Action Comics #721 (May, 1996)
"The Fortune Plague"
Writer - David Michelinie
Penciller - Kieron Dwyer
Inker - Denis Rodier
Letterer - Bill Oakley
Colorist - Glenn Whitmore
Separations - Digital Chameleon
Assistant Editor - Mike McAvennie
Editor - K.C. Carlson
Cover Price: $1.95
For today's hop into the world of #Action100, we're going to discuss an era of Superman I don't talk about a whole heckuva lot... the few years following The Death and Return has long been one of my blind spots. I guess hopping in on the Man of Steel at the most urgent of times, lends to anything short feeling a bit... blah.
Add to that the "ehh" paper stock. This was the era of "deluxe" comics, an early attempt at goin' glossy... and man, it just doesn't do the art a whole lotta service. I'm scared to touch any of the pages for fear that I'm going to smear the inks and colors... it just looks so "piled on". I've said it before, but I was rather pleased when they rolled back to a better quality/less glossy stock while they worked on glossy that would actually work. Though, I think I'd still prefer newsprint... but, I'm kind of an idiot.
Another reason we haven't discussed many of these here is... my beloved Triangle Numbering. I mean, I love it... but, it doesn't really lend itself to reviewing just one comic... especially if your review-blog was focused on say... just one of the ongoing-Superman books at the moment.
Well, let's get to it...
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We open in Centennial Park where a man is trying to hold up a woman for her lottery tickets. He taunts her with a broken bottle... but is stopped by the arrival of Superman. The fella takes a run for it... and Superman just lets him go. He can tell that the would-be mugger wasn't a bad guy... just a desperate one. Well, that's certainly not a slippery slope, is it? Anyhoo. to show her appreciation, the lady peels off a lotto ticket for the Man of Steel... which he begrudgingly takes.
Back at the Planet, Clark gifts his ticket to a guy named Ted... and has an uncomfortable brush-up with Lois. This was during the time that the engagement was called off... which is one of those times I know about, but always seem to have a tough time placing. They part company before the winning lotto numbers can be read.
Wouldn'tcha know it... everybody wins!
Well, they all think they've won anyway... turns out everybody heard different winning numbers being read! Sounds like some fifth-dimensional stuff might be going on. As you may imagine, this leads to quite a bit of mayhem on the streets of Metropolis!
Back at the Planet, Perry sends Lois and Clark off to look into the madness. Lois whispers to Clark that she'll cover for him... so he can do the "super" work. This is an interesting little piece of the puzzle. I mean, Lois and Clark are broken up... but she still knows. Glad they included this bit.
On the streets... it's still riot-town. Even at the Ace of Clubs... where our man Bibbo has to deal out some swift and stern "Why I oughta's".
It's not just the lottery that's causing the world to be hinky... outside, a man is celebrating that he won a brand-new car at the church raffle... because everyone else bought lotto tickets. Well, I guess this is still tangentially lotto-related... anyhoo, his car gets smashed by a giant coin!
The coins continue to fall, almost crushing another fella... Superman winds up saving him... twice! Before imploring him (in four languages) to get his butt home.
We shift over to join Jimmy Olsen... who's looking less freckle-faced and more... I dunno, toadish? Anyway, he's wrapping up a date with his mom Dana, when suddenly he's rushed by a group of women all wanting nothing more than to jump his ginger bones.
After stopping yet another falling coin from derailing a train, we hop into a couple's brand-new apartment. The fella here's wearing a "Property of Alcatraz" sweatshirt... which is kinda silly. Anyway, he wishes that their new pad had a river view... which causes the building to sprout legs and start walking toward the river. Hmm...
Superman's still saving folks when he notices that the walking building is about to crush the Annual Sons of Ireland picnic at Centennial Park. He manages to bring all the "Sons" to safety just in the nick of time.
Elsewhere, Rob Troupe and Lucy Lane have a chance meeting on the street. Lucy mentions how lucky they were to run into each other, which causes Ron's spidey-sense to tingle (after all, the entire day's events have been predicated on "good luck turning bad")... he yells at her to stay put, just as a gas main explodes a few feet in front of her.
Superman wraps the walking building up in steel cables to halt its progress... leaving our happy couple with a pretty lousy view. We also learn that a little apartment in Metropolis goes for $2,000 a month! Yikes.
