Captain Action: The Classic Collection

In the late 1960s, in answer to the massive popularity of G.I. Joe, Ideal Toy Company introduced Captain Action. If you bought the traditional 12-inch figure, Captain Action was dressed in a paramilitary type outfit, and accessorized with weapons and a working 4-foot diameter parachute. 

So far, this sounds like pretty basic stuff and not something that's going to eat into Mattel's G.I. Joe sales. What made Captain Action different were the extra wardrobes you could purchase for the action figure. You could increase CA's wardrobe, including facial masks, transforming the character into Superman, Batman, The Lone Ranger, Buck Rogers and even Sgt. Nick Fury! Even sidekick Action Boy got into the act, transforming into Robin, the Boy Wonder, Superboy and Aqualad!

An immediate hit, DC Comics was quick to cash in on the craze. Obtaining a license from Ideal, editor Mort Weisinger tasked wunderkind Jim Shooter with writing up the first issue. Given a set of parameters, Shooter had to include all of the characters, vehicles, and accessories. Superman was also to make an appearance in the first issue. But other than that, Shooter had carte blanche over the storyline. That's not saying much.

Wally Wood illustrated the first issue. It would have been amazing to see him draw Captain Action as Flash Gordon or Spider-Man. But as those characters were licensed by competitors, DC had to scrap that popular concept of the Ideal toy line. Instead, Captain Action and his sidekick obtained their powers from several magical coins that boasted powers from a famous mythological god. In the first couple of issues, Action was trying to gather all of the coins before his arch nemesis Krellek did. 

Don't know who Krellek is? Don't feel bad, as readers didn't either. Captain Action's true antagonist, Dr. Evil, didn't appear until the 3rd issue. By then, Shooter and Wood were essentially gone. Gil Kane took on pencil duty with the 2nd issue, religating Wood to inks through issue #3. Gil took over scripting in issue #3. As Dr. Evil didn't have a set origin either, it was determined that Evil was Captain Action's father-in-law. This also made him Action Boy's grandfather. After finding a mysterious amulet, the elderly man was possessed by an alien being. 

Having familiar connections, Captain Action and son wanted to end Dr. Evil's reign of terror while hopefully saving their relative. Unfortunately, actions like enslaving a race of aliens and stealing a nuclear bomb that destroys most of the California coast by earthquake made any sort of redemption nearly impossible. Dwindling sales in both the toy line and the comic book cancelled the series after issue #5 ceased any further attempts at turning Dr. Evil into Professor Good.

In my opinion, Krellek was the better bad guy. The whole alien possessing an old dude and then suddenly looking like a blue alien wearing Space Hippie Jesus mask was preposterous. The story for issue #4 where Dr. Evil enslaves a race of aliens that look like him was the best issue. There is one of those morality tale elements to the story that you see in sci-fi anthologies of the time period. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the story was originally written for insertion in an issue of House of Mystery and that the characters were changed to fit those in the Captain Action line. 

Mark Waid writes a compelling history of the toy line and the terrible decision to remove both Shooter and Wood from the series as this volume's foreword. Not being able to have the protagonist change into any of his superhero personas should have shelved the title from the get go. Yet despite all of the missteps Ideal made with the Captain Action toy line, it has a strong cult fan following to this day. Case in point, this 2022 hardcover collection of DC books was published by IDW and the franchise lives on as a high end toy line featuring new superhero and villain wardrobes that is coveted by collector's young and old!

An interesting read that is more a visually appealing work than a masterpiece of comic book literature. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Batman/Deadpool #1

I think every series comic book collector gets to this point in their hobby: you buy so many comics that you get behind on cataloging and such that you forget to actually read them. I'm currently doing some consideration of letting go of a few books. With an collection of over 12,000 comics and graphic novels, I can afford to let go of a few. But this one that I read isn't going to be one of those books.

This is the second of the Batman and Deadpool crossovers from 2025. This is DC's entry. It starts of with the main work, written by Grant Morrison. Right off the bat, that should tell you that this book is going really play with your brain. Like Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore often do, Morrison really explores the relationship of the creative writer and his characters. Plus, as it seems that DC has made Morrison the official keeper of the keys to the multiverse, there's a real bend in the fabric of reality that keeps the reader on high alert but is entertaining as all get out.

There are 4 backups in this special that pits a character or two from the DC Universe with one from the Marvel Universe. The first one has John Constantine showing up on Doctor Strange's doorstep. While I love the classic Ditko look of Doctor Strange by Hayden Sherman and the standard crossover banter between the two masters of the arcane arts was very good, it is a different pairing that steals the show. Ghost Rider vs. Swamp Thing! It's more of a MacGuffin in the background showing the conflict of having both the DC and Marvel universes collide. But if the big two publishers ever wanted to get more of my money, a pair of one-shots starring the former Dr. Alec Holland and stuntman Johnny Blaze would be a sure fire way to get it!

Story #2 has the Laura Kinney Wolverine in Gotham looking for help from the Dark Knight in finding her missing sister. Instead, she recruits Nightwing and the pair bond over what it means to be a legacy hero. Featuring one of the best closing pages in comics history, that image by Bruno Redondo is currently my FB icon.

Story #3 is a goofy adventure with Harley Quinn and the Incredible Hulk and a vat of toxic waste. Cute but not really doing anything to advance either characters needles.

Story #4 had me going up and down. G. Willow Wilson and Denys Cowan team up the Kamila Kahn Ms. Marvel with that electrifying teen, Static. Good story. But the art was all over the place. Some panels were masterpieces. Others look like something I'd draw. (That poor woman in the power suit and massive goiter...) You know it could have been the inks and colors that looked like they were markers. I know it's trying to emulate how the Milestone imprint books looked back in the 90s. I just don't think it works when applied to a Marvel character. 

