Eleven Angry People! Batman: Gotham Adventures 35 Review

Henry Fonda was a classic, legendary actor of The Golden-Age of Hollywood. One of his memorable roles was part of an all-star cast of Twelve Angry Men. Fonda is "Juror 8". None of the jurors are given names, just juror numbers. The cast is made up of character actor John Fiedler, best remembered from Star Trek, The Bob Newhart Show and as the voice of Piglet from Winnie the Pooh. Jack Klugman is "Juror 5". Martin Balsam, E. G. Marshall, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, Ed Begley, Sr. and Robert Webb are all part of the jury. The film is a "bottle" story. Everything happens in the jury room. The story is about a young man on trial for murdering his father with a switchblade knife. Fonda's character makes passionate pleas to exam the case from every angle before rendering a verdict. It's an incredibly gripping drama due to every juror bringing their own personal bias and prejudices into their vote.

Scott Peterson channels that with "Stepping Forward". The spin is that Bruce Wayne is assigned jury duty to a case where he caught the suspect as The Batman. The other jurors believe the defendant is innocent. Bruce tries to persuade the jury members to examine the case from every angle. He also introduces the "shadow of doubt", by pointing out the defendant lied. 

The drama is mixed with some light-hearted moments. Bruce Wayne confessing under oath that he's Batman to get out of jury duty - and that not working. Discussing the case with Tim, while capturing more criminals. 

The final courtroom showdown is worthy of another courtroom drama, Perry Mason.

The ending is very similar to Twelve Angry Men. Bruce has a somewhat similar conversation on the courthouse steps as Fonda did with another jury member.

"Stepping Forward" is something completely different from the firm Peterson, Levins, Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins, Esq. Batman: Gotham Adventures 35 earns five stars.   

Not Built in a Day, Batman: Gotham Adventures 34 Review

A true mystery: construction workers in Gotham City are disappearing!

It turns out that Maxie Zeus is capturing them. He's "hiring" construction workers to rebuild Rome! The urgency is that a Hollywood film is being released and the tie-in is an amusement park based on Rome!

It all starts with Batman battling a roman centurion. Tim Levins' art is grand and spectacular. Scott Peterson's story bobs and weaves about, dropping clues here and there. Zeus is more of a comic figure than a mortal enemy. He's played for laughs. He's a gangster with god-like aspirations. "Small 'g', big 'o' - 'd'." He's pompous and arrogant like most of the members of Batman's infamous rogues gallery, yet he comes off more like Egghead or Louie the Lilac.

Dick and Barbara manage to figure out the plot and join Bruce and Tim for the grand finale.

It's a pretty light-hearted romp of a story. Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins are on back-up, inking, coloring and lettering. 

"When in Rome" Batman: Gotham Adventures 34 earns three stars.   

This is Your LIFE, Bruce Wayne! Batman: Gotham Adventures 33 Review

What difference can one Batman make? Ed Brubaker and Brad Rader's "World Without Batman" answers that very question. Batman is standing alone in Gotham Cemetery anguishing before his parents' grave. If ever there was an opportunity to uncover Batman's secret identity - this is it! Batman standing in front of the Wayne tombstone - there's a giveaway! Fortunately, The Phantom Stranger is the only witness. 

He presents for Bruce Wayne an opportunity to see a world unfold had Thomas and Martha Wayne lived. Bruce's life is better for it. He ends up marrying Selina and having two sons. Dick Grayson's and Tim Drake's lives do not turn out so well. Barbara Gordon becomes a policewoman. Harvey Dent is a total nervous wreck.

The story unfolds very much like "It's a Wonderful Life", in that Bruce Wayne becoming The Batman affected and influenced others around him. Bruce was there for both Dick Grayson and Tim Drake. He was there for Barbara. He was there as much as possible for Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent.

There's no getting around that Batman has made an impact. Bruce's sacrifice has meaning for the living more than for those that have passed.

Brubaker's story is compelling. Rader is backed by inker John Lowe, with Loughridge and Harkins on backup.

A rare guest-appearance by The Phantom Stranger really makes this story. 

Batman: Gotham Adventures 33 earns four stars. 

The Scarecrow Says "Boo!" Batman: Gotham Adventures 32 Review

The Scarecrow's re-designed look is just horrible. For an animated series that is supposedly aimed at kids and should be somewhat family friendly, The Scarecrow now is more horrific and scarier. There was nothing wrong with the original design. It was cartoony or cartoonish enough. Legend has it that the Batman characters were re-designed for a more cartoonish look. That may work for some characters. It really does not work for The Scarecrow. Since when did he become taller?

"The Remote Controller" finds Batman and Robin coming across a man having a heart attack. While trying to provide aid, they are overrun by panicked Gothamites. They avoid being crushed in the stampede and get the man to Gotham General before stopping by Commissioner Gordon's office to view The Scarecrow's video. Using a form of mass hypnosis, the former Professor Crane convinces everyone watching of panic! Chaos in the streets all because Crane dictated it!

The thing is to find Crane and undo the damage!

Scott Peterson and Tim Levins are back, with Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins on backup.

The Scarecrow has managed a wicked plot that Batman and company must unravel!

Batman: Gotham Adventures 32 earns three stars.

"Chaos Theory" Batman: Botham Adventures 31 Review

Ty Templeton and Terry Beatty capture the mad random chaos that is The Joker! "Madness and Chaos and All 'cause of Me!" finds The Clown Prince of Crime plunging Gotham into an electromagnetic blackout! He captures the engineers at Eastern House Research Laboratories (obviously a one-off of Westinghouse) and the electromagnetic pulse generator. Just as he is about to launch the pulse, he pauses, expecting Batman to swoop in and stop him. However, Batman is otherwise preoccupied.

The pulse is quite crippling considering the progress and advancements in modern technology. Telephones and automobiles are out along with everything else electrical. The purpose is to plunge the city into chaos. Rioting and looting. Bringing out the worst elements in the city.

As The Batman Family races to restore order, The Joker has trouble taking credit. In all the chaos, conspiracy theories abound. The Joker forgot to televise his announcement and claim before launching the blackout.

It's a pretty simple, silly, by-the-numbers Joker story, with just a bit of a spin. Beatty and Zylonol handle the art chores with Harkins on Lettering.

Batman: Gotham Adventures 31 earns three stars.  

"Whubba!" Batman: Gotham Adventures 30 Review

"Whubba." A hilarious *choking* stutter.

Commissioner Gordon summons Batman when a young boy goes missing from a military facility. The concern has to do with his condition. Following the trail, Batman comes upon the doctor that was on duty when the boy's parents removed him from the facility. When Batman catches him by surprise, he spills some of his coffee! And "Whubba."

The boys condition leads Batman to Arkham and Clayface. The former actor, Matt Hagen, might be able to teach the boy some mental self-control over his form. Hagen starts a riot leaving Arkham that Batman has to quell. Later, he tries to upgrade his deal. The boy makes a stand on right and wrong.

Under a Bob Smith-Terry Beatty cover, Scott Peterson and Tim Levins show a melancholy, sentimental story. Hagen as Clayface is a tragic figure. One can feel sorry for some vanity that drove Hagen to the condition he's in. Some choices are just plain bad. Nearly all Batman stories are about poor choices. A good choice is Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins backing Levins.

