BATMAN/SUPERMAN WORLD’S FINEST #29 DC COMICS
The big finale to the Impossible story from Mark Waid and as always he proves himself quite the DC Universe historian. As puppet Batman comes up with a plan that might work against Doom-mite but will definitely involve cameos from DC’s Silver Age! Fishnet, long-haired Zatanna – got her! Dr. Fate – got him! Johnny Thunder and Thunderbolt – got ’em! Holy S&#*, Doctor Occult and Prince Ra-Man in a mystic battle that needs to be revisited at another time! The wonderfully heartbreaking end will have you in tears. Well done people, well done! 10 out of 10 Grahams.
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #4 FACSIMILE EDITION
Another of the 1980’s issues of Crisis on Infinite Earths gets a facsimile edition. By this issue, the basic plot is in full swing and new players start appearing. Lord Volt and his nature controlling daughter Liana are lost to the white cloud so that Pariah can rescue wife and mother Lady Quark. the new Doctor Light is created by the Monitor. And Alexander Luthor unnatural ages further and is quickly finding his place in the overall scheme of things. Unfortunately, this is another issue where the cameos that had all us old DC fans giggling like schoolgirls was at a minimum. If you don’t blink and miss them, you’ll spot Dolphin, Air Wave, members of the Legion of Super-Heroes. But we do get a dynamic second to last page as the universes disappear. Not the best, not the worst. 7 out of 10 Grahams.
BIKER MICE FROM MARS #1 NACELLEVERSE/ONI-LION
The 1990’s were an odd time for cartoons. The manitory rule that newer cartoons all had to have a supporting toy line and look good on a Burger King Kids Meal. Insect people, robots with personalities, even humanoid mice that road motorcycles were all fair game. Especially if a few of the cast of Beverly Hills 90120 were doing the voices. And while the cartoon had the Mice from Mars on Earth, the comic is focused on their adventures on Mars. And while writer Melissa Flores’s script doesn’t explain it in the first issue, I believe that the story is a prequel to the cartoon. It is well done and does have that 90’s cartoon feel to the story. And artist Francis Portela can really draw 90’s vehicles, not only motorcycles but tanks, dune buggies, and weird construction-like battle vehicles. All in all, a solid title with a taste of nostalgia to it. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
ROCKETEER BREAKS FREE #1 IDW COMICS
Writer Stephen Mooney takes us on an interesting ride as his story focuses on the everyday life of Cliff, Bettie, and Peevy. Sure the Rocketeer shows up to save the day and fight some mobsters but we really take the time to see the three main characters interact with each other as well as others in their circle. And by sending the team to San Francisco for Bettie’s newest film production gets them out of their usual hangouts. And while Staz Johnson really does well with the film noir inspired art, I’m not impressed with his Bettie Page. I realize that I am spoiled by the original version by Dave Stevens and his model, Brinke Stevens. I’m used to a Bettie Page who walks into a panel and everything just becomes backround. Now that being said, there is just about no one who can capture the original comic Bettie. So, we have a new series with a new spin on the characters, a new location, and a new film in the works. Only a matter before some Nazis show up. Worth the price of admission. 7 out of 10 Grahams.
SPECIAL BONUS REQUEST REVIEW FROM DOC’S CORNER REGULAR, JIM!
NAMOR #1 MARVEL COMICS
Every now and then, a request comes into Doc’s Corner for a special review. While picking up the review books tonight, our good friend Jim handed this one over and requested a review. Unfortunately for Jim, Marvel is still proving that they have completely lost their way with one of their original stars. And while not as bad as when they decided that Namor was technically a mutant because of his winged feet (Sigh!), we find one of Marvel’s first and biggest characters chained and imprisoned in a deplorable jail after (once again) abdicating his throne and surrendering to surface authorities. With only 4 days to solve the underwater choas and apparently 7 different warlords jockeying for the throne, not sure what is going to be new here. Even a guest appearance by aquatic hero, Stingray doesn’t help. Nor does the flashbacks to Namor’s childhood where it shows that all Atlantian children, blue or white, are obnoxious little a-holes. This is a very disturbing first issue and is a bit uncomfortable to read. Flash me back to the Defenders’ Namor or the Invaders’ Namor. This little bit of distopian nightmare is only worth a 3 out of 10 Grahams.
