tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65966228662356928092024-03-13T11:07:30.468-04:00Random LongboxOne man's journey through his 50+ long boxes.
One issue at a time, completely at random.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.comBlogger251125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-27187786452852049242011-06-14T21:50:00.002-04:002011-06-14T22:02:42.542-04:00The Future of the DCUSo I was honestly going to get the blog back on track today, as I'm over in Indianapolis for a couple of days on business. Usually, it's easy to get caught up and a couple of posts ahead of schedule while I'm stuck in a hotel room. Forgetting to pack your comic books, however, will put a stop to that.<br /><br />Instead, let's take a quick look at the new solicitations for the DC reboot coming in September. I was curious to take a detailed look at the new books, and to see whether or not I'll be buying more or less books come September.<br /><br />Strap yourselves in, as this is going to be a long one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMhoA6w1ks6CKvKlRaByLXQk7rBOjn7EeVhn8wQZiYKPzW_Z-9Y-o4n5quWCh2xU6ArYzGH7RkHrZLi3uI0Bdp00YiRoEf3CN9XMrqFrV35DXpHP-GiqaJE8vWIFVmi3BvZn4WUmkjS8/s1600/AC1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 123px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618241431037112034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMhoA6w1ks6CKvKlRaByLXQk7rBOjn7EeVhn8wQZiYKPzW_Z-9Y-o4n5quWCh2xU6ArYzGH7RkHrZLi3uI0Bdp00YiRoEf3CN9XMrqFrV35DXpHP-GiqaJE8vWIFVmi3BvZn4WUmkjS8/s200/AC1.jpg" /></a><strong>ACTION COMICS #1</strong><br /><br />Grant Morrison telling the history of Superman and the cornerstone of the DC universe. This is the pick that holds the whole reboot together. Morrison definitely has the chops to pull it off, so I'm all in!<br /><br />I took an in depth look at the Superman solicits specifically on my other blog, so be sure to check those out <a href="http://supermandaily.blogspot.com/2011/06/future-of-superman.html">here</a>.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cY3w_EIArszsg32YKbgxRvrBAw5S5LQDijIRw__mXNGBJ-O39XEJyDgFCZofsbRS7HBoXkE_nQ88JU4YTnogmOzVhgZ5L0FLi_fpkwcRNTB0jZ26X-pZ48z5s15Jd-DlOtT4gNMa3yk/s1600/ASW1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618240365435621618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cY3w_EIArszsg32YKbgxRvrBAw5S5LQDijIRw__mXNGBJ-O39XEJyDgFCZofsbRS7HBoXkE_nQ88JU4YTnogmOzVhgZ5L0FLi_fpkwcRNTB0jZ26X-pZ48z5s15Jd-DlOtT4gNMa3yk/s200/ASW1.jpg" /></a><strong>ALL-STAR WESTERN #1</strong><br /><br />The perennial western underdog survives the cut!<br /><br />And to think, they're playing off of that notoriety by having Hex launch a western anthology.<br /><br />It's good to see DC doubling down on good comics.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzIEkykE7jFZ13DtmYZ3PsLfaRowY0u7cGTydcC1Sy2m15GHLOmh1tx3xnyQWDic9kaKfYwPgDkanItBT5gyt4vlFlJm8nuxpKe3ANQzyhiW10AK4T-J0UQaA5p04ZEI02b0NvMTV3jo/s1600/AM1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618191017765283634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzIEkykE7jFZ13DtmYZ3PsLfaRowY0u7cGTydcC1Sy2m15GHLOmh1tx3xnyQWDic9kaKfYwPgDkanItBT5gyt4vlFlJm8nuxpKe3ANQzyhiW10AK4T-J0UQaA5p04ZEI02b0NvMTV3jo/s200/AM1.jpg" /></a><strong>ANIMAL MAN #1</strong><br /><br />Here's a title that I wasn't expecting to see at all in the reboot, so it's inclusion is a pleasant surprise.<br /><br />Jeff Lemire writing is an inspired choice, although I worry about him getting typecast as the go to "animal" guy.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6j-z5Cw55ro-lO9ZeE-saoLHQiUD9uGoo3S9-Li2_L4iSagM3Vf4Luli8m5BWKFP-CLvIsgHVdQeSReMq1cyTWLwwgUoAJCg7wwpFA9_qi89wrBSbNcsIEB5hMnP1LoqpPEd9qxQ0Pg/s1600/A1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617895907074215218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6j-z5Cw55ro-lO9ZeE-saoLHQiUD9uGoo3S9-Li2_L4iSagM3Vf4Luli8m5BWKFP-CLvIsgHVdQeSReMq1cyTWLwwgUoAJCg7wwpFA9_qi89wrBSbNcsIEB5hMnP1LoqpPEd9qxQ0Pg/s200/A1.jpg" /></a><strong>AQUAMAN #1</strong><br /><br />Over the past year and a half, Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis have really sold me on Aquaman. I never had anything against the character, but never really had much passion for him either. Seeing both Johns and Reis together for this relaunch hopefully means DC is serious about pushing him as a major player.<br /><br />The blurb sounds intriguing with Aquaman renouncing Atlantis, and the debut of a new adversarial group with the Trench. I just hope that Mera makes the post FlashPoint jump.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCOUxjNnmgJluPAaLY58GQegWqDwGqa8z9ZvmPiCA3ILunrE2-0j4o2hmUtwWUvt0QGWCFu67O-senY3IOS5Tz5sj3LdZvwAqCkhuquI9O4uV-piOa6uF06QOVy8rUXCHSuTIr1X7MxE/s1600/BG1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 153px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618180929103310834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCOUxjNnmgJluPAaLY58GQegWqDwGqa8z9ZvmPiCA3ILunrE2-0j4o2hmUtwWUvt0QGWCFu67O-senY3IOS5Tz5sj3LdZvwAqCkhuquI9O4uV-piOa6uF06QOVy8rUXCHSuTIr1X7MxE/s200/BG1.jpg" /></a><strong>BATGIRL #1</strong><br /><br />Here's a character that, in my opinion, didn't need fixing or a reboot. Oracle was a great character and the DCU is worse off for her loss.<br /><br />But, DC managed to do the one thing that guarantees that I check this one out...they put Gail Simone on it. Her love for the character reinforces the fact that Barbara is in good hands and I'm in for the long haul.<br /><br />Ardian Syaf has also progressed into a fine artist, so good vibes all around.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cqyTr-BAltx36-Vubo5DHuwcxqih-LlXk9L-v6ewfwetAULiJqQ9uWoWTNHXF9WpFapwO27XMZ8BCLv2ga8lXdHqafIPI4gyiGmH8SKfR7VbM_2Bt9adDTvIMfD96tafwBFN8Ep7VP4/s1600/B1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618175687371263122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cqyTr-BAltx36-Vubo5DHuwcxqih-LlXk9L-v6ewfwetAULiJqQ9uWoWTNHXF9WpFapwO27XMZ8BCLv2ga8lXdHqafIPI4gyiGmH8SKfR7VbM_2Bt9adDTvIMfD96tafwBFN8Ep7VP4/s200/B1.jpg" /></a><strong>BATMAN #1</strong><br /><br />This here looks like a smart move to me, as Snyder seems to be getting the promotion to the head of the Bat-books while Morrison has his attention focused on a different corner of the DCU. Snyder has done nothing but good on Detective, so I look forward to seeing him handle Bruce on the main title.<br /><br />Capullo seems like a good fit here, and it's nice to see a major talent with a reliable work ethic get the nod.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAMxOJe0O40vSgOUPe1m22Yc8SvU5rDT6JZ7WPjPJuLhPn8K0Z_3-8MI0-I8ZK-vZoN3F9MbeYkfjFeBBpgYlwsue-1VNpDblXQWOEck1oesnnFzFJSXHJWRpzRowAZ9dim8s5-K2GPU/s1600/BDK1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618179101405650098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAMxOJe0O40vSgOUPe1m22Yc8SvU5rDT6JZ7WPjPJuLhPn8K0Z_3-8MI0-I8ZK-vZoN3F9MbeYkfjFeBBpgYlwsue-1VNpDblXQWOEck1oesnnFzFJSXHJWRpzRowAZ9dim8s5-K2GPU/s200/BDK1.jpg" /></a><strong>BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT #1</strong><br /><br />This is obviously someones idea of a joke, right?<br /><br />How many issues of the previous volume did we get? Two? Three? And now they get a new number one? Really? And you expect me to support this decision? Really?<br /><br />I'm sorry, but that bridge was burned a long time ago.<br /><br />STATUS: Skipped<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14CYr0CCncWxDBMFm2WqJIDY2_BoJeaEEpi5LSVZL4Z4s0ntJY_H1JRHdMW8_MF7eeIW1TVK38u8GHsi6ML1kSxOg0tZhN2b0qwJy4LJTYd-Z-zPsKwAGNJDJPIdQmArkG8StpzQJMpc/s1600/BAR1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618180012838519122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14CYr0CCncWxDBMFm2WqJIDY2_BoJeaEEpi5LSVZL4Z4s0ntJY_H1JRHdMW8_MF7eeIW1TVK38u8GHsi6ML1kSxOg0tZhN2b0qwJy4LJTYd-Z-zPsKwAGNJDJPIdQmArkG8StpzQJMpc/s200/BAR1.jpg" /></a><strong>BATMAN AND ROBIN #1</strong><br /><br />I was worried when the reboot announcement hit that that would mean the end of Damian Wayne, so I'm pleasantly surprised that's not the case.<br /><br />Hopefully Tomasi and Gleason stick around for more than one storyarc. If they bail, then I'm probably gone too, as I'd like to see some consistency with this title. The creator shuffle at the end of the previous volume got to be too much.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsML35ytRZ79BNFaq8lEXzp4nW0FTQXScEq0Bny6poidAhAjEEQHT4vosD2ElS37K45fFYCAdlxMIYENS9ZEgb-SzLSLfc5P3e8GLY5zf4oQOtIuNpnQaKl4rJJxmsLGH7C95ah_fwVBg/s1600/BW1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618177802918711586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsML35ytRZ79BNFaq8lEXzp4nW0FTQXScEq0Bny6poidAhAjEEQHT4vosD2ElS37K45fFYCAdlxMIYENS9ZEgb-SzLSLfc5P3e8GLY5zf4oQOtIuNpnQaKl4rJJxmsLGH7C95ah_fwVBg/s200/BW1.jpg" /></a><strong>BATWING #1</strong><br /><br />I honestly have no idea what's going on here, but I guess Judd Winick and Ben Oliver must've made a hell of a pitch for this one.<br /><br />Mild curiosity gives this title one chance to impress me, as the creative team has proven hit and miss in the past.<br /><br />STATUS: First issue, and then we'll see.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG88StzGbEL52cYMlweuxBZ9CsWEyni-P5aAU3aEaETabhvYBAmGjBnF4O-CvzxNqek678rw-WPegHR6Q50GaFvilg_yahcOyFxcyGJsKR8l0dR4nwPHILKO55t_KU4dRaav2-1s2JEuc/s1600/BWmn1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618183952608135202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG88StzGbEL52cYMlweuxBZ9CsWEyni-P5aAU3aEaETabhvYBAmGjBnF4O-CvzxNqek678rw-WPegHR6Q50GaFvilg_yahcOyFxcyGJsKR8l0dR4nwPHILKO55t_KU4dRaav2-1s2JEuc/s200/BWmn1.jpg" /></a><strong>BATWOMAN #1</strong><br /><br />I guess we can finally trust the solicitation this time?<br /><br />The long awaited and long delayed Batwoman solo title finally makes its appearance. I guess the constant "here today, gone tomorrow" street date has stalled my desire for this title somewhat. I'll still read it, but I long ago stopped looking forward to this one.<br /><br />On the bright side, JH Williams has had plenty of time to build up issues in the can.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicox_Xkt_TU6JGC2vd2YvcPzbJLBYkvjS7pFj34yeLyJanW2rRBCfRtcKeqlSmuy8XUJm22loZRmxHGAHloBHz10A71M-uPhByy7HxxS0nf5eFJ7yB0W8plO6AYnPDl16l21B4l5H9-b0/s1600/BOP1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618185598913271842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicox_Xkt_TU6JGC2vd2YvcPzbJLBYkvjS7pFj34yeLyJanW2rRBCfRtcKeqlSmuy8XUJm22loZRmxHGAHloBHz10A71M-uPhByy7HxxS0nf5eFJ7yB0W8plO6AYnPDl16l21B4l5H9-b0/s200/BOP1.jpg" /></a><strong>BIRDS OF PREY #1</strong><br /><br />I was a huge fan of this title from day one, and Simone definitely took ownership of this title during her time at the helm. This, on the other hand, is not the Birds of Prey that I'm familiar with.<br /><br />My loyalty to the title gives Swierczynski and Saiz one story arc to get me fully on board, but from that cover I fear it's going to be a rough ride.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled for the first arc, then we'll see<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODflMv_Eka68It-bVl2LHCy_rdpVZNWxP8w2jiH0bKM6njT21l2kMnBlg8EYGFa2tRv3Li4HHCG-AoZ5rJibPOFD1cH_r0yxuctNkuWJYLsPLfj2FW29k3iySSvyWC08ilG5NM5s2RlA/s1600/BH1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618238628410710802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODflMv_Eka68It-bVl2LHCy_rdpVZNWxP8w2jiH0bKM6njT21l2kMnBlg8EYGFa2tRv3Li4HHCG-AoZ5rJibPOFD1cH_r0yxuctNkuWJYLsPLfj2FW29k3iySSvyWC08ilG5NM5s2RlA/s200/BH1.jpg" /></a><strong>BLACKHAWKS #1</strong><br /><br />I've never really much in the way of war comics, so the Blackhawks revival isn't doing much for me. The creators aren't people I'm familiar enough with, or a fan of, to take a shot on this one.<br /><br />Maybe if I hear good things I'll take a look at this one digitally, four weeks behind.<br /><br />STATUS: Skipped<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPSJIKQkjyt9FsA9KR1PNdSOG4joSplLxxlI893JFjfKBDvlCTcmLEZQRkqfDAr8GeCZomEHJe2jbzzYxvhYNqN5rTgZ7ftIqdUJIcOgFGcICFMNBzfx2NyXSBvd-4jbE5xrqnaB6eIg/s1600/BB1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618229112615884722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPSJIKQkjyt9FsA9KR1PNdSOG4joSplLxxlI893JFjfKBDvlCTcmLEZQRkqfDAr8GeCZomEHJe2jbzzYxvhYNqN5rTgZ7ftIqdUJIcOgFGcICFMNBzfx2NyXSBvd-4jbE5xrqnaB6eIg/s200/BB1.jpg" /></a><strong>BLUE BEETLE #1</strong><br /><br />Another pleasant surprise of a title I wasn't expecting to get another shot at. It's good to see DC not cutting loose all of their newer characters from the last ten years.<br /><br />I'm interested to see what Tony Bedard does with the sci-fi aspects of the new Beetles origin, as it seems like a good fit to me. Ig Guara has a nice style that looks like it will meshly nicely as well.<br /><br />Kudos, DC! I'm looking forward to this one.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vMnirMkKQijGTmWM0FT4-S6tM2uuA9KoyI_dcRhexNguVj7DnCtSSZ_Wq0G7j4K09kA9JQTAM6bESaiMXQ25-X1peGI2L4EMUttIEF_urywKHfYyTeb4t9gYrJ0XPCDZ9jS9IWuHPEM/s1600/CA1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617905185147000914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vMnirMkKQijGTmWM0FT4-S6tM2uuA9KoyI_dcRhexNguVj7DnCtSSZ_Wq0G7j4K09kA9JQTAM6bESaiMXQ25-X1peGI2L4EMUttIEF_urywKHfYyTeb4t9gYrJ0XPCDZ9jS9IWuHPEM/s200/CA1.jpg" /></a><strong>CAPTAIN ATOM #1</strong><br /><br />This one here is really putting my proclamation that I'm going to buy every #1 issue in September to the test. Captain Atom I have no interest in, the luster has long since faded from J.T. Krul after his <strong>Blackest Night: Titans</strong> debut, and Freddie Williams III's digital style does nothing for me.<br /><br />I'll probably pick up the first issue, but they're really going to have to knock my socks off for me to stick around.<br /><br />STATUS: First issue, and then we'll see.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3jA_H9vsN_Bfr-S28EUKQCJ2N5g1B9pFRXe87_WHrVISUixxTeBKES5v4JP9s0IGTWWP45EMza9VShE2Q-jJ1nQOIsj1H633gDLhHV8HJTtllRNgumBQJkmlPVjeSWLiCF8C5Goisgw/s1600/CW1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618184634355468258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3jA_H9vsN_Bfr-S28EUKQCJ2N5g1B9pFRXe87_WHrVISUixxTeBKES5v4JP9s0IGTWWP45EMza9VShE2Q-jJ1nQOIsj1H633gDLhHV8HJTtllRNgumBQJkmlPVjeSWLiCF8C5Goisgw/s200/CW1.jpg" /></a><strong>CATWOMAN #1</strong><br /><br />Judd Winick and Guillem March get one issue to impress me, as neither of their styles am I a huge fan of, especially March.<br /><br />I really liked the Catwoman of <strong>Batman Incorporated</strong>, so I'm in to see where they're heading, but I'm gone if it's too bad girl for my taste.<br /><br />STATUS: First issue, and then we'll see.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XXYQEsJZsU56q_eL09fARxrleT51ilZZEHvKVVOr2Chs5kf5c8r8h92lyNLaCfdIlZvQJOUagzKF1_zXBcSbC9-_dBYZWznESj5RG-gdBTWof92mFrQFnMTF122mFGpdju3ZDFvc9RM/s1600/DCUP1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617915353603055282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XXYQEsJZsU56q_eL09fARxrleT51ilZZEHvKVVOr2Chs5kf5c8r8h92lyNLaCfdIlZvQJOUagzKF1_zXBcSbC9-_dBYZWznESj5RG-gdBTWof92mFrQFnMTF122mFGpdju3ZDFvc9RM/s200/DCUP1.jpg" /></a><strong>DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1</strong><br /><br />I love a good anthology title, so I'm all over this one. <strong>Brightest Day</strong> didn't do much to sell me on a Deadman book, and Paul Jenkins has yet to really write anything that knocked my socks off.<br /><br />I'll still give it a shot, and I'm curious to see who they line up next. In all reality, I can't really see this one sticking around in today's marketplace. I wish they would have gone with a shorter initial storyarc, as five months seems an awful long time wait if Deadman's not your thing.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXRMln3IomY7f6F_RPAXdUqGP-oQoj-T7GE5S2Dl0VmYfMjraHTCP3Y-CBzMJ7_-Gun0ja9HJrryZpEmrnd4hGor8Wd3apL7OyQe1bRRL5EjIaoicyPsQnKfBqCv3UJ-4ANRd-7eF57k/s1600/DS1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618236195815988466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXRMln3IomY7f6F_RPAXdUqGP-oQoj-T7GE5S2Dl0VmYfMjraHTCP3Y-CBzMJ7_-Gun0ja9HJrryZpEmrnd4hGor8Wd3apL7OyQe1bRRL5EjIaoicyPsQnKfBqCv3UJ-4ANRd-7eF57k/s200/DS1.jpg" /></a><strong>DEATHSTROKE #1</strong><br /><br />I have fond memories of Deathstroke's solo title from the 90's, so I'll definitely give this one a go.<br /><br />Kyle Higgins seems to be getting all sorts of love from DC these days, and what I've read so far from him has been pretty decent. Hopefully we're seeing the rise of another go to writer in their stable.<br /><br />Joe Bennet's kinda hit and miss with me, so hopefully this is one of the hits.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrfISi0iKUK5ejOMbTQWytqRNqP10lXqDsDdXANNdltpAM8kdjQbtCnOsCKPHGcdtyQq8C38RJC0VDzHZ1tPEh92E1IA47-bA_hvhAFTMQs_vtdEv34rFKUNU_toVzIoxUUARI6niUcY/s1600/DK1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618194583462636850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrfISi0iKUK5ejOMbTQWytqRNqP10lXqDsDdXANNdltpAM8kdjQbtCnOsCKPHGcdtyQq8C38RJC0VDzHZ1tPEh92E1IA47-bA_hvhAFTMQs_vtdEv34rFKUNU_toVzIoxUUARI6niUcY/s200/DK1.jpg" /></a><strong>DEMON KNIGHTS #1</strong><br /><br />Paul Cornell + Jack Kirby + medieval madness = Instant pull!<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGD0563kDZh2XzCSYnQnnbD9AqKIPpH6Pw90fdXsX72nXUJ1a2DMQO_husTozcqUTLIMtsDTK_74yt2QOvap3Usv-OEKd0Z2aKFR9s91NNIA53AU5Dpixe8ERDVbxEJptFVEdEI2WJKog/s1600/DC1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618177027095265986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGD0563kDZh2XzCSYnQnnbD9AqKIPpH6Pw90fdXsX72nXUJ1a2DMQO_husTozcqUTLIMtsDTK_74yt2QOvap3Usv-OEKd0Z2aKFR9s91NNIA53AU5Dpixe8ERDVbxEJptFVEdEI2WJKog/s200/DC1.jpg" /></a><strong>DETECTIVE COMICS #1</strong><br /><br />The other main Bat-book sees Tony Daniel taking his writing and drawing talents across town over to Detective.<br /><br />Nothing against Tony Daniel, but his style isn't necessarily my thing. And while I'm a fan of Batman, not enough to be a completest so I'm skipping this one.<br /><br />STATUS: Skipped<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVfDyrScrorI4oHgMocE5F8vPs1w5LDIma84Sw30AXYW8WRxLja_w_t4SBRhzfNI1LsclUJiA4OVl3g5RCgfZPQ0d7WrDCnQQ3pLI6fQHzvFEBDBSBNqa6Igepvws8BtToOvMY4sFs5Y/s1600/F1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617902632290942354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVfDyrScrorI4oHgMocE5F8vPs1w5LDIma84Sw30AXYW8WRxLja_w_t4SBRhzfNI1LsclUJiA4OVl3g5RCgfZPQ0d7WrDCnQQ3pLI6fQHzvFEBDBSBNqa6Igepvws8BtToOvMY4sFs5Y/s200/F1.jpg" /></a><strong>THE FLASH #1</strong><br /><br />This one I didn't see coming, as I had heard no inklings that Francis Manapul had the itch to start writing. And Brian Buccellato? The writing team is a real wild card on this one. It could go off the rails real fast, although from all that I've heard the delays of the last series did not lie with Manapul and Buccellato.<br /><br />I'm game, but the first sign of trouble and I'm bailing. DC has made mangling Flash relaunches a bit of a cottage industry, and I'm not sticking around through another one.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmK0dJXD_QaiRkPSAbyPZjeYtiMdUEeQLcq8WcN5tnTsGxXbBlNp8iwWlby01bkEQdAKV0sj7iDmNCABUuEax4Uq0TUEvBUiruWfyDu0Vh7MZzHKsE9u3S6Snpi_KJlaaPj-5OlTTIfs8/s1600/FAOS1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618192090420682946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmK0dJXD_QaiRkPSAbyPZjeYtiMdUEeQLcq8WcN5tnTsGxXbBlNp8iwWlby01bkEQdAKV0sj7iDmNCABUuEax4Uq0TUEvBUiruWfyDu0Vh7MZzHKsE9u3S6Snpi_KJlaaPj-5OlTTIfs8/s200/FAOS1.jpg" /></a><strong>FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. #1</strong><br /><br />I've been waiting for another Frankenstein title since the end of <strong>Seven Soldiers</strong>, so to see him getting an ongoing is awesome!<br /><br />It's essentially Hellboy in the DCU, but I don't care. It's Frankenstein holding a Gatling gun! This is going to be good.<br /><br />People better fucking buy this, because if I get less than a year before cancellation...I'm coming up swinging.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp4MgHI9b2wz2dTacp9aJKIUu7KONCgskmtq3eIIcicBXmeJ48QzIrGx4iPOGGUi8ZoF-dqpQC5snQRIiXHtTm1FNL2qsIb2cbVLe5AfFqdfe-zdmSty0NVO8aECdCWvmFhOZLBzTUK4/s1600/FOF1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 127px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617907075297864882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghp4MgHI9b2wz2dTacp9aJKIUu7KONCgskmtq3eIIcicBXmeJ48QzIrGx4iPOGGUi8ZoF-dqpQC5snQRIiXHtTm1FNL2qsIb2cbVLe5AfFqdfe-zdmSty0NVO8aECdCWvmFhOZLBzTUK4/s200/FOF1.jpg" /></a><strong>THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #1</strong><br /><br />Another interesting and out of the blue creative team, with Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver teaming up for the writing. I'm intrigued, but their two styles sure sound like oil and water to me. Maybe one of them will be writing Ronnie and the other one writing Jason? That would be interesting.<br /><br />Yildiray Cinar is a rising star, so here's hoping this will be his breakout book.<br /><br />I've never really had <em>that</em> much affection for Firestorm, but the creative team has me excited enough to give this one a go.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzNHOVkZMOGyRanFXw_dscwzhCoonxWjNKUDSgLB8kqtOjUTlOE_-C5msEp8Jrs2RW3g9gj0vJZiaeI0DryWtTzb_gP3hALRDTPwBwzqMQCuROsLBEGov2gqosmkC2aP-Cs0NnKwmjCc/s1600/GA1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617909221112436946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzNHOVkZMOGyRanFXw_dscwzhCoonxWjNKUDSgLB8kqtOjUTlOE_-C5msEp8Jrs2RW3g9gj0vJZiaeI0DryWtTzb_gP3hALRDTPwBwzqMQCuROsLBEGov2gqosmkC2aP-Cs0NnKwmjCc/s200/GA1.jpg" /></a><strong>GREEN ARROW #1</strong><br /><br />I want to like a Green Arrow book, I really do, but I wonder if this is the one for me. The addition of Dan Jurgens on art probably puts this one in the pulled category. J.T. Krul gives me a moments pause, but I can probably find room for one of his books on my pull list.<br /><br />That's a sharp looking cover, and I really like the costume redesign. I'm hopeful, but if the first story arc fizzles, then I'm out.<br /><br />STATUS: First story arc, then we'll see.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtq-dSy8MdruwATl2bIrWP9sHtFZHIWHXC5XcDazuMcrUUpvga9xpJ1B3tLHoH5FUbgL2tc8S9V1OvAPMNhE0JHs37X1pO5DCXcBu3PDWq-wHngeJhI5I8gtPbcWjDvXs91KnnaVbEBg/s1600/GL1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617920997538886642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtq-dSy8MdruwATl2bIrWP9sHtFZHIWHXC5XcDazuMcrUUpvga9xpJ1B3tLHoH5FUbgL2tc8S9V1OvAPMNhE0JHs37X1pO5DCXcBu3PDWq-wHngeJhI5I8gtPbcWjDvXs91KnnaVbEBg/s200/GL1.jpg" /></a><strong>GREEN LANTERN #1</strong><br /><br />If it ain't broke, it don't need fixin'.<br /><br />The most consistently entertaining book on the market keeps its creative team intact. I'm good.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChX5OsBZ6hgJmIllkCa_oBHZskkvN34Ddf7FJBTlcHBQCZwSiNHFvYjBSH0syjQF7ykclt_7tCEGRG5G1WyOSIVvYPpiARJszmIGyf0Br23nNOyueAnvcwg043NLf-2iY2XnawJokRAs/s1600/GLC1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617922494997155490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChX5OsBZ6hgJmIllkCa_oBHZskkvN34Ddf7FJBTlcHBQCZwSiNHFvYjBSH0syjQF7ykclt_7tCEGRG5G1WyOSIVvYPpiARJszmIGyf0Br23nNOyueAnvcwg043NLf-2iY2XnawJokRAs/s200/GLC1.jpg" /></a><strong>GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1</strong><br /><br />There's plenty of room in my pull list for two Green Lantern titles, and the fact that Peter Tomasi is back makes this an easy pull. Pasarin's an adequate penciller, but I'll miss Gleason's pencils.<br /><br />I'll also miss Kyle hanging around with Guy, as John Stewart just doesn't do much for me. Still, I love me some good space opera, so this one stays pulled.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuJyBzPk7DF1FQHaGAgy2L9oBZ5BuT1xE9jzFjnivsoHHJ95HlpD4RUwYbc_UW1MJVJRIxdekrMro5llj3wWJSZ0hIv0dbg0l44c7SOUrFdEPw3L8T807qxDtAqOyP9ca80NZvZtOWDw/s1600/GLNG1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618172825367885154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuJyBzPk7DF1FQHaGAgy2L9oBZ5BuT1xE9jzFjnivsoHHJ95HlpD4RUwYbc_UW1MJVJRIxdekrMro5llj3wWJSZ0hIv0dbg0l44c7SOUrFdEPw3L8T807qxDtAqOyP9ca80NZvZtOWDw/s200/GLNG1.jpg" /></a><strong>GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #1</strong><br /><br />Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham have yet to really blow me away on the Green Lantern titles, but in all fairness to them, they came in right as <strong>Blackest Night</strong> was going strong. Here's hoping that this new start will do them some good, although their title will still be square in a post BN status quo.<br /><br />I'll try this one, but with the other two GL titles hopefully going strong it's got a short leash to find its sea legs.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuApbAiZO6ZQgWHEB6e9LosVj2K2K-d0quoCGSL3kTqg7ZKn3YzL_1YEoAai8-1x3I3v2uI9vquePXfVZ5GJ0R1lmR4EUYMKJX7d_vqLVD5YHbPnzVbz0ZgoMdIbuYCq8t5zBeXlF06U/s1600/G1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618235185851827634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuApbAiZO6ZQgWHEB6e9LosVj2K2K-d0quoCGSL3kTqg7ZKn3YzL_1YEoAai8-1x3I3v2uI9vquePXfVZ5GJ0R1lmR4EUYMKJX7d_vqLVD5YHbPnzVbz0ZgoMdIbuYCq8t5zBeXlF06U/s200/G1.jpg" /></a><strong>GRIFTER #1</strong><br /><br />The first of two former WildC.A.T.S team members to score their own ongoing, and this one seems like a logical first attempt. DC's never been shy about giving villains a shot at an ongoing title, but they haven't really plumbed the vigilante role lately.<br /><br />I've heard good things about Nathan Edondson, so sure, why not...we'll give this one a go.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW03NbFnxvfUCoTFMkJd9sNV2cXjVPNerSfK40rnpJv8Zw5a_5kM2HdTvxYtr6hOK514OPb-ABEeVO2HTaMb6JqDjTIxq5oG7E14OJmQp-F4uYcDo7y4AV08ZXOkPsfMDMzpQlawXGP2Y/s1600/HAD1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618227575803677330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW03NbFnxvfUCoTFMkJd9sNV2cXjVPNerSfK40rnpJv8Zw5a_5kM2HdTvxYtr6hOK514OPb-ABEeVO2HTaMb6JqDjTIxq5oG7E14OJmQp-F4uYcDo7y4AV08ZXOkPsfMDMzpQlawXGP2Y/s200/HAD1.jpg" /></a><strong>HAWK AND DOVE #1</strong><br /><br />As much as I want to read a Sterling Gates ongoing, I'm not so sure this is the one for me. Hawk and Dove are two of the blandest characters I know, and their starring role in <strong>Brightest Day</strong> did not do much to dissuade me of that opinion.<br /><br />And Liefeld? I wish him all the best, but I've probably read all of the Liefeld comics that I ever wanted to read back in the 90's.<br /><br />I guess I'll just wait around to see what title Gates lands on next.<br /><br />STATUS: Skipped<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUvfx1zk32mMgOm2QQA6CFJhOoMmGgO9M9ll3kQVTVDLjTDrFu9J-HahYbWmnDoYua5zkAJzSe8pznCCiML82l7lGx77BCW0cEvTIZwh7faLYYj0Z6yZeuCswTrzpMkiSvxWUQMwUqb8/s1600/IV1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618193171928762514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUvfx1zk32mMgOm2QQA6CFJhOoMmGgO9M9ll3kQVTVDLjTDrFu9J-HahYbWmnDoYua5zkAJzSe8pznCCiML82l7lGx77BCW0cEvTIZwh7faLYYj0Z6yZeuCswTrzpMkiSvxWUQMwUqb8/s200/IV1.jpg" /></a><strong>I, VAMPIRE #1</strong><br /><br />Vampires in love.<br /><br />I suppose somewhere there's a demographic for this title somewhere, but it ain't me.<br /><br />STATUS: Skipped<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8VMijrmS48f2JVGX5BbW8a1ghJ0M-TyO5DJQdBV4tapBugGHfZZBv306xf18VLOMy5HhxozwIhZMH41VuUihK92EOPgqELMAJGeqwaSMVeyhYE1Ss5U3RLksJWKFxOLh1cPK9XM1gqk/s1600/JL1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617891972718151586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8VMijrmS48f2JVGX5BbW8a1ghJ0M-TyO5DJQdBV4tapBugGHfZZBv306xf18VLOMy5HhxozwIhZMH41VuUihK92EOPgqELMAJGeqwaSMVeyhYE1Ss5U3RLksJWKFxOLh1cPK9XM1gqk/s200/JL1.jpg" /></a><strong>JUSTICE LEAGUE #1</strong><br /><br />Geoff Johns and Jim Lee? This one's a no-brainer. I'm in, and if you're restarting your superhero universe, what better way to do it than with two gentlemen whose super-hero cred is unmatched in the industry. The only question that remains is how soon before the monthly schedule goes off the rails.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN1C7igVITn_vkiaRchvQEue6YabmUrhV1izT7fb8z4tnpRj4-PPPh6WtIu0TPxL81FHGC1_e1QbWlL5r9UcdXQK9tvfgo4Dw_Qo6G2JLCKdisfFtJrB2ViL3nQBRyKhc8SPOGL4ZzKw/s1600/JLD1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618188263331955954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN1C7igVITn_vkiaRchvQEue6YabmUrhV1izT7fb8z4tnpRj4-PPPh6WtIu0TPxL81FHGC1_e1QbWlL5r9UcdXQK9tvfgo4Dw_Qo6G2JLCKdisfFtJrB2ViL3nQBRyKhc8SPOGL4ZzKw/s200/JLD1.jpg" /></a><strong>JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #1</strong><br /><br />I like the concept of a magic-based Justice League team, and this would seem to play to Peter Milligan's strengths, but titles like these never seem to last.<br /><br />Mikal Janin's an unknown to me, so this is really up to Milligan to keep me on board. The first sign of bad-Milligan, and I'm probably bailing ahead of the eventual cancellation.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGJtNEUSRX3mSasJcusLpbmw4idsyZX6pcruZR5h-m1qnw_8i8QUGV7PFtsXjyFe7yFmn2fYHO_uTTBaeKHMzUt56RIlmUVAWwNhWMO0Q_0cIJrnmffGXn74-tNXgnAeLS1nEBO1nWYM/s1600/JLI1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617893073847682322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGJtNEUSRX3mSasJcusLpbmw4idsyZX6pcruZR5h-m1qnw_8i8QUGV7PFtsXjyFe7yFmn2fYHO_uTTBaeKHMzUt56RIlmUVAWwNhWMO0Q_0cIJrnmffGXn74-tNXgnAeLS1nEBO1nWYM/s200/JLI1.jpg" /></a><strong>JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1</strong><br /><br />Here's a little corner of the DCU that I've never really had much time for. I wasn't much of a DC reader when the original "Bwa-Ha-Ha" JL was in its heyday. I've never gone back and reread them, and honestly? It's not really my cup of tea, so I doubt I ever will.<br /><br />This is being helmed by Dan Jurgens and Aaron Lopresti, so I'll give it a look just on that basis. Add that together with the fact that its got Booster Gold and August General in Iron, and I'm in.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled, at least for the first arc.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-f2cAPYa3jYt742Q9Zvp0mrLNrvRs3noRypklZMbu0d1s09eDR7EKFFtx-NXwt4rvdfe-29s1mkC04KW_lYFi_HCTksIfwqKhpHAO2OZVGn2zOLdqxj-ONr0sZ4ds1S9KwEhkWgNQB4/s1600/LL1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618231851948030466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-f2cAPYa3jYt742Q9Zvp0mrLNrvRs3noRypklZMbu0d1s09eDR7EKFFtx-NXwt4rvdfe-29s1mkC04KW_lYFi_HCTksIfwqKhpHAO2OZVGn2zOLdqxj-ONr0sZ4ds1S9KwEhkWgNQB4/s200/LL1.jpg" /></a><strong>LEGION LOST #1</strong><br /><br />I've never read the original <strong>Legion Lost</strong>, so I don't have an emotional attachment to the title, but I happen to believe there's definitely room for two legion books out there.<br /><br />I suppose some Legion members in present day is the logical choice, but haven't we already told this story twice in the last four of five years?