"Deals" is a heartfelt story, providing some redeeming qualities for Matt Hagen's Clayface. Batman: Gotham Adventures earns four stars. 

Hope to Sea You Later! Batman: Gotham Adventures 29 Review

A quiet night in the Batcave for Tim Drake is disrupted when the Batmobile recklessly roars back and The Caped Crusader staggers out then collapses. Mumbling deliriously and incoherently, the clues he drops for Tim and Alfred are "ozzie fish", "blue rings" and "fish tanks"! The pair situate Batman in the medical wing of the cave. Alfred takes a blood sample and suggests that Tim find Poison Ivy. His first stop is The Iceberg Lounge, and proprietor, The Penguin. With a little convincing, Tim manages to get Ivy's location from Mr. Cobblepot.

Harley and Ivy are hiding out, "on the down-low", when Tim catches up with them at Gotham Botanical Gardens. Harley nearly shoots the place apart, before Ivy is able to analyze the blood sample. 

Tim is able to piece together the mumbled clues, which leads him to Gotham Aquarium and Goggles McCracken and his crew.

Chuck Dixon's story with Joe Staton pencils is incredibly riveting. Can. Tim. Save. Batman. In. Six. Hours?!?! The thrilling story is under a Craig Rousseau and Terry Beatty cover, with Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins backing Staton.

"Six Hours to Kill" is a nifty spotlight on Tim's ingenuity. Batman: Gotham Adventures 29 earns four stars.   

Out Riddled Using an Enigmatic Scale! Batman: Gotham Adventures 28 Review

The Riddler stories are enjoyable and satisfying simply because they are sophisticated and intelligent. They are intricate and challenging. Edward Nigma's main goal is to outsmart The Darknight Detective, so his riddles usually have a double meaning. A false "surface" meaning, with the real meaning cleverly hidden within the semantics. As a reader, one feels slightly wittier and smarter than either The Riddler or The Batman in being able to deduce the solution. 

Writing Riddler stories has to be challenging and difficult. More difficult than writing a mystery. To lay out a plan through riddles that may mean more than one thing, while confounding The Caped Crusader and the reader. What's disappointing about the tie-in book to Batman: The Animated Series and the subsequent animated series is that writers, such as Scott Peterson, just simply abandon the premise. Or reveal that Batman wasn't focusing or paying attention to the riddles.

Here, Nigma once has a lofty and bold plan all laid out in riddles. Yet, the real clues come from musician Jack West, The Riddler's captive. Batman, Robin and Nightwing simply abandon focusing on the riddles and focus instead on the message from West's background music. Interesting that West would use an Enigmatic Scale.

While Peterson's story is still enjoyable, Levins' art, with Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins is definitely eye-candy. Fewer panels, grandiose images. It's awesome how Levins carries the story and injects wit and humor. A nice zinger is that Nigma has lied to The Joker's henchmen in order to get them to work with him. He's also appropriated the Ha-Hacienda... as a squatter.

The only downside is that Peterson has presented a minor character that out-riddles The Riddler.

"Notes", Batman: Gotham Adventures earns three stars.

 

 

He Knows What Evil Lurks... Batman: Gotham Adventures 27 Review

Batman and Batgirl visit Law professor Sven Svenson in prison. He's been convicted of murdering mob boss Billy Chang. There's an eyewitness. The case against him was rock-solid and airtight. Even Commissioner Gordon is convinced he's guilty. The question is: Why?

Batman decides to dig deeper. 

He visits Pieter Danner, the eyewitness. Danner admits that Gino Tivolli threatened him. He was going to recant but didn't want to face perjury. 

Unfortunately, Professor Svenson shouldn't have involved The Darknight Detective.

Swedish Mafia and Swedish Mob Boss are funny Easter eggs of a joke. Peterson and Levins offer yet another gripping suspense mystery. The more Batman digs the more dirt he actually uncovers. Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins are in fine form under a mysterious Bob Smith, Terry Beatty cover.

The final page, final panel lesson is pretty much the sound of one hand clapping.

"Lessons", Batman: Gotham Adventures 27 earns four stars. 

Angel and the Batman! Batman: Gotham Adventures 26 Review

And now for something completely different.

Word in the underworld is that everybody is looking for Kristov. Batman: Gotham Adventures 26 opens with Batman crashing a club and busting up all the underworld patrons for information on Kristov. He and Tim Drake follow the lead to a warehouse where they encounter FBI Special Agent DePaola. One of DePaola's agents shares information in Russian, which Batman is able to understand. He and Robin follow the lead further and find that Kristov is an infant.

Peterson's story just turns bonkers. To keep Kristov safe from everybody, Batman keeps the baby with him. All. The. Time. Because he's not sure if even Ra's al Ghul is looking for the baby and won't track him back to the Batcave and Alfred.

Peterson and Levins have fun showing Batman making the rounds of Gotham, carrying Kristov. This wraps up when The Caped Crusader stops a mugging - simply by using the built-in fear he's established. He tells the gang of muggers that if they do anything at all to upset the baby, he will make them very sorry. The story of every new parent everywhere. The mugging victim and even the muggers offer helpful suggestions. The victim even shops for supplies. Alfred helps him over comms with changing a diaper and feeding. This is very thick cheese.

Batman provides an ultimate solution for Special Agent DePaola and the mobs to insure Kristov's permanent safety.

It's a fun, wacky story. Stretches credibility, even for Batman. It might be considered "camp" simply for the premise itself. Your mileage may vary.

"In Arms", Batman: Gotham Adventures 26 earns three stars.    

Quick! Think Fast! The Batman: Gotham Adventures 25 Review

The Flash makes a guest appearance this issue. 

Although it's not stated, it appears that Wally West is The Flash that visits Gotham City. It seems somewhat unfair that Wally is presented as somewhat cocky, rash and impulsive. Relying heavily on super-speed rather than calm, cool quick-thinking. Of course, Batman is going to come off smarter. The Dark Knight faces adversaries such as The Riddler and The Joker. The Flash faces off against adversaries such as The Trickster. Most of The Scarlet Speedster's adversaries test his speed, not his intelligence.

Here, The Flash is in Gotham City following computer-related crimes that moved from Central City to Gotham. Batman appreciates the head's-up, however, as usual prefers to tackle things in Gotham himself. What follows is a tutorial for The Flash in clear thinking, rather than simple swift action.

Tim Drake solves the puzzling mystery with a visit to the Gotham Post Office.

Batman actually does provide the final solution. He does credit The Flash with making an effort. His final advice is to think of the consequences.

Peterson's script here is, once again enjoyable. It's interesting that Peterson chose not to feature Dick Grayson or Barbara Gordon in this story. Dick and Wally have a history as Teen Titans. It's curious... perhaps there's an undercurrent of bitterness and grief in Batman seeing Wally in Barry Allen's costume. Although presenting an immature Flash, Wally is presented more light-hearted as comic relief. There's a scene where he races up into the sky to greet an airplane that has changed course. Levins, Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins are all spot-on this issue.

It would be nice to see Wally not played for laughs or as the fool.

Batman: Gotham Adventures 25 earns three stars. 

