Flash (vol.2) #31 (1989)

Flash (vol.2) #31 (October, 1989)
"The Comfort of a Stranger"
Writer - William Messner-Loebs
Pencils - Greg LaRocque
Inks - Larry Mahlstedt
Letters - Tim Harkins
Colors - Glenn Whitmore
Editor - Brian Augustyn
Cover Price: $1.00

Hey everybody... today's a very special day because it is the return of the MIGHTY Super-Blog Team-Up!  It's hard to believe it's been five-hundred and fifty-three days since our last time out!  Heck, this blog was only 536 days old at that point!

The theme this time around is... Redemption.

Now, when I think about "redemption" as it pertains to the DC Universe, only one name comes to mind... Hal Jordan.  But, uh, we did him already.  Like a whole bunch of times.

The next name that comes to mind, and yes, this is pretty silly... is the Pied Piper.  Ya know, they say you never forget your first... and when I started to make a conscious effort to collect and follow Flash comics, Geoff Johns was on the book.  One of Wally's supporting cast was Hartley Rathaway... the Pied Piper!

I didn't know much about the guy, and recall thinking it was really cool that he had gone from being a Rogue (among the goofier of Rogues) to an actual ally to Wally.  I think I over-romanticized the notion of Hartley's "redemption arc"... I mean, I suppose redemption arcs are very seldom not romanticized.  But, in this case... as we're about to find out, I might've put a little too much stock in the "face turn" of the Pied Piper.

Before we get into it, I wanna preemptively thank all of my fellow Super-Bloggers, it's been a fun time as always... and I hope it doesn't take another year-and-a-half for our next "go round"!

Also, big thanks to Chris Bailey (Charlton Hero) for having me on board, and for making the SBTU announcement on an episode of the Chris is on Infinite Earths podcast!



Okay, enough vamping.  Let's get right into the Redemption... of the Pied Piper! --

We open with a homeless woman and her son walking down a back alley... which is never really a good idea, regardless of your social standing.  Over the past few months after leaving her abusive husband, she'd lost everything.  Her son is hungry... she's scared.  It's a pretty lousy time.  They find themselves approached by a kind gentleman who offers them some grub, which they gleefully accept.  Just then, however, they find themselves staring down a pale giant of a fellow... who introduces himself as "the Comforter".  He grabs the Good Samaritan... and kinda "cooks" him from the inside out.  He then turns to the rest and asks "Who's Next?"

Speaking of "comfort", we switch scenes to Wally West lounging on the couch while Mason Trollbridge repairs his television set.  Ya see, Wally lost his fortune (remember, he won the lottery back in issue #1) and was forced to move into an apartment with his mother... and, I mean, that's gotta hurt.  Anyhoo, the tee-vee gets fixed just as Linda Park is reporting on the strange homeless murders.

Just as she's about to sign off, she is interrupted by... hey, there he is... the Pied Piper!  He vows to track down the murderer and dish out some justice.  Before Linda even leaves the air, the Flash arrives on the scene.  Really neat use of panel-progression here.

Wally and Linda do their whole passive-aggressive deal, and the only thing missing is if he'd tug on her pigtails as they contentiously chatted.  He calls her out for being heartless... and only after "the story".  Seems like Linda's been taking her Lois-pills.

Back at the pad, Mason lets Mary West know that he's heading out to meet up with his daughter and her "yuppie" family.  Now there's a word that needs to make a come back.  Anyhoo, he ain't exactly happy to go, but family's family, ya know?

Wally checks in at the police department to find out if they have any leads about the homeless murders.  To which, he's informed that the Police just... doesn't have the time to look into it!  He does get a tip, however... to head over to St. Jude's Shelter and chat up Sister Mary Elizabeth.  And so, he does just that!

We rejoin Trollbridge, who is sitting in the living room of the unsubtlest family in the world.  They're really laughably lame... Yuppies to the Nth degree.

Back at the news station, Linda Park is bending the ear of her boss.  Ya see, she really hates the Flash.  Like really.  If you're around her and want to talk about Wally West... just don't.  She might just really want to make out with him (as he does her).  I'll tell ya, hate's a complicated thing.  Anyhoo, as she flies off the handle, she's reminded that she hasn't always been objective in her reporting... which gives her a fair amount of food for thought.

We shift scenes, and Wally arrives at a sorta-kinda halfway house for squatters, a place that Sister Mary Liz told him about.  He rushes inside, and winds up skidding on some wet wallpaper that had been laid out.  Inside the room is... The Pied Piper!

