau; & Guy Major.

“Metal Men”  Feature Written by Keith Giffen. Art by J.M. DeMatteis; Kevin Maguire; Guy Major; & Nick J. Napolitano.

Cover Art by Matthew Clark & Guy Major

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for October 2009, Keith Giffen has a mature take on the Doom Patrol followed by his sitcom-like Metal Men.  The Doom Patrol’s 20-page adventure is entitled “We Who Are About to Die.”  Facing mad geneticist-cyborg Amanda Beckett’s mutant monsters in tropical Buena Suerte, the Doom Patrol loses two members. 

Returning home to their Oolong Island base, the jaded survivors (Rita Farr: Elasti-Woman; Larry Trainor: Negative Man; and Cliff Steele: Robot Man) are analyzed by priest Rocky Davis (from the Challengers of the Unknown).  Davis is dismayed at the trio’s attitude that they are just waiting to die in action, let alone a lack of compassion for their casualties.  His morality clashes with the chilly Dr. Niles Caulder.  Rita’s miniature roommate, Bumblebee, is also perturbed at the team’s indifference.  Caulder consults on a bizarre matter involving a black hole.

In the ten-page “A Day in the Life,” Dr. Will Magnus patiently humors his suburban neighbors’ complaints re: the Metal Men.  In Brazil, the seven-member squad (Gold; Iron; Lead; Platinum – aka Tina; Mercury; Tin; & Copper) bickers, as they combat the rampaging the gigantic monolith, Zummazumma the Living Idol.  Returning home, the team’s various sibling squabbles continue.  Tina’s playful scheme to cozy up to Dr. Magnus goes hilariously awry.

REVIEW:

Impressively, writer Keith Giffen’s artistic versatility is on full display.  Supported by top-caliber visuals, his depressing Doom Patrol opener is an intriguing read, as its thematic content treads closer to Suicide Squad than standard super-heroics.  Sporting a tongue-in-cheek cartoony style, the Metal Men’s back-up tale is terrific comic relief (with their “dad” Will Magnus as the straight man).  Including its spot-on cover image, this double-feature is a treat updating fans on these two vintage Silver Age super-teams.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a single-page “DC Nation” column promoting the latest wave of Blackest Night and its tie-in issues.  Included is a five-preview of Magog # 1 entitled “Lethal Force,” which is a JSA spin-off series written by Giffen.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:             8 Stars

Written by Marc Andreyko

Art by Cliff Richards; Art Thibert; John J. Hill; & Jason Wright

Cover Art by Christian Alarmy

SUMMARY:

Published for October 2007 by DC Comics, Batman is recruiting operatives for his black ops Outsiders for the upcoming Final Crisis.  Corresponding with Countdown # 35, this last issue of five one-shots is entitled “Member of the Tribe.”  In the wake of Amazons Attack, lonely half-Bana Amazon Grace Choi returns home to Cleveland.  Sharing her backstory with Wonder Woman, Grace guides her new friend on an intriguing tour of her hometown. 

Batman soon sends them to investigate an irradiated woman being treated at the Cleveland Clinic, as she may have been exposed to a Bana radioactive bomb.  With Batman’s long-distance help, it’s up to them to defuse a nuclear weapon!

REVIEW:

Inevitably, these two heroic Amazons would team up, and writer Mark Andreyko doesn’t disappoint.  Humorously playing up Grace & Diana’s newfound sense of sisterhood (or actually distant cousins), he ensures that both characters shine.  Told from Grace’s point-of-view, her poignant backstory is well-played.  One of the story’s best moments is a public bus ride where the two Amazons charmingly meet one of Diana’s impressionable young fans.  Wonder Woman’s supportive big sister-like role immensely helps making this team-up plausible.  Andreyko also wisely saves Grace’s irate reaction for last once Batman’s imminent game plan comes into focus.  The spot-on cover art demonstrates that this issue’s s focus on teamwork and compassion — in fact, there is a welcome absence of bloody violence and profanity.  Overall, Five of a Kind: Wonder Woman and Grace # 1 proves a pleasant surprise.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The anonymous “DC Nation” column hypes the Sinestro Corps War saga.  Sneak peek covers are for Outsiders # 50 (which is the follow-up to this mini-series); Four Horsemen # 1; Amazons Attack # 6; and Teen Titans # 50.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:          7½ Stars

Written by Tony Bedard

Art by Koi Turnbull; Art Thibert; J.D. Smith; & John J. Hill

Cover Art by Koi Turnbull; Art Thibert; & J.D. Smith

SUMMARY:

Published for October 2007 by DC Comics, Batman is secretly conducting try-outs for a black ops Outsiders squad in preparation for the upcoming Final Crisis.  Among five one-shots, Part III is entitled “Bug-Eyed Monsters.”  Deep underground, Thunder (Black Lightning’s daughter: Anissa Pierce) and Martian Manhunter (J’onn J’onzz) investigate an alien teleporter device.  Fleeing the serial killer targeting New Gods, a fugitive Grayven (Darkseid’s son) is hiding out on Earth.  Improvising an unconventional solution, Thunder is satisfied that she and J’onn accomplished their mission.  Grayven’s fate is revealed.  Thunder finds out if she has made the cut for Batman’s ruthless new Outsiders.    

