Month: November 2022

Written by Doug Moench.

Art by Mike Manley; Josef Rubinstein; Adrienne Roy; & Ken Bruzenak.

Cover Art by Mike Manley.

SUMMARY:

DC Comics released this issue entitled “Creature of the Night” for October 1994.  It is part of an extended Bat-origin tale interlocking the Issue # 0’s for Batman: Shadow of the Bat, Detective Comics, and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight.  With his origin interspersed throughout the story, Batman (with some help from Tim Drake’s Robin) pursues an elusive serial mugger/murderer terrorizing Gotham City. 

Included in Batman’s hunt is an undercover stint in his underworld persona of “Matches” Malone.  Further troubling the Dark Knight’s mind is the realization that his recuperation is not finished yet.    

REVIEW:

As a coming-aboard vehicle for new Bat-fans, this issue sufficiently bridges Batman’s return to full-time action after the extended Knightfall/Knightsend saga.  Doug Moench’s scripting and the art team’s visuals effectively revisit Batman’s origin amidst his sleuthing of a homicide case somewhat resembling Bruce Wayne’s own private tragedy years before.  Though Batman # 0 is not a must-have, its reliable storytelling holds up fine almost thirty years later.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is a two-page “Bat-Signals” letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6 Stars

Written by Alan Grant.

Art by Bret Blevins; Adrienne Roy; & Todd Klein.

Cover Art by Brian Stelfreeze.

SUMMARY:

DC Comics released this untitled issue for October 1994, as part of an extended Bat-origin tale interlocking the Issue # 0’s for Batman, Detective Comics, and Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight.  While pursuing a gang of petty hoodlums one Gotham night, Batman recalls his overseas Bat-preparation as a teenager.  Meanwhile, the Dark Knight must also contend with the notorious Stone Brothers, who are masked hitmen/commandoes working an assignment for the mob.    

REVIEW:

There is not anything remarkable about this issue; it merely serves as a coming-aboard tale for potential new readers.  While the fighting violence quotient is considerable, Alan Grant’s plot is deliberately bloodless.  The art team’s visuals don’t necessarily bolster Grant’s story, but their artwork is more than sufficient

Though quickly forgettable, Batman: Shadow of the Bat # 0 is still a decent read for any Bat-fan.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “DC Universe # 20” column is Clark Kent’s Daily Planet exclusive reporting that Zero Hour has concluded.  The last page is “DC Universe # 21,” which remembers late DC editor Neal Pozner.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    5 Stars

Written by Andrew Helfer.

Art by Tang Eng Hurt; Pat Brosseau; & David Baron.

Cover Art by Pat Lee.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for October 2005, this premiere for the 12-issue series is entitled “Bad Blood, Journey Into Knight: Book One.”  Set evidently soon after Batman: Year One, a young Dark Knight probes Gotham City’s new street drug: Sanitiz, an illicit brain-erasing pill. 

Haunted by conflicting messages from his ‘parents’ emanating from his sub-conscious, Bruce Wayne tangles with the ruthless drug trafficker, Claire, who has already shot his masked alter-ego point-blank in the chest.  At a downtown party, Bruce meets a potential new love interest, Skye, while Alfred’s phone tap sets up their next lead on thwarting Sanitiz’s distribution pipeline.

In proximity to Bogota, Colombia, would-be treasure hunter, Cary, is the evidently oblivious carrier of a lethal plague.  Headed home to the U.S., ‘Cary’ may really be Carlos Mercadan: the creator of Sanitiz.  At Gotham’s airport, an undercover Bruce discovers ghastly evidence of this plague, as all passengers and crew aboard Mercadan’s passenger jet are dead.  A cliffhanger leaves off with Bruce & Alfred in a dire emergency.

REVIEW:

Andrew Helfer’s storyline exhibits some intriguing moments (i.e., Bruce’s dream), but, at this early stage, the plotting falls short of other ‘Young Batman’ titles: i.e., Batman: Year One, Batman and the Monster Men, or Batman and the Mad Monk.  Though the art squad’s visuals are generally high-caliber, their Bruce Wayne curiously resembles a man in his late teens.  Hence, it is hard to jive Journey Into Knight’s continuity when DC Comics has steadfastly depicted Bruce becoming Batman in his mid-twenties.   

This series opener, overall, is a solid read; it just too easily gets lost among DC’s enormous glut of Batman projects.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Penned by a supposed ‘mole,’ the “DC in Demand” column includes thumbnail cover reveals for Justice # 1; Manhunter # 13; and Batman: Journey Into Knight # 2.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       6 Stars

Lead Feature Written by Robert Greenberger.  Lead Feature Art by Robert Pope; Scott McRae; Heroic Age; & Travis Lanham.

Back-Up Feature Written by Landry Q. Walker.  Back-Up Feature Art by Eric Jones; Heroic Ages; & Rob Clark Jr.

