Bizarro Comics

Bizarro Comics is a rather odd collection of stories written and illustrated by a star-studded cast from the realm of Indy comics. It's book-ended by a Mr. Mxyzptlk/Bizarro yarn that's straight out of Chuck Jones' Looney Tunes!

An alien conqueror arrives in the 5th Dimension with the intent of adding it to his domain. But this despot wants to be fair. He's willing to play a series of games (best out of 5) for the plain of existence. 

With Mxy appointed as the de facto ruler of the 5th Dimension, it's the imp's role to win those games. But when he's caught cheating, Mxyzptlk must appoint a substitute champion. Naturally, he wants Superman to win the games for him. But what version? Faced with the Golden Age Man of Steel, that time the Man from Tomorrow's head was replaced with an ants, and that ill-fated electric Superman from the 90s, Mr. Mxyxptlk stumbles upon Bizarro! 

Not the Superman he was hoping for, a technicality makes Bizarro the champion of the 5th Dimension. And that's where the craziness really begins. 

Sidekicks, giant apes, teen angst and an apocalyptic concert for the ages, there was a wide assortment of stories in this book. But what really was the selling point for me was the inclusion of the Letitia Lerner: Superman's Babysitter story that resulted in the recall and ban of the Elseworlds 80-Page Giant. 

That legendary comic has now since been re-released (and I own a copy) but it was a while before I finally got around to reading. Actually, No! That's not true. This is a re-read. But other than that Elseworlds tale, I just don't remember this book at all. Now that I think about it, I must have checked this out from the library and then later found a really cheap copy. 

Yeah. That's what I did!

Was it worth a second chance? Yeah. For the most part. Some of those stories were truly weird. But I enjoyed the chance to substitute some 2020 insanity for some good ol' fashioned DC Comics lunacy. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars. 

Batman: Masque

Both DC and Marvel love to explore the realms of alternate histories and realities. While Marvel is great looking at small decisions that could have huge impacts. Like what if a character decided to go left instead of right on the way home from work and didn't become a superhero?

With DC's Elseworlds, they like to explore what would happen if characters existed in works of fiction. DC Comics explores other time periods and some small decision changes. But I think their alternate books are best when they tackle the classic story variants.

In this Elseworlds graphic novel from 1997, the members of the Batman Family are still in Gotham City, but it's now around the turn of the 19th century and the characters are now players in the Gaston Leroux gothic classic, The Phantom of the Opera. 

Selina Kyle is the Christine archtype; an up-and-coming opera singer in whom fate has begun to smile on her career thanks to an assortment of tragedies that have occurred at the Gotham Opera House.

Bruce Wayne is playing the Raoul role- a wealthy socialite and paramour of Selina.

But who is the mysterious Phantom that haunts the Gotham Opera House? Is it the urban viglante known as the Bat, who assists the Gotham Police at night? Or is it another unknown factor from Selina's past?

Batman: Masque was a fun read to get in the Halloween spirit (Yes, I am a little behind on my reviews.) I could so see this an an alternate reality musical episode of Gotham. The double duty of art and writing of Mike Grell (Action Comics) was near perfection. I felt that story ends a little too abruptly. Plus, I was really put off by the cover being just a recycled image from the book and not an all-new image. I just feel like that's a cheat against loyal Elseworlds readers who shelled out their hard earned money for this book. Forgivable- YES. But still annoying.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

A Madman's Halloween 2017 Reading List... (Part 2)

Halloween is soon to be here. In order to get into the holiday spirits, er spirit, I selected a number of Halloween and horror themed comics from my vast collection.

In part one, I examined the more kid friendly comics available to put the fun in funeral. Okay, I'm not the Crypt Keeper, but I'm really trying folks. Anyways, part two looks at the more adult and classic horror titles that I plan to read over the next several weeks. Hopefully, these selections will inspire you to develop a Halloween reading list. So let's begin, shall we?

Modern Scares

The following are some selections from the past 30 years. They may not be classics, but they show promise to set an eerie tone to a cold October night...