I also thought that for a Batman and Deadpool book, some of the pairings just didn't fit within these two comic families. Nightwing and Laura Kinney make sense. Harley Quinn's inclusion does too. I've never thought about a Hulk-Deadpool connection. Neither does that apply to Doctor Strange. And Static would fit better in a Green Lantern crossover because of his relationship with Jon Stewart. So, there needed to be more theme appropriate teamings.

I hope that the Marvel/DC experiment isn't over. Technically, it wasn't as a pair of Superman and Spider-Man specials came out earlier this year. But I want more. Wonder Woman and Captain America would be epic. I've already proclaimed a desire for Ghost Rider and Swamp Thing. What about Amanda Waller vs. Nick Fury?! There's so many more pairings that just scream for a chance to make it to paper.  

Come on Big Two! I'll make room in collection for any more crossovers that you might have in mind!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

Summer of Supergirl Special #1

Despite what some of you may think, this really has been the Summer of Supergirl. Unfortunately, a lot of you decided to forgo a really fun movie. May I just say that I am disappointed in you. Kidding. Kidding. Maybe Supergirl would have been better received if done as a series. Maybe if there was more Krypto. Maybe if Supergirl actually wore her costume in the film. Maybe if James Gunn wasn't involved.

I can see reasons to hate the film. But deep down, it was freaking entertaining to this fan of the Girl of Tomorrow. I stocked up on Supergirl merch. My office is going to look amazing this school year! While I don't buy everything with Supergirl on it, I always buy the comics. But if it wasn't for the guys at my favorite comic book store, I would have missed out on this summer special.

With my mystery blood disease, I get brain tired a lot more often than I want. One casualty in my comic book collecting hobby is that I haven't been checking out the new releases like I used to. A lot of times, I just plain forget. Others, I'm just too mentally and physically exhausted to check at the end of the day. Thankfully, Books Furnish a Room in Durham NC were looking out for me and they ordered this knowing how much a fan of Kara Zor-El I am. 

There's 3 stories in this oversized release. The main story features the main man himself, Lobo. Makes sense as he's making his silver screen debut in Supergirl. The tale opens with Supergirl and Lobo in space court. Apparently in Lobo #4, the two got into a massive brawl and were apprehended for the damage. Thankfully, you don't have to have that issue in order to follow what happens here. But I am interested enough in seeing if my LCS has a copy and getting the inside scoop.

Tale #2 is written by Gail Simone. It has Supergirl and Mary Marvel meeting for the very first time. The pair bond over the fact that both are orphans and essentially grew up in the foster care system. Dedicated to all children and families who have fostered and adopted, this is my pick thus far for story of the year! It was so poignant and sweet. And not saccharine sweet either. I loved it!

The final story is probably the most massive undertaking in Supergirl history. It sees Superboy, Jonathan Kent and the female Steel attempting to unravel the tangled history of Supergirl. Along with the real deal, you've had the Matrix Supergirl and that one that was an Angel, after a girl named Linda Danvers bonded with the shape-shifter in the 90.s You've got multiple origins. Tons of different costumes. The multiverse. Plus, a surprise for me, everyone seems to know that she died fighting the Anti-Monitor! Confessionally, I haven't been really up-to-date with DC's Crises in the past 15 years like I probably should. 

The last story was educational. But I feel like it gets hijacked towards the end by J'onn J'onnz. The middle story was the best. The opener was very funny. If you are a fan of any incarnation of Supergirl, you will want to add this one-shot to your Supergirl collection. As for the judges of the Eisners and other comic book awards, I employ you to give serious, SERIOUS consideration to Gail Simone and her story 'Lost Girls' for story of the year and writer of the year, if the nomination process for this cycle of publications are still open. It's really that excellent of a work!

Worth Consuming!

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Batman '66, Volume 5

You look at the cover and you're probably saying 'Batman '66 never fought against Solomon Grundy or Clayface!' However, you have to remember that this DC comics webseries turned comic book is supposed to be an imagining of what could have been if ABC never destroyed the sets and NBC picked up Batman for a fourth season!

Plus, you would be wrong in your assumptions about Grundy and perhaps Clayface. If you are like me and you remember the awesomely terrible Legends of the Superheroes and the even worse sequel, the Adam West Batman along with the Burt Ward Robin went up against Solomon Grundy, played by character actor Mickey Morton. Plus, it's a fan theory that the one-shot villain False Face, played by heavy Malachi Thorne, was in fact Basil Karloff, the first Clayface! Well, thanks to Jeff Parker, that theory became reality with a story that sees False Face falling into a polluted swamp and becoming the Matt Hagen version of Clayface!

This volume is sadly the last volume collection of Batman '66 stories. Thus, I think with cancellation on the horizon, the creative team got a chance to give their wildest wishes a chance to get the Batman '66 treatment. Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy and Bane all make debuts. I loved every page, though there was just a little too much of Marsha, Queen of Diamonds. She's in 2 issues!!! I'd rather give Shame or the Minstrel another chance to shine.

There's a great story where Barbara Gordon takes a temp job at an ad agency that gets held hostage by the Big Four: Catwoman, Joker, Riddler and the Penguin. They want the ad execs to create a campaign, changing their reputation as villains. Unable to change into Batgirl, Barbara has to use her wits and the baddies' hubris to play the antagonists against each other. It's a brilliant story that doesn't see any capes!

Unfortunately, we never get a Batman '66/Superman '52 team-up. Though we come really close in the last issue! The Allred Family wrap up the series with a brilliant tale that reveals true story behind the battle Batman and Robin undertake in the animated sequence performed every episode, during the show's theme song. Towards the very end, we get an amazing cameo of George Reeves' Clark Kent, as well as several other appearances by characters who might have existed in the '66 universe. 

This volume wraps up my having read everything tied into the classic 60s TV version of the Caped Crusader.  I still have a Wonder Woman '77 team up with the Bionic Woman and some of the other more recent releases to go. But hopefully we'll get some more adventures of the Gothamites of 1966. I can understand DC wanting a cooling off period to not over-saturate the brand. But the number of devotees to that show are dwindling. We're not getting any younger. Here's to hoping we don't have to wait until 2066 for further adventures...

