Flash (vol.2) #123 (1997)

Flash (vol.2) #123 (March, 1997)
"The Flash of Two Cities"
Writers - Mark Waid & Brian Augustyn
Penciller - Paul Ryan
Inker - John Nyberg
Letterer - Gaspar
Colorist - Tom McCraw
Assistant Editor - Jason Hernandez-Rosenblatt
Editor - Paul Kupperberg
Cover Price: $1.75

You ever get a really bad cut on your finger?  Like one that required you to wear a Band-Aid, lest you bleed all over everything you touch?  Well, that's what I've got going on... and lemme tell ya, it sucks!

I usually hit the backspace key around... eight or nine-thousand times per blog piece... today, however... I think I'm going for some sort of record.  My fingers just can't seem to find the right keys!

Anyhoo, since we've got no "sick days" allowed here on the humble blog... I guess we're going to have to press on through... and talk about The Flash!  Man, wouldja lookit that cover?  A Mike Wieringo take on Flash of Two Worlds?!  What's not to love there?  

Is there any possible way the story can live up to that cover?  Well, let's find out...

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We open with the Flash "putting out fires" in both Keystone City... and Santa Marta, California?!  Well, let's step back for a moment... turns out the mayor of Keystone City finds Wally to be something of an unwelcome presence... and feels like he attracts more bad than good to their fair city.  And so, Flash got the boot!  The city of Santa Marta accepted Wally with open arms... and so, he'll operate as the Flash out of the left-coast... while still living as Wally in Keystone.  Ya follow?

After taking care of a crisis at the airport, Wally decides to take a look at his new daytime digs... and comes to find that in California, they treat their hero-types... ya know, really well.

He meets his personal liaison, Monica... who shows him around his palatial abode.  Seems like she might be interested in more than just a professional relationship with our man.

Which takes us to... Wally's current squeeze, Linda Park, who is about to have dinner with her friend Fran Becker at a hoi-poloi French restaurant.  They chat about Wally's current status as a man without a city... and start trash-talking the Mayor.  You'll never guess who happens to walk by... Heyyy, it's the Mayor.  And he's not exactly pleased to learn that Wally's still spending his nights in Keystone.

He passive-aggressively wonders aloud if Wally remaining as a part-time Keystoner will make the city any safer... before heading to his table.  Linda turns to Fran all "Can you believe that guy?", to which, Fran's all "Um, maybe he's got a point."  That's probably because, well... he sorta does.

Back in California, Wally is taking in the sights... of himself!  Since his move, Santa Marta has wired the entire city so folks can watch the Flash in action.  Sounds like a pretty bad idea to me, but Wally is too star-struck (with himself) to notice that this is kinda weird.  He suddenly finds himself surrounded by... groupies?!

And then, a Tyrannosaurus Rex shows up!

Wally tries to fight the beastie off... only to learn that the bugger's intangible.  On a nearby bridge, Santa Marta people (Santa Martians?) convene to watch the action... unfortunately, their combined weight overloads the bridge causing it to crumble.  Wally grabs an umbrella from a pretzel stand and rushes them off just in the nick of time.

Thinking fast, Wally grabs a live wire and jabs it into the dinosaur's "gut", causing it to short out and vanish.  Turns out the entire thing was a trick illusion, and the only damage that actually occurred was the bridge collapsing from all the weight.  Look out, Santa Martians... your sugary beverages are about to be taxed to kingdom come (Really reaching for that Waid pun!).

We next shift to... uh, the Moon (not really) where a Mister Frost is revealed to be responsible for the trick illooosion.  Seems this fellas really into special effects... and is fielding offers from both LexCorp and WayneCorp (thought that was WayneTech?)... but sadly, none from Steven Spielberg.  This dude's... well, kinda boring.

After a contentious pop-in with Linda and Mr. Stanton of WKEY-TV, we wrap up at the Gambi Tailor shop... where a group of roguish nogoodniks kick in a door and approach... a sewing machine?

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Well... I think I can safely say this story didn't quite measure up to its cover, but I had a fun enough time with it nonetheless.

A few things... this Mister Frost character.  You ever read a page... then immediately forget what it said... so you read it again... and the same thing happens?  That's how my reading of Mister Frost's introduction went.  Just such a boring character... perhaps (hopefully) purposefully so, to show us just how cool Wally's actual Rogues Gallery is?  Dunno... after about a half-dozen rereads of this dude's intro pages, I still wouldn't recognize him if he delivered a pizza to my front door.