Batman: Masque

This graphic novel is an Elseworlds. The premise is what is Bruce Wayne was the Phantom of the Opera. I hope there's no singing as I hate singing in comics. I never know the tune...

The Phantom of Fear City #10

Do I know how to segue or not? I have no idea if this book is scary. But I got it in a grab bag and since it's by Captain America legend Steve Englehart, I thought I would give it a try. By the long now defunct Claypool Comics, their website still stands like an abandoned cyber ghost town...

The Troll Halloween Special

I really don't know much about this shorter, grumpier version of Wolverine from Image. But I read the Troll Christmas Special a while back and it was really funny. So when I found this at a con, I just had to have it. Plus, it has a Maxx story and I really dug that mind-bending cartoon series when it was on MTV in the 90s.

Weird War Tales Special (Vertigo 2000)

There were two series that my dad would regularly read as an adult. Sgt. Rock and Weird War Tales. I'm more of a Howlin' Commandos kinda guy but I love Weird War Tales. I know I should have picked a classic story. But I just finished reading a large collection of those (Showcase Presents Weird War Tales Volume 1), so I went for the modern take.

Tomb of Dracula Presents: Throne of Blood

Another classic horror title that got a modern make-over. This 2011 one-shot from Marvel promises to integrate the Dracula mythos with feudal Japan. I'm not sure how they're going to do that. But hey, it was only a buck when I got it!

Classic Horror Titles

For my final selection of spooky reads, I'm going to look at some of the all-time greats known and beloved to horror comic fans nationwide.

The Twilight Zone #47 (Gold Key)

Rod Serling's spooky anthology series is not only perfect for a good scare, but it was gosh darn good TV. Gold Key held the rights for decades after the show was cancelled, publishing an anthology series that included some of the earliest works by Bernie Wrightson and Neal Adams. If you don't mind condition, tons of these issues can be found in bargain bins at cons and your favorite LCS.

The Demon #2 (1972-74)

Since we celebrated the 100th birthday of Jack Kirby this year, I thought it would be appropriate to read an issue from The King's horror title from his days at DC. The Demon in my opinion one of the most visually appealing characters Kirby ever designed in terms of colors and how the character just looks some much more menacing when drawn in the King's blocky style. Fun Fact- Kirby's Demon didn't start rhyming all of his lines until years later when Len Wein used the character in a Superman team-up story.

Scary Tales #11

For some, the horror titles of Charlton Comics are amongst some of the best of the 70s and 80s. By far, horror titles are what kept Charlton in business for as long as they did considering how DC and Marvel were slaughtering them in the superhero genre. Featuring the work of greats like Steve Ditko, Joe Staton, and Dick Giordano, I had to include one of these books here, especially as a Charlton horror book was the first comic I ever bought.

Crypt of Shadows #10

This short lived horror anthology isn't one of Marvel's most reknown compared to titles like Where Monsters Dwell. But the series has a sizable cult following on Facebook groups devoted to classic horror comics.

Adventures of Bob Hope #87

The classic Hollywood comedian isn't really known for horror. That's more suited for Jerry Lewis or Abbott & Costello. But when I saw this cover, I just had to have it. 1) It's a classic DC title and 2) it looked like it would be a fun Halloween read. Plus, the doggie just seemed so darn cute.

The House of Mystery #250

The creme de la creme of the DC horror anthologies. It's host Cain is considered one of the all-time great horror hosts. The series was so popular and so beloved by fans and artists alike that in 2008, Vertigo not only revived the title but managed to add Cain back into the mix as well.

The Vault of Horror #14

Last but not least, it wouldn't be a Halloween comic book reading list if I didn't included an EC Comic. The brain child of William Gaines, EC's titles were the catalyst behind the comics scare of the 1950s. As a result, the industry created the Comics Code Authority and for almost 20 years, horror comics were virtually non-existent. Because of the acclaimed HBO series, most people tend to favor Tales from the Crypt. But my favorite of the EC horror books is Vault of Horror.

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...And that's my reading list for Halloween 2017.

Over the month of October, check out my personal blog Madman With a Book where I will be posting my reviews of these books as well as many other titles.