Worth Consuming!

Rating 9 out of 10 stars.

Supergirl (2026)

Being such a fan of Supergirl, you might have been wondering when I will be watching the new live action movie? Well, the answer was today! I got up early, drove through Durham traffic to make a 9:45am showing so I could avoid crowds and be able to watch the movie without my mask. Unfortunately, I think the reports from Hollywood are accurate. Supergirl, at least financially, is a box office bomb. I think maybe 2 other people were in the theater with me. Even worse, there were dozens of Supergirl popcorn buckets and Lobo variants still sitting on store shelves. Only the Masters of the Universe franchise still had more collectible buckets still for sale!

On film, I thought the film was fantastic! It was loads better than the 1984 stinker, although I still think Helen Slater was a great Supergirl. I tried to stay away from the reviews of others. But with social media, occasional opinions slipped through. One of the biggest complaints was that the film, which takes place in outer space, was too much like Guardians of the Galaxy. But I for one liked the lived in feel on James Gunn's DC Universe. Anytime you see Apokolips or Mongol's Warworld, it is the opposite of sterile Krypton. In Agro City, I think you could eat off the floor of any city street whereas in the places Kara Zor-El visits, you risk getting hepatitis A-Z just by looking at the locations.

The 2026 film is based on Tom King's Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow maxi-series from 2021-22. I have that entire run but have held off from reading it because King has this annoying habit of killing our beloved characters from my childhood. But happy with the results that complete the film, I think that I might be ready to read the comic book. The story sees Kara and her dog Krypto on a planet orbiting a red sun. It's the only way she can get plastered as she attempts to escape the trauma of her parents dying from radiation poisoning and being sent to Earth to live with her cousin Kal-El.

It is on this planet that Kara runs into a young girl named Ruthye. The child witnessed her whole family murdered by a group of savage marauders led by the insane Krem of the Yellow Hills. Offering a sword made by her father, a fine craftsman whose weaponry was in high demand, Ruthye seeks someone to enact revenge on Krem. Supergirl is at first uninterested in getting involved. But when Krem shoots vulnerable Krypto with a dart containing a slow acting poison, Kara reluctantly agrees to help Ruthye in order to find the antidote which the gang leader wears around his neck.

There are some elements of True Grit with Supergirl playing the John Wayne role being hired by young Ruthye to avenge the death of her parents. Lots of great aliens and space vehicles, too. I feel that if Kenner was still in existence, the toys produced by this movie could have rivaled Star Wars!

Speaking of Ruthye; the actress who plays her, 14-year old Eve Ridley was fantastic. She brought forth so many powerful emotions. I know it's a long shot, but I really do think her portrayal deserves an Oscar nom!

As for the trolls comparing Milly Alcock to the cave person in 1970's Land of the Lost, do better Dean Cain! I might think you're a great Superman. Your Clark Kent inspired me for a brief time to explore being a newspaper reporter. But in real life, you're a total creep who confuses this country as being God.

My least favorite part of the movie was that of bounty hunter Lobo, played by Jason Momoa. The former Aquaman hams up the role. But I had to remember that in the 90s, co-creator Keith Giffen rebooted Lobo into a parody of the violent comic book characters such as the Punisher and Judge Dredd. But it seems like 2 different makeup artists worked on Momoa throughout the production because in the Czarian's first 2 scenes, you could tell that it was the former Game of Thrones actor in really bad white face. The black patches on his face looked less natural for his species and more like Surfer Dude Sting at the end of a match versus Ric Flair. His look appeared more natural towards the end of the film. But by then, the damage was done. 

At least I finally know how to pronounce the word 'bastiche.'

I really enjoyed the movie. Am I glad I went to see it in the theaters? Absolutely. But with my mystery illness, it's getting hard for me to sit still for 2 hours, even if the chair is a recliner! I think my days of going to the movies might be coming to an end. I wind up in just too much pain after going to the flicks. I just hope that regardless of how poorly the movie is doing in theaters, I hope this isn't what kills off Supergirl again for another 25 years!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Superman: The War Years 1938-1945

I've been watching the new World War II docuseries on History Channel hosted by Tom Hanks. Having a history degree, along with my culinary degree, modern pop culture history from 1938-on has been my focus of study for going on 30 years. Thus, being inspired by the show's very holistic approach to the war, I decided it was time to return to Roy Thomas's 3-volume look at DC's trinity and their impact on the war at home and abroad.

I had already read the volume on Batman. So it was up to either reading about Superman or Wonder Woman. With the new Supergirl movie coming out, I used that to break the tie as Superman has a cameo in the film. Don't worry, Princess Diana, your time is coming!

The origins of Superman were basically forged in the furnace of war. His very first story sees the Man of Steel running afoul of war profiteering. Ending with a cliffhanger, the story concludes in Action Comics #2, with Superman forcing the American arms dealer to enlist in the European army that he's been selling weapons to in hopes of achieving an ah-ha moment regarding the error of his ways much like the ghosts do to Ebenezer Scrooge.

Being the world's most powerful man at the time, Superman could easily end the war in a blink of an eye. In fact, there's an imaginary story that poses such a question. But in reality, Superman's might caused a problem for his creative team. Thus, Superman stayed stateside. Having accidentally failed his physical, Clark Kent was tasked to cover the war effort for the Daily Planet, touring military bases and observing maneuvers. Only when mistakes happened did Superman secretly appear to keep up the morale of our fighting forces. If Superman did make a public appearance to the troops it was mostly in an USO-type capacity that showed off his astounding feats of wonder.

