Bonus Book #10 - Bronze Tiger (Holiday, 1988)
"Deadly Perspective"
Writer - Larry Ganem
Pencils - Peter Krause
Inks - Fred Butler
Letters - Helen Vesik
Colors - Matt Webb
Edits - Joey Cavalieri
Executive Edits - Joe Orlando
This is a weird one for a few reasons... none of 'em story-related. This bonus was included with Suicide Squad #21 (Holiday, 1988), and is the only member of the Bonus Book family not to get a mention on the cover... so, to steal a line from Ed MacMahon, you might already be an owner of Bonus Book #10... and not even realize it!
Also, you might've noticed that I assigned this a "cover-month" of "Holiday". Ya see, this was during a time where cover-dates were getting shuffled... and, in fact, many of DC's offerings around now don't even get assigned an actual "month". If we look at the indicia for Suicide Squad #21... it just says "1988". Well, that ain't 'pacific enuff for me! Some of DC's books during this two-month time were assigned "Holiday" and "Winter" as their "cover-months"... so, I'll just use those over the next couple of days. Hope it isn't too confusing... and, sure hope my explanation didn't cause your eyes to glaze over!
Now, onto the Bonus Book!
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We open with Bronze Tiger staking out a rooftop area... about to engage in battle with some uglies. Looks like he's being watched by somebody... almost as though this is a test. Bronze Tiger gets his butt whupped, and is unceremoniously dumped into the alley down below. As luck would have it, our hero manages to survive the fall with little more than superficial injuries. It's almost as though he meant to do that.
Later on, we catch up with the uglies... who are getting absolutely thrashed by the fella who was watching Bronze Tiger's fight. I mean, he's cleaning house on these goofs, all the while lamenting the fact that he just can't seem to find anyone who could give him a competitive fight.
As Neiko engages in some post-fight meditation, we can see that this time, Bronze Tiger was watching. This prompts a flashback to his receiving this assignment from Amanda Waller. This dude, the butt-kicker, is an assassin named Neiko. He's been contracted to kill Jules Santiago from Cuesta Verde... an act, which would very likely send parts of the Latin world into war. Bronze Tiger's gotta stop this from going down.
But, it gets better! Neiko is also contracted to assassinate a drug kingpin named Louis Daniel DeMarco. Ya see, the Wall doesn't mind this hit going down... and actually prefers it does. So, here's the thing: Bronze Tiger's gotta allow Neiko to murder DeMarco... but stop him before he gets to Santiago. Just another day in the life for Task Force X.
We jump to the next day, where DeMarco is fishing for Marlin off his massive yacht... hopefully he's cranking some Michael McDonald or Kenny Loggins. When it looks like he's got a bite... the line tenses, but then... snaps. Hmm. DeMarco leans over the back of the boat to see what's going on...
... and gets a harpoon through the chest for his curiosity! Well, there's Step One outta the way.
That night, Bronze Tiger heads over to Neiko's safehouse/safe-apartment... hopeful he might catch the killer unawares. This, naturally, isn't going to be quite that easy.
Our men face off... it's made clear that Bronze Tiger realized he was being watched on the rooftop, and his quick loss was just a way to lull Neiko into a false sense of security. When get finally down to the nitty-gritty, Neiko gets the immediate upper-hand, though, is pleasantly surprised at what a competent fighter Bronze Tiger actually is. Could he actually be... a worthy opponent?!
They fight out onto the fire escape... and the beating continues. Tiger manages to get in a few blows, but this is definitely Neiko's fight to lose. All the while, Bronze Tiger recalculates his list of best fighters in the DC Universe... slotting himself down to fourth place (after Batman, Richard Dragon Kung-Fu Fighter, and now Neiko).
Finally, Neiko produces his firearm... and prepares to end this skirmish for good. Bronze Tiger manages to kick the killer in the shoulder just as he pulls the trigger! This causes Neiko to shoot his own damned knee out! As he lay prone on the cold and filthy steel, our man retrieves the gun... and informs Neiko that this fight is over.