They argue for a bit... with Piper going full-blown "college freshman back for Thanksgiving Break".  I mean, he says "property is theft", oy.  Flash doesn't get the opportunity to haul off and slug him, because they are interrupted by a child... who has read far too many comic books.  Or, maybe just one or two.

The kid recounts the old trope of a pair of costumed folks with the same goals having to duke it out before coming to some sort of agreement and working relationship.  We in the biz call that the "Marvel Meet Cute".  I wanna die.  Either way, Flash and Piper decide to skip the scuffle and join forces straightaway.

Wally is then introduced to a young boy... it's the Son of the woman who was killed by the Comforter during the opening pages!  Wally considers calling in a favor in order to entrap the baddie.

Speaking of the Comforter... let's find out a little bit more about the man himself.  Ya see, he's been hired to kill the Flash (by the Turtle), but he's got this real vendetta against homeless people.  He calls back to (I wanna say) Batman: The Cult, when Deacon Blackfire mobilized homeless people into an army... which ultimately resulted in his wife being murdered.  I could certainly see that rattling a dude.

As he floats in and out of flashback-land, Linda Park pops up on his television screen... and she's reporting that some homeless are being moved into a building for re-hab.  Like a moth to a flame, the Comforter will very likely have to do a "pop-in".

We jump ahead a few hours, and rejoin Mason Trollbridge (and family) in the subway.  They happen upon The Comforter (in his civilian duds) who is more than happy to tell them that he's off to kill him a bunch of homeless!  The Yuppies act yuppyish... and Mason initially writes the fella off as a subway-crackpot.

Not too long later over at the "sting" building, Wally and Linda have a less-contentious chat.  She actually calls him (and Piper) brave for putting themselves on the line like this.  Mason pops his head in to warn Wally about the crank on the train... and before we know it, that very same Comforter arrives!

He attacks Wally... his speed being the only thing that saves him.  With the Comforter preoccupied with the Speedster, Pied Piper reminds us all that he's here too when he toots on his horn!  Tell ya what, the baddie did not like that.  Everyone's a critic!

Comforter then turns his sights to Linda... who calls out to the Flash for help.  It seems as though it's only at this point that the Comforter realizes that the dude in red with a lightning bolt on his chest is the Flash!  C'mon, really?

The Comforter reaches for Wally... but when he does, Wally's speed causes the baddie's powers to backfire... instantly killing him!  Annnnd, that's all she wrote!

--

So, whattaya think folks?  Did I over-romanticize the redemption of Pied Piper?  Well, yeah... of course I did.  The strangest thing is, I've actually read these issues before, and still thought there was a lot more "oomph" to his becoming one of the good guys!  But, alas... here, Piper barely even gets any panel time!  I do like the idea of Piper being a hero of the oppressed.  His work with the homeless would kind of define his redemption arc, and would eventually lead to the blossoming of a friendship and working-relationship with Wally West.

For the issue itself, it was a great little "done in one" that progresses Wally's own overarching character-building endeavors.  Wally had been given the opportunity to mature during these early years of his ongoing title... and that continues in this issue.  His having to turn to Linda for help when he knows they've got this weird relationship shows that he's willing to put personal feelings aside, so long as it serves the greater good.

The Comforter... is a bit of a goofball character, though one whose origin story is rooted in tragedy.  He's a "done in one" character (he's dead, ya see... like really dead.  Dead-dead) who fills his role well.  His motivations, though extreme, are explained... though, his powers are still a little bit nebulous to me.  Not that it matters so much, mind you... because, as mentioned... he dead.

Really, the only part of this issue I feel kinda "ehh" about is Trollbridge's extended yuppie family.  They came across not so much like yuppies, but this odd satirized version of stereotypical yuppies.  No subtlety at all... and for such minor/throwaway scenes really kinda pulled me out of the story.

Overall... I gotta recommend this if you're looking for a great little Flash story.  If you're looking for more information on the redemption of the Pied Piper... well, you get a little bit of that here, but not all that much.  Certainly not as much as I was expecting!  This issue is available digitally.

Now, this is where we usually stop for the day, but today I'm going to beg your indulgence and offer up some links to some great blogs also taking part in Super-Blog Team-Up!  I highly recommend checking them out.  Super-Blog Team-Up day is very special to we in the comics blogging community, and I hope that comes across when you're reading, viewing, and listening to our offerings!  Thanks!

--

Letters Page:

--

Interesting Ads:

Between The Pages Blog - The Secret Origin Of Spider-Man

Black, White and Bronze - The Redemption of Red Sonja

Chris Is On Infinite Earths - The Pied-Piper Reforms!