There's even a newspaper story included in which a summit between Hitler and Superman is arranged by the State Department. Adolf, along with Himmler, Göring and Goebbels don Superman suits in hopes of swaying the Man of Tomorrow to the Nazi cause. It would be hilarious if not for the fact that those 4 Ratzis were responsible for the death of millions of innocent Jews and gentiles throughout Europe. 

Throughout the book, Roy Thomas offers commentary on how Superman evolved from his inception in 1938, right as Germany is sweeping into Poland through America's entry into the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the arrival of actual G-men when a Superman newspaper script came too close to revealing the secrets of the Manhattan Project. (Deemed classified, we never see the script.) Finally by August of 1945, the conflict came to an end and with it, the last of Superman's contribution to the war effort. 

This is a fantastic book, full of stories and covers that I've never seen before and I have read a ton of Superman stories. I'm not at Mark Waid level, but I have read quite a few Golden and Silver Age Supes tales. I'm eager to see how Wonder Woman helped the allies win the war...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out 10 stars.

Rip Hunter... Time Master #28 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Noted time traveler Rip Hunter has an ever changing problem on his hands: lately he's been ever changing into huge monstrous creatures!

When a historian colleague finds evidence of a wizard, Rip and company travel 18th century Poland. Once in the past, the time sphere crew are captured by a trio of unusual creatures. The time travelers are taken to an actual wizard! Named Kraklow, the man has in his possession of a clay with special properties. Whenever the wizard uses the magical mud to make an image of a person, that individual comes under Kraklow's spell. A few adjustments later, the wizard turns the human character into a monster., of which years later we would refer to as 'Kaiju'. As soon as Kraklow finishes, the enslaved person transforms into the monstrous creatures of the wizard's imagination.

Using brawn over brain, Rip overpowers the mage and destroys the sculptures, freeing the people of Poland from Kraklow's thralls. The magician claims that he has no more clay which satisfies Rip. However, once back in the 1960s, Rip suddenly turns into a gigantic beast that runs amok. Once his team is able to administer a an antidote, everything seems to have a happy ending. That is until Rip turns back into yet another monster once again! It looks like Kraklow was lying about having run out of his mystical clay and is enacting his revenge on Rip from the past. It appears that another trip in the time sphere is in order to save Rip Hunter from a lifetime of terrifying changes...

This was the penultimate issue of Rip Hunter... Time Master. I don't think that the creative team of writer George Kashdan and artist Will Ely had an idea at this point in time that the writing was on the wall for the series because there's a tease at the end of this issue that this might not be the last we've seen of Kraklow. (Note: it isn't as he'll pop up years later to give the Teen Titans headaches.)

With a publication date from 1965, I think you can accuse the team at DC of ripping off an idea from Marvel. The Fantastic Four's nemesis, the Puppet Master using a radioactive clay of his own to put his does under his power. I guess you could say that Kraklow is an ancestor of the Puppet Master, since the FF character did obtain his clay from somewhere in Central Europe. Perhaps the magic behind Kraklow's clay was radioactivity. It would fit the modern day saying Rip Hunter and the Legends of Tomorrow that 'magic is just science that we don't yet understand.' Plus with radiation experts the Curies coming from Poland, who knows?! It's definitely an idea that got merit for an obscure crossover between the DC and Marvel universes.  

Hey, Big Two! I'm available to help write this script up! 

I loved Rip Hunter... Time Master. My dad had a few issues of the time travelling series in his collection that I later obtained. It was a fun little series that fell under the category of DC's more obscure characters. And for me, the obscurer the better.

Not the best dialogue. Clever plot that just got better the more I reflected on it. A great trip down memory lane as happy memories with my father are few and far in-between. If I could find the other 28 issues, I would snap them up in a heartbeat. 

Completing this review completes Task #2 (Comic from the Silver Age (1956-1970)) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Batman Adventures #21 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Famed biological researcher, Dr. Emile Dorian had escaped from Arkham Asylum. Placed there by Batman and Selina Kyle, Dorian first plans tortuous revenge and then to biologically alter the DNA of the Dark Knight and Catwoman. To capture the pair, Dorian visits Dr. Kirk Langstrom, where the evil scientist injects Langstrom with a new version of the Man-Bat serum. 

Now under Dorian's control, Man-Bat succeeds in capturing Batman first. In the meantime, a mysterious figure has traveled to Dorian's island compound where he meets Tygrus, a mutated cat creature that fell in love with Selena. The stranger turns out to be a werewolf and he's hoping Dorian can do something to reverse the man's lupine curse. Tygrus agrees to help the desperate man and they travel to Gotham to find Dorian.

Tygrus and his new friend first go to Selena Kyle's apartment. There, they witness Man-Bat kidnapping the woman and they follow them to Dorian's new lair. When they approach Dorian, the biologist agrees to help both the reluctant werewolf as well as Tygrus. Seeing that Tygrus desperately wants to be with Kyle, Dorian decides to help his creation become human. Seeing the ultimate revenge, the scientist will conduct a brain swap between Tygrus and the Batman!

A sequel to the season 1 episode of Batman: The Animated Series 'Tyger, Tyger', this issue brings back all the major players along with the addition of the werewolf. Though it is not disclosed in this issue, the wolf man is Anthony Romulus, who first appeared in the season one episode 'Moon of the Wolf.'

Kelley Puckett was the writer. Artwork by Mike Parobek.

Completing this review completes Task #14 (Batman Comic from the 1990s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Batman #361 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Dr. Kirk Langstrom's tenure as a superhero was a brief one. By the early 80s, Langstrom's feral side won over, with the bat expert succumbing to the addictive properties of his bat-gland serum.

In this 1983 issue, Langstrom is suffering a psychotic break. An encounter as the Man-Bat against the Batman in the previous issue, led Langstrom to hallucinate that the Dark Knight killed his daughter Rebecca. In revenge, Man-Bat infiltrates the Batcave and kidnaps young Jason Todd, still sporting a full head of blonde hair. In a demented episode of eye-for-an-eye, thinking he has kidnapped Batman's progeny, Man-Bat plans on transforming Jason into a hybrid bat and raising Todd as his son!