REVIEW:

Bolstered by top-tier artwork, this issue is an excellent spotlight for Thunder.  While Martian Manhunter’s reliable presence helps anchor this storyline, writer Tony Bedard smartly devises a means of proving Thunder’s ingenuity to help protect Earth.  Hence, Five of a Kind: Thunder & Martian Manhunter # 1 is a solid read, particularly for Thunder’s fans.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None, as the “DC Nation” column is on ‘on vacation.’  The next mission, however, is revealed, as Metamorpho will tag-team with Aquaman.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:            8 Stars

Written by Mike W. Barr

Art by Kevin Sharpe; Robin Riggs; John J. Hill; Richard Horie; & Tanya Horie

Cover Art by Cliff Chiang

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for October 2007, it’s the second of five one-shots tag-teaming prospective Outsiders auditioning for Batman’s covert Final Crisis strike team.  Entitled “The Queen of Swords & The King of the Rock,” the plot focuses on Katana.  After fending off a 3-1 sneak attack by assassins, she returns home.  

Before Shazam can stop her, Katana opts to pursue her enemies in the demonic realm of Fukumaden by impaling herself with her own mystical Soultaker blade.  As Katana’s spirit faces the blade’s prior victims, her brother-in-law schemes to destroy her mortal body.  Can Shazam intervene in time?  And will either Katana or Shazam be chosen for Batman’s secret squad?     

REVIEW:

Despite lots of sword-swinging action, there is minimal blood (even when Katana chops off a villain’s hand).  Regarding the story itself, veteran Batman & the Outsiders writer Barr ably demonstrates he knows Katana better than anyone by delivering one of her best-ever appearances.  Shazam/Captain Marvel has a minor role, as the Rock of Eternity’s new guardian can only help Katana to a certain degree.  Batman’s well-written cameo establishes why sometimes the best thing he can do is not intervene.  Overall, Five of a Kind: Katana and Shazam # 1  is balanced by capably produced artwork, including the cover image.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The anonymous “DC Nation” column hypes the upcoming Final Crisis saga.  Sneak peek covers for Countdown # 38, Batman # 666, and JLA: Classified # 41 are included.  Per a thumbnail cover reveal, the next mission is revealed, as Martian Manhunter & Black Lightning’s daughter, Thunder, literally go underground.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 7 Stars

Written by Keith Giffen

Art by Lee Garbett; Trevor Scott; Randy Mayor; & Rob Leigh

Cover Art by Mike McKone; Andy Lanning; & Randy Mayor

SUMMARY:

Published for June 2008, the first issue of this six-part DC Comics/WildStorm cross-over series is entitled “Chimera Rising.”  At Happy Harbor, Rhode Island, the Silver Age Justice League (Superman; Wonder Woman; Batman; Flash; Green Lantern; Atom; Martian Manhunter; & Green Arrow) witness an enormous tidal wave overwhelm the coast line.  From its extradimensional headquarters, The Authority observes that an even more powerful ocean surge has occurred in the Aegean Sea.  Somehow, Titans Tower is now in the same extradimensional space as the Rikers Island prison in New York.  Investigating the matter, Majestic encounters the 1980’s Teen Titans.

Others from the WildStorm Universe watch the bizarre news on television.  Three members of the Justice Society (Green Lantern – Alan Scott, the Flash – Jay Garrick, and Wildcat – Ted Grant) contact the residents of a retirement home in Tranquility, Oregon.  In wintry Russia, Hellstrike, Winter, Fahrenheit, and Fuji are among the investigators of a mysteriously crashed Legionnaire starship.  At a trailer park in rural Arkansas, Superman makes a darkly ambiguous cameo. 

Note: Though the image isn’t available here, the art team of Lee Garbett, Trevor Scott, & Randy Mayor created the variant cover.

REVIEW:

Like dreams so often do, Dreamwar # 1 doesn’t make much sense, even when bits and pieces seem strangely familiar.  It’s just a guess that writer Keith Giffen’s muddled storyline will address its incoherency, if read in its six-part entirety.  One can only presume that the hazy “dream” portion of the series title must eventually come into play. 

Still, this issue’s other problem is its lack of context.  Case in point: unless readers are readily familiar with the WildStorm Universe, references identifying various characters are far too few.  That’s why this comic is a confusing read at best, particularly as there isn’t much narrative providing transition between scenes.  It’s a shame, too, considering the splendid job the art team does on this issue’s visuals.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Editor Jim Lee’s single-page “Storm Front” column promotes the Casey Blue: Beyond Tomorrow mini-series.  A six-page sneak preview is included promoting the opener of the Secret History of the Authority: Hawksmoor mini-series.  The Authority is seen confronting a bizarre crisis in Kiev, Ukraine. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 4 Stars