Aquaman vol. 8 - Out of Darkness
Dan Abnett, Vicente Cifuentes, Brett Booth
Aquaman #49-52, Rebirth #1
This final Aquaman volume for New 52/DC You series is a bit short at only five issues collected. Writer Dan Abnett would continue writing for the Rebirth series, and this book filled in some background on a few concepts, including Spindrift station, the Atlantean dry land embassy (closed and not seen again since Black Manta attacked it early in the series) and Dead Water, a human transformed into an alien creature who travels through any amount of water, no matter how small. Apart from one unexplained change, these issues transition smoothly from DC You to Rebirth.
The book opens with an issue that never shows Aquaman in constume. He's still got the longer hair and stubble from Cullen Bunn's DC You storyline, with the issue acting as a breather and transition back to a more normal status quo. Events of that storyline are referred to once or twice, so they weren't trying to sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened, but the book moves on rather quickly with a couple of concurrent plotlines: the opening of Spindrift embassy and the mystery of Dark Water. Mera accepts Arthur's request that she lead the public relations effort at the embassy, and she decides to go all the way and play the role to the hilt, so she starts wearing an orange and green costume like Aquaman's and calls herself "Aquawoman". Mera claims it's all about marketing, but then she drops the idea in between Aquaman #52 and Aquaman Rebirth #1 with no explanation. I'm fine with that, honestly. I prefer Mera to have her own identity and look, so I'm glad the change was only temporary. Mera takes to the role of diplomat very well, and the press eat it up, and she's clearly enjoying herself.
While this is going on, Aquaman tracks down and contronts Dark Water, a creature that travels through water and kills. From a glass of water on a desk to a swimming pool, Dark Water can use any of these as a portal to attack and kill someone. As Aquaman investigates and gets into a physical confrontation with this dangerous snake-like creature, he learns that not only is Dark Water a human transformed into a monster, not only is it a case of some kind of alien water that changed him (a plot point that's explained about 20 issues into the Rebirth series), but this man formerly worked for Peter Mortimer, the Scavenger, last seen in the "Death of a King" storyline attacking Atlantis. In the end, Dark Water commits "suicide by trident" alllowing himself to be killed during a fight with Aquaman, and Mortimer is badly wounded. The series ends with Aquaman pondering on whether or not he'll be able to bring land and sea closer together, and then this book closes with Rebirth #1, where Aquaman shuts down an Atlantean terrorist cell led by Corum Rath, who will become very important in the storyline running in Aquaman right now.
After some great art earlier in the series by Ivan Reis and Paul Pelletier, Vicente Cifuentes and Brett Booth are not bad, but not up to the standard set by those earlier artists. They are definitely a step up from Tervor McCarthy though. Overall New 52/DC You Aquaman had its ups and downs, but ended on a high note.
Retro Comics are Awesome
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andersonh1
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andersonh1
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Re: Retro Comics are Awesome
Aquaman and the Others vol. 2 - Alignment Earth
Dan Jurgens, Lan Medina
Aquaman and the Others #6-11, Aquaman Future's End #1, Aquaman and the Others Future's End #1
This volume would be more accurately titled "The Others with a few cameos by Aquaman" since he figures very little into the plot. I'm not sure the reader of the monthly series (not that there were many) looking for a second Aquaman title would really be getting what was advertised. Regardless, this second and final volume is not a bad story as the Others end up facing off against "Mayhem", a group of terrorists and assassins who want, what else, money and power. The group includes the assassin Cheshire, and in a nice surprise, is led by old Batman villain the KGBeast. The group includes his protoge, NKV Demon. Both long for the "glory days" of the Soviet Union. The fact that they're both Russian is put to good use to give Vostok information on his background and to give him conflicting loyalties.
The book opens and closes in pretty much the same way. The team has finished a mission, and all go their separate ways to visit home or family. That seems to be the idea behind the Others, that they're a group of individuals connected by a past association and the Atlantean relics they all carry. When not faced with a problem, they live their own lives in different parts of the world. It's an encounter by the Operative with KGBeast that draws the group into the plot by Mayhem to acquire the launch codes for a forgotten Soviet satellite loaded with nuclear missiles that they can use to hold the world hostage to their demands. There are some nicely done plot twists along the way. The aforementioned connection between Vostok and KGBeast is one, as the cosmonaut's past is detailed. He was one of four clones, all raised in different environments in order to see which would produce the best Soviet cosmonaut, and in the end he has to make a chocie between those he feels a connection to from Russia, and the Others, and it's no surprise which side he picks, though Jurgens makes the choice look genuinely difficult for him.