Written by Doug Moench, this issue is notable for the first modern appearance of Detective Harvey Bullock. Introduced as a bit player in Detective Comics #441 (July, 1974), Bullock languished in comic book purgatory for almost another 9 years before reappearing here in his traditional slovenly appearance; bedecked in a loud painted tie and obviously buying off the rack.

The Jekyll and Hyde dichotomy of Dr. Kirk Langstrom and the Man-Bat would see the character switching sides a number of times over the course of the next 5 decades. The more Langstrom's savage persona takes control, the more of a villain Man-Bat becomes. In the past decade, the character has been portrayed more as a tragic anti-hero, that keeps becoming Man-Bat out of addiction to the rush of the transformation Langstrom feels when in bat form. Some recent appearances in the new millennium have involved Man-Bat as an unwilling member of the Suicide Squad, leading the Man-Bat Commandos, a branch of the League of Assassins that used a stolen version of the Lanstrom Serum, and assisting the Bat Family during the Dark Nights: Metal storyline.

Issue was illustrated by Don Newton.

Completing this review completes Task #13 (Batman Comic from the 1980s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Batman Family Giant #13 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In 1974, DC Comics unveiled a new anthology series called Superman Family. Though Superman was featured on the very first issue, the series centered on the adventures of friends and family of the Man of Steel. Superman Family served a financial purpose for DC as they cancelled the titles devoted to Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane and Supergirl individually and merged them into a giant sized publication for the affordable cover price of 60 cents. Numbering of the series picked upon that  issue #164 of Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen.

A huge success, DC followed up with the anthology formula with Batman Family the following year. Unlike Superman Family, the numbering for the new series began with #1. A few issues later, it was rebranded as Batman Family Giant. The exploits of Vicki Vale, Alfred Pennyworth and the Huntress were regular subjects along with reprints. The first main feature was a monthly team-up of Batgirl and the Dick Grayson Robin. Their first pairing was supposed to be featured in an issue if 1st Issue Special. However, once it was decided to create the Batman sister anthology, editors decided that the Boy Wonder and Batgirl combo would be an excellent selling point with readers. 

Beginning at issue #11, Man-Bat was also made a main feature of the title. An attempt had been made to feature the Jekyll and Hyde type character into a superhero in his own title. However, the idea proved unpopular and the series was cancelled after issue #2. However, as there were still several Man-Bat stories on tap that had yet to be published, the idea was to burn those stories in the pages of Batman Family.

Eventually, Robin and Batgirl, billed as the Dynamite Duo were fated to team with Man-Bat. 

In this issue, both Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon are gifted a new motorcycle. There's no note or indication who sent it. But it intrigues both sleuths, who don their costumes and decide to take their new choppers for a spin. This turns out to be a massive mistake as once they mount their new rides, their arms are essentially handcuffed to the handlebars. Then the motorcycles go into automatic pilot mode, and once in New York City, the two heroes meet, Travelling at speeds well exceeding the speed limit Robin and Batgirl about to play a most deadly game of chicken.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kirk Langstrom is trying to settle into his new role as superhero. Making a new start in the Big Apple, Langstrom has perfected his genetic serum, allowing his body to change into the Man-Bat while keeping his level headed Langstrom personality.

Staying sane as the Man-Bat hasn't been easy. In his most recent experience, a gang armed with a special type of flashlight was able to transform the Man-Bat into a savage jaguar creature. On his latest patrol of the city, Man-Bat runs afoul of the gang with the specialized light source. Knowing that he'll never be free until he can destroy that lantern, the new found hero goes in for the attack. Disarming the the gang, Man-Bat makes a leap for the device. Only another player has taken control of it: the Outsider! 

A classic foe from the 1960s, the Outsider was originally the resurrected Alfred Pennyworth, devoted butler to Bruce Wayne. The process that revived Alfred changed his psyche to wanting to kill Batman and anyone associated with him. It also changed his appearance with his skin becoming chalk white and covered in boils. Able to telekinetically control matter, it's very likely that the Outsider is behind the attack on Robin and Batgirl. Only it doesn't add up. Alfred Pennyworth hasn't reverted to the Outsider persona in years. Has Pennyworth gone mad again? Or has a new player found the key to becoming one of Batman's most deadliest of does?

Published roughly 8 times a year, Batman Family Giant survived until late 1978. Ultimately cancelled with issue #20, the series originally was to survive the infamous DC implosion. Batman Family Giant was actually outselling Detective Comics at the time. Execs actually planned to cancel Detective Comics. Artists and writers protested the loss of such an iconic title and thus Batman Family Giant got the axe. In a sort of compromise, Robin, Batgirl and Man-Bat's adventures were continued in Detective Comics, now given the 'Giant' moniker as the page count was upped to 68 with a $1.00 price tag. After 15 issues, the series lost the extra word and pages 'effectively cancelling Batman Family for good'.

'The Man Who Melted Manhattan' was written by the Answer Man, Bob Rozakis. Artwork was attributed to Don Newton, Marshall Rogers and Bob Wiacek. This issue is notable as being the first professionally published work by eventual Batman Norm Breyfogle, who submitted a redesigned Robin uniform in a portfolio display titled 'Robin's New Look?' in the back of the book. 

Completing this review completes Task #12 (Batman Comic from the 1970s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Swamp Thing Annual #1 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

 In 1982, Bernie Wrightson and Len Wein's creepy creation, the Swamp Thing, made its motion picture debut. Written and directed by Wes Craven, the film tells a mostly faithful origin story of Dr. Alec Holland and how he is transformed into a being of sentient plant matter.

