Green Lantern (vol.2) #179 (August, 1984)
"Let Us Prey!"
"Green Magic: Enemy Lines"
Writer/Editor - Len Wein & Todd Klein
Artist/Letterer - Dave Gibbons
Colorist - Anthony Tollin
Cover Price: $0.75
The Predator! Last week when we discussed The Final Night, I said that I could've sworn I'd already read it... but come to find that I hadn't.
Well... here's another story just like that! I was shocked when I was flipping through a cheap-o bin the other day... and realized that I didn't have these Predator issues. I guess one of the side-effects of being in the comics blogging and podcasting "scene" is experiencing stories via osmosis. I guess I've heard/read enough about the Predator that I thought I'd read the actual stories myself!
To paraphrase our friend Lex Luthor, not so fast kemo sabe... I've still got a lot to learn.
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We open at Ferris Aircraft where the Demolition Team have been sent to... demolish things. Ya see, Congressman Jason Bloch made arrangements with the Monitor (yeah, that Monitor) to take Ferris out. Even with Green Lantern off-planet, the Demos task is no cakewalk... because they are now faced with the threat of... the Predator! Rosie of the Demos tells him to stand down, as this is none of his concern. He doesn't agree... and says from this point on, Ferris Aircraft is under his protection.
And so, a fight breaks out. It looks like the Predator has the situation well in hand. The Demos are so tied up with our man that they're (for now) leaving Ferris' staff alone. Carol and Tom look on, wondering where Hal might be.
And is if by segue... we join Hal Jordan, who is half a galaxy away nearing the planet Omnicron Ceti IV. He's ticked off at the Guardians... and in other news, it's a day that ends with the letter "Y". He'd rather be helping out on Earth, but heavy's the finger that wears the ring... so, whattayagonnado? Anyhoo, Omnicron Ceti IV's core has become unstable... and threatens to blow.
Back at Ferris, the fight rolls on. The Predator takes out Jackhammer... splitting his helmet with a tap. Mr. Hammer then lunges, and gets monkey-flipped into an electrical box for his trouble. Tom (I think it's Tom) thanks the Predator for saving his life.
We shift to Oa, where the Guardians of the Universe are watching over Hal Jordan. They look on as he sits on Omnicron Ceti and thinks. With a snap of his fingers, Hal takes off. The Guardians fear that he's abandoning the imperiled planet. Really now?
Back at Ferris, the battle... continues. The Predator takes out the Demo... Scoop-Shovel! Well, there's a name that'll strike fear into hearts worldwide. We rejoin Hal as he hunts down some Stellarium meteoroids .
Back on Earth... remember that Congressman Jason Bloch? Let's check in on him in Washington, D.C. He fears that the Demolition Team's attack on Ferris Aircraft will lead right back to him. Stands to reason, right? He drinks to his health.
Still on Earth... back to Ferris. Scientist Clay Kendall, seeing the chaos, rushes to his Psi-Lab. Inside we see his Psi-Chair, which would allow him to tap into the 90% of the brain he doesn't use (science!). He hops in the seat... unfortunately, he does this just as Predator and Hardhat bust in. Poor Doc Kendall gets himself fried.
Back on Omnicron Ceti, Hal is melting down the Stellarium meteoroids ("meteoroids" might be my newest-toughest word to type!). He hopes his "screwy" idea will bear fruit.
Back at Ferris, the Predator takes out the final non-Rosie member of the Demolition Team, Steamroller. Predator leads him directly into the hangar that houses the centrifuge... which oughta tell us that our masked man has at least a "passing" knowledge of Ferris Aircraft's layout.
Back with Hal... he pumps the Stellarium cement into the core of Omnicron Ceti... and, whattayaknow... it worked! A victorious Hal is visited upon by a holographic Guardian head. He tells the head that he'd better hope his pals on Earth haven't been harmed.
Back at Ferris... it's down to two. The Predator vs. Rosie. She aims her nail-gun... however, before she can pull the trigger, he chucks a dagger into the barrel... and the thing blows up in her (tear-streaked) face.
The confused Rosie threatens that she'll be back... but then gets socked in the mush by Carol. With Rosie kayoed, the Predator sweeps Ms. Ferris up in his arms, and gives her a kiss. B-b-b-ut, I thought-- okay, okay, that's a reveal for another day.
