The Super Heroes Monthly #8

I've just been so busy and exhausted with the new school year and all that. I've been reading comics and graphic novels. I've just been too (fill in the blank) to do any reviewing. I seem to have caught a break today.

From the U.K., I couldn't tell you where I found this magazine of black and white DC reprints. But I know that I didn't spend more than a buck on it. So I must have gotten this years ago at a Con and totally forgot about it.

There are 3 stories inside. First up is a reprinting of the very first appearance of the Barry Allen Flash. The Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert origin is forever imprinted in my mind. But I had forgotten that the first villain that the Fastest Man Alive takes on is known as the Turtle Man, the Slowest Man on Earth! Kinda comical. But it's a pairing that makes sense.

The Super Heroes Monthly had been running through the complete Man-Bat saga for several issues up to this point. In this issue featuring story by Frank Robbins and art by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano, the Man-Bat takes a bride.

I've either previously read, own a copy or both when it came to both stories. Had I bothered to check the contents of this book whenever I bought it, I probably would have passed over it. At least the third and final story was one that I never read before. It stars Superman featuring Len Wein on scripts and art by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson; which in itself is an all-star crew. Unfortunately, it's a Man of Steel story that isn't really good.

The premise to this tale has an intriguing beginning. Lex Luthor laments the disappearance of the entire population of Earth. In his latest attempt to destroy the Man of Steel, Luthor's robotic assassin overheats, causing the nuclear core to meltdown and wipe out not just Superman, but everyone and everything on the planet. Birds, snakes and all!

When we learn what the MacGuffin behind the disappearances really details, the explanation is so implausible, it really lowered the quality of the story. I know that a lot of Superman stories stunk up news stands and comic collections during the 70s. If we were to place this story on the list, and believe me, I am, then 'The Man Who Murdered the Earth' has be the durian of all Superman tales from 1970-79!

I love the Alan Craddock cover of Superman and the Flash attempting to outrace a speeding locomotive. It is what enticed me to buy this book. But the fact that I already have 2/3 of the stories contained within and I hate that last one, this issue is going to be taken in for hopefully a little bit of trade credit instead of taking up valuable shelf space.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

The Flash #300 (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Barry Allen awakens in a mental institution. Completely paralyzed and wrapped in bandages, Allen is greeted by noted psychiatrist Dr. Petrou and the doctor claims to know the truth behind Barry Allen's role as the Flash. Instead of becoming super fast when Allen was dosed in chemicals when struck by lightning in his police lab, Dr. Petrou states that the elements badly scarred his entire body and left him a quadriplegic. Languishing in agony in his hospital bed, Barry took inspiration from his childhood love of the Golden Age comic book hero, the Flash and created a fantasy world as this world's fastest man alive.

Barry refuses to believe Dr. Petrou. Using his scientific mind, Allen goes through the Flash's Rogues Gallery in hopes of detecting who placed him in his current predicament. However as family and friends, including the Green Lantern and Ralph Dibny, stop by to visit Barry in hopes of curing his delusions, Allen begins to face the very real possibility that all that Flash stuff is really just in his head.

This 25th anniversary issue plots a very intriguing mystery while providing detailed snapshots of the history of the Flash. It was everything this author could do to not skip to the end to find out who was behind Barry's incapacitated state. It was even more difficult because book-ending the inside covers of this issue was a 2-page analyst of some of the Flash's most unusual transformations by noted cartoonist and comic book historian Fred Hembeck. As the mastermind of this plot is revealed on the very last page of this double-sided issue, if you go to read the 2nd page of Hembeck's 'Flash-Grams', you'd likely spoil the ending!

From 1981, just about every major Flash villain is examined, along with Barry Allen's extensive family as well as the Flash's history with his friends in the Justice League. Issue #300 was written by Cary Bates who was a primary writer for The Flash at the time and infamously recently responsible for the death of Iris West Allen at the hands of the Reverse Flash. 

The main artist was Barry Allen co-creator Carmine Infantino. He was assisted by Bob Smith. The artwork is so seamless, you really cannot tell where Smith's handiwork begins and Infantino 's ends. According to the DC Database Wiki, Bob Smith is attributed as the inker despite no inker role being listed in the credits of this issue.

A rarity in comics. No ads at all! Just 100% Flash fun and action at lightning speed. Just one little problem, during the entire charade, Barry Allen accidentally revealed to the villain that Hal Jordan was the Green Lantern. Did anything ever come of that?

Completing this review completes Task #19 (written or illustrated by Carmine Infantino) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Team-Ups of the Brave and the Bold

You don't have to have read the previous 26 issues of this 2010's modern version of DC's flagship team-up franchise, The Brave and the Bold. I didn't know this for a while. That's why I sat on this book for so long. Once I realized that unlike how the series opened with a story line of Batman and Green Lantern alternating pairings with other heroes to find the Book of Destiny, these stories were all self-contained. 

The Team-Ups of the Brave and the Bold contains 7 stories written by J. Michael Straczynski as a last ditch attempt to revitalize the sagging series. Despite the superior writing of Straczynski and the awesome artwork of Jesus Saiz, it just wasn't enough to save this series from cancellation.

The following team-ups in the book includes:

• Robbie Baldwin losing his Hero dial during a family trip to Batman's hometown, Gotham City.
• The Atom goes on a 'fantastic journey' inside the brain of the Joker during a delicate surgery.
• During a science experiment on the speed of light in Belgium, the Flash is sent back in time to assist the pilots of Blackhawk squadron during the Battle of the Bulge.
• Batman investigates the legend of the 60s era Frankenstein monster known as Brother Power, the Geek.
• Wonder Woman and Zatanna take Batgirl on a much needed girl's night out.
• Aquaman and the Demon join forces to stop an Eldritch horror from the deep from conquering the world!