The fact that the Others only have about a dozen issues of history gives Jurgens the chance to establish all sorts of connections and past incidents that serve the story. The Operative has run into KGBeast before, so that adds a layer to the story. One of the ghosts that the Prisoner carries with him was a man killed by the Operative, so he wants revenge. An issue later and it's revealed that the dead man was actually a spy working with KGBeast on the same night the Operative encountered him. Twists and revelations help keep this story moving along. In the end, Mayhem is transported to an island where each one is defeated in a fight with one of the Others and the threat is ended, but not until one of the missiles has been launched and Vostok is able to turn it back toward his old base on the Moon where Mayhem had been hiding and destroy it. In the end, the group all go their separate ways, ready for a break after all they've been through, and this short-lived 11 issue series ends.
But that's not the end of this collected edition. Included are two Future's End issues. Like that whole series, and like most bad future scenarios, the story depicted will never happen, making the whole thing somewhat pointless. After a war with Earth 2, Atlantis was devastated, and the people blame Aquaman because he encouraged them to help defend the Earth. He and Mera have broken up, and Vulko brings back the Dead King Atlan to save Atlantis. I seriously don't know why Aquaman bothers with those people. They always turn against him, sooner or later. At the end of the two part story, it's the Operative's grandson who ends up with all six Atlantean relics and who becomes "The Other".
All in all, not a stellar series, but not half bad either, and worth the $14 it cost me for both volumes. I didn't read it when it was on the shelf (and probably wouldn't have enjoyed it at the time if I had) but in reading all of this for the first time I liked it well enough. Despite his name being prominent on the cover, this is not an Aquaman book and does not feature the same type of threats Aquaman normally faces. I was disappointed that he didn't feature more in the second volume, but by that time Jurgens had at least built up enough good will for the other characters and their dilemmas that I was more invested in Vostok's plight and Prisoner of War's conflict than I expected to be, and I didn't miss Aquaman as much as I expected.
Dan Jurgens, Lan Medina
Aquaman and the Others #6-11, Aquaman Future's End #1, Aquaman and the Others Future's End #1
This volume would be more accurately titled "The Others with a few cameos by Aquaman" since he figures very little into the plot. I'm not sure the reader of the monthly series (not that there were many) looking for a second Aquaman title would really be getting what was advertised. Regardless, this second and final volume is not a bad story as the Others end up facing off against "Mayhem", a group of terrorists and assassins who want, what else, money and power. The group includes the assassin Cheshire, and in a nice surprise, is led by old Batman villain the KGBeast. The group includes his protoge, NKV Demon. Both long for the "glory days" of the Soviet Union. The fact that they're both Russian is put to good use to give Vostok information on his background and to give him conflicting loyalties.
The book opens and closes in pretty much the same way. The team has finished a mission, and all go their separate ways to visit home or family. That seems to be the idea behind the Others, that they're a group of individuals connected by a past association and the Atlantean relics they all carry. When not faced with a problem, they live their own lives in different parts of the world. It's an encounter by the Operative with KGBeast that draws the group into the plot by Mayhem to acquire the launch codes for a forgotten Soviet satellite loaded with nuclear missiles that they can use to hold the world hostage to their demands. There are some nicely done plot twists along the way. The aforementioned connection between Vostok and KGBeast is one, as the cosmonaut's past is detailed. He was one of four clones, all raised in different environments in order to see which would produce the best Soviet cosmonaut, and in the end he has to make a chocie between those he feels a connection to from Russia, and the Others, and it's no surprise which side he picks, though Jurgens makes the choice look genuinely difficult for him.
The fact that the Others only have about a dozen issues of history gives Jurgens the chance to establish all sorts of connections and past incidents that serve the story. The Operative has run into KGBeast before, so that adds a layer to the story. One of the ghosts that the Prisoner carries with him was a man killed by the Operative, so he wants revenge. An issue later and it's revealed that the dead man was actually a spy working with KGBeast on the same night the Operative encountered him. Twists and revelations help keep this story moving along. In the end, Mayhem is transported to an island where each one is defeated in a fight with one of the Others and the threat is ended, but not until one of the missiles has been launched and Vostok is able to turn it back toward his old base on the Moon where Mayhem had been hiding and destroy it. In the end, the group all go their separate ways, ready for a break after all they've been through, and this short-lived 11 issue series ends.
But that's not the end of this collected edition. Included are two Future's End issues. Like that whole series, and like most bad future scenarios, the story depicted will never happen, making the whole thing somewhat pointless. After a war with Earth 2, Atlantis was devastated, and the people blame Aquaman because he encouraged them to help defend the Earth. He and Mera have broken up, and Vulko brings back the Dead King Atlan to save Atlantis. I seriously don't know why Aquaman bothers with those people. They always turn against him, sooner or later. At the end of the two part story, it's the Operative's grandson who ends up with all six Atlantean relics and who becomes "The Other".
All in all, not a stellar series, but not half bad either, and worth the $14 it cost me for both volumes. I didn't read it when it was on the shelf (and probably wouldn't have enjoyed it at the time if I had) but in reading all of this for the first time I liked it well enough. Despite his name being prominent on the cover, this is not an Aquaman book and does not feature the same type of threats Aquaman normally faces. I was disappointed that he didn't feature more in the second volume, but by that time Jurgens had at least built up enough good will for the other characters and their dilemmas that I was more invested in Vostok's plight and Prisoner of War's conflict than I expected to be, and I didn't miss Aquaman as much as I expected.
