Comics Review: Dollartree Comics #3

I was shopping at Dollartree and decided to see what was left of their $1.25 comics and was surprised to see a whole new display filled with comics. They were also all different than the first batch. There were maybe 30 or 40 titles and there was no screwing around this time with second tier characters; they were pretty much all Superman and Batman related. I had to restrain myself, so I just picked up four from the display and one off the rack from the previous batch.

Crisis on Infinite Earths #1

This one was from the original batch. I’d resisted it a couple of times, since I had bought the comic when it came out in the 80’s, but finally had to have it. While there are reprint volumes available (including a multi-volume reprint that includes all of the tie-ins), it’s hard to beat the issues as they were originally published.

The first issue was memorable for being a full 32-pages with no ads with a dramatic wrap-around cover. Even the inside covers were an essay by writer Marv Wolfman about the creation of this series. It certainly starts off showing the stakes. Earth-3, with its evil Justice League that had been around since the 60’s, was vaporized. A sole survivor, a baby, is sent to Earth-1.

The mysterious Monitor and his blonde assistant, Lyla, had made cameos in various DC comics for a couple of years. They were in the background servicing various villains with weapons and information. Here is the shock reveal that the Monitor has a way bigger agenda. He sends Lyla out to gather heroes and villains for the coming conflict, while he retrieves the child.

Lyla, in her Harbinger form, gathers an eclectic mix of superpowered individuals from various times ranging from WWII, the 30-th Century, and pre-history. Where else do you get Dawnstar, Firestorm, and Arion? You also get Earth-4’s Blue Beetle and Earth-2’s elder Superman. Lyla does ask the obvious question why they don’t just gather all of the Supermen and Wonder Women. Monitor wants the heroes and villains to work together. Also, it makes things interesting and shows the breath of the Crisis. (Later in the series, Lyla does just get the most powerful heroes for a strikeforce.)

There is a perfunctory attack on the group after they are brought together at Monitor’s satellite. (Later in the series, you’ll get a much grander gathering. This is just the opening act.) The unnamed enemy attacks them with shadow creatures. Heroes and villains grudgingly work together, but it takes the appearance of the Monitor himself to stop the attack.

Crisis had lots of action, but I’d say this issue was sort of padding. In fact, the whole storyline was dragged out a bit to stretch it to 12 issues, including a couple of double-sized ones. Other than announcing the Crisis, nothing big happens here, but it is an irresistible hook to the rest of the series. Just for the peak George Perez artwork alone, this one is worth having.

Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying #1

This comic was also from the 80’s. It came out a couple of years after the death of Jason Todd/Robin II. This was not Batman’s proudest era, as Robin was killed off via a 900-number phone poll. (It was close, though.) This storyline would seek to rectify that somewhat, as it would introduce Tim Drake/Robin III. This came out the same year as the Tim Burton Batman movie, which would make this comic and what came before it look somewhat dated.

As is, Drake isn’t introduced in this issue, but is a mysterious person stalking Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson and knows who their alter egos are. Meanwhile, Batman is becoming reckless and getting hurt worse than usual in his crusade fighting crime. Alfred finally has to say something, but gets no answer. Batman continues his current case with abandon, as Two-Face is back with a new scheme.

If you didn’t know what was coming, you would not be impressed with this single issue. It’s set firmly outside Batman’s current reign as the biggest superhero. Putting an Absolute Batman preview in the back definitely emphasizes that. It’s not bad, but you need the rest of it to make it interesting.

Batman/Superman: Planet Brainiac #1

As opposed to the new World’s Finest title (5-22-26), this title is from the mainline DC universe just without the classic title. This begins with Batwoman and Steel finding the Batcave wrecked and Batman and Superman missing. Flashbacks show that a computer virus turned all the defenses of the Batcave against them and nearly set off the self-destruct mechanism.

It’s Brainiac behind this. A Batman and Superman head off to the moon to investigate a lead and are captured there. Batman sends a message telling anyone finding it to not follow them. Unfortunately, the message is garbled and Batwoman and Steel take this as an invitation. What they’re going to do that the World’s Finest couldn’t do themselves, I don’t know.

This was one was fun on some level. There’s also an Absolute Superman preview, which made no sense whatsoever. As this, some of these Dollartree comics I’ve gotten show that these characters don’t need to be rebooted or reimagined. Just do good stories.