Our story ends with Hal Jordan returning home to see Ferris Aircraft in all sorts of smoldering ruin.
That's not the end of the issue, however... we've got us a Tale of the Green Lantern Corps... for better or worse. We join an odd little crew of mohawked characters... one of whom a "sorceress named Holli, who is in actuality, a Green Lantern. They've apparently been banished by yet another mohawked individual.
They head to a small island "behind enemy lines" and meet up with ally Mikkin and fomer foe-turned-rebel, Tahrk. Holli suggests they take out Tahrk... but Mikkin isn't on board, claiming that they are all fugitives now. To prove his worth, Tahrk has to battle... I wanna say his name is Skeev, and boy does he live up to it.
The chapter wraps with the two battling to a stalemate, and earning each others respect and trust. As they celebrate their new partnership, a submarine surfaces nearby.
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This was a fine issue.
It's just a fight issue... with some Hal in space stuff, but it wasn't boring. I actually think it took me twice as long to read that... back-up piece... than the lead-off story. Man, that back-up was dull!
I don't wanna spoil anything about the Predator... especially now that I've come to realize that I've never read this. I wouldn't want to say the wrong thing. I mean, I know the big reveal... but can't say with any authority that it does or doesn't make sense. From what I've heard, it's pretty silly... but I wouldn't wanna commit to a stance just yet!
I didn't mention it during the synopsis, but while Hal was trying to save Omnicron Ceti, he compared it to Tomar-Re's inability to save Krypton from exploding. That's a really neat bit of continuity... I always liked that. I mean, it would stand to reason that the Green Lantern Corps would've tried to intervene.
Let's talk Demos. These are some geeky folks. Being this punny, I'd almost expect them to appear in a Peter David book! It's funny to consider that these characters were being played straight here. Endearing, even... because, if they were to pop up in the current day, they'd be treated like a joke.
So, yeah... our main story was pretty good. The Predator gets a strong introduction... saves the day, and even puts the moves on Hal's gal. That back-up though? Woof. It was pretty, but oh so dull. To be fair, it was a middle chapter of a continuing story... so I was coming into it cold, but... again, woof.
Overall... if you're a Green Lantern fan, you should definitely check this issue out. It has been collected in Green Lantern: Sector 2814, Volume One (ah! That's where I had it! Still hadn't read it though) and is available digitally.
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World's Finest Comics #215 (December-January, 1972/73)
"Saga of the Super Sons!"
Story - Bob Haney
Art - Dick Dillin & Henry Scarpelli
Cover Price: $0.20
Trying to wash the taste of post-Twin Peaks disappointment out of my mouth. Paging Doctor Haney...
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We open with one of those Silver-Age splashes showing us what's to come. In it, Superman and Batman stand before the open caskets of... Superman, Jr. and Batman, Jr.! We enter the actual story with Mr. and Mrs. Superman wondering what their son is up to... they haven't heard from him in quite some time. They make a call and find that he's working at what looks like a community center. A place where folks can get jobs, and get off drugs. Clark, Sr. gets on his case about not knowing what he's going to do with his life... and, I dunno... it looks to me like he's working and trying to make a difference. Anyhoo, their conversation devolves into an argument about Ma and Pa Superman not wanting their boy to follow in his father's footsteps.
The call is interrupted by... a motorcycle gang driving through the plate-glass window of the community center. Meet Satan's Shockers! Not sure why they're here... they just look like they wanna hassle our boy. After being grabbed by the collar, Clark, Jr. has enough and starts beating the hell out of the baddies. Clark, Sr. is still on the line... and can hear the whole thing go down.
Moments later, Superman arrives on the scene... not to lend a hand though, he's just there to lecture Clark, Jr. about fighting... and possibly showing these geeks that he's "a Superman". Clark, Jr. doesn't wanna hear it... and so, he runs away... er, right through a brick wall!
We shift scenes to the Wayne's penthouse in Gotham City where Alfred wakes Bruce, Jr. for lunch. He robes up, and heads to the terrace... and his parents start reading him the riot act. See where this is going? They're annoyed that he's out gallivanting all night acting like a playboy... just like his father (pretended to). Alfred turns on the midday news... and we see that Batman had himself a busy night.