Rather than just blow Neiko's brains out (which is probably the outcome The Wall was looking for), Bronze Tiger decides to appeal to Neiko's Samurai side. He will spare his life, in exchange for Santiago's. Neiko will (eventually) walk away from this fight... but he will agree, on his honor, to not harm Jules Santiago. Neiko agrees.
--
This was awesome! I really liked this one!
I feel like this sort of story is perfect for the Bonus Book format. It doesn't look to "change" anything... but, it adds to the lore. You could take it or leave it, and it wouldn't hurt the ongoing narrative in the story. I'm not saying you'd want to "leave it", because it was pretty great... but, I'd be lying if I told you I read this my first time through Suicide Squad!
I think my main... well, it's not a "problem", but... "issue" with the Bonus Books was their placement in the books. I get that having them in the middle/at the staples, makes them feel like they can be "pulled out" to stand on their own. I mean, some of the earlier Insert Prevues were referred to "Preview Pull-Out". I just think they're easier to "miss" putting them in the middle. I know in all of my read-throughs, I would skip these wholesale, so I could continue with the "main story" of the issue... and by the time I finished reading, I'd completely forget the Bonus Book existed in the first place. I think I'm babbling at this point... but, what I'm trying to say is, if these were "back-ups", I'm sure I'd have read more of them my first times through.
So, whatta we got here? The entire story builds to a pretty stellar and smart fight scene. Very well done by all involved. Neiko is presented as a force to be reckoned with... and sadly, I don't think he goes on to make any further appearances (at least if the DC Wiki is to be trusted). Bronze Tiger is shown to be both a smart fighter and a fella who's practically bursting with humility. I really can't say enough good things about this little story.
Our writer, Larry Ganem, much like many of the other creators we've met over the last week and a half, did not go on to be a prolific writer for DC Comics. Outside of this Bonus Book, he contributed to an issue of the TSR-Licensed Dragonlance title (issue #21 - July, 1990). He, like fellow Bonus Book-er Hank Kanalz, who we met yesterday, would go on to an office position with DC Comics. As of a few years ago, Larry is/was the Vice-President of Talent Relations and Editorial Administration for DC Comics. So, is he who we blame for how lousy the editing has been for the past decade?! Unless, in the intervening years, the editors' role has been relegated to tweeting out pictures of their lunch-plates and how "supercool" all their books are... without paying any attention to quality, continuity... or spelling? Ehh, who could say, right?
Across the table, we've got Peter Krause. He would go on to have a prolific career in comics, including a bunch of stuff for DC Comics. He had a lengthy run on DC's Star Trek: The Next Generation comics during the early-1990's... though, when I think of Krause, the first thing that comes to mind is Irredeemable from Boom! Studios. You can check out more from Peter at his website. His art here is pretty great, and it's hard to believe this was his first published work!
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(Not the) Letters Page:
Bonus Book #9 - Blue Trinity (December, 1988)
"Blood Ties"
Writer - Hank Kanalz
Pencils - Bill Knapp
Inks - Jerry Acerno
Letters - Helen Vesik
Colors - Matt Webb
Edits - Joey Cavalieri
Executive Editor - Joe Orlando
The Blue Trinity? Just what in all hells is that? is what you might be asking if you were unfamiliar with early post-Crisis Flash comics. They're speedsters, ya see... Soviet Speedsters, lest we forget it was the 1980's. Their story never really wowed me... and I often lump it in with a lot of Millennium stuff. I know they had something to do with Wally's father, Rudy who was................... a Manhunter. We probably could just put a pin in them there, right?
This Bonus Book was included with Flash (vol.2) #19 (December, 1988).
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Our story opens in either 1968 or 1969... my copy is a bit blurry. We're at the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia where a group of sailors are in danger of capsizing on the choppy water. Suddenly, the Flash appears... gonna assume this is Barry Allen, and saves the day! He rescues the sailors, and doesn't even accept any sort of compensation, claiming that a "handshake" is more than enough thanks. This feat is broadcast all over the Soviet Union... and a pair of scientists, Orloff and Krulik consider that, if they were able to recreate and harness such power... and give it to the Soviet citizens, a new Golden Age of Miracles would be on the horizon for Mother Russia.
