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Post by codystarbuck on May 29, 2019 17:26:02 GMT -5
So, after finishing Killraven, I wanted to look at some lighter stuff, as my Killraven collection is mixed with some lighter fare. I've always enjoyed comics with a sense of humor, whether it is the playful banter of Ben Grimm, the absurd silliness of Ambush Bug, the anarchic childhood fun of Patty Cake, or the sit-com stylings of JLI. So, in that spirit, this thread will (somewhat infrequently) explore comics of a more humorous bent. Some will be outright comedies, others will just be humorous sidebars, like the Impossible Man invading the Marvel offices. However, to start it off, I will go to a later comic, which looks back at one of the more humorous rivalries, at Marvel: Spider-Man and the Human Torch. Spider-Man/Human Torch #1
Creative Team: Dan Slott-writer, Ty Templeton-pencils, Nelson-inks, Dave Lanphear-letters, Sotocolors F. Serrano-colors, Tom Brevoort-edits Synopsis: We start with the FF fighting the mole Man, who has stolen a bunch of art masterpieces, because the masses can't appreciate them.....  The Torch wins the day, after blinding Mole Man and gets a swelled head. he regales his girlfriend with the story then awaits the paper to see front page coverage. instead, there are pictures of Spider-Man defeating Mysterio. torch gets hot under (and over, and, generally all around) the collar. meanwhile, Peter Parker is getting chewed out by JJJ for wasting his paper's space with more Spider-man, proving his innocence. he is tired of it. petey storms off, leaving Betty Brant to miss out on getting him to take her shopping, then comes home to find the Torch, visiting with Aunt May....  Petey reminds Johnny of all of the times they have met previously, which escapes Johnny's recall, except accusing Petey of making time with his girl. However, he wants Pety to be his official photographer. Pete wants no part of it until he sees bill notices and Aunt May says she would prefer to seeing him do this, rather than risking his life photographing that horrible Spider-Man. Pete agrees, then is bored by following around Johnny, while he exercises his ego...  They run into some bank robbers and Torch goes after them, while petey changes clothes and horns in, leading to a fight. Petey shows up after, with some shots; but, Torch doesn't want them, since Spider-man is in them and accuse Pete of tipping him off. He gives him a second chance; but, no Spider-Man. Pete begs to follow from a distance and plants a heat-resistant spider tracker. he then snaps pics of Torch in action, from Spider-man angles. he then getsa tingle in the ol' Spidey Sense and heads up to the roof, where he runs into....PASTE POT PETE!!!  Meanwhile, Torch is feeling like he has been handling small potatoes and goes and does something stupid. he heads to the Latverian Embassy (Consulate, actually...) and tries to confront Dr Doom, and gets frozen in ice, for his trouble. Spidey turns up, tells Doom he is accepting his previous offer of joining forces and "bends the knee" (as GOT beat into the ground) and asks about Doom being able to exonerate him of any crime he commits on Latverian soil, including murder. Doom confirms this and Spidey says he will slay the torch. he breaks off the ball of ice and is prepared to dash it to the ground, when , whoops, time to go. Spidey escapes with Torch and is chopping him free, while Johnny kibbits. Spidey warns him that it is delicate work and then makes a mistake, and something breaks off. Torch flies off home, crying for reed and we see what has happened...  Pete sells the shot to JJ, who makes it front page, under the headline that Spidey is in cahoots with Doom. Pete is ticked and Johnny ain't happy about how he ends up looking. Thoughts: This mini-series was a breath of fresh air at a stale Marvel. everything was all dark and grim or punchy. this is both an ode to the classic Torch and spidey stories of the past and a send up of their rivalry. Slott and Templeton pay homage to the Silver Age story, while also coming up with the reason why Paste Pot Pete became the Trapster (not that it did much good). All of the classic conventions are there; but, with a Mad-style lens, minus the potshots. This was even included as one of the Marvel digests for Young Adults, marketed through bookstores (where I first encountered it, when I worked for Barnes & Noble)...  