Trinity: Dark Destiny #1

That’s pretty clearly Gal Gadot on the cover as Wonder Woman. This is, I guess, another updated version of the World’s Finest title, but with Wonder Woman added. The trio is teamed up with some of DC’s supernatural squad in Zatanna, Constantine, and Deadman. The threat is decidedly paranormal.

Red Hood (that’s Jason Todd, who was dead, but got better) has been possessed by a demon. The demon is resisting attempts at extreme exorcism, so Constantine has to find a unique way to get into Heck. He has Superman hold open the demon’s mouth and jumps in. (I hope this image doesn’t stick with me too long.)

Bizzaro and Artemis enter the fight and they’re possessed, too. This trio is the Trinity’s opposite number in strength. In a flashback, it turns out they’re part of a plot by Circe and Ra’s Al Ghul, a couple of Wonder Woman’s and Batman’s arch-enemies. (Luthor walked away from this scheme. Perhaps the plan ends up falling apart because they lacked his technical expertise.) It’s a good start for the story. In the back is a short black and white Batman story. He beats up some thugs. It’s not hugely worthwhile.

Action Comics: Revenge #1

This is some heavy-duty Superman here. Don’t let the interlude where he’s with his wife, Lois, buying an apartment to raise their son in Metropolis fool you. Superman is super in this. He has a Himalayan refuge where he stores dangerous artifacts and imprisons villains.

The Superman Revenge Squad has broken out one of the inmates and retreated to Batman’s moon base. (Moon base? Damn.) And these guys are heavy hitters too: Mongul, Cyborg Superman, Metallo, and the Eradicator. They’re about as eager to throw down with each other, as they are Superman.

This almost more comic book than I can take. Unfortunately, it’s also only the introduction, but what a tease! Here’s where I almost have to demand they publish more issues of this. I have to ask, since these comics don’t have their correct numbering, if I bought the DC Universe Infinite subscription that’s advertised on the back, how would I find the next issue?

These comics were all sporting a $4 or $5 price tag on the cover (though in a bag marked $1.25). When I was at Zia Comics the other day looking over their racks, I almost picked up a couple of new comics (in addition to the trade I bought), but the prices were $5 and $6 each! I sort of noticed the last time I bought a couple of floppies (which was when I bought those World's Finest issues).  $6 is “too rich for my blood,” as the gamblers say. I could afford it, but I’m not going to.

Basically, if you want a new floppy, these Dollartree comics seem like to the way to go. However, I’m deeply ambivalent about getting more. On the one hand, I’m enjoying most of these, but they’re leaving me blue-balled since they’re just the opening of a continuing storyline. If only they were putting out more issues to complete these stories and/or putting out non-continued issues. I guess the point is to be a tease to buy the online service, but finding the follow up issues could be a bit difficult. I question DC’s strategy here. If they can sell $1.25 old comics and still make money, why not do that? This is only making new comics look really overpriced.

Baseball Journal May: Oh Say Can You See!

 

Memorial Day Weekend 5-22 to 25-26

Ugh, what a waste of a three-day weekend.    All I did was eat and spend.    Last year I was so put off that I couldn’t watch the Indy 500 or any other race that I skipped my yearly blogging tradition.    I still couldn’t watch any of the Sunday races, but I did attempt to watch the Saturday O’Rilley Series NASCAR race, but it was a somber event.   

Kyle Busch had died during the week.    You don’t expect a 41-year old to succumb to pneumonia.    I had seen his documentary, Rowdy, earlier in the year.    It was really good.    I don’t know when Kyle passed from being a villain to a respected champion for most fans, but it happened.    He had won a truck series race last week and called it, “You don’t know when you’re going to have your final win.”    Godspeed, Rowdy.

The race itself at Charlotte was less engaging with a very long rain delay.    I’d brought 5Guys burgers over to dad for lunch and the race.    Later at night, when it finally restarted, a fog had moved in and made driving absurdly dangerous, but they got the race to halfway and called it.    The next day, I was surprised they got in three-quarters of the Coca-Cola 600, before rain finally shortened it.    Earlier, the Indy 500 had the closest finish ever.    Thank goodness, I missed that.