While working in a secret government lab deep in the swamps of Florida, Dr. Holland has created a formula that can transform barren deserts into futile farmland. His sister Linda, has also discovered that a single drop of the formula can also double as a powerful explosive. Anton Arcane, a despotic paramilitary leader, has caught wind of the chemical and attacks the lab in hopes of making the formula a part of his ever growing arsenal. During the assault, the chemical is spilt on Holland and he immediately catches fire thanks to its volatile properties. To extinguish himself, Holland jumps into the murky swamp and seemingly perishes.

Meanwhile, Alice Cable, a new government attaché to the project, flees with one of Holland's notebooks. With Arcane's operatives trailing her, Cable must find a way to alert Washington to the attack. However, the commandos get the better of Cable. With the notebook in their possession, there's no longer a need to keep Cable alive. But right before they silence the government agent, a mysterious creature emerges from the muck. It's the Swamp Thing and boy, is he mad!

The live action film was produced by Swampfilms and distributed jointly by Embassy Pictures and United Artists. It started Ray Wise as Dr. Alec Holland.  Adrienne Barbeau played Alice Cable. Renown French actor Louis Jourdan was the evil Arcane. Dick Durock would don pounds of rubber and fake moss as the title character. Over the next decade, it would only be Durock's body in the Swamp Thing suit. The imposing 6'6" actor would star opposite Heather Locklear in 1989's campy Return of the Swamp Thing. A year later, Durock would return for an hour long TV series on cable's USA Network. The series would run 72 episodes over 3 seasons. 

None of the subsequent Swamp Thing adaptations to star Dick Durock would receive the comic book treatment. This oversized special was written by Bruce Jones. Mark Texeira penciled; Tony DeZuniga inked. The cover image is of the original theatrical poster. It was painted and airbrushed by celebrated fantasy and sci-fi artist Michael Whelan. 

Completing this review completes Task #30 (A Movie Adaptation) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Spirit Archives, Vol. 22

According to historian Paul Buhle, in his forward to this volume of The Spirit Archives, the stories here occur during the early throes of Will Eisner's fallow period. Eisner was seeing the writing on the wall in regards to how comic books and their crafters were being demonized by the public and notable child psychiatrists. Having been creating Spirit comics for over a decade, Eisner was getting the wanderlust, desiring a change. Thus if the adventures of the Spirit, Commissioner Dolan and company seems a bit like a cup of weak coffee, you'll understand.

But like with other masters of the comic arts, (any arts actually), the worst that Will Eisner has to offer is loads better than some of the worst artists and their so-called masterpieces!

The French black widow P'Gell appears in several stories, seeking fortune and fame, along with another husband to take to the proverbial cleaners. The Octopus, arguably the Spirit's primary arch enemy returns from the dead. Although, since nobody knows what he really looks like, thanks to his ability to wear countless masks all at the same time, could this Octopus actually be an impostor? (That's my theory at least.)There's also a rather unique criminal named Mr. Carrion who along with his pet bird Julia, is creepy fun with his evil schemes mixed with a touch of heartfelt sympathy for others.

The Spirit's girlfriend Ellen Dolan is now Central City's Mayor at this point. I remember in a previous volume that she ran for office. I just didn't recall that she had won. Being such an important figure now, Ellen has very little time to pine over her crime fighting boyfriend who's yet to walk her down the alter. Doesn't she realize that as Mayor, she can skip ceremony and declare herself married to the Spirit?!

Also, returning from a rather long hiatus is former sidekick of the Spirit, Ebony White. He'll pop up in perhaps the best story of the whole volume, a capper to a multi-part adventure that sees Spirit stranded in Asia and having to hoof it through the Himalayas to the nearest port back Stateside. Ebony might be a controversial character in comics. But he's also one of the most sincere and genuine characters ever crafted.

Another great volume. Maybe not Eisner's best. But I got a kick out of it!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Teen Titans Go! #12 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air at Titans Tower. First Robin attempts to woo Starfire with his over-the-top antics, which includes wearing a diaper dressed as Cupid. Then there's the mysterious package that has shown up in the living room. Sent from a secret admirer, the gigantic gift isn't for Starfire. It's for Raven! And it comes with a massive flaming heart wrapped thorns. 

Written by Sholly Fisch with artwork by Dario Brizuela, this 2026 issue is based on the long running animated series from Cartoon Network. After a popular run with 2003's Teen Titans, which was much more serious and action packed in nature, Cartoon Network followed up with Teen Titans Go! in 2013. Using the same cast of voices and fairly similar character designs, the show was controversial amongst viewers. Some die hard fans of the Titans didn't like the new show's slapstick tone. Others were okay with the humor but they found the sing-along episodes rather annoying. 

This issue has none of the musical interlude, lots of laughs and subtle touches to nearly 60 years of Teen Titans legend and lore.

Cover by Brizuela and Franco Riesco.

Completing this review completes Task #37 (A work released in 2026) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Superman #401 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Prior to the Crisis of 1985-86, Lex Luthor was a man obsessed. Determined to finally kill Superman, he constructed a massive green and purple war suit. It could fire blasts of humbling red sun energy at the Man of Steel. It could fly. Plus, it increased Luthor 's energy, allowing the villain to go toe-to-toe with Superman in a fist fight, while preventing Luthor from feeling whatever his foe could dish out.

Lex Luthor's increased rage came from the destruction of his adopted home planet Lexor. Superman arrives on the planet to arrest his arch enemy for numerous crimes. It's here that the Warsuit is introduced and Luthor has the advantage because Lexor orbits around a red sun which renders Superman powerless. In the fight, the duo damage an atomic battery which makes Lexor unstable. With his Warsuit damaged, Lex can only watch as his wife and son are killed when the planet explodes similar to Krypton.

In this 1984 issue, Luthor uses a pair of Siamese twins baddies named Pluto and Plato Statler to hold the 6 o'clock news at WGBS hostage. There, the twins issue a challenge to Superman on Luthor's behalf at high noon the next day before leaving the studios. Clark Kent quickly changes into Superman, seeking to track the evil siblings back to Lex's lair. However, the hero has fallen into a trap and is assaulted by his foe's empty Warsuit that Luthor can operate remotely.

