Karate Kid The Series Aftermath

commentary by Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage
dedicated affectionately to Glenn "Continuity Kid" Walker

What happened to Karate Kid after his solo-series was cancelled? Let's find out!

DC Super-Stars #17

DC Super-Stars #17 (December 1977)
title: "The Secret of the Quintile Crystal!"
writer: Jack C. Harris
penciller: Juan Ortiz
inker: Bob Smith
colorist: Liz Berube
editor: Baul Levitz
table of contents art: Jim Aparo
cover: Joe Staton

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board: Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl; Superboy

Guests:
RJ Brande, unnamed Science Police officer

Opponent:
Lord Lorval, Ambassador of Oianus; bureaucracy

Karate Kid #9

Karate Kid #9 
"The Black Belt Contract!"
script by David Michelinie writing as Barry Jameson
art by Ric Estrada and Joe Staton
edited by Denny O'Neil
cover by Al Milgrom
cover date: August 1977
review by Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage
dedicated affectionately to Glenn "Continuity Kid" Walker

In typical mid-Seventies fashion, we start this story on the docks, after dark, with two shadowy characters in trench coats, one an Angry Black Man and the other a debonair White man, discussing underworld activity. An episode of SHAFT? Perhaps it's BARNABY JONES (a Quinn Martin production)? No, it's the newest issue of Karate Kid. 

Karate Kid #8

Karate Kid #8 
"Pandemonium....Panic.....and Pulsar!"
script by David Michelinie writing as Barry Jameson
art by Ric Estrada and Joe Staton
color by Liz Berube
edited by Denny O'Neil
cover by Mike Grell
cover date: June 1977
review by Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage
dedicated affectionately to Glenn "Continuity Kid" Walker

I never went to any, but I hear that those live stadium shows in the late Seventies were just fab.
Here we have Karate Kid and Pulsar fighting on stage as Police Commissioner Banner tries to keep out of the way and three DC Comic staff members frantically take notes. Groovy, baby. Mike Grell back on double-duty pencils & inks clearly enjoys what he is doing. Looks like this is going to be another all-out action issue in the mighty Marvel DC manner!

Karate Kid #7

Karate Kid #7 
"The Gyro-Master Strikes Twice!"
script by David Michelinie writing as Barry Jameson
art by Ric Estrada and Joe Staton
edited by Denny O'Neil
cover by Mike Grell
cover date: April 1977
review by Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage
dedicated affectionately to Glenn "Continuity Kid" Walker

I can't imagine being a kid in the spring of 1977 and seeing this cover and not wanting, nee, NEEDING to pick up this title. Just look at that cover! The Gyro Master is throwing toys at Karate Kid!! And they are twice as deadly as....as....er....slinkies?

Also, point of order but we're about to find out that the Gyro Master actually does NOT strike twice. He actually strikes once and then just loiters around. So that's kind of a let-down, too. But really, who should be counting?

Let's get right to the action, shall we?

Karate Kid #6

Karate Kid #6 
"Showdown With Commander Blud!"
script by David Michelinie writing as Barry Jameson
art by Ric Estrada and Joe Staton
edited by Denny O'Neil
cover by Ernie Chan (penciller) and Mike Grell (inker)
cover date: Feb/March 1977
review by Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage
dedicated affectionately to Glenn "Continuity Kid" Walker

Here we are again folks, slumming in 1977 New York City with a few members of the Legion of Super-Heroes. According to the cover (again by Ernie Chan and Mike Grell instead of Grell solo) Karate Kid has been "driven WILD, the Kid stalks friend and foe ALIKE!" It would have been nice if the Legion had appeared on the cover, too, cuz, you know, the Kid kicking Commander Blud in the face as illustrated here is just not that dynamic. Plus the lack of any background at all doesn't make this one of the better covers.

Karate Kid #5

Karate Kid #5 
"The Tomorrow Thief"
script by David Michelinie writing as Barry Jameson
art by Ric Estrada and Joe Staton
color by Liz Berube
edited by Joe Orlando
cover by Ernie Chan (penciller) and Mike Grell (inker)
cover date: Nov/Dec 1976
review by Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage
dedicated affectionately to Glenn "Continuity Kid" Walker

Here we are again, it's Kung Fu Fighting time! Errr, I mean, Karate Kid reading time. This month we get an antagonist who seeks to take advantage of the fact that Karate Kid revealed that he was from the future..... something I'm not sure he should have done in the first place, but it's in the past now (see what I did there?). Fresh from being named a deputized police officer of the state of New York last issue, Karate Kid finds himself a minor celebrity this time around....in more ways than one.