Bruce, Sr. is shocked... because, he didn't do any Batmanning last night! Turns out Bruce, Jr. is donning the cape and cowl. Alfred confirms... by snitching, when he reveals that he found a Batman costume in Bruce, Jr.'s things. It's doubly-bad because it turns out Young Bruce didn't dot his I's or cross his T's... his bust the night before might result in a whopper of a lawsuit for Gotham. The Waynes' argue a bit... until Bruce, Jr. jumps off the roof.
A bit later we join the Juniors as they meet up... I wanna say they're in a nightclub. They excuse themselves to "the cobbles" so they can "rap". They both love and respect their fathers... but want to blaze their own trails. It's that damn generation gap maaaaan... keeps clobberin' 'em.
Turns out, this conversation is overheard by their Super Dads via a bug Papa Bat placed on his son. Wow, Bruce-the-Second really isn't a very good detective! The Powerful Pops try to figure out a way they can test their sons... to see if they're up to the task of superheroing. Batman suggests they set them loose in Sparta City (which seems like a DC analogue to San Francisco, that only appears in this one story)... Rocco Krugge is running the rackets in Sparta City, and he's losing his grip on the organization. He should be easy enough for the Super-Teens to topple.
Superman thinks that's a wonderful idea... but he'll do Batman one better by... ooooh boy, creating a second Sparta City for the boys to do their thing in, just in case things go sideways. Now, at this point I figured he was going to build a new city wholesale... and fill it with androids or something. I'd have an easier time believing that, honestly. What he actually plans to do is go to Sparta City... dive under water... grip a piece of Earth... and snap it like a damp towel, causing a ripple-effect that vibrates enough to slightly accelerate Sparta City, temporarily creating a duplicate city. Ya got all that? I think Bob Haney might be a secret genius... this is all way over my head.
While all of this is going on, we pop in to visit with mob-boss Rocco Krugge... who is laying in bed, dying. His son, Rocco, Jr. (hey, another Junior!) stands by... he's got a fella named Marek in his ear who tells him he needs to take charge of the organization. We get the impression that Rocco, Jr. would rather the Krugges just have normal lives.
A few days later the younger Bruce and Clark ride their motorbike into Sparta City, and they're pleased as punch that their Super Dads are finally allowing them to ply their trade. On the way in, they're hit in another Superman-enabled road-ribbon... which, we might assume sends them to the second Sparta City. Still with me?
Okay, so the teen-agers enter Sparta City... and boy oh boy, no sooner do they arrive, than they witness a high-speed gunfight. The boys suit up... while still on the motorcycle and spring into action.
They catch the creeps, tying them up and leaving them with a signed note... kinda like Spider-Man would do. We rejoin Rocco... who, hmm... it would appear has made a miraculous recovery! He orders Marek and Rocco, Jr. to take care of the Super Sons. Meanwhile, young Bruce and Clark have a pillow-fight.
Later on, we rejoin the boys as they ride their motorcycle. Suddenly, it starts making some strange noises... and so, Superman, Jr. throws Batman, Jr. into a nearby trash can... after which, the motorbike blows up! Looks like somebody booby-trapped their ride. All I can think is... wow, Batman, Jr. is a really bad detective!
It's here that we learn that Superman, Jr. can't be killed by an explosion... buuuut, he doesn't exactly shrug it off like his pop does either. It still stuns him for a bit... which takes us to our next scene. The Super Sons receive a call from Krugge, Jr. asking to meet under (not the) Golden Gate bridge... we'll call it the, uh... Silver Fence Bridge. Turns out, wouldn'cha know it... it was a trap!
Rocco, Jr. holds young Bats up at gunpoint... and before Superman II can swoop in for the rescue, he gets caught in an explosion. Whoops! They're really not good at this. Anyhoo, Rocco, Sr. arrives... they take Superman, Jr. to a construction site for a dam... and throw his bombarded bod into it... then bury him in cement. Wow, that's some old school thuggery!
Afterward, Rocco leaves blowing the Batboy's brains out to his son. It's kind of a test to see if he's "hard" enough to help control the family. Back in Metropolis and Gotham, the Super Dads wonder what their boys might be up to.
