Worlds Finest #127 (DC/1962)

Worlds Finest #127 (DC)

No Credits (w) & (a)

The teaming up of DC's two major heroes was inevitable given their commercial success and frankly these two superheroes along with Wonder Woman had kept the genre alive during the fifties whilst all other fell to the wayside.

However the comics code kept all comics rather tame and DC developed a formula that allowed for the production of child friendly stories that entertained so many of us in those sheltered times. Although this was a little too early for me (I was just 4 when this was published) the style lasted well into the early seventies until Marvel's more "adult" heroes forced Dc to change.

The main feature The Sorcerer from the Stars was one of those charming stand-offs where despite magic, science and superpowers nobody got hurt fighting all sorts of weird looking and powerful monsters conjured up by Zerno, the Sorcerer from Y'bar as he announced himself.

Stealing minerals and other seemingly "worthless" items leaves the dynamic trio somewhat confused as to the motives. Robin's clumsiness leads to the discovery that Dick Grayson has been replaced by an alien in disguise which Superman & Batman use to track down where the real Robin is being held prisoner.

Zerno kidnapped our young hero as Robin discovered the villain became weak in the presence of bronze (Don't ask just think Kryptonite...) and the villains end being tied up to be taken back to their home planet for trial. Phew!

The backup story featuring Aquaman is I'm afraid dreadful and shows why so many people thought he was a lame character back in the day. Talking to fish and making them do tricks including the use of eels as a lasso. Words fail me!

Strange monsters and sorcerers were quite often found in Worlds Finest stories. Most are great fun though perhaps today's more savvy kids might not "get" them sadly. Children grow up too quickly these days.

Damn you Greta.

 

Adventure Comics #412 (DC/1971)

Adventure Comics #412 (DC)

John Albano (w) Art Saaf (a)

One of the reasons I picked this book up was because of the costume Supergirl was wearing. A one piece rather than the skirt she was always given both then and now. It was something I just hadn't seen before. Other than than the costume this was just another standard Supergirl adventure.

In The Battle for Survival Supergirl is forced to go to the Planet Liquel II by a villain who has infected some Earth men with insect poison and they will die unless Kara agrees to act as her champion in a contest. Being the girl scout off Supergirl goes.

Her gigantic opponent is easily overcome and then a power struggle arises between the factions seeking control of the Planet. Zogg takes control and uses the ultimate weapon against Supergirl. Except it doesn't harm her a jot. As usual all ends well with Glynix admitting she lied about the poison get Supergirls help.

A fairly typical DC plot back in the day. Just asking for help seems to be beyond so many advanced aliens. Just saying.

There is a good reason to pick up this book for your collection as it contains a reprint of the origin of Animal Man, though he does not not adopt that identity in the back up feature I Was The Man With Animal Powers.  A reprint from Strange Adventures #180. Buddy wouldn't don a costume until Strange Adventures #190


 

The Shield G-Man Club Fanzine #1

The Archie Comics line of superheroes has always had a difficult time maintaining publication despite valiant attempts over the years. I first came into contact with their output in the sixties when they attempted to "ape" Marvels style with the "Mighty Comics Group".

Sadly their handful of titles didn't last long and though a few made it into my hands most of their material was obtained via black & white reprints in The Alan Class range of comics.

One of the heroes that stood out was The Shield, a patriotic character that actually pre-dates the more successful Captain America, shield n' all first appearing in Pep Comics #1 way back in Jan 1940.




However most readers will be more familiar with the more modern incarnations via the Mighty Comics/Red Circle/Archie Adventure Series and latterly the Dark Circle of comics put out by Archie. All had short lived runs but to this day The Shield has his hardcore fans.

One of these fans a certain Joe Higgins has produced The Shield G-Man Club Fanzine which is printed to order by Ka-Blam comics in the USA. It's a very professionally produced magazine with plenty of nostalgic art, adverts and essays, one of which is about characters currently in the public domain which is recommended.

There's plenty of illustrations and fan art plus imaginings by the author. The only real downside to this publication is the cost. The magazine is cheap enough but combined with postage from the States ended up costing me over fifteen quid. (The digital copy is obviously cheaper to get but being old fashioned I don't collect digital stuff!) Worth it to people like me who are real fans of The Shield and the MLJ/Archie superheroes but not one for the casual reader in the UK. (If you're in the USA just buy it!)