Superman awakens from the attack now encased in the Warsuit. Any attempts to break free causes him great pain as the suit blasts him with red sun energy. But even more dastardly is how Luthor has changed Superman's facial appearance and voice making his friends and allies think that it's the super criminal inside of the Warsuit. As Luthor causes his foe pain with any attempts to alert his pals that it's really Superman in the armor, the Last Son of Krypton will have to use subterfuge in hopes of being freed from Lex's clutches.

A regular sized issue, there's no official backup feature. Instead, in the middle, there is a 15 page insert for a short lived futuristic toy car line from Matchbox called Flash Force 2000. The main feature 'Operation: False Front' was written by Cary Bates with art by Curt Swan. 

Cover by Eduardo Barreto.

Completing this review completes Task #17 (A Superman Comic From the 1980s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Superman #267 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Superman in the 1970s saw several changes. His vulnerability to Kryptonite was eliminated. Sidekick Supergirl went to college and became more independent. His partnership with Batman, who was becoming more of a darker vigilante hero, weakened, seeing the World's Finest heroes teaming more with other heroes AND VILLAINS, and less with each other. But perhaps the biggest changes for the Man of Tomorrow involved his secret identity, Clark Kent.

No longer working for the Daily Planet newspaper, Kent was recruited by the paper's new owner Morgan Edge, to host the evening news for Metropolis television's Galaxy Broadcasting Station (WGBS). He was also allowed to start dating Lois Lane; although their relationship was more platonic than romantic with Lois often wondering why she hung out with such a milksop as Clark Kent. Making his relationship goals difficult to achieve, Clark found himself in a love triangle for Lois' affections against his WGBS colleague, the macho braggart sports reporter Steve Lombard.

That's where the cover story for this issue begins. Clark and Lois are enjoying time at the beach when Lombard and his nephew appear. Steve treats Clark like the wimpy guy in those Clark Atlas ads, kicking sand in Smallville's face before grabbing Lois for a swim. On shore, Clark learns from Steve's nephew that his father has been missing for several weeks. However, when a sudden whirlpool occurs, threatening the lives of Lombard and Lois, the child exclaims that his father had warned him of such calamity just the night before. Intrigued by this contradiction, Clark changes into Superman and visits Steve and his nephew where the hero learns that the boy has a telepathic link to his missing father, a famous scientist. 

The revelation takes both Superman and the lad underneath the North Pole, where they encounter a long-forgotten subterranean race of flying reptiles called the Miros. With the missing Lombard's expertise in geophysics, the ancient people have been forcing the scientist to siphon the energy of the Earth's sun to power a special device that has been warming the Miros' subsurface habitat. Now with Superman on the scene, the reptilians seek to use the Man of Steel as the new battery for their failing synthetic sun.

This issue contains a backup story. Part of the 'Private Life of Clark Kent' series of tales, 'The Man in the Public Eye!', sees Clark Kent being put on a massive public relations campaign. Station boss Morgan Edge thinks that while Kent is a top notch newscaster but he's got the personality of a cold fish. Edge arranges for the newscaster to participate in a number of sporting activities in hopes of making Clark Kent appear more manly. As much as Clark tries to appear weak in front of the WGBS cameras, dumb luck mixed with his Kryptonian superpowers have the newsman looking really 'super., like when he accidentally knocks out the heavyweight champion of the world after a sparring match. Thankfully, the audience of Metropolis is eating up Kent's antics and it's sending ratings for the 6 o'clock news through the roof. Now if only Clark can screw up royally or else somebody is going to make a connection between the reporter and Superman!

Both the secondary story and the cover tale 'World Beneath the North Pole' were written by Elliot (S!) Maggin. Curt Swan drew both tales. He was assisted by Murphy Anderson on Superman's Arctic adventure. Bob Oksner gave assistance on the Clark Kent led tale.

The cover was drawn by Nick Cardy.

Completing this review completes Task #16 (A Superman Comic From the 1970s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Action Comics #332 (2026 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

In the 1960s, if you wanted to do something wild with DC's flagship character, Superman, you had two choices: use red kryptonite or make it an imaginary story. With red kryptonite, you could temporarily change the Man of Steel into a raving lunatic or give him the head of a ant. But if you wanted to play around with the dynamic of Superman and his friends and family, or even his personal history, you had to create an imaginary story.

Under a strict set of guidelines imposed by editor Mort Weisinger, Superman couldn't marry, he couldn't reveal his secret identity of Clark Kent and he couldn't go back in time to change the deaths of either his earthly parents, the Kent's or the destruction of his home world. That's where the imaginary tales come in.

In the cover story 'How Superwoman Trained Superboy', we see what would have happened if Kara Zor-El was born before her cousin Kal-El. Instead of only Kara going to Earth in the wake of the destruction of Krypton, her mother and father also make it to our planet. For a brief while, the family works in secret at night, using their new found powers, gained by our solar system's yellow sun, to help the people of Smallville. 

Meanwhile, Jor-El and his family have been living on a floating planetoid containing Argo City, encased in a protective plastic bubble. When asteroids destroy the dome and uncover deadly green kryptonite underneath Agro's crust, teenage Jor-El is sent to Earth to be reunited with his now adult cousin Kara. However instead of adopting the Kryptonian boy herself, she places Kal in Midvale Orphanage, until he can learn discipline and to master his new powers before he can become Superwoman's new sidekick, Superboy.

This issue opens with a Superman story involving his arch-enemy, Lex Luthor. Having escaped a prison planet, Superman goes to the planet Lexor, where the criminal mastermind is revered as the Lexor's savior, to find him. In doing so, he's inadvertently revealed to Luthor's wife Ardora that Lex is really a villain at heart. 