<br /><br />But with Pete Woods on art? I'm doubly sold, so let's see what happens.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnIgyAXx-6w9AS0bo1JUYxO3cDL-5S-P2Xpxd4Siuv2DWQ9hYvBNJ4oZYFeeBflJvZyij6jilGJZu51KK1qnWB9ri_9RTQfjKFVBo17SM4q-HhCselzBlWAvipPgfWNNZGSWZIY4trsE/s1600/LOSH1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618230516313850626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnIgyAXx-6w9AS0bo1JUYxO3cDL-5S-P2Xpxd4Siuv2DWQ9hYvBNJ4oZYFeeBflJvZyij6jilGJZu51KK1qnWB9ri_9RTQfjKFVBo17SM4q-HhCselzBlWAvipPgfWNNZGSWZIY4trsE/s200/LOSH1.jpg" /></a><strong>LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1</strong><br /><br />This would appear to be another case of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Now, whether or not LOSH is broke is the big question. I happen to think it's been an exceptional title, but the recent sales would seem to think I'm one of the few who thinks so.<br /><br />Either way, I'm glad that Levitz is still on board.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPLn1unOo7RPySJnKi7rkX6ML5FqL20kLVVwUTWQBXALVCwfHsPl80UcVmM2kIiMfYwNWHnWAX_YRjPotfzAbnnAh0wesTMkVtBllNy6FHv4Knwwjnx4fMBqU5V_ZWe-kZQahJ3q4jvM/s1600/MOW1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618239748634837490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPLn1unOo7RPySJnKi7rkX6ML5FqL20kLVVwUTWQBXALVCwfHsPl80UcVmM2kIiMfYwNWHnWAX_YRjPotfzAbnnAh0wesTMkVtBllNy6FHv4Knwwjnx4fMBqU5V_ZWe-kZQahJ3q4jvM/s200/MOW1.jpg" /></a><strong>MEN OF WAR #1</strong><br /><br />The second of the two war titles, and I'm doing the same thing as with the first.<br /><br />Skipping, but if I hear good things I'll hook up with this digitally.<br /><br />STATUS: Skipped<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUJ6JyWhcQHmUANHxdb8DCK2JFo5F59xWl8XOfTRITrZpGvuyINc-wxi9k192BaAXTK0zvHhv0XoSedHcgS-43XRvR9g9vgLuGmYERjvz-9vY5ErWfLfTn4QpF2WQNViLltTKKWoFgvM/s1600/MT1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617912953784677986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUJ6JyWhcQHmUANHxdb8DCK2JFo5F59xWl8XOfTRITrZpGvuyINc-wxi9k192BaAXTK0zvHhv0XoSedHcgS-43XRvR9g9vgLuGmYERjvz-9vY5ErWfLfTn4QpF2WQNViLltTKKWoFgvM/s200/MT1.jpg" /></a><strong>MISTER TERRIFIC #1</strong><br /><br />This title was a welcome surprise. I've been a JSA reader for the last 12 years, so it's good to see Mister Terrific getting some attention. It's a shame there's no JSA title with the reboot, but this is a nice consolation prize.<br /><br />I'm unfamiliar with either member of the creative team, so this one is pulled on the strength of the character alone.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_ssifmKYQ1DwkHnbukwEyT3giLCtvpSdKmBJOz-7xXzdIhJWYLO_wVwF7YIEEk9CH5QHPvtrtpkjQZOCX5Ird6hKghfUbhGcziGE7zJJc_Zd1QQjfhFvxQCu3Iod9ViEwN3xAQBzyno/s1600/NW1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618182978750346002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_ssifmKYQ1DwkHnbukwEyT3giLCtvpSdKmBJOz-7xXzdIhJWYLO_wVwF7YIEEk9CH5QHPvtrtpkjQZOCX5Ird6hKghfUbhGcziGE7zJJc_Zd1QQjfhFvxQCu3Iod9ViEwN3xAQBzyno/s200/NW1.jpg" /></a><strong>NIGHTWING #1</strong><br /><br />This one's a shame, as Dick Grayson as Batman was the first time that I really got into the character. His return to the Nightwing identity means that I'm probably skipping this one.<br /><br />The fact that Eddy Barrows is on art doesn't help, as (fair or not) his art is too closely associated with the horrible <em>Grounded</em> storyarc and now it just instantly turns me off.<br /><br />Maybe if I hear good things I'll go digital, but right now I'm passing.<br /><br />STATUS: Skipped<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ2X2IiOSrfjdcrSP4Sb8VEd6vjELPp0H9pkMN95o9kFol_8fdOluW6XFGsEsxCApHst42ralSBd2dIOC6-D6zbB34D6-0WRbcuCKxizIqNYPJPS88gxubz7S2kNTcTCyOyYtAgET3CU/s1600/OMAC1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618237829982992306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZ2X2IiOSrfjdcrSP4Sb8VEd6vjELPp0H9pkMN95o9kFol_8fdOluW6XFGsEsxCApHst42ralSBd2dIOC6-D6zbB34D6-0WRbcuCKxizIqNYPJPS88gxubz7S2kNTcTCyOyYtAgET3CU/s200/OMAC1.jpg" /></a><strong>O.M.A.C. #1</strong><br /><br />Why am I giddily looking forward to this title?<br /><br />I have no idea.<br /><br />Didio and Giffen doing Kirby. It could work. It probably won't, but it could.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM7vGsYP43ujcpbrHKQGBUHhI6av8VWjZtAxSh6S1yqB_-Jg_otb-LT8VMFkPxzj9ei3mvf-TaNKrdKVVLQoekCp3bjRI9iCMNhMm4zwehF8k4d6edCE9vMVpbNSb-TV8iaQZwryiiW4/s1600/RHATO1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618186780096436594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM7vGsYP43ujcpbrHKQGBUHhI6av8VWjZtAxSh6S1yqB_-Jg_otb-LT8VMFkPxzj9ei3mvf-TaNKrdKVVLQoekCp3bjRI9iCMNhMm4zwehF8k4d6edCE9vMVpbNSb-TV8iaQZwryiiW4/s200/RHATO1.jpg" /></a><strong>RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #1</strong><br /><br />Now here's a pick outta left field that has me intrigued. This is either going to be the best thing ever, or a total trainwreck.<br /><br />I'm in either way to find out which way it goes.<br /><br />At the very least, it'll look pretty with Rocafort on art.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRUE9f3DDDWmUN1ly6sd06fNjJBB19KwwdmWSBfHcfMxTNBPqufmLODlU6ru-5yYyMBvsrYl8c8m6tP3v5NRoanBb-Y1n80SWrGkm3W_qN0yPN9t7ffZyDlCWT3goiP2X0qlLUMjBELY/s1600/RL1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618173018833386098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRUE9f3DDDWmUN1ly6sd06fNjJBB19KwwdmWSBfHcfMxTNBPqufmLODlU6ru-5yYyMBvsrYl8c8m6tP3v5NRoanBb-Y1n80SWrGkm3W_qN0yPN9t7ffZyDlCWT3goiP2X0qlLUMjBELY/s200/RL1.jpg" /></a><strong>RED LANTERNS #1</strong><br />If you asked me what Lantern Corp I'd like to see spun out into their own series, the Red Lantern's would've probably been at the bottom of the pack. The rage aspect of the spectrum just doesn't seem strong enough to carry a series, but we shall see.<br /><br />I'll try this one out, but if the bad Milligan shows up I'm out.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled, for at least the first arc.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVxGPfvuGQwyTApBtrpPQYbAElf2rU7bYNDcaWGJon-kXw2Iz-007CPOkanRwFSGyxYpwrUk8RsTpKG5-xTooFkGG7pEktsKYneLUxz939_mg5TvMUaAAdV4VILrkjiKzqSk9eTXOy80/s1600/RM1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618193781075536562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVxGPfvuGQwyTApBtrpPQYbAElf2rU7bYNDcaWGJon-kXw2Iz-007CPOkanRwFSGyxYpwrUk8RsTpKG5-xTooFkGG7pEktsKYneLUxz939_mg5TvMUaAAdV4VILrkjiKzqSk9eTXOy80/s200/RM1.jpg" /></a><strong>RESURRECTION MAN #1</strong><br /><br />I have fond memories of this title from the nineties, but did I know I wanted this title back?<br /><br />I'm not so sure.<br /><br />I'll give it the first storyarc to see if the old magic is there, but if it ain't...<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled, at least for the first arc.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH_CFqKZb3vxNB6oPGsorNyW2iSNoKkR3-2slsGM8ZvsLxM9nCABo2s_5xX_zp6vOs_zmjd7Ng9p7YvuyGSm5HSwcctJEeS_jFJptQ-gSlcyeNqt1RWPSbDFsOPZWso45W1Ech-hlLwk/s1600/SH1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617910693721603618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH_CFqKZb3vxNB6oPGsorNyW2iSNoKkR3-2slsGM8ZvsLxM9nCABo2s_5xX_zp6vOs_zmjd7Ng9p7YvuyGSm5HSwcctJEeS_jFJptQ-gSlcyeNqt1RWPSbDFsOPZWso45W1Ech-hlLwk/s200/SH1.jpg" /></a><strong>THE SAVAGE HAWKMAN #1</strong><br /><br />Tony Daniel and Philip Tan, eh? I can't see me picking this one up. Nothing I've read from Daniel has really done anything for me, and Tan's work is not to my taste.<br /><br />It's a shame, as I really liked the first couple of years of Hawkman stories in the <strong>JSA</strong>, and then in his solo title, but it's been a rocky road since then. I think maybe <strong>Brightest Day</strong> will be my coda with Hawkman for the foreseeable future.<br /><br />STATUS: Skipped<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqt3ezshW9oPWH7CjM-d3RbxeDKJtkM3k9F_vzuT1-zPS_bkGqRuGDdTGStnccJx8TomtkAlljd4MsE_MehrKQWs_OGRR4HUUWM5z9Z0s0mfA0B_e1RhW5DtDuQ_LETXV2KEUUuD7EvA/s1600/SS1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618226770084305874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqt3ezshW9oPWH7CjM-d3RbxeDKJtkM3k9F_vzuT1-zPS_bkGqRuGDdTGStnccJx8TomtkAlljd4MsE_MehrKQWs_OGRR4HUUWM5z9Z0s0mfA0B_e1RhW5DtDuQ_LETXV2KEUUuD7EvA/s200/SS1.jpg" /></a><strong>STATIC SHOCK #1</strong><br /><br />I was a fan of the Milestone line of titles back in the 90's, but for whatever reason I've never read an issue of Static Shock.<br /><br />Still, I hear nothing but good things about this hero. I suppose I've tried worse titles, so I'll give it at least the first issue and decide from there.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled for at least the first issue.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA7kxXYCVkgv-7ql-r4pQVfIMTll19jS6szYM2ejZgNKX_TPUHD8hCw1hBZzsyjUNAnjF0r5socHS5YxvxAwo8XbvCvI3rLmU0rO4xOBE0L4RLZQvWMvc4in7380lcEuE7hiACeRqJ9c/s1600/SW1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618234087149100722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA7kxXYCVkgv-7ql-r4pQVfIMTll19jS6szYM2ejZgNKX_TPUHD8hCw1hBZzsyjUNAnjF0r5socHS5YxvxAwo8XbvCvI3rLmU0rO4xOBE0L4RLZQvWMvc4in7380lcEuE7hiACeRqJ9c/s200/SW1.jpg" /></a><strong>STORMWATCH #1</strong><br /><br />I was hoping that The Authority would find its way back to relevance during the reboot. Probably calling it Stormwatch takes some of the pressure off of it, so I got no problem there.<br /><br />Having Paul Cornell and Martian Manhunter along for the ride makes me super excited to see where this title goes.<br /><br />Another pleasant surprise.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsblVWxponZ-Z-4Hae29vZoRcgITMV0XswuurIQz44_iMNkHFIctwvNmv5iUW_8Dhs6rnDqoBmE4KgM-T6gFQpXcjSDtoepXuVziCwZizmlZ1fJKOxldysRnYNL_pV-Byg6_dyS5NhWaM/s1600/SSq1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618236912824243762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsblVWxponZ-Z-4Hae29vZoRcgITMV0XswuurIQz44_iMNkHFIctwvNmv5iUW_8Dhs6rnDqoBmE4KgM-T6gFQpXcjSDtoepXuVziCwZizmlZ1fJKOxldysRnYNL_pV-Byg6_dyS5NhWaM/s200/SSq1.jpg" /></a><strong>SUICIDE SQUAD #1</strong><br /><br />So I guess this is our consolation prize for losing <strong>Secret Six</strong>?<br /><br />In theory, I want this title, but I'm not too sure about the redesigns I'm seeing on the cover. King Shark is a hammerhead now? And is that Harley Quinn? Really?<br /><br />I guess I'll give it a story arc to see where it goes.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled, at least for the first story arc.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79OyIh0xTLnIILMy8RdLqnCNTxtOpSSmMdvu3b4FcVmeS_WwamGnCC7ncFwHIpSaDAN-occy9z7H-Zv-Uf8bLGCrFVv0QEZDF4L-dJgIyRQrmvvTuR4pO88xVY1y2X19LtAJwrUZjnR0/s1600/SB1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 129px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618242120855890818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79OyIh0xTLnIILMy8RdLqnCNTxtOpSSmMdvu3b4FcVmeS_WwamGnCC7ncFwHIpSaDAN-occy9z7H-Zv-Uf8bLGCrFVv0QEZDF4L-dJgIyRQrmvvTuR4pO88xVY1y2X19LtAJwrUZjnR0/s200/SB1.jpg" /></a><strong>SUPERBOY #1</strong><br /><br />Originally, I wasn't too kean on the fact that Scott Lobdell got handed three titles. A little hindsight and an interview later, and I'm coming around on at least two of 'em.<br /><br />The fact that R.B. Silva is on board for art only helps.<br /><br />I always like the clone aspect of his origin with his half Clark/half Lex DNA, so I'm looking forward to see how that plays out.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1HEgtdYye_9Ap_ELnje6ajnWbzplyti4ZIlbQ0mfDNxyEi6QRwg9VBIe6K9w3yRJif6R_eOsVOnj9nclxFocvSes3-L74FonVdX4dkhim5lCzlGvYI5ZtbnAoSSRKOK5ymCB7VZ1bzk/s1600/SG1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618242512316404882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1HEgtdYye_9Ap_ELnje6ajnWbzplyti4ZIlbQ0mfDNxyEi6QRwg9VBIe6K9w3yRJif6R_eOsVOnj9nclxFocvSes3-L74FonVdX4dkhim5lCzlGvYI5ZtbnAoSSRKOK5ymCB7VZ1bzk/s200/SG1.jpg" /></a><strong>SUPERGIRL #1</strong><br /><br />Of the four Superman family titles, this is the one that makes me the most nervous.<br /><br />Are we really getting angry and alien Supergirl back again? After Gates and Igle did so much to humanize her?<br /><br />At least it'll look good with Asrar on art, and that costume designe is growing on me.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Y8_ijcIP8qJRRs3UPsO4zYqtQeQvrxsnEIE99g_VGXQ7V8RRgKbKBEpYWBSwZgCCeoW7OpWDHQJsv-8gkasXkRoaNDS3m8AnSjT7r4pa5uc0PY9lENnu8hr_QNEmz8xnFsJjUmmIno/s1600/S1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618241714206666754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38Y8_ijcIP8qJRRs3UPsO4zYqtQeQvrxsnEIE99g_VGXQ7V8RRgKbKBEpYWBSwZgCCeoW7OpWDHQJsv-8gkasXkRoaNDS3m8AnSjT7r4pa5uc0PY9lENnu8hr_QNEmz8xnFsJjUmmIno/s200/S1.jpg" /></a><strong>SUPERMAN #1</strong><br /><br />Like Supergirl, the costume changes are starting to grow on me. Honestly, he could be running around in Spider-Man underoos, as long as Superman is in the fucking comic book! Seriously, let's just get back to telling some good Superman stories.<br /><br />I'm so happy that Jesus Merino landed the gig as regular artist. I can't wait to see him tackle the man of steel on a regular, monthly basis.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5wQzJVgboQ1gYoV_NTzsKWxd9OjBShhapr6ZFukon_m8NxeB2hVdkskRFOmN5TGRGX4A0tNMLwF7bos_a2moWddseSBeGI66w5MK42bPYYJXDsEdk24ITo_CUY3fOoXRKuamKmnaNsY/s1600/ST1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618189681943436626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5wQzJVgboQ1gYoV_NTzsKWxd9OjBShhapr6ZFukon_m8NxeB2hVdkskRFOmN5TGRGX4A0tNMLwF7bos_a2moWddseSBeGI66w5MK42bPYYJXDsEdk24ITo_CUY3fOoXRKuamKmnaNsY/s200/ST1.jpg" /></a><strong>SWAMP THING #1</strong><br /><br />Oh, hell yes!<br /><br />This is one of the few creative team announcements that they hit a grand slam on. This title has a strong legacy to live up to, but Snyder is a writer that I have complete trust in. And Yanick Paquette on art is another inspired choice.<br /><br />Look at that cover!<br /><br />This right here is in the top three of the reboot titles that I'm looking forward to the most.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdECodSLPmpw2zHhsac1XNlntYECzqf2JrKE4vhbLTs-YAo7dSWEWFxnxI77yzg24OR9-s07Qx7eMv2X7pBOUCZLK3hndKmBYGpPCOvMC0isyhnYjiImDCg_WaCVTJ3YWSmteAaflcmYY/s1600/TT1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618225243689329858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdECodSLPmpw2zHhsac1XNlntYECzqf2JrKE4vhbLTs-YAo7dSWEWFxnxI77yzg24OR9-s07Qx7eMv2X7pBOUCZLK3hndKmBYGpPCOvMC0isyhnYjiImDCg_WaCVTJ3YWSmteAaflcmYY/s200/TT1.jpg" /></a><strong>TEEN TITANS #1</strong><br /><br />Here's the book that, rightly so, is getting its fair share of attention. Whether you like it or hate it, you can't deny that it got people talking about Teen Titans again.<br /><br />Me? I think I'm falling into the "I'm not so sure" camp. Lobdell had about two hundred different past Titans to choose from, so I'm not sure we needed two more new ones. Plus Cassie as a theif? I don't know about that one.<br /><br />It all seems a little needlessly extreme to me. Still, I'll probably give it a storyarc to convince me to stick around.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled, for at least the first arc.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLa5CTEVOTT3Qhb9keNYo0QiNdMhrhhSyVaJcLRPws3pKzJAz99whPUBgMkuHzHZbwL8KAw5YxEbGXRGrXdSZ7Ps_wPtxZn9QtxGdWmWE93Fv0WYg3l0To01ZSMEOMDTjQROdtpfCBmk/s1600/V1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618195649024515346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLa5CTEVOTT3Qhb9keNYo0QiNdMhrhhSyVaJcLRPws3pKzJAz99whPUBgMkuHzHZbwL8KAw5YxEbGXRGrXdSZ7Ps_wPtxZn9QtxGdWmWE93Fv0WYg3l0To01ZSMEOMDTjQROdtpfCBmk/s200/V1.jpg" /></a><strong>VOODOO #1</strong><br /><br />While I'm happy to see the Wildstorm Universe finding a new home with the reboot, this title would not have been at the top of my list.<br /><br />Still, I'll give Ron Marz and Sami Basri at least one issue to pull me in.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled for the first issue, and we'll see from there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSZ5YZ-GVND2ho1D4kARLjDcjEa7uTfwyve4ddgdwm_IU4zMUaTef74w-1hU-xIIaYBOe9FPInU8qAEBZtcjulsMi8JMc6umlfP_eFqDtaK_zJpp-HngNHQhE-E2R6ShrJuX9GDOvXk0/s1600/WW1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617899213623174050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSZ5YZ-GVND2ho1D4kARLjDcjEa7uTfwyve4ddgdwm_IU4zMUaTef74w-1hU-xIIaYBOe9FPInU8qAEBZtcjulsMi8JMc6umlfP_eFqDtaK_zJpp-HngNHQhE-E2R6ShrJuX9GDOvXk0/s200/WW1.jpg" /></a><strong>WONDER WOMAN #1</strong><br /><br />DC definitely can't be accused of playing it safe with this one. While Cliff Chang may seem like a no-brainer on art, Brian Azzarello writing is a real wild card. His superhero offerings have been hit and miss, so I'm desperately hoping this is one of the hits. Can these two recapture the <strong>Doctor 13: Architecture & Mortality</strong> magic? I'm hoping so.<br /><br />As for Wonder Woman's costume? I like it, although I was a fan of the last redesign and this one's not much different. One thing I did notice on the cover was a lack of the lasso.<br /><br />Wonder Woman versus the gods, with swords and arrows flying? How can I not hope this works.<br /><br />STATUS: Pulled<br /><br />Whew...my fingers are tired.<br /><br />So what was the final tally?<br /><br />Out of 52 new titles, this is how it breaks down...<ul><li>32 monthly pulls</li><li>7 titles I'm on for at least the first arc</li><li>5 titles I'll try at least the first issue of</li><li>8 titles I'm skipping completely</li></ul><br />That seems to be a fairly successfull relaunch, as far as my pull list is concerned. Looking back at the last couple of months, I was hovering around 25 DCU pulls.<br /><br />September is going to be an interesting month. I can't wait!TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-16355197159841975512011-06-02T08:42:00.004-04:002011-06-02T09:01:47.446-04:00Happy 2nd Birthday!Today marks the second birthday of <em>The Random Longbox</em>.<br /><br />Yea! Woo hoo!<br /><br />Unfortunately, 2011 has been a rather spotty year for posting so far.<br /><br />Boo...hiss...<dodges tomatoes><br /><br />So yeah, has it really been since February since I update the RL?<br /><br />I guess so. Over the past few weeks, I've actually been thinking alot about this, and my responsibilities here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDEfA_FmmJ5-Rv0OckURtRu0Qp_f54kJIbtmfW7NpkjNtmFYHd9JWx0COEp4QxRDg12qNx5q2kLvGMpVUNfxgayD4rhLXqMsU82eSMpV6VJN9LcOjDZ6TDx2oJZp4ApYSuuu0RKmPkc4/s1600/S662-Thinking_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrDEfA_FmmJ5-Rv0OckURtRu0Qp_f54kJIbtmfW7NpkjNtmFYHd9JWx0COEp4QxRDg12qNx5q2kLvGMpVUNfxgayD4rhLXqMsU82eSMpV6VJN9LcOjDZ6TDx2oJZp4ApYSuuu0RKmPkc4/s400/S662-Thinking_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613603157525941378" /></a><br />I'm sure you can squarely lay most of the blame onto my newest blogging adventure, <em><a href="http://supermandaily.blogspot.com/">Superman 101</a></em>, which coincidentally enough just happened to debut in February. It's a daily blog, and while the posts are nowhere near as involved as a post for this blog are, keeping up a daily schedule takes a bit of resources. Resources which are obviously not being applied here.<br /><br />The other factor leading to my unintentional suspension of this blog, was that my posts started to feel like book reports. And doing book reports on a weekly basis started to feel too much like homework. Who wants to do homework when you're forty years old?<br /><br />So I've been mulling it over for a way to resurrect the <em>Random Longbox</em> into a shorter, punchier, more agile blog, while still maintaining the core mission of rereading my collection one book at a time and completely at random.<br /><br />Hopefully, I'll have nailed out the details in the coming months and be back on track. Unfortunately, I'm heading into my busy time for work which means a fair amount of travel over a half-dozen states. We'll see how these two conflicting responsibilities iron themselves out over the summer.<br /><br />In the meantime, there's always <em><a href="http://supermandaily.blogspot.com/">Superman 101</a></em> to tide you over.<br /><br />As always, thanks for stopping by and making the <em>Random Longbox</em> part of your internet experience...even when I had nothing to say for months at a time.<br /><br />You readers are the best!<br /><br />TomO.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-72034326542580940472011-02-27T19:58:00.001-05:002011-02-28T08:49:45.444-05:00A depressing odds & sods...and Birds of Prey!How about a quick odds and sods before we get to picking the next random book to review?<br /><br /><ul><li>It occurred to me today how much I miss Warren Ellis' old email list <strong>Bad Signal</strong>. Yeah, I know that there a zillion other ways to interact with him online, but there was something exciting and foreboding about seeing his name pop up in your inbox once or twice a day.</li><br /><li>In the last two years I've gone from having three high quality, full service comic book shops within five miles of my house to now just one. The most recent closure was Comic Archives in Redford, Michigan which closed up shop last week. While it wasn't my weekly stop, it was a great place to supplement my regular shop and browse a different selection of small press stuff that didn't get shelved at my main store.</li><br /><li>Back in the mid to late 90's, there was six or seven comic book stores within five miles of my house.</li><br /><li>Looking at the sales numbers for January, it's no big surprise. It makes me scared to see February's when they're released.</li><br /><li>I fear that I may be part of the problem as I like huge, universe spanning, grand dramas...the likes of which DC has been giving us over the last four or five years. You could make a strong argument that the big two need a new game plan to attract new and lapsed readers to the wonderful world of comic books, but as long as people like me continue to buy all things <b>Infinite Crisis</b>, <b>Final Crisis</b>, <b>Blackest Night</b>, and <b>FlashPoint</b> related...where's the urgency?</li><br /><li>So yeah, blame me if you want to, but I also buy plenty of stuff with print runs under 10k. My guess is that it all evens out and the industry is in a downward spiral that's not so easy to pin on any one cause or genre.</li></ul>So that was a lot more depressing than I had anticipated at the outset. How about a couple of quick positive ones to end on...<br /><br /><ul><li><strong>Superman/Batman</strong> has been surprisingly good over the last few story arcs. It almost makes up for the whole JMS fiasco...almost.</li><br /><li>This is my 250th post here at the Random Longbox! Yea, me!</li></ul>There we go, much better. Now let's get on with the show and get the next random book to review picked. Take it away, Randomizer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1yBx8bbVvPGaBTfxDdnupAmwdxzJGAts2XUuWmuggsVoUlKbfxYovTRiugjTIX3TiJVl_IoUwtfIpdU7s86sSgjACVKDnpWnM-cXmRA7fzWPqbzzJFkM93SRdCkaX1XEW5EtsRYn0VA/s1600/BOP35-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1yBx8bbVvPGaBTfxDdnupAmwdxzJGAts2XUuWmuggsVoUlKbfxYovTRiugjTIX3TiJVl_IoUwtfIpdU7s86sSgjACVKDnpWnM-cXmRA7fzWPqbzzJFkM93SRdCkaX1XEW5EtsRYn0VA/s400/BOP35-Cover_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578518010094097218" /></a>...and that book is <strong>Birds Of Prey #35</strong> from November 2001, published by DC Comics.<br /><br />Damn, that is one nice looking cover by Phil Noto! Normally his stuff looks a tad stiff to me, but not this one. And judging from this cover, it looks like this is the story that brings back the old Canary Cry! If I remember correctly, that also means we get the bride of Ra's-al-Ghul (or something close to that, anyway).<br /><br />See you in a day or two for the review, and we'll see how good my memory is.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-6090843798605936422011-02-25T07:58:00.001-05:002011-02-25T23:27:33.943-05:00Avengers Spotlight #40<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCydrrdf1raegnExOGiZArqviZ_DAkLTHIBIpg3JmC5sGpNkkyGNEHu1UsMOXE6_BFMy_qAsEcjyKGB-3weq1DJNQKQyGbwlnHYGDOfH-l5Q0y34g5B4SAEpN2eURM_Wo_zyAtR0DFa0k/s1600/AS40-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577452238005730114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCydrrdf1raegnExOGiZArqviZ_DAkLTHIBIpg3JmC5sGpNkkyGNEHu1UsMOXE6_BFMy_qAsEcjyKGB-3weq1DJNQKQyGbwlnHYGDOfH-l5Q0y34g5B4SAEpN2eURM_Wo_zyAtR0DFa0k/s200/AS40-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: Avengers Spotlight #40<br /><br />PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: January 1991<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $1.00<br /><br />22 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />I think my love for this title is entirely based on the premise of what it could have been, rather than what it ended up being. On paper, this seemed like a sure thing. You have what is essentially a Hawkeye solo-series mashed together with a second story featuring past and current Avengers who didn't have their own title.<br /><br />All right, on second thought maybe that isn't necessarily the text book example of what a hit series could be. Hawkeye solo series don't have a track record of lengthy runs, with this title being the exception to the rule. As for the second story, whether you call them co-features or two-in-ones or anthologies, there's just no getting around the "not necessary" or "filler" label that so often plagues them.<br /><br />No matter...in my perfect world this title would've just celebrated its 250th issue. But it didn't make it to its sestercentennial issue, it only made it to number forty.<br /><br />That's right, this issue was the last one for <strong>Avengers Spotlight</strong>. The last four issues of the title broke format slightly and where single issue stories about characters other than Hawkeye. This particular one focuses on my all-time favorite Avenger, the Vision!<br /><br />The fact that I don't remember anything about it other than the awesome cover by Steve Lightle doesn't bode well for this issue. Let's get reading and see what's up.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Re/Vision</span></em> <ul><li>Story: Len Kaminski and Carrie Barre</li><li>Penciller: Gavin Curtis</li><li>Inker: Dan Panosian</li><li>Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos</li><li>Colorist: Renee Witterstaetter</li><li>Editor: Mark Gruenwald</li><li>Editor in Chief: Tom DeFalco</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN5GQJ86PVRk4m0J5d9oVGEzU6XEyxlzHN2k47yl-74RAqbYzJHRal0Ch93hYRBpzmXL8vG8A6oO3eUhFTJvx1WFsts3B4AxrOS-TmFWHSWdd_jQMRcVfwrUA8q8EHI9XUkc9wojugoM/s1600/AS40-3-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577607971604623170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN5GQJ86PVRk4m0J5d9oVGEzU6XEyxlzHN2k47yl-74RAqbYzJHRal0Ch93hYRBpzmXL8vG8A6oO3eUhFTJvx1WFsts3B4AxrOS-TmFWHSWdd_jQMRcVfwrUA8q8EHI9XUkc9wojugoM/s400/AS40-3-4_1.jpg" /></a>Three pages of pseudo-computer tech speak is not necessarily the best way to set the excitement for what I'm sure is coming. We did learn two things, however. First, the vision can store about a terabyte worth of audio visual data. That seems woefully insufficient for a state-of-the-art android Avenger, but I suppose twenty years ago it was pie in the sky, wishful thinking.<br /><br />Second, everything checks out okay except for this lack of purpose thing. I guess that's where we're heading with this story, to find a purpose for the Vision.<br /><br />Who better to turn to when you need a little pep talk than Captain America. The man practically bleeds selfless leadership and guidance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZcdUuk36EpNaInJN0XeYUISZQUK8tphbKzCGADdDkz49PnlZNg0neK2Bnjy6rXX3osKwBO-v9j-5lhlA7aNEhGV6hf7uzeUbr_VfG_4FqF9QMm30KC2-NOiIy8F-o1Yr6W7dit5P3D0/s1600/AS40-4-34_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577608135058953330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZcdUuk36EpNaInJN0XeYUISZQUK8tphbKzCGADdDkz49PnlZNg0neK2Bnjy6rXX3osKwBO-v9j-5lhlA7aNEhGV6hf7uzeUbr_VfG_4FqF9QMm30KC2-NOiIy8F-o1Yr6W7dit5P3D0/s400/AS40-4-34_1.jpg" /></a>Then again, I guess he has a hot date to go antiquing.<br /><br />An Avenger always has a backup plan, and for the Vision it's newspaper advice columns.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB0Fk31_A4OkoBFe0jH1biNIegrbp0Qb9VxkW-HMRwxMCQn6mp9HaZ-6ntkYXyKPSh2vKWam3Cu420dpiz6LkbEqQCm3v-AjzXP9PCZQnInUgdNhywUuYzOMjnG-0iCycTCY_adnTkTo/s1600/AS40-6-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577608291534125922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB0Fk31_A4OkoBFe0jH1biNIegrbp0Qb9VxkW-HMRwxMCQn6mp9HaZ-6ntkYXyKPSh2vKWam3Cu420dpiz6LkbEqQCm3v-AjzXP9PCZQnInUgdNhywUuYzOMjnG-0iCycTCY_adnTkTo/s400/AS40-6-4_1.jpg" /></a>The Vision takes Ann Landers' advice to heart, and seeks out the counsel of a therapist to help him figure out his purpose. In this case, he seeks out the help of Miles Lipton, the pre-eminent researcher in artificial intelligence and consciousness theory.<br /><br />His verdict? Use a handy-dandy holographic image inducer to go out into society and interact with real people.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9dkFzyjyHD1vvrXO1XrrHT7RBaTuLQoPf16j6q3TJ34eBLzxPnKc_vuxeBKsw4bOK9zh1Ua3VIzNuH0DIY7AebwGxlk0rOZN_bEsFyA3jB8mKZY1c8Ba7dK28g88sKHov_c5JJesIBI/s1600/AS40-13-23_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 355px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577608476478499650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9dkFzyjyHD1vvrXO1XrrHT7RBaTuLQoPf16j6q3TJ34eBLzxPnKc_vuxeBKsw4bOK9zh1Ua3VIzNuH0DIY7AebwGxlk0rOZN_bEsFyA3jB8mKZY1c8Ba7dK28g88sKHov_c5JJesIBI/s400/AS40-13-23_1.jpg" /></a>On a sidenote, whatever happened to holographic image inducers? They used to be everywhere in the 80's and 90's, but have seemed to have faded away since then. I guess we really are a more tolerable society, eh?<br /><br />While we pondered that bit of trivia, the Vision completed his assignment and is the process of checking back in with the good doctor to talk about what he observed when his programming hits a glitch.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-rWX4Lx59YuBqsm8phKUtfP15pZCQkhQDRoY28Qihd_n7rrNcXTE_ps6xDNg4NUy-Wiwe3y1XLcXjIakiaQBJoauuJCpkwoZv_mrvDnnk_x1Hr3T_xeHDBIamXXKErgUvnnxI8cDqHg/s1600/AS40-15-45_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577609074880458770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-rWX4Lx59YuBqsm8phKUtfP15pZCQkhQDRoY28Qihd_n7rrNcXTE_ps6xDNg4NUy-Wiwe3y1XLcXjIakiaQBJoauuJCpkwoZv_mrvDnnk_x1Hr3T_xeHDBIamXXKErgUvnnxI8cDqHg/s400/AS40-15-45_1.jpg" /></a>Luckily for the doctor, the Visions internal systems can be accessed by a couple of stray blue wires hanging out of his back. It makes you wonder why Ultron never thought to do that...slacker.<br /><br />Back at his lab, Miles figures out what is wrong with Visions programming. Ever since he was disassembled, wiped clean, and reassembled, the Vision has been without a human brain pattern to provide the non-linear aspect of his personality. In a bout of incredible coincidence, Miles just happens to have a brain pattern template saved on a floppy disk that he can use to help the vision.