And so, they get to working in the lab... immediately! They begin their testing on animals... and wind up exploding many many mice. Ya see, in attempting to speed up their metabolism, they'd actually triggered their growth rate as well! Well, that sure sounds scientific enough for me! Anyhoo, they finally strike gold with a monkey. The Flash's legendary speed... has been duplicated!
Later on, after Orloff retires for the evening, Dr. Krulik breaks into their lab... with one thing on his mind, stealing the formula... and immediately injecting it into some human subjects. What he fails to notice on his way out the door, however, is that monkey from earlier. I'm not going to capture an image of it... just imagine it as being rather pained looking.
Next thing we know, Krulik's at the Kremlin trying to sell "his" creation to... I dunno, some high-ranking comrade. He gets the a-okay, so long as the human test subjects fit a certain criteria. Krulik giddily heads back to the lab... and, get this, injects himself with the formula! This is a comic book, after all... this is kinda what evil scientists do here.
Next, he enlists three youngsters... who, might be his nephews and niece? Well, one of 'em calls him "Uncle" anyway. Just after they've been injected, Orloff enters the lab... and he's pretty shocked that his partner would go behind his back this way. I dunno, pal, somethin' about the name "Krulik" just doesn't inspire trust. Speaking of names, one of the youngsters' name is "Boleslaw". Boleslaw? No offense to any "Boleslaws" reading this, but... yikes.
Ol' Krulik flips out, and grabs his... I'm going to assume "former" partner by the collar. Suddenly, he's overtaken by... I dunno, the Morituri Process? Looks like the super-speed formula has burnt him out! Orloff's like "duh, that's exactly what happened to the monkey!" Oh well, now it looks like Orloff is stuck with the speed-kids!
There's a contentious chat at the Kremlin, where Orloff is sorta-kinda blamed for everything that went down, on account of he wasn't able to stop his no-good, thieving, scumbag former partner from stealing his stuff... and so, he decides to stand by the "Blue Trinity"... and do whatever he can to train them not to "burn out". This takes us to a good ol' training montage... where we can see some side-effects of the treatment, and also a love-triangle among the Trinity members. Hmm... maybe they're not all cousins? I sure hope they're not.
From here, we jarringly jump to the "present day"... 1988 at a S.T.A.R. Labs facility. The Blue Trinity is facing off with their former mentor, Dr. Orloff. Looks like the Soviets have pegged him as a traitor, and responsible for Krulik's death... and they're here to collect. Worth noting, Orloff came to the United States to help our ol' pal, Speed McGee!
Just then, the Red Trinity burst into the room! These are even more Flash-modeled super speedsters... however, this trio left the Motherland for the United States. Needless to say, there's about to be a rumble.
Before long, Orloff shouts at them all to stand down. He insists to the Blues that he still cares for them... and he's working toward a cure for their situation. The Blues understand, however, their first loyalty is to the Motherland... but this time, they'll leave him in peace.
--
This was rather good! Up until the flash-forward, I found myself really digging the origin of the Blue Trinity. The jump to the present was a bit jarring... and didn't feel quite as organic as it might have, which really hindered my overall enjoyment of this little extra.
As mentioned in the pre-ramble, I have very little affection (or interest) in the Trinities, Blue or Red. Anytime either of 'em showed up in pages of Flash back-issues, my eyes would just glaze over. Just not my cup of tea, I guess... which was too bad for me, because the writers seemed to be rather keen on them! This origin, though, was... at least grounded in a decent idea? Ya know, it would stand to reason that a scientist might try and recreate superpowers for their own (or their homeland's) gain... heck, it's kind of a trope.
I might've been a bit taken out of it by the "don't think too hard about it" science that was used to get the job done... but, it's a comic book, sometimes it's better just to accept what's being presented. Though, if it was this easy to recreate superpowers... okay, no, I'm gonna stop myself before I go off on an even deeper tangent.
Our writer might not be a familiar name to some, but Hank Kanalz, wrote the script for Youngblood #1! That's right, between this and the Warlord story from the other day, these DC Bonus Books brought us darn near the entire Youngblood creative team! How bout dat? He would go on to become the General Manager for WildStorm Studios... and most recently, is/was the Senior Vice President of Vertigo Comics. Not sure where he stands today, since, last I read Vertigo got deep-sixed in favor of whatever the hell DC defines Black Label as (this week). As far as Hank's writing is concerned, he didn't do a whole heck of a lot in that regard.