Secondly, drawing attention to the fact that a public-superhero living in your city might be dangerous.  I mean, I get it... and agree... who'd want to live on the same block as Wally West?  But, by addressing that in story, I dunno... just seems like one of those "genies" thatcha can never quite put back "in the bottle".

I get that we always walk the line between fantasy and reality in comics... fantastic situations commingled with the mundane everyday... but, putting such focus on Wally being a "dangerous neighbor"?  I think that's something that we fans should see (and discuss) but the people in the books maybe shouldn't?

I was recently reading/reviewing the Young Animal Mother Panic/Batman "Milk Wars" special.  In it, Violet (Mother Panic) makes a snarky remark about Batman putting children in harm's way is sort of his modus operandi.  That bugged me... not because it isn't true... but, it's just that once the "actual" people of Gotham City take notice of such a thing, the very idea that they'd allow Batman to operate the way he does begins to fray.

Just feels like we're taking "fanboy talking points" and making them actual story beats.  Not a fan of such a thing... it draws me out of the story, plus I'm not the kinda guy who needs my ribs repeatedly elbowed with just how silly comics are.

Other than that... the story here was decent.  The art was also quite nice... though, when you've got an awesome Ringo cover, you've kinda gotta bring your "A" game.

Is this an issue I'd recommend tracking down?  Well yeah... but this could've been 22 blank pages between the covers and I'd say that.  I love the homage to the first Flash #123... and this was a time before we were bombarded with classic cover homages (and variants... oh lord the variants), so this is definitely a novelty.  The story... might not rock your socks, but it's perfectly readable and enjoyable.  This issue is available digitally... though, for if you dig the cover like I do, you'll probably want the physical version.

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Green Lantern (vol.3) #119 (1999)

Green Lantern (vol.3) #119 (December, 1999)
"Spectre of the Past"
Writer - Ron Marz
Penciller - Darryl Banks
Inker - Cam Smith
Letterer - Chris Eliopoulos
Colorist/Separations - Rob Schwager
Assistant Editors - Harvey Richards & L.A. Williams
Editors - Kevin Dooley, Bob Schreck & Mike Carlin
Cover Price: $1.99

Well golly, but that's a lot of editors for a single book!  What is this, Marvel?  Well, no... because even with that many editors Marvel couldn't ship a book without spelling and continuity errors.

This is a somewhat special installment, as it's the second Green Lantern #119 we're covering here!  That's your random Chris is on Infinite Earths trivia for the day.  Speaking of the site, I haven't really said much about it... but on the right side of the page, you'll see a button called "The Fall and Rise of Hal Jordan"... it looks something like this:

If you click on it, you can read all of our Hal-centric discussions from Emerald Twilight through Green Lantern: Rebirth.  It's the shakiest decade of Hal Jordan's life, and for the first time (on this site) you can read them all in chronological order!  If'n you're interested, give it a click!

Enough plugging!  Today... we're revisiting the fallout of Day of Judgment, a story we covered in long-form not all that long ago.  Kyle acted a cad (I guess?), and Hal got himself some new duds.

Annnnnd, go!

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We open with Kyle arriving back to his apartment... and to a very angry Jennie Lynn Hayden.  Turns out Kyle and his old flame Donna Troy locked lips during the Day of Judgment event.  Since I don't recall that happening, I'm going to assume it went down in one of the tie-ins.  Anyhoo, Jennie asks Kyle if there's anything between he and Donna... and when he hesitates, she decides it's time for her to go.

We shift ahead... ya know, I write "shift" a lot on this blog... and every so often I wonder how many times I might've misspelled it.  Like, left the "f" out.  Anyhoo, we join Kyle at Radu's (what I wouldn't give for a "Radu's" mug!).  It's here that he (and we) learn that Radu was, at one time, a married fella.  This might be important later...

Kyle starts ramblin' on about his girl troubles, when he hears the familiar voice of someone who's "been there, maaaaaaan", Hal Jordan!

Hal takes Kyle for a little walk "in between places"... showing him just a bit of what he's now capable of.

They are then teleported to Ferris Aircraft, where we learn that Tom and Carol are having a pretty rough time "keeping the lights on".  Everything's riding on their latest prototype... and if it's a flop, it just might be curtains for them.  Carol asks Tom to leave... and then suddenly finds Hal Jordan going through her mind.