This is full of what I missed about comics; a sense of humor, while still providing plenty of adventure. i enjoy my epic sagas as much as the next guy; but, you still are dealing with people who prance around in longjohns and aerobics wear, having pro wrestling matches on rooftops. You can't take it that seriously and I think that fanboy knee jerk attitude to comics with humor is why so many 90s comics sucked. I was happy to see liberal doses of humor in the Marvel films, especially the later ones (love Thor Ragnarok). A superhero story doesn't need to be grim & gritty to be effective. Spidey & the Torch are perfect for a comedy and lets hope the recent mergers give us the cinematic match, at some point. Until then, Slott and Templeton offer a lot of fun. This mini progresses through the eras, bringing it up to the New millennium, so stay tuned for the next issue, which transitions from the Silver Age into the Bronze, as Spidey and the Torch swap jobs and learn that the grass isn't always greener on the other side (though it is greenest over the septic tank!) |
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Post by Reptisaurus! on May 29, 2019 22:01:10 GMT -5
That was a good series. I liked Thing and She-Hulk from the same writer/same time period as well.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 1, 2019 18:20:08 GMT -5
Spider-Man/Human torch #2 Creative Team: Dan Slott-writer, Ty Templeton-penciller, Nelson & Tom Palmer-inks, Dave Lanphear-letters, F Serrano-colors, Tom Brevoort-edits Synopsis: Spidy is out looking for the Vulture; but, Johnny finds him first...  Cut to the Coffee Bean where GI Flash Thompson is hitting on Crystal, of the Inhumans, then gets rained upon, while Gwen Stacey, MJ and Harry Osborne watch from a booth. Johnny shows up and he and Flash get into it, as Flash stands up for Spidey. Capt Stacy shows up, looking for Peter, who turns up and Capt Stacy offers him a "tip," about some Maggia (cause changing a couple of letters obscures who you really mean) warehouse where they are moving something called ZMB, or Zoomers. Gwen cautions Peter about risking his neck (as MJ also flirts with Peter, while Harry says "Why don't you marry him already?"). Petey assures him everything will be fine and heads off to try to earn this month's rent. Johnny leaves also, spouting about Spider-Man and Petey has had enough. Johnny gets a notice to head home so they can go explore a dimensional gate that only opens once every 1000 years, when he runs into a spider web. Spidey starts telling him off and challenges Torch to swap places and try Spidey's world. Johnny grabs it and off he goes to investigate the Zoomers, while Spidey goes to fill in with the FF. Spidey shows up at the Baxter Building and the gang doesn't have time to argue...  Torch goes looking for the Zoomers and scares off some thugs. He tries the subtle approach and comes as Johnny Storm, is immediately recognized (after being called the whitest white guy) and gets conked on the noggin. Meanwhile, the FF's ship is vibrating apart and Spidey seals things with his webbing, gumming up Reed's instruments and covering the windshield, so Ben can't see to pilot the ship. Reed chews him out and tells him the rift will close in 62 minutes, then asks how long before the webbing dissolves. "Give or take? An hour......" Cut to Johnny, who wakes up in a warehouse, tied to a chair, with a gun to his head. It's about to all Reservoir Dogs in there. he tricks them into thinking Sue is there, then flames on and threatens to flash fry them; but, they know he is a good guy and won't talk. he takes them to the police precinct and Capt Stacy isn't happy to find out he swapped with Spidey. Torch found out that Kraven the Hunter is behind things; but, not his location. he gets an idea when he hears that some of Kraven's goons are in cells...  Torch heads to the zoo, gets animals unleashed on him, chases Kraven into some trees, where oozing sap douses his flames (un-hunh) and he ends up in a snake pit. He gets bit, Kraven cackles over him, Johnny says he is dying and gets him to give up his contact, then reveals poison doesn't have much effect on him, as he can boil his blood. meanwhile, Spidey and the FF come home...  Johnny ends up a hero, on the front page of the Bugle, gets the key to the city and brings it to the Coffee Bean to stick it to Flash. "Spidey" sends him coffee and Flash added a little something to it...  Thoughts: A little lighter on the gags, though it is a nice story of Spidey and the Torch learning that the other's job is no picnic. Spidey ruins a scientific exploration and Johnny isn't quite so great with street level crime, though he gets there in the end. Nice references to the period, as this was when Flash Thompson went off to Vietnam (though this is "several years ago"). Sadly, we can usually find a war to apply, even if we massage the time period. This was also when Johnny dated Crystal and Pete and Gwen were an item. Sadly, next issue will show how things changed, though at least there are fruit pies! Come back next time for the Red Ghost and the Spider-Mobile!