Can a Girl Get a Little Attention - Or Does That Make Her High-Maintenance? Batman: Gotham Adventures 24 Review

Whoa! That cover! Terry Beatty and Bob Smith really grab attention with Batman, Nightwing, Batgirl and Robin all tumbling down - into darkness! What could this possibly mean? This is definitely a "grab-me-and-read-me" page-turner cover!

Inside, Tim Drake is the first to be trapped!

Dick Grayson is on a rare date but has to leave to meet a buddy. His date is not happy. He's the next one to fall into the trap.

Meanwhile Batman and Batgirl rescue a father and son from a traffic accident on the bridge. Their car is dangling precariously off the bridge, about to plunge into the drink! After the rescue, Alfred relays a message that he's lost contact with Nightwing. 

Meanwhile, Killer Croc joins Robin and Nightwing. They argue. They fight in close quarters.

When Batman and Batgirl show up, Catwoman reveals herself and the reason she's set the trap. Typical, Batman is completely clueless.

Yes, Peterson's stories do follow a formula. Things happen. As the story progresses, everything falls into place and things make sense. Yes, there is a lesson or a moral, just like a typical Saturday-morning cartoon. Tim Levins' art works very well with Peterson's stories. Although, I still prefer the Mike Parobeck design for Croc. Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins are awesome as usual.

It's a fun night out in Gotham City! Batman: Gotham Adventures 24 earns four stars. 

 

Oil Spoils or Oils Well That Ends Well! Batman: Gotham Adventures 23 Review

"Do The Wrong Thing" is a spin on Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" movie title. Scott Peterson opens with a grand Tim Levins splash page - The Caped Crusader has a gun to his cowled head. He's facing a desperate criminal. A father desperate for medication for his sick daughter. Not a fun place to be. A high fever. No money and no insurance. That leads to a bad decision. The lesson Batman shares with Tim Drake is this: sometimes people do the wrong thing for the right reasons.

Later, Bruce Wayne finds that a business meeting scheduled with one Omar Alhazred has been cancelled! He's disappeared! Further digging finds that more and more of Bruce's business associates have disappeared! Seventeen. They all seem to have a few things in common. One, Preston Wainwright, sold everything and moved into seclusion to the south of France.

The only clue is "The Prince of Wales".

Tim Levins' art is spectacular. There is an amazing sequence on the middle of page seven. Batman somersaulting! 

Peterson, Levins, Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins are once again in fine form here. The through line is "doing the wrong thing for the right reasons". Obviously, Batman's adversary this time is Ra's al Ghul. He maintains lofty, "honorable" goals, but goes about them the wrong way.

Batman: Gotham Adventures 23, "Do The Wrong Thing" earns four stars. 

The Things We Do For Family... Batman: Gotham Adventures 22 Review

"We make out choices in life and we live with the consequences."

Batgirl and Commissioner Gordon are in the middle of a prison riot. They find out from the warden that Ned and Ted Spencer made a daring escape during the riot. Ned's a small-time troublemaker. Ted's a convicted murderer and known to be a psychopath. Now they're free.

The pair had help. A getaway car was used from Northstar Brokerage Company. Betty Spencer Welsh helped her brothers escape.

Bullock tips Gordon and Batgirl that the brothers next stop was the Darwin Bar and Grill. They got fake IDs from the bartender.

The trail ends at Gotham General Hospital.

The lesson Barbara Gordon learns from the adventure is that family is important. Another lesson learned is not to waste valuable time with family.

Once again, Scott Peterson's story is phenomenal. Tim Levins' art is awesome. Big panels. Wide eyes. Lots of expressions. Levins is backed up again by Beatty, Loughridge and Harkins.

Batman: Gotham Adventures 22 earns four stars.

What The Blind Man Saw... Batman Gotham Adventures 21 Review

When a little girl named Stephanie Herst is abducted from her home, Commissioner Gordon uses the bat signal to summon The Darknight Detective to the roof of police headquarters. He offers a photo, a locket and a glass tube as clues. Back at the Batcave, he and Tim Drake are puzzling over the clues. Dick Grayson points out that the glass tube is a slide that jazz guitarists use. Batman and Nightwing connect with blind jazz guitarist B. L. Pledge. He gives them a description of the man that was carrying little Stephanie.

Barbara Gordon interviews Stephanie's parents. Her mother works at a bank. Her father is a video editor at a television news station.

Batman gathers information from the underworld that leads to a mob boss. Turns out a mysterious hitman was captured on video for an expose.

Scott Peterson's script is riveting. Tim Levins' art is fantastic, highlighted by Terry Beatty's inks, Lee Loughridge's colors and Tim Harkins lettering.

The lesson of the story is that a handicap, is not really a handicap. B. L. Pledge turns out to be just an older version of Matt Murdock. Blind, his other senses pick up the slack. The story wraps with Pledge telling Batman that even a blind man can recognize the good guys from the bad guys.

Batman: Gotham Adventures earns four stars.  

"Hope, Help and Compassion for All"

What does Supergirl stand for?

Sterling Gates story, across a six-issue mini-series focuses on the life and adventures of Kara as Supergirl. Defining moments. Facet attempted to define her as a judge, following in the footsteps of her birth-mother Alura. Stripping away the life and relationships she had developed over her time on Earth, in order to be a guard and judge of the criminals of Fort Rozz. Facet engineered the efforts of Rampage, Vril Dox and Psi in a confused devotion to Alura. It was her desire to retrain Kara.

Kara and Alex manage to calm Rampage, dampen Vril Dox - with some help from Director Henshaw - and finally perform last rights and burial for Psi.

Supergirl manages to brace herself and prepare for a final conflict with Facet. Gates manages to wrap things up on a high note with art by Emma Vieceli, colors by Sandra Molina, lettering by Saida Temofonte under a truly super cover by Cat Staggs.

Gates defines the conclusion of the series that Supergirl stands for "hope, help and compassion for all."

The Adventures of Supergirl 6 wraps with five stars. 

Alura Dearest... The Adventures of Supergirl 5 Review

Facet sends Kara to her mother Alura for answers. The mystery of why Supergirl and her associates have been targeted by Rampage, Vril Dox and Psi. Kara and Alex head back to DEO headquarters to interrogate the AI version of Alura. What challenges credibility is that Supergirl - along with Superman - would arrive on Earth with some sort of accompanying program from their parents. It's a convenient trope. A little too convenient. The Superman Family seems overwhelmingly burdened by the past.

Another troubling aspect is Alura's ethics and morality. It's one thing to face a generation gap, and another thing to see a parent as basically evil, unethical and immoral. Kara comes to a point where she questions Alura's sense of right and wrong.

The first half of the issue "Who is Facet?" features art by cover artist Cat Stagg and comes close to the look of the live action series. "Pieces" with art by Emma Vieceli retreats back to the standard comic book style.

Vril manages to commandeer DEO headquarters! Rampage is free and on the loose! The cliffhanger finds Facet at Eliza Danvers' front door!

Sterling Gates' story leans on a couple of troubling tropes. Yes, it's true that the past stays with us. It's never really gone. It catches up to us, haunts us and sometimes traumatizes us. Too often that's somewhat overwhelming. Your mileage may vary on that.

DC seems to be leaning more into digital first, splitting an issue in half for online chapters. It's particularly noticeable here, as the art is so different from one chapter to the next.

