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Post by Slam_Bradley on May 1, 2018 9:24:12 GMT -5
Gah! Those books are leaning! If that bothers you, you'd have an aneurysm if you saw my collection. Mine too. |
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Post by sabongero on May 2, 2018 20:10:19 GMT -5
 Batman and the Outsiders v.1 #2"Markovia's Last Stand!" 0.60 ¢ @ September 1983 Writer: Mike W. Barr Artist: Jim Aparo Inker: Jim Aparo Colorist: Adrienne Roy Letterer: Jim Aparo Editor: Len Wein & Nicole Cuti Executive Editor: Dick Giordano Synopis: Baron Bedlam has Batman, Black Lightning, and Metamorpho chained up in the dungeons of his castle. He told Batman about his father who was a nobody, until the nazis got rid of the king and made his father a regent, and everything was good. Until the American soldiers came and liberated the nation. Batman kept the Baron talking, and signaled Black Lightning to use his powers to zap the Baron and get them out of there. Nothing happened, and the Baron walked out continued to gloat. Batman asked Black Lightning what happened, and BL responded he didn't have it anymore and that's why he retired the costume, and also the last time he used his lightning powers he killed a girl, eliciting a surprised look from Batman. Outside the security compound, and hidden in the trees, Halo is contemplating what she can do to help Batman, who ended up getting captured by trying to help her in the previous issue. She was grabbed from behind by Katana. She didn't look like the enemy, so Katana released her, and then silently assaulted a soldier on guard duty, and Halo used her concussive blast powers to make an opening on the wall. Both entered the facility. Elsewhere Geo Force got up from the ground... alive. At Baron Bedlam's office, a soldier came barging in to report that their facility has been penetrated. He ordered the security force to deal with them alone without him as he has rendezvous plans with the main team. Furthermore, he ordered all prisoners to be killed with the exception of Dr. Jace, who is to be brought to the airlift. Back in the dungeon, Batman struggled to get his chained wrists free as he tried to talk Black Lightning in a positive self-help style of conversation. He told him he could free them or at least re-animate Metamorpho. Many footsteps approached the steel doors. And Black Lightning with his lightning powers broke free from one of his shackles, and threw a bolt of lightning to Metamorpho instantly reanimating and freeing him. The doors opened, and the soldiers were scooped out of there by Metamorpho. They threw grenades, but Metamorpho changed to gas form, thus knocking out all the soldiers that were there to kill the three of them. He then freed Batman and Black Lightning. The three ran down the corridors and found Lucius Fox, who was now freed and holding an assault rifle and accompanied by Katana and Halo, who was overjoyed to see Batman unharmed. Black Lightning recognized Katana as a killer, and she agreed she slew those who murder her loved ones. Black Lightning told her they didn't need her murdering help. They spoke with the prisoners. Batman convinced one of the young soldiers to do what is right for Markovia and assist them. He told Batman about the Baron and that he had Dr. Jace with him. Batman will take all the help he can get, and Metamorpho, Katana, Black Lightning, and Halo will help him. They left the compound. Batman thought to himself that he swore he'd never join another organization, but he wondered... Elsewhere, Dr. Jace's experiments that gave powers to the prince, this time gave powers to Baron Bedlam. Elsewhere, om the city of Markovburg, the remnants of the defending army regrouped for a last stand. The man who would be king. Army and civilians joined the fight. Batman and The Outsiders joined the fight. In the middle of the battle, Batman felt an earthquake and it was a super-powered Baron Bedlam joined the fight. He was about to kill the man who would be king, when Geo Force showed up just in time and punched Baron Bedlam, thus saving his majesty. They did one on one battle and Geo Force chased him to a castle where they continued their battle. Enemy soldiers were about to shoot Dr. Jace when she was saved by Metamorpho. In the castle, Baron Bedlam was getting the best of Geo-Force and was about to crush him with a big slab of stone. He then started to shake and couldn't hold the stone aloft anymore. Batman showed up and punched him out. Then Geo-Force gave him a knock out punch for good. Dr. Jace arrived to explain the Geo-Force left Baron Bedlam because the powers can only be retained only by blood members of the Markovia royal family. If the Baron tried to possess it again, it will kill him. Geo Force then threw the baron to the people of Markovia below to pass judgement on him. They killed him. Batman liked the way Geo-Force's mind worked. Dr. Jace told Metamorpho she'll find a cure of him. But what will he do in the meantime? Batman told him and the others to come with him. He'll help them find a purpose and the proper way to use their powers. Metamorpho coined their team name... The Outsiders. Batman has heard worse. Comments: This team ir resourceful and has an edge. Each one is a piece yet to be shaped to reach their full potential. This isn't the Justice League. They have an edge to them. And a smiling Batman to lead them reminds me of the Batman from that particular Batman from All Star Batman and Robin... The Goddamn Batman! Meaning, he's not entirely there either. |
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Post by sabongero on May 11, 2018 11:48:27 GMT -5
 Suicide Squad #1