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Post by badwolf on Jun 1, 2019 18:37:03 GMT -5
The comment about the "big black dots" was cute.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 3, 2019 16:50:47 GMT -5
Spider-man/Human Torch #3 Creative Team: Same Synopsis: Petey is feeling a little blue and unpacks his cares and woes to an unseen person...  He talks about people trying to cheer him up, even Flash Thompson; but, the only thing that has was an endorsement contract for a Spider-mobile, from Corona Motors, to be built by Johnny Storm. Despite their rivalry, Johnny makes him crack wise again and it makes him feel better. he then says goodbye...  Petey heads off to his new internship with Reed Richards, where he meets the other intern, Nina Pushnikoff, who Johnny Storm is harassing (hitting on; but, in a work environment; so...). Reed demonstrates a gravity localizer, which can increase or decrease gravitational attraction. It could revolutionize space travel or basic transport. Hmm, scientific miracle, Russian intern; I smell a spy... ure enough, after Reed gives Petey the security code to his lab (Sue's birthday, divided by the speed of light.....), Petey and nina depart the baxter Building, and Nina thinks of him as an idiot in a decadent country, then reports to her boss, the red Ghost (with his refugees from the POTA). They are going to steal Reed's devices. Petey goes to sell a science story to Robbie Robertson; but, he isn't impressed and calls pete out on a slack job of late and asks about Gwen. Pete unloads about his guilt and Robbie tries to counsel him that he is putting too much on himself and Gwen would want him to go on with his life. Johnny is a bit down, after being rejected by Nina and for missing Crystal. Then, Spidey shows up to road test the new wheels...  Johnny and Spidey head after Stilt-Man, thanks to the cops' tip; but, traffic shows weaknesses in a Spider-Mobile (in Manhattan) and Spidey struggles with parallel parking, while Johnny screams at him. Later, we see them inside a corner store, with a news report that daredevil captured Stiltman and Johnny pays for slushies and fruit pies, while apologizing to Spidey...  The Yancy Street Gang has struck and johnny is ticked. Spidey has an idea and the go to the Baxter Building and Reed's lab. Johnny questions how he got the security code and Spidey passes it off to Peter Parker not being able to keep a secret. They take to gravity localizer to install in th Spider-Mobile, to allow it to bypass traffic. While they work, Johnny unloads about pollution affecting Crystal, forcing her to head back to the Great refuge, while Spidey speaks of Gwen. Johnny ends a sincere sympathetic ear and Spidey unloads his troubles. Johnny suggests taking a break; but, Spidey speaks of the time he didn't act and someone was killed. However, he then thanks Johnny for listening, as he can't talk to his other friends about this kind of thing. he and Johnny then got for a spin, ON THE SIDE OF A BUILDING, just as Red Ghost breaks into the lab, looking for the localizer...  Next thing you know, they (literally) run into the Red Ghost and the apes steal the Spider-Mobile...  and they are better drivers than Spidey! The Ghost and the apes are getting away, when Spidey gets an idea...  With the help of delicious Mostess fruit Pies, the villains are captured. SHIELD takes them away, while Spidey phones the ad agency about his idea for print ads for fruit pies, while Nick Fury tells Reed and Johnny that they have Nina in custody. Reed remarks about losing two interns in one day and Spidey learns that Peter is being let go for compromising security. Oh, wel; at least Reed lets he and Johnny use the localizer a bit longer, to give JJJ a fit...  Thoughts: Kirby, I love this issue! This one gets into both the goofiness of 70s Spider-Man; but, also, the loss of Gwen and how it hit Peter. It also shows how Johnny and Peter put aside rivalry and develop friendship, as Johnny provides a sounding board for the grieving Spider-Man. Then we get an homage to that other 70s Spidey staple, the Hostess Snack cake ads. For those who missed it, Hostess placed ads at both DC and Marvel, as well as Harvey and Gold Key, for their snack products, the Hostess fruit Pie among them.I could even swear the Red Ghost was in one; but, I can't find proof. May have been anther bald villain in his spot, enjoying a fruit pie. Whatever, the panels depicting the deployment of delicious desserts is dead on! This issue cemented this mini-series for me, as both a nostalgic look at the days of the Spider-Man Human Torch rivalry, as well as brilliant humor; but also as a prime example that you could mix humor, action, intrigue and sincere emotional content in a comic book and have it be far more effective than any "grim & gritty," hyper-violent comic. This is mature comics; not wholesale slaughter by amoral "heroes." This was the era of Spider-Man I knew best, as I wasn't a big fan of the soap opera elements of his series; but, saw more Spider-Man comics in the 70s (thanks to a friend and a cousin, both of whom had far more comics than I did, at the time). Spidey driving the Spider-Mobile, facing the Jackal and the Grizzly, mourning Gwen Stacy, preventing Aunt May from marrying Doc Ock, and eating a lot of Hostess snack foods are the spidey I remember (aside from the Marvel team-Up stories). Next, we move on to the 80s, as Spidey and Johnny get involved in a heist, thanks to the Black Cat.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 8, 2019 17:49:00 GMT -5