Hal-as-Spectre presents himself before reaching into Carol's head... and retrieving the Star Sapphire gem.  She is (understandably) shocked... first to see Hal, second to see that the Star Sapphire was still a part of her.

Hal encourages her to stop blaming herself for everything she had done under the influence of the Star Sapphire... and, well... she does!  Hal hands her back the Gem... and, armed with her... uhh disbelief, she makes it vanish.

Suddenly, everything's hunky dory in Ferris world.  She instantly forgets everything about this odd "visit", and finds herself with a new positive attitude.

Hal is happy that he was able to do one last "good deed" before losing himself completely to the Spectre.  He takes Kyle home and they share a moment that Kyle won't even remember.

We wrap up with something completely different.  Radu is locking up for the evening... and is being watched by a sniper (with the most generic of guns).

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Ehhh.

Had higher hopes than usual for this one... but really feel as though it under delivered.  I mean, just looking at that cover... it feels like something big is gonna go down.  I was really hoping for a bit more Hal/Kyle bonding... but for the most part, Kyle just hangs out in the background.

I get that this is a Hal story... but I can't help but wonder why it wasn't included in the Day of Judgment Secret Files & Origins rather than eating up an issue of Kyle's ongoing?

I guess I appreciate it for tying up some loose ends between Hal and Kyle... and it was neat seeing the Star Sapphire get a mention/cameo... but, really... I feel like this could have been more effective as a 6-8 page story in the SF&O... or at least less of a distraction to this series.

I've said it before... and I'll say it again, Ron Marz never fails to treat Hal with respect.  I'd say "I'll never understand..." why those H.E.A.T. goons got so upset, but being a lifelong comic fan... yeah, I get it.  But the idea that Marz somehow hated Hal... that's just wrongheaded.  I've never seen a Marz-penned story that treated Hal unfairly.  I suppose Emerald Twilight could be argued... but I've already said my piece on that.

The art here feels a bit... I dunno, muddy?  I see we have a new inker... but, I never associate such muddiness with Cam Smith.  Maybe it was a rush job... maybe it was the colorist.  Either way, Banks' work did not come across with its usual level of polish here.

Overall... not an issue I'd suggest breaking your back to track down.  If you come across it (or if like me, you're a completionist)... yeah, grab it... it's not a bad story... just an underwhelming one given the circumstances.  This issue is available digitally.

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A HEAT.net ad in a Green Lantern book?!

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Action Comics #891 (2010)

Action Comics #891 (September, 2010)
"The Black Ring, Part Two"
Writer - Paul Cornell
Pencillers - Pete Woods & CAFU
Inkers - Pete Woods & Bit
Colorist - Rob Leigh
Assistant Editor - Wil Moss
Editor - Matt Idelson
Cover Price: $3.99

Had such a good time with Lex Luthor's Action Comics yesterday, I decided to keep the ball rolling today.  When last we left him, he was facing of with... of all peo... er, things, Mister Mind!

Worth mentioning, we're nearing the fourth quarter of our #Action100 endeavor.  I've still got a few requested reviews on the docket, including a couple of the "hundredth" issues.  I'm saving those for a little closer to the end though.  That said, I'm still taking requests... so, if you've got an issue of Action you wouldn't mind seeing me spoil... and it's one I've got in the library, just lemme know... here, Twitter, Facebook... wherever!

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We open in... prehistoric times?  Sure, let's roll with it.  Lex Luthor is leading a loin-clothed band of cavefolk toward a temple bathed in light.  There's a bit about class and privilege before Lex runs in and steals a bowl of fire... and tears down the temple for good measure.

Everything starts to make sense when we shift scenes to Mister Mind... a far cuter-looking Mister Mind than the one we met last issue.  He reveals that he has taken over Luthor's consciousness... and he did so on behalf of, well... we don't know who yet.

Back to Luthor's head, where the fantasy has jumped ahead several centuries... and he is depicted like Dr. Frankenstein.  His Lois-bot gets the Bride of Frankenstein makeover for good measure.  On the table lays a man covered in a sheet.  Before revealing who it is, Lex pauses... feeling as though something's not quite right here.  Lois encourages him to remove the sheet... and wouldn'tcha know it, the "monster" is... him!

