|
|
Post by foxley on Jan 20, 2015 15:48:57 GMT -5
So I guess Grundy was a prisoner on the moon more than once? Or did that Starman just happen to take place during the time he was there? It seems like the sort of thing James Robinson would know about and do on purpose (though perhaps he just missed All-Star #63). From memory, the confusing tale of where Solomon Grundy is imprisoned is dealt with in an early issue of All-Star Squadron (and explained quite deftly by Roy Thomas). James Robinson later picked up on Roy's explanation and ran with it. |
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Jan 20, 2015 15:56:26 GMT -5
Ahhhh, I figured there had to be something.
I'll get to all this stuff one of these days...
|
|
|
|
Post by Cei-U! on Jan 20, 2015 17:50:44 GMT -5
Actually, that's the '50s version of the Batmobile, the Dick Sprang version. You're right. The bubble top clearly marks it as the version introduced in Detective #156 (February 1950). I plead extenuating circumstances, since I wrote these entries a decade ago before I became thoroughly steeped in Golden Age DC lore. Cei-U! I summon the wonder wheels! |
|
|
|
Post by Cei-U! on Jan 21, 2015 10:18:53 GMT -5
Freedom Fighters #5November-December 1976 (August 23, 1976) $.30  Cover Art: Rich Buckler (Penciller), Vince Colletta (Inker), signed “The Rise and Fall of King Samson” 17 pages Tony Isabella (Editor), Bob Rozakis (Writer), Ramona Fradon (Penciller), Vince Colletta (Inker), Milt Snapinn (Letterer), Liz Berube (Colorist) FC: The Black Condor, Doll Man, The Human Bomb, Phantom Lady, The Ray, Uncle Sam, teamed as the Freedom Fighters GS: Wonder Woman [of Earth-One] SC: David Pearson, Superman [of Earth-One] (as Clark Kent) Villains: The Silver Ghost, King Samson (dies in this story) Intro: Martha Roberts of Earth-One Intro: Martha Roberts of Earth-X (mention only; death reported in this story) SynopsisThe Human Bomb ties the transformed Wonder Woman to King Samson with her enchanted lasso and tricks Samson into swinging at his exposed fist. The energy of the resultant explosion travels through the rope and into the Amazon, reversing the silver effect. Unknown to all present, the same energy reaches across the city to the morgue and resuscitates the Silver Ghost. DA Pearson reluctantly allows TV newswoman Martha Roberts — the doppelgänger of Darrell's late girlfriend back on Earth-X — to interview the jailed Black Condor, Doll Man and Ray. They tell her their story and argue with Pearson over their respective culpability in the reported death of Wonder Woman. Spying the revived Ghost flying past, the FF lock the DA and Martha in their cell and set off in pursuit. Telepathically linked to King Samson as a side-effect of the energy feedback, the Silver Ghost tracks him down and forces the pathetic strongman to kill himself with the glove. The FF try to detain him but he slips away just as the police arrive. Aware they'll never clear themselves from a prison cell, the FF reluctantly fight their way free. Pearson furiously vows to bring the fugitives to justice despite Wonder Woman's assurances of their innocence. The Good GuysDoll Man acquires telekinetic powers in this story, which he attributes to the same transdimensional effect responsible for Phantom Lady's intangibility and the intensification of the Human Bomb's explosive touch. The Ray's last name is correctly spelled “Terrill” as of this story. The Martha Roberts of Earth-X was last seen, as Doll Girl, in Doll Man #47 (October 1953). Since that Earth's Martha was already an adult at the time Doll Man first appeared in 1939 and her Earth-One doppelgänger is clearly not in her fifties, they must share a similar temporal relationship to the Supermen, Batmen, Wonder Women and others of Earths-One and -Two. The Bad GuysAccording to this story, the Silver Ghost can telekinetically manipulate anything he transforms into silver. This power is not seen again in Earth-Two continuity. Fashion WatchKing Samson is wearing the Silver Ghost's glove on his right hand at the start of this issue, on his left hand for three panels of page 4, then back to his right hand. Both he and the Ghost wore it on their left hand in previous issues. The cape has been restored to the Silver Ghost's costume. Points to PonderThe New York City coroner's office must be seriously backlogged if, as noted last issue, a week has passed since the Silver Ghost's electrocution and his body has yet to be either autopsied or embalmed, either of which would make his resurrection as depicted here impossible.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cei-U! on Jan 22, 2015 8:59:50 GMT -5