The Adventures of Supergirl 5 earns two stars.

I Hate a Mystery! The Adventures of Supergirl 4 Review!

Previously, when Kara encountered Psi in a dream-state, the disembodied figure planted a seed sending The Girl of Steel to the Fort Rozz crash site in the desert. Kara believes that she and sister Alex are there to collect Psi's physical form - her body - from the crash site and re-bury it so she can finally be at peace. In reality, the sisters encounter Kryptonian robots. They discover that Facet, one of Fort Rozz's guards has been watching Kara from afar.

Now, Facet is ready to complete Supergirl's training so she can become one of Krypton's Finest.

Meanwhile, Vril Dox monitors the DEO agents that are supposed to be monitoring him.

Sterling Gates deepens the mystery. Gates reveals that Kara is not so much a fan of mysteries as Clark is. Carmen Carnera and Sandra Molina handle the imagery.

Red Tornado is once again mentioned.

Facet tells Kara to ask her mother for more answers. That's where the trail leads...

The Adventures of Supergirl 4, "Sistery Mystery (Reprise)" and "our Backs to the Wall" earns three stars.  

Super Strength and Super Intelligent! The Adventures of Supergirl 3 Review

Kara confronts Vril Dox in his cell at DEO headquarters. He responds by taking control of the DEO agents beside her and turning them into zombies. She "wakes" from that nightmare and is confronted by another - the destruction of DEO headquarters and Director Henshaw and her sister Alex transformed into zombies! Through one alternate reality after another, Kara fights a "never-ending battle", nearly reaching the one controlling her dream. Finally, through determination and persistence, she confronts her tormenter: the disembodied Psi! Who was used as a tool at Fort Rozz to keep all the alien super-criminals calm and under control.

Psi developed a bond with Rampage and her sister. Her actions are in retaliation to what Alex Danvers did to Rampage's sister.

Sterling Gates once again provides enjoyable storytelling under a Cat Staggs psychedelic cover. Emanuela Luppachino and Ray McCarthy handle the trippy dreamscape, with Hi-Fi colors and Saida Temofonte providing characters an individual voice through lettering.

There are references to instances of the CBS live action series. Red Tornado is name-dropped. It may not be essential; however, it may be helpful to follow the series to appreciate the companion comic.

Overall, Adventures of Supergirl earns three stars.     

Hit Him Like a Hammer! Batman 127 Facsimile Reprint Review!

Wow.

Batman 127, October 1959 was re-released as a facsimile reprint, July 2026. It's totally wonky. The first story finds The Dynamic Duo with a "new partner"! The Eagle. Spoiler Alert on a story from 1959 - it's Alfred, who's gained super-powers through a crazy accident. As much as he tries to help Batman and Robin, he ends up helping The Joker more! Until his powers just surprisingly disappear! Alfred comes up with such a wacky Eagle costume. Considering costume designs for Hawkman, this full-bodied and helmeted costume is just bonkers.

Next, Bruce and Dick visit Professor Nichols. Bruce tests out a new invention. The invention is a mental gadget that projects an alternate reality. Bruce's parents are not murdered in Crime Alley by a mysterious lone gunman. Would Bruce still become Batman? (Spoiler Alert!) Yes. Yes, he would. Destiny would still cause Bruce to become Batman. This is probably the highlight story of the issue. For the time period, Bruce is quite serious and grim. It also features a cameo by an alternate reality Superman!

Finally, Batman and Robin are confronted by the Mythic Norse God of Thunder, Thor! He's come to life and is pillaging Gotham City for Odin's sake. (Spoiler Alert!) a non-Kryptonite meteor crashes through a museum window and radiates Thor's hammer, transforming the museum curator into the Norse Thunder God! He's hypnotized into thinking he's serving Odin!

The first two stories are definitely enjoyable. Batman versus Thor...? It's just so lopsided. Batman is just so outmatched. The only way he "wins" is that Thor (Spoiler Alert!) isn't really Thor.

Definitely a time-capsule issue - a throwback to simpler times.

Batman 127 facsimile reprint earns three stars!

Archie Andrews Pure of Heart! The Life with Archie 42 Review!

June 2026, Archie Comics released a facsimile reprint of the October 1965 Life with Archie, featuring the FIRST appearance of Archie as Pureheart the Powerful.

The cool villain, The Ice Cube freezes Pureheart in a block of ice. While whisking the hero away, Pureheart's "inner goodness" melts the ice! Free, Pureheart grabs a nearby flagpole, while the street floods with the water from the block of ice! Before he can carry The Cube away, The Witch Doctor turns Pureheart into a white rabbit! Hopping away to find help from The Head, who uses syrup and a lighter to change him back. It's a game of cat and mouse as Pureheart endeavors to prevent The Ice Cube from stealing Mr. Lodge's fortune!

The pacing is somewhat uneven and jerky, jumping from one thing to the next pretty quickly. That's due to the nature of the story and The Reveal. The reveal is a bit of a letdown. Pureheart is a very cool character. He deserves a genuine, unique origin.

Of course, Archie is pretty similar to Jimmy Olsen and Chris King. So maybe a Walter Mitty approach is not so bad a thing.

The back-up story features Archie stepping in at the Choklit Shoppe when Pop Tate gets a crick in his neck. Reggie pulls a prank that drives everyone away and causes Pop to throw Archie out when he comes back.

Hilarity courtesy of Archie scribe Frank Doyle, with art by Bob White and Mario Acquaviva.

The highlights of the reprint are original ads featuring Rocky and Bullwinkle for Cheerios, the Trix Rabbit and Sunny, the Cuckoo Bird for Cocoa Puffs! Good times...

Life with Archie 42 earns five stars as a definite classic.

The Hand That Rocks The Army of Darkness! Archie x The Army of Darkness 5 Review

With Riverdale's new S-Mart overrun by Deadites, Ash, Archie and the gang decide to flee and head to Pop's Choklit Shoppe. There's no way to drive there, the car in the parking lot had flat tires, so they have to leg-it. Quietly, so they don't attract the Deadites to follow them... Unfortunately, they are hot on the gang's trail, and things get bloody on the way to Pop's. Even more unfortunate, the leader of the Deadites has gotten there first, and dispatched and decapitated Pop.

It's the final round and the final stand for the gang against The Army of Darkness!

Evil, arrow-through-the-head Archie cuts off Pureheart Archie's hand!

Finally, (SPOILER ALERT!) Archie finishes the counter incantation and The Army of Darkness bursts into flames!

Archie ends up with a metal hand just like Ash.

Ash ends up transferred to Hawaii, where a new S-Mart is set to open. He may face future encounters with the Deadites!

It's a pretty simple ending to the thriller-chiller. It's an ending that was in place from the start - reverse the incantation and drive off The Army of Darkness. Still Burnham, the Galvans, Wright and Mangual wrap things up with a fiery bang. The resolution leaves behind permanent scars.

Archie x The Army of Darkness wraps up with four stars. 

    

Facing the Dark Mirror - The Archies of Darkness! Archie x The Army of Darkness 4 Review!