"Trial by Blood"0.75 ¢ @ May 1987 Writer: John Ostrander Penciler: Luke McDonnell Inker: Karl Kesel Colorist: Carl Gafford Letterer: Todd Klein Editor: Robert Greenberger Executive Editor: Dick Giordano Synopsis: In a mock airport with hired actors as politicians, civilians, and law enforcement, a Quraci (Qurac is a poor country) terrorist group called Jihad, made up of super-powered villains killed many of the civilians, politicians, and law enforcement. And this included the mock Air Force One airplane that was landing in the tarmac. This demonstration was utilized to show what this terrorist group is capable of so they can sell their services. After the chaos, Jihad entered and disappeared through the portal where they came from. The terrorist group can strike within a week after the target has been selected, even if the target is within the U.S.A. The Jihad leader sold their services, and the buyer is just waiting for the fee to clear their Swiss accounts. In Belle Reve Federal Prison in Louisiana, the prison warden is giving Gotham City reporter, Vicki Vale a tour of one of the few federal holding facilities that are capable of incarcerating meta-humans, and showed her the super-villain Parasite being held and how he is kept under control. Vicki Vale's tour finished and she left, and the prison warden had one of the doctor employees call Amanda Waller that they are in the clear. After receiving the call, Amanda Waller went to her psychologists to see if the super-villains that are held psychologically fit for a mission she has in mind. The psychologist didn't want the mission group's name to be call The Suicide Squad citing it is a terrible name, psychologically, for this group. Waller advised the name has a past and the group has a past, they can live with both. With their control center overlooking a secured mini auditorium, the psychologist described each individual member of the team's psychological evaluation to Amanda Waller. One by one, and started with the mission commander, Colonel Rick Flag, and the eight super-villains who volunteered for this mission, and the sentence for each villain gets reduced to time served, as long as they survive the mission, which they are not expected to. The group of psychiatrists didn't agree with Amanda Waller to send the group to the field on assignment fearing what it will do to them. It doesn't matter what they think to Amanda Waller who considered to group expendable. She went to the mini auditorium and introduced herself to the team as running the Suicide Squad section of Task Force X. She briefed them on the mission. And they have to survive. She showed the Jihad terrorist group and the massacre they did on a mock airport resembling a U.S. airport. The mission statement is Jihad is the target, and they will hit them first before they leave the country of Qurac and target the U.S. President. She showed them the super-villains comprising the terrorist group and their capabilities. And finally she showed them the leader and internal security office for the group, and their HQ in the mountainous southern part of Qurac. The administration needs something where they can disavow any knowledge if the mission goes wrong. They are to destroy Jihad and Qurac's capabilities of reforming the super-powered terrorist group. Complete dossiers will be given to them on the plane ride. Deadshot had a question of infiltrating the terrorist facility, of which Col. Rick Flag told him that the contact that provide the pictures will take care of that for them and anything else will be given to them with their specific assignments at the rendezvous point. Time to move out. The team approached their plane, the SS-1. Colonel Flag did a final check on the plane, and while checking it reminisced about the last mission, a disastrous mission at that, and different crew including one who became a lover, and lo and behold to his surprise, that woman, Karin, is in the pilot's seat. She is part of the group of which Amanda Waller didn't disclose to Col. Flag. She was straightforward and told her how she felt that he never visited her in the hospital and didn't even know that she was out of the hospital. What they once had should not interfere with their current professional work, which Rick Flag agreed. Bronze Tiger went to the cockpit to tell Col. Flag there is a situation on the ground. Teammates were going at it with Captain Boomerang as the source of the problem, he threw the boomerang, and was caught in the air by Bronze Tiger. Before the problem escalated, Col. Flag told Boomerang that he throws his weapons to where Flag ordered, and if he ever threw a weapon to a teammate, then he will personally blow of his arm. And with that they boarded the plane which took off and headed for their first group mission. Comments: This issue reminded me of the beginning of the movie, "The Dirty Dozen." It's basically based on the same premise. The cover stated that all of the members are going on the mission, but one will not come back alive. I suppose we will find out in the next couple of issues who that group member that will end up dead. Amanda Waller is a no-nonsense leader, and comes across as exactly that. Her black ops group is made up of murderous criminals, and she won't hesitate to send them on a mission which results in their death as long as the mission is accomplished. As far as she's concerned priority is as follows: it's the mission first and plausible deniability and then the group's lives. You need to be thick skinned to be able to send your people to their deaths. But then again, you are not qualified to be a military leader/flag officer until you are able to give orders and send your soldier/sailors to their deaths in order to accomplish a particular job. But she does it with a knife's edge to it. |
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Post by brutalis on May 11, 2018 13:19:05 GMT -5
Oh yes the classic series of villains forced into being good guys. Taking many an ignored (Bronze Tiger) or ridiculed (Boomer Butt) character and turning them around into Superstars (Deadshot) by telling damn good stories. Ostrander was hitting it out of the ballpark with this series. McDonnell's art really fit well with the writing and situations as these were NOT heroes in the spotlight but villains operating on the down low and fringes of accessibility. Without this updating of the concept there would be no high profile movie and current series with bigger name villains in the forefront like Harley and Zod. This was Black Ops fun and Government games done properly for the funny book world of hero vs villain. Very creative and unique use of the whole anti-hero and anti-villain concepts.