Karate Kid #4

Karate Kid #4 
"The Rage of Yesterdays Lost"
script by David Michelinie writing as Barry Jameson
art by Ric Estrada and Joe Staton
color by Carl Gafford
letters by Milt Snapinn
edited by Joe Orlando
cover by Ernie Chan (penciller) and Mike Grell (inker)
cover date: Sept/Oct 1976
review by Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage
dedicated affectionately to Glenn "Continuity Kid" Walker

I have had a bit of a problem turning my attention to reviewing the short-lived Karate Kid series from 1976-1978. Although I have access to all fifteen issues, I really have no interest in the odd way that the series was created and presented. I didn't really get into it until later into the run, after it gets its feet more firmly planted, as it were. And that is only speaking generally; as you are about to read (I hope) I have huge specific problems with Karate Kid #4 due to my life experiences with Japan.

So consider this long-winded introduction my apology for not getting to this series earlier. I promise to try to do a monthly review of Karate Kid to the page for the next year; at fifteen issues total that means this should work for the entirety of 2019. Now let's try to muddle through this particular issue where the greatest fighter of the 30th Century faces off against the menace of Master Hand!

Karate Kid #3

Karate Kid #3 
"The Revenger"
script by David Michelinie writing as Barry Jameson
art by Ric Estrada and Joe Staton
cover by Mike Grell
cover date: August 1976
review by Glenn 'Continuity Kid' Walker. 
Editor's Note: This is the third and last review of the 1970s Karate Kid series that Glenn Walker completed for the Legion of Super-Bloggers before his untimely death in December. Glenn was looking forward to reviewing this entire series, so had written up and prepped three full posts before he passed away.
We here at LSB could not imagine not using these wonderfully written reviews; not only as entertainment on their own, but also one last testament to our friend's talent and enthusiasm. ~Russell

As with the first two issues of this series, the cover is another beautiful work by then regular Legion artist Mike Grell. This one, darker than the usual Grell fare and hinting at what would come a few years later in his career with Green Arrow and Jon Sable Freelance, has Karate Kid in a meelee with the titular villain of this issue and an unnamed combatant. Also, Iris Jacobs is in her unfortunately usual damsel in distress position on the floor in the background. It's a cover that almost perfectly captures what this story should have been. I love this cover, and it should be noted that in every case, Grell has delivered what he was supposed to - a dynamic cover meant to sell the comic, and it's a trick that has worked every time so far. I really wanted to read this comic based on the cover. The truth inside is more than somewhat disappointing.

Karate Kid #2

Karate Kid #2 
"The International Dooms of Major Disaster"
script by Paul Levitz and David Michelinie writing as Barry Jameson,
art by Ric Estrada, and inks by Joe Staton,
cover by Mike Grell,
cover date: May-June 1976,
review by Glenn 'Continuity Kid' Walker. 

Editor's Note: This is the second of three reviews of the 1970s Karate Kid series that Glenn Walker completed for the Legion of Super-Bloggers before his untimely death. Glenn was looking forward to reviewing this entire series, and had enthusiastically written up and prepped three posts before he passed away due to illness in December of last year.  
We present the review to issue #2 to you today and will present the review of #3 next month. We do this not only as a  memorial of sorts to our friend, but also because they are so well written. To not use them seems like a monumental waste. We hope you agree. ~Russell  

This issue was actually the first issue of Karate Kid that I purchased off what was then a spinner rack in the Anning's 5 & 10 (now a specialty ice cream shop) in my home town. First I was stunned to see a comic titled Karate Kid. I think it was a sudden move from DC Comics, and they'd kept it a bit on the down-low from Legion fans unless you were really paying attention (which I must not have been). But here it was, a beautiful Mike Grell cover with Karate Kid protecting the United Nations and a redhead (always my favorite, so much so I married one) from the despicable and dangerous Major Disaster. The Legion fan in me had to have it.

Karate Kid #1

Karate Kid #1 
"My World Begins in Yesterday"
script by Paul Levitz
art by Ric Estrada and Joe Staton
cover by Mike Grell
cover date: March-April 1976
review by Glenn 'Continuity Kid' Walker. 

It's 1976, the American Bicentennial is in full swing, and I'm twelve years old. I love comics, I'm solidly a Legion fan, loving the Mike Grell art on Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes (which unknown to me is soon coming to an end), and I see a Karate Kid solo comic on the spinner rack, with a Grell cover, and I'm instantly sold.

That was issue #2, but still--- the excitement is still there, and even though I devoured that issue immediately, I'll start my reviews here with the first issue – which I had picked up shortly after that second issue.