I love a team-up title and while I am a fan of the original Batman The Brave and the Bold collection of books, I like that the Dark Knight isn't the focus of the title here. The Atom's story offers a look at the troubled childhood of the boy who would become the Clown Prince of Crime. It was a chilling work. The Aquaman/Demon story also had hints of horror to it. If you ever wondered what it would be like if H.P. Lovecraft wrote a comic book, you'd have your answer here.

The Flash story was powerful. I can't believe it wasn't written by Joe Kubert with artwork by Brian Bolland. I also was enamored with the title's swan song starting Barbara Gordon. Here I am missing her carefree pre-Killing Joke days when hot with the fact that the events of this story will cause that tragedy to occur! And the Dial H for Hero story was a nostalgic tribute to a great premise that just never got it's proper due.

If you ask me, that Brother Power, the Geek story was unnecessary. Though the way that story ended set up for an exciting storyline that I would pay good money to read. It's just a shame that DC gave up faith in J. Michael Straczynski's writing talents. 

This book is really a beautiful tribute to some of the best eras of DC Comics. There's sci-fi, war, horror, wacky gimmicks and above all love. Love for a good story full of amazing things never before seen and love for the loyal readers.

Highly underrated stuff!

Worth Consuming!

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

The Flash, Vol. 6: The Secret of Barry Allen

Brad Meltzer's universe changing Identity Crisis still haunts me to this very day. Sue Dibny did not deserve her fate. Husband Ralph, the Elongated Man, didn't either. This collection of Flash comics are the prelude to Identity Crisis you didn't know you needed.

Hunter Zolomon lies in a special cell at Iron Heights Penitentiary, frozen in a moment of time. He targeted Wally West's family, causing wife Linda to miscarriage. As a result, West went to Hal Jordan, who inherited the mantle of the Spectre, for help. Using the God-blessed powers of the Spirit of Vengeance, Jordan made it to where the world forget that Wally West is the Flash; including Wally himself.

Now after about a month of a normal life, Wally has regained his memories and so has Linda. It's made marriage difficult and Linda has left her husband to deal with the sudden shock. Now the Justice League wants to know just who in the heck is the Flash; especially as the sudden loss of memory seems very similar to what happened to Doctor Light when he raped Sue Disney. Has the Justice League gone too far once more?

After Wally learns of his predecessor's role in the magical lobotomy of Light, the latest hero to carry the name of the Flash will learn that this is not the only sin Barry Allen made. What Wally must do to put things right will put something Barry Allen did right again. However, West's task may end up fracturing the uneasy detente between the Scarlet Speedster and the Rogues; including those who have reformed!

Over 200 pages of story featuring Scarlet Speedsters of the past, present and future. Yet, like with most Flash tales, the stars of the show are the Rogues. I felt when I watched The CW's The Flash TV show that the Rogues were so novel and unlike the comics. But I had based that assumption on a vast majority of my reading on books from the Silver Age and early Bronze Age. The strange moralism of Captain Cold. The vindictive nature of human hater, Gorilla Grodd. The reluctant heroics of Heatwave. It's all in here! 

It's also kinda making me rethink my stance on The Flash TV series. Will it make me re-watch it? Not in the least. I've got better things to do. But I have a much greater appreciation for it.

A wonderful collection of work by Geoff Johns, who in my opinion is a sorely underrated comic scribe. Everyone gives Jim Lee and Dan Didio props for the evolution of the modern DC Universe. But after reading 'The Secret of Barry Allen', I'm feeling that Johns deserves a heck of a lot more credit than has been due!

And YES! If you are keeping track, this is a re-read and yet I don't remember reading this prior! Oh, boy...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Flash (2023)

It's June 26th, 2023 when I write this. It's just too early to go into too much detail about the newest DC Comics based film, The Flash. If I was to dig too deep into my review, I would spoil countless plot surprises, Easter eggs and cameos. 

Here's what I do feel safe in revealing: 

• It was so much fun!
• Now this is how you do a live action retelling of Geoff John's Flashpoint!
• You will believe that a Maid of Might can be a brunette!
• Michael Keaton steals the entire film!
• The use of Danny Elfman's timeless score brought back nostalgic memories of 1989 and 1992!
• I love the twist on a couple of Elseworlds classics by having
  WARNING: REDACTED!!!!!

What I really want to talk about is where are the movie goers? I've heard reports that The Flash is a box office bomb. In terms of what my god son and I spent about 2.5 hours watching, I completely disagree with that statement. That being said, at the 1pm showing today there were a grand total of 2 people watching the movie- my god son and me. 

Really, I don't think it's DC and Warner Bros. who are to blame. There were maybe a dozen other viewers at the theater we went to and the complex has at least 7 other screening rooms. It was literally a cinematic ghost town over there and I feel that prices are to blame.

2 tickets were $13.00 total. The nacho combo, 2 Reese's Pieces and a small drink was $34.50! I don't think director Andres Muschietti has a bomb on his hands. I think it's just too expensive to go to the movies!

