Month: January 2023

Main Feature Written by Len Wein. Main Feature Art by Dave Gibbons; Mike DeCarlo; Ben Oda; & Anthony Tollin.

“Green Magic” Back-Up Feature Written by Todd Klein. “Green Magic” Back-Up Feature Art by Dave Gibbons; Anthony Tollin; & Todd Klein.

Cover Art by Dave Gibbons.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Aftermath!,” DC Comics released this issue for September 1984.  Green Lantern Hal Jordan helps contain the catastrophic damage at Ferris Aircraft following the Demolition Team’s mercenary attack. 

With scientist Clay Kendall suffering life-altering injuries, a devastated Carol Ferris erupts on Hal Jordan for choosing his off-world duties as Green Lantern over her own needs. In addition to the mystery of the Predator’s identity, others are scheming to take advantage of the precarious situation Carol’s company is now in. 

Guilt-ridden, Hal seeks solace from Green Arrow, Barry Allen’s Flash, and Superman over Carol’s emotional ultimatum about any future they might still have together.  Hal’s shocking decision begins an 18-month arc where John Stewart ascends to the franchise’s title role.      

REVIEW:

Two thumbs up!  Teaming with a top-flight art squad, writer Len Wein depicts a pivotal change in Hal Jordan’s status quo.  Impressively, Wein concocts a scenario where Hal’s troubled conscience surpasses his trademark bravado and power ring heroics, as far as re-evaluating life’s priorities.  Enhanced by worthwhile appearances from Green Arrow and Superman (the Flash’s scene is negligible), Green Lantern # 180 is a mid-80’s DC relic well worth re-discovery.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Under the banner of Tales of the Green Lantern Corps Presents: Green Magic, this six-page back-up tale is entitled “Enemy Lines, Part Two.”  On planet Rhoon, Green Lantern Hollika Rahn and her allies discover deception amidst the ongoing conflict pitting the world’s sorcerer faction vs. its scientists. 

The story’s finish is inconclusive, suggesting that Hollika’s tale will resume in a later issue.  Enjoying an original plot and terrific artwork, this obscure tale would be reprinted decades later in the Tales of the Green Lantern Corps, Volume 2 trade paperback. 

Included with Dick Giordano’s “Meanwhile …” column is a spotlight article quoting Alan Moore’s cryptic prose from The Saga of the Swamp Thing series.  Separating Hal’s main feature from Hollika’s adventure is a single-page “Letters by Lantern’s Light” letters-and-answers column.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    8 Stars

Written by Geoff Johns.

Art by Carlos Pacheco; Ethan Van Sciver; Jesus Merino; Moose Baumann; & Rob Leigh.

Cover Art by Carlos Pacheco; Jesús Merino; & Peter Steigerwald.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Airborne,” DC Comics released this premiere issue for July 2005.  Hal Jordan’s legendary origin as Green Lantern is briefly replayed.  Having regained his role as Green Lantern in Green Lantern: Rebirth, Hal (aka ‘Highball’ to his flyboy buddies) now seeks out his past life as an U.S. Air Force pilot in Southern California. 

Reuniting with old military colleagues and his brother, Jim, Hal lives in a bachelor pad in the partially-rebuilt Coast City.  Among the new supporting cast introduced is fellow high-risk pilot and Hal’s potential love interest, Captain Jillian “Cowgirl” Pearlman.

Hal and John Stewart’s investigation of a mysterious, yellow-hued alien starship abandoned in Earth’s orbit gives them an ominous vibe, with little else to go on.  A homicidal alien threat arrives at the outskirts of Edwards Air Force Base, evidently seeking out mysterious cargo stored aboard a military transport carrier.  After Hal’s explosive rescue of Jillian’s crashing experimental jet, he realizes the jet’s engine is of extraterrestrial origin.    