We wrap up with Clark returning to his apartment. He hears the shower running and his first thought is that Lois decided to come back. Well, no... it's not Lois, and it's not even Bobby Ewing... it's, well, the fella we all knew it was gonna be, Mr. Mxyzptlk (and boy is it disturbing)... might have to mark this entry "Not Safe for Work".
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This was a neat little throwaway... which is kinda how I look at most Mxy-centric stories. Overly silly, and without much real consequence... Mxy stories kinda tough to look at objectively. I mean, his whole schtick is a gimmick... soon as things start getting silly in a book, it's just gotta be Mxy.
That said... what can one say about a Mxy story? Not a whole lot, I'm afraid. It's suitably silly... and the antics look to be getting under Superman's skin. The use of a lottery to foment the riots was an interesting approach... and even drummed up a fair bit of tension. Of course, when giant pennies started raining, and buildings began doing the two-step, we kinda knew the deal. I admit, I became a bit deflated at that point.
It kinda reminded me of old Twilight Zone episodes... where they start off with so much potential and suspense (luck, good or bad is a neat subject to explore)... but end, pretty much exactly how you thought they would. As for the art... I already said it above, but this early glossy paper really doesn't do anybody any favors.
Overall... if you're a fan of Mxy and Mayhem, you're probably going to dig this. This issue is available digitally.
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Letters Page:
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Justice Society of America #1 (April, 1991)
"Vengeance from the Stars, Chapter 1: Beware the Savage Skies!"
Writer - Len Strazewski
Artist - Rick Burchett
Letterer - Janice Chang
Colorist - Tom Ziuko
Editors - Brian Augustyn & Mike Gold
Cover Price: $1.00
Taking a break from out #Action100 endeavor to take a look at some good ol' comics-comfort food.
It's hard to explain... but, I'll give it a shot. For whatever reason, reading the Justice Society reminds me of Christmas (not that I have to look all that hard for things to remind me of Christmas... by the way, there's only 290 days until Christmas as I write this). Maybe it's nostalgia... maybe it's the feeling of family. Not sure what it is... but, well... it is.
Anyhoo... today, we're going to read the (first ever) Justice Society of America #1... from 1991? I know... it surprised me too. Heck, I've researched it a bunch, and I'm still not completely convinced that this is the first #1!
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We open in 1950 during a the Mount Pride Observatory for a press conference where Ted Knight is about to speak.. The proceedings are interrupted by a wacko with an "End is Near!" sign. Being the affable fella he is, Ted allows him to speak. He warns about the "Savage Skies" and offers Ted an aged star-map for his perusal before running off.
Later, we rejoin Ted at the Observatory's telescope. He's handing it over for use in a project the following day, and figures he might as well take his last few looks through it. He decides to use the old coot's star-map as a guide... and boy, does he get an eyeful!
We jump ahead one week... and arrive back at the Observatory alongside the Flash, Jay Garrick. Ted tips him off about some of what's gone on... and asks him to check out the Boulder Dam. He fears that whatever it was he saw among the stars is "eating" their power supply. Jay can dig it, and asks if Ted would like to come along... to which, Ted reveals that he is now confined to a wheelchair!
As Jay runs off, Ted meekly apologizes under his breath. Ya see, he just sent his buddy into a trap. Ted is now, unwillingly, under the control of... somebody.
Moments later, Jay arrives at the Boulder Dam and looks for the person in charge. When he begins to explain the danger, everyone's first thoughts turn to the Russians. As he continues, the workers notice a huge surge of juice in the lines... which ultimately manifests itself into the Greek (I think it's Greek) God, Orion (I think it's Orion)!
Jay hops to, and begins running circles around the giant star-beast, but doesn't manage to slow it down. He then, along with the assistance of the Boulder Dam crew, proceeds to spin a web of power lines between two towers in hopes that this might hinder the beastie.
And... it does! For now, anyway.
Back at the Observatory, Ted celebrates Jay's victory... much to the aggravation of his keepers. They tell him to shut his yap... and we learn that one of the fellas working for the main-baddie is... Solomon Grundy!
The main-baddie sends Knight and Grundy off on "assignment" and flips the television from the news to I Love Lucy (or, Love that Suzy). He then just destroys the set. I feel ya, fella... some episodes of that show are tough to get through!