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Post by sabongero on Jun 17, 2018 21:18:42 GMT -5
 Birds of Prey v1 #59"Of Like Minds, Part 4, Finale" 2.50 USD @ November 2003 Writer: Gail Simone Penciler: Ed Benes Inker: Alex Lei Colorist: Hi-Fi Design Letterer: John Workman Editor: Lysa Hawkins Executive Editor: Dan DiDio Synopsis: Savant has caught up to a disabled and escaping Black Canary and is about to beat her with a baton and cuff her once more. Black Canary is holding a weapon at her left hand unknown to Savant, and is unwilling to be "caged" once again. At the kitchen, Huntress has Creote in a chokehold asking him to reveal the location of Black Canary. They continued to battle as Andrew Fisher tried to sneak a peak at the battle, left and went to the wine cellar in the basement thinking of what Savant told him about not slitting his throat while thinking of which wine to order. Having a flashlight and looking through, he found a sealed door, and upon opening it, found his missing wife and daughters alive, and who are happy to see him. Rejoining the scene with Black Canary and Savant, she made her way to her feet standing up and slid down the banister, temporarily escaping the villain. Savant followed and tapping the baton at the railings of the stairway and caught up to Canary downstairs. He told her the real prize was her partner, Oracle, and that she, Black Canary, was just to be used as leverage to capture Oracle. But he wouldn't have her escaping again and stepping on her plaster-casting enveloped leg, he was about to beat her. Outside the mansion, Andrew Fisher and his family made it outside to his car and are about to escape, and he told them to escape and drive away but he has to go back inside and help Black Canary who gave him a second chance, and he betrayed her to the merciless men inside the mansion. Huntress and Creote's battle washed through where Black Canary and Savant were, and Huntress seeing what was about to happen, moved between Savant and Canary, effectively saving Canary for the time being. And as the battle was about to begin once more, all the telephones in the building ring at the same time. It was Oracle revealing to Savant she knows who he is, Brian K. Durlin, thanks to him speaking Greek fluently as compared to his Chinese in previous issues. And she mouths off everything there is to know about him, including his daddy issues, thus annoying him, and making Black Canary laugh. He threatened to kill Oracle's partners, but Oracle threatened to erase all his valuable files at his home. And Savant left the battle to run to his computer room, with a dumbfounded Creote left with the women, who asked him if Savant knew he was in love with him, and Creote answered matter-of-factly that Savant doesn't know. At the computer room, Savant vowed to make Oracle pay for stealing his computer files and destroying them. Oracle was astonished to find out the names on his files whom he is trying to blackmail for money. Creote renewed his battle with Huntress but was hit in the back of the head by a wooden stick by Andrew Fisher. He turned his attention to Andrew Fisher, and punched him and was about to give him a beating but then Huntress grabbed the stick and knocked Creote out by hitting him as hard as she can with it at his jaw. Savant made his way back to where the fight was taking place but Huntress threw a mini pike/javelin hitting his hand. And then Black Canary punched him in the face. They handcuffed him and tried to help out Fisher. Dinah threw the back up discs of the blackmailed people in the fireplace thus destroying them and securing their rights, even though most of them are criminals. The citizens rights were more important than punishing the guilty as Canary told Oracle, who in turn told her in the first place when they first started working together. As Dinah left with Helena in the motorcycle, unknown to them, Barbara was restoring the lost data from Savant't computer in order to re-obtain the names of the people who he blackmailed, and are mostly criminals. Comments: Way before the LGBT community became accepted in the mainstream in recent years, the villains in this story are gay men. But they are not helpless looking gay men, they are the ones that can give a beating and put the word scare in scary. Huntress and Black Canary is about to embark as teammates for a long time in the series. There's chemistry between them, and their interaction is naturally well done by Gail Simone, and beautifully illustrated by Ed Benes. Ed Benes' art is done well in this issue. His cheesecake illustrations are minimized, and his action scenes show kinetic energy particularly when Huntress is engaged in mortal combat with Creote. You can see the conveyed dangerousness of Creote because of his overwhelming size against his foe, but Huntress is no slouch, and is portrayed as a wild and violent anti-heroine herself, with a wide-ranging physical combat moves, and the wrestling hold of a choke hold was portrayed accurately where her leverage contemplated for her lack of size in utilizing the move. The women are a team, but they don't have to agree with each other, as Oracle's final move showed, she'll override team decisions, and decide what's best to be done on a situation. |