<br /><br />The pattern belongs to his son, who has recently passed away under mysterious circumstances. And since his son is no longer alive, the Vision will not be conflicted about copying another living persons brain patterns. Just as they begin the process to download them, they are interrupted by the sudden appearance of some mobsters. It would appear that they where involved with his sons death, and they're coming back to put some more pressure on Miles to stop snooping around.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5Mg255oF5pvjd7R936kbygptcbHCQ6D-y5TaJYfLhLpDv0-i7wgKDjV0vvuJdhAIC2OR_eOGdUhBlHdX9Lik-42I0TTD8qw1cBdvDi6tz0NEjwEijEZGaFahhTkTBl8oFmSrv7WfCtM/s1600/AS40-17-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577609207436228642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5Mg255oF5pvjd7R936kbygptcbHCQ6D-y5TaJYfLhLpDv0-i7wgKDjV0vvuJdhAIC2OR_eOGdUhBlHdX9Lik-42I0TTD8qw1cBdvDi6tz0NEjwEijEZGaFahhTkTBl8oFmSrv7WfCtM/s400/AS40-17-4_1.jpg" /></a>Seizing an opportunity when they see it, they "convince" the doctor to come with them and reprogram the now comatose Vision to work for them. He agrees, but unknown to them, he plans on doing the old "double-cross" with the programming while using the brain patterns of his murdered son to help the Vision find purpose.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwK6KUaweINxDIm_EiFKYN8exM8J5zPx-GLJDqekCB5H-IM6EyN4au8Apj5ti7lTSFAQKmHIiSkSK_ws-W4pFfPuQMP-TB86duKx6IeWRjNbHzf-_EPJD69WaBj9JYvpVldTwWTdZc5dA/s1600/AS40-22-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577609393418850546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwK6KUaweINxDIm_EiFKYN8exM8J5zPx-GLJDqekCB5H-IM6EyN4au8Apj5ti7lTSFAQKmHIiSkSK_ws-W4pFfPuQMP-TB86duKx6IeWRjNbHzf-_EPJD69WaBj9JYvpVldTwWTdZc5dA/s400/AS40-22-1_1.jpg" /></a>Once online, the two hatch a plan to put a stop to the mobster's mad-cap scheme. And here, the Vision does something I don't think I've ever seen him do before. He turns as intangible as he can get and enters the body of one of the gangsters and takes control of his central nervous system?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVxxRyANDgRoOliuICaymw0wiX7kYI8Mt-wZ2Or-hXeaje4GLda-MIZaYJyxRywSuMeuq2PzQAk9_Xql2Y3G86O80K0LOrV_Xu_CDlIs9dhpM1a32pX3RdmLTc_E8RX2IIFtMTzsTR8E/s1600/AS40-26-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577609530649619970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVxxRyANDgRoOliuICaymw0wiX7kYI8Mt-wZ2Or-hXeaje4GLda-MIZaYJyxRywSuMeuq2PzQAk9_Xql2Y3G86O80K0LOrV_Xu_CDlIs9dhpM1a32pX3RdmLTc_E8RX2IIFtMTzsTR8E/s400/AS40-26-4_1.jpg" /></a>Jumping from body to body, the Vision manages to put all of the gangsters out of commission <em>and</em> gets a confession from the head honcho that he is responsible for killing Miles' son in the first place. Hopefully the Vision spared a gigabyte or two to record the confession.<br /><br />In the end, all's well that ends well as the Vision takes the first steps towards learning to function with human brain patterns again and Miles gets back to living his life knowing that justice has been done for his son.<br /><br /><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN</strong><br /><br />I now realize why the only thing I could remember about this issue was the cover...and damn, that's a nice looking cover. It's really about the only thing worth mentioning.<br /><br />The story itself was an interesting concept, but the execution just seemed a bit obvious and a tad too reliant on coincidences. I'll definitely give it a solid B+ for effort, but it just seemed to limp along from scene to scene without much drama. Same goes for the art, as it did what it needed to, but not much else.<br /><br />I guess I can also understand why the series petered out after forty issues...there just wasn't much life to this issue. Although maybe that was an intentional meta-reference on the nature of programming versus emotion.<br /><br />Yeah, probably not.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) Marvel Comics</span></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-39280703153965893792011-02-22T22:48:00.003-05:002011-02-25T08:16:12.856-05:00Dwayne McDuffie, In Memorium<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWmJDVT-ljSA6ai6_6Jgi87qlvfIU8a5HpCP_Na2DG0BqBD50gTuefFtC6Dxqvh17ZFfr5uQ4ObTAguVuRkkIi1BFjYY0H9MmqsNQ7uAtfyeEd_Wps0esftX6oaO9tJAFqdJ8chhyphenhyphenxJY/s1600/Dwayne+McDuffie.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 218px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576717203239327250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWmJDVT-ljSA6ai6_6Jgi87qlvfIU8a5HpCP_Na2DG0BqBD50gTuefFtC6Dxqvh17ZFfr5uQ4ObTAguVuRkkIi1BFjYY0H9MmqsNQ7uAtfyeEd_Wps0esftX6oaO9tJAFqdJ8chhyphenhyphenxJY/s320/Dwayne+McDuffie.jpg" /></a>As I sat down this afternoon to collect some rambling comic book thoughts and pick a new random book to review, word broke that we lost another legend and that we lost him way too soon.<br /><br />Dwayne McDuffie passed away at the way too young age of 49, due to complications from surgery.<br /><br />The fact that it happened the day before the release of the critically acclaimed, animated adaption of <strong>All Star Superman</strong> (for which he wrote the screenplay) just underscores how much more he had to offer if only he was given more time.<br /><br />His was a true talent that found success at not only Marvel and DC, but also with his own line of superhero comics that he co-created in 1992. As much of an unabashed superhero consumer that I've been over the years, it's the Milestone books that loom large in my memory and my longboxes.<br /><br />Back in the early 90's, you couldn't turn around without bumping into a new imprint looking to cash in on the go-go world of flashy covers and leg pouches...lots and lots of leg pouches. Milestone was different, choosing to stress racial and cultural diversity, rather than double d heroines in thongs. For that, they kept their reputation intact long after the line had folded.<br /><br />Being born into a middle-class Caucasian family, I never suffered a shortage of role models to look up to in the pages of comic books. Originally, I came to these titles looking not to be inspired, but to be entertained. Luckily for me, and it's a testament to the creators involved, I ended up being both entertained <em>and</em> inspired. I wasn't the only one as there was never a shortage of requests over the intervening years to bring the characters back, which eventually led to the characters return into the pages of the DCU (of which I have a few more thoughts on over at <a href="http://supermandaily.blogspot.com/2011/02/dwayne-mcduffie-1962-2011.html">my other blog</a>).<br /><br />Rest in peace, Dwayne McDuffie.<br /><br />You will be missed, but not forgotten.<br /><br />One last bit of business before we call it a day, and that's to pick a new random book to review. I don't feel like too much pomp and circumstance today, so let's just get it done and get out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSp9Jw0C9N9DmjvE8UBkJL_D_xT9kCPqkxKv2vQrDh5g3B43T5sU9HgbcVBndYzU9kcISoLOZm9ZF_3jFtJkPtRqnUewrjv8-OxJeteoNdIlaWfeDP9YCwrOObMyDHE20vs9Nu5PtnvzQ/s1600/AS40-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576726333940569058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSp9Jw0C9N9DmjvE8UBkJL_D_xT9kCPqkxKv2vQrDh5g3B43T5sU9HgbcVBndYzU9kcISoLOZm9ZF_3jFtJkPtRqnUewrjv8-OxJeteoNdIlaWfeDP9YCwrOObMyDHE20vs9Nu5PtnvzQ/s400/AS40-Cover_1.jpg" /></a>...and that book is <strong>Avengers Spotlight #40</strong> from January 1991, published by Marvel Comics!<br /><br />See you in a day or two for the <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2011/02/avengers-spotlight-40.html">review</a>.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-17036709946090856602011-02-19T22:00:00.018-05:002011-02-19T23:53:16.774-05:00Thor #365<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm0RQyo_pv9M6l3lQp5NYzU-swE4O98Zk5sLluSWrohOZc8hw6IfiurmbzMfqh7IpjXEfrMhFxJq79gFkFuJF8KqFkiyZ3ZBGuy0YLyZSWd681wHZJoMImtrBNn1z8Ke5nylk9adJQyY/s1600/T365-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575595326255107330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm0RQyo_pv9M6l3lQp5NYzU-swE4O98Zk5sLluSWrohOZc8hw6IfiurmbzMfqh7IpjXEfrMhFxJq79gFkFuJF8KqFkiyZ3ZBGuy0YLyZSWd681wHZJoMImtrBNn1z8Ke5nylk9adJQyY/s200/T365-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: The Mighty Thor #365<br /><br />PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: March 1986<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $0.75<br /><br />22 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />My first comic book collecting obsession was with <strong>The Avengers</strong>, so I have a lot of love for Thor. It took me a while, however, to begin reading his own title on a monthly basis. I started around issue #390, so I unfortunately just missed out on reading one of the best comic book runs of all time as it was coming out.<br /><br />Or at least that's what I've always heard. I had every intention of picking up those back issues, but for some reason I never did. I blogged earlier about a collection from a friend of one of my in-laws that was given to me, and in that collection was about a dozen issues of Walt Simonson's run of <strong>Thor</strong>. I still haven't gotten around to reading any of them yet, but rest assured the Walter Simonson Thor Omnibus will be mine once it's released.<br /><br />So long story short...The issue we're reading today is from that collection and I haven't read it yet, nor do I know what happens in it. I guess the only thing to do now is to read it!<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Guess Who's Coming To Dinner</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">or It's Not Easy Being Green!</span></em> <ul><li>Art & Story by Walter Simonson</li><li>Lettering by John Workman</li><li>Colors by Max Scheele</li><li>Editing by Ralph Macchio</li><li>Editor in Chief Jim Shooter</li></ul>So as it turns out, we have a bit of a special issue here and I didn't even realize it...it's the issue where Thor is a frog!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64spVqZsTmIXzvTSjAPboQQmvzp0Jc2jJVGwms5BYcXXv0KlfUuJjax7-wjpklSWntNdjGgGJL8MtCGfY9Zu8bdN3uE-C5-vos3mYF3nkCGEb94_QzcuvDoHkgqpjrLRNoNeC5YWFYTM/s1600/T365-1-1_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64spVqZsTmIXzvTSjAPboQQmvzp0Jc2jJVGwms5BYcXXv0KlfUuJjax7-wjpklSWntNdjGgGJL8MtCGfY9Zu8bdN3uE-C5-vos3mYF3nkCGEb94_QzcuvDoHkgqpjrLRNoNeC5YWFYTM/s400/T365-1-1_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575624011292884210" /></a>Throg!?<br /><br />Did that name ever catch on? If the Clone Thor from Civil War got a cool nickname (Clor, obviously), I think it's only fair that Thor Frog should get one too.<br /><br />Since it's a special occasion and all, let's break format and live a little. Download "Ain't Got No Home" by Clarence Brown and put it on your iPod and let's live blog this frog!<br /><br /><strong>10:03 pm (page 1 panel 1)</strong> As the issue opens up, Thor is already a frog and is hopping through the sewers of New York being inexorably drawn to a pied piper and his soothing tunes.<br /><br /><strong>10:06 pm (page 2 panel 2)</strong> Through the magic of thought balloons (take that, modern comics) we find out that Loki has transformed Thor into a frog, but he has nothing to do with the fellow playing flute.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdY1EfjA3YiFJ7KcBgzKyurhmE8PuUGMyOYBrwr-PeYv6RSB6U56XUpOVYDYTYi9l5oB8yd6fubJjWXQlnNPgrIypnku3NQlwXACbTUEzT5uNzr_gf_HdBqU-p70wwEa3SaKB2xz0HjW0/s1600/T365-2-5_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdY1EfjA3YiFJ7KcBgzKyurhmE8PuUGMyOYBrwr-PeYv6RSB6U56XUpOVYDYTYi9l5oB8yd6fubJjWXQlnNPgrIypnku3NQlwXACbTUEzT5uNzr_gf_HdBqU-p70wwEa3SaKB2xz0HjW0/s400/T365-2-5_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575624617257055954" /></a>Thor being Thor, he takes matters into his own hands and frog smacks the piper in the face and runs off with his flute!<br /><br /><strong>10:09pm (page 3 panel 4)</strong> I think Walter Simonson is some sort of mad genius. I submit as proof this shot of a frog holding a magic flute in his mouth while kicking a dead rat into the gaping jaws of an alligator!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBq4QyxR9kOoMYT_CZt-ZMMptl9zqCjsSF93-7EP_tuTBvsfV3FO9rY11LKHJLjQDFLVDWuRP-eDOvBHFicD711jdO_aDgMrkRrqXt9ymqpt663xCCj-Khcr5Ykvg_HvM6tqLuNpf_uA/s1600/T365-3-4_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBq4QyxR9kOoMYT_CZt-ZMMptl9zqCjsSF93-7EP_tuTBvsfV3FO9rY11LKHJLjQDFLVDWuRP-eDOvBHFicD711jdO_aDgMrkRrqXt9ymqpt663xCCj-Khcr5Ykvg_HvM6tqLuNpf_uA/s400/T365-3-4_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575625540824033682" /></a><br /><strong>10:14pm (page 5 panel 1)</strong> So back in the surface world, it appears that we're in the middle of a battle between a pack of rats and a reservoir of frogs? And it appears to be played rather straight...seriously.<br /><br /><strong>10:17pm (page 5 panel 3)</strong> The lead rats name is Ratso!<br /><br /><strong>10:20pm (page 6 panel 1)</strong> Back up in Asgard, another altogether different battle wages as the citizens of Asgard gather to pick who will lead them during Odin's absence. To Loki's surprise, in walks Thor! After all, didn't he just turn him into a frog on Midgard?<br /><br /><strong>10:22pm (page 6 panel 3)</strong> Loki manages to get the althing delayed for a week, enough time for him to investigate this fake Thor and to use his arrival to his advantage.<br /><br /><strong>10:26pm (page 8 panel 1)</strong> Loki follows Thor and Heimdall to their private chambers, where he turns himself into a fly to better spy on them unseen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSuGkU-DjSM2C8_V266ehKjgQXTV4t0nXEIyqce4eKsKB1fISmFY3snEJVY4TlOzsm5z1sp-AUPCH9Me9YhwiLvgKWXqkt1OHJdjZQIjEjUx2BvTSKiWUbGFyd-d5uvuEba4szYcsmA0/s1600/T365-8-1_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSuGkU-DjSM2C8_V266ehKjgQXTV4t0nXEIyqce4eKsKB1fISmFY3snEJVY4TlOzsm5z1sp-AUPCH9Me9YhwiLvgKWXqkt1OHJdjZQIjEjUx2BvTSKiWUbGFyd-d5uvuEba4szYcsmA0/s400/T365-8-1_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575626931864652242" /></a><br /><strong>10:27pm (page 8 panel 5)</strong> Am I the only one seeing a problem with Loki turning himself into a fly while Thor is currently in the body of a frog? Granted, they're on two different planes of reality, but I still question your judgement Loki.<br /><br /><strong>10:31pm (page 9 panel 2)</strong> Back on Earth, the rats are on the offensive against the frogs for the control of Central Park.<br /><br />And there's another rat named Rizzo...I should've seen that coming.<br /><br /><strong>10:33pm (page 10 panel 2)</strong> They're in for a surprise however, as the alligators from the alley have followed Thor to the surface and have decided to feast on the rats.<br /><br /><strong>10:36pm (page 11 panel 5)</strong> While currently trapped in the body of frog, Thor is still the hero and now he must find a way to alert the authorities that there are a bunch of alligators in Central Park before any innocents get hurt.<br /><br />Unfortunately for him, the piper has found him and soon has his flute back and Thor on the run (or hop, so to speak).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3_Ks3Ky6xFyk4U0vRmeeFgxWMxlzRuomyHZiDX1mG0WVBZeAQQpu_AbAd0BgHhScahRAPC30o0mW1w9M54cn9Etqa4PjoWd7b86wKo6src1Ft2-_VQevJrqSeBp30zUFBbOi63SsrzU/s1600/T365-11-5_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 378px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3_Ks3Ky6xFyk4U0vRmeeFgxWMxlzRuomyHZiDX1mG0WVBZeAQQpu_AbAd0BgHhScahRAPC30o0mW1w9M54cn9Etqa4PjoWd7b86wKo6src1Ft2-_VQevJrqSeBp30zUFBbOi63SsrzU/s400/T365-11-5_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575627760561638882" /></a><br /><strong>10:42pm (page 13 panel 2)</strong> Back in Asgard, Loki has discovered the true identity of the impostor Thor. It is Harokin, working in concert with Heimdall, trying to stall the meeting until they can find the real Thor and bring him back to Asgard.<br /><br /><strong>10:45pm (page 14 panel 5)</strong> On Earth, Thor catches a break as the Piper recognizes in this wild frog a kindred spirit. Taking his flute, he begins to play and leads the alligators back into the sewers, leaving the frogs in control of Central Park.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzN9mYr22WGkeH6JniZ-z4uFPW51NT1CdGDNgSaHSvuGGy26p6HZNdU_j2JrwxQkUZcoTGeQ9Eyn5nlN_L4P49r1j_1PgxJqbCj7BiqzDGP4bKNgMdqSaIOQE3cyn1MFdZDJ3EPPhSPM/s1600/T365-14-5_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzN9mYr22WGkeH6JniZ-z4uFPW51NT1CdGDNgSaHSvuGGy26p6HZNdU_j2JrwxQkUZcoTGeQ9Eyn5nlN_L4P49r1j_1PgxJqbCj7BiqzDGP4bKNgMdqSaIOQE3cyn1MFdZDJ3EPPhSPM/s400/T365-14-5_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575628503860881810" /></a>Is it me, or does the Piper look a little like a certain writer/artist named Walter Simonson?<br /><br /><strong>10:51pm (page 17 panel 1)</strong> The council of frogs soon gather and unanimously elect Thor to be their king after his successful guidance helped them defeat the rats.<br /><br />Unfortunately for them, Thor is destined to lead a different species.<br /><br /><strong>10:56pm (page 18 panel 3)</strong> Thor soon finds his way back to his two faithful goats, Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder, who have stood watch over might Mjolnir during his absence.<br /><br /><strong>10:59pm (page 19 panel 7)</strong> Urged on by Toothgnasher, he hops over to his hammer, determined to lift it and reclaim his birthright.<br /><br />At just the same time, two of the wayward rats return seeking revenge on the frog who bested them.<br /><br /><strong>11:01pm (page 21 panel 2)</strong> And here's the money shot we were all waiting for...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitUsRMHE8RqlAYHG5BgmtaLQlyatumF2t56vLBG93eZJl-KDNnU-Ab_Cx0mO-W6ru-Tmk08kaZBG2G3moYIEOJlBvvHxDhtyqv0CTtXKwMt6figFUp4B2m4_S_FMP_ybO_yUq2nahrME/s1600/T365-21-2_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 354px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitUsRMHE8RqlAYHG5BgmtaLQlyatumF2t56vLBG93eZJl-KDNnU-Ab_Cx0mO-W6ru-Tmk08kaZBG2G3moYIEOJlBvvHxDhtyqv0CTtXKwMt6figFUp4B2m4_S_FMP_ybO_yUq2nahrME/s400/T365-21-2_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575630153657692098" /></a>The Mighty Throg in all his resplendent glory!<br /><br /><strong>11:03pm (page 22 panel 2)</strong> Did I mention that Simonson was a mad genius? Who else could get away with a shot of a frog dressed in Thor's armor while driving a chariot pulled by two flying goats?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2LdGWbqrgPANlgTU5CdktTSVCQw0B0VglNDLkb2dibjMJDLJgb91Jcr62TkQVvtI7_C_Cms1niAEkwtAMnc2fNitJanPFuFrBhj7Cu8o8MWAbGw-iAlDGrG4XLGYgxojle_X3vS3fj0/s1600/T365-22-2_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2LdGWbqrgPANlgTU5CdktTSVCQw0B0VglNDLkb2dibjMJDLJgb91Jcr62TkQVvtI7_C_Cms1niAEkwtAMnc2fNitJanPFuFrBhj7Cu8o8MWAbGw-iAlDGrG4XLGYgxojle_X3vS3fj0/s400/T365-22-2_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575629960119961042" /></a>Glorious stuff.<br /><br /><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN...</strong><br /><br />The big thing we learned from this issue is that I was fool for letting this run stay unread for so long. I've always loved Walter Simonson's work, and this issue was the work of a man at the top of his game.<br /><br />His Thor, while trapped in the body of a frog, was both majestic and heroic while his Loki was conniving and deceitful. What more could you want in a Thor comic?<br /><br />It took twenty-some pages to get the return of Thor, so to speak, and the visual payoff was worth the whole price of admission. I wonder how easy of a sell it was for him to convince the editors to let him turn Thor into a frog, much less do it in a straight-faced manner that is remembered fondly by the readers, not jokingly.<br /><br />Like I said, the man's a mad genius as he was also the same creator that replaced the members of the Fantastic Four with the likes of Wolverine, Spider-Man, Hulk, and Ghost Rider...and it worked just as well.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this is the last issue of his Thor run that I have. To say that reading this issue has increased my anticipation of the upcoming Walter Simonson Thor Omnibus is a bit of an understatement.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) Marvel Comics</span></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-30576270990156226482011-02-14T22:37:00.001-05:002011-02-19T23:56:17.442-05:00The trials and tribulations of a shared universeI've been thinking alot lately about shared super-hero universes. I know, I know...pretty heady stuff.<br /><br />For the most part I'm all for them, but to some continuity is one of those "c" words that shall not be named. That's a little harsh, as in my opinion a little continuity is good for the soul. And here I stress the word "little". I'm not talking about basing your universe around some small bit of minutia that happened in the mid-80's, but rather letting your characters live and breath with actions and repercussions that are felt from title to title.<br /><br />Granted, it doesn't always work flawlessly or with no hiccups, but hope springs eternal and I guess I'm the eternal optimist. I haven't always felt this way, but the economics of the current marketplace have gently pushed me in this direction. As more and more Marvel books migrated to four dollars, I found it easier and easier to give them up and put that money towards other books. Naturally, some of that money flowed to DC and the more DC books I got involved with, the easier it was to try another one...and another one...<br /><br />The shared universe is a double-edged sword though...as easy as it is to get sucked in, it's almost easier to get pushed out too. It looks like the landscape that's coming up this summer is going to do nothing more than further entrench my habits.<br /><br /><strong>Fear Itself</strong> and <strong>Flashpoint</strong><br /><br />Both of these company wide crossovers are promising big things and repercussions that spread across their entire line. Being the continuity connoisseur that I am, they pretty much have my name and number.<br /><br /><strong>Flashpoint</strong> I'm very much looking forward to reading through week by week, mini-series by mini-series, and issue by issue. That fact that it's an alternate universe-ish type, time traveling epic means that as far as I know they're writing this story just for me. The fact that all the books are going to be three bucks means that I can afford to digest as much as the quality of the storytelling will allow. If it keeps on entertaining, I'll keep on buying.<br /><br /><strong>Fear Itself</strong> I'm very much looking forward to keeping up with the spoilers on-line, while leaving the books on the shelves. I'm not the biggest fan of Matt Fraction's super-hero work, but the idea behind this series sounds like it might be more to his style. His stellar non-Marvel stuff still reads pretty good and gives him a lot of rope, but I just can't jump in with Marvel's price point. It's a shame, as this means that it's another Stuart Immonen series that I'm not reading.<br /><br />So what's the point of this rambling, stream-of-consciousness diatribe?<br /><br />I guess I just miss the good old days when you could afford to keep up with more than one super-hero universe.<br /><br />God help me (and my wallet and my spare time) if the digital platform ever adopts a two-dollar price point. That is also a discussion for another day, so let's get to picking the next random book to review. Take it away, Randomizer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM_lbQkzpljUTVn55PfZ102e3agbIHfx_uSEkAX7LlUBTpJ7gDwfIyo4luSqjVGSNeiF4-UXM80NPvcxGBQUBh7xoJLXlTo5l43tTdRuM2L0dvMq35fsdYpnXe_nxmCWMjLfVi2YoOWA/s1600/T365-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM_lbQkzpljUTVn55PfZ102e3agbIHfx_uSEkAX7LlUBTpJ7gDwfIyo4luSqjVGSNeiF4-UXM80NPvcxGBQUBh7xoJLXlTo5l43tTdRuM2L0dvMq35fsdYpnXe_nxmCWMjLfVi2YoOWA/s400/T365-Cover_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573751572709794562" /></a>...and that book is <strong>Thor #365</strong> from March 1986, published by Marvel Comics!<br /><br />Now we're talking! The last time the Randomizer picked a Thor issue is was smack dab in a mediocre run with a Ghost Rider guest appearance. We suffered through and gave it the old college try, but it wasn't a very memorable issue.<br /><br />This time around we're treated to an issue from one of Thor's truly stellar runs, as this issue comes from smack dab in the middle of Walter Simonson's forty issue run. See you in a day or two for the <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2011/02/thor-365.html">review</a>.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-11156903433299957342011-02-07T22:41:00.000-05:002011-02-07T22:42:46.196-05:00A very special Action Comics story<em><span style="font-size:130%;">The Day Superboy Became Superman!</span></em> <ul><li>Story: Geoff Brown</li><li>Pencils: Ross Andru</li><li>Inks: Mike Esposito</li></ul>Here's the story from the second half of <strong>Action Comics #393</strong>, so if you missed the riveting recap...click <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2011/01/action-comics-393.html">here</a>. You're here now though, so strap yourself in for one of the most over-the-top, overly dramatic Superman yarns around.<br /><br />This tale definitely doesn't lose any time getting to the good stuff, as Superboy turns his back on the downtrodden in the slums of Metropolis as he has better stuff to do.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PaPkdw3HyazxlABS2ft0gm3v_fjsCjitXiNL5q0QsiAVywS40n8NY3ORwMuXosBTJvsBAAGFLrYt-F0Vye4G9flAR-2jkFvLOg1pKOVvAmTLteq_P2UmLqH0OdLC6RaJQnripFGFjiQ/s1600/AC393b-1-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571156657873907906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PaPkdw3HyazxlABS2ft0gm3v_fjsCjitXiNL5q0QsiAVywS40n8NY3ORwMuXosBTJvsBAAGFLrYt-F0Vye4G9flAR-2jkFvLOg1pKOVvAmTLteq_P2UmLqH0OdLC6RaJQnripFGFjiQ/s400/AC393b-1-1_1.jpg" /></a>Wow, one semester at Metropolis University and he has already misplaced those mild-mannered, mid-western values that Ma and Pa Kent instilled upon him.<br /><br />"Bleeding heart"?!<br /><br />That's right, and it doesn't take Superboy long to show just how hardcore his new found beliefs really are.<br /><br />Do you have neighborhood punks sneaking into your exclusive pool?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZTObV7mz2UWN_WHr1Nvx8jOvyPuxMyoNfwHLAMJfC9soPc1oSbT_-eUACLed6P85pYSrgq3LO5-bE1KgGz9PNVnw7YWuK9BSvHLlZUrI5FsDx-oc5U38vr3-Ceof7NxseTsmvib84Qg/s1600/AC393b-2-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 356px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571156792105389714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZTObV7mz2UWN_WHr1Nvx8jOvyPuxMyoNfwHLAMJfC9soPc1oSbT_-eUACLed6P85pYSrgq3LO5-bE1KgGz9PNVnw7YWuK9BSvHLlZUrI5FsDx-oc5U38vr3-Ceof7NxseTsmvib84Qg/s400/AC393b-2-4_1.jpg" /></a>No problem...Superboy will just freeze them out.<br /><br />Do you have neighborhood punks sneaking into your swank university cafeteria and eating all of your sandwiches and donuts?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EqrP2SEqdXVvg2CY2josuIiz_9f42Pf6wXKzWCDLtS2cV6hI6tnNeLn_bSjvZ5AUyP5bTMYgATfIOfWcp44CKKgE-BKA3yLrGoLSe9fXFb5sw1V6wcNRp4w-IPc3djgQA4xy-5TVMno/s1600/AC393b-3-5_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 337px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571156943935364978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EqrP2SEqdXVvg2CY2josuIiz_9f42Pf6wXKzWCDLtS2cV6hI6tnNeLn_bSjvZ5AUyP5bTMYgATfIOfWcp44CKKgE-BKA3yLrGoLSe9fXFb5sw1V6wcNRp4w-IPc3djgQA4xy-5TVMno/s400/AC393b-3-5_1.jpg" /></a>No problem...Superboy will just take the food back from the hooligans starving younger siblings.<br /><br />Do you have neighborhood punks stealing books from your library?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvLRWnYumjYEMgBV3COhHk8Oe_DXIDSBQO9zlUuhuM6GTMwlCSYJaAPyvARgiVg-dQKBJ7clh2LMjaP8XlBHPhuu3GjqPpK0uTEDpqUPIZM_-XzSxejmywhmQKyt7zUWC8gDrLI3v_i4/s1600/AC393b-4-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 333px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571157152572745522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvLRWnYumjYEMgBV3COhHk8Oe_DXIDSBQO9zlUuhuM6GTMwlCSYJaAPyvARgiVg-dQKBJ7clh2LMjaP8XlBHPhuu3GjqPpK0uTEDpqUPIZM_-XzSxejmywhmQKyt7zUWC8gDrLI3v_i4/s400/AC393b-4-4_1.jpg" /></a>No problem...Superboy will take the books back, leaving the kids from the slums who are hungry for any sort of knowledge with nothing but discarded cigarette packs and empty liquor bottles to read.<br /><br />Lucky for us, there's one person willing to stand up to the social injustice <em>and</em> Superboy himself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFMIj05NucrNWMJ8eyneunwYfYibcjpEEtLClQr0Rhb6uewS6F3pK6lEiAQO2i1JJKB5CTY8un8AmbW6goMQj6aLbP4MQuXwnGaD-logK2EQZoe8Bj5COT0NENu0F-ucfoFjvGAh9u_o/s1600/AC393b-5-3_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571157332608930178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFMIj05NucrNWMJ8eyneunwYfYibcjpEEtLClQr0Rhb6uewS6F3pK6lEiAQO2i1JJKB5CTY8un8AmbW6goMQj6aLbP4MQuXwnGaD-logK2EQZoe8Bj5COT0NENu0F-ucfoFjvGAh9u_o/s400/AC393b-5-3_1.jpg" /></a>Marla was a fellow student with Clark at the university, but she left after she witnessed how the fortunate treated the downtrodden. So worked up was she, that she started an impromptu academy in the slums to teach the kids what society refused to do.<br /><br />Unfortunately for her, after Superboy returned all of the purloined books to their proper location, her borrowed storefront turned makeshift academy was slated for demolition. Nothing stands in the way of progress as the bulldozers are soon hard at work tearing down her school. In fact, they were in such a hurry that they neglected to make sure the building was empty first.<br /><br />Uh oh...and I'm sure you can probably guess who was inside the collapsing building.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnfHLp1oSuaUkUfhxLi42KSK3nTN3vyQCoHVVnJcOg9yfC8LBL3WkKPAjsnmWACuFVmzbP95P9WF2bKWF22tbFMsYIoD5XWjBJ-2-WIfbdcAAgAgkZQ47iKmUmt5zYmDTRhMRCcwdMS0/s1600/AC393b-6-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571157473375415698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnfHLp1oSuaUkUfhxLi42KSK3nTN3vyQCoHVVnJcOg9yfC8LBL3WkKPAjsnmWACuFVmzbP95P9WF2bKWF22tbFMsYIoD5XWjBJ-2-WIfbdcAAgAgkZQ47iKmUmt5zYmDTRhMRCcwdMS0/s400/AC393b-6-4_1.jpg" /></a>To help drive the point home just how unjust the world is toward the less fortunate, her injuries are fatal and no superpowers in the world can help her now. If only there was someone who could rise up and help these kids learn their true potential.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPWwDGD9VhL-NXQJwVCgdGXxQpyfv6GjcivPzXVlaCMZhrAsg1aJDREzyxiZzfXR1TR3-FiRDZqZuHIO2wMXZTgeT2lqFhHPyW4-CowiEcv_xqcY2bjzOEz4bnz4OfxY5kn-5_MexGbM/s1600/AC393b-6-6_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571157600924658338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPWwDGD9VhL-NXQJwVCgdGXxQpyfv6GjcivPzXVlaCMZhrAsg1aJDREzyxiZzfXR1TR3-FiRDZqZuHIO2wMXZTgeT2lqFhHPyW4-CowiEcv_xqcY2bjzOEz4bnz4OfxY5kn-5_MexGbM/s400/AC393b-6-6_1.jpg" /></a>Yea Superman! He's going to rebuild the school and the area around the slum!