Aquaman #63 (2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Dan Jurgens (Superman) begins a sweeping epic that chronicles the fall of Atlantis.

Things have come to a head with the island nation of Cerdia. Defying international law, the tiny country has waged an economic cold war with Atlantis that suddenly becomes hot. With his requests for aid rejected by the United Nations, Aquaman takes to the late night talk show scene in order to appeal to the public.

The TV appearance is set up to be a farce. But during a segment in which King Arthur is asked to talk to the host's aquarium fish reveals that a bomb is underneath the stage, things turn deadly serious.

Meanwhile, the underwater kingdom of Atlantis is in chaos. Dolphin, the bride of former Teen Titan Tempest, has gone into labor as an unknown force of aquatic behemoths made of living coral begins an attack on the kingdom. Alerted to the onslaught Aquaman and his contingent race back to Atlantis just in time to see Atlantis' volatile power core explode in a detonation of unspeakable destruction.

Unspeakable because that's where the story stops with a promise of more to come in next month's issue.

This issue was a thrill ride from the very beginning. The cover was penciled by the fantastic Michael William Kaluta (The Shadow). It shows Aquaman swimming among his deep sea friends as Atlantis gleams in all its glory behind him. In the immediate background, a pair of angelic mermaids bestow a majestic-looking Arthur Curry with a crown.

The interior art was penciled by Steve Epting (Captain America) with Norm Rapmund (The Flash) on inks. While on the surface, both Aquaman and Tempest are dressed in their royal finest; a simple black jumpsuit with splashes of color adornments made of shell, sponges and nets. The battle scenes are explosive, literally. And that opening scene of Aquaman atop his trusty seahorse, Storm surrounded by friends and foe alike symbolizing the glory days of Atlantis was awe inspiring.

The only downside to this issue is that I don't have the rest of the story. Looking at a DC database, this issue was the opening chapter of the final tale that would close out the 1992-2001 series run. But a quick search in Google shopping shows that most issues that round things out can be purchased for $4 or less. For $150 plus shipping, you can bid on some of the original artwork on this issue and issue #65. I don't think I wanna go that route. 

A fantastic voyage to the depths of the Atlantic ocean begins in this issue. Hopefully someday in the near future, I'll have the rest of the run in order to find out what happens next!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Completing this review completes Task #23 (Involving Water) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

DC Meets Hanna-Barbera Vol. 2

In this second assortment of stories starring the heroes of the DC Universe and the nearly unlimited cast of characters from the world of Hanna-Barbera we've got the following:

• The sons of Superman and Batman assist Dynomutt in saving his partner the Blue Falcon from the clutches of his arch-enemy: The Condor!
• Hong-Kong Phooey cashes in a Vietnam War-era favor from Black Lightning in trying to prevent an ancient evil from devouring the Earth in a kung-fu romp set in 1970s Metropolis.
• Aquaman meets the talking shark, Jabberjaw and catches a glimpse of the future of Atlantis.
• Wally West learns that for every positive entity in the Speed Force, that there is an evil version in a race against time with Speed Buggy.

I really enjoyed the first set of DC/Hanna-Barbera stories. They were edgier versions of the Hanna-Barbera characters than we are used too. But the team-ups themselves weren't bad. I think with volume 2, the novelty's luster had worn off.

The Super Sons story was powerful but a little sad. I did rather enjoy the quirkiness of the Aquaman/Jabberjaw adventure with it's awesome Easter Eggs. But I wasn't a fan of the other stories. The Hong Kong Phooey story was too complicated or just plain poorly written. I did like the countless cameos of the Speed Buggy adventure. But I feel that the villains in that story were lame. 

I was a little more appreciative of the artwork. Of course, the art was done in that more gritty Post-New 52 style. But it translated fairly well with assists by Bill Sienkiewicz, Norm Rapmund and others. 