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Post by sabongero on Sept 17, 2019 23:08:57 GMT -5
 Defenders #20.20 USD @ October 1972 "The Secret of the Silver Surfer!" Writer: Steve Englehart Artist: Sal Buscema Inker: John Verpoorten Letterer: John Costanza Editor: Roy Thomas Synopsis: We join the Sub-Mariner swimming the Arctic followed by the astral form of Dr. Strange as they were searching for the Silver Surfer, who suddenly appeared and swooped in to scoop the Sub-Mariner to tell him about his current work as a peacekeeper. But Namor only remembered their last encounter as the Silver Surfer was taking orders from the super-villain Necrodamus and dropped the Silver Surfer from high above. Needless to say, Namor just suddenly started assaulting the Silver Surfer, who told him that he didn't remember doing that to Namor, and in blinding speed avoided the confrontation and left the scene. Dr. Strange and Namor went back to Dr. Strange's Manhattan abode thinking they knew where the Silver Surfer went. And on the way to the Himalayas, they passed by the Hulk to convince him to accompany them, who didn't want to at first, but being told he can have revenge on Necrodamus who hurt the Hulk, the Hulk willingly olbiged to go with them. Upon arrival in a village in the Himalayas, the trio scared the natives who were under the influence of Necrodamus, and were very scared to talk to the strangers. Dr. Strange placed a spell and disguised themselves as explorers so they can utilize the local guides. And they were led to a place where Necrodamus was seemingly headquartered. They encountered giant ape-like creatures who didn't speak human language, but the Hulk sensed they were "evil" and started pummeling them. The Silver Surfer suddenly appeared to stop the Hulk and Namor from further pummeling the apelike creatures citing they were peaceful. But then, Necrodamus suddenly appeared and the apelike creatures showed their true guises of magician warriors. Necrodamus told them that they were slowly controlling the Silver Surfer's mind as he stayed with them, to do his bidding. And a battle ensued. It was a standstill and a stalemate was in the works as Necrodamus was too strong on his encounter with Dr. Strange. In turn, Dr. Strange suggested that all four superheroes combine their attack on Necrodamus at once, who could not stand the single-handed attack of Dr. Strange, Hulk, Sub-Mariner, and Silver Surfer all at once, thus collapsing unconscious. And the rest of the magician warriors was easy fodder for the four superheroes without their leader. At the end, Dr. Strange told Silver Surfer he had an idea to have the Silver Surfer finally escape Earth to go be reaunited with his beloved Shalla-Bal in Zenn-La. Comments: This is a standard superhero adventure story. There's nothing out of the ordinary. But the best part about this is Steve Englehart's use of giving distinct voices to each of the four superheroes. I love the way each one has distinct voice where you can tell who is speaking. The way each talked and their cadence was very different from each, from Namor's royal demeanor who is full of himself, up to the Hulk's angry childlike no common sense, and to Dr. Strange's mystic academia. The Silver Surfer still sounded like a philosopher who is burdened with his stay on Earth. And let's not forget Sal Buscema and his tandem with John Verpoorten. One has to love the solid linework and the Kirby-eque action scenes provided especially during the slugfest. Some WWF inspired action scenes were illustrated where Namor was placed in a sleeper hold and the Hulk was placed in a cross faced chicken wing-like hold where instead of the face being grabbed, a laser blast to the face was substituted. And let's not forget the initial splash page with Namor swimming the arctic ocean with icebergs all over and sweat in his forehead as he trudged ahead, followed by the astral form of Dr. Strange. Very dynamic and full of kinetic energy. |
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Post by sabongero on Sept 20, 2019 17:44:51 GMT -5
 Defenders #30.20 USD @ December 1972 "Four Against the Gods" Writer: Steve Englehart Artist: Sal Buscema Inker: Jim Mooney Letterer: Artie Simek Editor: Roy Thomas Synopsis: Dr. Strange suggested to the Silver Surfer he can perhaps escape the barrier Galactus erected on Earth to imprison him, by magically bringing them to a different dimension and he can circumvent the imprisonment that way. Namor is not obligated to go, but he will join them in this journey as he is curious of another dimension. The Hulk told them he is leaving as he is sick and tired of Dr. Strange ordering him around, but was persuaded by the Silver Surfer to accompany them as it is a journey that should be made with friends, and Hulk was convinced since the thought of being a friend appealed to him. Namor quickly jumped to the sea for a second to replenish his strength in the water. And soon, the four superheroes