NML Crossing, Episode 079 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #57 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Seventy-Nine

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #57 (October, 1999)
“Scratched Out!”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Rob Ro & Alex Bleyaert
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Williams, Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

After all these months, it's finally time for our Headsocked Hero to go one-on-one with his arch-nemesis... Nicholas Scratch! It will surely be a battle for the ages... or, maybe a battle that barely lasts two pages?

The Bada-Bin!

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NML Crossing, Episode 078 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #56 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Seventy-Eight

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #56 (September, 1999)
“The Night Foretold!”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Colors - Rob Ro & Alex Bleyaert
Edits - Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

In which Jean Paul Valley finally heads toward his epic confrontation with Nicholas Scratch... with a little (read: a lot) of help from the all-new all-different Batgirl! Watch as she does all the cool stuff while JPV stands around like a dingus, not even remembering the task at hand!

The Bada-Bin!

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NML Crossing, Episode 071 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #55 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Seventy-One

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #55 (August, 1999)
“Misery Dance”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Rob Ro & Alex Bleyaert
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Williams & Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

Wrapping up our epic Death Dancer storyline... with surgical precision! Also, our man in the headsock proves to be an ideal medical assistant for Leslie Thompkins' MASH unit.

Plus: A contentious AZ YOU LIKE IT letters page, and a lot of fun in our own NMaiLbag!

The Bada-Bin!

NML Crossing on Youtube

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https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

NML Crossing, Episode 070 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #54 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Seventy

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #54 (July, 1999)
“Step Into The Light”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Rob Ro & Alex Bleyaert
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Williams & Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

Dancing our troubles away with JPV! Today's episode takes our headsocked hero into the Clocktower where he shares an odd, awkward, and almost disturbing flirtation with a... thirsty... Babs Gordon. Also, a bunch of people in alleys get their throats slashed by a Skull-Headed Lord of the Dance! It's an issue so weird, you'll probably think I'm making it up!

The Bada-Bin!

NML Crossing on Youtube

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NML Crossing, Episode 065 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #53 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Sixty-Five

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #53 (June, 1999)
“Jellybean Deathtrap”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors  Rob Ro & Alex Bleyaert
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - L.A. Williams & Mike Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

In which our titular hero is given his orders to ixnay the Nick Scratch hunt, and instead focus his attention on taking down... the Joker? What could possibly go wrong?

The Bada-Bin!

NML Crossing on Youtube

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NML Crossing, Episode 064 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #52 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Sixty-Four

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #52 (May, 1999)
“Devil Down Below”
Script - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Rob Ro & Alex Bleyart
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Berrios & Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

It took us awhile... but we're finally back in Azrael-land! Today, our man in the headsock stows away on Nick Scratch's WWII tugboat in order to enter No Man's Land. Along the way, he befriends an old lady who is searching for her runaway daughter... and, hoo boy, their reunion is one you don't want to miss!

Plus: A rather deep NMaiLbag... which, err, gets kind of dark.

The Bada-Bin!

NML Crossing on Youtube

https://gothamquake.com

https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

NML Crossing, Episode 052 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #51 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Fifty-Two

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #51 (April, 1999)
“Miracle Run!”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Demetrius Bassoukos & Prismacolor
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Berrios & Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

In which our new-look hero... gets struck by lightning!  He also makes fast friends with Nick Scratch's old office-mate before visiting Nick Scratch's Uncle's fishing lodge.

Nick Scratch, Nick Scratch, Nick Scratch!

NML Crossing on Youtube

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weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

NML Crossing, Episode 051 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #50 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Fifty-One

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #50 (March, 1999)
“Resurrection”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Demetrius Bassoukos & Prismacolor
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Berrios & Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

And now for something completely different!  It's (already?) time to venture outside of No Man's Land... so, our hero JPV can try and track down... ugh... Nicholas Scratch.  A story too monumentally large to be contained in one single issue!