 But first,  a couple of history lessons.

Who's Who: Blockade Boy

Blockade Boy
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Phyl Staad

Super-Power(s): Turn into a steel barricade
Planet of Origin: Amadus

Relationship to Legion: Ally

Who's Who: Blackout Boy

Blackout Boy
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Graah

Super-Power(s): Cast darkness; the power is temporary
Planet of Origin: Murra

Relationship to Legion: Villain; temporary Legionnaire

Who's Who: Benn Pares

Benn Pares
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Benn Pares

Super-Power(s): Levitation, turn into mist or light, teleportation, immunity to telepathy, possibly others
Planet of Origin: Earth

Relationship to Legion: Villain

Who's Who: Bacard Barley Circus

Bacard Barley Circus
by Russell & Siskoid

Real Name: Bacard Barley Inter-Stellar Travelling Carnival and Sideshow

Super-Power(s): Varied
Planet of Origin: No fixed address

Relationship to Legion: Group victimized by villain from the inside

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #300

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #300 (June 1983)
title: "The Future Is Forever"

writer/co-plotter: Paul Levitz

penciller/co-plotter: Keith Giffen (framing sequence)
inker: Larry Mahlstedt (framing sequence) 

letterer: John Costanza
colorist: Carl Gafford

editor: Karen Berger
cover: see Tuesday's post for the list of cover artists

Mission Monitor Board:  
"All 24 active Legionnaires, plus a host of former Legionnaires, Honorary Legionnaires, Substitute Legionnaires, Guest Stars, and More!"

Editor's Note: 
Presenting the review of the fabulous 300th issue of Legion of Super-Heroes, with a special celebration-length 55 page story review featuring most members of the Legion of Super-Bloggers! 
Take it away, guys!

Who's Who: Durlans

 

Durlans
by Russell & Siskoid

Planet of Origin: Durla
Super-Power(s): Shape-shifting

Relationship to Legion: Withdrawn species that actually spawned one or more Legionnaires and its financial benefactor. 

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #280

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #280 (Oct, 1981)
title: "O! Call Back Yesterday!"

writer: Roy Thomas

penciller: Jimmy Janes
inker: Bruce Patterson

letterer: Ben Oda
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Mike W. Barr
cover: George Perez

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Mission Monitor Board:  
Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Phantom Girl, Karate Kid, Dawnstar, Blok, Superboy/Ultra Boy; Mon-El, Element Lad, Colossal Boy, Wildfire, Shrinking Violet, Chameleon Boy; cameo appearances by all other members except Dream Girl

Guests: 
Duo Damsel, Bouncing Boy

Opponents: 
Grimbor, the Time Trapper

The FWPodcast: Who's Who in the Legion (1)

The Fire and Water Podcast Presents…
Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes episode 1

The Irredeemable Shag teams-up with the Legion of Super-Bloggers to cover the galactic seven-issue mini-series! A three-episode podcast starting TODAY at the Fire & Water Podcast Network!

Our first podcast episode features reviews of the first two issues. For Volume 1 Shag welcomes LSB Leader Russell Burbage to talk about Absorbency Boy, the Bacard Barley Circus, and Dev-Em, among many many others! For Volume 2 Shag talks with Dr. Anj and Kyle Benning about Dream Girl, the Dominators, the Fatal Five, and many many more! They then discuss a special missing entry provided by the multi-talented Xum Yukinori!

You can find the episode on http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/ww-legion1

Hop in your Legion Cruiser and go there RIGHT NOW and listen. Then leave Listener Feedback on their page as well as here on our page.

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #260

Legion of Super-Heroes (v2) #260 (February, 1980)
title: "Come To The Circus And Die!"

writer: Gerry Conway

penciller: Joe Staton

inker: John Calnan
letterer: Milt Snapinn
colorist: Gene D'Angelo

editor: Jack C. Harris
cover: Dick Giordano (signed)

reviewer: Russell "Bilingual Boy" Burbage

Previously:  
Last issue, Superboy and the Legion faced a villain named the Psycho Warrior who made Superboy learn that he was indirectly responsible for the deaths of his adopted parents. Not wanting to subject their friend to that knowledge every time he came to the future, Saturn Girl gave him a post-hypnotic suggestion to not visit the 30th Century again.
RJ Brande's fortune has been stolen by the United Planets in a misguided effort to help rebuild Earth after the Earthwar and the attack by Omega. After Brande found out about this, however, he forgave the larceny, vowing to re-build his fortune on his own. 
The Legion had investigated the bankruptcy because they wanted to use Brande's fortune to rebuild their destroyed head-quarters. Now, they are still homeless.