journeyed to the other dimension. Unfortunately, there was a problem, and they ended up in the realm of The Nameless One. And upon arrival in that realm, Dr. Strange saw, imprisoned in the Poles of Ethereal Force, Barbara, the woman who sacrificed herself for him months ago. He tried to use his magic to free her, and the Silver Surfer added his power cosmic to his magic, and the woman was freed and started floating towards them. And they flee before they are discovered by the Nameless One. Silver Surfer guided them in the space, but they encountered a hole in the macrocosm of space. But before they can escape it, the hole created a maelstrom and sucked them inside, with the exception of the Silver Surfer's surfboard. And upon reaching the entrance to the hole, the Hulk grabbed at the edge of the entrances to prevent from going in, and blocked the others as well, and Namor "swam" to the surfboard to get a hold of it and bring to the Silver Surfer, who used all his power to get them out of there with everyone hanging on to the surfboard. But Namor was depleted in strength. Dr. Strange magically bathed him in water to replenish his strength. And Hulk thought to himself that no one thanked him for preventing them being sucked in the hold at the entrance. But to their horror, they witness a sight that was their individual biggest nightmare. It is a sight of their four beloeved women trapped in the Pole of Ethereal Force. All three men were frozen as they could not ponder what to do, with the exception of Namor, as there was a mistake. His Lady Dorma is dead already, so he knew this was a trick of some sort, even though she felt very real to him. And Namor realized as he encountered it before, the Nameless One. But it had two heads before, and now as three heads. And the forms of their beloved women disappeared. It was a trap set by Barbara who is now one with the Nameless One. And the Nameless One attacked the four superheroes. First by hurling a meteorite at them. Then engaging them in combat and getting a hold of Namor, tried to eat him. But Namor broke free from within the Nameless One and escaped. The Hulk hurled a giant rock at it, followed by pummeling from the Sub-Mariner. Dr. Strange and the Silver Surfer attacked the Nameless One and secured the super-villain's foot to the Pole of Ethereal Force, thus imprisoning it. And Dr. Strange not wanting to fail Barbara again, and using his magic secured her form and separated her from the Nameless One. But she was insane. And he couldn't tell if it was her choice to mate with the Nameless One, but he had no time to contemplate as the Silver Surfer yelled at him to get them out of there. And Dr. Strange obliged immediately, and them five of them were transported to greener pastures. Barbara was screaming insanely as the Silver Surfer seethed in anger as their journey was for nothing and he was still trapped on Earth, and he left them to be alone. And Dr. Strange doubted himself by leading the Defenders. And all the while the insanity has gripped Barbara who continued to scream insanely while the Hulk and Namor just stood by. Comments: This was a great and entertaining straight-forward story. Each Defender had his own precise voice. And the best part of this series is the interaction between four individual superheroes who cannot join a superhero team as they are loners in all their individual unique ways. With all their powers, they are still men. And as men, they are susceptible to men's weakness. The sight of the women they loved held captive froze them, and they could not do anything. It's a good thing the Nameless One made a mistake as Namor's beloved had already died. But the anguish that came across him was heartfelt as her sight felt so real to him. It's interesting that the Silver Surfer's surfboard is not a part of his being as it was not affected by the hole in the macrocosm of space. But in the reboot of the Silver Surfer in his third volume, it was what was keeping him imprisoned Earth, as he escaped Earth without his surfboard. It's good to see that doubt in his leadership of the team has crept into Dr. Strange. Since all four are individual loners in the Marvel Universe, there is always that suspense for readers to think just how long can these Defenders stay together as a "team" especially, since the Silver Surfer has once again left the team at the end of the issue. Sal Buscema brought a classic John Busemca/Jack Kirby-like tone to the story with his illustrations. Nothing fancy. Just straight-forward storytelling. His illustrations suit Steve Englehart's straight-forward storytelling. Especially the emotions triggered in the men from varying situations from seeing their beloved held captive, to Namor's heartfelt anguish over seeing his dead beloved in front of him feeling realistic, to their individual helplessness. Buscema and Englehart brought a story that entertained and drew reader sympathy as well. |
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Post by sabongero on Jun 17, 2020 18:12:22 GMT -5
