Challengers of the Unknown (vol.2) #1 (1991)

Challengers of the Unknown (vol.2) #1 (March, 1991)
"The Challengers Must Die!"
Writer - Jeph Loeb
Artist - Tim Sale
Letters - Bob Pinaha
Colors - Lovern Kindzierski
Editors - Barbara Kesel & Elliot S! Maggin
Cover Price: $1.75

Here's one that's been just sittin' there in the collection for... eesh, the better part of two decades.  Never read it... always meant to.  Thing of it is... it stars the Challengers of the Unknown, and even in looking at the cover, I couldn't tell ya which one's which... or why I should even care to find out!

This series is (sometimes) acclaimed critically... I suppose it really depends on the hive mind's feelings on Loeb on any given day.  I'm a fan of his... and for that reason, I'm looking forward to seeing where it all began for him!

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We open in the offices of Tattletale Magazine... a news tabloid, whose heroic subject is usually the Challengers of the Unknown.  Must be a pretty dull rag... in fact, that's kinda the point.  They keep having to use the same "news" because nobody can be bothered to keep up with them.  And so, Tattletale Senior Editor, Jennifer Taylor calls in Harold Moffet, a fella who "polishes" their stories... and sends him out to Challengerville to check in with the Challs.

From here, the storytelling gets a bit wonky.  The pages all go four-panel... Moffet travels... then we get a look at Challengerville... then we meet a Chall as they go about their daily work... then we see something going on in deep space.  This goes on for four pages... and the only new "news" Moffet can find is that Rocky bought a cat... and the poor thing died.  Also, there's a strange nebbish fellow heading to Challengers Mountain... and he thinks in rhyme.

While Moffet phones in his "findings" to the Tattletale, we see that same nebbish fellow inside Challengers Mountain... and it looks like he's up to no good.  In fact, he's rhyming "bomb" with "calm", so I think we can say for sure that he's up to no good.

Inside Challengers Headquarters, Prof and June find... something.  An "incredible energy force" more powerful than any black hole.  The rest of the Challs charge up to the monitor to take a look.  Prof immediately realizes that something just ain't right... and attempts to reverse whatever it was that he just did.

This doesn't go so well.

Not only is Challengers Mountain destroyed... but, it took a great big chunk of Challengerville with it!  Moffet looks on in shock... the nebbish fellow is pleased.

After the Challs pull themselves from the rubble (sans Prof and June), they hop into action, attempting to rescue the citizens and visitors of Challengerville.  Ace rushes into "Our Lady of Challengers" church... and hopes to himself that he can be brave.  He also worries a fair amount about June and Prof.  He is able to save a little girl.

Red Ryan climbs up the side of the Ace Insurance Company building to rescue the survivors.  It's funny, one of the citizens asks him "which Challenger" he is... because they all look alike!  Ya know, that's pretty much exactly why this series has just lingered in my longboxes all these years!

Next, we join Rocky as he fights a fire using a pipe marked as the Challengerville Water Supply.  He recognizes that this really isn't his style... more appropriate for Prof.  He's surprised... and pleased, when his efforts result in putting out the blaze.

We jump to Jody Watkins, Reporter for KHAL as she interviews Harold Moffet, who just happened to be an eyewitness to the entire ordeal.  He sensationalizes the happening, while lusting over the newslady... and we get a pretty good look at what remains of both Challengers Mountain... and Challengerville.

Watkins asks Moffet what ought to happen to the Challs, if they're found to be responsible for "this holocaust".  Moffet brushes it off, after all, the Challengers of the Unknown are heroes... they'll probably get a Medal of Honor for their rescue efforts!  Actually, it's not like that at all... the Challs are lead away... in chains!

The arrest of the Challengers is broadcast over the air... and we join that nebbish fellow as he watches the news from his home.  He appears to be quite satisfied with himself... and thinks the word "free".

We wrap up with the reveal that there's... something... deep within the wreckage of Challengers Mountain.  A new Unknown that has come to challenge the Challengers!

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Wow... this was pretty darn good.

Gotta tell ya, I did have to read it twice.  The first time around, a lot of what went on in the early pages kinda went over my head... that might not be the books fault though.

This has some cinematic qualities to it... which, shouldn't be all that much of a surprise considering the world Loeb came from.  I feel that it "worked" for this story, about half the time.  Again, those early pages with the four-panels... so much was going on, that I wasn't sure what was and wasn't important to the story.  Add to that, my unfamiliarity with the Challengers... and it was a bit of an uphill slog at first.

From the explosion of Challengers Mountain on, however... the storytelling was amazingly solid... easy to follow, and most importantly to a Challs-newb like me, easy to invest in.

So much so, that during my second read-through... everything seemed to "click".  Whether that's a problem with the open... or a problem with my density, I'll leave that to you (though, if it's the latter... please don't tell me, my heart couldn't take it).