I hope this list will inspire you to seek out some comic and graphic novel frights in time for Halloween. If you have any suggestions of you own for what makes the perfect Halloween reading list, please post theme in the comments section below...

JLA: Shogun of Steel

 This Elseworlds tale takes place in feudal Japan as a despotic ruler has thrown Japan into a near-fascist state. None is safe as robotic drones wreak havoc in the countryside, eradicating any chance for a force to fight back. A small band of freedom fighters have one last opportunity to fight back, but time is running out. Thankfully, there’s a man who can fly, shoot fire from his eyes, is incredibly strong, and he hates this new ruler of Japan just as much as they do.

   The story is very good. It's kinda original even though I figured out who the bad guy really is about half way before the big reveal and it was really cool and fitting since the heroic mystery man is Kal-El.

   Here’s my problem with this book: while the art is visually stunning, reflecting the woodcut style of ancient Japan, why is Kal-El portrayed as Asian? In regular DC books, Superman looks like a Caucasian male with raven black hair. Here, Kal-El, along with his father Jor-El, is drawn as a Japanese strongman. Shouldn’t Superman look more like he would in the regular DC books since he was born on Krypton and not Earth? I think having him be more like a “fish out of water” in feudal Japan would have been even more poignant.

    There’s a definite Shogun vibe here. In  that novel by James Michener,  an American explorer is thrust into the world of feudal Japan and I think the artist and writer missed a great opportunity to explore that route had they kept Kal-El looking like himself in the comics and not having his appearance drawn like a Japanese man. Though I consider this a serious nit/ continuity error, I consider this book to be Worth Consuming. 

   Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Bizarro Comics

  This is actually like 54 comics in one. The best and brightest Indy artists and writers team-up to provide the most absurd, strange, hilarious, and of course bizarre assemblage of comics to star the heroes of the DC Universe. The book starts off in the 5^th Dimension with Mr. Mxyzptlk being awarded the role of President. But it’s all a ruse as an inter-dimensional being named ‘A’ has arrived to conquer the realm. Mxy is allowed to choose a champion in his stead since he kinda cheated during a game of checkers. Hoping to pick Superman, the imp accidently selects Bizarro.

   Seeing that Bizarro really isn’t up to snuff, ‘A’ allows Mr. Mxyzptlk to train Bizarro for one hour on the whole being a superhero thing. Sadly, this idea blows up in everyone’s faces as Bizarro spends his time drawing story after story of ‘Bizarro Comics.’

   Then for about 200 pages, we get a mix of artists and writers who aren’t known for doing anything ‘superhero’ as well. Some of these tales are very clever and witty. Some are not. The best tales involve bath time with Aquaman, a return to Bizarro World, and a too short story starring the Challengers of the Unknown. The worst tales involve Wonder Woman at the mall and a Batman story by Tony Millionaire and Paul Pope that should’ve blow away the other stories with the level of talent behind the adventure.

The book ends with a conclusion to the 5^th Dimension story that opened this whole comedic can of worms. A bunch of super-hero guest stars and a best out of 7 tournament of games that seemed like a Tex Avery Looney Tunes adventure finishes the book with satisfaction and a wonderment- “Is there a sequel?”

The only thing that I am really unsure of about this book is how to classify it? Is it a Superman book? Is it just a DC Universe graphic novel? How about an Elseworld? It has the controversial ‘Superman’s baby sitter’ story in which baby Clark Kent is put in a microwave and nuked. So, which is it?

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

JLA: Act of God # 3

  In this final chapter, the superhero community, already reeling from the loss of their super powers, now must face the fact that their replacements are losing not only the battle but their very lives. 

    However, a small band of de-powered heroes have decided to continue their battle against evil and look to the Batman family for training and guidance.

   I really loved how all the pieces came together. The Clark Kent/ Diana Prince sub-plot finished quite nicely too!

   One of the best Elseworlds tales that I have ever read. 

  Worth Consuming!

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

JLA: Act Of God Book 2

With Earth suddenly depowered of meta-humans, the super villains who use technology and weapons have run amok. The first test involves the Toyman seeking revenge over Luthor with a giant armored soldier. Lives literally hang in the balance of this outcome.

