Misadventures of Archie - When he was a BOY! Little Archie 1 Facsimile Reprint Review

Little Archie 1, from January 1956 is the latest facsimile reprint from Archie Comics. The further misadventures of America's favorite comic book teenager, Archie Andrews! The debut issue opens with Little Archie and Little Jughead on a hunting safari in the Andrews living room! The duo approaches their quarry from opposite sides and with dual "SPLAT!" they nail Fred Andrews with their suction cup arrows! Both he and Mary advise the boys to take their hunting expedition outside. That's where they concoct a plan to open a wild animal zoo! With Betty and Veronica, they head down to the creek to look for wild animals. Finding a turtle, they bring him home, and Jughead plops him in Mr. Andrews' tub... before an unsuspecting Mr. Andrews dives in for a relaxing bath.

Next, the boys enjoy watching racing on television and get the idea to have their own soap box derby! While everyone else builds their own racer, Archie enlists Veronica and Betty to help him with his. Unfortunately, the other boys discover what Archie's got hidden under the hood!

Later, Veronica ropes Archie into matrimony and they play "house". Mr. Andrews tells Archie to be a gentleman. Betty wants in, so she tries to marry her cat to Archie's dog. Which lands her cat up a tree and Archie in trouble with his pop. Things go from bad to worse when his friends start teasing him.

Finally, playing army, General Little Archie and Moose inspect the troops... Until Veronica gets hold of Moose bugle and turns everything around.

The issue is buttoned up with Reggie and Archie playing "office".

The stories are so much fun and light-hearted. Full of wonder and imagination. Bob Bolling captures the spirit of being a kid.

The reprint facsimile of Little Archie 1 earns five stars.  

 

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.