Spider-Man/Human Torch #4 Well, we can tell which organ is controlling these two bozos! Creative Team: Dan Slott-writer, Ty Templeton-pencils, Tom Palmer & Drew Geracci-inks, Dave Lanphear-letters, J Rauch-colors, Tom Brevoort-edits Synopsis: 12 years in the past, someone breaks into the Wakandan Embassy (Consulate) and steal the tribal mask of the first Black Panther. he trips the alarms and scoots. In the more recent past, Johnny storm opens up an invitation to a formal affair at the Embassy (Consulate). He never RSVPed, so he ignores it. She-Hulk turns up, to go with Johnny to support the band of a friend of Johnny. It's a costume party, so Johnny has his costume, and She-Hulk has hers...  She-Hulk puts Johnny in the friend zone and splits, and Johnny flies off the whine. meanwhile, Spidey, in black symbiote costume, is hanging with Black Cat and they have captured the Beetle and left him for Capt. Jean DeWolff and the police. The head on their way and BC wants to go to the Wakandan Embassy (Consulate), where the mask is on display, revealing that her father was the earlier cat burglar. Petey (who oozes out of his costume, thinks she wants to pull a heist and won't listen to her as she tries to explain. She tells him off and departs, allowing the nearby Torch to show up and start hitting on her. She recognizes an idiot when she see one and smooth talks him into joining her. Petey turns up at the Embassy (Consulate) and they won't let him in without evening wear; so, one symbiotic clothing change later, he is inside, snapping pictures. in walks Johnny Storm and felicia Hardy (aka Black cat) and sparks fly. Johnny can't quite figure out why BC knows Petey and thinks Petey is just jealous 'cause his ex is here with a real hot guy. Johnny introduces Felicia to T'Challa (in fullPanther attire, including ceremonial cape, which they left out of the film). he has a guard escort them in for a private showing. Petey switches his clothes to a guard uniform and follows them in, though he seems to think no one will bat an eye at a caucasian Wakandan guard. Felicia cons the guard into pointing out the security, then alerts him to Petey in guard uniform and he gives chase. Then, while Johnny does a bunch of lame James Bond jokes, Felicia gets ready to go to work. Petey evades the guard by doing a Han Solo and running into a room filled with other guards...  Johnny draws heat out of the room and messes up the heat sensors, while felicia disables the surveillance cameras. Then, she strips down... Wait.....WHAT?   Meanwhile, Spidey is getting whooped by the Panther, then alarms go off. the guards hit the display room and find the mask stiil there. Spidey uses the distraction to get out of the Embassy (Consulate) and meets up with Felicia and Johnny later. Felicia then reveals she was only recovering her father's lock pick...  Johnny has his back turned, revealing their masterstroke, while Spidey locks lips with BC, then Johnny catches him and balls Spidey out for making time with Petey's girl. he tells felicia to call him, then flies off. Whatta maroon! Thoughts: Some nice hijinks at the Embassy (Consulate); but, a bit light on the gags. Johnny is lamenting his relationship woes, until he overhears Felicia tell off Peter Parker. This adds to the recurring theme that Johnny envies Peter's girlfriends and thinks he has so much going for him. That theme will lead to the climax, next issue. This is Black Costume era, though they avoid doing obvious 80s references. The She-Hulk french maid costume seems a bit gratuitous, but, it sets up that Johnny has trouble respecting women for their capabilities, which is why Jennifer lets him down. Dan Slott would go on to do a great She-Hulk series, with a decidedly comical bent, which I will get to, in the future.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 8, 2019 18:20:03 GMT -5