Friday, I learned the lesson that you need to need to go on Wednesday to the comic book store if you’re looking for a new comic book.    I didn’t think Moonstar #3 would be that in demand.    (I enjoyed the first two issues.)    I ended up buying a $40 hardback of Warlock.    That was an expensive lesson (but the hardback is pretty awesome).    I found the issue was looking for anyway on a new “archive” site.    (The old one got shut down.)    This was all after I’d encountered a whole bunch of new comics at Dollartree and bought several.    I also bought and ate a small pizza from the Grounded Café.   

Sunday, instead of watching racing, I went to Walmart and was surprised to find that Archie Comics magazine I’d been looking for on the magazine rack, which they’ve all but hidden in the store.    It never showed up at Barnes & Noble, so I didn’t think I’d find it.    After a false alarm with dad that was just a misunderstanding that maybe shaved a couple of years off my life, I went to McAlister’s for a sandwich.    After, I saw the A’s play the Padres on Mexican TV.    It was a pretty entertaining, 5-2, A’s win. The play of the game was slugger Big Amish, Nick Kurtz, hitting a perfect bunt single to third to move over a runner a runner at first.    Nobody saw that one coming.     

Monday, Memorial Day, we were expecting rain, which we got.    I got dad a Pork Brisket sandwich at Arby’s for lunch.    A couple of weeks ago, he had tried the Beef Brisket one and liked it enough to try another.    I’d also tried the beef brisket and decided that Arby’s does roast beef better than barbeque and had a Beef and Cheddar sanchwich.   

On the radio, I was happy that 600am was carrying the ESPN game between the Brewers and the Cardinals.    I listened to it with dad.    Since he likes the Cardinals, I thought he’d enjoy it, but he seemed ambivalent.    I called Aunt Judy to let her know that we were listening to the game, since I assumed she was watching her Cardinals, but didn’t get a hold of her.    She probably wasn’t happy.    It was a 5-1 Brewers win.    Jacob Misiorowki got the win with 12 strikeouts and didn’t give up a hit until the sixth. He was also throwing at well over 100mph.    His first pitch was 103.

5-19-26

The Chihuahuas were back at home to play Round Rock this week.    The third inning started with a double, an inside-the-park home run, and then a triple for the pups.    This was a true inside-the-parker without an error.    The ball hit the wall and ricocheted away from the fielder. The Chihuahuas went up, 6-0, but after the fourth it was, 6-5. The game stayed close until the pups won it, 10-7.

5-20-26

Broadcaster Tim Hagerty couldn’t get the booth window open to start today’s day game against the Express.  He apologized for the missing crowd noise. In the first, the Chihuahuas loaded the bases and scored 2.    The Express loaded the bases in the second and scored all of them off a grand slam and then added some more, 6-2. In the bottom of the second, five Chihuahuas hit singles to begin the inning.  The pups tied it and took the lead, 7-6, as they batted around. The Express came back to take the lead in the fourth, 8-7.

In the seventh, down 11-7, there was Catcher’s Interference called on two pitches in a row.    The second one injured the pups’ catcher and he had to come out.  A new pitcher came in after the catcher came out, which led to two commercial breaks in a row. Meanwhile, the Rangers’ day game against the Rockies didn’t come on, which was kind of annoying since I was getting decent reception on the station for a change. I was going to be stuck with this game.

This wasn’t a good thing, as it was 15-7 Express in the ninth.    After the inning started, it was suddenly discovered that the bullpen door was open.    “How long has that been open?” asked Tim.    The wind then started kicking up. Clay Dungan, a position player, came in to pitch with the bases loaded and one out.    He walked in his first batter. What followed was 2-run double, an RBI single, a single, a hit batter, a sac fly out, a single, a 2-run double, and finally a strikeout.    That was 9 runs and a 23-7 Express win.    Thank goodness that the school kids left before the ninth and weren’t traumatized by the ending like I was.

 

With no game on at night, I decided to tune into Aggie announcer Russ Langer broadcasting the Las Vegas Aviators versus the Albuquerque Isotopes.    He gave out some Rockies trivia, since they were playing their affiliate.    I think I knew it, since it was about 90’s team.   