Some analysts have suggested that actor Ezra Miller's off-screen antics, including charges of kidnapping, allegations of grooming and a temper that would make Sean Penn look tame is to blame for The Flash's poor performance. I'll admit, those actions did run through my mind a couple of times watching the film. However, I also feel that Cancel Culture is dangerous and completely against my religious and personal beliefs 

Yes, I have gotten caught up in the fervor. I see an actor getting in trouble with the law and I immediately think- 'Well, he's cancelled.' But I also live in total fear in my teaching job that one day a false accusation will result in my being blackballed from ever getting a decent paying salary ever again. I also know that the human race is flawed. Nobody is perfect. There's a difference between making a mistake and being forgiven and trying to prevent a monster from roaming the streets free at night to ruin countless lives. Ezra Miller claims he sought treatment and therapy and I believe that I would be wrong to not give the guy another chance as I surely would want grace in my imperfect life.

Another possible reason the film isn't doing so well in theaters is the toxicity of the DC Comics fan base (Heck, it could comic book fandom as a whole). I've seen some postings that real DC fans aren't going to see in the movie. I've read that those who hate the Snyder-verse are boycotting this film. And that there's a pushback from some fans pissed off about James Gunn being the new head of the DC Cinematic Universe. As the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy director basically had nothing to do with this film, I think that last excuse is ridiculous. 

Like I mentioned earlier, it's June 26th. The Flash came out 10 days ago. Why did I wait until now? Was I one of the toxic few? Nope. It just happened to my god son went to Florida to visit his mom and I was on a family vacation at the beach during opening weekend. We had to wait until our schedules gelled. Some DC fans might still be mad at us for waiting until now. But that's their problem. 

I loved this movie. It was almost perfect. The only issue was how fake some of the CGI looked. Especially when Flash goes into the Speed Force to change time and save his mom from being murdered. I'm also not a big fan of how all super hero films like to use slow-mo when doing big impressive feats of heroics. But in the case of The Flash, it actually was appropriate and in a major scene at the beginning when Flash is saving some patients at a hospital, it was freakin' hilarious. 

An immediate classic, regardless of what critics and the box office says.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

DC Pride Through The Years #1 (2023 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

DC Comics August, 2023

Reprinting the following material:

The Flash #53 August, 1991
Detective Comics #854 August, 2009
Supergirl #19 May, 2018

Since 2021, DC Comics has released an annual 80-page special devoted to the LGBTQIA+ characters of the DC Universe. This year, along with DC Pride 2023, the House of Superman released an anthological look at LGBTQIA+ characters from the past 4 decades of DC history.

DC Pride Through the Years contains 4 stories; 3 of which are reprints. 

First is The Flash #53. This issue is considered by senior manager of the DC Archives Benjamin La Clear, to be the first main stream DC books with an openly gay character after the Comics Code revised it's standards against the portrayal of sexual orientation in 1989. True, it took 2 years before William Messner-Loebs had the Pied Piper reveal his sexual preferences to Wally West. But in reality, comic book readers were already aware of homosexuality and non-traditional gender identities in comics for decades. Both real and implied.

If you are going to write about the history of comics, at some point and time you're going to come back to Dr. Fredric Wertham. His 1955 book Seduction of the Innocent blamed every facet of juvenile delinquency on sequential art. One of Wetham's most famous examples used was to blame the rise of homosexuality in teens on characters such as Wonder Woman and the Dynamic Duo.

Wertham more than implied that the relationship between millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne and his young ward, Dick Grayson, was anything but wholesome. Wertham even went so far as to frame the nighttime exploits of the two in the guise of Batman and Robin as a sort of sadomasochist gay fantasy that in today's vernacular would be considered the equivalent of 'sexual grooming'. As a result of this attack, DC Comics introduced a new character into the Batman Family- one Ms. Kathy Kane, AKA the Batwoman. 

Though Batman already had love interests in the form of the villainess Catwoman and reporter Vicki Vale, DC felt the need to introduce a super-hero love interest into the Batman dynamic to counter the damage inflicted on the character by Wertham and the resulting Senate subcommittee hearings led by Estes Kefauver. After a couple of years, once the fervor over Batman and Robin's sexuality would subside, Kathy Kane would be quietly retired. She wasn't exactly a very popular addition to the Batcave anyways. However, the character would be re-explored again, this time in a reboot that introduced Kate Kane as the new Batwoman of Gotham City.

A cousin of Bruce Wayne, on his mother's side, Kate Kane has some military training having been enrolled in West Point. It is at this time that Kane is first outed. While given a chance to refute those allegations, Kane admits to being a lesbian and is drummed from the institution just before what would have been her graduation. The Kate Kane Batwoman is also one of the few Jewish superheroes in comics and her debut as the lead feature of Detective Comics is used to commemorate the character's place in LGBTQIA+ history at DC Comics. 

DC Pride Through the Years then examines the non-super-powered members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Though non-binary (or as one might have referred to as gender-bending) characters have existed in DC Comics for years, such as Sir Tristan in 1982's Camelot 3000 and Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol creation of the sentient genderqueer Danny the Street, this book decided to focus on a friend of the Girl of Steel. 

In Supergirl #19, readers are introduced to Lee Serrano. Lee is a non-binary teen who is befriended by the Maid of Might after a being saved during an attack from the Cyborg Superman. Lee is being bullied at school and through Supergirl's own complicated relationship with an adopted planet that see's her as both a hero and a villain, the teen is inspired to stand up against their bully.

The fourth story involves the complicated character of the Alan Scott Green Lantern. One of the original pillars of the Justice Society of America, the character underwent changes during DC's New 52 event when it was revealed that Earth-2's Alan Scott was gay. With this new version of Green Lantern, a lot of readers were confused. Scott had previously been married with two children, who became super heroes just like their old man. While some were quick to point out that historically, gays and lesbians confused by their sexuality, have married those of the opposite sex and had children, some readers felt that Alan Scott's reboot wasn't sufficiently explored or explained. 