Coffee and Comics - Green Lantern #100

Comics Comics Blog - Elfquest: Cutter’s Redemption

Comic Reviews By Walt - Redemption/Coming Home: Shredder

Crapbox of Son of Cthulhu - Iron Man: Alcoholic, Part I

Daily Rios - Thanos: Samaritan

In My Not-So Humble Opinion - The Other Side of the Wind: Redemption of Orson Welles

Longbox Review - Nightwing’s Redemption

Retroist - The Redemption Of Magneto

Source Material Comics Podcast: Penance – The Redemption of Speedball

Superhero Satellite - The Walking Dead “Redeeming Negan”

Two Staple Gold - Just a Pilgrim

Unspoken Decade - What If Vol 2 #46 and 47

1089

Flash (vol.2) #16 (1988)

Flash (vol.2) #16 (September, 1988)
"The Adventures of Speed McGee, Part 1"
Writer - William Messner-Loebs
Pencils - Greg LaRocque
Inks - Larry Malstedt
Letters - Steve Haynie
Colors - Michele Wolfman
Editor - Barbara Randall
Cover Price: $0.75

Welcome back, folks.  Christmas is in the rear-view, and it's back to business as usual here at the Infinite Earths.  In other words, it's safe to come back... 

Now, several months ago we took a look at an issue of Flash that introduced the character "Speed McGee".  Ever wonder what happened to him?  Well, we're going to find out anyway!

--

We open with Jerry "Speed" McGee recovering in his hospital room.  He evidently has no memory of transforming himself into an eight-foot tall speed monster.  He is visited by his estranged wife, Tina... who if you recall, has been fooling around with Wally.  If you don't recall, no worries... this issue mentions that she and Wally are "sleeping together" several times.  Anyhoo, the McGee's catch up, and actually have a pleasant conversation... lotsa laughing... so much so, that I thought for a moment might be revealed as a dream... or, like they were on the set of a sitcom.  Wally's mom pops her head in the room to call for Tina.  We can see that they have a pretty frosty relationship.

We shift scenes across the hospital, where Wally is attempting to entertain some sick children his speed-antics.  Unfortunately, his recent run-in with Vandal Savage actually stripped him of his powers!  We get a pretty interesting look at Wally's attempt at being a Superman-style hero, when he assures one of the kids that they'll get better really soon.  They reply that their parents already told them that they're going to Heaven.  Yikes.

Seeing Wally struggle with this unruly crowd, Mason Trollbridge (now there's a name!) steps in and does the whole "hide a quarter behind the ear" gimmick... only he says that the Flash did it so quickly they didn't even notice.

We jump ahead a little bit, and Trollbridge gives Wally an envelope that had been dropped off for him earlier.  It's an eviction notice from the apartment he'd been sharing with his mother.  Elsewhere, Jerry McGee is visited by Russian Doctors, Orloff and Bortz for a bit of observation.  They inform him that Wally's speed is gone.

Back to Wally, who is making a frantic phone call to his landlord, Mr. Gilchrist.  Dude tells him that his rent was too late, and it's time to go.  Trollbridge has posited that Gilchrist was going to utilize strong-arm tactics to evict every last tenant, before turning "condo".  Gilchrist gives Wally the "sucks to be you" before hanging up and attending to his baby daughter.

Then... we get this rather disturbing panel, where Gilchrist and the Flash are holding the child... and in the foreground are Vandal Savage and mobster, Nick Bassaglia.  This is really quite off-putting.

Back to the hospital, where Wally's mom is chatting with Tina McGee.  Tina expresses a renewed interest in fixing her relationship with Jerry... but feels like she owes it to Wally to stay with him, after all, he did save her life.  Mrs. West suggests that a forced sense of gratitude shouldn't be what keeps a relationship together.  Remember, she's not keen on this coupling in the first place.

At the very same time, Wally is checking out the butt of a cutie-pie nurse, and lamenting the fact that he's sort of "stuck" with Tina.  He, like Tina, feels like this relationship is more a burden than anything else.

He is approached by Tina... who lets him off the hook!  She tells him that she'll always love and remember him, but a relationship just isn't in the cards for them.  Wally, in classic sitcom fashion, wonders how he might get Tina back.  Wonk wonkkk.

Back to Jerry's room, where Gregor Gregorovich of the Blue Trinity busts in and grabs one of the doctors to bring back to Russia with him.