The idea of there being a Challengerville... it's both charming and mind-boggling.  It feels like something we'd read in a one-off Silver Age story... and doesn't seem like something you could "get away with" in 1991... and yet, it kinda works!  I can't imagine there being as much tourism as there is, considering... it is the Challengers of the Unknown, and it is 1991... but, we'll allow it.

It's interesting to me, that even in Loeb's earliest comic work... he's already building mysteries.  I think that's what a lot of us have come to expect from him, after much of his Batman work (Hush, The Long Halloween)... hell, even the Red Hulk was a mystery story.  Here we have... whatever that is... that has come to challenge the Challengers.  Also... that nebbish fellow... what's his deal anyway?  I'm looking forward to finding out!

Tim Sale's art here is pretty great.  Not as stylized as I'm accustomed to, which probably works better for this story.  This is a story that happens in the daytime... it doesn't need to be as "dark" or "abstract" as his later work.  Not that I have a problem with his later work... I just like this better for this story (so far).  For the cover, we get a pretty awesome piece from the master of covers himself, Brian Bolland.  Really good stuff!

Overall... I can only speak for this issue (so far), but I think there's a lot to dig here.  Even if you're new (or willfully ignorant) to the Challengers of the Unknown (like myself), this is a wonderfully engaging story, with excellent art.  Shouldn't be too difficult to come by... it has been collected as The Challengers of the Unknown Must Die! (or just, Challengers of the Unknown by Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale) and is also available digitally.

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Batman: Legends of the Dark Night Halloween Special Edition #1 (2014)

Batman: Legends of the Dark Night Halloween Special Edition #1 (December, 2014)
"All Hell Breaks Loose!"
Writer - Jeph Loeb
Artist - Tim Sale
Colorist - Gregory Wright
Letterer - Todd Klein
Editor - Archie Goodwin
Cover Price: FREE

Here we are in mid-October, and boy-howdy have I been neglecting the spooky stuff for #boohauntedblog!

To remedy that, at least for today, let's take a look at this opening bit to Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's "Fear" story from Batman: Haunted Knight (this story in particular originally published in 1993) which was reissued as a Halloween ComicFest freebie in 2014.

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It's Halloween in Gotham City... and after recounting what other locales may do to celebrate the occasion, we get a look at the fella likely to prove to be this caper's baddie... the Scarecrow.  From here we jump to a late-night poker game going down between a group of nogoodniks at what appears to be a dilapidated warehouse... surely this is on the up and up!  The lights go out... and looking skyward out a large window, the geeks find themselves in the shadow... of the bat.

Batman calmly asks for the whereabouts of Jonathan Crane... but they're not keen on spillin' those beans.  This doesn't work out all that well for them... and Batman ultimately comes away with the information he sought.

We learn that for the past week the Scarecrow has been blowing up GE (that's Gotham Electric) relay stations, allowing his men to loot the city while the power's out.  It's just a matter of Batman finding out which relay he's looking to take off the grid, and wouldn'tcha know it... with his newly-gotten information, he does just that.

Crane throws himself from the top of the relay... and rides a wire safely to the ground.  Batman gives chase, giving the 'crow one last chance to come quietly.  To which, Scarecrow nails him with a triple-dose of fear toxin... which he's shocked to find is ineffective.  He's likely just a shocked to get socked in the nose.

A moment later Jim Gordon (I can't recall if he's Commissioner or not by this point) and the GCPD arrive to make some arrests.  Gordon and Batman break off to the side to talk.  We learn that Batman is really very tired at this point... and so, Jim suggests he take a load off and go to Bruce Wayne's costume party that night... at least that'll give him someone to talk to.  Ya see, Jim is being dragged there by his wife, Barbara.

Speaking of Bruce Wayne... we check in at the Manor with Alfred trying to talk Masta Bruce into cancelling the soiree due to the fact that he hasn't slept in three days.  Bruce's reply consists of a blank stare... which is all we really need, right?  Bruce enters the main hall, and we see that it's crammed with a whole lotta costumed humanity... including several nods to independent comics, like Milk & Cheese, Cerebus, Bone and Madman... and even silly things like Hobbes and Waldo!

Jim Gordon, dressed like a Musketeer (or thereabouts) starts to chat Bruce up when a Dalmatian wanders into the scene... Bruce jokingly refers to it as "Barbara" and asks if she's having a good time.  There chat is soon interrupted by the arrival of a striking redhead... who Bruce does not recognize. 

Remember the Scarecrow?  Let's check in on him.  He's been loaded into the paddy wagon and is being taken to whatever correctional facility might take him.  Along the way, he plucks a single hair from his shaggy head... and before we know it, the entire van is lousy with fear toxin.  The Scarecrow is back on the loose... and a certain signal flies in the skies of Gotham once more.

