Month: October 2021

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics DC's Hardcovers & Trade Paperbacks

ELSEWORLD’S FINEST: SUPERGIRL & BATGIRL (DC Comics)

Written by Barbara Kesel & Matt Haley.  

Art by Matt Haley; Tom Simmons; Bill Oakley; & Moose Baumann.

Cover Art by Matt Haley; Tom Simmons; & Moose Baumann.

SUMMARY:

Released in 1998 by DC Comics, this 64-page Elseworlds tale imagines an alternate reality where true crime novelist Barbara Gordon/Batgirl has forcibly segregated her Gotham City from Earth’s superhuman interference (i.e. the Justice Society). 

Despite the presence of both Batgirl and the full Justice Society, a visiting Lex Luthor is abducted from a black-tie PR event by a venom-powered Joker and his new associate/ex-Luthor crony, Dr. Emil Hamilton.  Complicating Batgirl’s team-up with a naïve Supergirl is twofold: the Joker’s slimy crush on Batgirl has him transformed to Bane-size to impress her while this Supergirl idolizes the nefarious Luthor.  This Elseworld’s Finest Team must then infiltrate Luthor’s Metropolis lab complex to confirm its darkest secrets. 

Included are this reality’s origin flashbacks for both Batgirl, whose ‘Alfred’-like assistant is playboy Bruce Wayne, & Kara/Supergirl.

REVIEW:

Good intentions re: super-feminism aside, the story’s sole plus is the starring duo’s cool-looking costumes.  They’re impressive enough that DC Direct’s Elseworlds toy line subsequently produced a pair of stellar Supergirl & Batgirl action figures in 2007 during its third wave to cash in.  Otherwise, there’s far too little substance present in this disappointing one-shot.  For instance, the premise re: at least dozen Justice Society/Justice League members (including Wonder Woman, Big Barda, a Captain Marvel, etc.) kowtowing to Batgirl’s technological wrath is ludicrous. 

Far worse is a repulsive plot twist late in the game that confirms Elseworld’s Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl’s negligible plotting.  After an unsatisfying climax, the final few pages are ironically this story’s best. 

The art squad’s decent visuals mitigate only so much Barbara Kesel & Matt Haley’s unappealing script.  Suffice to say, collecting the action figures of Elseworld’s Finest duo is a far more rewarding option than reading this misguided junk.

Note: This title has been published in anthology form twice: specifically, Elseworlds: Justice League, Book One – in 2016 and then its 2024 re-release.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                            3 Stars

Categories
Agatha Christie-Related Books & Novels Mystery & Suspense

CROOKED HOUSE

Written by Agatha Christie

SUMMARY:

First released in 1949, this 276-page St. Martin’s paperback reprint was issued in 2002.  Prior to the end of World War II, British colleagues Charles Hayward and Sophia Leonides become confidantes while stationed in Cairo.  Capably working in England’s Foreign Office administration, 22-year old Sophia reveals that she comes from a wealthy family.  The duo commits to reuniting after the war, at which time Charles wishes to propose marriage. 

Two years later, upon returning to London in late 1947, 35-year old Charles learns that Sophia’s beloved grandfather (and family patriarch), Aristide, has been recently murdered.  Eserine (eye medication) was deliberately switched for Aristide’s daily insulin injection. The crime occurs at the victim’s somewhat eerie estate, Three Gables, located in the posh London suburb of Swinly Dean.

Cajoled by both his father (a Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner) and a worried Sophia, Charles unofficially joins Chief Inspector Taverner’s investigative team.  At the secluded Three Gables, Charles tactfully observes his potential future in-laws: scholarly Philip & vapid actress Magda (Sophia’s parents), Sophia’s peculiar younger siblings: Eustace and Josephine; Uncle Roger & Aunt Clemency, and prickly Great-Aunt Edith.  There’s also Aristide’s gold-digging (and far younger) widow, Brenda, to contend with. 

Despite the family’s outward quirks (and, per Sophia’s candor, varying shades of ruthlessness), the crime’s primary suspect is the manipulative Brenda.  One theory is that Brenda is conspiring with her rumored lover: the family’s high-strung, in-house tutor, Laurence Brown.

Scandalous family secrets come to light, as Aristide’s’ missing will further complicates a perplexing case.  Charles must rely on his growing insights into the dysfunctional Leonides clan — if there’s any chance of thwarting a sociopathic predator lurking among them.         