Wally arrives on the scene to try and talk the baddie down.  Ya see, the Blue Trinity got all tied up in the Rudy West/Manhunters thing during Millennium, and they ain't happy.  Wally, without his powers, gets beat up pretty bad.  Gregor makes a phone call and talks in code for a bit before being told that his mission has been cancelled.  He then charges toward "Speed" McGee... and collapses to the ground.

We wrap up with Wally and his mother returning to their apartment, where they are greeted by an eviction notice tacked to the door.  The phone rings, and it's Mr. Gilchrist.  He tells Wally that his daughter has been kidnapped, and begs him for help.  Wally, get this, apologizes and tells Gilchrist that "Wally West doesn't live here anymore"!  Stone cold.

--

Something about this issue kinda disturbs me.  There's an "unreality" to it, ya know?  A couple of scenes in particular really kinda get to me.

First, the opening scene with the McGee's.  The conversation they had felt so hammed-up that I was really expecting it to be a dream, or that they were going to be on a stage somewhere.  Didn't help that the laughter got its own sound effect... I thought that might be from the "studio audience".

The other scene that bugged me was the page with Gilchrist and "Flash" holding the child.  It almost felt like it was something we weren't supposed to see.  As though a director shouted "Cut!" and we panned back to see the rest of the set.  Gilchrist, who finds himself in a room with a scarlet superhero, a mobster, and Vandal Savage doesn't seem all that bothered.  In fact, he's smiling!

Don't get it twisted, neither of these scenes were "bad"... just felt really weird with or without context.

The Tina McGee relationship?  Ehh.  Never felt like it was going to go long-term, and I'm happy to see it end.  I probably could've done without Wally having the goofy sitcom reaction to getting what you hoped for... but not the way you wanted to get it though.  I guess that speaks to his youth and immaturity.

On that subject, I appreciated Wally's fumbling and stumbling his way though that pep-talk with the sick kids.  It really illustrates how young Wally is different from seasoned heroes like Superman, or even his own predecessor, Barry Allen.

The first few years of this series were all about Wally growing into his role as the Flash... so, seeing him have "growing pains" is really cool.  These days, give a kid powers and a costume, they'll be too busy telling everybody (and being told) how "awesome" they are to worry in the slightest about the tribulations before them.

Another illustration of Wally's immaturity comes at the end.  After receiving a frantic phone call from Landlord Whatshisface about his missing daughter, Wally tells him to go pound sand.  That's not something any other superhero would ever do!

Overall, I thought this was a pretty good issue.  It's definitely a different kinda Wally than we'd come to know and love in the decades that followed, but definitely enjoyable.  This issue is available digitally.

--

Letters Page:

--

Interesting Ads:

1061

Impulse #34 (1998)

Impulse #34 (February, 1998)
"The Devonian Age"
Writer - William Messner-Loebs
Pencils - Craig Rousseau
Inks - Barbara Kaalberg
Letters - Chris Eliopoulos
Colors - Tom McCraw
Editor - Paul Kupperberg
Cover Price: $1.95

It's the Second Day of Christmas on Infinite Earths... and, wouldja lookit what we've got here!  Bart Allen frantically rocking around the Christmas Tree opening gifts... looks like we're in for a treat today!

You'd think that... right?

--

We open, and it's excitement right out of the gate!  Impulse and Max Mercury are... setting up Max's new Fax Machine.  Try and contain yourselves, I dare ya!  When the going gets too tough (which is to say, too boring) Bart rushes off to school.  Later that afternoon, he's helping Mr. Sheridan hang up a banner for the New Year's Dance... which, I mean... shouldn't be nearly as involved as they're making it seem here... it's like a, two... maybe four thumbtack job at most.  Sheridan's using a chair to reach where he wants the banner hung, which is evidently a "non-approved appliance" per the rules of the school.

We get some pretty lame physical comedy here, as Sheridan is spooked off the seat, but before he hits the ground, Bart zips a bunch of chairs in place.  Nobody can quite figure out what just happened... but before they can ask any questions, Bart's whisked away by Max Mercury... who'd already received his first fax!

Turns out, there's some weird goings-on at Area 52 the Speedsters need to look into.  I dunno about you all, but this kinda thing really makes me feel like it's Christmas!  Upon arrival at Area 52, the fellas are faced with some goofs in hazmat suits.  Bart doesn't wait for Max to concoct a plan... and just charges in.  The hazmatters then pop outta sight, leading to Bart crashing right into Max, kayoing the both'a dem!