Across the table sits Bill Knapp. Another fella who didn't go on to be all that prolific in the field. This is the only story he'd do for DC Comics. He'd also do some stuff for post-Marvel buy-out Malibu Comics. As with most of the pencillers we've looked at in these Bonus Books, I gotta say, it's kind of a shame he didn't go on to do more for DC. His style seems to fit in fine with much of what they were putting out. It's strange, seems "these days" it doesn't matter how much your style falls in line with a publisher (which says more for editorial than anything). I'd assume back in the 80's, when "Style Guides" were less verboten of a thing, this sort of art would've been right up DC's alley. Ehh, who's to say, right? Perhaps they made Knapp an offer he could refuse?
Anyhoo... overall, not a bad little story... a good introduction for the Blue Trinity, though the ending did leave quite a bit to be desired.
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(Not the) Letters Page:
Bonus Book #8 - Power of the Atom (November, 1988)
"Skulduggery"
Writer - Joe Calchi
Pencils - Jim Balent
Inks - Dan Schaefer
Letters - Helen Vesik
Colors - Matt Webb
Edits - Joey Cavalieri
Executive Editor - Joe Orlando
Ya know, I expected to come into these next few days lamenting the fact that we'd be getting into some rather B-Tier (if we're being generous) territory. Surely, nobody's going to rush over here to read about Power of the Atom, the Blue Trinity, or Bronze Tiger, right? Welp, I felt the same way about that Doctor Light story we looked at earlier this week... and, somehow it's become one of my top viewed posts of the month! Heck, I thought that Doom Patrol ditty was going to do really well views-wise, and that one seemed to slip under everybody's radar. Weird, wacky stuff. Further proof that I don't know what people find interesting... and, likely couldn't even spell the word, even with an eight-letter head start!
Anyhoo, this here Power of the Atom story was included with... hey, wouldja lookit that, Power of the Atom #4 (November, 1988), and it features the work of a Bonus Book "All-Star", Joe Calchi!
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We open with a Skul-Rider bursting through the window of Ray Palmer's home. Now, the Skul-Riders, if I'm remembering right, are from the Sword of the Atom era... where the Atom briefly became a sorta-kinda swords and sorcery type book. I read through those specials... man, I was going to say "not too long ago", but in reflection, it's probably been ten years. Yeesh. Anyhoo, this bird-mounted bugger is looking for Ray Palmer and Jean Loring... however, they ain't home. In fact, their home is currently being occupied by Norman Osborn Brawler, the fella who wrote Ray's "farewell" book. The Skul-guy ain't buying it, and proceeds to rifle through Ray's belongings... at which time, he discovers that Palmer's been spending a lot of time at "their" alma mater, Ivy University. Back on bird-back, our baddie SKREEEEEEES away.
But then... The Atom swoops in, and starts beating the holy hell out of him! Even cuts the bad guy's head off! Well, okay, not really... turns out, this is just another violent nightmare for Ray Palmer. Seems like this sort of thing is happening with regularity these days. Makes him wonder if he's become more barbarian than civilized man.
Later, Ray is filled in by Norman Brawler, regarding his avian visitor. The house looks as though a tornado'd come through it... and our little hero is rightly ticked. The search, however, is cut short by the ringing of a phone. Ray answers, and wouldn'tcha know it, it's ol' Golden Face! He makes some threats, prompting our man to shrink down and hop into the phone line...
... by the time he reaches the other side, however... the baddie's nowhere to be found. That's because he's currently hanging out in some bar with a random broad. Ray tries to call his ex-wife to warn her that she might be in danger... but she's in a meeting.
Now, check this out... it appears as though our bad guy has himself some insecurities. He takes his "date" back to his Ambassador Suite... and goes to reach a bottle of vodka from a high shelf... when, he begins to shrink a little bit. The floozy makes fun of him for his inability to reach... and jokes that he's "becoming a shrimp"...