Justice League of America #137December 1976 (August 30, 1976) $.30  Cover Art: Ernie Chan [as Ernie Chua], signed “Crisis in Tomorrow!” 17 pages Julius Schwartz (Editor), E. Nelson Bridwell (Plot/Continuity), Martin Pasko (Writer), Dick Dillin (Penciller), Frank McLaughlin (Inker); no lettering or coloring credits FC: The Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Superman, teamed as the Justice League of America GS: Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Robin, Johnny Thunder (and The Thunderbolt), Wonder Woman, teamed as the Justice Society of America GS: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel, teamed as the Marvel Family GS: Bulletgirl, Bulletman, Ibis, Mister Scarlet, Pinky, Spy Smasher, teamed as the Squadron of Justice GS: Hawkgirl [of Earth-One] SC: Shazam SA: The Olympian Gods of Earth-S (including Mercury) Villains: King Kull; Brainiac Reintro: Mister Atom SynopisOn Earth-One, Mr. Atom attacks the experimental city of “Tomorrow” on King Kull's orders. The Flashes and Green Lanterns, accompanied by Ibis and Mercury, streak to the rescue. While the three super-speedsters move the citizens of Tomorrow to safety, the Lanterns and Ibis trail Mr. Atom's protective force field of “ebon energy” back to its source: the spaceship of Brainiac. Compelled by the magic of the Ibistick, Brainiac admits the nuclear-powered robot's attack is a ruse to trick the Flashes and Mercury into using their powers, fueling a machine that is accelerating Earth's rotation. The Lanterns destroy it, removing Mr. Atom's aura. Ibis attacks but falls before the robot's atomic blasts. Mr. Atom siezes the Ibistick, unaware of the protective spell that prevents anyone but Isis from wielding it, and orders it to consign the super-heroes to deep space. He vanishes, condemned to suffer the same fate he wished on his opponents. Only one challenge remains. Mercury leads the JLA, JSA and Squadron to the Rock of Eternity to face down King Kull. The wily savage has one last trick up his metaphoric sleeve: a chunk of red kryptonite. Exposed to its radiation, Superman's friendship for his fellow heroes is replaced by a murderous rage. Uncertain why Mercury sent him to WHIZ, Johnny Thunder introduces himself to the Batson siblings and Freddy Freeman. Assuming his mission involves the Thunderbolt, he invokes his magic word. Mercury's intent becomes clear: T-bolt substitutes for Shazam's magic lightning, changing the three teens into the Marvel Family. They teleport to Eternity. Captain Marvel Jr. smashes Kull's machines, Mary Marvel frees the paralyzed gods, and Captain Marvel clobbers Kull. Provoking the maddened Superman into a frontal assault, Marvel shouts “Shazam!” at the last second. The magic lightning negates the effects of the red k. With this last loose end tied, the triumphant heroes return to their respective dimensions. The Good GuysThis is the last appearance of the Batman of Earth-Two as a participant in the annual JSA/JLA crossovers. It is also the last time the team of Batman and Robin will be seen in action (except in flashbacks and ‘retroactive continuity’ stories). At one point in the story, the Earth-Two Green Lantern seems troubled by his ineffectiveness during the battle with Brainiac but this plot point is neither resolved nor further explored during the remainder of the issue. The Bad GuysMister Atom was last seen in Captain Marvel Adventures #90 (November 1948).