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf7Guix3T4FbVv9VuM3O7vQ0xGpsqxsFS8qDWK5gjFHjlwZ_YGYUFbJemTPW7ZlUboLH5cDiha7FiA8b5KuNYlxvdd-2JznnmGcYe1swnGMJDiUSrOY9U9iGJZVR6FG2jJKCQ2I234bA/s1600/AC393b-7-5_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 377px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571157743796802386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf7Guix3T4FbVv9VuM3O7vQ0xGpsqxsFS8qDWK5gjFHjlwZ_YGYUFbJemTPW7ZlUboLH5cDiha7FiA8b5KuNYlxvdd-2JznnmGcYe1swnGMJDiUSrOY9U9iGJZVR6FG2jJKCQ2I234bA/s400/AC393b-7-5_1.jpg" /></a>...or he's going to show them just how quickly he <em>could</em> rebuild it, if he wanted to. "Luckily" for them, Superboy would rather teach them a lesson in civic duty so that they can vote and petition their politicians for the changes they need.<br /><br />Who's the deluded one now Superboy?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vGZtvWe6Bh8ec2Azjl5T2OKM8KrC3alWiwoeZV9h_tvEoL5kGPKqqTvZicDdpk90JUDAsgNqZQdMUamjvNUkZOr1H55zpFJIYLQtVBl09QRx0PH-QgRT2HLTRMkqhHEFSBfhMKNAHR0/s1600/AC393b-8-2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 366px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571157937029107266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vGZtvWe6Bh8ec2Azjl5T2OKM8KrC3alWiwoeZV9h_tvEoL5kGPKqqTvZicDdpk90JUDAsgNqZQdMUamjvNUkZOr1H55zpFJIYLQtVBl09QRx0PH-QgRT2HLTRMkqhHEFSBfhMKNAHR0/s400/AC393b-8-2_1.jpg" /></a>I guess it was me, as the new found political voice of the huddled masses was successful in getting the changes they needed, and in mere months the school is finished and the slums rebuilt.<br /><br /><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN...</strong><br /><br />It's a sad state of affairs when I can read a comic book and believe a man can fly, but when it comes to politicians listening to (let alone acting in the best interest of) their poor constituents...that's just too much.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) DC Comics</span><br /><br />Related links for your surfing pleasure... <ul><li>If you enjoyed this look at Superman's past, be sure to check out <a href="http://supermandaily.blogspot.com/">Superman 101</a> for more of the same</li></ul></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-2594442471194001752011-02-01T00:00:00.001-05:002011-02-01T00:00:08.735-05:00Superman 101 beginsWe interrupt this regularly scheduled comic book review to bring you this piece of breaking news.<br /><br />Beginning today, February 1st, the Random Longbox blogging empire expands twofold with the addition of a new blog helmed by yours truly. The regular readers of this blog are I'm sure familiar with the fact that I'm a bit of a Superman fan. They may have also noticed that blogging's been a little on the light side this past month.<br /><br />Those two statements may not seem related on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you'll see that the reason my posting has been a little slower is that I've been devoting some of my time to getting my new blog up and running...one that focuses solely on the exploits of Superman!<br /><br />Without further ado, let me present to you <strong><a href="http://supermandaily.blogspot.com/">Superman 101</a></strong>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgtqJgcCdrfd7AHCsGSm9f1LRMK3jRHEr7mZQDUwns4Wjmga6aw8deO889iPnToB1L467ljiLCrnKSDPDJu0YKSSwCC3Zo08u31UCe7tfiC7iGD40itGkwv4K8KLrpVvr-Gut9U0nHDs/s1600/S101+logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgtqJgcCdrfd7AHCsGSm9f1LRMK3jRHEr7mZQDUwns4Wjmga6aw8deO889iPnToB1L467ljiLCrnKSDPDJu0YKSSwCC3Zo08u31UCe7tfiC7iGD40itGkwv4K8KLrpVvr-Gut9U0nHDs/s400/S101+logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568563918782177954" /></a>It's a daily stream-of-consciousness trip through the 70+ years of Superman comic books and other oddities. The only rule is that Supes has to be somewhere in the image. Beyond that, anything is fair game.<br /><br />So what are you waiting around here for, go <a href="http://supermandaily.blogspot.com/">check it out</a> and spread some Kryptonian love.<br /><br />(The web design is definitely still in a beta testing mode, so be nice. Then again, so it this one and it's going on two years old.)TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-76770370534115990062011-01-31T21:49:00.002-05:002011-02-07T22:45:30.363-05:00Action Comics #393<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji1SvZbLi5nsBF8VgWw1lS711NEiuX58qGHQ9k_tsiCy2Ev4wy_HsGLIpHUBR-CTDmR7_YoGY8KP_3Lp-jKxBaUAj_LEma8TMuEz1kVQpWuPFM_cRA4LEpdCMuqbWbva43O-_Zfg0Bgo/s1600/AC393-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568179978019475874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhji1SvZbLi5nsBF8VgWw1lS711NEiuX58qGHQ9k_tsiCy2Ev4wy_HsGLIpHUBR-CTDmR7_YoGY8KP_3Lp-jKxBaUAj_LEma8TMuEz1kVQpWuPFM_cRA4LEpdCMuqbWbva43O-_Zfg0Bgo/s200/AC393-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: Action Comics #393<br /><br />PUBLISHER: DC Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: October 1970<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $0.15<br /><br />22 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />Its actually been a long time since I've read this issue, so I can't tell you too much about it from just my memory. Looking at the cover, I'm sure there's some horribly contrived situation involving Superman and the parachuting Houdini that involves some overly complicated switcheroo that was commonplace during this time period. We'll get to the nuts and bolts of the story in a bit, but there's actually something else about this issue that makes it stand out (at least to me).<br /><br />This very issue of Action Comics is the one that was on the stands when I was born! Now I'm no fool, and I'm sure that bit of information is entertaining for one or two people tops (and I don't even know if my mom reads my blog), but what <em>is</em> fun is checking out the books from your own birthday. Thanks to <a href="http://www.dcindexes.com/index.php">Mike's Amazing World of DC</a> and his <a href="http://www.dcindexes.com/timemachine/">Time Machine</a>, it's as easy as clicking a couple of links.<br /><br />So while you go check that out, I'm going to get on with seeing whether or not Superman can save that little boy's father. Just promise to come back here after checking out your own birthday.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Superman Meets Super-Houdini!</span></em> <ul><li>Writer: Leo Dorfman</li><li>Penciller: Curt Swan</li><li>Inker: Murphy Anderson</li></ul>High up in the sky, the citizens of Metropolis are being treated by a show of super-human proportions. No, it's not Superman...been there, done that. This time it's Hairbreadth Holahan doing a promotional stunt for his upcoming performance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGe7_I4Qezfrveyl9dw30puYVSMLqAXnFRo7xuckIPrAEU8Hxhk3uPXOjqWM3zjJLFtxoSf6p981USkX4LECx1E1_pqtRJXSDLWwT0gUbce1RmWLbQo85aZrWWExfYJQ4TUQp4LkL6GI/s1600/AC393-1-2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 143px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568329440914446770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGe7_I4Qezfrveyl9dw30puYVSMLqAXnFRo7xuckIPrAEU8Hxhk3uPXOjqWM3zjJLFtxoSf6p981USkX4LECx1E1_pqtRJXSDLWwT0gUbce1RmWLbQo85aZrWWExfYJQ4TUQp4LkL6GI/s320/AC393-1-2_1.jpg" /></a>With his son working the crowd down below, Holahan struggles to break free from his chains so he can pull his chute before he hits the ground. But seriously, this is Metropolis and Superman is bound to show up to make sure that no one goes splat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU3_4nDaiDp6-n8vwm8G08BlwgQMrs4c2uZxbn_gu4EwzYsNd5Bewb0yr9XMH4km4xR5sbp7j1uUfcBFCEVktqamsPI8oVEDbR8CELKo3JroQmA-seLB0HdMmP2vHw9QmDU6SmTAvzqQ/s1600/AC393-2-3-5_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568330272413350850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU3_4nDaiDp6-n8vwm8G08BlwgQMrs4c2uZxbn_gu4EwzYsNd5Bewb0yr9XMH4km4xR5sbp7j1uUfcBFCEVktqamsPI8oVEDbR8CELKo3JroQmA-seLB0HdMmP2vHw9QmDU6SmTAvzqQ/s320/AC393-2-3-5_1.jpg" /></a>Fortunately for Superman, the only thing going splat is his sense of being needed as old Hairbreadth has made good his escape at the last instant. Back on terra firma the Holahans finish their promotional pitch, managing to get an invite from Superman himself to appear at the Metropolis Museum Fundraiser that he's hosting next week.<br /><br />So was Superman really in awe of their abilities? Did they really manage to pull one over on him? Naaahhh, as a quick look with the old x-ray vision revealed their secrets.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VKHbKf_uj1jtxTR5dXqHk8ubcktWPLdoNLVTYWcrHRo7KsvKh2btMWZbuFUR4DvxLhjMNhwpY8OrwoAlWeIMWxCViGRrPW9EtTWKpBp7mQgBxQs8ntCrXETVz_SAMnXtkO1TU1Cb_9k/s1600/AC393-5-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 198px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568331063759502978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VKHbKf_uj1jtxTR5dXqHk8ubcktWPLdoNLVTYWcrHRo7KsvKh2btMWZbuFUR4DvxLhjMNhwpY8OrwoAlWeIMWxCViGRrPW9EtTWKpBp7mQgBxQs8ntCrXETVz_SAMnXtkO1TU1Cb_9k/s320/AC393-5-1_1.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hey! Watch where you're pointing those x-rays, Superman!</span></div><br />Little does Holahan know, however, that his performance also caught the attention of the local crime syndicate in Metropolis. These guys are nothing if not thorough with their bureaucratic paperwork. Something looks familiar about this Holahan guy and a quick check of their files reveals that he's actually Mace Larkin, an escaped con who forged a new identity as an escape artist in an attempt to turn over a new leaf. They soon pay him a visit backstage at the fund raiser and coerce him into helping them break their boss out of prison, or else they tell Superman the truth about his past life.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlyH5nURUviQmd50t2MCUgZCWLI9eUt0Ily8n6XejAEa957VwkR_1drX58RsN_-FA1W4C-P9CTjcZWnkpgP9XnB3pENUJgC-jnUCl4nEr-_lqiwqY4Z0cZ5niDLynSqf5mBqoNKAGHdY/s1600/AC393-6-5_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 110px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568331719611042706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlyH5nURUviQmd50t2MCUgZCWLI9eUt0Ily8n6XejAEa957VwkR_1drX58RsN_-FA1W4C-P9CTjcZWnkpgP9XnB3pENUJgC-jnUCl4nEr-_lqiwqY4Z0cZ5niDLynSqf5mBqoNKAGHdY/s320/AC393-6-5_1.jpg" /></a>Holahan reluctantly agrees, and the show continues with Superman using his heat vision to seal him inside a medieval suit of armor. No one could ever possibly defeat Superman's heat vision, right?<br /><br />Wrong! It's only moments later that Holahan emerges from behind a curtain, free of the armor. The celebrations are short lived, as an alarm rings out through the museum as someone has stolen the Star of Asia Diamond that is also on display. Superman theorizes that it must have been Holahan who swiped it during his escape, and he soon finds out the truth...Hairbreadth Holahan is none other than escaped convict Mace Larkin!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0CgWB37GErE3WdcGM4K7S-vtI_6KRD80OkvyFomzrgFvKqfuZ6A9hVOZZ9FJYWxLnldCzzxiMbBKMdIFm7k0dX-5xa3N2x4xeueNkAHZXSp9CdABNR17qhYma1BxYBiLj5FDqTACtMw/s1600/AC393-8-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568332785771705618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0CgWB37GErE3WdcGM4K7S-vtI_6KRD80OkvyFomzrgFvKqfuZ6A9hVOZZ9FJYWxLnldCzzxiMbBKMdIFm7k0dX-5xa3N2x4xeueNkAHZXSp9CdABNR17qhYma1BxYBiLj5FDqTACtMw/s320/AC393-8-4_1.jpg" /></a>Now inside a prison cell, Larkin is soon up to his old tricks as he's already working on way to bust out. Pulling a fake tooth from his mouth, he reveals it's actually a capsule containing a cyrogenic hyper-chemical which he uses to freeze the bars and make them brittle enough to shatter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3SFzHuLUwKRM3a4NeSdSK-WdwT0b9qEpVrTfWRYYNl9TyHoor0s4hBjd7b6AT60MMumLXnAb5hurq-pcWBdH3gjff0Lk65_VcJgevuCAJ4CdA1w9qPpX3DPSHqsaROVjcHXszhk5bR8/s1600/AC393-11-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 68px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568333604235994306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3SFzHuLUwKRM3a4NeSdSK-WdwT0b9qEpVrTfWRYYNl9TyHoor0s4hBjd7b6AT60MMumLXnAb5hurq-pcWBdH3gjff0Lk65_VcJgevuCAJ4CdA1w9qPpX3DPSHqsaROVjcHXszhk5bR8/s320/AC393-11-1_1.jpg" /></a>Taking Stoney Croy with him, the mob boss he's here to break out, they take to the sewers and are soon on their way to the old mob hideout.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOibYEQJi6ykbLxcMNGBzS3Mm8i25K-IpYmfnke7070BW6H72Gx9rWpejUSOWIk4UsK-WDouEssUR1npzQk2BKJByaGOQU5pE8aXDutRyI2UR8k-fPQhxWhxPHcJvGeD2WHCx3ATlpsc/s1600/AC393-12-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 95px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568334207795261778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOibYEQJi6ykbLxcMNGBzS3Mm8i25K-IpYmfnke7070BW6H72Gx9rWpejUSOWIk4UsK-WDouEssUR1npzQk2BKJByaGOQU5pE8aXDutRyI2UR8k-fPQhxWhxPHcJvGeD2WHCx3ATlpsc/s320/AC393-12-1_1.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I love the fact that Metropolis gangsters are a bunch of sentimental fools at heart!</span></div><br />Unfortunately for the assembled gangsters, the celebration is short lived as Superman reveals that Mace Larkin is actually Superman in a rubber mask!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx1pIB-2GI0G8aSeF7WB-_YJusMsEO74tOIG2__h36qIdKMMs6JkAmBLSi3EH4eu56ySibv7KkHDvcRJHHiGYjRIv5gnYFhLIx4jWQvIDIbqQ_2k74-uXGRIyXzqNDKQaj1sxFCX8ioI/s1600/AC393-13-12_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568336703612578210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx1pIB-2GI0G8aSeF7WB-_YJusMsEO74tOIG2__h36qIdKMMs6JkAmBLSi3EH4eu56ySibv7KkHDvcRJHHiGYjRIv5gnYFhLIx4jWQvIDIbqQ_2k74-uXGRIyXzqNDKQaj1sxFCX8ioI/s320/AC393-13-12_1.jpg" /></a>Yes, that's right! It's all been an elaborate scheme of cross and double-cross as Larkin went right to Superman after being found out by the gangsters originally. They then worked up this plan to catch the gangsters at their own hideout! For his part in helping catch some of Metropolis' most wanted, Larkin is granted a full pardon for his past crimes, ready to resume his life as a reformed criminal.<br /><br /><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN...</strong><br /><br />Aside from the obvious lesson about redemption, we also got treated to a look at exactly how the switcheroo went down earlier in the issue. The experienced Silver Age readers out there probably caught this, but here's a peek behind the scenes for the sake of everyone else.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCcrFbs64pmUKOr_QYeQIbk7NMe_3Mp3gpxEtkc75yt7OyCCTE_9ySE17Up9UnRKJgd-qwvRjVGPZXqss-VHXP5CVsd-ItCERXtgu9L1mybtLhHq1Wg7lck43mpzLHTyrEmfqUbDIRZ0/s1600/AC393-14-2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568336829062433634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCcrFbs64pmUKOr_QYeQIbk7NMe_3Mp3gpxEtkc75yt7OyCCTE_9ySE17Up9UnRKJgd-qwvRjVGPZXqss-VHXP5CVsd-ItCERXtgu9L1mybtLhHq1Wg7lck43mpzLHTyrEmfqUbDIRZ0/s320/AC393-14-2_1.jpg" /></a>You can scroll back up and scope out the original panel of "Superman" sealing "Larkin" inside the armor to see how it played out at the time. Here's a free tip for you, it's always a good idea to pay close attention to the perspective of the action when you know something fishy is going on.<br /><br />Now if that wasn't enough Superman action for you, we're treated to another story in this issue. It's a short little morality play concerning social justice and disparity, and it's so over the top and melodramatic that it needs its own post to truly do it justice. Come back tomorrow for "The Day Superboy Became Superman!"<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) DC Comics</span><br /><br />Related links for your surfing pleasure...<ul><li>If you're into this whole podcasting thing, give <a href="http://supermaninthebronzeage.blogspot.com/">Superman in the Bronze Age </a>a listen. It's a relatively new podcast, but the first episode featured an in depth look at <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2011/01/action-comics-393.html">this very issue</a>.</li><li>Be sure to click over <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2011/02/very-special-action-comics-story.html">here</a> for the second tale from this issue featuring Superboy.</li></ul></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-51337946257130388262011-01-30T21:38:00.002-05:002011-01-31T21:52:55.499-05:00Man (on the street) and SupermanSo it's been a crazy couple of days for big comic book news. While none of these may be "cracking the internet in half" big, put 'em all together and it's been a heck of busy time for the old refresh button. To get a better handle on the big picture, let's check in with the man on the street and get his reaction.<br /><br />Sitting in for the average man on the street tonight is none other than yours truly, so let's get to analyzing...<br /><br />First up is an item reported on <a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/01/27/marvel-to-follow-dc-with-twenty-page-2-99-price-point/">Bleeding Cool</a>, and while it's still a rumor I haven't seen much denial from the Marvel camp. According to the report, Marvel is going to be embracing the $2.99/20 page format for at least some of their books. Now I knew that with DC holding the line at $2.99 that that was far from the last word on the topic of pricing. My <a href="http://www.progressiveruin.com/2011/01/05/lookin-at-your-predictions-part-one-of-about-a-thousand/">prediction </a>was backwards, however, as I just figured that DC would lose patience waiting for the sales figures to justify the new price/page count and their prices would go back up to $3.99 before the end of the year.<br /><br />So color me pleasantly surprised, but Marvel has a long way to go to win me and my comic book dollars back. As always, the devil's in the details as to how many and how prevalent the move is going to be remains to be seen, and I don't trust them as far as I can throw my Uncanny X-Men Omnibus. I can't imagine them going line-wide with this, so my default position will be to leave their titles on the shelves. I like a line-wide continuity in my super-hero books, and if I have to pick and choose what i read based on the whims of how much they think they can get away with, I'd just rather not be bothered. But if they did move just one book to the lower price/page count, let it be <strong>Ultimate Spider-Man</strong>, as I sure do miss that book.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBma3U_-oMRvzSWmH5Q7HDt9nGPmXgsBd3xMxRAiHq76VQNb37svwRrdhUlguw3FvhYuApUJmmIySP1ro6nbKu25uaf6YYJkNwC_YhXWIQoHRNTmKzF_IzVF-qSm97zLzDqpQ0qheT7KY/s1600/flashpoint-logo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568163518606075426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBma3U_-oMRvzSWmH5Q7HDt9nGPmXgsBd3xMxRAiHq76VQNb37svwRrdhUlguw3FvhYuApUJmmIySP1ro6nbKu25uaf6YYJkNwC_YhXWIQoHRNTmKzF_IzVF-qSm97zLzDqpQ0qheT7KY/s320/flashpoint-logo.jpg" /></a>Next up on the news ticker is an item that comes from a more reliable source, DC themselves. On their company blog, they <a href="http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2011/01/28/flashpoint-friday-everything-will-change-in-a-flash/">announced</a> that accompanying the <strong>Flashpoint</strong> mini-series will be fifteen (count 'em 15) mini-series running concurrently with the main one. This looks to be a bit of an <em>Age of Apocalypse</em> type set-up, with altered histories and timelines being explored in three issue mini-series. What remains to be seen is whether these are fifteen new titles, or if they are taking the place of existing titles for three months, or a combination of the two.<br /><br />Now me? I'm a hardcore DCU enthusiast, so I'm on board for most (if not all) of these, but one definitely made the Superman fan in me gasp in excitement.<br /><br /><strong>Flashpoint: Lois Lane And The Resistance #1-3</strong><br /><br />Hell yeah, I'm all over that title.<br /><br />Finally, and while we're on the topic of Superman, there was a bit of late-breaking news on Sunday that the role of Clark Kent/Superman for the new 2012 reboot was cast. The lucky actor is none other than Henry Cavill. Now I have no idea who he is, but I guess he looks the part.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibawjJ49Tc1h_C_1dAKc-Jz5NW2THPlCRndNTf2pFa-xDFJ-FcirEhC76J6loXwzGmO898hvY27mAMm1auvAYss2NgqDnZ5tVbX_fTZ9VjmsWyAk5MAn2b23yOSD2D2CeeY0jxPdvKEb8/s1600/cavillsuperman_jog.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568164907138253810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibawjJ49Tc1h_C_1dAKc-Jz5NW2THPlCRndNTf2pFa-xDFJ-FcirEhC76J6loXwzGmO898hvY27mAMm1auvAYss2NgqDnZ5tVbX_fTZ9VjmsWyAk5MAn2b23yOSD2D2CeeY0jxPdvKEb8/s400/cavillsuperman_jog.jpg" /></a>While being a die-hard Superman comic-book fan, I have a bit of love/hate (mostly hate) relationship with movie and t.v. adaptations of the man of steel. So far, however, I've not seen anything official announced concerning the latest movie that has yet to make me groan.<br /><br />And with that, let's get to the job at hand and get the next random book to review picked from the longboxes. Take it away, Randomizer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DkXmhmX9ACKp_UbLUwB8EU5WaNB-e-GRQ881TT6nBwlYkTiuTeAjQhmepq7-Z78QkqtpPbAF4rDVJM0IBU094Q1vV3sNerjLeP5NGGZSKgjHIdAOuP2CRsLGJCI07ctuPdZhpHL-NQM/s1600/AC393-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566477576303634546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DkXmhmX9ACKp_UbLUwB8EU5WaNB-e-GRQ881TT6nBwlYkTiuTeAjQhmepq7-Z78QkqtpPbAF4rDVJM0IBU094Q1vV3sNerjLeP5NGGZSKgjHIdAOuP2CRsLGJCI07ctuPdZhpHL-NQM/s400/AC393-Cover_1.jpg" /></a>...and that book is <strong>Action Comics #393</strong> from October 1970, published by DC Comics!<br /><br />Wow, everything's coming up Superman today! In fact, if you could see behind the scenes here at RL headquarters, it's even moreso.<br /><br />And on that cryptic note I'll take my leave, promising to see you in a day or two the <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2011/01/action-comics-393.html">review</a>.<br /><br />(But seriously, if you're a Superman fan make sure you check back here on Tuesday!)TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-50751951512369874372011-01-26T07:27:00.000-05:002011-01-26T07:28:01.167-05:00Doctor Strange #2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ83fyaCzhu3wtbX-m2FgA3nCreA4rvF0KG69PM3rUvImdKXPhTa2pJHttIeQINVJElERy1DGkyHRw-88sweLf60eNRcb-NI2G1lmPzWpla6bSbqIKlqDZ3Z43X2FqpeKN8s23HPPJrLQ/s1600/DS2-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566304472750546002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ83fyaCzhu3wtbX-m2FgA3nCreA4rvF0KG69PM3rUvImdKXPhTa2pJHttIeQINVJElERy1DGkyHRw-88sweLf60eNRcb-NI2G1lmPzWpla6bSbqIKlqDZ3Z43X2FqpeKN8s23HPPJrLQ/s200/DS2-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: Doctor Strange #2<br /><br />PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: August 1974<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $0.25<br /><br />18 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />I love me some good Doctor Strange. Unfortunately, for as long as he's been around there's been a lot more chaff than wheat. Luckily for us, that Randomizer gave us a heaping helping of the good stuff. This was Doctor Strange's first self-titled series, and the first couple of dozen issues are some of my favorites.<br /><br />The icing on the cake? The first half a dozen of those featured some truly epic art by Frank Brunner. There are three people that tackled the good doctor, that in my opinion are the holy trinity of Doctor Strange artists. Steve Ditko set the stage for Doc and his world in the Silver Age. Frank Brunner then came on and amped things up for the Bronze Age. And for the Modern Age, it doesn't get any better than Jackson Guice. That right there is about all you need as far as Doctor Strange is concerned.<br /><br />The best of the crop from the 70's run are the issues that verged on the trippy. This issue falls squarely in that category as Doc is trapped in the Orb of Agamotto, fighting for his astral life while his body lies mortally wounded in the real world. The main protagonist for this particular story is the less than threatening Silver Dagger, but he's sidelined for the most part, as Strange desperately searches for a way out of the Orb.<br /><br />Let's not waste any more time talking about it, and read it already...<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">A Separate Reality</span></em> <ul><li>Co-Plotters: Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner</li><li>Author: Steve Englehart</li><li>Artist: Frank Brunner</li><li>Inker: Dick Giordano</li><li>Colorist: Frank Brunner</li><li>Lettering: John Costanza</li><li>Editor: Roy Thomas</li></ul>And for those of you coming in late to the party, here's a recap of what happened last issue, right on page one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQvjMTH_2a2f1OrL7itxICpTgGRY27CROT2xGkBeb6g3iUzHPkgCpqrqETp5BAbupCFr9DbvWI8suGTkLfAagp_IE26ttuJTeuhLG8_gqICRkoKdHZBebM_beDOOAHXn4ebVfFv2C5RI/s1600/DS2-1-4170_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQvjMTH_2a2f1OrL7itxICpTgGRY27CROT2xGkBeb6g3iUzHPkgCpqrqETp5BAbupCFr9DbvWI8suGTkLfAagp_IE26ttuJTeuhLG8_gqICRkoKdHZBebM_beDOOAHXn4ebVfFv2C5RI/s320/DS2-1-4170_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566463729059283522" /></a>So maybe the Silver Dagger stabbed him in the back instead of beheading him, but the dramatization is for the benefit of Clea who was taken prisoner by Silver Dagger last issue. It's his hope that seeing her beloved mistreated in this fashion, will break her spirit. Clea may be new to the realm of sorcery, but she's no dummy. She knows that if anyone can defeat the Silver Dagger, it's Doctor Strange.<br /><br />Speaking of Doctor Strange, let's check in with him within the realm of the Orb of Agamotto.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNzAi2w5sU-_iIGCEZpaY2weKpq7nAdSTzlXvJQaR5MGv9eSiQ953DCEmA5a6uEtysVTeRh7Z20Y5GUJlVwsEqE5kUJ8Z4aVWwdBb0ha12BD0QH9PxigXK3Mz3pxZr_jYJAxP5FEGiTo/s1600/DS2-5-7_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNzAi2w5sU-_iIGCEZpaY2weKpq7nAdSTzlXvJQaR5MGv9eSiQ953DCEmA5a6uEtysVTeRh7Z20Y5GUJlVwsEqE5kUJ8Z4aVWwdBb0ha12BD0QH9PxigXK3Mz3pxZr_jYJAxP5FEGiTo/s320/DS2-5-7_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566469046622250178" /></a>Yikes...a winged, soul sucking space worm! Good thing Clea can't see this, as her confidence in Stephen would be sorely tested as his soul gets sucked up and swallowed whole.<br /><br />What she doesn't know, is that Doc is about to get some help from some unlikely allies. First among them? The Silver Surfer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WWvF0ko1kODsT93NewoeyYcB8dQ_jnWHqy6J6Cqb7nMudA-u6pLCKNSV01VT-8vN33mna9R3w8wFedxA8kR_M59TeFTll4wl2164PggDYKL00XOD50GX7xZYWvVRrEmPIqCsWcQDN0A/s1600/DS2-6-5_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 164px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WWvF0ko1kODsT93NewoeyYcB8dQ_jnWHqy6J6Cqb7nMudA-u6pLCKNSV01VT-8vN33mna9R3w8wFedxA8kR_M59TeFTll4wl2164PggDYKL00XOD50GX7xZYWvVRrEmPIqCsWcQDN0A/s320/DS2-6-5_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566469158333573890" /></a>So while the Surfer thinks he has arrived too late to save another victim of the Soul-Eater, what he doesn't realize is that the victim was Doctor Strange. Even without a mortal body, he is far from defenseless. Attacking the central nervous system of the creature, he manages to get himself vomited back to what passes for reality inside the orb.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3ANjjtJoVN-ee-6pNfWtlmTEm5A8YsdVdLH-vp13Edxd-jkeNVrRdbRks4A_BiSAliZGZuJNWf-dcaALSXFvz5tGnZrpwr_zvCd5VRm4jL-f82LSh6yHyJ5yV_fOpaq8d8tMWhyphenhyphenM_tc/s1600/DS2-8-3_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 69px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3ANjjtJoVN-ee-6pNfWtlmTEm5A8YsdVdLH-vp13Edxd-jkeNVrRdbRks4A_BiSAliZGZuJNWf-dcaALSXFvz5tGnZrpwr_zvCd5VRm4jL-f82LSh6yHyJ5yV_fOpaq8d8tMWhyphenhyphenM_tc/s320/DS2-8-3_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566469354982304994" /></a>Curiously, the Surfer does not recognize Doctor Strange. Since they've been team mates for the last two years, that can only mean that the Orb is pulling images from Doc's mind and making them manifest in its realm to interact with him. Their first task? Find his body, which has decided to go on a bit of a walkabout after having the soul sucked from it by the Soul Eater.<br /><br />Following it's rambling footprints, they trail the mortal shell to a strange castle. What's even stranger is what they find inside the castle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjEbp6SD1fm3PwiGCv20pFY_p7hOShkgspHXQPRKOWDuBlpOVj2AEWcXgQp3RYCZ8SlvBC_ztcofSFxZ-q3Bv91alKgo-VnRkvuJYnto_ru93KxxsDwYL61SR-dcSkScXAfsgELGNLeo/s1600/DS2-1011-1_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjEbp6SD1fm3PwiGCv20pFY_p7hOShkgspHXQPRKOWDuBlpOVj2AEWcXgQp3RYCZ8SlvBC_ztcofSFxZ-q3Bv91alKgo-VnRkvuJYnto_ru93KxxsDwYL61SR-dcSkScXAfsgELGNLeo/s320/DS2-1011-1_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566469487505301490" /></a>All right all you heroes, it's time to get crazy drunk on some off the Hulk's tea. And you don't turn down a cup of Hulk's tea, as that would make him angry...and you wouldn't like him very much when he's angry.<br /><br />Reunited with his body, Doctor Strange is willing to throw caution to the wind and not only refuse Hulk's tea, but decides to leave the party early as well. Bad move, Doc.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH3mSDqoFQ-S5TzdJ4HrSqbhoc4vZz23_lT0cHOTSrUVDZy9YJJyhZCczD24L_1Z-IxL4vt2n0iZpgO6ap39yRW0-3nFxLWyhPRfWFTsYbzyGoECPjKrrDGkKP9aG-b69lOouRLtDMbs/s1600/DS2-13-5_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH3mSDqoFQ-S5TzdJ4HrSqbhoc4vZz23_lT0cHOTSrUVDZy9YJJyhZCczD24L_1Z-IxL4vt2n0iZpgO6ap39yRW0-3nFxLWyhPRfWFTsYbzyGoECPjKrrDGkKP9aG-b69lOouRLtDMbs/s320/DS2-13-5_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566469600377747842" /></a>Doctor Strange manages a spell or two of obfuscation that has the Defenders attacking phantom versions of himself. That leaves them wide open for a whammy of a spell that knocks 'em all unconscious, right as the Soul-Eater returns.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SHze7L2McAsngsuUAbAdiPpaTZRHj69xSGACrvX5uq78c8Djbc4wuJhxYHDQo7XXTqAqZQn-99zlEHP3qstuU1HNJcMfi-qhs0x7qzjKUZe50buGydomFIRLEJQfdkRkCjNtclSv0IU/s1600/DS2-16-37_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SHze7L2McAsngsuUAbAdiPpaTZRHj69xSGACrvX5uq78c8Djbc4wuJhxYHDQo7XXTqAqZQn-99zlEHP3qstuU1HNJcMfi-qhs0x7qzjKUZe50buGydomFIRLEJQfdkRkCjNtclSv0IU/s320/DS2-16-37_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566469712693382882" /></a>Luckily for Doctor Strange, not all of orb-created manifestations were quite as reactionary. With the help of the Silver Surfer and Valkyrie, they deduce that the Soul-Eater will keep on coming as Doc is the only one in the orb with an actual soul. To save himself, he must confront death itself at the center of the orb. Only then will he be able to free himself and return to the mortal world to save his beloved Clea.