... so, he kills her. Like, dead. Yikes. From here, he heads over to Labtech Research, Incorporated to chat up a Dr. Phariss. Ya see, our bad guy's been getting treatments to make him be taller. He's looking for one "proper" dosage so he'll stay tall forever. The Doc warns him against it... stating that such a dose would very likely kill him. Oh, we also learn that our bad guy's name is Cal.
Cal ain't happy with the Doctor's advice... and so, he pulls out a gun and kills him. Wow, two for two! Cal hops into the "make taller machine", and takes in a whopper of a blast. This leads to a flashback to Cal's days as an Ivy U student. Ya see, he only had eyes for... you guessed it, Jean Loring. He came on... uh, kinda strong, and wound up getting shoved off by Ray Palmer.
Cal zaps his bird with the beam for good measure, so they can both stay tall... before heading over to 1 Thornton Tower... the home of the fantastically wealthy Thornton family. Oh, did I mention that Cal's last name is Thornton? Anyhoo, he bursts into his parents' bedroom... and, you guessed it... kills them. Four murders in three pages!
The next day, we join a Ray Palmer lecture... already in progress. He's using a "simul-tank" to illustrate environmental hooziwhatsits in Mayan lands. One of his students stands up and asks Ray to quit it with the Academic drudgery and start spouting about his exploits as the Atom. Right on! Worth noting, that Ray was trying to separate himself from his super-hero persona... and even went as far as to go under the name "Jones". Ain't nobody buyin' that though... nor should they.
Before Ray can respond, however... Cal Thornton, all painted yellow SKREEEEES through yet another window! It freaks this one girl out so bad, she goes cross-eyed! Orrr, maybe that's just the art. What's pretty weird... okay, even more weird, is Cal... who's been trying to be as tall as possible throughout this story, is now tiny like the Atom! Did that zap cause him to be able to change his size at will? Who knows.
After some pleasantries are exchanged... Ray and Cal begin fighting... and, heyyy, as luck would have it... there just so happens to be a miniature Mayan landscape they can do battle in! That's exactly what they do for the next fourteen pages. The Atom gets the upper-hand... and even breaks Cal's arm with a deflection. Not sure if this is supposed to depict Cal's skeleton as having been weakened via his "growth spurts"... or just show that Ray has a brilliant amount of control over his extremity-density. I guess it doesn't much matter.
It looks as though Ray's going to actually finish Cal off... perhaps an opportunity for our man to "play out" his violent nightmare fantasy... but, he chooses against it. Good thing for Cal, our li'l hero wasn't quite ready to Cry for Justice! The police arrive and take the bad guy away... never to be seen or heard from again?
--
Eeeeeeeee... not great.
I feel like this era for the Atom was flailing and floundering to find an identity and purpose, even in the main story. It just didn't feel like it mattered... and, this... well, it's more'a that. Heck, this Bonus Book story might've had higher stakes than anything to come out of the "main" Power of the Atom series! Did you check out Cal Thornton's body count? Ay yai yai.
Still though, not great. It uses the "fill-in month" trope of introducing an antagonist from the hero's past... and, I guess it does so well enough, even if I didn't find it especially engaging.
The art? Is it fair to say it's "rough"? I think so. This doesn't look much like what we'd come to expect from Balent... in fact, it looks more like more recent Jim Calafiore... who, I'm not really a fan of. The square-faces really make me think of Calafiore. So, yeah... this story wasn't terribly interesting... or all that pretty to look at. What is was, was violent! If you want violence for the sake of it... then, this is the Bonus Book for you!
Over to our creators... we've already met Joe Calchi. He wrote Bonus Book #1 from Action Comics #599, which was another mostly "meh" outing. According to the DC Wiki, this story is his second... and final for DC Comics.
Across the table, we've got Jim Balent... who we might all best know as being the dude who drew Catwoman....'s boobs during the 90's. This Bonus Book actually isn't his first DC work... he'd contributed art for a Sgt. Rock back-up strip in 1984. I think it's safe to say he's improved a great deal since this outing. It might also be safe to say his style has changed a great deal too! You can check out some of his current day stuff over at his website!
Overall... this was inoffensive, but also uninteresting. Sure, there's a body count... but, at the end of the day, it amounts to very little. Probably only worth reading if you're looking for additional late-80's Atom flavor... though, I'm not sure why anyone would be!