NML Crossing on Youtube

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weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

NML Crossing, Episode 037 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #49 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Seven

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #49 (February, 1999)
“Gotham City Must Die!”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Demetrius Bassoukos & Prismacolor
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Berrios & Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

The final Azraeling... for now, anyway!

Wrapping up the Nicholas Scratch stuff... well, sort of.  There... really ain't much to say about this one, not that that'll stop me from occupying your ear for the better part of an hour.

Thankfully some friends of the show have delivered us an amazing NMaiLbag!

NML Crossing on Youtube

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weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

NML Crossing, Episode 036 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #48 (1999)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Six

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #48 (January, 1999)
“Scratching the Surface”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Demetrius Bassoukos & Prismacolor
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Berrios & Carlin
Cover Price: $2.25

More Azrael!  More Nick Scratch!  You're Welcome... and I'm Sorry!

This time out, our man JPV has some answering to do for pulling a boner on his mission to protect the life of Gotham's only friend, Senator Esty Halivan!  Not only that, he's now on the hook for the murder!  What IS an Angel of Vengeance to do?  Listen in and find out!

Plus: A wonderful dive into the NMaiLbag!

NML Crossing on Youtube

https://gothamquake.com

https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

NML Crossing, Episode 035 - Azrael: Agent of the Bat #47 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Thirty-Five

Azrael: Agent of the Bat #47 (December, 1998)
“... a Man of Wealth and Taste…”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Demetrius Bassoukos & Prismacolor
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Frank Berrios & Mike Carlin
Cover Price: $3.95 (flip-book)

We're officially on THE ROAD TO NO MAN'S LAND... and, with it comes a three-part dive into Azrael-Land.  In today's episode our Angel of Whateverthehell is sent off to Washington, DC to protect Gotham City's last hope on the Hill.  He does so quite poorly.

We also meet the Sensational Character Find of 1998... Nicholas Scratch?!

All 'at and a deep dip into the ol' NMaiLbag!

NML Crossing on Youtube

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https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

NML Crossing, Episode 005 - Azrael #40 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Five

Azrael #40 (April, 1998)
“Cataclysm, Part Four: Hour of the Quake”
Writer - Denny O’Neil
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - James Pascoe
Colors - Demetrius Bassoukos & Prismacolor
Letters - Ken Bruzenak
Edits - Chuck Kim & Archie Goodwin
Cover Price: $1.95

Azrael was still coming out in 1998?  Oh yes... it was!  In fact, this is the first of many issues of the title we'll be discussing as part of our No Man's Land coverage!  I hope we survive the experience!

Today, having just beaten the man who broke the bat, Jean-Paul arrives in Gotham just in time for that thing that happens in this story... to happen!  From there, he must chase and defeat Bane... again.

https://chrisisoninfiniteearths.com

weirdcomicshistory@gmail.com

DCU Holiday Bash! #1 (Green Lantern)

DCU Holiday Bash! #1 (Green Lantern)
"The Vessel"
Writer - Michael Jan Friedman
Pencils - Roger Robinson
Inks - Phyllis Novin
Colors - John Kallisz
Letters - John Costanza
Editors - Mike Carlin & Darren Vincenzo

Ya know... in all of our years of covering Christmas/Holiday stories here at the humble blog... I don't think we've ever discussed Hanukkah!  That's one of those things that made me take pause... I racked my brain, knowing that this couldn't possibly be the first time we're covering The Festival of Lights... but, it is!

For a portion of my childhood, I lived in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Staten Island... so, I was able to take part in my friends' and neighbors' celebrations.  It was so interesting to learn about the different Holidays... and, get the "kid explanation" for what makes them special.

Speaking of Holidays... being the lone Catholic in the area made times like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur very interesting in school.  The classroom would go from having 20-30 kids... to just me (and a substitute teacher)!

Anyhoo... let's take a look at our first Hanukkah story!