They wake up a little later only to find themselves trapped in a dome.  It can only be... Brainiac!  Well, no... it's actually Dr. Julian Tremain, the Master of Time and Space!  Yeah, him... in the flesh!  Okay, okay... this is the first of this fella's two appearances.

Bart informs the Doc that, duh, he can vibrate out of the dome anytime he pleases... and that's exactly what he does... which, as it turns out, is exactly what Tremain was hoping for!  Bart charges... and as his Speed Forceyness kicks in, the Doc's assistant blasts him with a beam!  The four fellas vanish!

We pick back up with Bart and Max... in the Devonian Age!  Shockingly this is not an age where everyone is named "Devon" (though, that would be a good guess)... it's actually a time period that started 419.2 Million Years back (give or take)... and ran until 358.9 Million Years ago (again, give or take).  It's considered to be a link between lobe-finned fish and early amphibians and is named after Devon, England where rocks from this era were initially studied.  Learn something new every day!

Bart thinks this is pretty cool... and decides he might wanna run amok for a bit, seeing the entire world before man set foot on it and what-not.  Max nyoinks him back by the collar, and tells him to cool his jets.  After all, even stepping on a single grasshopper could have effects that change the very fabric of human existence.

Bart is cool with staying put, and as Max continues to pontificate, he crafts a crude fishing rod to catch some supper.  Max, of course, flips out at this notion.  Which leads to Bart's next question... are they just supposed to starve to death?  Max considers the options... and realizes that could be just as bad for the future of the world and humanity... their corpses would release bacteria that could be detrimental to the ecosystem... seems they're in a lose-lose situation here!

While they mull it over, the scent of roasting fish interrupts their trains of thought.  Turns out, Dr. Tremain and his assistant have no such qualms over mucking about in the ecosystem... they've started a fire, and they're dining on fish!  Bart and Max figure... heck, the fish are already dead, and the fire's already lit... might as well dig in!

Tremain informs the Speedsters that he never thought up a way home... and is totally cool with the idea that he'll just be the first ever ruler of the world.  Seems like something to hang your hat on, I guess.  The only way out of this, it would seem, is if something happened in the past that stopped future-Tremain from concocting the plan to go back in time in the first place!  Bart swats at a mosquito... and wouldn'tcha know it, we're suddenly back in the present!

But... it's a very different present!  Instead of hanging a banner for the New Year's Dance, Mr. Whatshisface is hanging a banner in honor of World President For-Life Tremain!

The rules of the school are fact more strict... but not terribly interesting.  We wrap up with Bart walking outside, only to find Max Mercury locked up in the stocks... looks like their actions in the past are haunting them in the present!

--

Dunno about you guys, but that made me feel like Christmas!  Arright, arright... that's not the first "Christmas book" we've discussed that forgot to include Christmas.  You can take a look at last year's discussion of The Spirit #13 (2008) for something similar... a really neat Holiday-themed cover, with no holly-jolly to be had on the inside.  If you really wanna see Impulse himself celebrate (in a not-so-hot story), you can take a look at the discussion on Impulse #45 (1999) from two-years back.

So yeah, as a Christmas story... this issue fails.  As a non-Christmas story... iiiiiiiit's still not great shakes.  I can get down with "Butterfly Effect" stories, and time-travel can always be a bit interesting... but this just didn't do it for me.  I mean, if you're playing with time-travel and you've got a Christmas cover... you'd almost expect Impulse to witness the first Christmas or something.  Ehh, whattayagonnado?

This book often tries using "physical" comedy as it's hook... but, the set-ups are just so hokey and contrived here.  Early on with Sheridan hanging the banner was pretty lame... and the result, with them all just sitting in chairs that weren't there a second ago... feels a little too Bugs Bunny for me... and, where Bugs could get away with it, a kid trying to keep a secret identity really can't.

Worth noting, the Speedsters head to Area 52, an obvious play on Area 51... but, I mean, DC does have that odd fetish with the number "52"... we've seen signs of it even pre-Flashpoint (and pre-Fifty-Two)... makes me wonder if one day, someone might try and connect all of the off-handed mentions of the number into a meta-story.  Hmm... think I'll file that in my "good bad ideas" pile.

Overall... yeah, this one's a "pass".  I'd say if you come across it in a quarter-bin, it might be worth it for the cover.  Sadly, there's not much more to recommend other than that.

--

Letters Page:

--

Fold This Page!

--

Interesting Ads:

On the Second Day of Christmas on Infinite Earths, I gave to you, Impulse #34, and a Flash (vol.2) #73 Discussion and Review.

1050