There was also two bonus shorts that were pretty good. Jason Blood summons the spirit of a relatively forgotten Hanna-Barbera character known as the Funky Phantom. Then we have the Wizard SHAZAM bestowing powers on a Neanderthal who once eventually defrosted in modern times will become Captain CAAAAAAVVEEE-MAN!

That story was great. I would pay money for a 4 or 5 issue long miniseries that followed up that yarn. It was that fine a quality.

An enjoyable read. But not my favorite volume. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

The Joker/Daffy Duck Special #1

The Joker/Daffy Duck Special rounds out my completion of DC/Looney Tunes Wave 2. This one was the one I least expected to enjoy (though I really loved the variant cover and used it as my FB avatar for a while.) Yet, I was for the most part pleasantly surprised.

The art was probably my least favorite aspect of this special. Norm Rapmund and Brett Booth's artwork was quite frenzied and for a Joker adventure, that works very well. but Daffy looks freaky. I know that ducks have these little parts on their bill that are referred to as teeth. Yet, seeing Daffy with a full mouth full of pearly whites is just unsettling.

The story itself was very well written. Daffy treks to Gotham City to see why the Acme Company hasn't filled his latest order of gags. Turns out that Acme has been closed for years and is now the hideout of the Joker!

Normally the Clown Prince of Crime would just off anyone who trespasses on his turf. But Daffy manages to talk his way into becoming the villain's new capo. It's merely a ruse to buy himself some time to escape. but Daffy actually turns out to be pretty good at his job.

I didn't like the ending. I didn't really think it was all that fair towards poor Daffy. But overall, the opening story was entertaining.

I wish I could tell you about the back-up feature. But it was really forgettable. Done in the Looney Tunes style, I cannot for the life of me remember if the Joker or Daffy are even in this Joey Cavaleri penned tale.

Wait a minute!!! I seem to recall Daffy posing as a psychologist at Arkham and he's analyzing the Joker... Still, it's a little cloudy. But if it's not that memorable, it must not have been all that great.

Wow. what a way to end a special. This one's going to be tough to rate. Unfortunately, the back-up tale is going to weigh this book down. But I still recommend this to fans of DC and Merry Melodies because the first story was pretty decent for the most part.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

World of Flashpoint #2

   So far in Flashpoint, some heavy hitters and fan favorites have been noticeably absent from all the action- until now. Desperate to stop her father from committing genocide on the people's of Themyscira and Atlantis, Traci 13, armed with Madame Xanadu's tarot deck, scours the globe looking for anyone to help her. Wanna know what happened to XXXXXX XXX, XXXXX XXXX, and XXX XXXXXX in the Flashpoint, then you must read this important issue. Oh, and the cliffhanger to this issue- Holy Cow, I completely forgot that in the original DC Universe, XXXXXX XX had magical powers too!
   (You didn't really think I was going to name names do you? That would spoil all the fun!)
    A killer read from Rex Ogle (Teen Titans) with awesome artwork by Eduardo Francisco (Ame-Comi Comics.) The only thing I was 100% sold on was the cover by Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund. The art of the tarot cards were great but Traci 13 looked wrong.

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
   

Superman #165 (A Holiday Favorite Revisited)

Lex Luthor has been elected President of the United States. It's a fact that doesn't sit very well with the Man of Steel. Seeking advice, solace, and allies, Superman makes the rounds with his fellow Justice Leaguers while giving them their Christmas presents. 

Featuring the artistic talents of Art Adams, Mike Wieringo, Ed McGuiness, Rob Liefeld, Norm Rapmund, and many more, this was a great Christmas themed story that's drawing style changed which each hero Superman engages. 

One of my favorite stories begins with a scene involving Waverider and Mongul's Warworld. Yet, that's the only time we see these characters. It's a moment that has to nothing do with the holiday themed story but thankfully, it doesn't really detract from the rest of the tale. 

Speaking of detractors- even the art of the much-maligned Rob Liefeld is pretty good. The late 90s version of Aquaman with the long hair and hook hand actually looks great done by the creator of Deadpool. It's almost a Christmas miracle!

 Worth Consuming

 Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.