Welcome to Doc’s Corner 2025! As you read this, it is the very first day of 2025 and the world of comics is full of promise. So, let’s enter this new year with a selection of this week’s reading materials. Happy New Year!
JSA #3 DC COMICS
Writer Jeff Lemire’s story begins to congeal here. After the first two issues of multiple plot threads and a sort of throw everything against the wall to see what stick attitude, we start to get some clarity here. And cameos! So … SPOILERS! As the Demon’s Three (from Justice League history) have collected and repaired Hawkman for the attentions of Dr. Fate baddie, Wotan, Doctor Mid-Nite has discovered not only the traitor in their midst but what is wrong with Jakeem Thunder. The new Dr. Fate is starting to come into his own and the new Injustice Gang have been banished from the tower. And finally, as Hawkman tries to break out of his bonds, we meet the new Kid Eternity! Artist Diego Olortegui does a heck of a job illustrating Hell. And while I am annoyed by the Sand/Jade flirting (those two characters have had more relationships over the years than I care to count!) the fact that the story is starting to morph into more of the legacy comic that the 1990’s JSA title was, is definitely a step in the right direction. All in all, this title is improving after a rocky start. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
HUMAN FLY #2 IPI COMICS
Christopher Sequeira’s script continues to keep readers interested by equally focasing on the mystery, the action, and the stunts. And while we are given a brief look at the history of the Human Fly, governments are starting to take notice of the strange going-ons surrounding the Human Fly tour. And in a surprizing twist, the Fly gives them access to their files and plans. Basically, it would be like Batman giving the Gotham PD access to the Batcave! More plot twists and turns than the Human Fly’s snowboarding routine. This new interpretation of the character is going above and beyond the original. Another of 2024’s new independant titles that deserves more than a passing glance. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
JUSTICE LEAGUE THE ATOM PROJECT #1 DC COMICS
Well, I hate to say it but DC is still thinking that the way to make comic fans happy is to bombard them with mini-series and maxi-series spin off titles to help deal with the consequences of the overbearing, all title, storylines that usually only complicate the DC Universe. And this one is no different. Throwing together the two most current Atoms, Ray Palmer and Ryan Choi, to catch up with a rogue Captain Atom (Get it? He has Atom in his name!) to try and restart his powers does very little for any of the characters. But I don’t think that can be blamed on the creative team of Ryan Parrott, John Ridley, Mike Perkins, and Adriano Lucas. They are being asked to do the best they can with the fallout from the Absolute Power Mega-Event that has claimed the DC Universe titles for the past year or so. Also factoring in some personality changes for both Atoms and costume changes that make them both feel like something straight out of the DC Legends television show, This comes off like corporate DC going to the creative team and telling them, “We need to get Captain Atom his powers back after we stole them during the last “Next Big Thing” event. Figure it out, you just can’t use any of the main six heroes.” If we have to get him his powers back, why the hell did you steal them in the first place. Most of the DC Universe is in shambles right now and this one isn’t going to help anything. 4 out of 10 Grahams.
And our Wayback Wednesday issue for the week is …
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #126 (JUNE 1962) DC COMICS
Ahhhh, the good ole days! When for a dime and two pennies you could still get a main stream anthology comic with multiple hero stories! World’s Finest was one of the last comic titles that provided the readers with a selection of tales all under one cover. Along with the Superman/Batman/Robin team-up that was the main reason for buying this book, you also got an Aquaman and a Green Arrow back up stories. With legendary comic icons Jim Mooney and Sheldon Moldoff on our main tale, Lex Luthor inadvertantly creates a negative black and white version of Superman somewhat like Bizarro four years earlier in Superboy Comics. Logic and science win out in the end, even if it seems a little off rereading it over 60 years later. Throw in some PSA about libraries, some house ads, and comic strips featuring Ollie and Chip and a one page text story about Earth’s First Ray-Gun and you’ve got a pretty full plate. But then we add in Aquaman, Aqualad and Topo, the octopus, adventure at the Super Sea Circus. But we aren’t done yet as we join Green Arrow, Speedy, and the Arrow Car as they battle crooks using psychology to outsmart the battling bowmen. And best of all, an appearance by multiple arrows such as the firecracker arrow, the depth charge arrow, and my all-time personal favorite … the boxing glove arrow. With the back up stories being done by such names as Nick Cardy and Jack Miller, these were truly the glory days. 10 out of 10 Grahams.