Back at the Manor, Bruce and the redhead... in red are dancing and getting to know one another... sorta.  That is, until they hear a crash coming from another room.  Turns out those Dalmatians from earlier belong to her... and they got into some mischief.  As they survey the damage (it's a broken flower pot, est. value: skatey-eight million dollars), Alfred breaks in to inform Bruce that the "light" is on... although with not all that much in the way of subtlety.  Before jamming out, Bruce instructs Alfred to "get her number".

Back at "work", we learn that Scarecrow is back at it... blowing up relay stations.  While watching an area of Gotham burn, Batman notices Billy Bear (whoever that is) robbing a convenience store.  It's a fairly one-sided affair, ending with Batman kayoing the geek with a solid right... however, he notices that he's not entirely without damage himself... Billy Bear managed to get in a slash!

That morning, we return to Wayne Manor... where we see Bruce trudging up the stairs to his bedroom.  It's a really cool scene... it's as though he strips off one piece of his costume with every step.  He crashes onto his bed... and moments later, there's a knock at the door.  He's expecting it to be Alfred with his breakfast... however, it's actually the redhead from last night.  What's more, we finally get a name to go with the face... Jillian Maxwell.  Oh, her!  Wait, who?

They don't get long to chat, unfortunately, as there's always an emergency that needs to be dealt with in Gotham City.

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Man, it's been a long time since I've revisited any Loeb/Sale Batman... probably too long.  This really feels like it's going to be something special.

There isn't a whole heckuva lot to sink our teeth into here... given that this is a freebie prelude in hopes that we'll care enough to pick up the whole magilla at some point down the line... but what we do get is pretty dang good.  Stylish, moody... somewhat sinister... really good (somewhat decompressed) comics here.  Can't hold that against it... as this is literally just a piece of a completed story.

We've talked a bit about what makes a good "freebie"... and I've complained a whole heckuva lot about some of the lousy non-advantageous ones we've been given over the past several years... from DC and Marvel alike.  I feel like this chunk of Haunted Knight makes a great "gift" to new (and lapsed) readers... because, best case scenario here... you dig this story, and only have a single trade collection to buy to get the whole story.

This isn't DC putting out a pre-Flashpoint Superman story for Free Comic Book Day in 2013... which, jeez... what would a new reader think of that???  This is a self-contained piece of Bat-business... and one of DC's "evergreen" books.  It's nearly always going to be in print, and easily obtained.  A perfect way for a new/curious reader to dip their toe into Batman's world... and hopefully find something they enjoy.  Looking at it that way, I'd say this freebie-special is a success.  Hell, it's making me want to re-read Haunted Knight... so, it's got that going for it!

As mentioned, Haunted Knight (1996) is an evergreen... and is available from just about anywhere.  There is even a hardcover Absolute Edition if you're really brave/have an extra Benjamin burning a hole in your pocket (though this includes Loeb/Sale's Catwoman: When in Rome six-parter as a piece of the package).  If you're not keen on all the extra ink and paper clogging up your house, it is also available digitally.  No matter how you go about it, it's certainly worth a read!

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Batman: Dark Victory #0 (1999)

Batman: Dark Victory #0 (1999)

Writer - Jeph Loeb

Artist - Tim Sale

Letterer - Richard Starkings

Colorist - Gregory Wright

Separations - Heroic Age

Editor - Mark Chiarello

Inspiration - Archie Goodwin

I had to wait a bit to do this one.  Was finally able to tunnel to the long box it was kept in.  After sending a canary* into my library and having it return alive, I figured it was safe enough to hop in myself.

What I wasn't prepared for was this being so short!  I thought it would was a full-length story... but I guess I was wrong.  Anyhoo, after the effort put forth in digging this one out, I feel like I kinda have to cover it here, despite its brevity... and for it not having much (if anything) to do with the Boo Haunted Blog theme.  Must've confused this with something else...

*No canaries were harmed in the procurement of this issue... I, however, stubbed my toe.

... but, before we get to the book, I do have an anecdote about this one.  This special issue was included with an issue of Wizard Magazine.  I bit of research reveals that it was Wizard Magazine #97 (September, 1999).  Now, Wizard was a pretty big part of my comics adolescence... having launched in 1991, when I was 11 years old... I feel like I was pretty much the target audience for a book of this sort... especially as it devolved into frat-boy "humor" in lieu of actual comics coverage.

When this issue arrived, though I couldn't place much insofar as time of year or what else I was buying... I remember an, I wanna say "older fan"... but if I think about it too hard, I'll probably come to the grim realization that he was probably younger than I am now... anyhoo, he bought this issue as well, and was vocally annoyed at the fact he had to buy an issue of Wizard to get the bridging chapter between Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory.  Dude just wouldn't pipe down about it... and when he got to paying (I was behind him), he started laying into the poor clerk.  The clerk tried playing it off, and told him it came with a "free comic", but he wasn't having it... the fella said it was a $5 comic that came with a P.O.S. Magazine.