Cover Art by Robert Pope; Scott McRae; & Hi-Fi Design.

SUMMARY:

DC Comics released this issue for October 2010.  Entitled “Home Wreckers, Parts 1 and 2,” this 20-page adventure has a distraught Big Barda recruit Batman’s help to find her missing husband: Scott “Mr. Miracle” Free.  Even if they can find him, Batman & Big Barda are still outnumbered by a vengeful quintet seeking their former commander’s return to Apokolips. 

In “Life on Mars,” Batman and the Martian Manhunter – J’onn J’onzz combine their sleuthing to take them into battle against the renegade White Martian known as Ma’Alefa’ak.     

REVIEW:

For fans of the animated TV series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold # 20 (no matter how routine) is still a treat to read.  Both the writing and cartoony visuals exude kid-friendliness without insulting a child’s intelligence.  Nicely played!   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The last page offers Johnny DC’s thumbnail cover reveals for six other kid-friendly issues, including Batman: The Brave and the Bold # 21 (with Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern as its guest star).  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              6 Stars

Written by Geoff Johns & Richard Donner.

Art by Eric Powell; Dave Stewart; Rob Leigh; & Nick J. Napolitano.

Cover Art by Eric Powell & Dave Stewart.

SUMMARY:

Concluding “Escape from Bizarro World,” with its third chapter, DC Comics released this issue for December 2007.  Trapped on Bizarro World, Superman and Jonathan Kent are defended by a battered Bizarro’s inept Justice League against Bizarro Lex Luthor and most of Bizarro World’s inhabitants.  Temporarily possessing a copy of Superman’s powers, it is up to Jonathan Kent’ compassion for both of his ‘sons,’ to take down a rampaging Bizarro Doomsday. 

More so, the Man of Steel (aka the so-called ‘Bizarro Bizarro’) must help reignite Bizarro World’s sincere faith in its presently-disheartened creator.       

REVIEW:

Normally, a little Bizarro action goes a long way.  However, commendable intentions from co-writers Geoff Johns & Richard Donner deliver a poignant Bizarro tale reminiscent of how DC innocently handled this character (and his Bizarro World buddies) back in the mid-80’s. 

Despite its surplus of Bizarro reverse-dialogue, this issue delivers a welcome pivot away from Bizarro’s psychotic monster phase in Infinite Crisis a few years before.  More so, by establishing Bizarro as the Kents’ other ‘adopted’ son, such an angle gives his character a fresh storytelling avenue to occasionally explore.

If anything, including the issue’s likable artwork, Bizarro afficionados should find Action Comics # 857 a treat to read.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The full-page “DC Nation” column includes thumbnail cover reveals for Aquaman # 57; Death of the New Gods # 1; Justice League of America # 14; and Action Comics # 858.  Also hyped is DC’s 80-page Infinite Halloween Special one-shot.  Dubiously, an eight-page comic insert promoting Goldfish crackers is attached.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 6½ Stars

Written by Josh Elder.

Art by Christopher Jones; Terry Beatty; Steve Wands; & Heroic Age.

Cover Art by Christopher Jones & Terry Beatty.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “A Tale of Two Cities,” DC Comics released this issue for June 2008.  Presumably set during The Batman’s fourth (and final) TV season, the story begins with the contrasting perspectives of Batman & Superman defending their respective cities.  Coming to Metropolis, Batman’s next target is Bruno Mannheim’s Intergang, as the crime boss is now amassing his own private super-villain army. 

Having recruited Superman’s help, Batman sets up an undercover sting impersonating Clark Kent to bait Mannheim into abducting him.  Against Mannheim’s army of super-thugs (including some Bane and Man-Bat lookalikes), the World’s Finest Duo have their night’s work cut out for them.

REVIEW:

Frankly, the best scene depicts Bruce Wayne playfully mingling with The Daily Planet staff.  Though hardly remarkable, The Batman Strikes! # 44 offers a mix of decent writing and fun visuals.  Fans of The Batman animated series should not be disappointed with this very routine team-up.  Still, this issue likely qualifies as the least memorable first-ever team-up of these two DC icons in any continuity.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is a single-page letters, answers, and kiddie art column.  Also included are thumbnail cover reveals for seven other kid-friendly titles in Johnny DC’s “DC in Demand” page.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                           5 Stars

Written by John Rozum.

Art by Tom Mandrake; Nathan Eyring; & John J. Hill.

Cover Art by Simone Bianchi.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for October 2007, the issue is entitled “Absolute Terror, Part 1 of 2.”  Exacting personal vengeance upon his fellow Arkham Asylum inmates, Professor Jonathan “The Scarecrow” Crane escapes to launch a new reign of terror upon Gotham City.  Though Bruce Wayne soothing reassures his new girlfriend, Kay Scott, that Batman & Robin will stop the Scarecrow, Tim Drake’s Robin observes the Dark Knight becoming violent unhinged. 