Later, Russ talked with his co-host about calling a minor league game in Denver at Mile High Stadium with 70k in attendance.    There was a Beach Boys concert afterward to explain the crowd for a Double-A game.    I looked the game up.    Ironically, it ended in a tie because of the curfew for the concert.    His co-host said, “I suppose we couldn’t arrange something like that today?”    Russ answered, “No, but wouldn’t it be nice?”    (That’s the name of a Beach Boys’ song, if you didn’t get the joke.)

Interestingly, they talked about the Chihuahuas game.    When the co-host gave the score, Russ asked, “What position player was pitching in the ninth?”    Wow!    This guy knows baseball.    Meanwhile at the game, the Aviators were up 5-0 in the top of the ninth, but the Isotopes came back.    The ‘topes capped off the 6-5 win with a 3-run homer.    What a dramatic turn of events!    Russ was having such a good time up to that point.

5-21-26

This time, the Chihuahuas’ manager forgot the number pitcher visits he’d had in the inning and the ump had to tell him to take the pitcher out.    Or was he stalling for time for the reliever?    Who knows?    This one turned into the Chihuahuas’ ninth extra innings game of the season.    The Round Rock Express in the tenth had runners on the corners.    They successfully executed a steal of second to draw a throw, and the runner at third broke for home and took it.    They won off of that, 5-4.

5-22-26

“This is the last time we pick some kid out of the stands to sing the Anthem.”    I don’t know what the backstory was on this, but it was the worst Anthem ever.    The kid got the giggles trying to sing it and then started shouting out the lyrics.    The on-field host tried to sell it as a great job.    There was no comment from broadcaster Tim Hagerty.    The Chihuahuas were not disturbed by this and easily beat the Express, 14-3.

5-29-29

I was busy with month end processing at work tonight, but I got in some baseball.    I started listening to a Chihuahuas game, but it didn’t seem to be their night.    (Indeed, the final was 13-8 Isotopes and probably not really that close.)    MLB’s Youtube channel offered up the first two innings of the Phillies at the Dodgers, which was being broadcast on Apple TV.    I switched over to that.    The Phillies seemed a bit overmatched from what I saw, and they lost, 4-2.

Just when I got busy at about 10:00pm, I got an excited surprise call from my dad.    This was past his bedtime, but he’d been watching the Rockies play the Giants.    The Rox were down 6-3 in the bottom of the ninth, when Hunter Goodman tied it up with a 3-run homer.    He couldn’t go to bed at that point.    Dad was rewarded, as he got to see Ezequiel Tovar hit a 2-run homer to win it for the Rockies, 8-6.    Interestingly, this was one of four walkoff home runs in the Major League Baseball that night.

5-30-26

I was over at dad’s apartment comfortably watching NCAA Tournament Softball and a sportscar race and listening to a Rangers game on the radio, when his neighbor came over and insisted we go to an early dinner at Bubba’s.    It was kind of bad timing, as the softball game was in the top of the seventh.    Tennessee was up 1-0 over Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders had the bases loaded with one out.   

Former Aggie star player, Desirae Spearman, came in as a pinch hitter.    She delivered a sac fly to shallow center.    The centerfielder had thrown out a runner at home earlier.    This time, upon review, the throw was there, but the sweep tag missed, so the game was tied.    This was a lengthy review and the neighbor was getting impatient, but the call would decide whether the game was over or not.   

At Bubba’s, as she predicted, the game was on there.    It went two extra innings before TN finally put it away with a solo home run to win, 2-1.    This wasn’t an elimination game, though.    Even better, that game finished, they switched over to the end of the Rangers against the Royals.    Bottom of the ninth, down 6-4, Joc Pederson solo homered to begin the inning.    Then, with two on in scoring position, the tying run was singled in.    Finally, Ezquiel Duran hit a shallow single and Brandon Nimmo went “Superman” and flew horizontally over the plate, just ahead of the tag to win it, 7-6.    Dad and I split a small pizza, which was excellent.    Okay, this all worked out well.

Comics Review: World’s Finest and Conan

I picked these up at Zia Comics, probably to avoid spending $40 on another trade paperback. I also went to Coas Bookstore and got a Zatana trade paperback. I lent it out to friend, who thought it looked interesting, before I got a chance to read it.