Note: This edition’s back cover teaser is inaccurate.  Notably, 1. Charles Hayward isn’t a criminologist – at most, he’s an amateur detective with minimal prior experience.  It’s left murky as to what exactly his overseas occupation actually is.  2. Charles isn’t already ‘intimately’ familiar with the Leonides clan; he’s an outsider looking from the inside, so to speak.  

REVIEW:

Among Agatha Christie’s more chilling works, Crooked House is in the same league but doesn’t surpass And Then There Were None.  One notable distinction is that None’s dark-and-stormy-night ambiance necessitates a generally unlikable cast.  Crooked House’s readability, however, is bolstered by Charles & Sophia’s endearing chemistry.  Often making the same deductions, their plausible teamwork endears them as one of Christie’s most underrated couples. 

While the reclusive Leonides household isn’t as ghoulish as The Addams Family, they aren’t blah caricatures, either.  Pivotal contrasts between the pragmatic Sophia and her oddly intertwined family makes for an intriguing read — i.e. how Sophia is more like an aunt or adult cousin than a big sister to her far younger siblings, let alone a thankless role as Magda’s ‘manager’ vs. being her eldest child.    

Charles’ ongoing surveillance, as a result, conveys a satisfying, first-person whodunnit where everyone is likely whom they seem.  The enigma remains: which suspect’s self-involved personality hides a killer’s instincts.  Hence, Crooked House is really best known for its shocking twist finish (at least, for that era’s standards). 

Putting Christie’s knack for ingenious bait-and-switches aside, the culprit’s identity, based on some obvious inferences, is fair game.  The means by which the horrific truth unfolds, however, remains duly heartbreaking, no matter how often one re-reads the outcome.  As disturbing as the climax is, Crooked House earns its reputation as one of Agatha Christie’s best mysteries.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

The back inside cover provides a brief author bio.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                               8 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

BOOSTER GOLD # 29 (2010 DC Comics)

Main Feature Written by Dan Jurgens

Main Feature Art by Dan Jurgens; Norm Rapmund; Hi-Fi; & Steve Wands

Blue Beetle’s Back-Up Tale by Matthew Sturges

Blue Beetle’s Back-Up Art by Mike Norton; Guy Major; & Sal Cipriano

Cover Art by Dan Jurgens & Norm Rapmund

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for April 2010, this issue is entitled “The Tomorrow Memory, Part Two.”  Booster’s current assignment puts him amidst Coast City’s imminent destruction by Hank Henshaw’s Cyborg Superman and Mongul.  Having just thwarted rival time traveler Sondra Crain’s efforts to save the city, Booster Gold is cajoled by Rip Hunter into a rematch.  Despite Skeets’ admonitions, Booster now finds himself swayed by Crain’s argument that Coast City’s seven million innocent lives still matter – recorded history be damned. 

Living in Coast City, Booster’s powerless twin sister, Michelle Carter, encounters Hank Henshaw, who is still publicly pitching he’s the resurrected Superman.  Michelle’s persistent efforts to convince her boyfriend to help save (or at least escape) Coast City falls on skeptical ears.

Jaime Reyes’ solo run as Blue Beetle evidently concludes with the ten-page “End of the End.”  In the caves of Bialya, a Reach-corrupted Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle faces off vs. the Peacemaker to save Jaime’s three friends, including Paco.     

REVIEW:

Per his creator, Dan Jurgens, Michael Carter/Booster Gold presents a no-nonsense super-hero/time-traveler concept.   Booster’s adventures are further enhanced by a top-flight art squad.  Hence, Jurgens’ clean storytelling makes this issue ideal for the elementary school crowd.  As for DC fans preferring Booster’s hilariously self-involved Justice League persona, they best look elsewhere.  For them, Issue # 29 will likely be an unremarkable read, as his incarnation here is bland by comparison.    

Re: Jaime Reyes’ back-up tale, it’s a decent way to wrap up his solo adventures (at least, for the time being).  The last page slyly hints some in-jokes, i.e. that Blue Beetle will still appear in other DC titles (presumably Teen Titans).  Overall, even if these stories aren’t super-entertaining, Booster Gold # 29 is a good find for young DC fans building up a comics collection.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A four-page, black-and-white preview hypes First Wave (Brian Azzarello’s six-part Batman/Doc Savage/The Spirit crossover mini-series).  Seen as a DC Nation memo, Ian Sattler reveals black-and-white cover reveals for all six Return of Bruce Wayne issues.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                    6 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

BATMAN ’89 # 2 (2021 DC Comics)

