"what the?!(regular series) Issue #5"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Okay- parody needs to be consumed in the frame of time it’s meant to be placed. It’s a very topical sense of humor. A lot of these jokes were over my head 17 years ago when this was first published, because I knew little about artists and writers and such. Nowadays, these jokes are funny. However, I don’t think that a first time comics fans would understand much of the jokes in this series because many of these titles that poke fun at no longer exist. How many 13 year olds know who Quasar is? How many know that a member of Alpha Flight was gay? And how many folks understand that a John Byrne revamp is not necessarily a good thing?

So, I would say this is worth consuming- but only if you are enough of an expert to understand Comics books in the late 80’s to early 90’s.

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #4"

WORTH CONSUMING!

This is the last issue- sorta. See, Marvel only did 4 issues at first, but it became such a big hit, that they ended up doing more issues. But instead of starting with Issue 1, Vol. 2- Marvel just continued the series.

It’s kinda confusing- and heck, it confounded me for a while until I read issue 5- So, I will see you there.

 

"Dave Barry's History of the Millennium (So Far)"

WORTH CONSUMING!

Dave Barry is a riot. I love his sense of humor and though you can tell he’s a Democrat- he clearly shows a lack of love for them at times- because hey, both sides are bone heads.

I’m glad books like these still come out, because I miss having his columns in our paper. It was the only reason I would read it- well that and Foxtrot and now I hear he has retired too.

"Secret Origins: Featuring the JLA"

WORTH CONSUMING!

A nice addition to the Secret Origins series- this time focusing on the JLA version of the Justice League. 7 great stories- with the Green Lantern tale being the best. Strangely, J’onn J’onzz in absent from this volume in more ways than one. He doesn’t have an origin tale and he speaks maybe 10 words in the JLA origin story.

Still, without it, it is very much worth consuming!

"what the?!(regular series) Issue #7"

WORTH CONSUMING!

I remember reading this when it first came out over 27 years ago. I loved it then and it’s not changed. This is a classic issue. Though, I feel like some really cruddy characters were used instead of more true blue super heroes. Also, this is a rare issue that really points out how lame DC was in the late 80’s with its version of Justice League- whatever it was. Booster Gold, I can go with, but Fire, Ice Maiden, and Blue Beetle as the best America had to offer to save the day? It’s a wonder we weren’t conquered by the French!

"Star Wars: A Long Time Ago..., Book 7: Far, Far Away"

WORTH CONSUMING!

 

Superman: The Bottle City of Kandor

WORTH CONSUMING!

The stories are top quality. However, as in several other Superman TPBs, there are several stories that I have read reprinted in other volumes. Sadly, some tales have been put through the ringer so much, if it was a TV show, I could put in on mute and be able to recite the dialogue verbatim.

DC- you guys really need to get better at selecting tales that don’t overlap other collections.

Worth Consuming- but I am taking away one star.