<br /><br />With Valkyrie's winged horse as his guide, Doctor Strange closes out the issue heading right for the center of the Orb of Agamotto...sure of himself, and his actions, for the first time in a long time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS5rTlfz-1iiKobY2TA0ebH837qozLVonggqwaT1yqN-be2mjJYNCjVkocPBdz15YhMEOP_DdRIQGuRoyYGG-xAn-vFMcsyD_z33bPk0Q6HZJ2klJjVN62SHog4bSXKpoq5EY7Ayi-dQ/s1600/DS2-18-1_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS5rTlfz-1iiKobY2TA0ebH837qozLVonggqwaT1yqN-be2mjJYNCjVkocPBdz15YhMEOP_DdRIQGuRoyYGG-xAn-vFMcsyD_z33bPk0Q6HZJ2klJjVN62SHog4bSXKpoq5EY7Ayi-dQ/s320/DS2-18-1_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566468925424302562" /></a><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN...</strong><br /><br />First and foremost, never turn down tea with the Hulk. If he doesn't get his regular dose of caffeine, look out!<br /><br />Do you think he favors green tea or gray? I guess it depends on what his skin color at the time is. Do they have red tea?<br /><br />Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner craft a well done tale, putting Doctor Strange through a series of challenges where he must use his mind in a world where the reality is a warped version of his memories. It allows just the right amount of trippyness, while giving him plenty of foes to battle, both familiar and bizarre.<br /><br />I always love a good Doctor Strange story where he's essentially fighting himself, or manifestations pulled from his consciousness or powers, and this one doesn't disappoint. The use of the Defenders as visualizations of the superhero world as seen through the twisted lens of the Orb is the perfect meta-commentary on the team itself. Strange, bizarre, and seemingly thrown together at random with nothing but a vague sense of camaraderie (or Hulk's tea) holding them together.<br /><br />Frank Brunner's artwork is just as good as I remember, truly shining when he gets to let loose with dimensions and perspective inside the surreal world of the Orb. It's a shame that we only got five or six issues with him on the art, but it's a testament to his talent that they loom so large in my memory.<br /><br />All in all, this was a heckuva book and definitely one of the highlights of the Bronze Age. I only wish that they could capture this sense of what makes a good Doctor Strange story and apply it to today's Doctor Strange.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) Marvel Comics</span><br /><br />Related links for your surfing pleasure...<ul><li>As always, there's only one place to go for all your other Doctor Strange internet ramblings...<a href="http://www.neilalien.com/">Neilalien</a></li><li>Or if The Defender's are your-- ahem --cup of tea, you need to go to <a href="http://defendersfan.blogspot.com/">The Defender's Fansite</a>.</li></ul></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-42962294432969267412011-01-23T22:54:00.001-05:002011-01-26T07:32:57.435-05:00Mrs. Random Longbox meets the King of AtlantisA while back Mrs. Random Longbox, who happens to be a fine art photographer in her secret identity, was commissioned to take some photos. One of her specialties is taking pictures of old (and sometimes forgotten) toys, imbuing them with character and giving them a chance to come to life again.<br /><br />So during the recent hectic summer festival season, my wife was approached by a fan who wondered if she could do the same for a favorite toy of hers, one filled with sentimental meaning. Never one to let a good challenge go to waste, she agreed and anxiously awaited the toy's arrival in the mail.<br /><br />So what was that toy, and why does it warrant a blog posting all its own here? Take a look...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl8OT5Bcw9wN2q8FZS801Ed4JTk9WBMTRP4uEcWiI5bhi7azZCb34Lf7AFRa0JXshhGDFvmNtpxKRrzc_wknLOxQODi9QdYF8sk2eco1LXS67J2aUH0GystjWUZjyCgZTz11XLVjckeg/s1600/Aquaman4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565577057546246322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl8OT5Bcw9wN2q8FZS801Ed4JTk9WBMTRP4uEcWiI5bhi7azZCb34Lf7AFRa0JXshhGDFvmNtpxKRrzc_wknLOxQODi9QdYF8sk2eco1LXS67J2aUH0GystjWUZjyCgZTz11XLVjckeg/s400/Aquaman4.JPG" /></a>I don't know what's cooler...the fact that my wife was commissioned out of the blue to take pictures of an Aquaman action figure, or that she got such awesome pictures out of it.<br /><br />Here was my favorite of the bunch...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqwrzBr2Ev2N_CtdwF626G1Evz65T3mOpZzE6v-7VAq1g4UxZUlz1ijJm_fGV3OLsXXUVtUfHy2LIXruXw5uRdk143rVrJEThNXByioOsyInv7aPQrKTPm6faaAl4vyipbpFc1ow7yUE/s1600/Aquaman5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565578618620333330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqwrzBr2Ev2N_CtdwF626G1Evz65T3mOpZzE6v-7VAq1g4UxZUlz1ijJm_fGV3OLsXXUVtUfHy2LIXruXw5uRdk143rVrJEThNXByioOsyInv7aPQrKTPm6faaAl4vyipbpFc1ow7yUE/s400/Aquaman5.JPG" /></a>While the wife liked this one...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywjkxVDNvYj56-9MGrn0VMOqhqt4hADOKQTPtBoFLpAQ58YKHCfJd-Mdj8KwktMZ5J15sAvTYKdLUtwO_rfXqJ_I34e5oWZbTunLuXa1FFxwYfRUnChD6R3P5xR0TsMcuuhggnIVVCzU/s1600/Aquaman17.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565579119752648642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywjkxVDNvYj56-9MGrn0VMOqhqt4hADOKQTPtBoFLpAQ58YKHCfJd-Mdj8KwktMZ5J15sAvTYKdLUtwO_rfXqJ_I34e5oWZbTunLuXa1FFxwYfRUnChD6R3P5xR0TsMcuuhggnIVVCzU/s400/Aquaman17.JPG" /></a>Not to be outdone, here was my four year old son's contribution...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4x6WFriclYDpj8OLjm_zArUUJ_evRocCegiRiRbRGHycvk2VX4NmoHrMcawJ2ngy5xYJ0f05EdfRgnC9UMSeVNt3Ec0P9mK_ZknM5nJXSEbgKxxKqFw4ASZ5RWb4k7Qp57NL0dXyb_k4/s1600/Aquaman+R.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565590642391235410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4x6WFriclYDpj8OLjm_zArUUJ_evRocCegiRiRbRGHycvk2VX4NmoHrMcawJ2ngy5xYJ0f05EdfRgnC9UMSeVNt3Ec0P9mK_ZknM5nJXSEbgKxxKqFw4ASZ5RWb4k7Qp57NL0dXyb_k4/s400/Aquaman+R.JPG" /></a>If you enjoyed this peek into my wife's portfolio and are curious to see more, or are looking to add some fine art into your life, click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BACLORI">here</a> and be sure to tell her that some crazy comic book blogger sent you.<br /><br />And speaking of said blogger, it's been a week so let's get to picking the next random book to review. Take it away Randomizer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJohiZwMmrsbtkzf-Zdu0bQI5zGPipTIzhBG8yt9k1omrZ2AaGkVQBT0Z1vtOPheghuIPaGpT0Y1QS8J4z3rAHHrkKFztw0KAhzd0T_RbOf2_V_c8OO_aKFgLnHzQkyRBWKk9Edchx_cI/s1600/DS2-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565583600351961186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJohiZwMmrsbtkzf-Zdu0bQI5zGPipTIzhBG8yt9k1omrZ2AaGkVQBT0Z1vtOPheghuIPaGpT0Y1QS8J4z3rAHHrkKFztw0KAhzd0T_RbOf2_V_c8OO_aKFgLnHzQkyRBWKk9Edchx_cI/s400/DS2-Cover_1.jpg" /></a>...and that book is <strong>Doctor Strange #2</strong> from August 1974, published by Marvel Comics!<br /><br />It's actually been almost a year and a half since we last go to read an issue from Doc's first series. It also has an appearance from one of my new favorite super teams, The Defenders. I haven't re-read this issue since I've discovered my fascination with the Defenders, so I'm looking forward to reading it again.<br /><br />Plus, it's got some glorious Frank Brunner art. It's been over thirty years, but his rendition of Doctor Strange definitely ranks in the top three.<br /><br />See you in a day or two for the <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2011/01/doctor-strange-2.html">review</a>.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-30970556329406160132011-01-16T21:21:00.000-05:002011-01-16T21:22:17.407-05:00Wolverine #125<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvDXcj01sK93vRPkNPAidWhkjHDhIJavagYo4GV8n31Jtf8b5IdNh98tlSO3meVJf4VCtHzqxUs-grdEmyE1rfDIs5rHCwk96iTMhgYtYAtlORhVAOdIWLy7O8EMYCX0nmpbGIow-Ht4/s1600/W125-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560375522818531362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvDXcj01sK93vRPkNPAidWhkjHDhIJavagYo4GV8n31Jtf8b5IdNh98tlSO3meVJf4VCtHzqxUs-grdEmyE1rfDIs5rHCwk96iTMhgYtYAtlORhVAOdIWLy7O8EMYCX0nmpbGIow-Ht4/s200/W125-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: Wolverine #125<br /><br />PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: June 1998<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $2.99<br /><br />40 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />So here's a first for me (and it's also something I completely forgot about until earlier today). This post will actually be the second time that I've written an on-line review for this very issue. The sharper readers among you are all ready to point out that this is the first issue of <strong>Wolverine</strong> that we've reviewed here...and didn't I just mention that very same fact a post or two ago?<br /><br />Well you're right, and to find that first review we're going to have to go way back to ye olden days of the internet. Back when we used to have to walk uphill in three feet of snow to access our dial-up modems in all of their 56 kbit/s glory. The year was 1998 and my isp was AOL. I can't quite remember too clearly, but they used to offer some sort of limited, five-page website/myspace like thing. Being the vanguard of the internet frontier that I was, I thought I could use it to throw up a review or two.<br /><br />Also at this time, Claremont was making his first return to the X-Verse after his rather abrupt departure after relaunching <strong>X-Men</strong> back in 1991. What better issue to kick off my new review site with than this one?<br /><br />Obviously, nothing ever amounted to that first foray into internet stardom, as I think I may have written three reviews before moving on. Who knows how different the internet would be today if I had stuck with it, eh? If I get some time this week, I'm going to do some digging to see if I can unearth a copy of that review. It's got to be on an old floppy disk somewhere, but the hard part is going to be able to find a computer that still has a floppy drive in this USB flash drive world.<br /><br />So what did I think of the issue back then? I remember really liking it, and you know what? It still holds up pretty well upon rereading.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Logan's Run!</span></em> <ul><li>Writer: Chris Claremont</li><li>Penciller: Leinil Francis Yu</li><li>Inker: Edgar Tadeo & Gerry Alanguilan</li><li>Colors: Jason Wright</li><li>Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft/EM</li><li>Editor: Mark Powers</li><li>Editor in Chief: Bob Harras</li></ul>Here's the thing...I've been pondering over how to approach this review for over a week. As I said earlier, it's a pretty good issue that still holds up, but for some reason I'm having a hard time getting a handle on making this an entertaining review.<br /><br />I could do a straight summary but this issue is forty pages, and these are forty pages written in Chris Claremont's wonderfully wordy style. To make matters worse, the first ten pages are a dream sequence! Nothing makes me lose interest more quickly than having to read or watch somebody else's dream.<br /><br />On top of that, Wolverine doesn't even show up until over halfway through the issue. What we have instead is sort of a <em>This Is Your Life</em>-like trip through the ladies of Logan's love life, with Jubilee as our guide.<br /><br />Haunted by dreams of Logan in trouble, it's up to Jubilee to keep him safe from his pursuers. Who are the people chasing him? None other than all of the ladies that Logan has been close to over the years...Jean Gray, Rogue, Yukio, Psylocke, Tyger Tiger, Jessica Drew, and Shadowcat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT0bLfip1dZeJykxg4dhcog6tkumENzMXUIMFUIGVSOmerxVkhbCvD7yP4mwihcilTN19lziPq7bX-RmGJX1PDk03eocTQxRPnyc1FMKQGA_paXGbjtbA2EiQP-37p-DVTLAzPSlw_Qo/s1600/W125-6-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562967140867080594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT0bLfip1dZeJykxg4dhcog6tkumENzMXUIMFUIGVSOmerxVkhbCvD7yP4mwihcilTN19lziPq7bX-RmGJX1PDk03eocTQxRPnyc1FMKQGA_paXGbjtbA2EiQP-37p-DVTLAzPSlw_Qo/s320/W125-6-1_1.jpg" /></a>They're all decked out in Viper green, which makes you think that maybe she has something to do with all of this. Spoiler alert...she does, and it's up to Jubilee and Shadowcat to find out what it is and keep Wolverine safe at the same time.<br /><br />So why does this issue work so well?<br /><br />Let's find out, but here's the thing, I don't think I'm going to convert anyone over to being an X-Fan with this review. I completely understand why some people aren't and have no interest in being one. Hell, it's been six or seven years since I've considered myself one. But I cut my teeth on Claremont in the mid-80's, so I've always allowed Claremont (and his excesses) a rather long leash.<br /><br />Instead, I'm just gonna take a rather stream of consciousness trip through this issue and point out what I did enjoy.<br /><br /><strong>CHRIS CLAREMONT</strong><br /><br />This man is responsible for some of the most enjoyable comics in my collection. The 80's was a glorious time to be an X-Fan, and a big part of that can be laid of the feet of this man. Unfortunately, his track record since leaving the X-Men for the first time has been rather lackluster at best.<br /><br />The Randomizer did us a favor and actually picked one of the highlights from this period for us to read. There's something about Wolverine that just seems right in the hands of Chris Claremont. I've never been that big of a Wolverine fan, but there's something about a Claremont Wolverine story that appeals to me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvUh7t_RcIIzoJCe2Nnq8zsZ9h4BYRTWMhb28dvbVOMcREq0zdEby5yK7DcyIi7S8jrJAYgb7MSA0mm9yOmaUMUDPTd9TdgsnvVqw_URRarFlpLbHHcHG6G8WlMvyiMC3dIgDmPxdvbE/s1600/W125-24_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562967601582627282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvUh7t_RcIIzoJCe2Nnq8zsZ9h4BYRTWMhb28dvbVOMcREq0zdEby5yK7DcyIi7S8jrJAYgb7MSA0mm9yOmaUMUDPTd9TdgsnvVqw_URRarFlpLbHHcHG6G8WlMvyiMC3dIgDmPxdvbE/s320/W125-24_1.jpg" /></a>That dialogue just shouldn't work when being read with a straight-face. There's a fine line between corny and bad-ass, but somehow he manages to straddle it with no problem.<br /><br />It also makes his eventual reveal in this issue send chills up my spine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKp9_ksFgtLNC1s1nB9IFEnp5LLDZbVq-eywLJH60P8wnoLSuTmGkdr5tH1agxWGSTP0roVjfxl_og4H6CBxRq-JVRhLJoVVOfN0DkKmipC7pow-hVl-4Ljezb7Mm_5LHCW0RG0wT-VE/s1600/W125-22-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562968104867636290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKp9_ksFgtLNC1s1nB9IFEnp5LLDZbVq-eywLJH60P8wnoLSuTmGkdr5tH1agxWGSTP0roVjfxl_og4H6CBxRq-JVRhLJoVVOfN0DkKmipC7pow-hVl-4Ljezb7Mm_5LHCW0RG0wT-VE/s320/W125-22-4_1.jpg" /></a>You see, you read that dialogue in a vacuum and it's just gonna fall falt. But if you put it in a dialogue box with the arrow pointing at Wolverine...it's game, set and match! It also doesn't hurt to have the image drawn by Leinil Francis Yu. And speaking of...<br /><br /><strong>LEINIL FRANCIS YU</strong><br /><br />I remember this guy starting out on Wolverine about a year before this issue came out, and he really had a style that stood out and made me a fan right away. Following Adam Kubert and Marc Silvestri on Wolverine is no easy feat, but Yu's style was very complimentary to what had come before, while at the same time being a little slicker and less aggressive.<br /><br />From the opening shot of Jubilee on the run--<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijKaZXt4cdCxDlYCQcxI_vwsPY8ciMLEMhC1hSu4L-hhMCJ6PW0xKrgbRmbxX2rfbhsUTOvlWiHskL8kWicvKnqKUr80QervmFyxpBhEdUUCA2W8-LPYkFWFR4A68D0Q9EHB-jYP4x_0/s1600/W125-1-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562968753358056626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijKaZXt4cdCxDlYCQcxI_vwsPY8ciMLEMhC1hSu4L-hhMCJ6PW0xKrgbRmbxX2rfbhsUTOvlWiHskL8kWicvKnqKUr80QervmFyxpBhEdUUCA2W8-LPYkFWFR4A68D0Q9EHB-jYP4x_0/s320/W125-1-1_1.jpg" /></a>--to the debut of a couple of deadly ladies--<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxafEPBkC_OkYw4xl-E7S2sX6Yfa6wGwyhsZeZwmyh98iSI6dN5nz4GAbpQtDUCA-mtIvyD8aTufL00Gx8yqEDB9sScaffqaeOf4eCkocK_DMhdCevQL2BynpkFFRY3sO4hCY7wZnZoAg/s1600/W125-9-3_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562969332857396658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxafEPBkC_OkYw4xl-E7S2sX6Yfa6wGwyhsZeZwmyh98iSI6dN5nz4GAbpQtDUCA-mtIvyD8aTufL00Gx8yqEDB9sScaffqaeOf4eCkocK_DMhdCevQL2BynpkFFRY3sO4hCY7wZnZoAg/s320/W125-9-3_1.jpg" /></a>--to the Jubilee and Shadowcat fashion show--<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K8YvrTbwh3-zB_PVdHAjgznsD5A-T56dxGE3_tzgZAbPOsGcC3p3t43HpXA2TATBuZmWP2Wx6wJTf919QfJicidRUchEAJ47UU31nvuEkTfCVNY87JJ7__LjpBp6hzd6djCMinVhlmM/s1600/W125-15-510_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562969769460788050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K8YvrTbwh3-zB_PVdHAjgznsD5A-T56dxGE3_tzgZAbPOsGcC3p3t43HpXA2TATBuZmWP2Wx6wJTf919QfJicidRUchEAJ47UU31nvuEkTfCVNY87JJ7__LjpBp6hzd6djCMinVhlmM/s320/W125-15-510_1.jpg" /></a>--to the big throwdown between Viper and Logan--<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWFkWW_ypxRfZdno7tB5WGcfpelQAbaZL5YUk9L7o_NrhfP7WWayfY3XMkQWbnkE-DSuuTqRIRSQ8cblBNpb-GOuqLcp_FRq-fZM_M746vJ97UQKjmlBpgqGj1O710GcpgrqpqoT0UFQ/s1600/W125-37-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562970237143398754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWFkWW_ypxRfZdno7tB5WGcfpelQAbaZL5YUk9L7o_NrhfP7WWayfY3XMkQWbnkE-DSuuTqRIRSQ8cblBNpb-GOuqLcp_FRq-fZM_M746vJ97UQKjmlBpgqGj1O710GcpgrqpqoT0UFQ/s320/W125-37-4_1.jpg" /></a>--he gets it right every time.<br /><br /><strong>JUBILEE & KITTY PRYDE</strong><br /><br />The Dick Grayson and Tim Drake to Wolverine's Bruce Wayne.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIsNIhEVTAJJZo4jbK2fL5y2-xbj4nVV_1K9bqQrubh3OiGJ2hnxn3FE-8wQYHrawZ2allRXXY_6tq0IM7fqlziKB4wUvfv8GkWQTXBtE5pweaLW0mVAvxN_7UZSYJ4VRMo27tt-klg0/s1600/W125-14-2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562970717229518498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIsNIhEVTAJJZo4jbK2fL5y2-xbj4nVV_1K9bqQrubh3OiGJ2hnxn3FE-8wQYHrawZ2allRXXY_6tq0IM7fqlziKB4wUvfv8GkWQTXBtE5pweaLW0mVAvxN_7UZSYJ4VRMo27tt-klg0/s320/W125-14-2_1.jpg" /></a>Wolverine needs a sidekick like Batman needs a Robin. He doesn't actually, but the fact that he has one humanizes him and brings him back down to earth. Some of my favorite Wolverine stories have also involved either Jubilee or Kitty Pryde. Throw 'em both together, and it's winner winner, chicken dinner!<br /><br /><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN</strong><br /><br />I make no apologies here, but I don't think we've learned too much here except for the identity of a few of my biases towards what makes a good Wolverine story. Your mileage may very, and I'm pretty sure it probably does. I haven't read a new issue of a comic with Wolverine in it since Rucka's run, maybe? Somebody's enjoying them though, as he's what...in about a dozen different books these days?<br /><br />That right there makes me glad that I have issues like these in my longbox collection to fall back on.<br /><br />Now that I think of it, I think there is one thing that I've learned while rereading this. Even with all of the books that Wolverine's in, I think there is actually room for one more that I would actually read. Give me a Wolverine/Shadowcat/Jubilee team book, similar to a <strong>Birds of Prey</strong> type thing, written by Chris Claremont and I just might be tempted to break my current Marvel embargo.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) Marvel Comics</span></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-8541300262917613842011-01-07T15:36:00.003-05:002011-01-07T15:51:03.501-05:00The straight truth about Sweet ToothHere's a quick update on <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2011/01/one-of-these-things-is-not-like-others.html">yesterday's post</a> where I brought up the observation that the cover for January's <strong>Sweet Tooth #17</strong> looked like a negative image of the DC Iconic cover treatment that the rest of the DCU is getting this month.<br /><br />Well, Jeff Lemire has a healthy presence of the internet <a href="http://www.jefflemire.com/">here</a> and <a href="http://jefflemire.blogspot.com/">here</a>, so I figured why not just ask him.<br /><br />Here was his reply...<blockquote>Ha! I actually never thought of that, but that's a great observation...but a total coincidence. I did that cover long before I ever heard of DC's icon month. Thanks for the email!</blockquote>So there you have it. A coincidence.<br /><br />Still, I love the way that the universe manages some small level of synchronicity in its randomness. It's one of the things that makes doing a random blog so much fun.<br /><br />Thanks to Jeff for the super-quick reply and interaction.<br /><br />And in conclusion...read more Sweet Tooth.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-23446476126360686372011-01-05T22:19:00.004-05:002011-01-16T21:25:52.895-05:00One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong...or does it?Well, Happy New Year everybody!<br /><br />I figured I better tend to the blog before too much of the year got past us, so I hope everyone out there is invigorated and ready to go, chomping at the bit to take on whatever 2011 throws at us!<br /><br />Speaking of new things for this year, today was the first comic book day of 2011. As I was buying my stack at my <a href="http://www.backtothepast.biz/">LCS</a>, I noticed something strange about the covers. Yeah, it's the first week of DC's iconic cover treatment for the month of January, but there was something else weird. Take a look...<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwacoPwP7ts6Gmv5TMv26X9FXeYl5JHtzKcDFoxkRPIlsKjb9Br8cRc53HjhjUWu0HW2u0kdIvPBEM-eXRL99OjgonSodrI3Rxry3ao3gV_zeAnItRiGxUeZNUU40RlIfN7VAehJOgkCM/s1600/cover+post-AC522.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558891429977081058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwacoPwP7ts6Gmv5TMv26X9FXeYl5JHtzKcDFoxkRPIlsKjb9Br8cRc53HjhjUWu0HW2u0kdIvPBEM-eXRL99OjgonSodrI3Rxry3ao3gV_zeAnItRiGxUeZNUU40RlIfN7VAehJOgkCM/s200/cover+post-AC522.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUTddp0gcixH-yEAF5ABUHs7QHxQi2xQTcFysIGLZcsIcGtiUKsj9X1hboW545-kDT56AP_hXGo8kXEQPAH3jqRqpJNQx6PylpR0g2kRh2KJry6YPJuHPakQyiIpmpZ0KbsN5ioHaBuM/s1600/cover+post-BD17.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558891432258793378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUTddp0gcixH-yEAF5ABUHs7QHxQi2xQTcFysIGLZcsIcGtiUKsj9X1hboW545-kDT56AP_hXGo8kXEQPAH3jqRqpJNQx6PylpR0g2kRh2KJry6YPJuHPakQyiIpmpZ0KbsN5ioHaBuM/s200/cover+post-BD17.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_pIU6eFRidp6ndir0hRoG7ZZEpyZXY1pAs-qhrMq09ZdhvjtcEiYO6wKuIBD_ai8BhpX0zov-hg0CaCJwjZ-lDgKLPWPYnIXwCUYushuX_gtDjAQ2PvHdXEatVKnI8KBibRYXuih7ag/s1600/cover+post-DP18.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 165px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558891435585333074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_pIU6eFRidp6ndir0hRoG7ZZEpyZXY1pAs-qhrMq09ZdhvjtcEiYO6wKuIBD_ai8BhpX0zov-hg0CaCJwjZ-lDgKLPWPYnIXwCUYushuX_gtDjAQ2PvHdXEatVKnI8KBibRYXuih7ag/s200/cover+post-DP18.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgAaBOT_k3nEPW3Rs2HnLqwTr6KKl3_9PFPbWYsmRomN68sA-XxXfukdQaVPgAHflsH7PhbYBUgLhQN3c6tys4pKizM43I4XVSLELjXplvq1O3o5rtA0Nlk8m4F2fg-XR5ylI522hbOU/s1600/cover+post-FF5.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 165px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558891833887018306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgAaBOT_k3nEPW3Rs2HnLqwTr6KKl3_9PFPbWYsmRomN68sA-XxXfukdQaVPgAHflsH7PhbYBUgLhQN3c6tys4pKizM43I4XVSLELjXplvq1O3o5rtA0Nlk8m4F2fg-XR5ylI522hbOU/s200/cover+post-FF5.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dipNez9Dd7E0l0R0w7lyglYSC8mlXerJVHM9QIo7Dd0tydHelJX3aDBR7Zs-QN_HyA79o0Gi1j_LxnptFhNGUnNgEmyOS96A-AnM1eG768YPCKjV8RpV0mu3f9XEZ7mqaLhbH0pSGm8/s1600/cover+post-SW17.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 165px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558891828888464578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dipNez9Dd7E0l0R0w7lyglYSC8mlXerJVHM9QIo7Dd0tydHelJX3aDBR7Zs-QN_HyA79o0Gi1j_LxnptFhNGUnNgEmyOS96A-AnM1eG768YPCKjV8RpV0mu3f9XEZ7mqaLhbH0pSGm8/s200/cover+post-SW17.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdJdsCB9Zl3tO64hZvP2Zo9QWReTGxI54DUu0AUVPlyErrAA4hL_iLdxpyAMAlY5esCUzatoBJxeAY-goAbG9qMn0TKFowlrGx48BmOym9J620BiacWNt7ttMh_zsERh1BGRbs4tOEDI/s1600/cover+post-JH63.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558891823984199170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdJdsCB9Zl3tO64hZvP2Zo9QWReTGxI54DUu0AUVPlyErrAA4hL_iLdxpyAMAlY5esCUzatoBJxeAY-goAbG9qMn0TKFowlrGx48BmOym9J620BiacWNt7ttMh_zsERh1BGRbs4tOEDI/s200/cover+post-JH63.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSdYWsbsBZ4jUfBp7q4RVuGgSDOaEXupq5_l9V-7NN0JdEbhAwQIPrY8oZfybBPMPiNJVaCkgucFraYwlqqKBoqhL8ye6GMl4PRofRA7V25t3rDQKoDPV10Q0HuPMKWjauSOlelnuFk0/s1600/cover+post-S1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558892100895586786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSdYWsbsBZ4jUfBp7q4RVuGgSDOaEXupq5_l9V-7NN0JdEbhAwQIPrY8oZfybBPMPiNJVaCkgucFraYwlqqKBoqhL8ye6GMl4PRofRA7V25t3rDQKoDPV10Q0HuPMKWjauSOlelnuFk0/s200/cover+post-S1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVs7x-apWOckvQbZH4kGcYPRhdF7Fc6I8V_8-c-AMJy10c_vYiaWV-ukonfT2q9Qqo1nYlrg1KtDfxdKLJEyRilCXsUtiRWD6T4DUfSWYrpfxP2DkIf92Z8BMhPxGm-4v_pgx8c5o9d4/s1600/cover+post-SB3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558892091575952514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVs7x-apWOckvQbZH4kGcYPRhdF7Fc6I8V_8-c-AMJy10c_vYiaWV-ukonfT2q9Qqo1nYlrg1KtDfxdKLJEyRilCXsUtiRWD6T4DUfSWYrpfxP2DkIf92Z8BMhPxGm-4v_pgx8c5o9d4/s200/cover+post-SB3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bJOYfT1Y6Km5mdIZ5hihVznUOMurruYij6op2TbtXeuWJAAPcNZ356QqPJE3HXyt3v4kw_hoFPEzzfLI_wlsM03k7yebhwnzluDV2LObjBljzPnWZDSe6w7FqB5ZZde7KvXhW_U1StY/s1600/cover+post-SC1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 110px; HEIGHT: 165px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558893066252863442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bJOYfT1Y6Km5mdIZ5hihVznUOMurruYij6op2TbtXeuWJAAPcNZ356QqPJE3HXyt3v4kw_hoFPEzzfLI_wlsM03k7yebhwnzluDV2LObjBljzPnWZDSe6w7FqB5ZZde7KvXhW_U1StY/s200/cover+post-SC1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Those covers do look rather nice, all laid out together. It really makes <strong>Sweet Tooth</strong> stand out. If you look a little harder though, I think Jeff Lemire might be having a little fun with us. Do you see it?<br /><br />For the month of January, all of the DCU books have a blank white cover with the main character(s) of the book in a rather heroic pose, front and center. Sweet Tooth, on the other hand, went in the opposite direction and has a brightly colored background with the main character as just a blank white figure!<br /><br />Bravo, Jeff Lemire...Bravo! I don't know if you did it intentionally or not, but it sure made me chuckle nonetheless.<br /><br />Now, on the business at hand as it's time to pick a new random book to review. Take it away Randomizer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS85kE93Ku5VyGUzEI1mHbtFrl9hulE_TdDtW5yc7MP2iMH34504lVYaUDGejAVbV_Tyh7wXp-ca0qgPm6ZMf7sAJWrwXV0TAJLthYzlQY91co1SZ86jJOSjvkFOt-6MWolKsbQL6JWM/s1600/W125-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558895929589149810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPS85kE93Ku5VyGUzEI1mHbtFrl9hulE_TdDtW5yc7MP2iMH34504lVYaUDGejAVbV_Tyh7wXp-ca0qgPm6ZMf7sAJWrwXV0TAJLthYzlQY91co1SZ86jJOSjvkFOt-6MWolKsbQL6JWM/s400/W125-Cover_1.jpg" /></a>...and that book is <strong>Wolverine #125</strong> from June 1998, published by Marvel Comics!<br /><br />For someone who has a near complete collection of the one hundred and fifty or so issues of Wolverine's first series, it sure took the Randomizer a long enough time to stumble across one. He actually hasn't been that much of a stranger around here, having had a <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2009/11/doctor-strange-sorcerer-supreme-41.html">sleep-over</a> at Dr. Strange's and escaping from <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/01/marvel-comics-presents-84_23.html">Weapon X</a>, but this is the first time he's shown up in his own title.<br /><br />This issue is also the second in a row written by Chris Claremont that the Randomizer has pulled out of the longboxes. Coincidentally enough, I was actually just thinking about Claremont and Wolverine the other day. With Marvel pulling the plug on <strong>X-Men Forever 2</strong>, I was wondering if there was any title that Claremont could write that I'd still have an interest in reading. X-Men Forever has it's fans, but in all honesty it's a bit of a trainwreck. In fact, most of his team books have been rather scattershot in their approach to plot in the last decade. That got me thinking that I would actually be curious to see him tackle a single character book, and Claremont's style always seemed to suit Wolverine. Maybe it's the fact that they both think they're "the best at what they do" that connects them?<br /><br />Be careful with what you wish for in the presence of the Randomizer, as you just might get it. See you in a day or two for the <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2011/01/wolverine-125.html">review</a>.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-88527946860628699682010-12-29T10:51:00.001-05:002010-12-29T10:53:48.989-05:00Marvel Premiere #27<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4AoZ332Anm8mKUdMb1i_EkuzQPgZeKNV1uhnykWi6wqAhMf9Cci1hrIrL4Sx6AzbXqdPya3G7ByiVZukoMBwXrLmCPj-nnQH9qL_vWaP3d-GG216z635anDwfwIMRU-GxYBxPFY3RGM/s1600/MP27-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556120338586215938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4AoZ332Anm8mKUdMb1i_EkuzQPgZeKNV1uhnykWi6wqAhMf9Cci1hrIrL4Sx6AzbXqdPya3G7ByiVZukoMBwXrLmCPj-nnQH9qL_vWaP3d-GG216z635anDwfwIMRU-GxYBxPFY3RGM/s200/MP27-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: Marvel Premiere #27<br /><br />PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: December 1975<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $0.25<br /><br />19 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />Not much has changed since the Randomizer picked this book from among the random collection of forty books that I picked up during my LCS' Christmas Extravaganza. I still have never read a Satana book, nor do I have a clue who "The Tribe" is that is credited with the art on this book.<br /><br />I could tell you that Satana is the brother of Daimon Hellstrom, and that this is her first appearance in FULL color, but anyone with google and five minutes of free time could tell you that. Let's just jump right in, ignorant feet first and see what we have in store for us.