Action Comics #566 (1985)

Action Comics #566 (April, 1985)
"Traumas in the Bahamas!"
"With Love from Superman!"
Writers - Craig Boldman & Mindy Newell
Pencillers - Ron Randall & Howard Bender
Inkers - Karl Kesel & Bob Oksner
Letterers - Ben Oda & Milt Snapinn
Colorist - Gene D'Angelo
Editor - Julius Schwartz
Cover Price: $0.75

I'm surprised how much I'm digging these pre-Crisis Action Comics issues.  I'd have never thought I'd get all that much out of them.  Still wanted to have them, because I'm a compulsive avid comics hoarder collector, but didn't think I'd actually get around to tearing into them.

This one's quite interesting so let's get right to it... toot toot!

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Lois and Clark have been invited on a free pleasure cruise of the Bahamas by old acquaintance Captain Strong.  After a flight to the coast, they are greeted by a fellow that would gladly pay them Tuesday, for a Hamburger today.  Meet J. Wellington Jones, the owner of the Fantasia cruise liner.  

Well blow me down!  On board, we meet up with Popeye and Olive Oyl... er, Captain and Olivia Strong.  Clark notes a gleam in Strong's one open eye that makes him a bit nervous.  Captain Strong is granted his strength by eating an alien seaweed called spi-- er, sauncha.

After setting sail, we get our usual scene of Clark changing clothes... however, he's not changing into his "dress blues", instead he's rocking his Bermuda shorts... which Lois teases him about.  After a brief chat with their hosts, Clark excuses himself to get a better look at a nearby island.

We shift scenes to a small island hut.  Inside there's a witch and a shadowy man watching the Fantasia via binoculars.  The man "smells trouble" and asks the witch to sink the ship... and so, she wakes a giant slumbering stingray and instructs it to strike... and it does!

Clark, not dressed for the occasion has to pretend to be thrown overboard by the wild sea.  Once in the drink, Clark proceeds to beat down the stingray and send it on its way.  Unfortunately, Captain Strong had witnessed the entire event!

Thinking on his feet, Clark quickly zips into the galley and retrieves a bunch of cans of spinach (seriously).  He proceeds to drape it all over himself to make it seem as though he'd been temporarily given super-powers by way of sauncha.  Popeye tells Clark to hit the sack, as sauncha withdrawals are a bear... he than orders his crew to haul in the rest of the green stuff.

Strong eats some of the spinach, and thinking he's been granted powers, decides to push the ship.  Lucky for him, Superman is now underneath the ship giving him the assist.

A little later, Strong reveals the true nature of this cruise to Lois.  He produces the diary of Captain Wynne, a man who was seeking the Fountain of Youth.  After a brief Ponce de Leon related history lesson, he shares his intention of finding it himself.  Superman is watching and listening from overhead, and notices Captain Strong palm a photograph from the diary... a thirty-year old photo, with a very similarly-aged Captain Strong... hmm, maybe he's already found the Fountain of Youth???

Suddenly, the weather started getting rough... and the cruise ship's getting tossed.  Strong, who may just be an addict, swallows a mouthful of the phony sauncha and hops into action.  Superman again gives the assist to make it look as though Strong is saving the day.

After the storm passes, Strong is lamenting the fact that he'll never find the Fountain.  Lois notices that the table that Wimpy is pigging out on is decorated with a map... well, wouldn'tcha know it... there's a map... and an X marking a spot!

Strong orders a rowboat lowered and Clark Kent awakened (Clark was still supposed to be sleeping???), and they head toward the isle of Andros... with another CK assist.

Once on shore, Captain Strong separates from the group to go off ahead.  Clark guides the rest inland and they happen upon a hot spring and a lonely hut... but, they are not alone.  Olivia faints at the sight of a gun-wielding... Captain Strong... and a witch... but she's probably more shocked about her husband pointing a gun at her.

Lois, Clark, Olivia, and Wimpy are tied to a tree, and the witch prepares a potion to "deal with" the trespassing pleasure cruisers.  Clark gives the tonic a blast of heat vision, causing it to catch fire.  Captain Strong panics, and throws the flaming jar into the nearby hot spring.

As soon as it his the water, Strong appears to have aged several decades... and, we are then joined by... Captain Strong?  Yup, this old man is Poopdeck Pappy, Captain Strong Sr... and, get this, that hot spring was the Fountain of Youth.  Pappy shares his tale of discovery, and meeting the witch.

In an act of desperation, the witch summons forth a Superman-Wraith!  This causes (the still tied to a tree) Clark's strength to be sapped... this is one fight Captain Strong is going to have to win on his own!  So, what does he do?  Yup, eats the spinach... again.

Since the witch is in the middle of turning into dust, the Superman construct is not long for this world.  Strong socks the wraith and he vanishes.  Strong unties his friends, and promises to take his pappy... Pappy to Metropolis so's he can teach him how to acts like an old geezer!  How embarriskin!