Notes: Though the image is not available here, the variant artist is Alex Ross.  The Ross artwork subsequently appears as the collection cover for Green Lantern, Volume 1: No Fear.  Lastly, this premiere issue launches Hal’s third ongoing series.

REVIEW:

First, it should be stated that Geoff Johns’ six-part Green Lantern: Rebirth is a creative grand slam brilliantly reversing two decades of DC’s mishandling of Hal Jordan (i.e., from post-Crisis milquetoast to DC’s pathetic answer to Darth Vader to a lackluster Spectre in search of redemption).  As for this immediate sequel, the series opener hits more of a triple, if not a home run.  Johns, in that sense, sustains most of Hal’s newfound momentum, but this initial salvo is by no means extraordinary reading. 

The issue’s art squad deserves kudos for its excellent visuals; suffice to say, Hal’s long-awaited return merits such slick quality.  Getting back to Johns’ storytelling, he smartly begins weaving multiple plot threads without giving anything away too soon.  Johns’ energetic inclusion of pilot and military lingo adds welcome credibility making Hal’s prior military life that much more believable.  Still, as much as fans can appreciate Johns’ business-as-usual approach, Issue # 1‘s plotting is not particularly memorable.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The “DC in Demand” column includes thumbnail cover reveals for: Birds of Prey # 82; Teen Titans # 24; Batman Villains Secret Files 2005; and Green Lantern # 2.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        6½ Stars

Written by Geoff Johns.

Art by Ethan Van Sciver; Scott Hanna; Rob Leigh; & Brian Miller.

Cover Art by Ethan Van Sciver & Brian Miller.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Fastest Man Alive,” DC Comics released the conclusion of this six-part mini-series for April 2010.  Desperately chasing Eobard Thawne’s Reverse-Flash into the past, Barry Allen’s Flash is joined by Wally West in the pursuit. 

Thawne intends to assassinate an unsuspecting Iris West on her way to her first date with future husband Barry.  It is also the same night the fateful lab accident occurs transforming Barry into the Flash.  With help from his extended Flash family, Barry averts an ugly tragedy that would have had staggering repercussions. 

Enjoying private downtime with his wife, Iris, Barry looks forward to resuming their present-day lives  – including his new job as a Central City police cold case technician.  At the Hall of Justice in Washington, D.C., the Justice League (cameos include Black Canary, Green Arrow, Ray Palmer’s Atom, Zatanna Zatara, and Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern) awaits to welcome an overdue Barry. 

Elsewhere, the Rogues rue what to do about facing their original nemesis once more.  Other ominous story threads awaiting Barry’s new ongoing series are also teased.      

REVIEW:

Ironically, lightning doesn’t strike twice.  The magic replicating Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern: Rebirth falls short for Barry Allen, largely due to his milquetoast persona and a retread of a plot. 

Having already escaped Speed Force limbo in Final Crisis, Barry’s convoluted Rebirth comes off as more formulaic than necessary.  By streamlining the number of featured speedsters (i.e., focus more on exploring Barry & Wally’s new co-existence), Johns could have instead made Rebirth’s plot an ideal first arc for Barry’s ongoing monthly.    

While Hal Jordan’s long-awaited resurrection was exciting and unpredictably ominous from start to finish, Barry’s Rebirth finale, by comparison,is a ho-hum epilogue.  Even if Eobard Thawne’s Reverse-Flash is Barry’s worst nightmare, this far-future villain is hardly a challenge for Barry’s veritable army of speedsters. 

Case in point: when the faster Wally West mostly observes Barry thwart Thawne, it is evident that Johns has overplayed his creative hand.  More so, Rebirth’s anti-climactic showdown is a repeat of what has already been done before.  As written by Mark Waid and later Johns, Wally’s previous clashes facing Thawne and later Hunter Zolomon’s Zoom will come to mind.