Tim Sheridan and Cian Tormey's 'Past Prologue' is the introductory chapter into the 6-issue miniseries Alan Scott: Green Lantern. Debuting in October, 2023, this pre-World War II set epic will dive into Scott's origin; both as one of the founding superheroes of the DC Universe and as a closeted gay man.

Cover by Derek Charm.

Completing this review completes Task #44 (A New Release) of the 2023 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Secret Origins: Collecting All Eight Mini-Comics Included With Leaf Candies

Trident Studios triumphs again. After presenting fans with a pair of beautiful collections of the Super Powers mini comics that came with waves I and II of Kenner's awesome action figures, there are more minis for fans! This set contains the 8 mini comics that were packaged with Leaf Tart n' Tangy Comicbook Candy!

There were 8 mini comics in the Leaf candy line that was released in 1980. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, The Flash and Hawkman's secret origins were examined. Book #8 reports on the creation of the world's greatest super hero team, the Justice League of America! 

The quality of these reprints are absolutely stunning. Vibrantly colored and as crystal clear as possible, based on the fact that the originals used for this book are over 40 years old! Once again, due to publishing and binding requirements, the reprints are 20% bigger than the original minis. Generally, when you increase the size of an image, it gets all smudgy and pixelated. The necessary enlargements have no evidence of poor quality here!

The only real crime of this volume is something that is more Leaf or DC's fault. In fact, I don't think you can blame any of my single grip on Trident Studios. The sole qualm I have is that whomever were the geniuses behind the writing and artwork of these mini comics appear to be lost in time. 

While Trident Studios does provide credit to the creators of all 8 stars of this book, along with notes to their first appearances, that's all the reader gets. When it came to this type of promotional work, DC and other comic book publishers didn't give writer and artist credits. From what I see, I think Neal Adams, Dick Giordano, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Gil Kane were probably some of the artists of these books. But I'm not 100% sure and I am glad that Trident Studios didn't try to make any sort of assumptions either.

Just as I thought that was it from Trident Studios, I received another surprise. Trident has a 3-volume set that collects all of the DC mini comics released by Post cereals from the late 70s. Will I be getting my hands on those? You betcha! Stay tuned!

As for this book and the Secret Powers collections, fans can find them on Etsy. Just be sure to look for the creator under 1 single word, without spaces: TridentStudios.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Showcase Presents: The Elongated Man, Vol. 1

2004's Identity Crisis proved that Ralph Dibny and Sue Dearbon Dibny were the heart and soul of the DC Universe. With the tragic death of Sue and Ralph's emotional spiral that resulted in his death months later, things in the DCU just never were the same. It's been nearly 20 years and despite a promise of a ghostly return of the Dibnys that never came to be, and a New 52 reboot, it's been a lonely tenure without the true Elongated Man and wife...

The Elongated Man debuted in the pages The Flash #112. A former circus performer and entertainer, Ralph Dibny became independently wealthy. So, he was afforded the opportunity to use his gingold extract induced stretching powers and become an amateur detective known as the Elongated Man. During Ralph's time in Central City with the Flash, the Elongated Man mostly fought super villains and those with high-powered tech. But when Ralph meet Sue, all things changed.

Sue was just as wealthy as Ralph thanks to her parents. So, Ralph dropped the whole secret identity thing, got married and traveled the world. Yet it seemed that everywhere the Dibny's trekked, a mystery was sure to follow. 

If Ralph caught the slightest whiff of trouble brewing, his rubber nose would wiggle like crazy. That usually signaled for Sue to either sight-see or shop alone and for Ralph to suit up to solve the crime. Sometimes, Sue would assist, begrudgingly and at the end of the story, EM might shower his beloved with gifts or at the very least a kiss. Regardless, the Dibny's were a match made in Heaven and it's a darn same Brad Meltzer treated the pair like hell...

The Elongated Man was created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino. Sure, we first meet EM in the pages of The Flash. But once he and Sue moved over to Detective Comics, the character really came into his own. Mostly because Infantino took over the reigns. 

Infantino's mystery stories were complex. His scenery was photo-realistic. And his art was unencumbered. (Legend has it that EM was the only artwork Infantino was allowed to ink himself due to his nigh ubiquitous demand over at DC.) Pretty much the only thing that didn't make sense about the character was despite having revealed his identity to the public, Dibny would change into his EM costume before going to 'work'. It's not like Ralph couldn't stretch in his days clothes. He did that in like every story!

The Elongated Man was also pretty violent. He really socks and slams ciminals to an effect that makes a Frank Miller Batman look tame. I don't know how this got by the censors. Maybe it's cause with EM's stretch powers, the CCA heads thought that those tales were more like Looney Tunes than a super hero comic.

My favorite stories included the time Ralph was summoned by Thomas Kalmaku to help with Hal Jordan get his memory back, a caper involving some 'disappearing' money, and the Dibny's adventures in Paris and Monte Carlo. All of them had really tricky mysteries that got the gray matter turning! The team-up with Batman and Robin was fun. And it was always great to see The Flash when Carmine Infantino is involved, even if I've read those stories a dozen times prior.

You'd think that Sue's materialistic tendencies would cause marital woes with Ralph. You'd also think that Ralph's incessant need to solve mysteries would cause martial woes with Sue. However, these two are soul mates. No, they're puzzle pieces! The couple might get on each other's nerves; but they fit together perfectly!