At Riverdale's new S-Mart, Ash and the Archie gang must face - The Archies of Darkness! Evil, undead, zombie dark mirror reflections bent on annihilation! How can good overcome evil? Betty bludgeons Evil-ronica with a weight. Veronica dispatches Evil Betty with a shotgun. Ditto for "Evilheart" Reggie. Ash downs Evil Archie with an arrow through the head. Jughead clobbers his own evil twin with a salami! Ash puts the final touches with his chainsaw, whittling away at Wicked Juggie.

While this is not necessarily for Archie's younger, more impressionable audience, it feels more played for comedy and laughs than blood and guts horror. It's thriller and suspense, Archie style. That's kudos to Erik Burnham's writing and the Galvan's art, with Ellie Wright colors and Mangual's lettering. It's all fun and games even when somebody puts out an eyeball.

All this is happening while Ash is trying to find the right passage for Archie to recite to end The Army of Darkness.

Can. They. Do. It. In. Time?!?! Only time will tell...

Archie x Army of Darkness 4 earns four stars!    

The Chilling Adventures of Archie and the Gang! The Archie x The Army of Darkness 3 Review!

Erik Burnham has got this down.

This latest installment opens with Ash saving Archie and the gang from a pair of possessed stuffed Stormy Dogs! It's "groovy" to see Bill and Ben Galvan along with Ellie Wright bringing the look of Archie and The Army of Darkness. It's like a darker version of Scooby Doo. Where the Deadites seem to play for keeps! The visuals are pretty dark. A cabin the deep dark woods at night and after hours at the Riverdale S-Mart.

One is more familiar with the Archie gang than Ash, however, everyone is acting very much in character. Even Jughead comes off as Shaggy! The kids are delightfully hilarious. Ash is pretty grim 'n' gritty. It meshes pretty well.

Burnham sets up the suspense. There doesn't seem to be any predictability. There's somewhat of a familiar sequence when the leader of the Deadites creates evil doppelgangers! Jinkies!

What horrors await Archie and the gang next?!?!

Archie x The Army of Darkness 3 earns five stars!  

Beware The Hounds of Riverdale! Archie x The Army of Darkness 2 Review!

It's the Grand Opening of Riverdale's S-Mart! Ash is showing Archie the ropes. Archie's done pretty well handling customer service. The best part is the First Paycheck! The whole point of Archie working at the S-Mart is to be able to afford a couple Stormy Dogs - one for Betty and one for Veronica.

Cashing his check and buying the stuffed animals leaves Archie broke and with a broke down jalopy! Ash to the rescue again. He gives Archie a ride out into the dark woods to the party at Reggie's lake house. Ash declines an invite to the party, however, all four of his tires blow out and he ends up stuck.

Good thing he just happens to be around when Archie accidentally reads from the Necronomicon!

Burnham keeps things light-hearted for a horror story. Horror comedy is much more enjoyable than bloody and gory horror. Your mileage may vary on that. I'll take a Scooby Doo or Tremors version over Michael Meyers or Freddie Krueger any day. The Army of Darkness seems cut from a wacky suspense horror mold. A highlight is when the pair of Stormy Dogs come to evil, murderous life!

Archie x Army of Darkness earns four stars for a bloody goody thrill!

Those Meddling Kids!... Groovy! Archie X The Armey of Darkness 1 Review!

Whoa!

A mysterious relative leaves Reggie a lake house. His parents say it will be fully his at graduation. He celebrates with a party. Archie discovers a secret room and the mysterious Necronomicon! He starts reading, trying to understand the book. Unfortunately, Archie unleashes an Army of Darkness! Fortunately, Ash was transferred to Riverdale's S-Mart a month ago. Starting his new job at S-Mart, Archie gets a tour and background on Ash.

Erick Burnham is known for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters. He is also known for Nick Landime. Burnham definitely has Riverdale's cast of characters down.

Robert Hack's homage cover is enjoyable. Fans of Afterlife with Archie will enjoy this story. Bill Galvan and Ben Galvan's art is top-notch. They've got the Archie look down. Ellie Wright on colors and Carlos M. Mangual on letters round things out.

This is an enjoyable start. It's a curiosity to see where Burnham takes things. Yes, it's Archie X The Army of Darkness. It also feels something like Scooby Doo, without Scooby, just the Mystery Gang.

Archie X The Army of Darkness earns five stars.
 

Blended For Your Enjoyment! Unlimited Access 4 Review!

Captain America, Jr.! Jean Black! Green Goliath! Quick Freeze! Redwing! Thor-El! Wonder Wasp! Heroes Amalgamated from the DC and Marvel Universes! Can they defeat the "Combined Forces" of Darkseid and Magneto - and their New Gods of Apokalips and Brotherhood of Evil Mutants!

It's hard to tell how Darkseid's horde and the Brotherhood are Amalgamated - yet they are! The heroes and villains wage their battle aboard the Justice League satellite, 22,000 miles above the Earth!

The core of Kesel's story, with continued eye-candy by Olliffe and Williams, is not so much about Darkseid and Magneto, The Avengers and the Justice League, Uncanny X-Men, DC sidekicks or even the Amalgamated heroes and villains. No, the true story is Access versus Evil-Access! There are two versions of Access. The older one, who ends up a bum with a glowing cardboard box in an alley. He passes the mantle on to younger Access.

In the end, there can. Be. Only. ONE!

The conclusion is pretty basic and simple. Hit reset and everything goes back to normal. The only nit to pick is that DC and Marvel don't have a community or shared reality, so that, when a reader picks up a cross-company team-up, it happens across Metropolis and New York. Skip the whole introduction and get right to the action. Readers come for the action, not so much the exposition. I know we just met, but I'm not sure I like you, so I think I'll argue and fight you until it's time to work together against a common enemy.

Access, DC and Marvel teaming up and creating an Amalgamated Universe is fun. It would be nice to see more of the Amalgamated Universe characters as well as Access.

Unlimited Access wraps up with three stars! 

This is It! For all the Marbles and the Whole Enchilada! Unlimited Access 3 Review!

 As he makes his departure through a Boom-Tube, Darkseid instructs Amazing Grace to pit The Avengers versus the Justice League! Access can only stand by in gaping surprise as the teams go "toe-to-toe", fist to fist in battle! Thor versus J'onn J'onzz! Aquaman versus Captain America! Hal Jordan versus Iron Man! Giant Man versus Barry Allen! Black Canary versus The Wasp!

Meanwhile, Darkseid and his New Gods of Apokalips enlist Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants! But to what end? World domination!?!

Access can only think of one solution! This looks like a job for Superman! However, it's the electric Blue Superman that none of his teammates recognize! Still, with his new powers, he's able to snap the heroes out of their trance!

Quicksilver captures Access, who calls on a group of sidekicks (who are either part of the Teen Titans or will become part of Young Justice) who free him and best the Brotherhood.

The X-Men arrive just as Darkseid and Magneto issue their ultimatum! There's more arguing, which causes Access to Amalgamate Angel and Robin into Redwing!

Kesel knows what readers and fans want: The Avengers versus the Justice League! And it's a Classic match-up! This is where the whole time travel aspect works perfectly! It's a shame that we don't get a Classic "Fab Five" Titans versus the Original, Uncanny X-Men... maybe another time. The story leads up to the inevitable, almost predictable Amalgamation. DC and Marvel heroes blended into Amalgam characters. Your mileage may vary on that.