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Deathsong</span></em> <ul><li>Author: Chris Claremont</li><li>Artist: The Tribe</li><li>Letterer: Marcos Pelayo</li><li>Colorist: Janice Cohen</li><li>Editor: Marv Wolfman</li></ul>The tale begins at the ending, as Satana stands at the scene of a horrific car crash, with a smoldering body lying nearby.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8A5vV6Cr5dN-_RYHVEKK_JBrOBskTnOPsniWkUgNQdcDGhjMd_hYy6z2rzYxutFi7lUAmpe3LnAqB1vBbjSXVBD8QLiw2oKebIT2zEv5DNS0GOF4ZQBk6m8yaCO0SCFyHRe7pcTcX1M/s1600/MP27-1-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556120494899179314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8A5vV6Cr5dN-_RYHVEKK_JBrOBskTnOPsniWkUgNQdcDGhjMd_hYy6z2rzYxutFi7lUAmpe3LnAqB1vBbjSXVBD8QLiw2oKebIT2zEv5DNS0GOF4ZQBk6m8yaCO0SCFyHRe7pcTcX1M/s320/MP27-1-1_1.jpg" /></a>I'm assuming we'll get some explanations on how we got here and what it means, and it would also be nice if we got some answers about just who Satana is at the same time. Although, when the narrator has just as many questions as you, that's never a good sign.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeAQRR-qIlStiT-iULpArI8zefLCaDifyYXtq0QOo5zAy0Lajt96fsJCSbRAjRuO8b-J2MYILYMDUc0iZ3L6bafXiELOXANPpVa_rA24MqtwNFNIKsuPRnxLRf9hzUFydJg06Qqyw9FQ/s1600/MP27-1-Panels_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 83px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556120493004589362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeAQRR-qIlStiT-iULpArI8zefLCaDifyYXtq0QOo5zAy0Lajt96fsJCSbRAjRuO8b-J2MYILYMDUc0iZ3L6bafXiELOXANPpVa_rA24MqtwNFNIKsuPRnxLRf9hzUFydJg06Qqyw9FQ/s320/MP27-1-Panels_1.jpg" /></a>With all of these questions, it's best to go back the beginning, as we catch up with the owner of the smouldering corpse, Deborah Hirsch, as she is on the run from an angry mob. Trying to lose them through the alleyways, she quite literally bumps into Satana, who has been drawn to this town by an occult sixth sense.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadGivoJtq9pjjo0fBvCA0GJCgQW16Gpx0ncSJgajiJkTYVGBp7X_bci1h13mlYpdBt_NxfPNnpHtxZVVi6GC1XF77F_14545k4JVxM0Rp7pwvyPO_AFljBGKdXGGBK3VRFuTfYhIeqt8/s1600/MP27-2-567_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556124561729409634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadGivoJtq9pjjo0fBvCA0GJCgQW16Gpx0ncSJgajiJkTYVGBp7X_bci1h13mlYpdBt_NxfPNnpHtxZVVi6GC1XF77F_14545k4JVxM0Rp7pwvyPO_AFljBGKdXGGBK3VRFuTfYhIeqt8/s320/MP27-2-567_1.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">And really, when you bump into a total stranger through your own negligence, what better way to say "excuse me" than with a roundhouse kick to the head!</span></em></div><br />Unfortunately, her odd sense of decorum does her no good as Satana delays her just long enough for the mob to catch up to her and bind her in chains. Why chains? Because they claim she's a witch, and they intend to burn her at the stake.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctee2cVB_G7R2TFcpEyj805xdpfS-labnyxFN3to9MdiAcCUEgafijuYKpmXU-Ke1In4qU3o6kEHJj06ADHAUX8I5L_DCJXu7DD5cv0Ed-4cLt8SSPl2OEh_H9lDhZzD59HGat34iy2s/s1600/MP27-5-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556126039874389298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctee2cVB_G7R2TFcpEyj805xdpfS-labnyxFN3to9MdiAcCUEgafijuYKpmXU-Ke1In4qU3o6kEHJj06ADHAUX8I5L_DCJXu7DD5cv0Ed-4cLt8SSPl2OEh_H9lDhZzD59HGat34iy2s/s320/MP27-5-1_1.jpg" /></a>You'd think the devil's daughter would be all for a good witch burning, but not this time. It's time to teach these townspeople some manners, so she makes him grovel like a pig at her feet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nKLlrsTAoV4hT6CgHEVj9ImVsTf5fdrYHrjg4QOc-2_ijQNTrTeVHDk8iu1iv0h4rvSjAmUSVrvNpcvO4HMvU5VOH660LLEL57FMbp74xo3AEnLiAISU6Tn4uF1SUcRum87-XMZFORM/s1600/MP27-5-7_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 173px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556126049684326994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nKLlrsTAoV4hT6CgHEVj9ImVsTf5fdrYHrjg4QOc-2_ijQNTrTeVHDk8iu1iv0h4rvSjAmUSVrvNpcvO4HMvU5VOH660LLEL57FMbp74xo3AEnLiAISU6Tn4uF1SUcRum87-XMZFORM/s320/MP27-5-7_1.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Is "NURF" really the official sound effect for groveling?</span></em></div><br />As it turns out, she probably should have let them light the blaze as Deborah actually was possessed by the demon Dansker!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjLPBoj-l2-FCrwoORo70X-0mcrPlGbnM7YXXNJIoSOvZTauvrkPbUpEy4LuFRxcIDizpY1p4oT8pKYY9v7ahFZAv1tPANsx-TrneaIIkpcg5Q7eFTwwLBUp08vM1eVOJmcc4jfyzSEM/s1600/MP27-6-56_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556126572992420738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjLPBoj-l2-FCrwoORo70X-0mcrPlGbnM7YXXNJIoSOvZTauvrkPbUpEy4LuFRxcIDizpY1p4oT8pKYY9v7ahFZAv1tPANsx-TrneaIIkpcg5Q7eFTwwLBUp08vM1eVOJmcc4jfyzSEM/s320/MP27-6-56_1.jpg" /></a>And who is Dankser?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10_z1CveuwMsF5h6SsBTLvAi8JqvoWm9klKNO_XRhqlfUoRjmUL8TDYUohXk0moCC43evNhcU1w5LtKSuBlElqU4tf1k4LY4Ap7IcZ8ZNAxVW9cbLUGbAUlJ9uObJnEYBET7DHlcn2OQ/s1600/MP27-7-3_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556127539647528834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10_z1CveuwMsF5h6SsBTLvAi8JqvoWm9klKNO_XRhqlfUoRjmUL8TDYUohXk0moCC43evNhcU1w5LtKSuBlElqU4tf1k4LY4Ap7IcZ8ZNAxVW9cbLUGbAUlJ9uObJnEYBET7DHlcn2OQ/s320/MP27-7-3_1.jpg" /></a>He was also Satana's tutor in the ways of all things demony. Dansker used to rule the Netherlands until Lucifer usurped his command and bound him to his service. One of his chores was to "teach" Satana. The last time they talked was on her graduation day, where she attempted to best him in battle. Unsuccessful, her teacher left her beaten and humbled, vowing that he would always be her better.<br /><br />Now that the Dansker is free in the mortal world, Satana decides it's time to settle some old scores. First, she needs to find where he has run to after he broke free. One stolen soul later from the last surviving townsperson, and she has her answer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8twBZ0700VTO4PC2ELA2SZ9o0IfajcMXGvgXCnh4W_Vsa-2oFYvmSOCaiUEHKE2GKsnyZD9LkOpzj1eU4LohQjYzlCN1jbB4dPUCvK2k4oOiqq-4KRlj4mxygPhx-PKXJFopua0K3sw/s1600/MP27-11-1234_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556128107599091202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8twBZ0700VTO4PC2ELA2SZ9o0IfajcMXGvgXCnh4W_Vsa-2oFYvmSOCaiUEHKE2GKsnyZD9LkOpzj1eU4LohQjYzlCN1jbB4dPUCvK2k4oOiqq-4KRlj4mxygPhx-PKXJFopua0K3sw/s320/MP27-11-1234_1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PHuva4s1L-uPxcHHA5eSSBiEh-VnRu35YpAzwvLo3BT_01pk9uGKao-EtTA7LoH1NY-C0WEtCJj01m1N8uY1FfNTEKAoH8t5A-ad137Ggp4V4O67SafAe8mw_bjHZF9rle7tastQDD8/s1600/MP27-12-3_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 204px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556128697677233442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PHuva4s1L-uPxcHHA5eSSBiEh-VnRu35YpAzwvLo3BT_01pk9uGKao-EtTA7LoH1NY-C0WEtCJj01m1N8uY1FfNTEKAoH8t5A-ad137Ggp4V4O67SafAe8mw_bjHZF9rle7tastQDD8/s320/MP27-12-3_1.jpg" /></a>Here's where the story takes a turn into the-- surreal? Comical? Bizarre?<br /><br />I can't decide, so what do you think?<br /><br />That, in all of his bearded and bikini'd glory is Dansker. I know this was the seventies and all, and fashion took a certain liberty with common sense, but that's just weird.<br /><br />You would think that if you have the power to put your head on a body, you could also spare some magical mojo for some more appropriate attire.<br /><br />You also would've thought that Moondragon would not have taken kindly to someone copping her look. Granted, there's more hair, but tell me Moondragon hasn't wore that same one-piece.<br /><br />This time, however, Satana is more than able to match Dansker's power. One well placed "SSZZZAA-KOW" later, and Dankser is brought to his knees.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMLzRo30b3O-TAn8Dm6ALIWBJ9LdHOKFsRnZOs8QugBP6iSVTSGEdSInt536wV4KfN4kp_pMRYSnB00WYlL-Kcc5IUg4l2tk_KHJvk3JyPjXAe1s86PQZIUEU6jB9OdbwvUirYyjMY5g/s1600/MP27-12-7_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556129157367807282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMLzRo30b3O-TAn8Dm6ALIWBJ9LdHOKFsRnZOs8QugBP6iSVTSGEdSInt536wV4KfN4kp_pMRYSnB00WYlL-Kcc5IUg4l2tk_KHJvk3JyPjXAe1s86PQZIUEU6jB9OdbwvUirYyjMY5g/s320/MP27-12-7_1.jpg" /></a>Leaving <em>him</em> humbled and beaten this time, Satana turns his back on him and walks away. Dansker still has a little fight left in him, as he jumps into Deborah's car and tries to run Satana down, which proves the age old adage...if you can't beat 'em with magic, run 'em over with a car!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9RTlGTy2v4UryegJ4mAiUDwKj4o8hiCb17BWfXN_ms-aIqO94k7AMy6D2ttuKWKV49Wsh4CpZKCBJcPYfrjrUHCnRrLbbfx2wyd-DPBk4S1lh33RBcjsQXBpVfUTjibLwusIZ465Elg/s1600/MP27-14-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556129652349572818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9RTlGTy2v4UryegJ4mAiUDwKj4o8hiCb17BWfXN_ms-aIqO94k7AMy6D2ttuKWKV49Wsh4CpZKCBJcPYfrjrUHCnRrLbbfx2wyd-DPBk4S1lh33RBcjsQXBpVfUTjibLwusIZ465Elg/s320/MP27-14-4_1.jpg" /></a>Summoning from the power of the basilisk that lies deep within Satana's soul, she lashes out and incinerates Dansker alive, host body and all. In the end, Deborah Hirsch's death was avenged by Satana. Yeah, she technically burned her body to ashes, but her soul was already damned by Dansker at that time. Someday her final battle with Dansker will come, and she will be able to take a true reckoning...someday...<br /><br /><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN...</strong><br /><br />For all intents and purposes, this is your standard "demon exiled from Hell, trying to find their way in the mortal world" type of story. This particular time around, the demon is the daughter of Lucifer himself. I wouldn't necessarily say she's guided by a sense of justice, but she does appear to have her own roughly admirable moral code to guide her.<br /><br />Yeah, she avenged an innocent women's death and saved the life of a young boy in the process, but she did it by stealing another man's soul and condemning him to death. And while he wasn't free of guilt himself, he was actually trying to prevent his town from being taken over by demons. Granted, he was using methods straight out of the Salem Witchhunts, but is that a good enough reason to suck his immortal soul dry?<br /><br />I suppose we'll leave that question to the philosophers and historians to decide.<br /><br />Apart from the rather silly villain costume, this was a pretty decent issue. Chris Claremont is not a writer I normally associate with done-in-ones, but this one is not bad. There was only one spot where I rolled my eyes at the excessively dramatic narration.<br /><blockquote>Evil, a living testament to the darkness in men's souls...</blockquote>Tell me that that description was never used for Apocalypse, or Mr. Sinister, or Magneto.<br /><br />The art I rather liked as well, as it was very reminiscent of Marvel's house-style for their seventies horror books. It looks like at least two different artists handled this issue, but the transitions are well done and smooth.<br /><br />As this story draws to a close, I can't say that I'm storming the halls of Marvel demanding she get her own series, but as a random issue read some thirty plus years after it was released, it was entertaining enough.<br /><br />If you just can't get enough Satana, however, Marvel did us a favor with this issue and reprinted her first appearance from <strong>Vampire Tales #2</strong>. It's only four pages long, but it's by Roy Thomas and John Romita Sr., so it's worth taking a look at. Check the links out at the bottom of this post, as Pete from <a href="http://bronzeageofblogs.blogspot.com/">The Bronze Age of Blogs</a> has a post that has some nice large scans of all four pages.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) Marvel Comics</span><br /><br />Related links for your surfing pleasure... <ul><li><a href="http://bronzeageofblogs.blogspot.com/2009/05/satana-devils-daughter.html">The Bronze Age of Blogs</a> gives you a nice primer on all things Satana</li></ul></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-19285724035382106502010-12-27T12:06:00.002-05:002010-12-29T10:53:08.683-05:00Post Christmas catch-upI hope everyone out there in internetland had a great "whatever you choose to celebrate" day! Things in the Random Longbox household were as close to perfect as you can get. Basically, any Christmas day from here on out where my basement doesn't <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2009/12/best-intentions-blogging.html">flood</a> is going to be a perfect Christmas. Not even getting one of these could put a damper on the holidays...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUXV0ZFt7KwHHxyFWbzaMRPdwHKpIFr3yKxyux_adx4vMGygj3PSCv6SeaE1lSF3viMj6OJdbnjChWUXWXXC5nKJrsTX3F54CTJzIAtZF7ifS534-JK1n5AA_Q64Gq9R98lG_4nYjZ_M/s1600/Superman+Snuggie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555179182000023938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUXV0ZFt7KwHHxyFWbzaMRPdwHKpIFr3yKxyux_adx4vMGygj3PSCv6SeaE1lSF3viMj6OJdbnjChWUXWXXC5nKJrsTX3F54CTJzIAtZF7ifS534-JK1n5AA_Q64Gq9R98lG_4nYjZ_M/s400/Superman+Snuggie.jpg" /></a>Here's a free holiday tip. Never take the initiative and point out something that people shouldn't get you for Christmas as, more often than not, it'll end up under your tree. And no, that isn't me in the pic. I'll still use it, don't get me wrong, I'm just not going to post any pics about it (at least not without a few more spiked egg-nogs).<br /><br />Something that <em>was</em> similar to last year was that my <a href="http://www.backtothepast.biz/">local comic book shop</a> was again having their Christmas Party Extravaganza. For ten bucks, you could buy a mystery box of twenty comic books. Randomly interspersed within the hundred or so boxes was a nice selection of key books including <strong>Amazing Spider-Man #300</strong> and a bunch of first appearances from the Bronze Age including Moon Knight, Spider-Woman, and Morbius.<br /><br />Like last year, I bought two boxes; but unlike <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/01/how-i-spent-my-new-comic-book-less.html">last year</a>, I didn't get lucky this time. No key books, but included among the 90's overstock were half a dozen fun bronze age books featuring Captain Marvel, Liberty Legion, and a few others that look like they'll be fun to read.<br /><br />Since it's also time to pick another random book to review, we'll do the same thing we did last year and pick it from within the forty books that I got in my two mystery boxes. Take it away Randomizer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50D_4Xq8-lECgyFeylWNOsoKwnXZuFPgqg1zkcGBoLSrLE8HsP89_LKEqyTFXOqjO-XQteyhtSyYR45YO9Q83xoWvKaxp3FcYO5dZMfjiluyqzE0YBAGWJpKrkDlfvacYTKGisZjHdes/s1600/MP27-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50D_4Xq8-lECgyFeylWNOsoKwnXZuFPgqg1zkcGBoLSrLE8HsP89_LKEqyTFXOqjO-XQteyhtSyYR45YO9Q83xoWvKaxp3FcYO5dZMfjiluyqzE0YBAGWJpKrkDlfvacYTKGisZjHdes/s400/MP27-Cover_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555409535438702626" /></a>...and that book is <strong>Marvel Premiere #27</strong> from December 1975, published by Marvel Comics! This particular issue contains a story featuring Satana, The Devil's Daughter!<br /><br />As far as I know, I've never read a story featuring Satana and I know next to nothing about her (other than she's apparently the daughter of the devil). Another thing I know nothing about? The art credit on this book is given to "The Tribe". I've never come across them/it before. Is this a studio job? Or some sort of Alan Smithee situation? Maybe some kind reader will shed some light on the situation while I work on the <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/12/marvel-premiere-27.html">review</a>. See you in a day or two.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-7484926898236237542010-12-26T15:57:00.001-05:002010-12-26T15:58:46.216-05:00Resurrection Man #25<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4uyh6tyHErfn0UfkeUKQBAgnzpDb-BeVnHdQ4hYezKQ58cGdZM1JQ7P1wQB8q2BPcXpUsEa8mI3c6NgrazI0dAMv2y38BDAhk9yvPvZ9f6dModH71z94zsAma2Z75JKlOykty2Nv8Hg/s1600/RM25-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552581765575672898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4uyh6tyHErfn0UfkeUKQBAgnzpDb-BeVnHdQ4hYezKQ58cGdZM1JQ7P1wQB8q2BPcXpUsEa8mI3c6NgrazI0dAMv2y38BDAhk9yvPvZ9f6dModH71z94zsAma2Z75JKlOykty2Nv8Hg/s200/RM25-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: Resurrection Man #25<br /><br />PUBLISHER: DC Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: June 1999<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $2.50<br /><br />22 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />So I basically went through the concept of what this series was about with the previous post, but here's the Reader's Digest version of the Reader's Digest version that i gave you prior, if you're just tuning in.<br /><br />Hero dies and is resurrected with a new superpower...and then dies and is resurrected with a new superpower...and then dies and is resurrected with a new superpower...etc...<br /><br />Of course, this was the 90's so the hero was an amnesiac who spent the first part of his series figuring out who, and what, he was.<br /><br />In theory, it sounds like a one-note series, but in reality it worked pretty well. Credit for that can be given to the solid creative team who, save for a fill in or two on the art, told the whole thing from beginning to end for the entire twenty-eight issues of the run.<br /><br />As for what I remember about this issue...I have a vague recollection that at the close of this series, there was a bit of a mystery about whether or not the Resurrection Man was in fact the Immortal Man. I know, I know...The Immortal Man! From the Forgotten Heroes! It's hard to believe.<br /><br />Who is the Immortal Man? I had no idea either when I first read this, so a little of the suspense was lost on me back then. Luckily, twenty years later I'm now the proud owner of the <strong>DC Comics Encyclopedia</strong> and know that he is one of Vandal Savage's antagonists and that he gained his powers from the very same meteorite that gave Savage his.<br /><br />I actually recently reread the two-part story by Marv Wolfman and Gil Kane from <strong>Action Comics #552-553</strong> that introduced the Forgotten Heroes back in 1983. True to their name, aside from another two-parter the next year in <strong>DC Comics Presents</strong>, they lay forgotten until this current storyline in <strong>Resurrection Man</strong>.<br /><br />So is Mitchell Shelley in fact both the Resurrection Man <em>and</em> the Immortal Man?<br /><br />Let's find out...<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Millennium Then</span></em> <ul><li>Story: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning</li><li>Art: Jackson Guice and Paul Ryan</li><li>Letters: Ken Lopez</li><li>Colors: Carla Feeny</li><li>Editor: Frank Berrios</li></ul>To bring everyone up to speed, here's the Forgotten Heroes in all of their glory (in case you have, ya know...forgotten).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBln8E-27L3s3R9hAWJqwI-mavSMLE3DmzTCf4kftlG8UYukb_oowLK5srL3ajs9571NC4sPj731EoKq9UtGiYBJpZnbBayShewPUJEWtV-QLnjNSabmvwbHlNgX_OM3E3ta66n52miI/s1600/RM25-1-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553503170268897106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBln8E-27L3s3R9hAWJqwI-mavSMLE3DmzTCf4kftlG8UYukb_oowLK5srL3ajs9571NC4sPj731EoKq9UtGiYBJpZnbBayShewPUJEWtV-QLnjNSabmvwbHlNgX_OM3E3ta66n52miI/s320/RM25-1-1_1.jpg" /></a>For those of you keeping score at home, that's from left to right: Dolphin, Rick Flag, Animal Man, Cave Carson, Dane Dorrence, Congorilla, the Immortal Man, and Rip Hunter.<br /><br />They've actually come a long way since their debut as a team back in 1983, with more than half of these guys getting a regular gig on an ongoing outside of this team. I guess no character is ever truly forgotten.<br /><br />Anyways, as the issue begins, we're smack dab in the middle of a flashback as Cave Carson relates how they were on a mission in the past in the Pliocene Era to collect more fragments of the meteor that gave Vandal Savage his powers. And here's the main reason why I find Savage a less than compelling villain. It seems every time he pops up, the story <em>has</em> to revolve around that damn meteor. You think they would have found it all by now, but that's the story that we have, so let's just roll with it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyQr7Afs3If77ZTm0kvlbkXDpblpu_5cYxUDoIdpoZyS4c72Jesy888cmjjRliaSOrHZclkz2z9Tfr-kgs0trxfNoprABwFBHQ7Ghyzr0bym_QcxxH8v-frtholo7RNbjQMxgVNfGjdg/s1600/RM25-2-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553510033755908002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyQr7Afs3If77ZTm0kvlbkXDpblpu_5cYxUDoIdpoZyS4c72Jesy888cmjjRliaSOrHZclkz2z9Tfr-kgs0trxfNoprABwFBHQ7Ghyzr0bym_QcxxH8v-frtholo7RNbjQMxgVNfGjdg/s320/RM25-2-4_1.jpg" /></a>This particular piece is being guarded by the Forgotten Villains, so while the battle for the fragment is begun in earnest...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlUlEGZl1Yog_p_qRyLODdBPw7orCf_Yw5tuiLw9e90dHtmnxLtX6E-FKS2fonBlZL4xpGYMazlflPbr1M22h5talYusyHuN3ZJQ8jgRG5wraiiEIeya8BjM5LyjiLUOvvfjZ40CrZpg/s1600/RM25-4-4567_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553511487056450594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlUlEGZl1Yog_p_qRyLODdBPw7orCf_Yw5tuiLw9e90dHtmnxLtX6E-FKS2fonBlZL4xpGYMazlflPbr1M22h5talYusyHuN3ZJQ8jgRG5wraiiEIeya8BjM5LyjiLUOvvfjZ40CrZpg/s320/RM25-4-4567_1.jpg" /></a>...the Immortal Man tries to outflank them and snatch the fragment during their fight. Unfortunately, he fell right into Savage's master plans, as the fragment was being guarded by a sabretooth tiger.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEAI6PQlVfpEDsG_z0DHrsy_8-uux_w8Tqr-PP9NI7Ffx__CTuOa4f-ybMLNRqF96FiFc-qXEZAB0dmCxKDuGSxrFSr4t198KADqqk9pnxl6o27-5VYgK8mWbj-0hn79psq9pyxvNIyE/s1600/RM25-6-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553513161084207778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEAI6PQlVfpEDsG_z0DHrsy_8-uux_w8Tqr-PP9NI7Ffx__CTuOa4f-ybMLNRqF96FiFc-qXEZAB0dmCxKDuGSxrFSr4t198KADqqk9pnxl6o27-5VYgK8mWbj-0hn79psq9pyxvNIyE/s320/RM25-6-1_1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7Z1GxKNUTt8gWvTsNls4svkjp7xfpc8sOjW1yGzPpm7MVXEwIssCdcoONS9RPZV3QkrJU9jTXr9yN9CL83UgX3MssGj_84p1P8KS-dBKJBD95YNmAykVOvB52ieRYKa593z0afhFKGM/s1600/RM25-6-5_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 158px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553513837393595682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7Z1GxKNUTt8gWvTsNls4svkjp7xfpc8sOjW1yGzPpm7MVXEwIssCdcoONS9RPZV3QkrJU9jTXr9yN9CL83UgX3MssGj_84p1P8KS-dBKJBD95YNmAykVOvB52ieRYKa593z0afhFKGM/s320/RM25-6-5_1.jpg" /></a>I had no idea that Savage was so scared of tigers, but he lets Immortal Man do the dirty work and then he takes the fragment for himself and escapes back into the present.<br /><br />And it's in the present, where we catch up with Cave Carson who has just finished describing the flashback to Resurrection Man. He barely has time to process what's been happening over the last couple of issues when their base comes under attack by some cybernetic robots, courtesy of Vandal Savage.<br /><br />The Resurrection Man uses his current super-power of steel skin to provide cover while the current members of the Forgotten Heroes make a hasty retreat as their base crumbles around them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9hY8etgRxJKu5vFoFvVxBcJgyHE3ZGfnwzpWT_Dx4dmaEYTyvlyh2qY1ETsnUbOrpPlIGVKF-UDHVk_w4ltMKAbORTI3GIttj2kyDWFSq-WuCtrTixSEEfsNkoLQ3NKjeZYv-Jr5s08/s1600/RM25-11-12_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555002950006471810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9hY8etgRxJKu5vFoFvVxBcJgyHE3ZGfnwzpWT_Dx4dmaEYTyvlyh2qY1ETsnUbOrpPlIGVKF-UDHVk_w4ltMKAbORTI3GIttj2kyDWFSq-WuCtrTixSEEfsNkoLQ3NKjeZYv-Jr5s08/s320/RM25-11-12_1.jpg" /></a>Boring through the earth in one of Cave Carson's diggers, the Forgotten Heroes have a moment of calm to discuss their next move against Vandal Savage. It would seem that there's another meteor similar to one that granted him his powers heading towards our planet again, and the Forgotten Heroes aim to get to it before Savage does.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyFrCbZaj8YGVdEoWhinKGM07KJOABvDla-lbvpo3wl_S_dQncoIcdxiOtAzVg7xG2_RMJzVmL57T5Q49Qyu3iK0Yry6zTlCHTYgVa96_5SWRXwYEfqrtvhyphenhyphenSFEPk1pv4DUZSGSbvZTw/s1600/RM25-16-12_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555008278254968930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfyFrCbZaj8YGVdEoWhinKGM07KJOABvDla-lbvpo3wl_S_dQncoIcdxiOtAzVg7xG2_RMJzVmL57T5Q49Qyu3iK0Yry6zTlCHTYgVa96_5SWRXwYEfqrtvhyphenhyphenSFEPk1pv4DUZSGSbvZTw/s320/RM25-16-12_1.jpg" /></a>Yea, another meteor in a Vandal Savage story! I'll let it slide, as at least they play to one of my weaknesses as this particular meteor is not travelling through space as before, but time! That right there, is why the Forgotten Heroes have tracked down the Resurrection Man. If he is, in fact, their old team-mate resurrected, then he should be able to sense the meteors presence like the Immortal Man used to. That should give them the edge they need to beat Vandal Savage at his own game.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV7lBWhIsxK2Ttap92eCh690sIniEGEsdch-8GA4UJhgKEdi3ASos1PZ6cR_Mod8zlmtJYS7FzPtykVexiJUWmT49EiumeKlIbYi_bJNzejxRTda-i9Vr3WCZWDOnR_hjm2ZDOcp21bg/s1600/RM25-18-5_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 204px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555010752845451810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV7lBWhIsxK2Ttap92eCh690sIniEGEsdch-8GA4UJhgKEdi3ASos1PZ6cR_Mod8zlmtJYS7FzPtykVexiJUWmT49EiumeKlIbYi_bJNzejxRTda-i9Vr3WCZWDOnR_hjm2ZDOcp21bg/s320/RM25-18-5_1.jpg" /></a>Savage is no idiot, however, and he knows the Forgotten Heroes escaped his previous assault and are undoubtedly on their way here as well. <br /><br />And just like clockwork, they arrive at the makeshift base that Vandal has created to await the meteor's arrival.<br /><br />And just like clockwork, the meteor shows up shortly thereafter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPytx8pgA7cVEcC1ql0hu5RjIYeo8FWzRIWOMGE5Aa3b42MZ1l10hjy5ie36BRgeP_ccKbAvv-dCvx8XwHvk3AI8SboglDbVhQxvcWa5xDADarPt9l5WegmC3byrkrEYZ7gUXsHyAIPvg/s1600/RM25-22-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555012372756959586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPytx8pgA7cVEcC1ql0hu5RjIYeo8FWzRIWOMGE5Aa3b42MZ1l10hjy5ie36BRgeP_ccKbAvv-dCvx8XwHvk3AI8SboglDbVhQxvcWa5xDADarPt9l5WegmC3byrkrEYZ7gUXsHyAIPvg/s320/RM25-22-1_1.jpg" /></a><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN...</strong><br /><br />Unfortunately, we never did learn definitively whether or not the Resurrection Man was in fact, the Immortal Man resurrected. Even so, that sentence was fun to type out so I'll call that a win. I want to say that I don't think he ended up being one and the same, but I'm not 100% sure. At least there was only three more issues after this one, so if you're desperate for an answer it should only cost you a couple of bucks in the dollar bins.<br /><br />That's actually a bit of a shame, as this series was pretty good and deserves a little bit more to its legacy than that. But alas, it never did quite catch on and the Resurrection Man has been more or less forgotten until very recently, appearing in a grand total of four issues over the last decade. One of those was not too long ago in the pages of <strong>Brightest Day #13</strong>, so if Geoff Johns has his eye on 'em maybe a comeback is right around the corner. Or not...as his comeback mojo seems squarely fixated on Aquaman at the moment (and speaking of Aquaman, stay tuned over the next two weeks or so for some bonus Aquaman content!!).<br /><br />Overall, this was a fairly solid, if unremarkable issue. I would have preferred it if the Randomizer would have picked an issue with a little more meat on the bones, but it was fun nonetheless. It's been over a year since we've had a Butch Guice issue to page through and I always enjoy his work. Although I fear that nothing will be able to compare with the work he did on <strong>Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme</strong> in the late eighties<br /><br />Abnett and Lanning are at their best when they are left to their own devices, not having to worry about tying into the flavor of the month crossover event, and that's what this series was about. Yeah, it had a brief detour into the 853rd century as a part of <strong>DC One Million</strong>, but it never hurt the overall storyline that they set out to tell. At its heart, it was a story about a man learning to become a hero.<br /><br />And so now we say goodbye to the Resurrection Man once again, for what I'm sure will be another decade or two, but I wouldn't complain if he started popping up every so often once again.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) DC Comics</span></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-11974191157913038042010-12-17T22:29:00.001-05:002010-12-26T16:03:06.715-05:00Of rested and resurrected menAs of about six hours ago, I did something I've never done before. My day job went through a few twists and turns this past year, which kept me on my toes more often than not. As a downside, I never got around to being able to take many vacation days. On the upside, I have more vacation days banked that I have to use than I have days left in the year to use them.<br /><br />So today was my last "official" work day of 2010. I used the air quotes, for when you work in sales you never know when an opportunity is going to hit that you need to act on. I don't think I've ever taken more than a week off at any one time, so this is uncharted territory I'm heading into.<br /><br />I'm also curious to see how this affects the blog. Will the life of leisure allow me to post everyday, or will I be too busy sleeping in to bother? We'll find out soon, I suppose.<br /><br />We also have the holidays to deal with, and my annual <strong>Magic The Gathering</strong> four-way tournament next week. Back in the late 90's, I had a twice weekly Magic habit. Nowadays, it's once a year if I'm lucky.<br /><br />Enough speculation about the future, let's talk about the hear and now and get with picking the next random book to review. Take it away Randomizer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORHLELbj6AO97LBylPf27RfF0323wW9TCIoPsCi75LgJ9YLCAqayLHubC-jLKloCtYyqaW-RTmd2hy_cn2LZC5LkLpCICnz2GYEYV6ZJuSpiuDzQrRCsumbNtqcMQoUND5tCuT-SbbyM/s1600/RM25-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551853445193337826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORHLELbj6AO97LBylPf27RfF0323wW9TCIoPsCi75LgJ9YLCAqayLHubC-jLKloCtYyqaW-RTmd2hy_cn2LZC5LkLpCICnz2GYEYV6ZJuSpiuDzQrRCsumbNtqcMQoUND5tCuT-SbbyM/s400/RM25-Cover_1.jpg" /></a>...and that book is <strong>Resurrection Man #25</strong> from June 1999, published by DC Comics!