Anyhoo... long story... long, he pays for it... tears open the polybag, and tosses the Wizard Mag at the clerk before walking out with his slim "freebie" bat-comic.  It makes me wonder how many other fans did such a thing.  I know by 1999, Wizard's cache and reputation was kinda "iffy", even among fans of my "vintage"... couldn't imagine older professional types being pleased with having to actually buy/own an issue of Wizard to get a copy of a comic they wanted to read.  Wizard also had many mail-order "#1/2" (that's number one-half) issues, where you would have to pull an envelope out of the middle of the issue and send it in.  Gotta wonder how many non-Wizard readers had to actually buy a copy so they can send away for their Flash #1/2, or Ultimate Spider-Man #1/2.  Anyhoo, just something that makes me wonder sometimes... On with the spoilery-synopsis.

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We open with the proclamation "Alberto Falcone was Holiday".  During The Longest Halloween, Batman was tracking a killer who only struck on Holidays.  It was suspected that Harvey Dent was the man behind the serial killings... this is pre-Two-Face.  We are treated to the... extremely violent ways in which Batman deals with Holiday, including crushing his right hand and beating him bloody.  This string of killings cost the life of Crime Lord, and Holiday's father Carmine "The Roman" Falcone... and the humanity of Harvey Dent.

We shift scenes to the new District Attorney Janice Porter as she visits Arkham Asylum to interview Holiday.  He's depicted as a meek individual.  He had been able to side-step the gas chamber, having recently been declared legally insane.  He now stays at Arkham in an attempt at rehabilitation.

Porter asks him questions... however, not about is actions.  Instead she asks about the beating he'd taken from the Batman.  He reveals that he still has no feeling in his right arm, and if the art is to be believed, it is nothing more than a gnarled stump at this point.  She promises to do anything in her power to ensure justice is done.

As she begins to leave, Falcone stops her.  He states that he is truly remorseful for what he had done the year prior.  I guess that makes it all okay, right?  Across the way, Julian Day... the Calendar Man is in his own cell.  He apologizes too... but for what, I don't know/remember.

Porter later arrives at the office of GCPD Commissioner James Gordon.  It is clear that their relationship is pretty contentious.  She informs him that she might just be reopening the Falcone case... which raises his ire just a bit.  She believes that his civil rights were violated when he was "brought in" by the Batman... a situation that Gordon stood by and allowed to happen.

She leaves, and we see a familiar shadow appear by the window.  Gordon apologizes to Batman, and says he may not be able to "protect" him on this one.  Protect Batman?  Gord, please... he doesn't need that.

Having had to deal with D.A. Porter reminds Gordon that the old D.A. was his (and Batman's) friend, Harvey Dent.  He recalls all the good times they'd had... and how close they were.  During his rant, Batman disappears... as he's wont to do.  We close out with Gordon sitting alone in his office as a torrent of rain pelts at his windows.

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Now... this was great.  Perfect way to whet your appetite if you were waiting for Dark Victory to start up.  This ties up some of the loose ends from The Long Halloween, and puts many of the pieces into place for the next chapter to begin.  The writing and art are top notch, as to be expected from this creative team.  My only complaint... if you can call it that... is its length.  I'd have loved a few more pages of this... I mean, I've got the hardcover upstairs... but putting myself into the gestalt of it all, I would've really enjoyed a bit more here.

This issue calls into question how a vigilante may dispense justice without violating human or civil rights.  It's a rather meaty thing to undertake... and proves to be a rather slippery slope.  I hate using the term "slippery slope" because, in every day life... everything can be viewed that way... however, with this story I cannot think of another way to word it.

Now it's easy to look at the new District Attorney Janice Porter as the heel here.  She's reopening the case for... and considering defending... a confessed serial killer.  We don't have all (or any, really) of the why-fors yet... and quite honestly... it's been over fifteen years since I'd read this, and I cannot remember.  I just gotta assume there's something more to this than just a newly-seated D.A. trying to make waves.

Something of interest was Gordon knowing that Batman was friends with Harvey Dent.  Like I said, it's been awhile... and their relationship both in and out of costume has always appeared somewhat nebulous to me... but is this something Gordon should know?  It's probably nothing, but made my "reading ears" perk up just a bit.

This is definitely a story worth checking out... even if you're not a Loeb fan (and I don't know why you wouldn't be... but I see that a lot of folks are "over" him)... the art is truly worth the price of admission.  It's a beautiful book... well worth your time.  Luckily these days you don't need to buy a $5 issue of Wizard Magazine to get it... you can probably find it in the cheap-o bins!  Just last night I found four copies in one!

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