Written by Sam Hamm

Art by Joe Quinones; Leonardo Ito; & Clayton Cowles

Cover Art by Joe Quinones

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for November 2021, this issue is entitled “Shadows, Chapter Two.”  Eluding Gotham police, Batman inadvertently contributes to heartbreaking tragedy at a Burnside tenement.  Possessing one of Batman’s high-tech batarangs as evidence, District Attorney Harvey Dent draws closer to suspecting the Dark Knight’s secret identity.  In the blue-collar Burnside neighborhood, mechanic Drake (as a hooded Robin) dispatches some teenage Bat-themed punks (reminiscent of The Dark Knight Returns) attempting to rip off a closed retail store.  One thug tails Drake back to his home above the garage he works at.

Along with a guilt-ridden Bruce Wayne, Harvey Dent works to ingratiate himself with Burnside’s community.  Dent privately thinks that the distracted Wayne has more money than brains.  A retaliatory fire draws Dent and Wayne into action.  Catwoman’s unexpected presence detains a ski-masked Wayne.  In a cliffhanger, Dent’s rescue efforts to save Drake from the blaze may result in further tragedy.    

Note: Though his image isn’t provided, artist Mitch Gerads produced the variant cover.

REVIEW:

Let’s start with the plus column.  The art squad’s visuals easily surpass DC’s lackluster 1992 one-shot adaptation of Batman Returns.  In particular, these new likenesses of Billy Dee Williams, Michael Keaton, Michael Gough, and (briefly seen) Michelle Pfeiffer are excellent.  Only the imagining of Marlon Wayans as Drake/Robin is generic.  Writer Sam Hamm (who penned the Batman ’89 screenplay and initial drafts of Batman Returns) takes a fresh approach swapping out ghoulish super-villains for some contemporary social messaging.  Suffice to say, this Keaton-esque Batman is realistically fallible, as his ongoing mistakes should have Dent eyeing Bruce Wayne as his prime Bat-suspect.

The downside is: if one wants more of Keaton’s memorable presence (i.e. sudden bursts of manic intensity) from his first Batman, then be ready for disappointment.  Some odd in-jokes aside (like the Batcave’s giant penny), this Batman ‘89’s Bruce Wayne/Batman is really Batman Returns’ subdued, world-weary, and greying incarnation … where a mellow Keaton blends into the background. 

Briefly inserting Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman doesn’t help matters, as her scene makes too little sense, plot-wise.  The only what-if inference readers might readily draw from Issue # 2 is that Billy Dee Williams might have been better cast as Commissioner Gordon over Pat Hingle vs. playing an ultra-slick makeover of Harvey Dent.  Otherwise, this second installment is somewhat disappointing, as there isn’t enough going on to justify humming Danny Elfman’s iconic Batman theme.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The ‘DC Nation’ spotlight interviews writer Joshua Williamson to hype his new Deathstroke Inc. series co-starring Black Canary.  There’s also a note posthumously remembering comic book printer Gabriel Sauro.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                  6 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics DC's Hardcovers & Trade Paperbacks

BATMAN: YEAR ONE (DC Comics)

Written by Frank Miller  

Art by David Mazzucchelli & Richmond Lewis

Compilation Cover Art by David Mazzucchelli

SUMMARY:

From a 1986-87 four-part storyline, the original issues are Batman # 404-407.  Year One was first published as a trade paperback in 1988.  Re-issued in 2005 by DC Comics to capitalize on Batman Begins, this 136-page edition includes artist David Mazzucchelli’s production materials: sample script pages, character designs, layout sketches, cover images, etc. 

Set over several months, the narrative alternates between its two pivotal players.  One is 25-year old multi-millionaire Bruce Wayne, who has finally returned home to Wayne Manor after a dozen years.  More often, the story is told from seasoned police Lt. James Gordon’s P.O.V., upon transferring into Gotham City from Chicago, with his pregnant wife, Barbara. 

Disguised as a street thug, an inexperienced Wayne struggles to deploy his stealthy vigilante tactics on Gotham’s dark streets.  While brawling with a pimp and his prostitutes, one of Wayne’s attackers is the future Catwoman.  In shock from blood loss, a despondent Wayne returns home to await either his death … or the haunting sight of  something more.  Meanwhile, Gordon warily realizes how far up corruption permeates his department.  Having found sudden inspiration, Wayne’s new masked alter ego puts him at instantly violent odds with both the police and Gotham’s underworld. 