<br /><br />It looks like its time for another well-remembered series from the 90's that I haven't re-read since its original release. I've blogged about my admiration for Jackson "Butch" Guice in the past, and he was the main reason that I collected this title originally.<br /><br />It's a bit of a novelty title, with the Resurrection Man gaining new powers every time he dies and is resurrected. It's essentially a one-trick pony series, with a serious deus ex machina potential, but I do remember enjoying it more often than not.<br /><br />The other thing it had going for it, was that it was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. These two just polished off their cosmic magnum opus over at Marvel, and are now staking their claim to back alleys of New York City with <strong>Heroes For Hire</strong>.<br /><br />Resurrection Man is decidedly closer to a street level title than a cosmic one, so it should be interesting to read some of their work from ten tears ago. See you in a day or two for the <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/12/resurrection-man-25.html">review</a>.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-77510145100181296692010-12-15T10:08:00.004-05:002010-12-15T10:33:46.263-05:00Avengers #150<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJr13HwB61YnhIHdUAMtnmjg1PYTWBORHLTtMQeW1C16aQZN45Nb-hutZLxEK7Ohm4e_lT2ye7bsi3WMxB9eykH2jJb-EF0tdwYVgQsJVluxmV8hI_uWS4tvR4ztxZQF_nbwNznxh32g/s1600/A150-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550366476723368098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJr13HwB61YnhIHdUAMtnmjg1PYTWBORHLTtMQeW1C16aQZN45Nb-hutZLxEK7Ohm4e_lT2ye7bsi3WMxB9eykH2jJb-EF0tdwYVgQsJVluxmV8hI_uWS4tvR4ztxZQF_nbwNznxh32g/s200/A150-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: The Avengers #150<br /><br />PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: August 1976<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $0.25<br /><br />18 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />As I mentioned on the last post, I just recently reread this issue so the events are pretty fresh in my mind. It doesn't help, that this issue serves as a vehicle for reprinting bits and pieces of stories that any Avengers or Marvel fan should know by heart. And honestly, if you don't know what happened in <strong>Avengers #4</strong>, you should probably just hang it up.<br /><br />I'll cut the non-Avenger reader some slack if they're unfamiliar with Wonder Man's introduction in #9, and I might even be lenient about ignorance with the first big wholesale line-up change in issue #16 if you catch me on a good day.<br /><br />And you know what? Today is a good day, because this issue reprints those exact issues. So while we don't get a new Avengers line-up until the next issue, we are treated to some highlights of the first year and half of Avengers history, courtesy of Messrs. Lee and Kirby. If that wasn't enough, we also get a framing sequence by Steve Englehart and George Perez.<br /><br />Let's get right to it, and in the interest of still having something to say when and if the Randomizer picks issue #9 or 16, I'm going to forgo the full on review and just geek out for the remainder of this issue and soak up all that Lee, Kirby and Perez have to offer.<br /><br />Since this was the anniversary of 150 issues of The Avengers, let's see if I can find 150 things to geek out about in these eighteen pages. Everybody synchronize your watches, and we're off...<br /><br /><ol><li>Awesome cover by Ron Wilson and Frank Giacoia! That right there is just about the perfect Avengers line-up. Swap out Hawkeye for Hellcat, and I could read about these guys all day long.</li><br /><li>It only cost two bits!</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTET2RFUcVaOGRmth3m25GBx5Cjh07lQ7qIhH1HW2OsNKyanDb3NWUxZCxSb_gUY64ItG1GZtQb3escbK2AVG645xh8wXrMcxIxozNY6zr4kAV-4I_H9B_u-6ZLmBjifUdbzxtAFrTK3E/s1600/A150-1-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 247px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550885040672908994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTET2RFUcVaOGRmth3m25GBx5Cjh07lQ7qIhH1HW2OsNKyanDb3NWUxZCxSb_gUY64ItG1GZtQb3escbK2AVG645xh8wXrMcxIxozNY6zr4kAV-4I_H9B_u-6ZLmBjifUdbzxtAFrTK3E/s320/A150-1-1_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Great issue title. <strong>Avengers Assemble!</strong> It's also a great catch-phrase, but why does it work as well as it does? It's not like assemble is the most action-packed verb around, and it definitely doesn't translate to other super-hero teams nearly as well. Champions Congregate! Fantastic Four Forgather! Metal Men Muster! It's a true mystery for the ages.</li><br /><li>Stan Lee</li><br /><li>Jack Kirby</li><br /><li>George Perez</li><br />I'm probably cheating by listing the creative team separately, but I gotta get to 150 somehow. Besides, those guys are legends and deserve the honor. And while I've acknowledged that I'm playing fast and loose with the rules, these guys ain't nothing to sneeze at either...<br /><br /><li>Steve Englehart</li><br /><li>John Tartag</li><br /><li>Duffy Vohland</li><br /><li>Dick Ayers</li><br /><li>Denise Wohl</li><br /><li>Artie Simek</li><br /><li>I love time travelling villains</li><br /><li>Irene Vartanoff</li><br /><li>Archie Goodwin</li><br /><li>Avengers Trope #41: The assembled mass of people and reporters outside of Avengers Mansion. I love this visual, as it really drives home the accessibility of these heroes. You couldn't do this with a moon base.</li><br /><li>Yellowjacket. You can keep your Ant-Man, Giant-Man, Goliath, Wasp, Scientist Supreme, or Dr. Pym identities. To me, Hank Pym will always be Yellowjacket (although I do kinda like the sound of that Scientist Supreme one).</li><br /><li>Crazy wild coincidence! That just happens to be the 150th different costume that the Wasp has worn in her tenure with the Avengers so far.</li><br /><li>Another crazy wild coincidence! I think I may have just made that last fact up out of thin air.</li><br /><li>It's not named here, but one can only wonder if that is <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/12/west-coast-avengers-23.html">Korr</a> that Yellowjacket is riding on.</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ia2b6VpSuVpDx5DSLbV9ltdFYUlYecghQ3lXNcoHJQ3bdb86Fx7Uv0ru2H3DItMEEJgUzgowiAb30FYegcjT0VFFfAwUCaj8mlb5hhR9Iih9gZVIJi7eH7jWzvOgOBFcYXVMorv-OjU/s1600/A150-2-5_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550886012416321346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ia2b6VpSuVpDx5DSLbV9ltdFYUlYecghQ3lXNcoHJQ3bdb86Fx7Uv0ru2H3DItMEEJgUzgowiAb30FYegcjT0VFFfAwUCaj8mlb5hhR9Iih9gZVIJi7eH7jWzvOgOBFcYXVMorv-OjU/s320/A150-2-5_1.jpg" /></a> <li>The Wasp's fiery streak! She's come a long way in the past <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/07/avengers-32.html">118 issues</a>.</li><br /><li>A bonus shout out for referencing continuity from the previous year...and in a Marvel book, no less. Those were the days.</li><br /><li>Jarvis' striped pants and tails. There's a butler who dresses for success.</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRnZibONBLe4xC7j84iYGtbl0akGjC017_wGOFx4S4B_qSvhxbRblC_9Q5AJh4EV1P8Og7YxoznJFTuXNTnH32GX0gaVlbSMHOV_Ncjl5y0KNR0LQJ6sWAg57NPP1Z4Fyzw7XUlzwEUE/s1600/A150-3-2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550888007630270562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRnZibONBLe4xC7j84iYGtbl0akGjC017_wGOFx4S4B_qSvhxbRblC_9Q5AJh4EV1P8Og7YxoznJFTuXNTnH32GX0gaVlbSMHOV_Ncjl5y0KNR0LQJ6sWAg57NPP1Z4Fyzw7XUlzwEUE/s320/A150-3-2_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Avengers Trope #81: Monogrammed chairs! Nothing says super-hero headquarters like monogrammed chairs.</li><br /><li>Although, for each of them supposedly having chairs "especially reserved for them", it would appear that the Beasts and Hellcats are pretty interchangeable. One can only assume that their decals are waiting if they make the cut into the new line-up.</li><br /><li>Appropriate that Iron Man's symbol is that of both iron and man.</li><br /><li>Avengers Trope #68: Overly dramatic resignations!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq7r8Qv8MNXCL2UWMDlRpSu3jziEEuUVQEqfWHKmiirybFntsuqa1WxnIIPys5Le3i8Waw39A17F5tDWnMsVUeK6a78o0hWN7id2ahzlKibVPUv1DDmT5PG7KdZHw-ZpzCzmyBQhPUzc/s1600/A150-3-6_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 215px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550888827474871346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHq7r8Qv8MNXCL2UWMDlRpSu3jziEEuUVQEqfWHKmiirybFntsuqa1WxnIIPys5Le3i8Waw39A17F5tDWnMsVUeK6a78o0hWN7id2ahzlKibVPUv1DDmT5PG7KdZHw-ZpzCzmyBQhPUzc/s320/A150-3-6_1.jpg" /></a>But I guess when you're dealing with the god of thunder, you should expect a little bluster every now and again.</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYotLKb7hbloNIvcV41Eotr8m7a_ZlyepeF10JdrycOrVG1rtpLwAhGGMUaahSBo1dlrBDFrI3DkaU_7RcL1oVegHCiOj7AwZ9dkbaKxu0mBFzptvS_1CjTv6fCB4mqY0CVEM0nvHcCZo/s1600/A150-4-3_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550890051505576274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYotLKb7hbloNIvcV41Eotr8m7a_ZlyepeF10JdrycOrVG1rtpLwAhGGMUaahSBo1dlrBDFrI3DkaU_7RcL1oVegHCiOj7AwZ9dkbaKxu0mBFzptvS_1CjTv6fCB4mqY0CVEM0nvHcCZo/s320/A150-4-3_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Thor's abrupt announcement leads us to our first flashback to Avengers #1 and the formation of the team, helpfully recapped by the local newscaster reporting from outside. It was pretty awesome that the news station had Kirby on staff to provide some artist's renderings of the action.</li><br /><li>It turns out, it's actually George Perez that they had on staff. I just checked the panels that I assumed were reprinted from Avengers #1 with the actual issue, but they're not the same. So there you go, a little Perez after Kirby for you. Here's another...</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHTT37I2QXczjfGBmOjVuf4dI7ujCvAt6vjG1Dr4SBdj0r3iVHsQUS0aRedn1U-e4bBh9iCIG4dzXiz9YplkPSiicNBZIckIBc9tpVe3UFzUeR5mlcU08DVrx9_iG-CI_RRz8pSeSqFY/s1600/A150-4-6_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550890056029476882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHTT37I2QXczjfGBmOjVuf4dI7ujCvAt6vjG1Dr4SBdj0r3iVHsQUS0aRedn1U-e4bBh9iCIG4dzXiz9YplkPSiicNBZIckIBc9tpVe3UFzUeR5mlcU08DVrx9_iG-CI_RRz8pSeSqFY/s320/A150-4-6_1.jpg" /></a> <li>I like how Iron Man keeps his options open. You know, just in case this whole Avengers thing doesn't pan out.</li><br /><li>This was obviously the Hulk from his more verbose, catch-phrase spewing youth.</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB2IOH6EqmLWCLEGHT3W07b6ZYZcMd1kuZnuDu5rRRrfwm5QeVDmp57ynNcEXpp11ZH5BtdI_SobbIhNxC-dr3kUMkVxuOsUfI6loAEzictSE4-S-nulPt7lkQliN3mx1_9Mshaqvm_o/s1600/A150-5-45_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550895654010571122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB2IOH6EqmLWCLEGHT3W07b6ZYZcMd1kuZnuDu5rRRrfwm5QeVDmp57ynNcEXpp11ZH5BtdI_SobbIhNxC-dr3kUMkVxuOsUfI6loAEzictSE4-S-nulPt7lkQliN3mx1_9Mshaqvm_o/s320/A150-5-45_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Overly officious membership by-laws.</li><br /><li>Wait a minute...isn't everyone here? Couldn't you just do a show of hands and get the new chairman installed with an actual mandate behind him? We all know what happens when a leader gets appointed, rather than elected.</li><br /><li>Here's Perez' take on Kirby's classic scene of a frozen cap from Avengers #4.</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2zmu_Fc-s7wfPUG15CuNJWVRC74OlgJ-Y_BH5M7LuNIZ1h0aVdzx90fwlKXcv9CFQ5VtIWAI-zSDxWFgus8qg3dqFwtoO3xtCFW4lY-CcMkM10wyvR5hlO5dKHs9j3Xv4QKgbHYWySw/s1600/A150-6-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550896802563735890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2zmu_Fc-s7wfPUG15CuNJWVRC74OlgJ-Y_BH5M7LuNIZ1h0aVdzx90fwlKXcv9CFQ5VtIWAI-zSDxWFgus8qg3dqFwtoO3xtCFW4lY-CcMkM10wyvR5hlO5dKHs9j3Xv4QKgbHYWySw/s320/A150-6-4_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Followed shortly by a nice Perez ala Heck re-imagining.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75uOZcK6QkZj95ma07qhPLEHEeNu9MI0aO5kFx7wUtOc4harq7dUVdoeqhyyeAwSa_l7E4bUOGDLH_pOwsxPxNMdupr0AKzWZjTdEH8KLV_P2CsjJ8q4Se7WOc6axHMkdnVCYugaaLY0/s1600/A150-6-6_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550896806192286114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75uOZcK6QkZj95ma07qhPLEHEeNu9MI0aO5kFx7wUtOc4harq7dUVdoeqhyyeAwSa_l7E4bUOGDLH_pOwsxPxNMdupr0AKzWZjTdEH8KLV_P2CsjJ8q4Se7WOc6axHMkdnVCYugaaLY0/s320/A150-6-6_1.jpg" /></a> <li>There's something right about George Perez drawing Wonder Man. He's one of the few that can make his myriad of questionable costumes seem not quite so questionable.</li><br /><li>With the flashbacks coming this quickly, it's only a matter of time until we're at the formation of the new Avengers in Avengers #16. And with it, our first glimpse of actual Kirby art.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GGEBOoK5qVWF6WUFf9ujGHPoyIGYMj3NIZ4sIDZWdeYxa_B3_uk2So8dURAFbJCIR2XFaRvA0loo6a7iTENwn6z_PXQgyj_Wl0gMv6L2vQRYwE03bNaTZp1HsNGgi_5apgADtfBuJE8/s1600/A150-7-3_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550905030921789730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GGEBOoK5qVWF6WUFf9ujGHPoyIGYMj3NIZ4sIDZWdeYxa_B3_uk2So8dURAFbJCIR2XFaRvA0loo6a7iTENwn6z_PXQgyj_Wl0gMv6L2vQRYwE03bNaTZp1HsNGgi_5apgADtfBuJE8/s320/A150-7-3_1.jpg" /></a>And not a moment too soon, as the old Avengers seem to be in a spot of trouble!</li><br /><li>Avengers Trope #92: Nothing says let me onto your team more than an "I just kicked your teams ass" introduction!</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvpQkX_qca_UhwZSYvGp72vqek8aiuU24F9pmrZ0bIinOGzhBUgr7iFkYoERNwktcAyNntOMTBUtUfM6BRSOp3oH5_B2qdvSsVSCRg_ccsa_Qy2TMInYqoM3Jk1RcXOOQBccUqa4ZEQU/s1600/A150-7-6_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550905037362820434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvpQkX_qca_UhwZSYvGp72vqek8aiuU24F9pmrZ0bIinOGzhBUgr7iFkYoERNwktcAyNntOMTBUtUfM6BRSOp3oH5_B2qdvSsVSCRg_ccsa_Qy2TMInYqoM3Jk1RcXOOQBccUqa4ZEQU/s320/A150-7-6_1.jpg" /></a><br /><li>Hawkeye!</li><br /><li>Flashbacks within flashbacks. Were there no editors back then. But it's Hawkeye, so we'll give him a pass.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXzdjE-0pNVt1BeYw2CvskqF0kf6kPd4uTxjPqepvoSiFlMnayHZbKHWt1V_9GWNVohmP3_bX8meshksQA7uzgg2ofEfEly8tCszZZIy33ZahKyUQVWiUIddhIPmW18IXsLBuNHz1SXg/s1600/A150-8-2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550908893436446210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXzdjE-0pNVt1BeYw2CvskqF0kf6kPd4uTxjPqepvoSiFlMnayHZbKHWt1V_9GWNVohmP3_bX8meshksQA7uzgg2ofEfEly8tCszZZIy33ZahKyUQVWiUIddhIPmW18IXsLBuNHz1SXg/s320/A150-8-2_1.jpg" /></a></li><br /><li>And what of old Jarvis tied up in the corner? No hard feelings I'm sure, but we'll see how quickly your tea and biscuits gets delivered the next time your feeling a bit peckish, eh Hawkeye?</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-0qAU0vN9Ja9NFXvW7qnZy-qfLZF2zD9QNzMzA_-cd69eY75gbhGtzPp-gC0IOCS91JBBlSv-Ds4OGn56KoIc4KYDVjRviBbsUQppX6EDKKXopDATx7lLnBN6ePtuv1KALG_w9VI74E/s1600/A150-8-5_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550908898905820210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-0qAU0vN9Ja9NFXvW7qnZy-qfLZF2zD9QNzMzA_-cd69eY75gbhGtzPp-gC0IOCS91JBBlSv-Ds4OGn56KoIc4KYDVjRviBbsUQppX6EDKKXopDATx7lLnBN6ePtuv1KALG_w9VI74E/s320/A150-8-5_1.jpg" /></a> <li>ZZZZZZZIT!</li><br /><li>TWANNNNNG!</li><br /><li>SSSSSSST!</li><br /><li>Three arrows loosed from the same bow at the same time, and only one of them sounds like an actual arrow. Although in all fairness, I think that last sound effect is actually coming from the snake that Hawkeye used to tie up Jarvis' legs with, so we're all good. It's probably a good thing he was around to get that snake before something drastic happened, eh?</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn6VxYkuugnt0dxSh21RLT7nxK5tQtC4FT5KHktfLLYqon_LKr28u1MOcN5Dt70BbsEZIFjImrvzNhI2wuwMaGmkPeecxOFE5rF-l5jiX_TamDMY8VfiBBtX4xOBGLXpTydwq1yzxJPQ/s1600/A150-8-6_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550908904851183794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXn6VxYkuugnt0dxSh21RLT7nxK5tQtC4FT5KHktfLLYqon_LKr28u1MOcN5Dt70BbsEZIFjImrvzNhI2wuwMaGmkPeecxOFE5rF-l5jiX_TamDMY8VfiBBtX4xOBGLXpTydwq1yzxJPQ/s320/A150-8-6_1.jpg" /></a> <li>More by-laws! Good thing there's an employee manual to get the new members up to speed.</li><br /><li>Watch that wandering eye, Jan! You know your man is a bit of a loose cannon, right?</li><br /><li>One reformed villain joined up, so why not offer a spot to Namor, The Sub-Mariner?</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBqcKU76WM59nv629R-iZ-Kcn1VHYqIDiFRfKsYIGqOTAY0K1i35X8h81vkFzkMjSqJ51wwGje_9p11WHVUoQGEjYc1LGKmQYP6LUXYsqqPs8GLOhsA9w0HHD1SgyIABQ9ZMOOrS5e68/s1600/A150-9-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550910251831854338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBqcKU76WM59nv629R-iZ-Kcn1VHYqIDiFRfKsYIGqOTAY0K1i35X8h81vkFzkMjSqJ51wwGje_9p11WHVUoQGEjYc1LGKmQYP6LUXYsqqPs8GLOhsA9w0HHD1SgyIABQ9ZMOOrS5e68/s320/A150-9-4_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Denied!</li><br /><li>He'd come around in about a hundred issues or so, and end up palling around with the Avengers for a good few years. I actually have a lot of love for Namor in the Avengers as his arrival came right around the time I started reading the books on a regular basis.</li><br /><li>Don't fret Iron Man, there's plenty of b-list villains hanging around that are just dying to join up.</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4oT50YtP_T0lKprNc5ejUDxWBpVJa_ZnTPxJMcN2lvadYxfqUxYa4XEuratQQc4Tu2TlZ_u580oInJsd2zbZpF_AZhtgBgV9KfVY5ocyLNuPuPwN8xp26rjxO-O0qPqJ2d9xLek-uGY/s1600/A150-9-6_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550910253100559346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4oT50YtP_T0lKprNc5ejUDxWBpVJa_ZnTPxJMcN2lvadYxfqUxYa4XEuratQQc4Tu2TlZ_u580oInJsd2zbZpF_AZhtgBgV9KfVY5ocyLNuPuPwN8xp26rjxO-O0qPqJ2d9xLek-uGY/s320/A150-9-6_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Old-timey social networking at its finest. I long for the days when you could have a membership drive using the want ads.</li><br /><li>Quicksilver's hair, the beta-testing for Logan's hairdo.</li><br /><li>Self-deprecating Stan.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZY_Z-vU-wB7qviydhDOEu77rN4TUQisiD1TTxe7yFCCBJrFeVEKTRe9MFBKQzkxDjt0490RvNxmoCDpCl5vHZ1pBiWJs0mGlOPIiCcXe2-NKTSsHqBfiZQ_MI-5lkHze8ivHCR7JKtQ/s1600/A150-10-2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550911213310070082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZY_Z-vU-wB7qviydhDOEu77rN4TUQisiD1TTxe7yFCCBJrFeVEKTRe9MFBKQzkxDjt0490RvNxmoCDpCl5vHZ1pBiWJs0mGlOPIiCcXe2-NKTSsHqBfiZQ_MI-5lkHze8ivHCR7JKtQ/s320/A150-10-2_1.jpg" /></a>I guess even Stan gets tired of Magneto boasting in those early issues, as we have yet another flashback in a flashback dealing with the origin of Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch.</li><br /><li>Old-timey social networking at its finest, part two.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_lUw_2nXC8unplHOrMgrzDCE47xsudVy67sE0rx8nUjmC1BDPcSSKLj3hF0G6dZZrS8T5zK2D6BK7eTiwrHQeHiwK6eWmWtK9bDHD4UrnYH4FgKqPyNR26jJ2uESC3CMuDkTSjkbNbg/s1600/A150-10-5_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550911222070054754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_lUw_2nXC8unplHOrMgrzDCE47xsudVy67sE0rx8nUjmC1BDPcSSKLj3hF0G6dZZrS8T5zK2D6BK7eTiwrHQeHiwK6eWmWtK9bDHD4UrnYH4FgKqPyNR26jJ2uESC3CMuDkTSjkbNbg/s320/A150-10-5_1.jpg" /></a>I guess the equivalent today would be tweeting your request for membership to #avengersmemberdrive.</li><br /><li>Quicksilver has lovely penmanship for someone who, and I'm only assuming here, writes really fast.</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeRT8aD0fQxdJeBbAM2yWQd9y0LvqgKKQS26dkEZB7TI__HMus_you3XoacvUeYs8w35ETs9eyDWtnY0-KjVdAOkPOXqvhUxCNsumZwqsD0tbGYSaCbyALDig16fg1KIYjo_NwYYsvfw/s1600/A150-13-12_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550912769155105650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeRT8aD0fQxdJeBbAM2yWQd9y0LvqgKKQS26dkEZB7TI__HMus_you3XoacvUeYs8w35ETs9eyDWtnY0-KjVdAOkPOXqvhUxCNsumZwqsD0tbGYSaCbyALDig16fg1KIYjo_NwYYsvfw/s320/A150-13-12_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Captain America fighting jungle beasts! Why? Who cares, as we've had a real lack of action in this issue.</li><br /><li>If only he would've fought a gorilla, we would've come full circle from our <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/12/has-it-really-been-over-three-months.html">last post</a>.</li><br /><li>I guess this is still early in Cap's career, as he hasn't mastered the art of ricocheting his shield back to him with every throw. There's nothing more foolish than a super-hero picking his shield up off the ground.</li><br /><li>Back in the states, Cap is still on his jungle high and looks to avoid the assembled reporters in true, man of action style.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMc_Gg7hxLd3SID4u7eNJYftvTsH5x-z6okQDAOunBkidyjw0D5h3BLx3fvyD_SGnF7xMN_eYPbzcmFTJteENTHCT3vK6PW5SW8HbV63O7ZE7jyZGdWNuha5FNi_fLApbD-hk819e44QU/s1600/A150-15-234_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550913226553997874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMc_Gg7hxLd3SID4u7eNJYftvTsH5x-z6okQDAOunBkidyjw0D5h3BLx3fvyD_SGnF7xMN_eYPbzcmFTJteENTHCT3vK6PW5SW8HbV63O7ZE7jyZGdWNuha5FNi_fLApbD-hk819e44QU/s320/A150-15-234_1.jpg" /></a>Surely there has to be a secret door somewhere, eh?</li><br /><li>Reunions!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBW0tOYsuzG9rYwyuAyGmzKDoso3QZfnCz_45O5_5sTrWS_rrbRiwSLQ9aN2_1JQWEXfKz-wN78CxJyu1hTCLbkERo61ih8ZaM1ZggX2Cv-O1Be_DuP6WK5p9ZHUdWQAYPDb3hyphenhyphenROyjs/s1600/A150-16-3_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 153px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550913752561635170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBW0tOYsuzG9rYwyuAyGmzKDoso3QZfnCz_45O5_5sTrWS_rrbRiwSLQ9aN2_1JQWEXfKz-wN78CxJyu1hTCLbkERo61ih8ZaM1ZggX2Cv-O1Be_DuP6WK5p9ZHUdWQAYPDb3hyphenhyphenROyjs/s320/A150-16-3_1.jpg" /></a>Just because the other Avengers are kid-sized to Giant-Man, shouldn't give him permission to treat them as such.</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIE-ifEYgQpt_jCsaOuCPW1nrp7WylJmgiSKdxID1WRxJ1gEjGVVfMX45B3asKoUA-ZK7SC5mYB2yt0mVXoYqcf7gL_kLBTsgOaUunJCnmlqg2fOaqIFgn1CZ2jKm1Z21cDKZb3M0x2Q/s1600/A150-17-3_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550914216925421266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIE-ifEYgQpt_jCsaOuCPW1nrp7WylJmgiSKdxID1WRxJ1gEjGVVfMX45B3asKoUA-ZK7SC5mYB2yt0mVXoYqcf7gL_kLBTsgOaUunJCnmlqg2fOaqIFgn1CZ2jKm1Z21cDKZb3M0x2Q/s320/A150-17-3_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Time-travelling villains! Although isn't there some sort of paradox being violated by having two disparate versions of the same character commenting about the same thing in real time?</li><br /><li>Did I mention that I love time-travelling villains? Maybe I'll go back in time and mention it there too!</li><br /><li>The drama...oh, the drama!</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUJkF_xqGG8bD-7M5_3CqoJkRa_UIrkTgodwzDQ4tmQ60TlVJbWtemGfZGPgAsGNQiB2W_wVUfaZA5i-juuJQSnSr0XO6RIOvjhQIglznmnOoCATURLog9Aw7W3Dyzxh7clESMFcay1Y/s1600/A150-18-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550916959110909970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUJkF_xqGG8bD-7M5_3CqoJkRa_UIrkTgodwzDQ4tmQ60TlVJbWtemGfZGPgAsGNQiB2W_wVUfaZA5i-juuJQSnSr0XO6RIOvjhQIglznmnOoCATURLog9Aw7W3Dyzxh7clESMFcay1Y/s320/A150-18-1_1.jpg" /></a> <li>Really Rick Jones? I mean <em>really?</em> (with apologies to Seth and Amy)</li><br /><li>Tip for Rick Jones on getting into the Avengers. Try robbing a bank or subjugating mankind first. It seemed to work out all right for the new line-up.</li><br /><li>I think Tony Stark is the poster child for <em>personal reasons</em>.</li><br /><li>Overly dramatic exits...</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AahkvcPU0SJjlCM8zbl7_oYofYMOpQtS7mJg9SCTiKOnMqCGtufFD1sro-aH4U5yRhyFUD1Ahk7q_BjqvwNK26uj9Zo_pWfRphtk2jLAE1wXRKt1XgvEJ9A68LaVlCqs0-MxA8tmg74/s1600/A150-18-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550916963420484738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AahkvcPU0SJjlCM8zbl7_oYofYMOpQtS7mJg9SCTiKOnMqCGtufFD1sro-aH4U5yRhyFUD1Ahk7q_BjqvwNK26uj9Zo_pWfRphtk2jLAE1wXRKt1XgvEJ9A68LaVlCqs0-MxA8tmg74/s320/A150-18-4_1.jpg" /></a> <li>...and new beginnings!</li></ol><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1BDKYZqN660nipur01Tb4FqvkTgZZPpEF4zmMqolyj_O-z1ZdcyMJdRjGZXDw8LzxLwtp8upGNbxdUfp-BS9HyeZx3Wvkk69SfCk1KlehTgfwQ-84SRgK3kacE4DU5KV7i1ZDXqMJ3M/s1600/A150-18-5_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550916969316794946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1BDKYZqN660nipur01Tb4FqvkTgZZPpEF4zmMqolyj_O-z1ZdcyMJdRjGZXDw8LzxLwtp8upGNbxdUfp-BS9HyeZx3Wvkk69SfCk1KlehTgfwQ-84SRgK3kacE4DU5KV7i1ZDXqMJ3M/s320/A150-18-5_1.jpg" /></a>And that brings the 150th issue extravaganza to a close. Let's see how we did on our quest to find 150 interesting things about Avengers #150. After totaling up the judges scores, it looks like we got to 69...so close, so close.<br /><br />Lucky for you, you won't be going home empty-handed. That's right, along with the home version of the Random Longbox board game, every reader will also be going home with the identity of the new line-up that was teased in this very issue, but never revealed.<br /><br />Here it is, enjoy...<br /><br />(oh, and spoilers I suppose, for those of you not up on your 34 year old continuity)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlfuVqEdOcSEX6Be81_hHk6Y0VbayR32HJEiRGwZwRl73oJT_R5Hl6DWTU29rH2r2PpCqp3o3nxpiE4-P2RxAlMDShLuj3WAuhcF51MxVH2WfA4yawwMsmJ2i_E1xQyINya71r1SwIac/s1600/A151-Roster_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550918175656439154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlfuVqEdOcSEX6Be81_hHk6Y0VbayR32HJEiRGwZwRl73oJT_R5Hl6DWTU29rH2r2PpCqp3o3nxpiE4-P2RxAlMDShLuj3WAuhcF51MxVH2WfA4yawwMsmJ2i_E1xQyINya71r1SwIac/s400/A151-Roster_1.jpg" /></a>As far as line-ups go, it doesn't get much better than that.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) Marvel Comics</span></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-64500805160230197082010-12-08T14:31:00.004-05:002010-12-15T10:18:26.934-05:00Gorillas in the mist of timeHas it really been over three months since we've done a <strong>Comic Book Days of Wednesdays Past</strong> post? I guess we should probably rectify that.<br /><br />For the new readers among you who may not be familiar with this...if it's Wednesday, and if it's time to pick a new random book to review, then it's also time to take a trip down memory lane to see what the kids were reading back in ye olden days. Let's fire up the Randomizer to pick a year from 1938-2009 and see where we start.<br /><br />...and the first year up is 1956! So what books were on the spinner racks at the local five and dime 54 years ago?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcy2BNZzEmqgqF_nqMUC0-N5zOUpOtP5PKjC0EpKQkRm80tm7xmKEBCqJIVsiD_z9qnEIXcvfFBU3TeXN8WJcv6tAOytDolTDlIYroSsR_qwpM9SKyyuXA285CxNRnSSmeSGLdPAdt6g/s1600/SPJO10-Cover.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548386538536080386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcy2BNZzEmqgqF_nqMUC0-N5zOUpOtP5PKjC0EpKQkRm80tm7xmKEBCqJIVsiD_z9qnEIXcvfFBU3TeXN8WJcv6tAOytDolTDlIYroSsR_qwpM9SKyyuXA285CxNRnSSmeSGLdPAdt6g/s400/SPJO10-Cover.jpg" /></a>It was <strong>Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #10!</strong> And in my mind, nothing screams fifties comics more than this title.<br /><br />But here's an odd occurrence...How come every time the Randomizer stumbles across a <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2009/10/up-nextaction-comics.html">Jimmy Olsen comic </a>for this segment, it features a gorilla on the cover? And Jimmy in a leopard-skin toga?<br /><br />If there's one thing the the comic book buying populace loves, it's apparently Gorillas. In fact, let's put that theory to the test to see if we can get another gorilla comic from the next random year that the Randomizer picks. Which just happens to be 2005!<br /><br />This could be tough, as gorillas were nowhere near as in vogue this century as they were the last. Come on comic books, don't let me down, was there a gorilla on the cover of any comic books that were on the shelf 5 years ago this month?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7n-1ZYWFEKbDB7M5l8l8D9K8OGbyTQdSgxqkrcSuMyQo1q7w9jSDcrw0A9OLAZpNrhgFjjJ77z1sy4nGHs8Pol72RIlA5D3nHIktDoeE5lNXi5fqQXtoX951Ai3bOkjcGT6y3-Y7Kv8/s1600/DP7-Cover.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548388514414053746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7n-1ZYWFEKbDB7M5l8l8D9K8OGbyTQdSgxqkrcSuMyQo1q7w9jSDcrw0A9OLAZpNrhgFjjJ77z1sy4nGHs8Pol72RIlA5D3nHIktDoeE5lNXi5fqQXtoX951Ai3bOkjcGT6y3-Y7Kv8/s400/DP7-Cover.jpg" /></a>Success!<br /><br />Not only does <strong>Doom Patrol #7</strong> have a gorilla on the cover, but it's got two of 'em...and one of them has four arms!<br /><br />That right there is why I love comics!<br /><br />Enough fooling around though, let's get to picking the next random book to actually review. Take it away Randomizer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJdYW2C5HyS0NTpPxxYH0dsv_9ZJdVSxw775gvBpWdhcIy_V7B6zWE6-6yIn42HB6OoL3kzLciLs49rj22_z4UDSN6o-vqLoC2s_3CwSrkfqaCTsem6U9e7gaUFRR0R5QMPG8yz-KMn0/s1600/A150-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548389616917424642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJdYW2C5HyS0NTpPxxYH0dsv_9ZJdVSxw775gvBpWdhcIy_V7B6zWE6-6yIn42HB6OoL3kzLciLs49rj22_z4UDSN6o-vqLoC2s_3CwSrkfqaCTsem6U9e7gaUFRR0R5QMPG8yz-KMn0/s400/A150-Cover_1.jpg" /></a>...and that book is <strong>The Avengers #150</strong> from August 1974, published by Marvel Comics!<br /><br />And that makes two Avengers picks in a row! I don't mind though, as you can never read enough Avengers books. Especially ones from the mid 70's to the mid 80's. Comic booking just doesn't get much better than that. Interestingly enough, this one is also written by Steve Englehart, so we can do a little compare and contrast with his last book's mediocre performance.<br /><br />I actually just reread this book within the last year, and while it looks like it promises a new Avengers line-up on the cover, it's a bit of a tease as this issue reprints parts of Avengers #4, #9, and a whole bunch of #16. For the uninitiated, these are three of the earliest books that feature a line-up change in the title.<br /><br />Since that time, the new line-up reveal issues have become a staple of this title. Unfortunately, we don't get one here, and we'd have to wait until the next issue for that. Still, this book gives us a chance to look at some good Jack Kirby art, which we've yet to do here at the Random Longbox.<br /><br />And not to end on a down note, but sadly enough there are no gorillas to be found in this issue either. See you in a day or two for the <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/12/avengers-150.html">review</a>.