The Savage Sword of Conan #14

I reviewed Issue #5 (3-17-25) previously. This series is a 96-page black and white magazine printed on pulp paper with no ads for $7. On that level, this is the best deal you can get on a new comic book. Once again, it was a great cover that drew me in. Whatever they’re paying their cover artists is worth it.

Inside, the lead story features really good detailed line work with excellent shading and use of solid blacks. Storywise, Conan and some compatriots stumble into a lost city that seems like paradise, but is actually a trap run by monsters. Conan figures it out and ends up in a fight with the monsters that sets off a cataclysmic series of events. Conan and a handful of survivors get away as the city is destroyed behind them. He tells them, “Come with me if you want to live.” I kid you not.

I feel like I’ve read variations on this story several times before. If I looked back on some of my Conan books, I wonder if I’d find this exact story in one of them. It’s good for what it is, but it’s a pretty simple, derivative story. It does add to Conan’s personal story, as he does receive healing in the city, which restores full use of his hands and feet after his crucifixion. I wonder about the people he rescued. They’re merchants, whom Conan’s raiders pillaged before he ended up in the lost city.

There’s a backup solo story about the pirate queen, Belit. Her and her crew find an island with a temple. There’s a large gem inside it, but her men are killed when they try to enter. The trap is not triggered by women, however. Belit grabs the gem and encounters a “goddess” that attempts to possess her. Belit fights it off and kills the creature. Belit gets the gem and is convinced that she must be a “goddess,” too. Her crew now worships her. This feels like a supervillain origin story. The artwork is only okay, especially compared to the main feature.

There’s also a one-page text story that’s pretty good, along with a couple of pinups. Overall, this isn’t terribly satisfying, but for the price, you get your money’s worth in action.

World’s Finest #48

I mentioned this comic to a co-worker and she immediately thought I was talking about chocolate. There’s school fund-raising company named World Finest Chocolate that floats around the business every so often. (Having tasted several of their chocolate bars, their name may be accurate. I can’t name a better one off the top of my head.) I keep assuming everyone has the comic book background I do.

I’m not sure what DC is calling this, but it’s another trip into the “World’s Finest” universe, which features classic Batman and Superman. You can tell they’re “classic,” because they’ve got their underwear on the outside. Also, these comics are supposed to be fun, which the mainline DC comics aren’t. I’ve read this title before (8-23-23).  I also read a Justice League Unlimited trade from this universe (10-23-25), which I was more ambivalent on. (It would probably be smarter if they pared down the number of heroes, especially the essentially duplicated superheroes.)

These two issues I picked up introduce Earth-3. This is the evil universe where Superman and Batman and other superheroes are bad guys. Earth-3 was created quite a while back in 1964 with their evil Justice League, the Crime Syndicate. I know this concept has been hackneyed to death in our current day, so there’s no real shock factor to this comic.

The unnecessary two-page text intro also tells you up front that on Earth-3, evil always triumphs. (So, it’s just like the real world.) This is how this concept worked in 1964, too. It explains why the Justice League couldn’t beat the Crime Syndicate there. This brings up interesting metaphysical and practical questions about their society, which are not answered here.

Excellent series artist, Dan Mora, only does the covers on these issues, not the interiors. Marcus To’s rougher style might be better suited for this story on an evil earth, anyway. The issue starts with young, evil Bruce Wayne having his parents killed to get the inheritance. Next, Ultraman (evil Superman) is senselessly terrorizing the populace. This sets the stage well.

Though evil (we’re emphasizing it in this review), Ultraman and Owlman (evil Batman) are still best friends. (You can tell they’re evil because they’re not wearing their underwear on the outside.) They work together to shakedown the other super groups. Having rival evil super groups going after each other seems to be the only thing keeping them in check. In negotiations with the Doom Patrol while running down a lead, they offer the weapons of Flash’s Rouge’s Gallery (hands still attached).

The two nearly meet their match against the Metal Men, but call in Superwoman (Lois Lane) for support. Finally, they find the secret that had been being kept from them and we get to see our titular heroes. I hope this gets explained in the next issue.

World’s Finest #49

Since both of these issues were available on the rack and were part of the same storyline, I got them both. As this title is coming up on an anniversary issue (#50), I was concerned I might have to come back for the next issue to get the ending of this story, but it actually finishes up here. On the cover, Batman has the yellow oval around his bat symbol, but doesn’t in the story. It’s an artistic difference between Mora and To, but usually there’s a style guide to standardize these details.