 West Coast Avengers v2 #11.25 USD @ October 1985 "Teammates!" Writer: Steve Englehart Penciler: Al Milgrom Inker: Joe Sinnott Letterer: Tom Orzechowski Colorist: Petra Scoteze Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter Synopsis: At the West Coast Avengers headquarters, Hawkeye and Mockingbird's married couple's make out session was interrupted by Dr. Henry Pym who arrived unannounced at its doorstep. Hawkeye tried to convince the former superhero to join the team, but Pym declined and told him he was there to examine the super-villain in their holding cell, Goliath. Outside at the beach a speeding Iron Man in his new red and silver armor was speeding towards Tigra and Wonder Man who was unaware that they were about to be attacked by robots. A melee ensued and after taking down the robots, and they overpowered the robots that attacked. Back at WCA HQ Hank Pym questioned Goliath in regards to his powers, while Mockingbird and Hawkeye spoke about convincing Pym to join the team. They were soon joined by Iron Man-Tony Stark, Wonder Man, and an excited Tigra who was more than happy to see Hank Pym again. Hawkeye is trying to make sense of the attack earlier. They tracked the robots to a docked ship at the local pier and the West Coast Avengers soon headed that way in a quinjet, leaving Hank Pym to mind the fort. The West Coast Avengers arrived and entered the docked ship and no sooner, the bulkheads of the ship started popping up steel I-beams all over place as if creating a maze of lifelike puzzle. And Ultron-12 made its presence known gloating that the Avengers have fallen for its trap. And the trapped Avengers are left by Ultron-12 as they tried to escape the steel maze trap. Back at WCA HQ, The Wasp was trying to reach Hawkeye and was surprised by Hank answering the monitor. They were soon joined by the WCA team who escaped Ultron-12's trap. And as the team gathered they were suddenly attacked by Man-Ape and Ultron-12. Tigra was subdued and Goliath was freed and the three super-villains did battle with the WCA team. Ultron-12 went toe-to-toe with Iron Man, while Goliath and Man-Ape pummelled Wonder Man to unconsciousness. And Ultron-12 escaped from his battle with Iron Man and took Hank Pym and and unconscious Wonder Man and the super-villains left the battle. Hawkeye regained his senses and put it all together that it was Simon Williams' brother, Eric, The Grim Reaper, was behind all this. Comments: Besides the action, we see the team interact and a lot of subplots came into play. Besides the budding romance between Tigra and Wonder Man, we see an open attraction from Tigra towards Hank Pym. And the new WCA team has growing pains as well. We see that Hawkeye as team leader wanted to show The Avengers team that his team was no second-fiddle team when he refused The Wasp's suggestion to help them. At the same time, it seemed even with powerhouses Wonder Man and Iron Man on the team, it seemed they were unprepared and not strong enough to take on a trio of super-villains on more than equal footing. Looks like the future doesn't look bright for this team at this early stages. But I am sure the kinks will be worked out as the team gets more experience together. |
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Post by sabongero on Jun 26, 2020 11:45:01 GMT -5
 Dynamo 5 #33.50 USD @ May 2007 Created by: Jay Faerbert & Mahmud A. Asrar Story by: Jay Faerber Art by: Mahmud A. Asrar Colors by: Ron Riley Letters by: Charles Pritchett Synopsis: Myriad is practicing his Captain Dynamo doppelganger image in order to talk down Quake into taking his medicine. The Dynamo 5 team are shown in their civilian guise and life along with their individual problems in life, some which are shallow, and others more deeper than others. Quake hasn't taken his medicine and is hallucinating and the Dynamo 5 team was summoned. They have a brief battle before Captain Dynamo arrived and talked down Quake into taking his medicines, and the so-called Captain Dynamo flew away. Then Myriad as Captain Dynamo arrived to talk to Quake, leaving the others to ponder who exactly was it that came before as Captain Dynamo? Comments: This was a faster than usual read, with not too many things going on. But a mystery has occurred towards the end. Just who exactly was the "Captain Dynamo" that came before Myriad that talked Quake into submission? Was it the original one, or another copycat? |
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Post by sabongero on Jul 2, 2020 16:31:00 GMT -5