Lois asks if he'd have pulled the sheet if not for her prodding... and he realizes he wouldn't have.  Lex is a man who works best when he has others to do his bidding (sort of like that hitman we met last issue).  This troubles Mister Mind, because it's going against the fantasy he'd placed Luthor in.  He realizes he's going to have to get involved.

Back in Luthor's head... townspeople crash through his window, pitchforks and torches in hand... before they can do any damage, however... Lex shifts into his next fantasy.  In it, he is a Sheriff in an old Western town.  His Deputy rushes the saloon to inform him that "Big Blue" is back.

"Big Blue" is... well, you know.  He and Lex face off in the street in front of the saloon.  Again, Lex is getting hip to the fact that this ain't all kosher.  He decides to take control of the situation by... not shooting "Big Blue", but blowing the brains out of his Deputy!

Now this really vexes Mister Mind... who is not only losing control of the situation, but his own consciousness.  His "benefactor", whoever that is, watches as Mind is pulled into the simulacrum.

Sheriff Luthor reenters the saloon, and finds Lois has been taken captive by... Mister Mind in an adorable black hat.  He and Lex exchange some banter, and we (well, I) learn that this Mister Mind is the offspring of the original.  Lemme pull out by best Johnny Carson... ahem, I did not know that.  At this point Lex is all but sure that they are, in reality, still atop that building in Metropolis.

Mister Mind reacts to this deduction by growing to kaiju-size!

Ambushed... by a Bug?!

Lex pulls the whole "Stand back..." bit, tearing open his shirt... revealing... well, his hairless chest.

He takes the fight to the giant Mister Mind... and realizes all he really needs to do to win this one, is to regain control of his actual motor reflexes.  He does, and boots the poor caterpillar off the Metropolitan roof.

The simulacrum ends with a bang... and when the dust settles, Luthor and his kidnappers spring back to their senses.  They apologize to Lex, claiming to have been under Mister Mind's control when they acted.  Lex agrees to let them off the hook, so long as they tell him everything they know.

Later, Lex and Lois discuss the day's events.  Lex worries that Lois isn't sure she's actually a robot... but she assures him that she fully understands.  He then tells her that their journey has just begun.  Since Mister Mind was so set on isolating Lex, he now knows his best bet is to assemble a team to seek out the Black Lantern ring.

We wrap up with Lex putting in a call to a potential third member...

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More fun than it had any right to be!

When I first heard that Lex Luthor was taking over Action Comics, I had braced myself for some... well, to be blunt, really boring "boardroom" stories.  I feel like a lot of writers in comics today are tickled by scenes of "mundane intrigue" (probably because they're trying to use comics as a springboard into movies and television)... and I was glad to see this was most certainly not the case.

Back when I used to talk about Marvel... when I thought Marvel was almost worth talking about, I used to complain about how books like the Avengers and X-Men no longer felt like "fun" superhero comics.  So often half the pages were taken up by members of S.H.I.E.L.D. sitting in a darkened monitor-filled room "sassing" at each other.  Apropos of nothing, when it got to the point where Captain Freaking America had to get permission from Maria Freaking Hill in order to do... well, anything... I knew it was time for me to split.

Back to this story... I mean, this is the perfect way to show Lex in different situations.  It's great seeing him so out of "control" at the start, and slowly regain himself as we move forward.  I really can't overstate how much fun this was.  I've always been intrigued by the idea of lucid dreaming... and taking control over your dreams.  My wife claims she's able to do it from time to time... Just between us, I'm not quite sure I believe her.  Figure if anyone can do it though... it'd be Lex Luthor.

Mister Mind made a really fun foil as well.  I'm glad he wasn't the dripping, oozing mess he was last issue... and was back to a more cartoony-cute look.  Shame he went splat though!  I'm glad he wasn't the "big bad" though... seems like we've got quite a reveal in the making (one that I've actually forgotten the outcome of... so, yay for that!).

Art here was, as expected, top-notch.  The addition of CAFU (or Cafu... not sure if that's all-caps) was great and absolutely seamless.  Really just another beautiful chapter.

Overall... if you haven't read this run, I'd recommend you do so.  I'll admit, I was a bit on-the-fence about it at first, but so far it's over-delivered on an engaging, entertaining, and excellent (EEE) story.  As with yesterdays book, this has been collected in trade... and is available digitally.

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