Month: March 2022

Written by Walter Simonson

Art by Joe Bennett; Alex Bleyaert; & Rob Leigh

Cover Art by Howard Chaykin & Dave McCaig

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Trial … (Just because you’re paranoid …),” DC Comics released this Rann-Thanagar War-themed issue for December 2006.  Through Blackfire’s efforts, six Thanagarian criminals escape from prison on Rann.  With five of them staying on Rann, Blackfire sends the so-called ‘Butcher’ to Earth to terminate the perceived traitor known as ‘Hawkgirl.’

In St. Roch, Kendra “Hawkgirl” Saunders’ nocturnal patrol is interrupted by an explosion.  Suddenly ambushed with alien technology, an unconscious Kendra is taken captive.  Awakening inside an abandoned mental institution, Kendra is rendered powerless to defend herself from electrified torture.  Worse yet, she finds herself on trial before a bogus Thanagarian tribunal where the six criminals intend to be her judge, jury, and, most definitely, her imminent executioner.

Elsewhere, Kendra’s associates at work ponder her mysterious absence.

REVIEW:

Including the cover image, the art squad’s solid visuals deliver Issue # 57’s best asset.  Yet, as Blackfire alludes to, writer Walter Simonson makes it all too easy for Hawkgirl to be instantly captured and then left as an imprisoned damsel-in-distress. 

If he had actually depicted Hawkgirl as the formidable adversary Kendra is supposed to be, then his clichéd bird-in-a-cage plotting wouldn’t be such a head-shaking letdown.  This issue is worth reading once, but Simonson’s underwhelming script won’t convince readers that Kendra is really Justice Society or Justice League-caliber.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “DC Nation” column presents thumbnail cover reveals for Seven Soldiers # 1; Justice # 8; Action Comics # 844; and an ominous Hawkgirl # 58.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               5½ Stars

Written by Francis Manapul

Art by Clay Mann; Seth Mann; Brad Anderson; & Steve Wands

Cover Art by David Mazzucchelli; Clay Mann; & Sonia Oback

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Better Together, Part Three: Nobody Dies Tonight,” DC Comics released this issue for January 2017.  Mysteriously trapped together in a strange alternate reality, Superman & Wonder Woman help Batman cope with the haunting memories inflicted the night his parents were murdered. 

Batman’s fragmented psyche is further conveyed by a  young Bruce Wayne taking solace from both Alfred and psychiatrist Dr. Harleen Quinzel.  The Trinity realizes that, whatever presence is holding them captive, is re-opening their deepest emotional wounds for some unknown purpose.    

Meanwhile, at the Kent Family farm, in Hamilton County, Lois Lane desperately tries to reach her devastated young son, Jonathan, who has apparently locked himself in the barn.  A worried Lois realizes something sinister is already brewing.

Note: Artist Steve Epting created this issue’s variant cover.

REVIEW:

Including the cover image, this issue’s art squad delivers top-caliber work.  The flip side is a semi-disjointed plot where Batman’s tragic origin is exploited (for the umpteenth time) under a microscope, so to speak. 

Writer Francis Manapul’s premise has potential intermingling with Clark & Diana’s own origins; however, the result is an enigmatic stream-of-thought plot reminiscent of Grant Morrison’s pre-Final Crisis run on Batman.  Manapul’s brief Lois & Jonathan sub-plot holds up better, as sufficient clues justify the last page’s abrupt cliffhanger.

Overall, Trinity (DC Rebirth) # 3 isn’t a must-have, but DC fans should find the issue’s visuals appealing.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “DC All Access” column hypes the Justice League vs. Suicide Squad crossover mini-series. There’s also a two-page Preacher spread in memory of series artist Steve Dillon.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      6 Stars

Written by Len Wein & Marv Wolfman, with contributors Robert Greenberger; Mike W. Barr; E. Nelson Bridwell; Peter Sanderson; & Paul Levitz.

Art by Anthony Tollin; Len Wein; Tatjana Wood & (See Below).

Wraparound Cover Art by Paris Cullins & Dick Giordano.

SUMMARY:

This 26-issue project was launched to help commemorate DC Comics’ 50^th Anniversary.  Doubling as a character reference guide for Crisis on Infinite Earths series, Who’s Who was really meant as DC’s answer to Marvel’s Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe franchise, which started in 1983.  Released for December 1985, this 32-page issue’s profiles consists of the following characters, teams, and/or locales:

• Gunner & Sarge (artist: William Wray);
• Gypsy (artists: Chuck Patton & Bob Smith);
• Halo (artist: Jim Aparo);
• Harbinger (artist: George Pérez);
• Harlequin I (artists: Martin Nodell & Dick Giordano);
• Harpis (artists: Shawn McManus & Bob Smith);
• Haunted Tank (artist: Sam Gianzman);
• Hawk – Son of Tomahawk (artist: Frank Thomas);
• Hawk {Hank Hall} & Dove {Don Hall} (artists: Denys Cowan & Dick Giordano);
• Hawkgirl I {Earth-Two} (artist: Steve Rude);
• Hawkman I {Earth-Two} (artist: Murphy Anderson);
• Hawkman II {Earth-One} (artist: Joe Kubert);
• Hawkwoman {Earth-One} (artist: Paul Smith);
• Heat Wave (artists: Carmine Infantino & Joe Giella);
• Hector Hammond (artist: Gil Kane);
• Helix (artists: Todd McFarlane & Greg Theakston);
• Hercules (artist: Walt Simonson);
• Heroes of Lallor (artists: Curt Swan & Karl Kessel);
• Highfather (artists: Jack Kirby & Greg Theakston);
• Hippolyta {Earth-One} (artist: Jerry Ordway);

Note: The profile briefly mentions Earth-Two’s Hippolyta to distinguish between her two incarnations.  Still, Earth-One’s Hippolyta is credited with her own separate ‘first appearance’ issue.