We've never gotten our promised ghostly mysteries of Ralph and Sue. I also don't think we'll ever get a volume 2 either. Honestly, I don't know why this book was given a Volume 1 status. EM's last Silver Age solo story occurs in Detective #371, which is in this book! This just doesn't make sense. But this isn't the first time DC made such a goof with the Showcase Presents collections. Regardless of the missteps, I loved getting to spend time with the Dibnys!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Amazing World of Carmine Infantino (2022 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Challenge)

My Mount Rushmore of comics would be comprised of Stan Lee, Julius Schwartz, Will Eisner and Jack Kirby. After reading this book, I might have to change my line-up. 

I knew of Carmine Infantino's work on The Flash and ushering in the Silver Age of Comics. I was familiar with his work on Adam Strange and Star Wars. But I never really knew just how much of an influence on the DC Universe and comics itself that Infantino had until now.

If not for Infantino:

+ The look and feel of Batman would be very different including DC Comics' loss of rights to the character.

+ DC's 1960s beloved oddball characters such as Deadman, Detective Chimp, Bat Lash, and Strange Sports Stories would not exist. 

+ DC might have folded in the 1970s during a time when newly formed Warner Bros. was looking to unload the fledgling House of Superman that was being crushed by upstart Marvel Comics.

+ The policy of returning rights and artwork to artists might never occurred. Or possibly been seriously delayed well into the 80s or later.

And there is so much more. So much, it fills a volume!

Amazing World of Carmine Infantino is over 170 pages of comic book history. Filled with his artwork, sketches and words, this autobiography is also an oral history as many of Carmine's peers and influences offer insight. There's also a ton of praise from countless others who benefited from Infantino's talent and tutelage. 

Within the last year or so, I read the graphic novel biography of Jack Kirby. Having finished this autobiography, I see now how much Carimine Infantino was the Jack Kirby of DC Comics. He did everything. Infantino was a writer, plotter, artist, cover artist, editor, publisher and later DC Comics president. But unlike Kirby, Carmine didn't get as screwed by his publishers as The King did. As for when Kirby was with DC, the promised creator freedom didn't appear. Infantino doesn't seem to blame executives for the thriving failure of Krby's Fourth World as Jack always did. Infantino just blames poor sales and moves on.

Dosed Carmine paint a rosy picture of himself? To some degree. But he also seems not to bear grudges (though, boy, does he hate Bob Kane) and he is willing to point out his shortcomings and defeats. Don't expect to get too much a reveal in the artist's personal life once he gets going in the comics profession. 

An enjoyable book, Amazing World of Carmine Infantino highlights an exciting time in the comic book history- The Silver Age. If you are a Marvelite, you probably wont do flips for this book. But if you are also a comic book history, this is a fascinating account of how the 'enemy' operated in the early days of the war between DC and Marvel.

Now, who do I replace on my comic book Mount Rushmore???

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Completing this review completes Task #28 (Prose non-fiction about Comic Book History) of the 2022 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

The Flash #87

A Flash Christmas issue? Yes!

Santas with guns? Oh, Yes!

Murderous Santas wearing Hawaiian shirts and matching Bermuda shorts? Yes, please!

Christmas is rapidly approaching Keystone City and the thermometer is approaching triple digits! With this holiday heatwave, crime is on the rise. And this means Wally West is being run ragged!

This also means bad things for Wally and his girlfriend Linda Park. Being the Flash keeps Wally from meeting Linda's parents. Any time spent together is tense and terse. And Wally missed the Christmas party Linda planned! Could it get any worse? 

Absolutely!

This was a good holiday themed Flash. Mark Waid (Superman) crafted a very fast paced story that perfectly balances the holiday spirit and superhero comics. But I was very disappointed that the secret behind the heatwave wasn't addressed. 

Okay. Maybe this is just a normal heatwave. But there's a scene where after Wally decorates his Christmas tree and you see what looks like this haze steaming off of the holiday lights. I thought it would have been really awesome if Heatwave or Weather Wizard or one of the Rogues had fixed up the town's lights to generate heat. Alas, that didn't happen here. But it would have been a great way to bend this plot line around.

Enjoyable read but I had other ideas on how this could have/should have turned out.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars. 

Scooby-Doo Team-Up #48

A few days ago, I reviewed the 50th anniversary Scooby-Doo special. In that appraisal, I lamented the lack of another Scooby-Doo Team-Up. Well, it was like fate felt sorry for me!

I've gotten way behind on my inventory and cataloging. I always seem to do other things than work on my collection. For some reason, I made time and I found this in my brief efforts. It was like discovering a lost episode! Why, I barely remember buying this. And I've pretty much read all of the series. And then Boom! Here's another awesome issue to be read!

In this Sholly Fisch/Dario Brizuela collaboration, the Rogues of Central City have called upon the Mystery Inc. team for help. It seems that their most recent schemes have been thwarted by fellow Rogue: The Top. Normally, this sort of thing wouldn't appear to fall under the caseload of those meddling kids. But The Top has been dead for years! So it's a ghost Rogue behind it all! It most certainly is something that the detectives how experience with!

A great story that didn't fall for the same plot line traps or very bad jokes which plagued the first 7-8 issues. Plus, I finally get to encounter a story with Golden Glider! She's often mentioned in the Arrowverse shows. But I've never had a chance to see what she looked like or could do in the comics. 

A fun-tastic surprise that made me smile!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Flash and Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold

Collecting the six-issue miniseries from 1999-2000, this volume recounts the long and complicated friendship between the Barry Allen Flash and the Hal Jordan Green Lantern.