--

We open with Green Lantern, Kyle Rayner attending to a crashed (and leaking) oil tanker.  The use of oil here is pretty clever, as we'll come to find out as we continue.  Our man is so busy that he's running a little late for a very important date.  Ya see, he's supposed to meet a pal at Radu's so they can head to Temple together.  It's the first night of Hanukkah, and while Kyle isn't Jewish, he's more than happy to broaden his horizons and learn more about the faith of his friends.

Kyle's buddy has brought his sister along for the evening... and together they give ol' Radu the inch-deep/mile-wide explanation of "The Miracle of the Oil" and Hanukkah.  The sister, Beccah talks of the Maccabees... which, always reminds me of when Ross from Friends tries to explain Hanukkah to his son (while wearing an armadillo costume).

Kyle enters the scene, and... I think we're supposed to assume that he immediately begins hitting on Beccah... though, that isn't entirely clear.  Whatever the case, she's impressed by his Hanukkah knowledge, and the subject shifts to that of miracles (in the overall sense).  Kyle, acting uncharacteristically pragmatic, claims that miracles aren't really his bag.  Keeping in mind, he's wearing a cosmically powered ring while he says this.

As the chat continues, it's revealed that Beccah is actually a Rabbi.  This kind of freaks Kyle out... because, he was apparently hitting on her.  Ever so humble, she tells him this isn't the first time that's happened to her.  Really though... if this is an example of how Kyle flirts, I haven't the foggiest notion how he managed to date Donna or Jade.

The trio arrives at the Synagogue, only to find it's been horribly vandalized!  Swastikas, hate-speech... it's just an ugly scene.  A maintenance man named Otto has been beaten up and left on the ground.  He reports that some punks had stormed the place earlier... and, in addition to the hate-tags, they also stole the Vessel for the Eternal Flame.

Kyle heads out... and, he ain't messin' around.  Nearby, he finds an empty can of spray paint.  Conveniently, it's an "unusual brand" of paint, and it's only sold in one nearby store.  Kyle, as Green Lantern, pays the proprietor a visit... and we find out that the shop-keep remembers exactly who he sold this particular can of paint to.  Ya see, this raving, hate-fueled Anti-Semite decided to join the store's mailing list.  Whoops.  Meanwhile, the baddies celebrate having stolen the Vessel.

Moments later, Green Lantern bursts in through the wall... and faces off with the thugs.  Just as they're about to pounce, Kyle's Power Ring runs out of juice!  Uh-oh.

But then... as if by a miracle, the Ring is re-energized!  Kyle is able to will himself up a whole bunch of gimmicks, and beat the punks up but-good!  He reclaims the Vessel and brings it back to Beccah.

We wrap up with Kyle and his friends attending the evening's service, where the topic is miracles and faith.  Kyle looks down at his Ring and begins to ponder.

--

Now, this was a pretty clever story!  From the oil tanker, to Kyle's ring running out of juice... this was very "on point" for the Holiday.

Sure, it kinda round-peg/square-holed Kyle a bit to make it all work.  I don't recall him ever being so pessimistic when it comes to things like miracles... but, ya know, all in service of the story, right?  Speaking of "out of character", Kyle's attempt at flirting here... if, in fact that's what it was supposed to be... was very, very weak!  It was hardly even small-talk, much less a flirtation.  Pretty presumptuous of Beccah to assume she was being hit on!  I'd hate to think of how she feels when the dude at the Drive-Thru asks if she "wants fries with that".  That might be akin to a marriage proposal to her!

As far as the rest of the story is concerned... it was good!  The bad guys got their comeuppance, and Kyle learned a valuable lesson.  The path we took to get there might've been a tad on the convenient side, but, when we've only got a handful of pages to work with, it's probably best not to use the lion's share of em on "detective work".

Overall, a decent story that adds some non-Christmas Holiday flair to this package!  I feel like diversifying this sort of collection provides a great service to the readership!

Tomorrow: Getting our Christmas Shopping done... in a Flash!