Here we get the backstory. While confronting Brainiac, Batman and Superman got sucked into another universe and Earth-3. The two are rescued by . . . the Riddler? Yes, in this universe, the bad guys are the good guys. Our heroes have figured out how this place works pretty quickly. (Maybe, too quickly. It feels like this story needed more issues.) Riddler introduces them to his team, who are mish-mash of various foes that part of the resistance on this world. This includes Catwoman (the Jim Balent version) and she’s still smitten with Batman.

At STAR Labs, Riddler goes to work on opening another dimensional rift, while the rest of the group holds off Ultraman, Owlman, and Superwoman. Batman and Superman get back through the rift and back home. The end. It’s not really any more complex than that.

This was rushed, maybe because the anniversary issue was coming up and they had other plans. They probably should have held off on this story until they could give it more space. It does at least provide a practical explanation why good doesn’t triumph on Earth-3. The sun there weakens Superman and there’s pretty much no winning against Ultraman without him. These two comics were harmless, but disappointing.

Comics Review: Dollartree Comics Part 2

The last round of Dollartree comics were mostly misses, but at $1.25 each, I wasn’t too upset about it. (Now, all those $4 and $5 new comics I buy at Zia Comics that usually disappoint me, I’m a bit more steamed about.)

Superman: Up in the Sky #1

Last time, I’d made the mistake of not picking up any of the Superman comics. I saw “Kubert” on the cover (Andy Kubert) as the artist and immediately picked this one. It wasn’t until I got it home that I noticed “King” as the writer. Tom King is positively notorious for his inability to write strong male characters. A story about a weak Superman is the last thing I wanted to read.

The artwork is really good. The story wasn’t as bad as I was afraid it would be, though I question how it was presented. A little girl was abducted by aliens and Superman goes off to find her. That’s the whole plot.

On the way to this point, Superman teams up with various Justice Leaguers to combat large random threats, while Superman has to decide to search for her. The only lead he’s got requires him taking a long trip to planet Rann. To track the aliens down, Superman has to get strapped into a mental device that might break him. Maybe it comes close, since this is written by Tom King, but since it’s a Superman comic, he succeeds and now knows where to look for the little girl.

The comic took the long way to go and maybe mostly unnecessary, but it was pretty good in spite of itself.

Young Justice #1

I really hesitated picking up this one, because this clearly wasn’t the cool Young Justice based on the cartoon, which was really good. Just from the cover, it looked like a joke with Impulse stuffing his face and absurd 90’s Superboy. (Thank goodness, he later got a makeover.)

It was a joke and it was a very funny one. I loved this! Its three dumb bros with superpowers hanging out and getting in trouble. They’re in the JLA’s old headquarters in a cave and, through their sheer obnoxiousness, activate Red Tornado, who becomes something of a mentor, very reluctantly.

For their first case, they investigate a disturbance at an archeological dig. Obviously, it’s a huge, high-stakes fight with the super-powered woman they find there. After she defeats herself, the boys uncover a large motorcycle that flies and they get dragged off into space. It isn’t identified by the end of the story, but it’s the Super-Cycle that belonged to the Forever People by Jack Kirby from his Fourth World titles.

This one was very fun and well worth the $1.25.

Justice League Infinity #1

Oddly, though this comic was based on a kids cartoon and looks fairly cartoony, it’s mostly serious and even philosophical. It starts off with the villain Amazo off in space trying to find himself. On earth, Martian Manhunter tries to find out who he is by trying out different human personas.

Okay, then the main story, which is totally unconnected to those other storylines, has the Justice League throwing a surprise birthday party for the Flash. There’s a bit of personal drama between Hawkgirl and John Stewart. Suddenly, Granny Goodness shows up and starts a fight.

Then Kalibak shows up. It’s a three-way throw-down. The two evil beings want to destroy the Justice League to show that they’re worthy to rule Apokolips with Darkseid gone. (Whew, I slept on that development!) Mr. Miracle manages to get rid of the party crashers.

It was a great party. However, Amazo’s search for identity has somehow unleashed some strange energy that alters Superman. This was all over the place. Perhaps Part Two pulls this all together, but I’m not going to search it out.