This causes a rift between Ardora and Luthor. Out of revenge, Lex plans to destroy Superman once and for all. But when the fiend discovers that another criminal is about to kill the Man of Steel, Lex actually comes to his foe's rescue. Changing plans, Luthor schemes to drive Superman insane by being his enemy's protector. 

But how that plan will be implemented will have to wait. Both 'The Super-Vengeance of Lex Luthor' and the cover story starring an adult Supergirl end on cliffhangers. That tale ends with Superboy planning to show Superwoman that he's more than ready to not only be her partner but out of revenge, he'll become something far more superior than his mighty cousin. 

Both stories were written by Leo Dorfman. Al Plastino both penciled and inked the Lex Luthor story. Jim Mooney was the artist and inker for the Superwoman adventure. Curt Swan was the cover artist.

Completing this review completes Task #15 (A Superman Comic From the 1960s) of the 2026 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

The Flinstones and the Jetsons #18

I've still got a few books from this past holiday season to review. This one from 1999 was a DC series that had both Flintstones and Jetsons stories in the same issue; but aside from the occasional cover that had Fred and George interacting together, never seemed to have the two actually meeting in a story. 

There are 2 Christmas themed stories here. The cover carol is a parody of It's a Wonderful Life, though Wilma and Barney don't get married as the illustration would imply. It's Christmas Eve and Fred was expecting a big bonus in order to buy Christmas dinner and presents for everyone. However, he didn't get that bonus and instead of asking his boss why, Fred is wishing he was never born. So the Great Gazoo grants his request and Fred views life without him ever being a part of it. However, it all seems like his friends and family are much better off without him... on the surface.

The Jetsons tale was a slapstick farce. Elroy doesn't believe in Santa Claus anymore. Naturally, George rents a Santa costume and tries to restore his boy's faith in Christmas magic. Too bad for George, he forgot to disarm the elaborate alarm system to his home, the robot maid Rosie!

I enjoyed both stories with the Jetsons story probably being my favorite. Not because the first story was bad. As Christmas story aficionado, of not just comic books, it drives me crazy that the Flintstones celebrate Christmas! How is this possible?!? Jesus wasn't even born yet! Who's birth are these cavemen commemorating? 

I'd be okay with a situation similar to Star Wars. They celebrate Life Day, which with the decorating of trees and wearing of red, surprisingly looks a lot like Christmas but isn't. If the cave people of Bedrock celebrated the solstice and it just happens to look very festive like Christmas, I would be okay with that! Just don't call a pre-Christianity holiday Christmas! 

Sorry, but I have to acquiesce to my pet peeve and rate this issue a bit lower than I would normally.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

DC's I Saw Ma Hunkel Kissing Santa Claus #1

I Saw Ma Hunkel Kissing Santa Claus. Great pun title. Adorable cover. As for the overall book itself, it had highs and lows. This 2025 holiday special has got some of my all-time favorite characters. It's got some obscure ones, that are fan favs. And it's got at least one character that I didn't know who in the heck they were.

Supergirl stars in my favorite story. She's spending Christmas in Smallville this year and Clark set her up on a blind date. I'm still not as much of a fan when she's all sad and depressed. I prefer my Maid of Might all bright and chipper. But the ending just melted my heart. It was perfect!

Harley Quinn has a Christmas getaway with Poison Ivy. I don't mind this relationship. It was strongly hinted upon in Batman: The Animated Series- by Paul Dini, who created her. So if he says she's bisexual, then Harley Quinn is bisexual. What I don't like is DC currently claiming that they're presenting the definitive story of how these two become a couple because Paul Dini already did that in 1993's 'Harley and Ivy'!

The parody of It's a Wonderful Life starring Animal Man and the Phantom Stranger was hilarious! 

The JSA story that does indeed star Ma Hunkel, the original Red Tornado was festive fun and very nostalgic. But where was Scribbly? He needed to at least have a cameo in this flashback story!

I liked the twist on the trope where a guy finds himself with 2 dates at the same time. Here we find Billy Batson and Captain Marvel at a high school Christmas dance dating Billy's dream girl... and her mom! Well, the Captain is dating the mom. Now that I think about it, this was a subplot of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, while both Clark and Superman attended the same dinner date with 2 different women. Okay. So its not an original twist...

The Doctor Light story was good as well. It features the Kimiyo Hoshi Doctor Light, Ray Palmer and a holiday prank played on blowhard Guy Gardner.

The Martian Manhunter story was fair. I loved that it involves Krampus. But too much of the story took place inside of J'onn J'onnz' consciousness and was a bit too metaphysical for my tastes.

And then we've got the Hanukkah story, which is sadly the worst story. It stays the gender fluid character known as Galaxy. This character apparently debuted in a young adult graphic novel that I have no memory of ever seeing any sort of advertising for. I don't even recall seeing the so-called origin story being listed in Previews nor the coming attractions section of Midtown Comics. Galaxy has been putting their girlfriend on the back burner during the first 7 nights of Hanukkah. With one evening to go, Galaxy is determined to to spend it with true love. Unfortunately, a figure from Galaxy's past, has other ideas.

DC has the right to fill their holiday specials with whatever they like. Galaxy would not have been a character that I would have selected. But there are readers out there who would say the same about selecting Animal Man or Ma Hunkel. I just find it surprising that Batman, the Flash or Wonder Woman don't even appear anywhere here. They're some of the company's most lucrative properties and yet they are nowhere to be found. 

This wasn't the worst DC holiday special. There really was more good than bad. I just could've done without the Galaxy story. The artwork was not good. What is wrong with Galaxy's ears? Is the character wearing headphones? The plot was good. The dialogue was not. Is this is how DC thinks teens and young adults talk? Being a high school teacher, I am aware of much of the slang and vernacular of this current generation. But they don't communicate this obnoxiously, I think. Like the annoying song that you can't get out of your head, the Galaxy story, especially the way everyone talks, marred my overall enjoyment of this special.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.