Monday, April 30, 2018

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.

Friday, April 27, 2018

New 52 Legion Lost #6

This reread has been an interesting exercise for me.

Heading in, I can remember not liking the book that much. Rereading I am finding more here than I remember liking although most of it is around character interaction and less about plot.

Perhaps it is the upcoming 'Harvest' storyline that eventually leads me to dislike the book. 


This issue is a mix of original team Fabian Nicieza and Peter Woods with new writer Tom DeFalco and guest artist Matt Camp. It reads very much like the first issues which makes me think Niceieza did most of the heavy lifting. 

And it is great that Tyroc is in the spotlight here, a Legionnaire who has never quite gotten his due. He is the leader of this team, by default. And he is learning the ropes.


The art remains delicious, the highpoint of the series. And a panel you'll see soon of Wildfire and Dawnstar is stunning. It is a shame Matt Camp didn't get a lot to do in comics. His stuff is crisp.

On to the book.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Reboot: Legion of Super-Heroes #102

Legion of Super-Heroes (v4) #102 (March 1998)
title: "Heroes"
writers: Tom Peyer and Tom McCraw
penciller: Jason Armstrong

inker: Ron Boyd
lettering: Pat Brosseau
colorist: Tom McCraw
assistant editor: Frank Berrios
editor: KC Carlson
cover: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer
reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Monstress, Star Boy; flashback: Leviathan

Guests: 
Atmos, Insect Queen, Kid Quantum II, Konk, Phrenologax Lad, Xanthians

Opponents: 
Khunds, Natra Dellons

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Who's Who: Kid Psycho

Kid Psycho
by Russell & Siskoid


Real Name: Grill Opral
Super-Power(s): Mental force fields, psycho force drills, telekinesis
Planet of Origin: Hajor
Relationship to Legion: Reserve Legionnaire

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

TOS: Adventure Comics #338


Adventure Comics #338 (November 1965)
Title: The Menace of the Sinister Super-Babies
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Letterer: Milton Snappin
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Cover Artists: Curt Swan and George Klein
Reviewer: Sarcasm Kid

Mission Monitor Board: Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Element Lad, Invisible Kid, Light Lass, Matter-Eater Lad, Saturn Girl, Star Boy, Superboy, Ultra Boy

Opponents: Glorith of Baaldur, Time Trapper

I picked Adventure #338 out of all the Silver Age issues to review because Glorith is my favorite of the Legion Big Bads. She is so nasty and petty compared to the Time Trapper and Mordru, but nasty in a non-complicated way....unlike Mordru with all that stalking abuse subtext between him and White Witch (again, Johns, thank you SO much for bringing all that back in LO3W). As a sidenote, I’ve been referring to the universe the 5YL Legion comics take place in as “Earth-338” since this was Glorith’s first appearance. Also this issue is hilarious with the way the Time Trapper is acting like some Saturday Morning Cartoon Villain with all his evil plans.

Monday, April 23, 2018

Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #7

The Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #7 (December 2007)
title: No Boys Allowed
writer: Jai Nitz
art: Ethan Beavers
letterer: Mike Sellers
colorist: Heroic Age
editor: Jeanine Schaefer
cover art: Alexander Serra

Mission Monitor Board: Bouncing Boy, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, Superman, Triplicate Girl

Villain: Circe

Special Appearance: The Amazons of New Themyrscira

Friday, April 20, 2018

New 52 Legion Lost #5


I guess I was a little bit desperate to like a Legion book because I keep opening my old reviews with how good Legion Lost is. I really liked the book back then it seemed. Meanwhile, the older Anj can't help but see the flaws.

I wonder though, perhaps what I like about this book is the details. I see the trees and I am ignoring the forest. Legion Lost #5 is just that sort of issue. The characterization of Dawnstar and Tellus is solid. I like Dawnstar's reluctance to wade into physical battle. I love how she counts on Wildfire's protection. I love Tellus' strategy and his way of defeating the villain. And, of course, I love Wildfire's personality and action. There is a 'boom' moment in this book. 

And Pete Woods' are continues to sparkle.

But the big plot. The Hypertaxis Virus, the defeat of Alastor, his motivations ... it all is off for me. And just like that it, and writer Fabian Nicieza's run on the book, is over. So things aren't great and they are changing. My gut tells me it is not for the better. Maybe we didn't know how good we had it until it was gone.

But rereading that Wildfire page ... oh so Vegeta ... made me smile once again. I had forgotten about it! BOOM!

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Reboot: Legends of the Legion #2

Legends of the Legion #2 (March 1998)
title: "Resistance - The Secret Origin of Spark!"
writers: Barry Kitson and Tom Peyer
penciller: Jeffrey Moy
inker: W.C. Carani
lettering: Albert De Guzman
colorist: Tom McCraw
assistant editor: Frank Berrios
editor: KC Carlson
cover: Steve Lightle
reviewers: Siskoid & Shotgun

Mission Monitor Board:  
Spark, Star Boy, Ultra Boy, Umbra; flashback: Live Wire

Guests: 
Antennae Boy, Chuck Taine, Color Queen, Doro, Infectious Lass, Night Girl, Porcupine Pete; flashback: Feg Arzz, Dalya Ranzz, Garla, Hegga, Kirth Ranzz, Zakk Arzz, Winathians

Opponents: 
Flashback: High-Brow, Klamorr, Lightning Beasts, Lightning Lord, Slopp, Violence Queen

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Who's Who: Kantuu

Kantuu
by Russell & Siskoid


Real Name: Kantuu
Super-Power(s): Phenomenal Cosmic Powers
Planet of Origin: Djinn
Relationship to Legion: Villain

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

TOS: Adventure Comics #337



Adventure Comics #337 (October 1965)
title: The Weddings That Wrecked the Legion
writer: Edmond Hamilton
artist: John Forte
letterer: Milton Snapinn
editor: Mort Weisinger
cover: Curt Swan and George Klein
cover letterer: Ira Schnapp
reviewer: Bits Boy (AKA Legion Lad)

Mission Monitor Board
Superboy, Sun Boy, Colossal Boy, Phantom Girl, Ultra Boy, Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, Chameleon Boy, Mon-El, Brainiac 5, Light Lass, Cosmic Boy, Element lad, Shrinking Violet, Star Boy, Triplicate Girl


Guests

Night Girl, Chlorophyll Kid

Opponent
Would-be invaders from planet Murra