Olliffe and Williams do an awesome job on art. The whole look of this book is enjoyable.

Over all, "The Greatest Heroes of All Time!" earns four stars.   

Not Just a Pretty Face! The Adventures of Supergirl 2 Review

After stopping a hold-up at her favorite newsstand, Supergirl races to work at Catco Worldwide Media, where a National City Police SWAT team is arresting Winn Schott as a terrorist! He's accused of bombing Leesburg, VA!

Kara and Jimmy Olsen start digging into Winn's computer. In addition to domestic terrorism, Winn is accused of "Doxxing", dumping personal information openly on the internet. The duo come across the real culprit - VRIL; Virtual Remote Integration Logistics. otherwise known as Vril Dox!

Supergirl races to rescue Winn. He leads her to a super-hacker, who manages to correct most of the damage Vril has done. However, Kara has left Jimmy vulnerable. Together, they have to rescue Jimmy and disconnect Vril!

"The Strange Case of the Smiling Computer" shows Kara's super-smarts along with invulnerability and super-strength. Kudos to Sterling Gates.

Cat Staggs provides another awesome Melissa Benoist cover. Jonboy Meyers handles the art on Chapter Four, with Pop Mahan on Chapter Five, "Attack Edge", with colorist John Rauch and letterer Saida Temofonte. Although the series ties into the live action CBS Supergirl series, the comic art bears no likeness resemblance. Which is somewhat odd. Maybe an oversight, or a conscious choice. Who knows.

Vril Dox poses a major threat here, a definite challenge to The Lady of Steel.

Adventures of Supergirl 2 earns three stars.  

 
 

As Seen On TV! The Adventures of Supergirl 1 Review

Rocketing from the flatscreen on your living room wall back into four-color print, The Maid of Steel! The Adventures of Supergirl with an awesome photo realistic cover by Cat Staggs! Melissa Benoist in mid-flight!

Disclaimer: I believe I've seen a handful of Season One episodes of Supergirl. It's set on an alternate Earth in the Arrowverse. I enjoyed what I saw and thought I would pick up the companion comic book, as I did with the '90's The Flash and Smallville.

This is definitely a different version of Kara. She seems quite fun and light-hearted.

"This Is My Life" opens with a slugfest between Supergirl and Rampage at a National City Sharks game. Sterling Gates manages to provide a brief and brisk recap of Kara's origin from Krypton to Earth. While Gates' story is all super-hero fare, the core is sisterhood. Rampage's relationship with her sister compared with Kara and Alex's relationship.

Bengal's art is all comic book. The characters from the CBS series are the same, however there is really no attempt to use the live action likenesses. It's an interesting direction to go in. 

What makes the issue enjoyable is the story has heart. Kara develops sympathy for Rampage as an individual, not just an alien adversary. Gates' take on the character provides some redeeming qualities.

The Adventures of Supergirl, "Based on the Hit CBS Series" earns three stars.

The Super-Genius from Space!

 

In March 2026, Action Comics 242, from July 1958 was re-released as a facsimile reprint. It featured the debut of Brainiac and the Bottle City of Kandor. Maybe in advance of the 2027 Superman sequel, "Man of Tomorrow" featuring Brainiac as the main adversary.

The story is very succinct and to the point. Clark and Lois are covering a story as passengers on a fantastic new rocket! When confronted by Brainiac's ship, Clark suits up as an astronaut and escapes back to Earth to protect his secret identity! So Silver Age! Brainiac quickly captures Earth's major cities, including Metropolis, intending to repopulate his home planet. This was before Brainiac was reimagined as Kryptonian, and developed as the planet's version of Google, created by Jor-El. Superman feigns defeat to sneak back and subvert Brainiac. That's when he discovers Kandor and an old college classmate of his father's! using his super-wits, The Man of Steel outsmarts his adversary, actually catching him napping! It's an interesting out, leaving room for an opening for Brainiac to return for another face-off. Short and sweet, the story doesn't waste any details, moving deftly and smoothly. The pacing is a bit brisk, but it works. Obviously.

But wait, there's more!

Tommy Tomorrow, Space Traffic Cop of the future isa fun, wacky, sci-fi story. A Boring weekend of traffic control in space in the future!

Then there's Congo Bill, before he was Congorilla. Confronted by an alien octopod from Venus! The alien forcefully enlists Bill and Janu into assisting in his plan of world conquest! It takes some ingenuity to discover how to overcome the alien menace, yet Bill does. With the alien's dying breath, it reveals that there are FIVE MORE similar aliens somewhere on Earth working out their own plan! Nana-nana-boo-boo to you Bill!

Zoinks!

Definitely a Classic!

This facsimile issue of Action Comics earns four stars! 

The Girl of Steel! Action Comics 252 Facsimile Reprint Review!

 

In December 2025, DC Comics reprinted Action Comics 252, May 1959, featuring the first appearance of Supergirl and Metallo! The issue was previously reprinted at the turn of the century as a Millenium Edition issue.

The classic issue features an equally classic cover: Supergirl zooming out of her Kryptonian rocket announcing to Superman and the world who and what she is! Definitely a memorable cover by the legendary Curt Swan and Stan Kaye.

Robert Bernstein and Al Plastino present the debut of Metallo! He's murderous reporter, John Corbin! And, apparently, a reckless driver! Taking a curve to sharp, he flips his car! If not for Professor Vale passing by driven by his housekeeper Edith, Metallo might never have come to be! Humanitarian Vale saves Corbin and continues his treacherous ways. His new metal body requires a Uranium or Kryptonite heart to power him! Coincidentally, he's also a near identical twin to The Man of Steel! Only the fickle finger of fate is able to stop him!

Bernstein and Howard Sherman present another Congo Bill/Congorilla adventure! Congorilla must rescue Bill, the Comandant and his troops at an oasis commandeered by highwaymen bent on pathway piracy!

Finally, Otto Binder and Al Plastino introduce The Maid of Might, "The Supergirl from Krypton"! The story hinges heavily on coincidence and serendipity. It's all very convenient and somewhat predictable. The nitpick I have with this is that DC Comics decided to kill off the Kents. Granted, Supergirl gets her own, individual area. Yet, had the Kents lived, Supergirl could have lived and gone to school in Smallville. Maybe that would have been even more redundant, but it would have avoided what might be considered "super-dickery": Superman shunting his cousin off to an orphanage in Midvale far away from Smallville. It just seems more complicated than less, especially for the newest addition to The Superman Family. Yes, it would have seemed creepy for Superman to have his young "cousin" living with him in Metropolis. Maybe it would have been too revealing to have another superhuman alien in Smallville. Is that where they grow them?

For what it is, Action Comics 252, featuring the famous first appearances of Supergirl and Metallo is fine. It could have been more or better. It is what it is for the time.

Action Comics 252 earns two stars.     

    

Starring John Cusack as Starman Jack Knight! A 60th Birthday Salute!

 

Actor John Cusack is 60 today. I usually enjoy the movies he stars in. Do I agree with his political views? No. Actually, it's more, "hell-to-the-no". That doesn't change that I enjoy the stories he's a part of.

There was a time when I could have seen him as Jack Knight, the sone of DC Comics' Ted Knight - not to be confused with actor Ted Knight, narrator of Super Friends and best known as Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. DC's Ted Knight was the Golden-Age Starman.

