Iceman #1 (2024 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

There are very few instances of the mutant known as Iceman working independently of the X-Men and it's numerous offshoots. The frigid protagonist was a member of both the short lived Champions as well as the New Defenders. Anyone alive in the early 80s might remember Iceman's secret identity of Bobby Drake being roommates with Peter Parker on NBC's Saturday morning toon Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. But that wasn't considered comic book canon, was it? If you count a pair of 1983 comic book inserts that appeared in Dallas and Denver newspapers and co-starring a third member of the team, Firestar, as official; then yes, it's canon!

Iceman #1 marks Drake's return to the East Coast after years away from the Xavier School in Upper New York due to his time with the Champions and New Defenders in California and Colorado subsequently. Bobby Drake has come home to Port Jefferson, Long Island, to celebrate his father's retirement. Apprehensive about his return, Drake's misgivings are founded when in his frosty form as Iceman, he encounters bigotry from the local police department after a misunderstanding.

Unknown to Drake, a pair of thugs from another universe or dimension have also arrived in Port Jefferson searching for a person who is a source of unimaginable power. Readers are fooled into believing that the Laurel and Hardy appearing duo known as Idiot and White Light are actually looking for Iceman, when in reality, it's the daughter of the Drake's next door neighbor, a young girl named Marge Smith who caught Bobby's eye.

This 4-issue miniseries from 1984-85 would be Iceman's lone solo book until the new millennium where the character has been the focus of 3 limited series in less than 25 years time. J. M. Dematteis, who penned the first half dozen issues to star the New Defenders, crafted Iceman's starring role debut. Pencils were by Alan Kupperberg with inks provided by Michael Gustovich. Cover by Mike Zeck.

Issue #1 would be high on melodrama as Bobby Drake is extremely apprehensive about returning to visit his family, who except for mom and dad, are unaware he's a superhero. Only the last 4 pages does any action finally occur with Iceman taking on Idiot and White Light inside of the Smith family home before the fisticuffs results in the buildings collapse and Bobby being outed as mutant superhero in front of his entire family!

Completing this review completes Task #49 (Involves Ice or Snow) of the 2024 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Larfleeze, Vol. 2: Revolt of the Orange Lanterns

YOU WILL BELIEVE A JACKASS CAN FLY!

That should be the tagline if they were ever to make a film starring Larfleeze, the Orange Lantern of Avarice!

I came across this book for just a few dollars at an Ollie's. Having first been introduced to the character in the pages of the Larfleeze Christmas Special, I took a shot on this book. And then after adding it to my collection, I promptly filled it in one of my short boxes and immediately forgot about it. Jump forward a couple of years until a few days ago, I was in the mood for something light. Thankfully, I had this Larfleeze book on hand for such a moment as that!

Larfleeze is in a panic. Oh, and he's tremendously upset! That's because someone has stolen all his stuff- including the Orange Lantern that fuels his power ring. With time running out, Larfleeze, along with his newly acquired butler, Stargrave (I.E. kidnapped), will stoop to nothing to retrieve his lost loot!

Featuring a nearly forgotten sci-fi team, the Star Rovers, a bunch of deceased aliens, and a peak behind the creation source point, I really enjoyed this cosmic romp. Pretty much, if you attach Keith Giffen and JM DeMatteis to a project, I'm going to want to read it and I'm going to enjoy it. I think it's because they just think a little bit differently about things. So I have found some kindred spirits. The co-creators of Justice League International are quirky, a little odd and a whole heck of a lot funny!

This collection of stories were part of DC's New 52 experiment. Yet, the stories inside don't read like it. The book was completely insane, mostly because after being a billion years old and under the influence of the greedy energy of the orange lantern, Larfleeze is just about as completely nuts as one can be. 

There is quite a bit of violence. The level of blood red ink is almost equal to the orange that highlights literally every page. There's quite a few 'damns' and 'hells'. But I was more surprised by gratuitous use of the a-word; especially for a 2011 book that boasts a Teen rating on the cover.

As comical as this first volume was, it's not for kids. But it was definitely a book for me. There's a volume 2 out there and I really want to get my hands on it before I start to forget what happened already. 

Darn that getting old!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Marvel Team-Up #127

It appears that it's going to be a nice, quiet Christmas for Peter Parker. That is until he's visited by Uatu The Watcher! Now, Spider-Man must race the clock to save a young woman whose managed to get in way over her head.

THIS IS THE TYPE OF CHRISTMAS SPECIAL I WANT! 

Last night, I reviewed DC's latest holiday offering. It was far from superior. Here's a book from 1983 and it blows Tis The Season To Be Freezin' out of the water- even with the Paul Dini penned Batman story included. 

There was so much talent involved in this book. JM DeMatteis (Justice League) wrote the story. Al Milgrom (Marvel Fanfare) illustrated the cover along with Ed Hannigan. Glynis Wein was the colorist. And my Candy Crush buddy, Tom DeFalco, was the editor. Oh- and don't forget! The Editor-In-Chief was Giant Jim Shooter! 

Man, this was a great line-up!

When it came to it's portrayal of social norms; the book was far from perfect. Sure, there were drugs, domestic violence and other types of debauchery. But this story entertained. And it had a happy ending. I'd rather have comics that are flawed (and maybe a pinch outdated) compared to the guilt-tripping modern drivel that is disguised as a Christmas comic. Holiday books are all about the feels and this special issue of Marvel Team-Up is a feel good treat!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

DC Retroactive Justice League Of America The 90s #1

     Giffen and DeMatteis are back! Who else but those two could be chosen to best reflect what the Justice League was all about in the 90s. 

    In this lost tale, the Injustice League winds up with some dangerous parademon tech, resulting in Big Sir getting even bigger- and looking an awful lot like a certain giant lizard from Japan.

   It’s a laugh riot, capturing the essence of the creative duo’s best work on the various Justice League titles.

   The reprinted tale that deals with J’onn J’onzz and his decision to leave the League is very good as well. Sadly, I’ve read that issue already. Bummer!

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.