For whatever reason this time, the elusive Crane is outwitting the Dynamic Duo with his lookalike decoys and choice in random victims.   

REVIEW:

Relying perhaps more on gruesome cheap hits vs. coherent plot details, John Rozum’s storyline is okay for mature readers.  Still, the above-average visuals compensate only so much for a routine Scarecrow scheme (and another short-lived Bruce Wayne romance) that ups the emphasis on Crane’s psychotic gimmickry. 

If available in its two-part entirety inside a trade paperback, that option makes more financial sense than buying Detective Comics # 835 separately.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

DC pre-press artist Fred Haynes fills in as the “DC Nation” columnist.  Included are thumbnail cover reveals for Atom # 14; Metal Men # 1; Countdown # 39; and Detective Comics # 836.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     5½ Stars

Written by Todd Dezago.

Art by Anthony Castrillo; Prentis Rollins; Janice Chiang; Rick Taylor; & Jamison.

Cover Art by Ethan Van Sciver & Wayne Faucher.

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Comics for August 2000, the issue is entitled “Running Rings …”  Bringing along his troubled Young Justice teammate, Cissie “Arrowette” King Jones, Bart Allen returns home to Manchester, Alabama.  He convinces her to temporarily attend school with him as a way of getting away from her recent problems.  Somewhat obliviously, Bart gets caught up holding invitation rings for his pals re: their middle school’s Valentine’s Day Dance.  While classmate Ayana eyes Bart as her preferred date, his eyes are locked solely on Cissie … in spite of Carol’s platonic jealousy.

Bart inadvertently loses his Flash ring in the chaos of young teen romance blossoming around him.  The question becomes: assuming he finds his ring, how good of a potential matchmaker can Bart Allen be?   

REVIEW:

Impulse # 59 is equivalent to reading an Archie.  This assessment is not meant to put down Archie-style storytelling, as Bart Allen’s hijinks exude a harmless, feel-happy vibe and good visuals.  If one is looking to add a little something fun to a pre-teen’s comics collection, Impulse # 59 will work just fine.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The last page is the “Impulse Reactions” letters-and-answers column, which offers a sneak peek at the next issue’s cover.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                          6 Stars

Written by (See Below).

Art by (See Below).

Cover Art by Stephen DeStefano.

SUMMARY:

DC Comics released this 48-page issue for July 1987.   

• “The Warlord Exiles” (15 pages).  Written by Michael Fleisher, with art by Adam Kubert & Jerry Serpe.  Narrated in flashback from a Siberian prison camp, traitorous American soldier Danny Maddox relates how his childhood feud with classmate Travis Morgan later erupts into a Vietnam War-related dogfight over Russia.  Inadvertently, Maddox’s effort at vengeance sets up Travis Morgan’s arrival in the subterranean swords-and-sorcery realm of Skartaris.
• “’Mazing Man” (1 page).  Written by Bob Rozaskis, with art by Stephen DeStefano; Karl Kesel; & Bob Lappan.  Briefly revealed is Siegfried Horatio Hunch III’s dumpster-diving that results in his makeshift super-hero helmet.
• “The Secret Origin of the Golden Age Hourman” (22 pages).  Written by Roy Thomas & Dann Thomas, with art by Michael Bair; Mike Gustovich; Carl Gafford; David Cody Weiss; & Austin Mas. Note: The story is adapted from the 1940 tale drawn by Bernard Bailey in Adventure Comics # 48.  Revealed in Rex Tyler’s poignant 1985 letter to his son, Rick, the original Hourman explains his December 1939 origin giving insight re: why he created Miraclo.  More so, the elder Tyler relates the first two missions he undertook as Hourman to help explain why he has changed his mind about Rick’s desire to succeed him.

REVIEW:

As routine this issue is, its contents (or the vast majority) are a welcome treat for comics fans.  Though somewhat contrived, the initial tale is Danny Maddox’s story as a lifelong rival rather than the Warlord’s initial exploits in Skartaris.  Still, Michael Fleisher’s writing offers a good read to accompany Adam Kubert’s excellent visuals.  Re: the dubious comic relief of ‘Mazing Man’s supposed origin, perhaps the less said the better. 

Saved for is the main feature faithfully updating Hourman’s first appearance.  Suffice to say, the book-end context of Rex’s letter and the art team’s good visuals easily surpass an otherwise run-of-the mill origin tale.  If anything, the genuine homage put forth by Roy & Dann Thomas is commendable.  That is why the classy Secret Origins # 16 merits a chance for re-discovery — DC Comics keeps these original backstories simple for any reader to enjoy these adventures.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Within the two-page “Secret Admirers” letters-and-answers column is an Hourman overview by Roy Thomas.  Also included is co-editor Robert Greenberger’s announcement of his departure from this series.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         7 Stars