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(Not the) Letters Page:
Bonus Book #7 - Justice League International (October, 1988)
"Raising the Roof!"
Writer - Mark Askwith
Pencils - James Webb
Inks - Mark Pennington
Letters - Duncan Andrews
Colors - Danny Vozzo
Been a minute since we looked at a Bwa-ha book here! Well, we've got one today... only, it's not by the usual creative team. Can another writer even hope to evoke that style? I guess we're about to find out.
This bugger (along with a grip of ill-placed ads) was slotted into the center of Justice League International #18 (October, 1988).
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We open in whatever suburban town Mister Miracle volume two was taking place in... and, it might be Thanksgiving? I dunno, maybe not. Whatever the case, Barda is roasting a turkey while Scott attempts to iron his costume. Barda's pleased that Scott is finally lifting his weight as it pertains to household chores... regardless of how successful he's being. As she un-cans the crans and violently stuffs the bird, she asks why Scott doesn't just ask Oberon to help out.
Turns out, at present, Scott's "diminutive little pal" (redundant much?) is stowing away some Mister Miracle gear in the basement. He mutters to himself how he'd rather be ironing than doing this sort of labor... and reflects back to the way his old boss, Thaddeus Brown, treated him. As he waxes nostalgic, he accidentally bumps into one of Thad's old gimmicks... and, wouldn'tcha know it, it looks like that's gonna spell trouble for the Frees!
Oberon books it upstairs and informs Scott and Barda that they'd better git while the gittin' is good... because, whatever it was he'd just bumped into is about to go boom! They evacuate the house just in the nick of time to discover that this Miracle Gimmick was actually an old promotional fireworks launcher... and so, their house is destroyed amid a burst of Mister Miracle-themed pyrotechnics! Now homeless, the Frees have to turn to their friends at the Justice League Embassy.
And so, the Frees move in... and, it's not the most comfortable of situations... for anybody. Ya see, Barda has that alpha-personality... and really prefers things to be her way. She also doesn't mind doing her fair-share around the house... thing of it is, she decides what her "fair-share" is... and that might come across as the teensiest bit invasive and overbearing on the mostly-chill Leaguers. She vacuums at all hours, cooks horrendous food, and worst of all... eats all the Oreos in the place.
Finally, when she decides it's time to rearrange all of the furniture in the joint, of all the Justice League members, it's J'onn who tells her to chill the eff out! She gets rather annoyed, and shouts at the team to just get themselves a Maid... because they won't have her to push around anymore. Not that anyone actually asked her to tidy the place... but, whattayagonnado?
Booster, Beetle, and J'onn realize they've crossed the "rubicon", and it's time to employ drastic measures. Well, when we're in this era of the League, that can only mean one thing... it's time to call in, the Batman.
Batman is once again the smartest person in the room... he's already got a plan concocted. Ya see, what better way to get rid of Barda than... rebuilding her suburban home? Occam's Razor in action, folks! With the press of a Bat-button, the plan is put into action.
Before we know it, we're at the hole-in-the-ground that was the Free home. The League has assembled all of the necessary building supplies, and are ready to get some dirt under their nails. Speaking of "nails", Guy Gardner's brought a whole bunch of em to aid in the construction. Why am I pointing that out? Well, you'll see. Barda's a bit upset that she doesn't get to take part in the rebuild... which begs the question, why didn't she just rebuild the house herself in the first place?!
Next door, the Furbells (was that Scott and Barda's wacky/annoying neighbors' name?) are pleased as punch that their super-neighbors are gone. Just then, a whole bunch of the wreckage is dropped on their lawn to clear the land for the rebuild. Whoops.
After Batman grabs Barda to take her on a "shopping trip"... really just getting her out of the League's hair for a bit so they can get their build-on, the rest of the team takes a look at the blueprints. It would seem that they all have drastically different ideas on how the house should come out looking...
Guy, who I believe is still in his head-bonked "nice Guy" phase, dutifully delivers nails to all of his teammates to do his part in getting the job done. Why am I mentioning this? Well, you'll see.