Spider-Man/Human Torch #5 Creative Team: Dan Slott-writer, Ty Templeton-pencils, Drew Geraci & Greg Adams-inks, Dave Lanphear-letters, J Rauch-colors, Tom Brevoort-edits Synopsis: Spidey and Torch meet up at the Statue of Liberty and Johnny asks how he gets out there. petey remarks that he either hitches a ride or makes a web raft and paddles out and says it is a pain to meet there, which is probably why Johnny chose it. Torch reminds him that Spidey chose it. Oh, yeah! they go over pas history and Torch brings up some adventures that they didn't share...  They flash back to earlier in the day, at PS 108. Petey is a bit miffed that his class is being interrupted by an assembly to see the Torch give a demo and a talk to the student body. Petey remembers when Torch did that in his high school days. Johnny and Petey say hi and Johnny asks what Pete is doing there. He informs Torch he teaches there. Later, things are interrupted by Mrs Parker bringing Peter his lunch...  Um.......................where was I? oh, yeah....legs. I mean lunch! Things are interrupted by some Maggia goons with guns. Seems Johnny and DA Tower put away the goons criminal son, who was then killed trying to break out of prison. he is here to return the favor to Tower's son, a student hear. Luckily, they have an old photo of the kid and don't spot him, with his new piercings, shaved head and general punk look. Petey can't sneak out because of a guard watching from a catwalk, which is also why Johnny doesn't flame on, since he can't get to him before he could open up on the crowd. petey needs Torch's help and tries to signal him; but, Johnny's Brain Flame is a bit low...  It takes time; but, Johnny finally catches on. He creates a nova burst that blinds people and Petey uses his Spidey Sense to aim webbing at the goon on the catwalk, knocking away his weapon. He then scoots out to change. Johnny flash fries the lead goons weapon, then Spidey crashes through the window and the subdue the hoods. Outside, Johnny finishes up with the police as he spots petey and his supermodel wife, in cutoff shorts, sucking face, they skywrites a message to meet in the usual place. Back to where we began, and Johnny berates Spidey about not telling him before, which leads to pete letting it spill that Reed knew...  Johnny then whines about how great Peter has it, with his cool aunt and hs photo job and huge brain and hot girls and, now wife. He says Parker has all the luck. pete laughs...  They shake hands, as friends, realizing tha both have it pretty well, then Torch makes a gesture...  Peter, Aunt May and MJ join the FF family and Ben tells Franklin how Peter took the photos in Franklin's favorite book, about Spidey. Franklin then gets introduced to Peter...  and they all sit down to dinner, which leads to regular get togethers...  Thoughts: The series was building to this, as we saw in each issue how the Spider-Man/Human torch rivalry was built around envy of the other. both thought the grass was greener on the other side. Finally, Johnny learns Peter's secret and makes a mature move and they become close friends. We end with some really sweet scenes of family and friendship. I really wish we would see more of this kind of thing in comics. The ending is well earned. Also suspect that Peter's students will hang on his every word, after seeing Mrs Parker. Next, my favorite JLI story: "Moving Day."
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Post by rberman on Jun 8, 2019 18:55:41 GMT -5
Except for issue #4, these Spider-Man/Human Torch stories seem pretty kid-friendly.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 8, 2019 19:14:17 GMT -5
Except for issue #4, these Spider-Man/Human Torch stories seem pretty kid-friendly. It was and is. The series was reprinted as a digest for the YA audience, which is where I first spotted it, when it came into Barnes & Noble, back when I worked there (and before they were sold, as just happened!) Those digests were all aimed at kids and they were some of the few I could point to and say that they were perfectly all ages. A lot of Marvel's fare (and a good bit of DC) was definitely not ll ages. There were beginner reader books; but, they weren't quite the same thing, visually. So, of course, being that Marvel sucks at books, they were in print for about 6 weeks and then POOF! Maybe not that short; but, marvel did low print runs and rarely went back to press and the ABA (American Booksellers Association, not the rival basketball league of the 70s) criticized them heavily for it. They improved; but, DC is still better about keeping their trades in print. Issue #4 is up for debate; but, She-Hulk's french maid costume is pretty tame and Black Cat looks like she is in a bikini, more than her skivvies; so, I wouldn't say it isn't PG. I'd put it on par with a Gilligan's island episode, and I was watching that stuff at a young age, without being warped by it. Well, apart from those slow pans up Ginger's legs....... |
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Post by rberman on Jun 8, 2019 19:17:05 GMT -5