 

One of the most shocking comic’s I have ever read. I had to keep reminding myself that’s it is only an Elseworlds tale. Brutally fantastic art. An amazing second chapter.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

JLA: Act of God, Book 1

 

  A strange act of God causes all the super powered heroes and villains to lose their powers. That now means the heavy hitters are Batman, Steel, Blue Beetle and Booster Gold!

   A very interesting opening chapter that looks at the question “What makes one a hero?”
The art is fantastic. The story is really good. Excellent plotting and some spot on character analysis of DC’s best and brightest!

   Kudos!

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Teen Titans: the Lost Annual

Mike Allred, and his wife Laura are fantastic. The penciller and inker husband and wife duo have a very retro style that’s lavishly done. I love the thick lines, the acid-trip colors, and the zany things they create. It’s like Mike draws and outline and Laura fills it in with a menagerie of wonders.

Now, about the book. I know that this “Lost” annual doesn’t have the Elseworlds imprint. But, before DC decided to terminate the line, this was scheduled to be released as a Elseworlds title.

Where else but an Elseworld will you find aliens dressed as the Beatles brain washing JFK to be their general-at-arms?

Crazy fun in the vein of Madman (another Allred classic!)

Very much worth consuming!

DCU Infinite Holiday Special #1

DC did it again with this 2006 holiday special set against the backdrop of the Infinite Crisis and 52 story lines. Here Santa asks Shadowpact for help while Supergirl is tasked with brightening a little’s Christmas as Batwoman proves that there really are Hanukkah miracles.

But the best story is the Elseworlds themed tale in which Superman plays Santa to a little boy. The ending is totally unexpected and completely wild and I love it!

I hate that DC doesn’t do holiday specials anymore. Hopefully, that is a trend that will pass very soon. I understand they are busy with their New 52 story lines, but it’s been 2 Christmases now and we’ve gotten bupkis.

DC is also the better creator of Christmas and holiday themed specials. Hopefully, someone will read this plea and I’ll get my holiday wish.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Catwoman: Guardian of Gotham #2

   As wedding bells chime for the newlywed couple of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, things get even more deadly between their alter egos. With all of Gotham’s villains destroyed by Batman, the only thing Gotham City PD has left to do is apprehend him. Yet, in very un-Batman like fashion, a raid on Commissioner Gordon’s offices proves that this isn’t your grandpa’s Dark Knight.

    Some great plot twists and turns. It’s a pity (and probably too late) that DC never made a sequel to follow up the great shock ending. The art continues to amaze and the writing just keep getting better and better making for one heck of a closing chapter in a very awesome Elseworlds tale.

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Catwoman: Guardian Of Gotham #1

    In this role reversal, Catwoman is the hero and Batman is the villain. As Catwoman solves the crimes of Gotham City, Batman is making a name for himself by killing all of the heroine’s foes- Joker, Two-Face, Riddler…nobody is safe. And Catwoman is the next target.

   This Batman also has a perchance for robbing the pants off of Gotham’s elite and when he comes across Catwoman’s secret identity during a random robbery, he decides to put off her murder temporarily, by wooing her during the day as Bruce Wayne. But just what is his up his sleeves.

    I like the role reversal thing. I also like that this isn’t like Elseworld’s Finest: Batwoman and Supergirl, where all the guy characters are now female and vice versa. The only real difference is that Catwoman= good, Batman= evil. The story is very good. The art is pristine and fits seamlessly with other Batman books of the late 90s.

   My only problem is that Catwoman’s maid is dressed as a slutty French maid all the time at Kyle Manor. Alfred never worked in Wayne Manor wearing a banana hammock! Talk about gratuitous (and unneeded for the story ) T&A.

   Besides that, this volume is Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

"Kamandi: At Earth's End #4 of 6"

WORTH CONSUMING!

 Kamandi finally finds his man. Just don’t get your hopes up into finding out just why he has to kill Superman. The Man of Steel (now reduced to tin foil due to years of pollution preventing him from receiving the yellow sunlight that gives him his super-powers) appears in the next to last page.