Time passes, and Batman returns with Barda. She is overjoyed at the... rather odd and schizophrenic architecture stood where her house used to be. Ya see, each member of the League had decided to put their own "spin" on the construction... and, what we're left with is something out of Frank Lloyd Wright's worst nightmares.
Just then, the Police arrive... ya see, the Furbells (if that is their name), have called in the disturbance. Batman slides in to try and smooth things over... at which time, Guy Gardner realizes that his ring is about to run out of juice. Why is that a big deal? Well...
Guy leaves the scene to recharge... at which time, all of the nails he brought begin to glow... and then, fall out? Uhhh... what? Is that how Green Lantern powers work? Were these actual nails... or just construct nails? Because, if it's the former, than this shouldn't happen... and if it's the latter, who in their right minds would let Guy build with nails that were dependent on his recharging his ring every 24-hours?! So dumb. Come on, really?
Anyhoo, this story ends with the League, once again, stood before the hole in the ground that was the Free home. Wonk wonk wonnnnnk?
--
Ehh, this was a cute enough story, right? Thought the ending was perhaps a bit too ridiculous, but... you know what they always say: it's about the journey, not the destination. And the "journey" portion of this story was... pretty good!
The Mister Miracle series from this era was a lot of fun, and is one of my favorites (well, at least the first-half of the run)... so, it's always neat to catch up with Suburban Scott and Barda. The only egregious thing I can point out is... canned cranberries? C'mon, Barda... you shouldn't cut corners like that... especially when fresh sauce is so easy (almost too easy) to make! Though, I suppose that might just be further commentary on the supposed mundanity of suburban living?
The members of the League all "get their stuff in". Which is both a good thing, and a bad thing. I feel like this is sort of a "reductive" approach to writing this-era Justice League. There's a near-understanding of what makes the characters and concept "tick", but only just. These characters are supposed to be (in my opinion) sorta silly... not brain-dead. This strikes me as "that season" of your favorite sitcom where the characters lose the entirety of their personalities... barring their one "quirk". The quirk becomes what defines them... it's their only character trait. If a character is labelled a "neat freak" in Season One... chances are, by Season Four, they'll only ever be seen with a Dustbuster in hand! It's inch-deep, mile-wide characterization... and it's sort of what we're getting here. Thing of it is, this take on the League is only like a year-and-a-half old at this point! Though, in fairness... this isn't our normal creative team... and, it feels like Mr. Askwith is attempting to evoke as Giffeny and DeMatteisy a style as possible. Can't fault him for that.
Speaking of Askwith... let's meet him. Wow, forget about the DC Wiki... this fella actually has a real Wikipedia page! He's most well-known (and found most of his success) in sci-fi and television circles, but does have a fair amount of comics under his belt. At DC, he would go on to write the four-part Prestige Format Prisoner series... which, has been in my "to read" pile for... jeez, fifteen years at this point?
Let's hop across the table and meet James Webb... whose work here I found pretty exceptional! Unfortunately, (if the DC Wiki is to be believed) this story is the only work he'd do for DC Comics. There isn't a whole heckuva lot about him online... but, it would appear as though he took a rather long break from the field, and returned fairly recently. There is a "Jim Webb" who created The Adversary which ran in 2000AD... that may or may not be him? In some of my research haunts it's attributed to him... other times, it's not. Whatever the case, I really enjoyed his work here! He had a great handle on the characters... would have fit in perfectly with the regular artists of the day!
I don't usually mention inkers here... not out of a lack of respect or anything, but because these shorter-subjects are supposed to be saving me a little bit of time... which, has not been the case. These pieces are taking upwards of two-hours to complete! However, today's inker, Mark Pennington, as Bio-ed (seen below) works for Hasbro Toys... and even hails from the home of Hasbro HQ, Pawtucket, Rhode Island! I don't talk about this much, but for a time, I worked for Hasbro Toys too! It isn't often you see the word "Pawtucket" in print.
Did you know that Rhode Island, home of Hasbro, observes Victory Day? It was always a weird (though pleasant) surprise getting that extra paid day off in August! We've actually covered a story that mentions Victory (VJ) Day just about a year ago.
Anyhoo, that's about all I've got for this one. A cute story... though perhaps overly reliant on established character quirks. The ending, however, I did not like.
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