Except for issue #4, these Spider-Man/Human Torch stories seem pretty kid-friendly. It was and is. The series was reprinted as a digest for the YA audience, which is where I first spotted it, when it came into Barnes & Noble, back when I worked there (and before they were sold, as just happened!) Those digests were all aimed at kids and they were some of the few I could point to and say that they were perfectly all ages. A lot of Marvel's fare (and a good bit of DC) was definitely not ll ages. There were beginner reader books; but, they weren't quite the same thing, visually. So, of course, being that Marvel sucks at books, they were in print for about 6 weeks and then POOF! Maybe not that short; but, marvel did low print runs and rarely went back to press and the ABA (American Booksellers Association, not the rival basketball league of the 70s) criticized them heavily for it. They improved; but, DC is still better about keeping their trades in print. Looks like they have been published in collected form a couple of times: once with the subtitle "I'm With Stupid," and once without. Amazon has em. |
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Post by EdoBosnar on Jun 9, 2019 3:17:18 GMT -5
Looks like they have been published in collected form a couple of times: once with the subtitle "I'm With Stupid," and once without. Amazon has em. Yeah, and both the tpb and digest are shockingly expensive, even for used copies. Too bad. I've been wanting to read this series ever since I first heard about it a few years ago. |
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Post by The Cheat on Jun 9, 2019 14:18:53 GMT -5
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Post by EdoBosnar on Jun 9, 2019 15:59:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 19, 2019 21:03:56 GMT -5
Justice League International #8 "Razzafrazzin...make up your mind lady!" "Dude, shut up; she can kick both our butts and her boyfriend likes to shot arrows into people!" Creative Team: Kieth Giffen-plot & breakdowns, JM DeMatteis-script, Kevin Maguire-pencils, Al Gordon-inks, Bob Lappan-letters, Gene D'Angelo-colors, Andy Helfer-edits Moving DayLittle continuity background. After the disbanding and destruction of the Detroit Justice League, a new group of heroes comes together, during the Legends event. The old big guns are not involved, except Batman and Martian Manhunter. The new team consists of Batman, Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, Dr Fate Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Mister Miracle, Guy Gardner, Captain Atom and Rocket Red 7. Booster joined after the team was formed and helped them defeat a new Royal Flush Gang, and The Gray Man. Dr Fate left after the defeat of the Gray Man. The United Nations has recognized the Justice League as the official super-powered emergency response team. The US and the USSR go along, as long as they can appoint a member. The US assigns Captain Atom, the USSR Rocket Red 7. The team is now the Justice League International and will have embassies in member countries, to better operate globally. Today is Moving Day, as the JLI set up their new embassies in new York, Paris, and Moscow. As with most things, Moving Day never goes smoothly. Synopsis: The JLI is moving into their new New York embassy...  The movers have a massive crate of Oreos, for Jonn, who acquired a taste for them, thanks to reserve member Captain Marvel. The movers will nee a power lift; but, Jonn offers to take care of it, lifting the crate overhead...... ....then crashing through the floor. Jonn interrupts Mister Miracle and Captain Atom, who are painstakingly installing the new security system. Jonn dusts himself off and heads back upstairs. Scott is performing delicate adjustments and Captain Atom has nothing to do. He spots an unplugged cable and decides to be helpful and plugs it in. It proceeds to nearly electrocute Scott and explode, causing Cap to over-react and blast it with energy bolts. Scot asks Cap to go help someone else. He storms out, nearly steamrolling over Oberon. Scott leaves the building and Oberon comments on the soldity if construction, as the power goes out. I have a suspicion about which New York real estate company provided the building. Meanwhile, in Moscow, Batman and Guy Gardner are dealing with some pushy KGB types and batman lets them know that he isn't easily intimidated. Guy (who suffered a bump on the head and went from Type A A-hole to milkbread nice guy, who makes Clark Kent look like a bully). The Rooskies are still miffed about Guy's incursion into their airspace. batman tells them that the USSR was a signatory on the JLI mandate and to pound snow...  Rocket Red 7 shows up to help clarify things with the KGB. Batman finds a ton of listening devices and tells Guy to scan for more, after the techs leave. Guy, being a Pollyana moron, doesn't understand why anyone would "bug" them, when the new Embassy Chief, Boris Dmitravich Razumihin arrives. Batman shows him the bugs and asks for an explanation and Boris wonders if he can be transferred to Afghanistan. Scott goes to STAR Labs to pick up the new shuttle and in Paris, Blue Beetle and Booster Gold are checking out the sights. Booster spots a hot young Parisian, in a very 80s power suit...  and goes over to introduce himself and make his move.  