Jack made his first appearance in the final issue of Zero Hour and headlined the Starman comic that ran from 1994 to 2001. Written by James Robinson, with art by Tony Harris. The series was highly acclaimed. I was nominated for the Eisner for the first story arc "Sins of the Father" and won an Eisner for the "Sand and Stars" storyline. It was also nominated for "Best Continuing Series" of 1997.

At its core, Starman is about the father and son relationship between Jack and Ted Knight. The series opens with The Mist's son and daughter exacting their revenge on the Knight family. David Knight, Jack's brother is shot and killed. Opal is laid siege. Jack considers running. Instead, he rises to the occasion and turns back the tide. Afterward, Jack agrees to fight crime as needed as Starman, as long as Ted focuses his energies on his science, invention and innovation.

Robinson, with Harris and later Peter Snejbjerg carved out a corner of the DC Universe with Opal City as a focal point. Story lines were mixed with "Tales of Times Past" and "Talking With David" interludes, all driving the story forward toward its conclusion with issue 80.

Jack Knight was created by James Robinson and Tony Harris. Jack makes very rare appearances outside of Starman. Geoff Johns, David Goyer and James Robinson used Jack as part of a Justice Society of America relaunch. Following the conclusion of his series, Jack quietly shuffles off into a "happily ever after". There were some possible rumblings of a falling out between Robinson and DC Comics which ended any possible future of Jack Knight, or any other projects involving Robinson.

A live action series was in development following Smallville, at the same time as Birds of Prey. Due to the lackluster performance of Birds of Prey, a Starman live action series was on indefinite hold.

Stargirl, focusing on Courtney Whitmore, played by Brec Bassinger debuted on the DC Universe streaming platform and the CW Network as part of the Arrowverse. What's interesting is Courtney was created as an homage to Geoff Johns' sister. James Robinson was involved in the live action series. Sylvester Pemberton, the one-time Star-Spangled Kid, was called Starman for the series.

Although time has passed and Cusack has probably aged out of the character, it would have been nice to see him in the role...

A fan can dream.

My Problem With Guy

 

People are stupid. People are jerks. That's really the bottom line.

When did we stop looking up?

Heroes should have some kind of virtue. Heroes should be role models. Yes, I know, that's kind of an outdated, antiquated concept, but why are we celebrating jackasses?

You can argue that Guy Gardener is a jerk, BUT at least he's OUR jerk. He's on OUR side.

I beg to differ. We live in a world where citizens want to DEFUND the police. Citizens are protesting ICE doing an ugly, thankless job of separating citizens from illegal aliens. You can call them "undocumented" all you want, but if you try to get into a concert or a sports game without a ticket, you're not an "un-ticketed audience member". There is a disrespect that borders on lawlessness and chaos. The debate rages due to bad apples. Guy Gardner is a bad apple. His gimmick only works in comic books and maybe stretched thinly in live action. I like Nathan Fillion- I really do - however, his portrayal of Guy Gardner is troubling mostly because it's so spot on. My gut tells me that if Guy Gardner were a real person, things would not stop at "one-punch" from Batman. One of his fellow heroes might just kill him and hide the body.

There's a theory that if Gilligan's Island were real, the other six castaways would actually KILL Gilligan. After a while, they'd get tired of him ruining every hope and chance of rescue. They'd kill him and maybe eat him.

My gut tells me that there is a very fine line between Guy Gardner and Sinestro. 

Sinestro is the former Green Lantern that trained Hal Jordan. Sinestro was arrogant. Sinestro was a jerk. Eventually, he got tired of following. He got tired of being told. Sinestro eventually wanted to do things HIS own way. So, he found the one weakness of the Green Lanterns. The conceit is that the Green Lanterns' ONE weakness is yellow. So, the Sinestro Corps - imagine that: he named the corps after himself! - bears the YELLOW power ring of FEAR. At one time, both Batman and The Scarecrow were pawns of the Sinestro Corps for their ability to inspire fear.

If Guy Gardner were real, he'd be the cop caught choking someone. He'd be the one caught with his knee on someone's throat. He just strikes me as reckless in his arrogance.

Heroes can be accidentally reckless. It does happen. A hero shouldn't be arrogant and reckless. I'm looking for some quality that separates Guy from Sinestro and I'm not seeing it. Are you?

Unfortunately, Guy is part of a pack of anti-heroes. Or characters that are supposed to be "bad ass", which is supposed to be cool. Unfortunately, Guy Gardner is just a dumbass jackass with a Moe Howard haircut and way too much power. My gut tells me that, like Gilligan, other super-heroes would get tired of his ****, or the Guardians on OA would get tired of his ****, and either he'd start his own Corps, like Sinestro, or he'd be a dumbass jackass without a power ring.

Heroes should always inspire a person to look up. To be someone and something better. Guy's an arrogant, cocky, oafish, reckless, selfish, loud-mouthed bully. He's not "bad ass". Still, I am looking for redeeming qualities. Not seeing any. I know that he had a relationship with Ice before her passing.

What Guy needs is some sort of re-direction. If you're good at what you do, nobody really focuses or pays attention to your personality or attitude. You might be able to get away with being a jackass if you're actually smart and good at what you do. Like Sherlock Holmes.

Guy Gardner may just be dumb. But he's very close to being an evil super-villain. That's not the kind of role model anyone needs.

That's just one fan's opinion. And you're entitled to it!      

One Small Leap for a Man... The Unlimited Access 2 Review

 

Access and the Legion of Super-Heroes have somehow crossed over into the X-Men's dystopian future "Days of Future Past", where the Sentinels have captured and imprisoned all mutants. Magneto and the X-Men wear inhibitor collars to keep them from using their mutant abilities. Wolverine has managed to remain free and runs supplies to the captives. Brainiac 5 manages to "McGuyver" an inhibitor disrupter. With that, the two teams are able to overpower a pair of Sentinels. Magneto agrees with Access that the Legionnaires must return to their own place and time period. As the leave Ferro Lad and Colossus take down a Sentinel. Another destroys the inhibitor disrupter! Magneto is paralyzed. Fleeing, Wolverine remembers one thing - the inhibitor collars can be disrupted!

Access bounces Classic Daredevil to Gotham City where Axel is almost run over by the Batmobile. Returning Daredevil to New York, Axel then tumbles through one time period after another witnessing different pairings and team-ups. Notable among these is the Justice Society and The Invaders! He then encounters Morty, the homeless man from the alley. Turns out, "Morty" is really Axel!

Morty provides an "info dump" telling Axel that he can't stay in one place very long in order to keep the Marvel and DC universes separate! Morty flees just as a Boom Tube opens dumping Darkseid's horde from Apokalips. The Avengers arrive to turn back the horde. They are joined by the Justice League, who arrive to rescue Axel. Just when the combined forces seem to be working, Amazing Grace turns the teams against one another, with Access caught in the middle!

Pat Olliffe and Al Williamson really carry Kesel's amazing story. So many characters, so many different places and timelines. Olliffe is such eye-candy. His take on the different teams is really enjoyable.

"Let's Do the Time Warp Again" Unlimited Access 2 earns five stars.    

