Opening the Time Capsule, Justice League of America 200 Treasury Reprint Review

It's hard to imagine that nearly everyone involved in the original Justice League of America 200 is gone now. Writer Gerry Conway passed away at age 73, April 26th, 2026. Artist George Perez passed away at age 67, May 6th, 2022. Len Wein, gone at 69, September 10th, 2017. Aparo, Giordano, Infantino, Kane, Kubert... talented individuals all. Their "dash" full and complete. The anniversary issue of Justice League of America is what they've left behind.

One remembers when the issue was first unleashed. Awesome then. Just as enjoyable now, forty-four years later, as it was, first in 1982. Re-released in July 2026 as a Treasury Edition Facsimile Reprint, Perez's art is just as eye-popping. Conway's script is respectful, opening with a recap of the original origin story before diving headlong into this sequel. Brilliant including different art teams for the different chapters. Aparo for Aquaman, Kane for Green Lantern, Infantino for The Flash, Giordano for Wonder Woman. Conway's story nicely and smoothly draws in The Phantom Stranger, Snapper Carr, Green Arrow and J'onn J'onzz. In 1982 it was not hard to understand that J'onn had left the team and was gone for a number of years. Snapper Carr had betrayed the team once, before moving on to other things. Oliver Queen had just quit. Revisiting things in 2026, minor details can be overlooked.

The larger size gives the art more space to be enjoyed. The double splash page of the satellite headquarters; Kane's splash of The Atom slugging Green Lantern; the team racing from the cave headquarters for a final confrontation with the aliens are just a few standouts. The layout and design are just incredible. The wraparound cover, with an added border is more than just nice. The attention to detail shows a deep respect for everything and everyone involved.

It is a shame that J'onn was shuffled off, while Ollie decided to make a comeback. Later, J'onn would return to his rightful place as a core member of the team. However, no one knew it back then.

The facsimile reprint of Justice League of America 200 is like opening a time capsule and seeing what talented individuals would leave behind. It earns five stars enduring the test of time.

Behold! Lo, Cometh The Green Goblin! The Amazing Spider-Man Facsimile 14 Reprint Review

This one has it all! Everything BUT the kitchen sink!

Stand Lee and Steve Ditko present the debut of the mysterious The Green Goblin! Who is he? His plan is just bonkers crazy and wacky. He wants to lure Spider-Man out to Hollywood, by way of the desert, with hopes and dreams of the big time of fame and fortune. The real scheme is that The Goblin and his gang, The Enforcers, will put the fatal smack-down on him! It's an incredibly contrived and complicated plot to maneuver Spider-Man into fighting The Hulk. That's the whole point of "The Grotesque Adventure of The Green Goblin"! Everything else is just minor details.

The story also seems to be a send-up and parody of Hollywood and the film industry. B. J. Kosmojian is such a simplified caricature of a movie producer. Followed around by three toady "Yes"-men. It's just hilarious. 

Even funnier... one would think that since Peter Parker couldn't cash a check made out to "Spider-Man" why is he signing a big-deal movie contract as Spider-Man?! The whole story just lacks any and all common sense.

Still, it's wacky, off-beat and FUN. It's a brainless slugfest.

The selling point comes from the splash-page blurb of giving a full twelve cents worth of story and action. The Amazing Spider-Man 14, featuring the debut of The Green Goblin, leading The Enforcers toward a bombastic battle that includes The Incredible Hulk earns three stars!   

Blinded by the Science Fiction! Batman 156 Facsimile Reprint Review

Following the end of World War II, pop culture was all about Science Fiction. This may have coincided and collided with Frederick Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent, in which he made the claim that superhero comic books directly related to juvenile delinquency. Batman 156 is possibly evidence of a shift in tone and direction of Batman and Robin's adventures, maybe to confront both. Taking advantage of the growing popularity of Science Fiction and address Wertham's charges.

The issue opens with Batman going off on a "secret mission" and Robin encountering a new costumed individual - The Ant-Man! He is not who he seems to be! Robin solves the mystery pretty easily before catching up to The Caped Crusader. Batman has volunteered for some military project and undergoes tests to see how an individual will handle space travel.

It sounds very much like the debut episode of The Twilight Zone, featuring Earl Holliman as an astronaut undergoing mental tests for space flight. Holliman's character struggled with the isolation and loneliness. Batman suffers the same fate. He faces the illusion of an alien planet and creatures and the hallucination that Robin is killed by an alien giant. Following the conclusion of the tests, Batman still can't shake the hallucinations. Which complicates The Dynamic Duo catching the Gorilla Gang! Ace the Bat-Hound makes a strong appearance at both Robin's and Batman's side here.

Switching from fighting super-criminals to gorillas with a side of alien hallucinations Batman 156, the facsimile reprint earns four stars. 

   

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.