In our back-up, we are introduced to the hottest super team in DC Comics history, the Autograph Hounds!  The watch in awe as Superman flies overhead, and talk about how cool it would be to add him to their autograph books.  A girl within earshot, named Molly bets that she could get his John Hancock.  The bet is on, Molly's got one-week to get it.  If she's successful, she can be a card-carrying member of the Autograph Hounds.

That night, Molly (in her awesomely 80's bedroom) pens a letter to Superman, care of the Daily Planet.  Her mother promises to drop it in the mail.

That night, Molly dreams that she is Supergirl!  Even though she's in costume, everybody seems to know who she is... guess that's dreams for you!  Anyways, she sees Superman locked in battle with a very pre-Crisis Lex Luthor, and flies in to lend a hand.

The two Supers make short work of Luthor, and when the dust settles Supergirl acts like a total newb and asks Superman for his autograph.  Jeez really, Molly... be cool.

The next day in study hall, Molly's mind wanders again.  This time she's not Supergirl, she's actually Lois Lane in need of Superman to save her... which he does.  After the rescue, she again asks for an autograph... you'd figure Lois already has Superman's autograph...

Meanwhile, we check in on the man himself... as he reads his fan mail.  I love that he reads it through the envelope using his x-ray vision!  He comes across Molly's missive, and finds it especially touching.  She, like he, is an orphan.

We shift to a week later.  It's time for Molly to put up or shut up.  The Hounds come a'calling, and are just about to ball her out, when the Man of Steel arrives.  He's more than happy to give Molly his autograph... using his heat vision even!  They embrace, and I would assume Molly takes her rightful place as a member... nay, as leader of the Autograph Hounds... hopefully detroning the boy with the missing teeth!  That's a punchable face if ever I saw one... probably why he's missing the teeth!

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A couple of really fun stories here.  Silly and very enjoyable.  I'd heard whispers of Captain Strong here and there, but this is my first real encounter with the chap.  I guess this is as close as we're going to get to a Superman/Popeye team-up... and I suppose if I'm being honest, that's probably a good thing.  It was fun, but, it was about all's I could stands... I can't stands no more!

The art here is from one of the greats, Ron Randall.  He's responsible for the art on probably my favorite comic book ever produced, and he does a fantastic job here as well!  In my opinion, Lois Lane can be a real hit or miss prospect when it comes to the way she's drawn... Randall knocks it outta the park here.

This is another Craig Boldman script.  The last time I discussed an issue of his, I mentioned that I would have to keep my eyes peeled for more of his work.  I'm glad I said that, because he's two-for-two on the humble blog.  He's a great storyteller, and cares enough about the readership to share the location of the fabled Fountain of Youth!

You're welcome!

The Popeye characters all look great in their DC-ified forms.  They look just Popeye enough to where they're recognizable, but not exaggeratedly cartoony... I suppose there's another "thumbs up" for Mr. Randall.  In fact, when I first looked at the cover I thought "Hey, that guy kinda looks like Popeye..." I wasn't sure it was meant to look like him until I checked out the roll-call. 

The backup story, at first blush looked like a groaner... but wound up being rather touching.  I shouldn't have been surprised, given it was penned by Mindy Newell... whose work on the 1986 Lois Lane miniseries was something I'd gushed quite a bit about a few months back.  This one could've been hokey... and I suppose, depending on your mileage, it might be... but I yam what I yam, and I really thought it was a nice little story.

All told, a fine issue of pre-Crisis Action Comics, a conversation-piece, and definitely worth your time.  Ah-ga-ga-gah!

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Letters Page:

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Tales of the Teen Titans #55 (1985)

Tales of the Teen Titans #55 (July, 1985)
"Shades of Gray!"
Marv Wolfman - Writer
Ron Randall - Artist
John Costanza - Letterer
Adrienne Roy - Colorist
Cover Price - $0.75

I suppose I should get it out of the way upfront.  As this issue may be my favorite single-issue of any comic book series ever published, this review/discussion may appear biased.

Tales of the Teen Titans #55 takes place following the trial of Deathstroke, wherein during the proceedings an angry Changeling causes enough havoc in the courtroom that most of the charges against the Terminator are dropped.  Changeling's antics damage the Titan's credibility as expert/character witnesses toward Deathstroke, and he is ultimately only charged with possession of an illegal firearm.  He is sentenced to one-year in a minimum security facility, though it is widely known that he will likely only actually serve a day or two.

The issue opens with Changeling getting an earful from his fellow Titans.  They acknowledge that the public's trust in the team was damaged and because of that, Deathstroke ultimately got away with kidnapping and murder.  What they are not aware of was that the trial proceeded exactly as Changeling planned.  He wanted Deathstroke to remain free, so that he could exact revenge himself.