 West Coast Avengers v2 #20.65 USD @ November 1985 "Sons!" Writer: Steve Englehart Penciler: Al Milgrom Inker: Kim DeMulder Letterer: Tom Orzechowski Colorist: Petra Scotese Editor: Mark Gruenwald Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter Synopsis: At a motel in New Jersey, the West Coast Avengers met with Scarlet Witch and Vision. They recalled what happened in the previous issue and in the 1st issue of the Vision and Scarlet Witch limited series, where everything that occurred were somehow connected, and concluded the Grim Reaper was behind all this. At the Grim Reaper's HQ, his brother Wonder Man and Henry Pym were in a holding cell as he gloated his plans of removing the Vision (who has Wonder Man's brain patterns) and Wonder Man's brain patterns and placing it on a zombie to get his brother back before being corrupted by the Avengers. Ultron left to get the Vision. The Avengers are now at William's Manufacturing. Iron Man recounted Wonder Man's origin story. They then went to Simon Williams' parents' home. Vision was shocked to see her. Simon's mom recalled his story and Eric's and before the Avengers left, the Vision proclaimed he had Simon's brain patterns, and it brought tears to the old lady's eyes, and Vision comforted her. Meanwhile, at Grim Reaper's HQ, dissension formed in his team's ranks as Eric Williams' bigotry alienated Man-Ape, who in turn alienated his fellow creole brother, Black Talon. Seeing this, Henry Pym, told Wonder Man this is their chance to escape the holding cell. Wonder Man, losing confidence, especially with his brother out to kill him, recounted how he became an Avenger. Hank then told Simon to man up and stop moping. The West Coast Avengers along with the Vision and Scarlet Witch left Jersey to go to Vegas and find Hank and Simon, when in the middle of the flight, the Quinjet was attacked by Ultron-12. And a battle ensued. Comments: This was a solid emotional issue. I love the writing. Teams will always have problems. But man, what problems this team has. There's already dissension in the ranks, and I'm not talking about Grim Reaper's team. Tigra doesn't want to be left with guard duties at the home base. Simon Williams has confidence issues. Hank's got a problem with his "son" again. Hawkeye has internal leadership problems with the Wasp who treats his team as if they were second fiddle. The best part was Vision and Simon Williams' mother. There was genuine affection showcased in the writing as well as the illustration. The look on Vision's android face showed emotion as if a son finding his long lost mother. It was one with affection and caring that only a true human could show. There's hope for you yet android. Then of course, there's the touchy subject of racism. Eric Williams blatant bigotry on one of his minions can alter his plans, even while he failed to realize the majority of his team was black. Albeit, he sees his girlfriend Nekra (an albino black woman) to be "pure white." But then the power of the vagina can overcome any bigotry as it is the most powerful weapon on the planet. |
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Post by sabongero on Jul 2, 2020 23:46:46 GMT -5
 Birds of Prey v1 #60"Feeding the Game" 2.50 USD @ December 2003 Writer: Gail Simone Penciler: Ed Benes Inker: Alex Lei & Rob Lea Colorist: Hi-Fi Design Letterer: Rob Leigh Editor: Lysa Hawkins Executive Editor: Dan DiDio Synopsis: Savant is incarcerated in jail, and Huntress disguised as Black Canarymet with a U.S. Senator who was victimized by Savant. He let Huntress know he is aware of Oracle's existence and demands some data returned to him or he will continue to seek out Oracle. Inside his jail cell, Savant is beaten by one of the senator's men disguised as a corrections officer to obtain the data. And the senator's goon called him to notify that Savant will disclose everything he knows. Back at the Clocktower, the HQ of the Birds of Prey, Oracle shockingly lets Black Canary she is letting her go from the team fearful of her getting more injuries. Comments: The story moved forward as the senator is trying to obtain damaging data from Oracle's team or from Savant. At the same time Savant didn't seem to cave in and is playing for something else, which the end result is unknown at this time. Ed Benes continued his sleek and sexy illustrations bordering on cheesecake. But then, an all female team, can you avoid cheesecake shots. That pat down scene by government security for the senator on Huntress was unnecessary but I'm titillated young fan boys. But overall I liked the clean lines and sleek look. And at the end is Black Canary temporarily out of the team or just on the sidelines until her recovery from the broken legs? |
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Post by sabongero on Jul 8, 2020 19:24:28 GMT -5
 West Coast Avengers v2 #30.65 USD @ December 1985 "Singleton!" Writer: Steve Englehart Penciler: Al Milgrom Inker: Joe Sinnott Colorist: Petra Scotese Letterer: Janice Chiang Editor: Mark Gruenwald Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter Synopsis: After defeating the forces of the Grim Reaper and Ultron, the West Coast Avengers said their goodbyes to Vision and the Scarlet Witch who wanted some alone time. And the W.C.A. flew back to Los Angeles on the Quinjet. However, not everything is kosher. Tigra is unhappy with her decisions during the battle which led to Ultron escaping. She also had a verbal spat with Iron Man aboard the Quinjet and she jumped off the ship to let off some steam while worrying her cat-side is taking over more than her human-side. Finding criminals in the city below, she took them down but was surprised that they were working for Kraven the Hunter, and the two squared off immediately. Ever the hunter, Kraven outsmarted Tigra and