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-70049570048824186922010-12-06T23:00:00.000-05:002010-12-06T23:00:51.046-05:00The West Coast Avengers #23<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtCroyooxPnF4zBrd2LA2cckIUlPjc_Obou1BCs8R3TLQrmghv1QVvIEnsAxnv-t4JBkZgbCHFnfchVa8cyQH1MJ1_79oxu8M9HvUbOAHW4dMJcYgYQJLSEk6ap-yTaWNQunkjwgqySM/s1600/WCA23-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547020509463469586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtCroyooxPnF4zBrd2LA2cckIUlPjc_Obou1BCs8R3TLQrmghv1QVvIEnsAxnv-t4JBkZgbCHFnfchVa8cyQH1MJ1_79oxu8M9HvUbOAHW4dMJcYgYQJLSEk6ap-yTaWNQunkjwgqySM/s200/WCA23-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: The West Coast Avengers #23<br /><br />PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: August 1987<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $0.75<br /><br />22 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />Now, the West Coast Avengers...I have a lot of love for the West Coast Avengers. The funny thing is though, is that that the title has always been mediocre at best. Aside from the Byrne run in the 40's and 50's, and Roger Stern's original mini-series, I can't really think of another run on this series that sticks out for me. I'd probably give Roy and Dann Thomas the benefit of the doubt for the longevity of their run, and for the fact that they kept a personal favorite of mine around in the form of U.S.Agent.<br /><br />So why does this title generate so much good will in my collection? First off, I've always assumed for the last decade or so that <strong>X-Factor</strong> was the first new title launch that I collected as a week-in and week-out comic book buyer. That turns out to not be true, as West Coast Avengers beat it to the punch by almost six months.<br /><br />I'm sure <em>that's</em> part of it.<br /><br />The other thing, is that it always featured some of my favorite Avengers.<br /><br />Hawkeye? Naturally.<br /><br />Vision? I, for one, loved the pale-Byrne Vision.<br /><br />Scarlet Witch? I always dug her hex powers.<br /><br />U.S.Agent? The Damian of the Avengers.<br /><br />The Great Lakes Avengers? Their debut issue is one of my favorite books from the 80's.<br /><br />These were all characters that didn't have their own book, so most of the time this title was the only place you could catch 'em.<br /><br />But we're here to talk about this issue, and to tell you the truth, when I reread it to prepare for this review it turns out that I had literally no memory of this issue whatsoever. I'm sure the only reason that I remember the Mockingbird/Phantom Rider showdown was that it has gotten so much play in the recent issues of <strong>Hawkeye & Mockingbird</strong>.<br /><br />So how could this issue have slipped through the cracks so completely, on a title that I generally read month in and month out? Let's find out...<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Showtime!<br />Lost in Space-Time: Conclusion!</span></em><br /><ul><li>Writer: Steve Englehart</li><li>Penciller: Al Milgrom</li><li>Inker: Romeo Tanghal</li><li>Letterer: Tom Orzechowski</li><li>Colorist: Christie Scheele</li><li>Editor: Mark Gruenwald</li><li>Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter</li></ul>As you can tell from the title of this issue, this is the last chapter dealing with a time-strewn team of Avengers. Hawkeye and that gang are stuck in ancient Egypt, while Mockingbird's being stalked in the old west, and the only one that can save them is Hank Pym and some WCA also-rans. And here we get my first clue as to why this issue is such a cypher to me. Hank Pym comes to the Fantastic Four for help, but why he comes dressed in disguise is beyond me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlVQirqW__ACtMx7oGP-pA_CFRw_6IH2IWA7c65_KD8LyCEcxVU5o7CTEcJh6PmAYpio9DLU3_g0fVFyQTF_YO-i1IAA-JFC4GQ2gs-rg99ReOHcJtJE8u32-zeXLdBT3DV1_aGBK64I/s1600/WCA23-2-2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547779251878703282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlVQirqW__ACtMx7oGP-pA_CFRw_6IH2IWA7c65_KD8LyCEcxVU5o7CTEcJh6PmAYpio9DLU3_g0fVFyQTF_YO-i1IAA-JFC4GQ2gs-rg99ReOHcJtJE8u32-zeXLdBT3DV1_aGBK64I/s320/WCA23-2-2_1.jpg" /></a>That disguise is so good, it totally made me forget this meeting (or anything else about this issue) ever happened.<br /><br />But seriously, doc...who told you that Phantom Stranger meets Where's Waldo was a good look? Fortunately for him, that's not the worst costume design in this issue.<br /><br />With his help, Mr. Fantastic soon fixes up the FF's time machine so that Hank and company can act on a clue left for them by Hawkeye from over 5000 years in the past. Off they go, leaving the FF to look after Hank's fancy new Quinjet that's been outfitted with an artificial intelligence based on a loyal ant that he had known named Korr.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueq7qgV7jNrETsf4ElXXcDhGVBo2eerYjzsYSvB5TEaWikz9mTW-GK4EXq5wHkeZYMdZXNXZpf3l3x-LnKT5XsylDySotEXwAKq7mpxtKSzW2y_XIRqa6r5-LGfj50NHMlNeuI6BaG1s/s1600/WCA23-3-6_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547779944733208210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueq7qgV7jNrETsf4ElXXcDhGVBo2eerYjzsYSvB5TEaWikz9mTW-GK4EXq5wHkeZYMdZXNXZpf3l3x-LnKT5XsylDySotEXwAKq7mpxtKSzW2y_XIRqa6r5-LGfj50NHMlNeuI6BaG1s/s320/WCA23-3-6_1.jpg" /></a>How could I have possibly not remembered that? It just gets curiouser and curiouser.<br /><br />Now, remember that costume I mentioned earlier? Let's catch up with Avengers in ancient Egypt.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCNyJozvsP3NYbirXm4A9NdyR-k6x08riubesMsz3z8QPsmw1t4QALgbEQbILSLQg-OHFKnoW30pE63EIaY34J5uJQDsSjpMphMaPuK5mrQskAkrzdmgePi5XeARxaSK2XMDytvucxYY/s1600/WCA23-6-5_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547780338715202962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCNyJozvsP3NYbirXm4A9NdyR-k6x08riubesMsz3z8QPsmw1t4QALgbEQbILSLQg-OHFKnoW30pE63EIaY34J5uJQDsSjpMphMaPuK5mrQskAkrzdmgePi5XeARxaSK2XMDytvucxYY/s320/WCA23-6-5_1.jpg" /></a>Look at that awesome costume on Wonder Man...and by awesome, I mean horrible.<br /><br />Anything that makes this look downright dapper by comparison is a lost cause.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfcjFD-Lb3x1ijzh_T7VAHX1wOdw3Nd09J1cPOHo5SP4OXM_2wIjRK2JANdra-g-U47CtknyVhue-jLRYReh05sUenILZGyj-bP8ORRNS-d-KCvur54fPqfwpVOhiAvoh5kS5HjgufMA/s1600/Wonder+Man+Leisure+Suit.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 186px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547049391317838242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfcjFD-Lb3x1ijzh_T7VAHX1wOdw3Nd09J1cPOHo5SP4OXM_2wIjRK2JANdra-g-U47CtknyVhue-jLRYReh05sUenILZGyj-bP8ORRNS-d-KCvur54fPqfwpVOhiAvoh5kS5HjgufMA/s320/Wonder+Man+Leisure+Suit.jpg" /></a>So the Avengers are on the run in Egypt, and end up taking refuge in a local temple. Coincidentally enough, it's the temple of the shunned god Khonshu, patron saint of Moon Knight. Trapped in the temple, with no hope of rescue anytime soon, Hawkeye sets out to build some weapons with which to arm the acolytes for the oncoming siege from the restless natives.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1QsNiWqyAW8PTXF9rcB56qpTFsQ5__veWb4RWDHrExWehLGmf1AQtD2E36raEl7OGcwITWsBxnCRXud_cJS2-wzMVOukKK-ACLyBBh3dlfDioU5_ZDqvKJZRsr_02wMjfYqxatYI2JA/s1600/WCA23-8-3456_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 156px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547781088265308162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1QsNiWqyAW8PTXF9rcB56qpTFsQ5__veWb4RWDHrExWehLGmf1AQtD2E36raEl7OGcwITWsBxnCRXud_cJS2-wzMVOukKK-ACLyBBh3dlfDioU5_ZDqvKJZRsr_02wMjfYqxatYI2JA/s320/WCA23-8-3456_1.jpg" /></a> <div align="center"><em>Wait a minute...Did that statue just wink at Hawkeye?</em></div><br />Two pages of tedious recapping of Moon Knight's origin later, we find out exactly why Khonshu was so keen on Hawkeye. He was only using him for his toys.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVMmwBBUcozaTAC39Pwr6N5XNlXoLujltwVlrNTNq9oOVQ2-gC1GixKVqzhu6vqXIw4hehzsM2oQSEkKDq7vEMR783L15lLGYsFuwnAjRZzKS3N_LJUjqP5-JGC1yGgXdoD1iTPaoTbM/s1600/WCA23-10-3_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547781562044338002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVMmwBBUcozaTAC39Pwr6N5XNlXoLujltwVlrNTNq9oOVQ2-gC1GixKVqzhu6vqXIw4hehzsM2oQSEkKDq7vEMR783L15lLGYsFuwnAjRZzKS3N_LJUjqP5-JGC1yGgXdoD1iTPaoTbM/s320/WCA23-10-3_1.jpg" /></a>That's right...Hawkeye created the weapons that were handed down millenia later to Moon Knight. How could I have forgotten about something as random, coincidental, and completely out of the blue as that? I actually know the answer to that question, as I've never been able to muster up much enthusiasm for Moon Knight. I'm sure I probably saw these two pages and flipped forward until I got to the good stuff.<br /><br />And speaking of good stuff, here's Mockingbird having her big throw down with the Phantom Rider. I don't feel quite comfortable cracking wise about her plotline here, so let's let her have her moment of vengeance and move on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF6qrbbi7tbFwawLn7KUtfesQaksgrcRHiz0vDyJ-AyY-wvKlF1A__qNRNOQE_1BgXuDQ_ZViAPKaTtRoAZkk4w7Xw6J5B_P8al7Eolu80MyuRO_QRknfde6pP-stVKLneNAHAz5Xxf0/s1600/WCA23-14-1234_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547781969314278466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF6qrbbi7tbFwawLn7KUtfesQaksgrcRHiz0vDyJ-AyY-wvKlF1A__qNRNOQE_1BgXuDQ_ZViAPKaTtRoAZkk4w7Xw6J5B_P8al7Eolu80MyuRO_QRknfde6pP-stVKLneNAHAz5Xxf0/s320/WCA23-14-1234_1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUCvCKz6mThBrIY9_ITq1f_pIa86lQjup4nG_HWPgTKIBadt5ugMcim1LD8YephhgxTQKiBDxhsVC4ZWHYcyG-7QLLFV3ry4ZxZ0YEIWn4E1rIhhFrjNDfNdg9anXbKU31EfXqYkhers/s1600/WCA23-16-6_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 148px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547782396063165378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUCvCKz6mThBrIY9_ITq1f_pIa86lQjup4nG_HWPgTKIBadt5ugMcim1LD8YephhgxTQKiBDxhsVC4ZWHYcyG-7QLLFV3ry4ZxZ0YEIWn4E1rIhhFrjNDfNdg9anXbKU31EfXqYkhers/s320/WCA23-16-6_1.jpg" /></a>We're back to the present, just in time to catch up with Mr. Fantastic sending Hank Pym, Moon Knight, and <s>Firebird</s> Espirita back to rescue Hawkeye and crew.<br /><br />It's nice to know that you can always count on Reed to help send you through time when you need it. He may have a snide comment or two about you after you leave, but he's got your back.<br /><br />Now that we have a working time machine, this issue should be wrapped up in no time. A quick jaunt back to ancient Egypt sees the West Coast Avengers reunited. Unfortunately, most of their reunion is taken up with the Priests of Khonshu speaking gibberish about prophecies and fists and vengeance...and honestly, I just can't be bothered to wrap my head around it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4qiMdGVXWyJntljK4g4tEYSldc15md9c__1Rm7zpYXn7UNNEMn6a3FCO9ivCgft-SMB8iPAkSyHAmqVBzXfxSOGtgoV0oiKJIFwAzx3HK22cwrnYFWjvv5u9MpPbZ84jDII2nDvrwCQ/s1600/WCA23-19-3_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 90px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547782985814390802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4qiMdGVXWyJntljK4g4tEYSldc15md9c__1Rm7zpYXn7UNNEMn6a3FCO9ivCgft-SMB8iPAkSyHAmqVBzXfxSOGtgoV0oiKJIFwAzx3HK22cwrnYFWjvv5u9MpPbZ84jDII2nDvrwCQ/s320/WCA23-19-3_1.jpg" /></a>I'm with you Hawkeye, let's get movin' already.<br /><br />Trading in his time machine for a form of transportation more appropriate to the old west, Hawkeye swoops in and rescues his girl.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nz9XU2yvdXBjfHHyWZT98K-Z3THrTeknHfINqApfo9_p53ifzvkWSpE5HUXFvT_h-P1D6FZSdAfxdLdQ-4GY5RJVVIpNmrokfMlwifZ2DCtFHuF6aHA1A1ThSNEJa8yN-5e8B5PzB6k/s1600/WCA23-21-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547783768395746850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nz9XU2yvdXBjfHHyWZT98K-Z3THrTeknHfINqApfo9_p53ifzvkWSpE5HUXFvT_h-P1D6FZSdAfxdLdQ-4GY5RJVVIpNmrokfMlwifZ2DCtFHuF6aHA1A1ThSNEJa8yN-5e8B5PzB6k/s320/WCA23-21-1_1.jpg" /></a>Now, with the team finally reunited as a whole, they're off to the time stream one last time to head back to the present and deliver a good smack down to Dominus for sending them all back to the past in the first place.<br /><br /><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN...</strong><br /><br />A couple of things, actually.<br /><br />First, don't piss off Mockingbird. She'll take you down. Just ask the Phantom Rider, it's a long way down.<br /><br />Second, don't underestimate Hawkeye. No sooner are you stuck in the past, and he figures out a way to get help that would do Grant Morrison proud.<br /><br />Third, don't let Hank Pym or Wonder Man help you with your wardrobe. Ever.<br /><br />I gave this issue a fair amount of grief during the review, but it wasn't <em>that</em> bad. It's biggest sin is probably that it's decidedly average on most counts. The only aspect of this issue that's had any lasting effect is Mockingbird's story, and that gets a scant four pages. All the rest is Hank and his crew talking about the emotional journey they've been on, and why this time they're good enough, smart enough, and doggone it people like them! And then there's all of that Khonshu nonsense.<br /><br />So yeah, not much to see here. If you really want to know about Mockingbird's vengeance, pick up the <strong>Hawkeye & Mockingbird</strong> trade as you'll get a much better story out of it.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwork reproduced are (c) Marvel Comics</span></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-46393862224761632072010-12-01T23:43:00.003-05:002010-12-06T23:04:43.499-05:00Burgers, with a side of Hope and VengeanceSo I guess it's time to get you all off the edge of your seats, after I <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/11/up-nextall-american-comics-1.html">challenged you</a> with a "somehow this has something to do with comics" picture from last week. At least I'm assuming you're all on the edge of seat and so caught up in the mystery, that you didn't have time to post any guesses.<br /><br />Either that, or no one read the post and I'm sitting here talking to myself. The glass is half full today, so we'll go with the former.<br /><br />First, a refresher of the picture that I posted.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDCA19L4KJ4rwKUbslVF6C9UMF-uQUgqxkNnBd6wI9TSoiTEPAibXmK-6EEWsCTWiOnyagoneSKi2CycHfYvXkn1pm9aCQORk8L_WmyvxaXZ5nclO5zV5fVmgSQO1zkwegz5FX1pa8UE/s1600/Burger+joint_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545935365801541426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDCA19L4KJ4rwKUbslVF6C9UMF-uQUgqxkNnBd6wI9TSoiTEPAibXmK-6EEWsCTWiOnyagoneSKi2CycHfYvXkn1pm9aCQORk8L_WmyvxaXZ5nclO5zV5fVmgSQO1zkwegz5FX1pa8UE/s400/Burger+joint_1.jpg" /></a>Any last guesses? Nobody knows the significance of this burger joint?<br /><br />Let me set the stage. Over the last couple of months, there's been quite a bit of action happening across the United States in the pages of <strong>Green Lantern</strong>. The Predator in Las Vegas, Nevada...Larfleeze in North Branch, Minnesota...and the Hope entity making it's presence known in Livonia, Michigan.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCuZ-Lo3P4miADVlUT-8wcAfnTpymHKF8tn5W9N8-NazJQrnfC3TxCabpZZyjOGsH-h8WEgNxibeouX3pnXOSbV5EexKXC1rGaynWi4T09QbKnBvy2JgxaXnJGCPjH0gRssR1OGCGeLQ/s1600/GL56-20-234_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545936444472959826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCuZ-Lo3P4miADVlUT-8wcAfnTpymHKF8tn5W9N8-NazJQrnfC3TxCabpZZyjOGsH-h8WEgNxibeouX3pnXOSbV5EexKXC1rGaynWi4T09QbKnBvy2JgxaXnJGCPjH0gRssR1OGCGeLQ/s400/GL56-20-234_1.jpg" /></a>Now Livonia just happens to be <em>this</em> random blogger's home town, so that was kinda nifty seeing my home town get a little shout out in <strong>Green Lantern #56</strong>. Then, a couple of issues later, Geoff Johns and Dough Mahnke delve a little deeper into my neck of the woods.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZkeXOjyBXpYHChzYthv_sU37iDVqM0MOL7eofz6U22wOhK5URz3VEeTvhfx9mgTVygJNHoEhS4KxqN7Jm9LpCSWK13iGtKGKJn3hD2nfpdGKCNDmh7fanRahbdHzWeqQnU9FBAjINu4/s1600/GL58-9-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545937015685780002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZkeXOjyBXpYHChzYthv_sU37iDVqM0MOL7eofz6U22wOhK5URz3VEeTvhfx9mgTVygJNHoEhS4KxqN7Jm9LpCSWK13iGtKGKJn3hD2nfpdGKCNDmh7fanRahbdHzWeqQnU9FBAjINu4/s400/GL58-9-1_1.jpg" /></a>I've eaten at that Bates Hamburger joint, and that same Bates is the one from the picture.<br /><br />I know that Geoff Johns is from the Metro Detroit area (Clarkston, I think?) and that he went to Michigan State University, so I guess it's not completely out of the realm of possibility that he's eaten there too. Alas, I probaly never shared a barstool with him, as my Bates Burger joint of choice was about 10-12 miles away in Garden City. This Bates was always a little to "clean" for my liking. There's probably something to be said for cleanliness, however, as my old burger stand was demolished a good ten years ago and this one's still standing.<br /><br />Before we get to picking the next random book to review, here's a bonus pic for you that was referenced in the very next panel from <strong>Green Lantern #58</strong>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjKfPvXl481i3ig2mZJIP-h9HVLJhbHFZnn3ScOmTgyY0Kg2bFmBx7w6J2YHzcAGbshXJHqhGftaJmLuHa0hG9iFIHgA8m7juaIZhO5BlsrE0kYJ93tyFCrzuOdmB6viXg8Tea6uYzxs/s1600/GL58-9-2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545937570777802962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjKfPvXl481i3ig2mZJIP-h9HVLJhbHFZnn3ScOmTgyY0Kg2bFmBx7w6J2YHzcAGbshXJHqhGftaJmLuHa0hG9iFIHgA8m7juaIZhO5BlsrE0kYJ93tyFCrzuOdmB6viXg8Tea6uYzxs/s400/GL58-9-2_1.jpg" /></a>I'm sure there are a ton of dumpsters in Warren, Michigan, but I imagine this one's representative enough.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7dgJRTDZV0MaGsotQVu5Mfup3MdYWd1CfAyuoTYjVk9yfLRqsz_JK1Ewgw11SG0wJYKcTYs9tjgK803Tcw4iLNHhjVJYqbsryFDkYAe2A3rsJwJ2D5O1G77ZnBSKEG6nPeQugxJuuww/s1600/Warren+dumpster_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7dgJRTDZV0MaGsotQVu5Mfup3MdYWd1CfAyuoTYjVk9yfLRqsz_JK1Ewgw11SG0wJYKcTYs9tjgK803Tcw4iLNHhjVJYqbsryFDkYAe2A3rsJwJ2D5O1G77ZnBSKEG6nPeQugxJuuww/s400/Warren+dumpster_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545940201163542754" /></a>With that out of the way, let's get to picking a new book to review. Take it away Randomizer...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvUDi8x2TnZL6kF3RunNyO1mEwOw3FWAFjm6GM4Xu9yNSr1T0nEo0ooLFyBzBfb99-dLHwcGoDOrsYsPiO7eShybAnX1MAQAdYnPZgM2PQm9RFoD_LCVWTDY6ijhI3dK4D-jrTXs9fAw/s1600/WCA23-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545938547835912194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvUDi8x2TnZL6kF3RunNyO1mEwOw3FWAFjm6GM4Xu9yNSr1T0nEo0ooLFyBzBfb99-dLHwcGoDOrsYsPiO7eShybAnX1MAQAdYnPZgM2PQm9RFoD_LCVWTDY6ijhI3dK4D-jrTXs9fAw/s400/WCA23-Cover_1.jpg" /></a>...and that book is <strong>West Coast Avengers #23</strong> from August 1987, published by Marvel Comics!<br /><br />So for all of you that have been reading <strong>Hawkeye & Mockingbird</strong>--<br /><br />Anyone? Anyone? Is this thing on?<br /><br />Once again, I guess it's just me.<br /><br />Anyway...one of the big plot lines in the recently cancelled series was a callback to the time when Mockingbird was trapped in the old west and was "taken advantage of" by Phantom Rider. Extracting her vengeance, she lets him fall to his death during their final showdown.<br /><br />This issue just happens to be the very issue where that confrontation takes place. A very appropriate pick, if not a couple of months late. The Randomizer usually is more prescient with its timing, but it's been years since I've read this issue so I'll let it slide. Especially now that I'll be able to enjoy this issue after revisiting the topic so thoroughly over the last six months.<br /><br />See you in a day or two for the <a href="http://www.randomlongbox.com/2010/12/west-coast-avengers-23.html">review</a>.TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596622866235692809.post-2486118758582041032010-11-28T15:46:00.001-05:002010-11-28T15:49:03.135-05:00All-American Comics #1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX7WzqIhdCmHN2wNyhj9CZ8MlFtJD7uhlYpo0gq_Hpnap-s_-54xu46j6nArimArNBXd9XtJaFK8DlI3ooK2z_4uFAXweqkG-HozahSnis-gsv7CL6YN-3SV1tBWqyFL6osw-3EqrP6U/s1600/AAC1-Cover_1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544059819790347010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX7WzqIhdCmHN2wNyhj9CZ8MlFtJD7uhlYpo0gq_Hpnap-s_-54xu46j6nArimArNBXd9XtJaFK8DlI3ooK2z_4uFAXweqkG-HozahSnis-gsv7CL6YN-3SV1tBWqyFL6osw-3EqrP6U/s200/AAC1-Cover_1.jpg" /></a><br />TITLE: All-American Comics #1<br /><br />PUBLISHER: DC Comics<br /><br />COVER DATE: May 1999<br /><br />COVER PRICE: $1.99<br /><br />22 pages<br /><br /><br /><strong>WHAT I REMEMBER...</strong><br /><br />It's been a while since I've read <em>The Justice Society Returns!</em> mini-series, but I've always assumed in the intervening years that this mini-series was instrumental in bringing the JSA series back. After re-reading this issue, I don't think that's the case. This would appear from all intents and purposes to be a standard throwback tale in the original Justice Society style, albeit this one stretched out over nine issues.<br /><br />For those unfamiliar with the format, it goes a little something like this. The whole team is confronted by, or introduced to, a threat. They then split up into smaller groups to accomplish their individual tasks...finally, regrouping to take down the bad guy.<br /><br />The format of this miniseries is the same, but instead of smaller chapters featuring the individual group members, they get a whole issue to themselves. The opening and closing issues are both written by James Robinson and David Goyer, which I'm sure is why I originally picked this up on the strength of Robinson's <strong>Golden Age</strong> which was a surprise hit for me.<br /><br />So yeah, it doesn't really tie in directly to the <strong>JSA</strong> title that would start up later in the year, but I still remember enjoying it. Let's see how good my memory is.<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Cold Heart</span></em> <ul><li>Writer: Ron Marz</li><li>Artist: Eduardo Barreto</li><li>Letterer: Kurt Hathaway</li><li>Colorist: Carla Feeny</li><li>Editors: Peter Tomasi and Dan Raspler</li></ul>So here's the thing...I've been giving some thought about changing up how I do reviews. Do they always need to be blow-by-blow, page-by-page reviews? Not really, so I'll be messing with my style format on occasion when the mood hits me. They'll probably be shorter reveiws, which should allow me more time to get a few more up...but we'll see how that goes. In the meantime, let's get started.<br /><br /><strong>THE ELEVATOR PITCH</strong><br /><br />During the waning days of WWII, the Justice Society is trying to defeat Stalker and his seven Disciples, who aim to end all wars on Earth by destroying all life on Earth. Green Lantern and Johnny Thunder are sent to stop one of the Disciples who seeks to disrupt the Yalta Conference. If you're unfamiliar with the finer points of WWII history, I'm sure this picture will ring a bell or two, ably reproduced by Eduardo Barreto.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZVqBhGw7MVG8mmMqC2ioPskW_pHh-riCIpfM99hnnhZwf7qIqIWEeDcvQ-X9m8ybP3BsqJa22fpFv90wP9Bxmldk_hO-mRw91tiQZ4D8dgecWmb3DeO30g9g7qyA3F1vNFyUP-C7gOQ/s1600/AAC1-1-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544695728079497954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZVqBhGw7MVG8mmMqC2ioPskW_pHh-riCIpfM99hnnhZwf7qIqIWEeDcvQ-X9m8ybP3BsqJa22fpFv90wP9Bxmldk_hO-mRw91tiQZ4D8dgecWmb3DeO30g9g7qyA3F1vNFyUP-C7gOQ/s320/AAC1-1-1_1.jpg" /></a><strong>ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW?</strong><br /><br />Not really. The story is narrated by a GI soldier cum Iowa farmboy writing a letter to his family, who is suitably impressed by the arrival of our heroes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqAIXMOtluJHKRUBN4V1k6PVmvT3c5I5Sd70-PPf4SRdrLV3-te3gIjt3c_chUS5LfETQMvc3LfvFf9oz-cAF0Bcpex-VJBtztE5m6WUQD5NeLaZGBfwV2KXfN8Mpj9rISbh0nBwPMpA/s1600/AAC1-4-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544696316793531522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqAIXMOtluJHKRUBN4V1k6PVmvT3c5I5Sd70-PPf4SRdrLV3-te3gIjt3c_chUS5LfETQMvc3LfvFf9oz-cAF0Bcpex-VJBtztE5m6WUQD5NeLaZGBfwV2KXfN8Mpj9rISbh0nBwPMpA/s320/AAC1-4-1_1.jpg" /></a>Followed shortly thereafter by the nameless disciple, doing the bidding of the mad god Stalker, which was to kill all life on Earth in case you forgot.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKCXtQpxHOAIruRBEwYD05X8gp0rkZ-bhRW1A85-kQaLh2TKpL4_oFikxvNkpLHYQeXdO7opLreZxNokdDTbaj7bdrirk85CK2S_ToInm04Cw_oN-i0JKR2f9708MFLXrfYYNW67TVPg/s1600/AAC1-7-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544697137934907250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKCXtQpxHOAIruRBEwYD05X8gp0rkZ-bhRW1A85-kQaLh2TKpL4_oFikxvNkpLHYQeXdO7opLreZxNokdDTbaj7bdrirk85CK2S_ToInm04Cw_oN-i0JKR2f9708MFLXrfYYNW67TVPg/s320/AAC1-7-1_1.jpg" /></a><strong>OBLIGATORY FIGHT SCENE</strong><br /><br />Here's Green Lantern doing his thing...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7v9YlZ-PyVc8cnKUUJf9RcmQiPL_MAFulqcwQe0geI5gMCRRGCUsSBi4qyzH1XDFbQZfa8bnZtqYKaxsMlsqpSHaFaA1Qk-bnKChRF4XMv5SqaoblnktoXBDW2rCEmKv-L7PMqi6_HKc/s1600/AAC1-11-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544697827960747298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7v9YlZ-PyVc8cnKUUJf9RcmQiPL_MAFulqcwQe0geI5gMCRRGCUsSBi4qyzH1XDFbQZfa8bnZtqYKaxsMlsqpSHaFaA1Qk-bnKChRF4XMv5SqaoblnktoXBDW2rCEmKv-L7PMqi6_HKc/s320/AAC1-11-4_1.jpg" /></a>...and Johnny Thunderbolt doing his...kind of...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWP11m-V9BnGAlEXrvbFYzOCAgPpLnZu7_tchJsc_4gieGnCJ0wsA1iITJqTX5ftzYAzZaObDA6Bw9OWnL7-UTDJ29GjU-5WarJqOekPxHehN0SYdYDprKuCEGfWOpNHkcv_D2Izi91s/s1600/AAC1-12-45_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544698453569689602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWP11m-V9BnGAlEXrvbFYzOCAgPpLnZu7_tchJsc_4gieGnCJ0wsA1iITJqTX5ftzYAzZaObDA6Bw9OWnL7-UTDJ29GjU-5WarJqOekPxHehN0SYdYDprKuCEGfWOpNHkcv_D2Izi91s/s320/AAC1-12-45_1.jpg" /></a>Hmmm...I'm getting the feeling someone's going to learn a little bit about what it <em>really</em> means to be a hero.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8SHRz0-V5Fn-Ia-hDxY7lF4IyL8iwnTgBNpqQIXh_TGkBupKeSQ3C4sMHFzhxZoRwzsOQpGKIwf6lQT3BZD1AylZ753xmbADUHikKxYcYvQM1bWOR0OurGuGYkU_GfI6a3cyQJ969ro/s1600/AAC1-15-7_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544698944004615042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8SHRz0-V5Fn-Ia-hDxY7lF4IyL8iwnTgBNpqQIXh_TGkBupKeSQ3C4sMHFzhxZoRwzsOQpGKIwf6lQT3BZD1AylZ753xmbADUHikKxYcYvQM1bWOR0OurGuGYkU_GfI6a3cyQJ969ro/s320/AAC1-15-7_1.jpg" /></a>Yikes, I guess he learned that the hard way.<br /><br /><strong>AND HOW ARE THE REAL LIFE HISTORICAL FIGURES HOLDING UP?</strong><br /><br />Is that Churchill pushing the wheelchair bound FDR into the line of fire?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMqGdMTqboM1w9hyphenhyphenWsP9JAWsY_RiQ_XnkqsHFQI13KjqeettGn4UftEa4Q_HdcVL1xgYv1T_6kAHpgaWJpmaz60ZtySlpJS-QG6eLeCMBADn-OZIIEwT9rmJclsyW-nxSHmaCYvYebXY/s1600/AAC1-16-6_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMqGdMTqboM1w9hyphenhyphenWsP9JAWsY_RiQ_XnkqsHFQI13KjqeettGn4UftEa4Q_HdcVL1xgYv1T_6kAHpgaWJpmaz60ZtySlpJS-QG6eLeCMBADn-OZIIEwT9rmJclsyW-nxSHmaCYvYebXY/s320/AAC1-16-6_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544705258217042226" /></a>Luckily for Roosevelt, Johnny Thunder mans up--<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdP8Bp8LbkhbRtmbm9Ce1Z-PTSX5s6o-U639ciP8aNFNeIdwAZPpBHGFafQMvcFjg9vfYeVjvc5cJ6EVCRnLEw2Nij6TkabY4RJJki-7w0c7kosho5CC07k76N3AqauWk2wOWp8Hn36M/s1600/AAC1-17-1_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544700522012979410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdP8Bp8LbkhbRtmbm9Ce1Z-PTSX5s6o-U639ciP8aNFNeIdwAZPpBHGFafQMvcFjg9vfYeVjvc5cJ6EVCRnLEw2Nij6TkabY4RJJki-7w0c7kosho5CC07k76N3AqauWk2wOWp8Hn36M/s320/AAC1-17-1_1.jpg" /></a>--giving Green Lantern and the Thunderbolt time to finish the Disciple off.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI67frQDS9CDQNUJfq5Mo8F0G9BL9yiRAHY1D73g-tUQxEXtV1HUtTs3rFjgveOPJ7sPpN2RR_qmfWansVjl1NSdeFDSY0e9d644k-sMm_jUoxVNKV0wTdHqTHJoVKPBHjSSTiEL3TN4/s1600/AAC1-17-4_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544701064902897650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFI67frQDS9CDQNUJfq5Mo8F0G9BL9yiRAHY1D73g-tUQxEXtV1HUtTs3rFjgveOPJ7sPpN2RR_qmfWansVjl1NSdeFDSY0e9d644k-sMm_jUoxVNKV0wTdHqTHJoVKPBHjSSTiEL3TN4/s320/AAC1-17-4_1.jpg" /></a><strong>ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL?</strong><br /><br />Pretty much. The heroes succeed and are teleported away by Doctor Occult to continue the battle against Stalker, and the Yalta Conference happens just like it's said to have happened in the history books.<br /><br />And never you mind about any of that nonsense with superheroes, demons, and mad gods that you just read about...that part never happened. Or at least it never happened if you believe everything your government tells you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZDk3_bhIN1VJPwafxlDKnanNFfvVycwqqFk6UVjfZQqeCzbKDcSgUL7BHLn7VqDhMaLAq_-IjH6qaDBKCK0yAvVbjZt5pzvKzKISxb5LlKpACLqptI37PVdqbPjY0OZ6nJX-aTFlxeU/s1600/AAC1-22-3456.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544701776909017890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZDk3_bhIN1VJPwafxlDKnanNFfvVycwqqFk6UVjfZQqeCzbKDcSgUL7BHLn7VqDhMaLAq_-IjH6qaDBKCK0yAvVbjZt5pzvKzKISxb5LlKpACLqptI37PVdqbPjY0OZ6nJX-aTFlxeU/s320/AAC1-22-3456.jpg" /></a>It's just another war story that our Iowa farmboy will take with him to the grave.<br /><br /><strong>SO, WHAT DID WE LEARN...</strong><br /><br />There's always more to history than what's written in the textbooks, just don't use a comic book to press your point. And you're just going to have to trust me on that one.<br /><br />Ron Marz and Eduardo Barreto give us a pretty standard twenty-two pager. Nothing flashy or groundbreaking, but it tells a story and it tells it well. Both of these guys are pros, so you know at the very least you're getting a competant comic book. Unfortunately, that's about as much as we get.<br /><br />As I mentioned in the previous post, the last decade has treated the Justice Society very, very well. On purely sentimental terms, I'd say that that time period has been the golden age of DCs' Golden Age heroes. It's through that prism of Robinson, Goyer, and Johns' vision that, unfortunately, this story is viewed. After all that they were able to do with the characters, this story just seems a little lightweight in comparison. I'd probably classify this mini-series as essential only for the Justice Society completists.<br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-size:78%;">All characters and artwok reproduced are (c) DC Comics</span></div>TomO.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08944846588700304555noreply@blogger.com0