Back at Boulder, Orion (if that is his real name) has transformed into a giant electrical dog! It proceeds to gnaw its way out of the power-line webbing and takes to re-energizing itself... even, in a pretty funny bit, "eating" on of the Boulder Dam crew!
As Jay tries to maintain order, he is struck on the back with a girder. Looks like this dog might be good at playing fetch... or at least bludgeoning folks with whatever its got in its mouth!
The dog's rampage looks to have been enough to knock out all of the power from here... to Gotham. Lights out, America!
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Fun little adventure here! Not bad at all.
It's funny when I look at the brief early 90's Justice Society runs... among my first thoughts is "Wow, I was sooooo bored by this when I was a kid". I mean, I've told the story on the podcast, but I actually bought Justice Society of America #1 (the 1992 "ongoing" series) off the racks as an "investment". What can I say, 12-year old Chris was an idiot. Or, maybe a "bigger idiot", I dunno.
When I tried actually reading it... it was really nothing I could glom onto. Jay and Alan weren't my Flash and Green Lantern... and I just couldn't get invested. Thought the costumes were goofy... thought the art was too cartoony... just wasn't my bag.
Fast-forward almost a decade later... and I couldn't get enough!
I feel like the main "problem" with these early Justice Society of America series' was that they were hitting the shelves at the same time as Marvel's new adjective-less (Spider-Man, X-Men) books... and Image's... well, everything. I wish I had given these books and these characters more of a chance when I was younger... because there is a lot to like here.
The other problem is... if you don't know these characters already, you're not really going to after reading this issue. I mean, there's a bit of exposition... Ted Knight (briefly) uses the Star Rod. If you were around in the pre-Crisis days, that might mean something... but, if you're 11/12-year old Chris, that doesn't really move the interest-needle.
I feel like I'm just repeating myself at this point. And, I probably am.
Overall... I can wholeheartedly recommend checking this out. It's plenty fun, and very well drawn. If you happen to be reading this in 1991... and currently are a pre/early-teen, you may not get as much out of it. This issue is available digitally... but doesn't appear to have been collected.
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(Not the) Letters Page:
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Action Comics #817 (September, 2004)
"Weapons of Revelation"
Writer - Chuck Austen
Penciller - Ivan Reis
Inker - Marc Campos
Colors - Guy Major
Letters - Comicraft
Associate Editor - Tom Palmer, Jr.
Editor - Eddie Berganza
Cover Price: $2.50
Gonna keep our Road to #Action100 within the Austen City Limits today... I mean, we kinda didn't have a choice, right? Superman... died last issue! We gotta be there for the funeral...
Apropos of, not a whole lot... as of today, we are one month (just learned that March has 31 days, I could never decode that "Thirty days has..." song) away from our 800th Daily Discussion. So barring my being struck by lightning or a bus... I gotta try and find a book worthy of chatting up pretty quick!
On the off-chance that I do get blown off the planet by a bolt of lightning... I guess you'll see me on some paranormal YouTuber's list of "weird internet things"... because, it's like I knew it all along.
Er... speaking of YouTube, the Cosmic Treadmill now has one. So, uh... yeah... give it a look if you like to listen to podcasts while working in another tab.
Anyhoo... let's get on with it!
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We open with Lana Lang on the phone with Ma Kent as reports of Superman's demise... or, at least his defeat... play on the television. Jerk-ass Jack Ryder seems especially pleased... because this gives him a really big story to report on. He says once he gets the skinny, he'll wave a certain colored flag in order to alert the masses. Inside S.T.A.R. Labs, the med-techs and med-types are hard at work trying to resuscitate the Man of Steel. Time after time... the shock paddles spring to life... unfortunately, Superman does not. Oh, and as promised by the cover... Wonder Woman is there.
Finally, Superman comes around... and claims that the shock paddles really hurt him. I've never been, but I could imagine. He asks Superboy about the fallout from the Gog attack... and is informed that the fella just skipped out.
Then we meet... this guy. The appropriately-named, Dr. Mohlman... this guy is the best at being the worst. He informs the gang that Superman will be just fine... well, maybe... possibly... eh, he might just make it after all. Really loving this guy! He tells Superman that he was in fact injected with a liquid form of Kryptonite... but not to worry, they were able to draw every last drop from his wound... well, most of... er, a lot of... uh, quite a bit of it. This dude is fantastic!