Finally, Superman decides to head to the duplicate Sparta City to check... and what he finds is, two dead Super Sons. Whoops! The boys are dead... and it's all his fault! I wonder how his unnamed wife might take the news. At least they don't have to worry about funeral costs... the kindly old (and healthy in this duplicate Burg) mob boss Krugge insists on paying for that.
That night, Mr. Krugge is visited by... g-g-g-ghosts of the Super Sons?! He's so freaked out that he drives to the graveyard to make sure they're actually dead. Turns out... the whole thing was a ruse, they just took pills to put them into suspended animation. It's funny the things we just "accept", right? This story is so far-out, that "suspended animation pills" come across as both quaint and believable.
Then the rest of the beans are spilled... Batman, Jr. called the dam engineers to free his Super Pal... on account of Rocco, Jr. deciding not to shoot him! Heyyy, Rocco, Jr.'s been a good guy all along! Then, Superman, Jr. kicks a box full of evidence over like a Rockette.
Knowing he's toast, Rocco, Sr. attempts to flee... but trips over his dead wife's headstone... which sets off his gun, killing him. Whoops. Rocco, Jr.'s all "ehh, no biggie".
The story ends with the Super Sons meeting up with their Super Dads... only, the fathers are in costume... and the boys are in their civvies. Let's hope nobody's around to watch this conversation, right? Anyhoo... they learn about the duplicate Sparta City dealie. We also learn that the night before Rocco, Sr. (the real one... in the real Sparta City) was found dead in the graveyard by his dead wife's headstone. Batman's all "How 'bout that?" and the teen-agers gleefully speed off on their... rebuilt (?) motorbike.
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Woof.
Okay, I'm of two minds here... first, the story is... hmm. It's become almost a cliche online to "have fun with" Bob Haney. His stories are almost always completely wacky... and his dialogue is often insane. This issue is no different, and I think I can safely say, this version of the Super Sons isn't for everyone. You need to be able to let the "wack" wash over you completely. If you can't dig silly stories that don't take themselves seriously... you're probably not going to like this.
On the other hand... regardless of the craziness, I still had a ton of fun both reading and writing about this story. At the end of the day, that's really all that should matter, right?
Now, that's not to say I didn't have a few problems with it. I mean, let's jump right into the "duplicate" Sparta City. I mean, what the heck was that all about? Like I said during the synopsis, I'd have had an easier time believing Superman could build an identical city brick by brick, and fill it with androids than what we get here. Haney goes all out trying to use "the science" to explain it... and, in a universe full of superheroes, I suppose it's not too far-fetched.
The Super Dads act like jerks here throughout. We open with Clark, Jr. working with addicts and the unemployed... and somehow that's not good enough for Clark, Sr.? I mean, isn't that like a best-case scenario for the son of Superman? Helping those in need... probably working for peanuts? So strange that Clark, Sr. would start lecturing him for that.
Jumping to the midpoint... Superman just saw what he believed to be his son's corpse... and all he's worried about is how he's going to tell the boy's unnamed/unfaced mother? I mean, dude... that's your son... in a frickin' casket! Ay yai yai.
I said it a few times during the synopsis... the Super Sons are pretty bad at superheroing. Batman, Jr. is a horrible detective... not knowing that he'd been bugged... or realizing that their motorbike had been tampered with. While on one hand that all stands out as proof positive that the Super Dads were right in not wanting them to don the duds... it's also kinda refreshing. If this were put out today, the Sons would prove to be far better than their dads... and probably spend half of each page being validated or self-validating. If you've read any Marvel comic (or Rebirth era Teen Titans) over the past couple of years, (a) I'm sorry, and (b) you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Let's stick with the motorbike being tampered with for a moment. If Krugge's gang was able to mess with their ride... then they most assuredly knew where they were hiding out. That said, they probably also know their secret identities... right? That's likely definitely me thinking far too hard... but, whattayagonnado?
Overall... despite my reservations, I still had a blast with this silly story, and think that any fans of the Silver Age... or silliness will also have a good time. Surprisingly, this is not yet available digitally... at least not as a single-issue. The Saga of the Super Sons trade collection, however, is! If you're like me and digital ain't your thing, print copies are also available.
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