This is a friendship that on paper shouldn't really be. Barry is a nerd, nebbish and sorta a prude. Plus he's a family man, married to Iris West and surrogate father to Wally. Hal is a playboy, a loner, a rebel. He's devoted to Carol Ferris but he plays the field quite a bit. The closet he has to a family is a pair of brothers that he only sees maybe for Thanksgiving and Christmas if lucky.

Clearly this friendship is proof that opposites attract. 

This book is beautifully illustrated by A.D. 2000's Barry Kitson and Tom Grindberg. It's topped off by the epic storytelling of Mark Waid (Daredevil) and Tom Peyer (Batman '66). 

Just as with the history of these two characters, there's highs and lows. I thought the entire book was great. But I hated seeing how both characters were affected by loss and tragedy. Both Hal and Barry have gone through some really crappy stuff in their nearly 70 some years of existence. 

The best chapter has Barry and Hal going on an intergalactic camping trip with their Earth-2 predecessors Jay Garrick and Alan Scott. It's very funny seeing the generation gap between Jordan and Scott and how much Barry and Jay are like mirror images of each other.

A great book that is a must for any fan of the Silver Age Flash and Green Lantern! But be sure to read with tissues nearby.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Justice League Unlimited #12

The Flash answers a JLA distress signal only to find that his fellow teammates have been trapped by the Mirror Master! Now a prisoner himself, the only person that can save The Flash is... The Flash?!

It's Jay Garrick to the rescue as the JSA-er makes a special appearance in this issue of Justice League Unlimited.

I loved the issue. A good story starring the Speedsters. Knowing that The Flash in the JLA is Wally West, I understand that they couldn't have a Kid Flash in this story. But that's all that's really missing from this adventure was a Kid Flash. No, you couldn't have Impulse, he would have been too all over the place. Thus his presence would have ruined the pace of the story. But a Kid Flash was missing from this issue.

I enjoyed the interior artwork by Carlo Barberi. It was very similar to that of the Cartoon Network series of which this comic is based. But what is up with the front cover? 

Jay Garrick looks awful. I mean it looks about as bad as I draw. Garrick appears like somebody accidentally drew Powdered Toast Man (from Ren & Stimpy) as the Golden Age Flash. 

Yikers!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Showcase Presents: The Flash, Volume 4

Though these issues were published in the late 1960s, the foundation of the Flash television show on the CW begins here.

The face changing abilities of the Reverse Flash began during this time period. The Rogues massively team-up for the first time ever! The marriage of Barry and Iris and her statement that she too is the Flash because of the bonds of matrimony happens here! The Flying Samuroids, Barry's creation of ultra cool tech, and so many more things that occurs in the live action series got it's roots in the books collected in this volume.

There's also some really great stories that the producers of the Flash have yet to integrate from the late 60s. The futuristic magician Abra Kadabra needs to go back in time to 2018. And how fun would it be that Barry Allen breaks the multiverse winding up on Earth Prime where's he only a comic book character! And he needs Geoff Johns and Greg Berlanti to help him find a way home.

There's several masterminds behind these amazing idea, but the best are John Broome and Gardner Fox! They brought such a creativity to DC Comics that has been missing for quite some time. Plus it helps that the amazing Carmine Infantino, aided by Joe Giella, is on hand to draw these stories in such a way that for the time these books were originally hitting stands, were rivaling Jack Kirby!

Infantino’s run came to an end during this period. His predecessors of Ross Andru and Mike Esposito did a bang up job but it wasn't quite the same.

I devoured this volume with both glee and a touch of sadness. This is the last Showcase Presents volume by DC except for a very hard to find out of print book titled The Trail of the Flash. So if I am going to fill in my gap of Flash books from about 1968-1985, it will probably be thanks to back issues. I've got a feeling it's not going to be cheap.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Flash: The Secret of Barry Allen (Volume 6)

After an attempt on the life of his wife, Wally West made a deal with the Spectre to have his secret identity become secret again. The deal comes with a catch. It not only made everyone forget that Wally is the Flash. It also made him forget too! Thusly Keystone City is without a protector and that means it’s open season for the Rogues!

As Wally regains his memory, he must face the consequences of his actions. His wife has left him. The Justice League is weary of their mysterious ally. In addition, Wally must learn to have faith in himself as his brings his city back under control.

Meanwhile, the events of Identity Crisis is unravelling in the DC Universe. Sue Dibny has been murdered and the terrible role Wally’s Uncle, Barry Allen played in the punishment of Doctor Light has been revealed to both the superhero and criminal communities. Can Wally continue to operate as the Scarlet Speedster knowing that his idol was flawed? Moreover, how will West be able to rectify his image considering how his deal with the Spectre has tarnished his own image as well?

I’m a huge fan of the Flash. However, it’s the Barry Allen Flash that I am so devoted to. I do not hate Wally west. It’s just that I grew up reading the classic Barry Allen Flash tales and that’s the one I am fond of. So when I found a trade that united both the Allen and West Flashes together,, I thought this to be a good starting point to determine if I want to get into the Wally West years or not.

Geoff Johns wrote this book. The man is a freakin’ beast when it comes to writing anything DC. (Okay, has he written for any other company?) With that being said, I knew that I would be in good hands diving into the West era. I was not wrong either. Johns crafts two very compelling storylines while blending the action in seamlessly with the events of Brad Meltzer’s Identity Crisis.

Artwork duties were executed by Justice League 3000’s Howard Porter. His style was pretty decent and the way he renders a Speedster on print media was adequate enough to make me feel like the Flash and other characters were animated on the static two-dimensional page. One thing I felt was off was Porter’s drawing of the Flash’s feet. Compared to the hero’s stick legs and very narrow hips, the feet look ginormous! Plus a little goofy.