Deathstroke and Changeling's history goes back to the opening year of the relaunched New Teen Titans.  Early in the series, Deathstroke was actually able to kill Changeling.  It was only by the help of the Amazons that he returned to life.  Later, leading up to and during "The Judas Contract", Deathstroke planted a mole inside the team, the young Terra (Tara Markov) who was killed at the end of that storyline.  Changeling loved Terra, and blamed Deathstroke for her death.

Following a televised interview with Deathstroke conducted by Titans opponent, Bethany Snow, Changeling loses control and decides it is now time to confront his enemy.  Changeling breaks into the minimum security facility holding Slade and attacks him.  The melee is discovered by the guards, and Logan is able to escape by shape-shifting into a small insect.  Slade is released shortly thereafter, and plans to leave his life as Deathstroke the Terminator behind.

In the days that follow, Wilson receives a threatening letter from Logan, challenging him to a fight to the death at a chasm in upstate New York.  Wilson appears to be at peace with the threat, and decides to go through with the meeting.

Upon arrival, Wilson finds that Changeling is waiting for him.  In a powerful scene, Changeling is infuriated that Wilson arrived in his plain clothes and NOT in the Deathstroke costume.  In his words, "It's the damned Terminator I want to kill!".

Wilson plainly states that he is only there to die.  He will not draw a weapon, he will not fight back.  He invites Logan to kill him... to "end it".

Logan shifts into a large bird, and approaches his target, claws drawn.  Just before reaching his prey, he returns to his humanoid form and falls to the ground.  Logan is not a killer, he is unable to go through with such an act.  He is a child, unable to process the severity and irrevocable nature of murder until that moment.

Wilson helps Changeling to his feet, and talks to him like a man.  Logan was always the most "Teen" of the Teen Titans.  He was ever the child of the team, always joking around and not being taken seriously.  This moment captures one of the first times that he is spoken to as though he were somebody's equal.  Wilson tells the story of his son, Grant Wilson the Ravager.  It was Grant who initially accepted the murder contract on the Teen Titans.  A contract Grant was unable to fulfill... the contract the Slade was then honor-bound to complete.

In perhaps the most surreal scene, Wilson suggests that he and Logan grab a bite to eat at a local diner.  It was quite interesting seeing Deathstroke the Terminator and Changeling sharing a booth and some greasy diner food.

It is at the diner that the two discuss Terra.  Wilson tells Logan just how broken and for lack of a better term, evil, Terra was.  He tells him not to romanticize such a person as, in his words, "Don't ever think she felt anything for you but hate.  She was incapable of loving anyone.".

Slade tells Changeling that he envies him for the friends that he has, and further tells him that they will only take him as seriously as he takes himself.

As the meal wraps up, Logan asks the question that everyone wanted asked, but perhaps did not want the answer to.  He asks Slade if he ever made love to Tara.  After a moment of silence, Slade replies with, "Would that make any difference?"  Absolute perfection!

Wilson leaves, telling Logan he doesn't see their paths crossing ever again, and ends with a "Take care of yourself, kid."

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Okay, it doesn't get a whole lot better than that.  This was a gripping, emotionally charged issue that I must admit, I reread perhaps a bit too often.  This is Titan's perfection, from an era known for excellent Titans stories.  The fact that this issue stands out from the rest, for me at least, is a testament to its quality.

The character of Garfield Logan was one that I had never taken seriously... until this issue.  He was, just as he stated, "Joke-a-Minute Gar", a character of comparably little substance, and little importance.  He actively takes the advice of the one person on the planet he ever wanted to kill, in order to build character.

Logan's relationship with Terra was interesting, to a point.  As mentioned, Logan was the child of the group.  He did share a kiss with Terra prior to her passing... very likely his first "real" kiss.  His first passionate kiss.  He felt as though he shared something special with Terra.  Now he knows that it wasn't.

Terra's personality has been unfortunately retconned since this issue (although, post-Flashpoint that is nebulous-at-best and moot-at-worst). to having been brainwashed by Wilson.  This (Judas Contract era) is the Terra I choose to remember.  She was bad, Irredeemably so.  She was so bad that Deathstroke the Terminator feared her.

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If tasked with assigning this issue with an "Out of 10" score, this is easily at 10/10.  Great writing and characterization and great art throughout.

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Quotes:

Changeling: "I can't believe I am sitting here talking with a man I wanted to kill less than an hour ago."

Deathstroke: "I swear to God, Logan--She's not worth crying about."

Changeling: "C'Mon, Terminator--I want to kill you."
Changeling: "Fight back so I can."
Changeling: "Fight me, damn you!"
Changeling: "Don't you care?"
Changeling: "DON'T YOU?!?"
Deathstroke: "No"

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***Edited 3/28/16 - Finally added pictures.