Visually, however, Rebirth # 6 deploys excellent artwork.  Even if Johns isn’t particularly inspired this occasion, artist Ethan Van Sciver and his colleagues slickly make up some of the difference.  If given the option, one is better off obtaining The Flash: Rebirth trade paperback rather than this single issue.  Not only are Johns’ convoluted plot points sufficiently untangled, fans can enjoy the full artistic array of The Flash: Rebirth.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

After a full-page cover image (in color), a four-page, black-and-white sequence previews the First Wave mini-series, which teams Batman with Doc Savage and the Spirit.  An uncredited “DC Nation” column hypes the imminent Blackest Night mega-saga.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   6 Stars

Written by Chuck Dixon.

Art by Graham Nolan; Scott Hanna; Adrienne Roy; & John Costanza.

Cover Art by Graham Nolan & Scott Hanna.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Choice of Weapons,” DC Comics released this issue for October 1994.  Completing a trilogy with Batman # 0 and Batman: Shadow of the Bat # 0, further flashbacks to Bruce Wayne’s origin as Batman are revisited.  Meanwhile, by methodically facing a gauntlet of thugs, the Dark Knight works his way down a tenement building’s floors to the basement.  Awaiting him there is the crew’s depraved leader holding two young abducted siblings at gunpoint. 

Interspersed are scenes of Bruce Wayne (with Alfred’s help) first designing the Bat-costume, acquiring his first Bat-vehicles, and building the Batcave.   Note: Despite his cover presence, Tim Drake’s Robin has no impact on the plot.   

REVIEW:

Deliberately rudimentary in his storytelling, writer Chuck Dixon devises a sufficient Issue # 0 as a ‘jumping aboard’ point to hopefully attract new readers.  The art squad’s terrific visuals, including the cover image, frankly are a more persuasive asset than Dixon’s business-as-usual tale.  Still, Detective Comics # 0 is a nice find for Bat-fans in the bargain section.     

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There is a two-page “Detective Comments” letters-and-answers column.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 5½ Stars

Written by Grant Morrison.

Art by Andy Kubert; Dave Stewart; & Nick J. Napolitano.

Cover Art by Andy Kubert & Dave Stewart.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Batman & Son, Part 1: Building a Better Batmobile,” DC Comics released this issue for September 2006.  Having discarded a wounded Joker in the trash, Batman later visits a hospitalized Commissioner Gordon (who is recovering from Joker venom).  With Tim Drake’s Robin off for solo downtime, Bruce Wayne heeds Alfred’s suggestion to refresh his legendary playboy reputation at a charity gala in London.  Due to extortion by his wife’s abductors, Kirk Langstrom’s ominous assignment inadvertently puts him into brief contact with Bruce.

From an undisclosed location, Talia al Ghul and a mysterious young boy use high-tech GPS to pinpoint Bruce Wayne’s present whereabouts.  Seen only in shadows, Taila’s child deduces Bruce as his father, as seen on a giant video screen.

REVIEW:

Its collector’s value re: Damian Wayne owes more to the issue’s art squad than Grant Morrison’s middling plot.  Unmistakably, Andy Kubert and his cohorts deliver top-flight visuals; by comparison, Morrison merely provides an odd story to accompany their artwork.  

Most at odds with Morrison’s illogic is Bruce Wayne witnessing first-hand an obviously-rattled Kirk Langstrom and, under his breath, noting that his overseas vacation is evidently over.  Instead of wisely switching into his Bat-costume to investigate, Morrison has a nonchalant Bruce Wayne then continue to party the night away.  Such peculiar scripting may be Morrison’s preference, but it is bewildering to readers. 

Though scenes with Talia al Ghul and son, as well as those from the Batcave, are well-played, Morrison’s storytelling just comes off as disjointed.  For Damian Wayne’s first appearance, Batman # 655 is worth keeping.  The welcome side benefit is this issue’s excellent artwork, including the cover image.  

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Dan DiDio’s “DC Nation” column includes thumbnail cover reveals for: 52 # 12; Hawkgirl # 54; and Batman # 656.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               5½ Stars