Chris is on Infinite Earths

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

NML Crossing, Episode 023 - Robin #54 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-Three

Robin (vol.2) #54 (June, 1998)
“Repercussions”
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Pencils - Staz Johnson
Inks - Stan Woch
Colors - Adrienne Roy
Letters - Tim Harkins
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

Checking in with the Boy Wonder for a nice, quiet post-crossover issue, the likes of which we just don't get anymore! Get nostalgic for the days before books were relaunched after every event, and we actually got to "take a breath" with our favorite heroes as they adjust to the next phase in their adventures.

NML Crossing on Youtube

Monday, January 29, 2024

NML Crossing, Episode 022 - Batman: Shadow of the Bat #76 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-Two

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #76 (June, 1998)
“Aftershock: The Gauntlet”
Writer - Alan Grant
Pencils - Mark Buckingham
Inks - Wayne Faucher
Colors - Pam Rambo & Android Images
Letters - Bill Oakley
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

Keeping up with the Aftershock theme thus far, this issue is another search-and-rescue... with a slight (and sobering) tweak on the formula. What happens when a group of trapped partygoers run out of food?

Plus: A look at the first slew of Cataclysm ratings in Wizard Magazine, and a trip into Flashback Land for a peek Bat-adjacent USENET chatter circa early 1998!

All that plus a dip into the NMaiLbag!

NML Crossing on Youtube

Sunday, January 28, 2024

NML Crossing, Episode 021 - Detective Comics #722 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty-One

Detective Comics #722 (June, 1998)
“Statistics”
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Pencils - Jim Aparo
Inks - James Hodgkins
Colors - Gloria Vasquez & Android Images
Letters - John Costanza
Edits - Peterson & Vincenzo
Cover Price: $1.95

Another relatively quiet issue in the Aftershock Era, showing the softer side of the GCPD.

But, the real "meat" of today's episode is a deep-dive (perhaps TOO deep a dive) into the 1995 New York Magazine article that inspired the Cataclysm story to become a thing in the first place! It's an eye-opening and sobering account of what could happen should a Gotham-esque earthquake hit Manhattan!

NML Crossing on Youtube

New York Magazine Supplemental:

Thursday, January 25, 2024

NML Crossing, Episode 020 - Batman #555 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Twenty

Batman #555 (June, 1998)
“Trapped Like Rats”
Writer - Doug Moench
Pencils - John Beatty
Inks - Sal Buscema
Colors - Gregory Wright & Android Images
Letters - Todd Klein
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

The Aftershock Era rolls on with our titular hero doing a little search 'n rescue in the down below and running afoul of the Ratcatcher! Lots of fun and interesting chatter to be had today! Join us, won't you?

Plus: Even another extra-stuffed NMaiLbag!

NML Crossing on Youtube

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

NML Crossing, Episode 019 - Batman: Shadow of the Bat #75 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Nineteen

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #75 (June, 1998)
“Aftershock, 1: By Fire… or By Ice?"
"A Long Slow Death"
Script - Alan Grant
Pencils - Mark Buckingham & Norm Breyfogle
Inks - Wayne Faucher & Mark Buckingham
Colors - Pam Rambo & Android Images
Letters - Bill Oakley
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $2.95

Kicking off the Aftermath Era, with an extra-sized issue of SotB! We've got a pair of baddies to TAKE down... and a man who's lost it all to TALK down. Lotta interesting chatter to be had today!

Also: Chatting up the Alan Grant letters pages!

Plus: Yet another extra-stuffed NMaiLbag!

NML Crossing on Youtube

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

NML Crossing, Episode 018 - Robin #53 (1998)

NML Crossing, Episode Eighteen

Robin (vol.2) #53 (May, 1998)
“Cataclysm, Conclusion: Flattened
Writer - Chuck Dixon
Art - Staz Johnson & Stan Woch
Letters - Tim Harkins
Colors - Adrienne Roy
Edits - Gorfinkel & O’Neil
Cover Price: $1.95

It's taken us eighteen entire episodes, but we have finally arrived at the Cataclysmic conclusion! Today we're going to find out who the Quakemaster REALLY is... or was... and, in so doing, your humble host (who is denser than most) will have to eat a little bit of crow!

Also: Batman befriends a dog!

Plus: Another extra-stuffed NMaiLbag!

NML Crossing on Youtube