As Superman struggles to his feet, Mohlman continues... he says that the base nucleotides of the liquid-K allowed them the ability to get a good look inside Superman... and for the first time, get a peek at his innards, and perform some bloodwork. Mohlman was disappointed at just how un-alien he was from the inside... though, Superman's appendix does appear to be a fully-formed organ... so there's that! Feel like we just added something to the Superman mythos.
Anyhoo... Mohlman can't give a straight answer as to Superman's mortality going forward. Which... I mean, we really can't blame him. He only has the newly-procured information about his vitals... and doesn't have a baseline to compare 'em against. He advises Superman to maybe take it easy... and spend the next few days with those he holds most dear... or, ya know... his online pals.
Outside... news of Superman's demise has spread, leading to quite the assortment of nogoodniks assembling to raise a bit of hell. We've got some deeeeep cuts here, I mean the Masters of Disaster and the Demolition Team?!
Jerk-ass Jack Ryder peers into the S.T.A.R. Labs window and notices that Superman is heavily-bandaged around his midsection... and so, he reports that Superman is injured... and goes off to seek out his green flag. Drawing attention to this potentially vulnerable Superman really helps to foment the present riot.
Superman goes to leave, but Wonder Woman stops him... as he's in no condition to fight. Unfortunately that doesn't much matter at this point, because the baddies have decided to take the fight to him!
Wonder Woman stops the roof from caving in... giving Mohlman a good look at her "gluteal development". Outside, Ryder and his cameraman Guzman attempt to get the best footage of the riot as possible. Guzman tries to keep a safe distance, preferring to use his camera's zoom function rather than... ya know, dying. Ryder insists he come closer to the action for some better shots... annnd... well, poor dude doesn't get the shot... he just gets shot.
We join Superman as he's in battle with the Weapons Master. They fight through to the outside of S.T.A.R. Labs, at which time the baddie takes a shot at Superman's chest... at point blank range (if I'm using the term right... maybe not). Superman's just as shocked as we are that the bullet... penetrates his skin! The next issue blurb promises that Superman... is gonna die... again... again.
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I thought the prevailing opinion was that the Chuck Austen run became progressively worse as it went on? We're only about halfway through at this point, but I'm feeling the exact opposite way. I know I mentioned that I "left" Superman around this time... but, in reading these past few issues... I don't think it was because I was "mad at" the story quality. I mean, there's a bit of cringe in here... but nothing worth abandoning the book/line over.
Speaking of "prevailing opinion"... I kinda hate that it's a "thing". I mean, I'm trying to objectively look at these books... but feel like they almost need to be graded on a different "curve" because... Chuck Austen. I feel like if any other writer would have written this same story, nobody would have batted an eye. Because... it's not a bad story! I dunno, maybe I'm just thinking too hard... wouldn't be the first time.
My earlier complaints about Superman's "voice" being off... are still there, but less so. That could just be because he said far less... or, maybe I'm just coming around to it. Superman "sounded" far more heroic... and far less snarky this time around, and the overall issue was better off for it.
Wonder Woman's guest-appearance... was what it was. She didn't seem to do all that much besides stop the ceiling from caving in on top of Doctor Mohlman. Maybe she'll play a bigger role in the coming issues.
Now... speaking of Doctor Mohlman... where has this dude been all my life? This dude was pretty great. Like I said above... the best, at being the worst. I feel like this fella gave Austen a means to funnel all the snark that might've otherwise been coming out of Superman's mouth. I really enjoyed him... wouldn't have minded him becoming a regular side-character (in short doses).
Jack Ryder continues to up the jerk-factor... and his pursuit of a scoop wound up costing the life of his cameraman. Hopefully this will either trigger him to being less of an ass... or, into more of a creep(er).
Overall... not a bad issue at all. Lots of neat cameos, the art is still wonderful... and Superman sounded less like a teenage boy here. Also, it's got one heckuva cover.
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Add to that the "ehh" paper stock. This was the era of "deluxe" comics, an early attempt at goin' glossy... and man, it just doesn't do the art a whole lotta service. I'm scared to touch any of the pages for fear that I'm going to smear the inks and colors... it just looks so "piled on". I've said it before, but I was rather pleased when they rolled back to a better quality/less glossy stock while they worked on glossy that would actually work. Though, I think I'd still prefer newsprint... but, I'm kind of an idiot.
