STARGIRL THE LOST CHILDREN #5 DC COMICS
Let me first point off just how brilliantly Todd Nauck’s art captures the spirit of this series. Especially in the battle scenes and the floating head intro page. It’s almost like I’m reading an issue of All-Star Squadron. And I am so glad that I was proven right, that one of the cells contained Pinky the Whiz Kid! The sidekick of Mr. Scarlet from the pages of Fawcett Comics in the 1940’s. Which opens up the possibility of the full return of the Crime Crusdaers Club (who first appeared in Master Comics #41). And think of the possibilities of the original Blue Beetle’s sidekick Sparky! The mind reels! And while the storyline continues to play out well, I do have two minor complaints. First, I’m not entirely happy with the way Hourman is portrayed. He seems to be uncharacteristicly harsh and uncaring. Second, Chilminder’s cross between Baba Yaga and the Orphan-Maker and Nanny from Avengers #300 is overtly weird and unsettling. Plus, I found the concept irratating back in 1989 when Marvel tried it. Still, I can’t hold back the joy seeing Robby the Robot Dog and Wing back in action! 9 out of 10 Grahams.
MONSTER TAG TEAM #1 AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY
And speaking of the good ole days, what monster comic fan doesn’t remember the classic Tomb of Dracula/Werewolf By Night crossover (#18/#15 respectively). Certainly the good folks at American Mythology do! And while we have an original story of featuring an unlikely team up between a Werewolf and a vampire who may be Dracula himself, this issue has me remembering the past as a teenage me sits with a stack of black and white horror magazines next to him. Konstantine Paradias’s story presents us with some fascinating characters and a unique mission. All in all, another great title from American Mythology’s horror line. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
UNSTOPPABLE DOOM PATROL #1 DC COMICS
Dennis Culver & Chris Burnham’s turn at reintroducing the legendary Doom Patrol in the DC Universe is off to a good start. Thanks to the highly confussing events of Lazarus Planet, the Doom Patrol has a new purpose. The question is how well will they be able to do it? With a new version of the Chief being channelled through Crazy Jane (I believe) and a unusual legacy member in the form of Beast Girl, Culver’s story is set in Gotham City (leading to the expected cameo of DC poster child and star of over 20 other titles, Batman) is actually well done. And the dialog between the Chief and Batman are remarkable. And of course, Chris Burnham’s art is just that. And while I have been through quite a few reboots of this old school super-team, I still wonder if this title has a limited shelf life. Loving the Nathan Szerdy alternate cover! 8 out of 10 Grahams.
ROCKETMAN & ROCKETGIRL #1 DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
A cute little adventure featuring two of Golden Age’s finest. Writer Jacob Edgar does a great job of recreating a tale straight out of a Men of Mystery title featurning corrupt officials, inept thieves, a plot to discredit our heroes, and of course Nazis. As always, Dynamite Entertainment gives us Golden Age fans a little something to think our teeth into. It’s always interesting to remember a time when a well to do husband and wife team could create a pair of jetpacks and just decide to go out and fight crime. 7 out of 10 Grahams.