|
|
|
|
Post by Cei-U! on Jan 23, 2015 9:49:02 GMT -5
DC Super-Stars #10December 1976 (September 20, 1976) $.50  Cover Art: Ernie Chan (Penciller) and Vince Colletta (Inker) “The Great Super-Star Game!” 19 pages Julius Schwartz (Editor), Bob Rozakis (Writer), Dick Dillin (Penciller), Frank McLaughlin (Inker), no lettering or colorist credits Feature: Strange Sports Stories GS: Batman, Black Canary, Kid Flash, Green Arrow, Plastic Man, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman [of Earth-One for all], Uncle Sam Villains: Amazo, Chronos, Doctor Polaris, Felix Faust, The Huntress [of Earth-One], The Joker [of Earth-One], Lex Luthor, The Matter Master, The Sportsmaster [of Earth-One], The Tattooed Man, The Weather Wizard SynopsisTo settle an argument with the Sportsmaster, the Huntress forces eight super-heroes to join her in a baseball game against Sportsmaster and eight super-villains, with Uncle Sam and Amazo as umpires. Despite the bad guys' best efforts (not to mention cheating), the heroes come out on top, both in the game and in the subsequent battle. Behind the ScenesThis story's baseball game takes place in Crandall Stadium, named for comics great Reed Crandall, whose credits include long runs on ‘Blackhawk’ and ‘Doll Man’ for Quality Comics in the 1940s. ContinuityIt is not clear where Uncle Sam's appearance here fits into Freedom Fighters continuity. Based on a remark by Wonder Woman in this story, it occurs after she met the FF in Freedom Fighters #4-5, set in late September 1976, and before the murder of David Pearson in Freedom Fighters #9, set in early January 1977. Given this issue's release date, this guide will place Sam's appearance sometime between Freedom Fighters #5 and #6 but this should not be considered definitive. The Bad GuysThe Huntress and Sportsmaster seen in this story are younger doppelgängers of the Injustice Society duo. These Earth-One incarnations were introduced in the ‘Batgirl and Robin’ story in The Batman Family #7 (September-October 1976).
|
|
|
|
Post by Cei-U! on Jan 24, 2015 8:58:31 GMT -5
Secret Society of Super-Villains #5January-February 1977 (October 11, 1976) $.30  Cover Art: Ernie Chan [as Ernie Chua] (Penciller) and Vince Colletta (Inker), signed “Endgame!” 17 pages Dennis O'Neil (Editor), Bob Rozakis (Writer), Rick Buckler (Penciller), Vince Colletta (Inker), no lettering or coloring credits FC: Captain Boomerang, Captain Cold, Funky Flashman, Manhunter (dies in this story), Sinestro, Star Sapphire, The Wizard, teamed as the Secret Society of Super-Villains GS: The Elongated Man, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Superman, teamed as the Justice League of America GS: The Black Racer, Captain Comet Villains: Darkseid, Mantis SynopsisDarkseid orders Mantis to kill Manhunter and tame the rest of the rebellious Secret Society. When the battle goes badly, Darkseid summons a “Boom Tube” (a tunnel of energy used by the New Gods to bridge the dimensions) to take him back to Apokolips. Manhunter, designed by his creators as “a human bomb, with enough built-in explosives to destroy any target,” follows the evil god into the tube and detonates, killing them both. Back at the Secret Citadel, Sinestro wearies of Funky Flashman's spiel and flies off in a huff. Captain Comet digs himself and Green Lantern out of the rubble. Convinced Comet is not a villain, GL takes him to the Justice League satellite. The JLA agree to help “chaperone” the rusty hero as he hunts down the Secret Society and adjusts to contemporary life on Earth. He and Hawkman foil Sinestro's petulant attempt to destroy the Sinister Citadel. Meeting MinutesCaptain Comet no longer maintains the pretense of membership in the Secret Society as of this story. The Bad GuysDarkseid will be revealed to have survived the explosion that killed the Manhunter clone in New Gods #12 (July 1977).