Access Back in Action! The Unlimited Access 1 Review!

Pat Oliffe's cover is very cool! Access is the keeper of the Amalgam Universe. "Inside" Access, too, is the gateway between the DC and Marvel Universes as well! The cover shows that within Access is The Amazing Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Wonder Woman and The Juggernaut!

The unique and fresh spin for Unlimited Access, is not just space. The two universes, Marvel and DC coming together and teaming up against mutual foes, but bouncing around - or, quantum leaping - through different time periods of each universe! What starts in the present, with Spider-Man and Wonder Woman facing Mantis and The Juggernaut, bounces to Coast City four years after Barry Allen died and Hal Jordan facing The Hulk! Next, Access encounters Jonah Hex and Two-Gun Kid! After sending Jonah Hex off into the future to end up as Hex, possibly, Access ends up with The Legion of Super-Heroes facing The Sentinels!

Karl Kesel, Pat Olliffe and Al Williamson make an enjoyable team for an enjoyable story. The time travel element keeps things fresh!

Bouncing around significant time periods in each universe is a brilliant idea. Okay, maybe not so much original, as Access is now following a somewhat typical story trope. Kesel, Olliffe and Williamson manage to keep things interesting. It's nice that they manage to bounce Axel's relationship troubles off Peter and MJ. There's another laugh when MJ calls out Spider-Man flirting with Wonder Woman.

It's a fun, exciting, thrilling story. "No Time Like the Present" Unlimited Access earns five stars.   
 

Putting the Genie Back in the Bottle, The DC/Marvel All Access 4 Review

 

Wow. That cover. A horrified Access can only gape in abject terror as the X-Men battle the Justice League! It's a return match between Storm and Wonder Woman! That expression on Access' face is just... Wow. 

Access is referee when the teams collide. Superman demands that the X-Men let The Batman go. It's all a tense standstill, until Batman reignites things with Bishop. Then it all cuts loose. Team versus team. Access and Dr. Strange in the middle. Access blinks to keep Ming out of harm's way. 

Then it all comes out. Strange has been taken over by Dr. Strangefate who wants to bring back the Amalgam Universe! He has banished the real Strange, bouncing him from one place to another to keep him from being discovered and rescued. Strangefate manages to Amalgamate the X-Men and Justice League! Access must find a way to return Stephen Strange and restore the separate universes!

It turns out to be a tricky process. Tricky, but successful. 

In the end, Axel ends up with Caitlin Fitzgerald.

DC/Marvel All Access 4, "Savior" wraps it all up for three stars.

Scuffle in the Sanctorum! The DC/Marvel All Access 3 Review

After besting Two-Face, Jubilee and Robin (Tim Drake) are confronted by The Scorpion! Batman arrives and puts the beatdown on the Spider-villain. 

Using a bit of deductive reasoning, Access feels that answers to the mysterious Crossings may lie with Dr. Strange. It takes some doing, however, he manages to convince The Batman to accompany him to New York and Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum.

There, Access and The Batman engage in accusations and finger-pointing. Jubilee returns with the X-Men. Not a Classic line-up, mind you, Cyclops, Iceman, Jean Grey, Bishop and Cannonball. They fight with Batman. As The Dark Knight collects himself, Access himself returns with the Justice League! 

Guice and Rubinstein are back at it on Ron Marz's story. Lee Loughridge on colors; Digital Chameleon on separations. It's a pretty standard issue where hero's face a misunderstanding and end up arguing and fighting until they reach a lightbulb moment of clarity.

That moment may come in the next issue!

What is enjoyable is the diversity and somewhat unpredictability. The Batman and Dr. Strange? X-Men versus Justice League? The Batman spies The Black Cat?

This is what fans long for.

DC/Marvel All Access 3 earns three stars.

Young Heroes in Love The DC/Marvel All Access 2 Review

 

Ah, young love.

That Guice cover of swingers, Robin and Jubilee is just so sweet, innocent and cute. Whatever could possibly stand in the way of these two young heroes in love?

Having set the separate universes right again, Axel Asher enjoys a carriage ride in the park with his Marvel Universe girlfriend, Ming. Until Jubilee and Generation X show up. Jubilee has tracked Axel down in order to plead with him to use his Access powers for a chance to meet Robin (Tim Drake) one more time. They didn't get a chance to say goodbye after the events of DC Versus Marvel/Marvel Versus DC. Jubilee has a crush on The Boy Wonder and really wants to see him again. In return, she'll make it up to Axel by fixing things with Ming. Jealous Ming.

Against everything he should be about, the whole keeping the two universes separate, Access agrees to cross Jubilee over to hook-up with Robin. What could possibly go wrong?

Access is overpowered by Two-Face! Using the same gimmick that Robin used to beat Jubilee, the pair outsmart and overpower Dent. After that, they're confronted by The Scorpion!

Guice gets support from Joe Rubinstein on finishes and Lee Loughridge on colors. The look is a lot less over-the-top, so to speak. It all looks smooth. Even with a wonky premise, the story plays out pretty well. It's a fun romp.

DC/Marvel All Access earns three stars.    

Between a Rock and a Hard Place The DC/Marvel: All Access 1 Review

 

Ordinarily, I'm a fan of "Butch" Guice. I enjoyed his art for Wally West as The Flash after Crisis on Infinite Earths. I liked his work on Ruse. I'm somewhat familiar with his work on Justice League and "The Death of Superman" storyline...

There's just something about his art on DC/Marvel: All Access that just feels like a square peg in a round hole. Maybe it starts with the cover. Guice has Access in a "Hero or Villain?", quite menacing pose. Access looks angry! He looks unfriendly! Like perhaps, Monarch - when the former Hawk, of Hawk and Dove went rogue and sent the DC Universe reeling through a "Crisis in Time"! Surrounded by DC and Marvel Comics' heavy hitters, Access is leading the charge! It's a cool cover, but somewhat off-putting. Yes, just who is this new character, Access? What powers does he wield? What control? What does he have to do with the best, brightest and finest of two universes?

That question can only be answered by reading, nay, investing, in the story!

Axel Asher, Access, is late AGAIN meeting his Marvel Universe girlfriend, Ming. This is kind of the standard hero trope. Axel, like Peter Parker and Barry Allen is the Everyman, the good guy off doing good things, on his own, saving the Universe and THAT's getting in the way of his social life. He can't commit because he's already committed to The Good Fight. Guice carries Ron Marz's story. The seizure that Axel has looks a lot more painful than Spider-Sense. Messy, too. Axel senses that Venom has crossed over to Metropolis and has to run off to fix that. One would think that Superman could handle Venom, however, one would guess amiss. Only the combined teamwork of Superman AND Spider-Man, is Venom overcome. And while in Metropolis, Access manages to rescue a fair damsel in distress. One Caitlin Fitzgerald, "Fitz" for short. 

After Superman, Spider-Man and Access stop Venom, Axel returns the webslinger and his archfoe to the Marvel Universe. Where, Doctor Stephen Strange notices... "it begins!"

Venom is an interesting choice. Not an "A-List" bad guy. Also interesting is the ongoing cliche of the hero late for a date, and relationship issues. Guice's art is decent, except that it just seems over-the-top, especially showing Access reacting to a Crossing.

DC/Marvel All Access earns three stars.