Oh well, you should have expected that. There are 3 issues left to go.

"Kamandi: At Earth's End #3 of 6 (Elseworlds, 1993)"

 

Well, the plot got better. Sadly, the artwork remains quite unrealistic.

Case in point: Kamandi and company find a car with self-refueling power cells (ok, I buy that) and they hit the open road only to be attacked by a gang of car enthusiasts (again, a rip-off of Mad Max, but I with it so far). Then Kamandi comments that these gangs have to salvage parts and fuel from other run-down vehicles and then the cars of shown. They look like the exact opposite of Micro Machines, very squat- but Huge!!!!

The problem with it is that they are all symmetrical and fully loaded.

 What’s up with that?

 At least the Mad Max cars look like 2 trucks crashed into each other. So, why should I believe that on a world with a complete car and gas shortage should there be so many muscle cars? Once again, my readership and intelligence is insulted.

"Kamandi: At Earth's End #2 of 6 (Elseworlds, 1993)"

Kamandi rescues the obligatory last fertile female on earth in issue 2.

That cliché is forgivable. What I don’t understand is why she has to be captured by a wide array of bizarre mutant males. I call this the X-men paradox. You never see an entire race of mutants in X-Men with the same powers. There’s always a different power/body type/ look for each character.

The same goes for Kamandi. No one looks the same. And every mutant male is way too top heavy. (This type of art work is a main reason why I am not a fan of A.D. 2000) I hate it.

The Omega Man, Mad Max, and Night of the Comet are cult classics when it comes to this type of story and they all used uniform looking villains. So, why does anyone how draws post-apocalyptic comics feel that they have to go hog wild and draw a vast array of body types. Carte Blanche is not an excuse. Why, it even insults my readership.

Not worth Consuming.

"Kamandi: At Earth's End #1 of 6 (Elseworlds, 1993)"

Kamandi is one of those titles that I kick myself for not keeping. When I was younger, I’d order those comic books grab bags advertised in back issues and when it would arrive, I would receive dozens of Kamandi’s, New Gods, and Mister Miracles. At the time, I thought they were crap. Nowadays, an issue fetches about $15-30 bucks apiece.

 D’oh!

  This Elseworlds tale involves Kamandi being forced by his computerized “Mother” to kill a mysterious man in Arizona. Along the way, he meets a guy who just happens to have an unlimited supply of gasoline and guns. This is pretty standard fare. Although, there is a mysterious being known of “Ben Boxer” following them, so the real mystery is if he is a friend of foe.

   Worth Consuming, but it needs to get really good by the next issue, or I am really going to hate this entire mini-series.

"Batman: The Order of Beasts"

Someone is killing Britain’s elite and it’s up to the Batman to discover who’s behind the murders and why. Did I mention that these aristocrats happen to dress up at characters from The Wind in the Willows?

The mystery is pretty good, but it gets really weird really fast. Churchill makes an appearance, and then disappears from the story. I understand that this plot had something to do with the Nazis trying to win the 2nd world war, but I really feel like something is missing.

This really needs the director’s cut treatment.

 

"JLA: Another Nail"

Now that Superman has finally come, the DCU faces its first crisis. A real page turner here! Honest. There are some great cameos by the Doom Patrol, Powergirl, Black Orchid, and The Phantom Stranger. And thankfully, the crisis ends with Barry Allen still alive!

The best part is Batman’s penance for the death of the Joker at his hands in The Nail. The outcome is awesome!

"JLA: The Nail, Book Three"

WORTH CONSUMING!

The Nail comes to an end with an all-out battle against the biggest, baddest, most powerful enemy the Justice League as ever fought…Jimmy Olsen? I know this seems lame but it works. Just read the book. Then, you’ll see I was right!

"JLA: The Nail, Book Two"

WORTH CONSUMING!

The book is great- but things go from bad to worse for the Justice League!!! Some alien presence is building up a disdain for meta-humans and the world takes the Patriot Act to the highest level of fascism…EVER! The scary thing is that this book was written years before 9/11!