I loved the covers by Michael Turner. He’s like the Tupac of the comic book world publishing works almost a decade after his untimely passing. However, The Secret of Barry Allen was from 2004-05, so that’s not the case here. Nevertheless, his covers are amazing!

I was really impressed with this trade. I think if I ever come across further volumes, I will definitely consider them- for the right price. But right now, it’s completing a run on the Barry Allen Flash books that’s my main priority. Once I complete that search, who knows? Maybe a run of Wally West tales is next?

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

DC Holiday Special 2017 #1

DC Comics made 2017 a holiday season to remember yet again! In a massive holiday special, a team of legendary writers and illustrators put together 10 amazing stories including a Neal Adams Batman classic from the 70s.

Highlights of this holiday special include:

• A World War II tale recounted by Sgt. Rock spans a frosty week in the life of a wounded Allied solider and his Nazi captive.
• The Teen Titans take on the Ghost of Christmas Past and the nasty memories of holiday horrors from yesteryear.
• The Flash struggles to find time for his nephew Wally on Christmas Eve.
• Batman Icon Denny O'Neil returns to Gotham with a Solstice story starring the Dark Knight and Wonder Woman.
• And much more...

For the second year in a row, DC asked a cover price of $9.99 and I willingly shelled it out. Last year, the entertained the hell out of me! And they did it again this year!

The 2016 special had Harley Quinn as host and a superhero hero holiday party as the centralizing element of the special. That stabilizer was the only thing missing from this edition. 

Worth every penny, if you only buy one holiday special this season (well, it's Christmas Eve, so what's left of it,) this is the one to get! Shame on you Marvel for being a Scrooge this year!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Justice League

Centuries ago the Apokoliptian war lord Steppenwolf sought to make the earth the latest conquest in the name of the Fourth World. But an alliance between the realms of men, Atlantis, and the Amazons resulted in his first ever defeat. Driven insane with embarrassment of his lost, Steppenwolf was exiled and his three mother boxes, called the Trinity were hidden away from the rest of the world. 

With the death of Superman, the time is right for Steppenwolf's return to conquer earth again. As mankind mourns the loss of the Man of Steel, morale is at an all-time low for the human race. Thus, fear and anguish are just what the New God needs in order to power his horde of Parademons for attempt #2.

Aware of a mounting attack, but hopelessly out-manned, Bruce Wayne seeks a to raise his own army of defenders. Aided by Diana Prince, Wonder Woman, the Batman has a list of potential helpers. But does the aging billionaire playboy have what it takes to recruit a speedster with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, an aquatic hippie, and a cybernetically enhanced teen who can communicate with Steppenwolf's mother boxes?

Justice League was been getting slammed in the press, mostly by critics and amateur online reporters that don't understand comic books. Everyone is making such a big deal of what Rotten Tomatoes has to say. That site is just an average of critics nationwide and should be taken with a grain of salt.

Back in my day, nobody cared what Siskel and Ebert thought about the movies. We just wanted to see them insult each other- and maybe throw a punch. Gene Shalit's mustache was more important to us than what he thought about films. The only critic worth listening to was Leonard Maltin. But he's more like Bob Costas in that his depth of film knowledge is so impressive, he's like the Stephen Hawking of movie history. 

Look, if you don't even want to read my review, that's fine. I do this blog because I like to write about geeky things and this is more like my personal reading and movie journal. If it inspires someone to give something a go- cool. If they decide not to consume something because of my opinion- that's fine too. But I am in now way the only opinion that should matter. I might be considered an expert in comics because of my 40-years of knowledge on the subject, but in the end- it's all up to you on whether to see the Justice League movie.

Anyways, now that I cleared that, here's my take on what went right and wrong with the film. 

Not Long Enough- The movie runs right at about 2 hours. DC is taking a huge gamble putting the League together first and then building solo films around it. They're having to play catch up to Marvel and the speedy pace is off-putting to many. Personally, I would have liked to have seen the movie about 15-20 minutes longer.

 I hope there will be a director's cut. But please DC/ Warner Bros, don't make it for Bluray only! I still have student loans to repay and can't afford one just right yet.

Music To My Ears- Composer Danny Elfman was behind a majority of the tracks in this film. Though he's been a bit of a dick about it, I did enjoy having the 1989 Batman theme and some of the Animated Series peppered throughout the film. It's a been a very long time since I left a movie wishing that the music store was open. I really do want the soundtrack to this. It's pretty great.

Lack of Heavy Hitters- Having Steppenwolf as the main bad guy is really not the best idea. Most people I talk to have actually responded to my naming of him by saying 'That 70's rock band?' I kid you not. Honestly, I was hoping for an appearance by Darkseid, Steppenwolf's master, but even he is less of a household name than the Joker, Luthor, or Penguin. 

Another relative unknown to many is that of Cyborg. Unless you are familiar with the New 52 Justice League or the Teen Titans, not many casual fans are going to be very knowledgeable of him. I had a Cyborg Super Powers action figure as a kid and I remember him from some version of Super Friends in the 80s and I thought newcomer Ray Fisher was really good as the reluctant hero. But for every 1 me out there who grew up with the character, there's probably 3 people who are asking 'Cyborg? Who's he?'