• H.I.V.E. (artist: George Pérez);
• Hop Harrigan (artist: Tom Beatty);
• Houngan (artist: George Pérez);
• Hourman I {Rex Tyler} (artist: Murphy Anderson);
• Hourman II {Rick Tyler} (artists: Denys Cowan & Rick Magyar);
• Human Bomb (artist: William Messner-Loebs);
• Human Target (artist: Dick Giordano);
• Lt. Hunter’s Hellcats (artists: Mike Chen & Joe Orlando);
• Huntress I {Earth-Two} (artists: Rick Stasi & Karl Kessel);
• Huntress II {Helena Wayne of Earth-Two} (artist: Joe Staton);
• Hyathis (artists: Richard Howell & Dick Giordanor); &
• Hyena (artists: Rafael Kayanan & Bob Smith).  

REVIEW:

Deliberately glossing over specifics, DC Comics does a commendable (kid-friendly) job describing these characters.  The production quality here is consistent throughout the series.  In that sense, this issue is a welcome dose of nostalgia.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Fan letters and editorial replies appear on the inside front cover.  The back inside cover reveals where to find several of these characters in ongoing DC titles.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                6½ Stars

Written by Len Wein & Marv Wolfman, with contributors Robert Greenberger; Peter Sanderson; & E. Nelson Bridwell.

Art by Helen Vesik; Shelly Eiber; Tatjana Wood; Joe Orlando; Greg Theakston; & (See Below).

Wraparound Cover Art by George Pérez.

SUMMARY:

This 26-issue project was launched to help commemorate DC Comics’ 50^th Anniversary.  DC Comics released the inaugural issue for March 1985.  Doubling as a character reference guide for Crisis on Infinite Earths series, Who’s Who was really meant as DC’s answer to Marvel’s Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe franchise, which started in 1983.  The 32-page first issue’s profiles consists of the following characters, teams, and/or locales:

• Abel (artist: Joe Orlando);
• Abnegazar, Rath, & Ghast {aka The Demons Three} (artists: Craig Hamilton & Dick Giordano);
• Abra Kadabra (artists: Carmine Infantino & Frank McLaughlin);
• Adam Strange (artists: Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson);
• Aegus (artist: Don Heck);
• Airwave I / Airwave II (artists: Alex Saviuk & Dick Giordano);
• Alley-Kat-Abra (artist: Scott Shawl);
• All-Star Squadron (artist: Jerry Ordway);
• All-Star Squadron Headquarters (artist: Marshall Rogers);
• Amazing-Man I (artist: Jerry Ordway);
• Amazo (artists: Mike Zeck & John Beatty);
• Ambush Bug (artists: Keith Giffen & Bob Oksner);
• Amethyst – Princess of Gemworld (artist: Ernie Colón);
• Animal Man (artists: José Delbo & Romeo Tanghal);
• Angle Man I (artist: Gil Kane);
• Anthro (artist: Howie Post);
• Apokolips (artist: Greg Theakston);
• Aqualad I (artist: George Pérez);
• Aquagirl I (artist: George Pérez);
• Aquaman (artists: Chuck Patton & Dick Giordano);

Note: Earth-Two’s Aquaman (who wears yellow gloves) isn’t referenced.  Still, Earth-One’s Aquaman is credited with his Earth-Two incarnation’s ‘first appearance’ issue.

• Arak, Son of Thunder (artist: Ernie Cólon);
• Arcane {aka Anton Arcane} (artists: Steve Bissette & John Totleben);
• Arion – Lord of Atlantis (artist: Jan Duursema);
• Arkham Asylum (artists: Steve Bissette & John Totleben);
• Atari Force (artist: Eduardo Barreto);
• Atlantis (including Tritonis & Poseidonis) (artist: Marshall Rogers);
• Atom I {Al Pratt}(artists: Rick Hoberg & Romeo Tanghal);
• Atom II {Ray Palmer}(artist: Gil Kane);
• Atomic Knight (artist: Murphy Anderson);
• Atomic Skull (artists: Curt Swan & Murphy Anderson); &
• Auron (artists: Tod Smith & Rick Magyar).  

REVIEW:

Deliberately omitting specifics, DC Comics does a nice (kid-friendly) job introducing these characters.  The production quality presented here would prove consistent throughout the series.  In that sense, this issue is a nostalgia treat.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Along with a pronunciation glossary, the inside front cover is Marv Wolfman & Len Wein’s introduction to readers.  The back inside cover reveals where to find several of these characters in ongoing DC titles.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     6 Stars