Among those navigating the chaotic turbulence are District Attorney Harvey Dent and a young Selina Kyle, who joins the action as a masked freelance thief.  Trying to apprehend the so-called ‘Batman’ and tangling with Commissioner Loeb’s in-house ‘dirty tricks’ squad, Gordon succumbs to an extramarital affair with his subordinate, Sarah Essen. 

A wounded Batman faces the wrath of Gotham’s trigger-happy SWAT team in a fiery showdown.  Gordon’s marriage and infant son are threatened by mob enemies he now shares with Gotham’s nocturnal avenger.  For his family’s safety, the city’s best cop must ultimately put his faith in a mysterious crusader, whose secret identity he already suspects.  

Notes: Among innumerable re-releases, the 2015 hardcover edition includes a double-disc set of DC’s 2011 animated film adaptation.  

REVIEW:

It’s deservedly a Bat-masterpiece, with a down-to-earth James Gordon as its MVP.  Frank Miller’s realistic plotting, combined with David Mazzuchelli’s gritty visuals, makes for ideal comic book noir revisiting Batman’s first months.  Other than a rudimentary utility belt, this rookie Dark Knight is often forced to improvise in desperate situations.  Hence, Bruce Wayne’s alter ego is appreciably much closer to classic pulp heroes like The Shadow vs. an unbeatable James Bond-like super-hero.  Let’s just say that adults are in for a dynamite and often unpredictable read that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

The glorious padding is a graphic novel’s equivalent of Blu-ray extras.  There’s no skimping, as David Mazzuchelli’s treasure trove takes fans behind the scenes of Year One’s development, including his own childhood inspirations.  Ultimately, Year One is an ideal prequel before tackling Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale’s enormous Batman: The Long Halloween, which was written a decade later.           

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

For some Gotham-weary ambiance, the first page is Slam Bradley’s “Crime Blotter” gossip column.  Written in March 1988, longtime Bat-writer/editor Denny O’Neil pens a two-page introduction.  Frank Miller’s 1988 afterword is entitled “A Shadow Fell Across Me …”

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                               9 Stars

Categories
Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

ACTION COMICS # 597 (1988 DC Comics)

Written by John Byrne

Art by John Byrne; Leonard Starr; Keith Williams; Tom Ziuko; & John Costanza

Cover Art by John Byrne

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for February 1988, the post-Millennium issue is entitled “Visitor.”  Seeking the truth re: Clark Kent’s mysterious past, Lois Lane explores Smallville for the first time.  Not only is the Man of Steel already there, Lois soon meets Lana Lang and Clark’s parents. 

To dispel Lois’ suspicions that Clark is really Superman, Jonathan & Martha Kent abruptly reveal that they had secretly raised the future Superman in Smallville with their infant son, Clark, as his surrogate ‘brother.’  Superman and Clark both subsequently fail in efforts to reconcile with Lois re: their conspiracy to deceive her, as Clark/Superman still won’t divulge his secret identity.    

In a private chat, Lois is skeptical when Lana confides that Clark secretly loves her.   Lois, with mixed emotions, wonders if Lana is actually Clark’s true love.  During the Metropolis epilogue, as they both visit a hospitalized Jose Delgado, Lois disappointedly expresses her loss of trust in Superman. 

Note: This issue continues a Byrne creative gaffe: Lois repeatedly mentions that she has known Clark for years.  Yet, the reboot inconsistently implies that Clark/Superman’s public debut is far more recent (as in just months).           

REVIEW:

Despite John Byrne’s assurance that the insipid cover image doesn’t occur, his storyline is frankly worse.  Clearly, time hasn’t improved this Golden/Silver Age rehash of Lois during his Superman reboot project.  During the Kents’ wildly implausible fib, readers should half-expect Lois to break the fourth wall and bitterly complain to readers: ‘Seriously?  Do these people really think that I’m that stupid?’  Or a snarkier reply would be Lois asking the Kents if they would like a large fry and a Coke to go with their whopper.  Yet, Byrne lets Lois gullibly swallow their supposed secret, as if a little investigative research on her part couldn’t easily disprove it.     

The utter condescension shown to Lois by Clark/Superman, not to mention, her future in-laws, hits an all-time franchise low.  Even a decent epilogue doesn’t mitigate Byrne’s waste of an intriguing opportunity to witness Smallville through Lois’ eyes.   The issue’s fading visuals are still good, but the disappointing Action Comics # 597 isn’t a keeper.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a two-page “Re-Action Comics” letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                           4 Stars