managed to knock her out using some and herb and potions on her thus knocking her out. Meanwhile, the W.C.A. made it back to their HQ and locked up Goliath in a holding cell. And the quarrels continued this time with Hank, Tony, and Clint, with Hank turning down being the sixth member but will stay on as maintainer of the machines and keeping them in top-notch working order in the HQ. Wonder Man made arrangements to be on a television talk show while Mockingbird and Hawkeye went to beachside to have some husband and wife time. Inside, the phone rang and Hank answered but no one answered on the other end. Elsewhere in Los Angeles, Tigra who is now back on her feet, tracked Kraven which led her to Griffith Park. An awaiting Kraven attacked her and the two battled. It was even so far, when Mockingbird and Hawkeye arrived after being alerted to her whereabouts and ruckus happening in the park. A crowd gathered to watch the two fight, and among them was Scourge who was tracking Kraven but decided to kill him another time. And just like their previous encounter earlier, he finally bested her and was about to kill her with a sharpened tree branch when he was suddenly "roped" up by Hawkeye's arrow, thus saving Tigra's life. Mockingbird then knocked out a tangled up Kraven with her battle staves. Tigra was about to yap up again but was calmed down by the two that she is part of a team. And back at the W.C.A. the whole team was having a little R & R by the pool when the doorbell rang. And to everyone's surprise it was the ever-lovin' blue-eyed Thing. He had a flat tire and rang for help. And everyone lit up. Hawkeye took him aside and was about to give him a very good offer. Comments: Pretty good issue. The best part... THE THING appearing at the end. I forgot all about Benjamin Grimm being in Los Angeles at this time and not with the Fantastic Four. This was a welcome surprise to see. You had the typical bad guy of the month appearance. And the usual team problems with each other. But now, you have another potential powerhouse that might join the team as a sixth member. Hank can be a back-up seventh member even though he is not technically part of the team, and this team is more powerful than the regular team in NYC. Three powerhouses in Thing, Wonder Man, and Iron Man. Holy smokes. |
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Post by sabongero on Aug 1, 2020 13:50:04 GMT -5
 Superman/Batman #1"The World's Finest: Part 1" October 2003 Writer: Jeph Loeb Penciler: Ed McGuinness Inker: Dexter Vines Colorist: Dave Stewart Letterer: Richard Starkings Editor: Eddie Bargansa, Tom Palmer, Jr. Executive Editor: Dan DiDio Synopsis: Superman flew to Star Labs responding to an alert, and at its premises was punched by Metallo resulting in Superman going across the city. Superman obviously responded and knocked Metallo through the architecture and his synthetic facial skin tore off angering Metallo, who responded with a kryptonite blast to Superman and took off. Recovering from the kryptonite blast, Superman was told by Star Lab's Dr. Gherhard that Metallo was looking for his human corpse. Superman went to Gotham City where he found Batman at a cemetery investigating dug up graves and exposed caskets. Superman told him it must be Metallo who was looking for his original body. Metallo surprised them as he emerged from the earth and Batman engaged him immediately with weapons from his utility belt before Metallo snared him with his extended metallic arms. Superman went to Batman's rescue but was shot by Metallo's hand-turned revolver with a kryptonite bullet and Superman dropped to the dug up grave dying. Batman put explosives on Metallo's back and temporarily took down the villain and proceeded to go to the site to remove the kryptonite bullet lodged in Superman's chest. But before he can pry it off, they were buried in several feet of earth as Metallo buried them alive in the dug up grave. At the Pentagon, President Lex Luthor is with super-powered beings talking about a huge kryptonite asteroid hurtling towards Earth. Luthor told them Superman doesn't have to be alerts and that the U.S. government will take care of this problem. Comments: It has been almost two decades since the last ongoing Superman and Batman series, Worlds Finest came to a halt, and the two was green-lit with a new ongoing series that would last until the new52 reboot. Jeph Loeb's story looks to be a good one, with Metallo getting the better of the two superheroes, and why is he looking for his original corpse? And what is Luthor up to, what schemes is he thinking of in regards to the kryptonite asteroid? Okay so as a reader I am engaged. And that's a good first issue to generate reader interest. Ed McGuniness's stylistic art with characters showcased as people in ultra-super steroids doesn't really resonate with me. I mean, everyone looking like Masters of the Universe He-Man build doesn't really stir my cup of tea. But hey, great action sequences and the postures of the superheroes are full of energy, so no problem, I can get used to it. |
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