And a tradition is born! Booster tries to escape the mirth and runs into the woman he was hitting on, while dressed in his civies. She is the new Embassy chief, Catherine Cobert. She does not recognize Booster, under his goggles. They exchange pleasantries and Booster is relieved that she doesn't remember him. Black Canary then takes her to meet Beetle....  Scott brings back the new shuttle and is landing it on the roof, like other super-teams...   Later, the entire team is assembled, in New York, when Oberon comes in to alert them to an issue, that will be revealed in Millennium #1. Don't worry, it isn't important. Thoughts: The book was known as Justice League, up through issue 6 and became JLI, with issue 7. Up to that point, there had been plenty of jokes; but, the rest of the stories were serious adventures (with wisecracks). This was the first issue with pure on comedy, from start to finish. The timing of the jokes is brilliant, both in the dialogue and in Maguire's visuals (following Giffen's breakdowns). Maguire's ability to capture facial expressions and body language really helped sell the comedy and it became a bigger factor in the stories. The team still had serious adventures; but, there would be more comedic or absurd missions and plenty of sight gags or comedy scenes. the vibe was much the same as the Beverly Hills Cop movies or other action/comedies. This is really the first use of Beetle and Booster as a comic duo and the pair would take on a "Lucy & Ethel" dynamic, which did much to serve Booster well when DC killed off Beetle, like a bug. They were screw-ups; but, they had heart and became very good friends. Guy Gardner was a complete jerk and got a personality adjustment, when he cracked his head on a console, after having been knocked out by Batman (One punch!) This lasted for a bit, with Guy Pollyana, until the team met Lobo, who nearly took Guy's head off, which restored the old personality. Catherine Cobert would become more instrumental when DC launched Justice League Europe, which was headquartered out of the Parisian Embassy. They never really followed up on a romance between her and Booster, asis hinted here. Red Rocket 7 would turn out to be a Manhunter sleeper agent, during Millennium and would be replaced by #5m aka Dmitri Pushkin (they weren't very inventive on the Russian names), who had a penchant for using phrases from American tv (especially Rocky and Bullwinkle). Of course, DC killed him off, too. In the New Millennium, it seemed like their was a contract out on any member of the JLI who was used to comedy effect, without an editorial patron to protect them. The new team seemed kind of haphazard, because of editorial interference. DC wanted a new Justice League; but, Superman was off the table (Byrne was in the midst of revamp and got full say), as was Wonder Woman (ditto, except Perez was calling the shots) and Flash was being re-established as Wally West, under Mike Baron. Their editors said no. Denny O'Neil let them use Batman and Jonn had been part of the Detroit League and served as a link to it. It's members had either been killed or gave up the hero life, as a consequence of the final issues of the original JLA title. Dr Fate and Captain Marvel were short timers, due to having new books coming out. This gave them exposure before the launch (well, Shazam: The New Beginning had all ready come out, before the launch of JLI). Booster and Blue Beetle had their own titles; but, they weren't burning up the sales charts. Both would be gone in a few months. JLI got badmouthed, quite a bit, by the later 90s and beyond; but, it was a massive hit and did much to revive the fortunes of the Justice League and restore prestige to the name. However, the approach had grown stale and the boys were out of ideas, long before it was ended, leading to some lackluster stuff, under other writers, before Morrison arrived. The team would return for two runs of new stories with the gang, Known as Formerly Known as Justice League (a mini-series) and I Can't Believe It's Not Justice League( intended as a mini; but, put into JL Classified). Then, they put a bullet in Beetle. This one still makes me crack up out loud. Later, an annual will have tours of the embassies and we will see the UK embassy, staffed by people who look suspiciously like John Cleese and Prunella Scales, of Fawlty Towers. Next, the Impossible Man invades the Marvel offices.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 19, 2019 21:06:16 GMT -5
ps This was the first official use of BWA-HA-HA and it became the catch phrase for the team and this creative team, after receiving enthusiastic praise in the letters column.
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