|
|
|
|
Post by Cei-U! on Jan 25, 2015 8:27:24 GMT -5
All-Star Comics #64January-February 1977 (October 18, 1976) $.30  Cover Art: Wally Wood, signed, main image; Ric Estrada (Penciller), Wally Wood (Inker), Flash and Power Girl logo figures; Keith Giffen (Penciller), Wally Wood (Inker), Superman logo figure “Yesterday Begins Today!” 17 pages Joe Orlando (Editor), Paul Levitz (Writer), Wally Wood (Art), Ben Oda (Letterer), Liz Berube (Colorist) FC: The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Hourman, Power Girl, The Star-Spangled Kid, Superman, teamed as the Justice Society of America GS: The Shining Knight SC: Eileen O'Neill, Winged Victory SA: Merlin the Magician SA: The Knights of the Round Table Villain: Vandal Savage (also poses as King Arthur Pendragon) Villains: The Icicle and other unidentified members of the Injustice Society of the World Intro: The Dark Knight of Arkan (true name unknown) SynopsisThe Star-Spangled Kid demonstrates his new “cosmic converter belt” for Superman, Hourman and Power Girl. The Flash and Green Lantern return from their mission to Egypt with the Shining Knight. He asks the JSA to send him back to the Sixth Century where, according to an urgent message from Merlin, Camelot is about to be conquered by the Roman Empire, an impossibility that could result in temporal catastrophe. GL begs off due to the demands of his civilian life. The others time travel to Arthurian Britain, Hourman remaining behind to work the controls of the team's new time machine. Brooding over his questionable value to the JSA, the Man of the Hour is unprepared for a surprise assault by the Icicle. At Camelot, King Arthur and Merlin welcome the Knight and his allies. The JSA and the Knights of the Round Table march out to face the Roman legions, unaware that Arthur and Merlin follow the battle's progress on a futuristic television. It takes little time for the JSA to realize the Romans are robots. They have been tricked. Alan Scott's financial problems worsen. If his creditors don't receive $500,000 immediately, funds he does not have, Gotham Broadcasting goes into receivership. The JSA, storming Camelot to demand answers of Merlin, run a gauntlet of futuristic weaponry. Breaking through, they fall one by one to a strange pistol wielded by Arthur. Holding Superman and Power Girl at bay by threatening the others, the false king strips off his disguise, revealing the formerly immortal Vandal Savage. CosmologyThe Shining Knight says in this issue that “Camelot is being attacked by the Roman Empire – who should not even know that Britain exists!” Sir Justin has a shaky grasp of history. As the Flash notes later, Rome had withdrawn from Britain well before the Sixth Century ― the empire had in fact disappeared in all but name by then ― but was certainly aware of its existence. ContinuityVandal Savage has traveled back to the Sixth Century from the Twentieth. Where his Sixth Century incarnation is during these events is not known. Meeting MinutesPower Girl and the Star-Spangled Kid join the JSA in between last issue and this, becoming the twentieth and twenty-first members of the team. Thus, despite continued references on the covers and title pages, the All-Star Super Squad is defunct. This is the first appearance of the “Time Vortex,” the Justice Society's time machine. According to this story, it was invented by the Flash using Barry Allen's cosmic treadmill technology. The Good GuysThe Star-Spangled Kid replaces the cosmic rod (presumably returned to Starman) with his new cosmic converter belt in this story. In addition to duplicating the functions of the cosmic rod, the belt also gives the Kid the power to create objects by converting energy to matter. Fashion WatchThis is the first and only appearance of the medieval variants of the Flash, Hawkman, Power Girl, the Star-Spangled Kid and Superman's costumes.  Power Girl's costume is modified in this story. The chest cutout is filled in and her belt eliminated. The costume is depicted on the cover without the belt but with the chest cutout. The Shining Knight wears the more elaborate helmet he wore in the later episodes of his Adventure Comics solo series rather than the version he wore in his last appearance in Justice League of America #100-02.
|
|
|
|
Post by Action Ace on Jan 25, 2015 12:13:29 GMT -5
I love those medieval outfits. They need some flimsy pretext to bring those back for an adventure. Someone tell Hal Foster's ghost that I want a JSA/ Prince Valiant crossover as soon as possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cei-U! on Jan 26, 2015 9:01:42 GMT -5