Obtain via: indyplanet.com

Rating: 4 Stars

 



 

Not forgetting.......

The Mighty Thor #200 (Marvel/1972)

The Mighty Thor #200 (Marvel)

Stan Lee (w) John Buscema (a)

At long last the cover of the two hundredth issue of Thor promises us  Ragnarok, the end of everything and the fall of the Gods of Asgard. Their worlds will shatter.....except

At the end of the last issue Thor was lying unconscious at the feet of Pluto and about to feel the final blow before his death and departure to Valhalla except his fate is being watched by three old crones from afar. They realise that this is not what the fates have decreed and show us the real future that was foretold.

Odin having summoned both his sons including the vile Loki,  Prince of Mischief has Volla the Prophetess foretelling the future. One where the evil Loki will lead an army upon the gleaming city of Asgard and the first to fall will be faithful Heimdal guarding the Bi-frost bridge. With his last strengths he shatters the connections with Midgard meaning that all is lost. Ragnarok is finally here.

AS Loki leads his hordes against the Asgardians he clashes with Thor who faces off against the Midgard Serpent. But no weapon forged even by the gods can fell the beast. All falls and Surtur the God of Fire burns all that remains.

The aeons pass and new Gods arise. As it ever has been as it ever should be. Odin decrees it so.

In realising the death of Thor at the hands of Pluto will change the future the The three Norns, the harbingers of fate intervene and destroy Pluto's axe saving the day.

Thor will live to face his final fate no matter how far into the future this may be.

 

Previews Picks February 2020

It's that time of month again when we look at the upcoming releases in the comic shop catalogue Previews. As usual these are my personal choices and much more budget limited these days as a pensioner sadly!

Previews is always worth picking up especially since no comic shop can stock everything and if you want something from a smaller publisher you will have to pre-order it in advance due to low print runs. Indeed as some comics don't receive enough orders they might not even get published.




First up this month is DC with two cracking anniversary issues. It's The Jokers's 80th Birthday and there's a 100 page special to celebrate (plus the movie which I'll be waiting for on DVD). He's not alone either there's also another 80th Anniversary issue for Catwoman! Both these will be in my pile come this April!

 

Other DC titles on my list include Strange Adventures #2 (Adam Strange mini-series). Legion of Super-Heroes #6, Superman #22, Wonder Woman: Dead Earth #3 (Black Label) and John Constantine: Hellblazer #6 and a DC Facsimile Edition: DC Superstars #17 with the first appearance of The Huntress. 



And finally to complete the story (I've not read the individual issues due to having missed some whilst in hospital) is Doomsday Clock Part 2  Hardcover which comes with a free slipcase to keep Part 1!


Nothing new in Marvel that catches my attention and in any case they publish far too much with far too many tie ins these days.  However the latest issues Spider-Woman, the Fantastic Four and Conan the Barbarian remain on list.

Meanwhile IDW bring us some new Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with a four issue mini-series. 



Also out in April is Star Trek: Year Five #13  (of the original crew) and if you missed it the collected prequel story of Star Trek Picard: Countdown. Having collected the three issue mini series I recommend it. The TV show looks fantastic.

Dynamite has nothing new of interest to me but then with all the Red Sonja/Vampirella comics including team ups with Betty & Veronica and the Chaos characters I get enough of their stuff being a big fan of these two. Here's the ones I have on regular order:

 

 

 



Told you I was a fan.....

Meanwhile as I wait for the first issue of Twin Worlds to arrive (seems a wee bit late) the fourth issue of theis Lord of the Rings meets Independence day type adventure has been solicited.



I'll probably order this but maybe just for the first issue from American Mythology Productions as it looks like a fun distraction:



Archie has a new Sabrina mini-series:



Also out from Archie (and on my list) are:

 

The next instalment of J Michael Straczynski's The Resistance mini series for newcomer AWA/Upshot is due out.



And finally from British publisher Titan comes the latest issue of Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor (Season Two).



That's All Enough Folks....