Hail to the King- Tapping into Kirby's Fourth World is smart. Jack Kirby's very short stint at DC sent the publisher into a quantum leap that rivaled Marvel. Honestly, I feel like Marvel's Infinity War stuff is way less interesting than Kirby's New Gods. The House of Ideas is banking on the creations of Jim Starlin to send the Marvel Cinematic Universe into it's next phase of films. But let's be real people- Jim Starlin is no Jack Kirby!

Casting- For the most part, DC got almost every character right. The dup of Gal Gadot, and Ben Affleck as Batman and Wonder Woman is perfect. As I said earlier Ray Fisher's Cyborg was great! And man I think I am in love with Jason Momoa. His portrayal as Aquaman finally made the character relevant and not the joke of the DC Universe.

But I have to talk about Ezra Miller's version of the Flash. I really don't think Miller's acting was terrible as that I think Zack Synder vision of the speedster is flawed. Miller's Barry Allen is hyper, socially awkward, and the comic relief of the team. That's not Barry Allen so much as how I would describe Allen's great-grandson Impulse (Bart Allen.) Maybe the heads at DC didn't want people to be confused between the Flash on Justice League with Grant Gustin's superior version of the Flash on the CW. But for a huge Flash fan like myself, I was a bit put off.

The Chuckle Hut- Finally, I want to talk some about the laughs. Apparently, Zack Synder's version of the film was too dark and so when he stepped down after a family tragedy, Warner Bros. called in Joss Whedon to beef up the lighter side of the film. I understand that the Flash was used ad nauseam for a majority of this. But did you have to turn Batman into a heavily armored version of Spider-Man? 

At about the halfway point of the movie, Batman starts making one-liners and kinds taunts both his teammates and the villain in a way similar to that of Peter Parker. We already had a great movie with Spider-Man and a billionaire playboy with lots of tech. We didn't need to morph the two together in the second act of Justice League.

I had a ton of fun with this movie. There's some great Easter Eggs and I personally have a theory about who the seventh member of the League is. All I will say is that he's already made a couple of appearances in the movie. But it will be some time before I post my theory as to not be accused of spoilers.

Despite the negative press, Justice League is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Though a bit scary with those Parademons, Justice League is a lot more fun for the whole family than current comic book movie competitor Thor: Ragnarok, which has quite a bit of innuendo and overt sexual content. So if you desperately need to escape the house with a nephew or cousin this Thanksgiving weekend for a little bit, flock to the theaters and check it out. In the end, after the two bonus scenes, I think you'll be glad you did. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Flash #22 (The Button Part IV)

     The Button comes to close in this issue of the Flash. While Batman and the Flash hoped to find the source behind the mysterious button, instead the duo unlock another forgotten member of the DC Universe.
      The cover of this issue spoils who returns. But just what is his role and does this mean the return of the Justice Society- that's something you'll have to read for yourself to find out. 
       I knew that Chapter IV wasn't going to bring the Watchmen and the DC Heroes to a head. But I really didn't expect this story to end on such a whimper. The first 3-parts were great. This one didn't match the action and excitement of the previous chapters.
       I honestly don't understand why DC allowed such a big spoiler on both the regular and variant covers. Did DC want to avoid fans having a collective stroke if somebody let slip the return of Jay Garrick? It just seems like a bad decision if you ask me.

      Worth Consuming but fair less superior than it's predecessors. 

      Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Batman #22 (The Button, Part III)

    After an illuminating journey through the timeline, the Flash and Batman return to the Bat Cave. Only, this isn't the Bruce Wayne Batman's secret base of operations. For the Flash and the Dark Knight have somehow returned to Flashpoint!
     I liked that this chapter did it's best to explain what happened to the Flashpoint universe. Plus, it was touching to get to see Bruce and his father reunite. Somehow, I suspect this episode is going to deeply impact the Caped Crusader's mission in the very near future. But, there's still a ton of questions to be answered. However, I don't think that's ever going to happen- at least any time soon. 
     As for the ending of this issue, it was a bit of a mind bender and I really don't have a clue quite where this is all going. (Okay- I have a small clue, if only because of the oh so unsubtle spoilers revealed on the forthcoming covers of Flash #22.)
      Speaking of Flash #22, my LCS was out of the final chapter to 'The Button', but they did order me a copy which I hope to get this week. I'll be reviewing that one ASAP!

     Worth Consuming!

     Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Flash #21 (The Button, Part II)

  
   The Flash arrives in the Bat Cave to find a bloodied Batman and a partially eviscerated Reverse Flash. As a crime scene investigator by day, the Flash immediately gets to work casing this crime scene. Soon some pesky questions arise:

• What triggered the strange electricity between the mysterious smiley face button and the Psycho Pirate's mask
• How did the Reverse Flash find his way to the Bat Cave?
• How did Eobard Thawne once again beat death only to be murdered again moments later by a mysterious force?
• And what did the villain mean with his last words: 'I saw God?'

     It looks like the Flash and Batman aren't going to get anywhere using traditional methods. So, the Flash breaks out his handy cosmic treadmill in hopes of going back in time to observe the Reverse Flash's invasion of the Dark Knight's lair. 

      In the travels through time and space on the time travelling device, the duo uncover more hidden parts of their past that have been wiped out by an unknown entity. But no one could have predicted just where the Scarlet Speedster and Batman's race through the Speed Force will take them- straight to the XXXXXXXXXX. (Edited for spoilers.)

     Another thrilling chapter of 'the Button.' More of the highly controversial New 52 is undone and above all, the Pre-New 52 timeline is returned to canon once more. Another great cliffhanger, too! Joshua Williamson (Birthright) has done a phenomenal job in this chapter. I can't want to see what he's got in store next in Batman #22.

    Worth Consuming

     Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.