Freedom Fighters #6January-February 1977 (October 25, 1976) $.30  Cover Art: Rich Buckler (Penciller), Vince Colletta (Inker), main image; Ric Estrada (Penciller), Mike Royer (Inker), Uncle Sam logo figure “Witching Hour for the Warrior Wizards!” 17 pages Tony Isabella (Editor), Bob Rozakis (Writer), Ramona Fradon (Penciller), Bob Smith (Inker), Ben Oda (Letterer), Liz Berube (Colorist) FC: The Black Condor, Doll Man, The Human Bomb, Phantom Lady, The Ray, Uncle Sam, teamed as the Freedom Fighters SC: David Pearson, Martha Roberts SA: Tom Fagan Villains: The Ghost Gang Intro: Homilus Intro: Enstra (true name unknown; dies in this story) and The Warrior Wizards (all unnamed) SynopsisUncle Sam, the Ray and the Black Condor stop the Ghost Gang from robbing the Yonkers Raceway box office. The heroes interrogate the gang about the Silver Ghost but they believe the Ghost is dead. With DA Pearson accusing them of needlessly creating a mass panic at the track, New York has become too dangerous for the Freedom Fighters. Martha Roberts suggests they lose themselves among the costumed revelers attending tomorrow night's annual Halloween parade in Rutland, Vermont. The next morning in a forest outside Rutland, a coven of sorcerers known as Warrior Wizards listen enrapt to their leader, Enstra. Come high noon, they will summon the demon Homilus. All they need is a sacrifice. Martha, en route to the nearby cabin where the FF await her return, unwittingly fills that need. A worried Doll Man, finding Martha's abandoned purse, follows the Wizards' trail back to their altar and summons the rest of the FF. Despite their swords, the cultists are no match for the super-team. Enstra is run through by one of his own men, completing the ritual of sacrifice. The heroes seem defenseless against the hellborn might of Homilus. Only the Human Bomb's explosive touch seems to hurt the demon, so much so that it possesses Black Condor and forces him to protect it. While the others keep the Condor busy, Sam drops the Bomb on Homilus, obliterating the monster. That evening, the parade goes off as scheduled. No one but Martha is aware the six colorful figures riding one float are the real deal. Behind the ScenesRutland's annual Halloween parade is a real event. For several years in the early to mid-Seventies, when comics fan Tom Fagan was its organizer, the parade was featured in both DC and Marvel comic books. This is the last such story of that period, and the only one not to feature cameo appearances by one or more comics professionals. ContinuityThe story in this issue occurs on October 30-31, 1976. One of the Silver Ghost's gang states that it has been “weeks” since the Ghost's ‘death’ in Freedom Fighters #2. The Good GuysAccording to this story, Uncle Sam's strength has increased and the Ray has gained the power to absorb or project heat as well as light thanks to the same transdimensional effect responsible for the new or increased powers of Doll Man, the Human Bomb and Phantom Lady. Doll Man designs a power damper for the Human Bomb, allowing him to remove his costume for the first time since leaving Earth-X. This first damper is destroyed during the battle with Homilus. Points to PonderIt is curious that the Freedom Fighters behave as though only capturing the Silver Ghost will clear their names when the testimony of any of the gang members captured in this story could also exonerate them. Didn't they have plea bargains on Earth-X?
|
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Jan 26, 2015 10:06:19 GMT -5
Didn't Roy Thomas use that parade thing, and but himself, and future wife, and a couple others from the bullpen in the crowd? Daredevil maybe? Defenders? Some Marvel book around that time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prince Hal on Jan 26, 2015 11:39:45 GMT -5
I love those medieval outfits. They need some flimsy pretext to bring those back for an adventure. Someone tell Hal Foster's ghost that I want a JSA/ Prince Valiant crossover as soon as possible. How great was Wally Wood? That one panel has more artistic flair and sensibility than entire runs of McFarlandesque crap that legions of comic book "lovers" gush over. |
|
|
|
Post by Cei-U! on Jan 26, 2015 11:43:11 GMT -5
The Rutland Halloween Parade figured in five Marvel issues: Amazing Adventures #16, Avengers #83 and 119, Marvel Feature #2 (the Defenders story you mentioned) and Thor #207. At DC, it popped up in Batman #237, DC Super-Stars #18, and Justice League of America #103 and 145, in addition to the Freedom Fighters issue cited above.
Cei-U!
I summon the checklist!
|
|
|
|
Post by wildfire2099 on Jan 26, 2015 15:13:00 GMT -5
It was the Marvel Feature one I was thinking of... I read that in the MMW... I knew you'd know... thanks! That would have bothered me all week until I had a chance to get home and figure it out myself  |
|
|
|
Post by Reptisaurus! on Jan 26, 2015 19:46:57 GMT -5
The Rutland Halloween Parade figured in five Marvel issues: Amazing Adventures #16, Avengers #83 and 119, Marvel Feature #2 (the Defenders story you mentioned) and Thor #207. At DC, it popped up in Batman #237, DC Super-Stars #18, and Justice League of America #103 and 145, in addition to the Freedom Fighters issue cited above. Cei-U! I summon the checklist! Was Super Stars # 18 the Deadman/Phantom Stranger Team-Up? I know I don't have Freedom Fighters and I'm 75% sure I don't have that issue of Thor, but I think I've got all the rest in some form. I should do a Rutland re-read. (How weird was it to see Spider-man in an issue of JLA? So weird!) |
|