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andersonh1
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Re: Retro Comics are Awesome
More Fun Comics #73
November 1941
Aquaman
There was an unofficial word last year that DC was planning to follow up the Green Arrow Golden Age omnibus with one featuring Aquaman. That makes sense to me, given they both debuted in the same comic at the same time. There's no sign of it yet, but a few 1940s stories are available as reprints, including the very first appearance of the character.
It's November 1941 so it's no surprise that the Nazis are the primary villain of this story. An unarmed ship carrying "refugees and hospital workers" is torpedoed by a sub, who then targets the lifeboats of the survivors. But at that moment a gloved hand emerges from the sea and drags the boat out of the torpedo's path. It is of course Aquaman, who attacks the sub, which dives to escape him. He sends porpoises to help the survivors to shore, and then explains who he is to the survivors.
The story must start with my father, a famous undersea explorer - if I spoke his name, you would recognize it. My mother died when I was a baby, and he turned to his work of solving the ocean's secrets.
Aquaman's father discovers Atlantis, but unlike modern versions, it's an abandoned, dead city. He stays to do his research of this lost civilization.
From the books and records, he learned ways of teaching me to live under the ocean.... drawing oxygen from the water and using all the power of the sea to make me wonderfully strong and swift. By training and a hundred scientific secrets, I became what you see - a human being who lives and thrives under the water.
His father dies, and Aquaman carries on his work of ocean research.
Finishing his story, he pursues the submarine to a hidden island base. He punches a hole in the sub and sinks it, then pursues the Nazis on land. Sadly, the old "gets hit on the head and knocked out" trope appears here. The idiot Nazis try to weigh him down and drown him. He doesn't drown, but it takes some help from dolphins to chew through the ropes and release him. Returning to the island he finishes the job he started, and the Nazi captain dies by the very grenade he tried to throw at Aquaman, detonating the armory he was hiding in.
The origin story is different both from the Silver Age/New 52 origin (son of human Tom Curry and Atlantean queen Atlanna) and the post-crisis version, where his blond hair is believed to mark him as cursed, and he's left to die and is raised by the lighthouse keeper (and where his orange and green was a prison uniform). Golden Age Aquaman is a human who has benefitted from lost science left by the extinct Atlanteans, and he apparently took up super-heroics in response to WW2, since he'd been an ocean explorer and scientist like his father before. He talks to and commands sea life, and he's far stronger than the average man, so some character traits established here have been retained. In other words, the character is recognizable, even if a lot of later trappings are absent, having not been established yet. No living Atlantis, no Mera, no Garth, none of the setting and supporting cast we're so used to today. But it's not a bad first story, and I hope the omnibus does get published at some point.
November 1941
Aquaman
There was an unofficial word last year that DC was planning to follow up the Green Arrow Golden Age omnibus with one featuring Aquaman. That makes sense to me, given they both debuted in the same comic at the same time. There's no sign of it yet, but a few 1940s stories are available as reprints, including the very first appearance of the character.
It's November 1941 so it's no surprise that the Nazis are the primary villain of this story. An unarmed ship carrying "refugees and hospital workers" is torpedoed by a sub, who then targets the lifeboats of the survivors. But at that moment a gloved hand emerges from the sea and drags the boat out of the torpedo's path. It is of course Aquaman, who attacks the sub, which dives to escape him. He sends porpoises to help the survivors to shore, and then explains who he is to the survivors.
The story must start with my father, a famous undersea explorer - if I spoke his name, you would recognize it. My mother died when I was a baby, and he turned to his work of solving the ocean's secrets.
Aquaman's father discovers Atlantis, but unlike modern versions, it's an abandoned, dead city. He stays to do his research of this lost civilization.
From the books and records, he learned ways of teaching me to live under the ocean.... drawing oxygen from the water and using all the power of the sea to make me wonderfully strong and swift. By training and a hundred scientific secrets, I became what you see - a human being who lives and thrives under the water.
His father dies, and Aquaman carries on his work of ocean research.
Finishing his story, he pursues the submarine to a hidden island base. He punches a hole in the sub and sinks it, then pursues the Nazis on land. Sadly, the old "gets hit on the head and knocked out" trope appears here. The idiot Nazis try to weigh him down and drown him. He doesn't drown, but it takes some help from dolphins to chew through the ropes and release him. Returning to the island he finishes the job he started, and the Nazi captain dies by the very grenade he tried to throw at Aquaman, detonating the armory he was hiding in.
The origin story is different both from the Silver Age/New 52 origin (son of human Tom Curry and Atlantean queen Atlanna) and the post-crisis version, where his blond hair is believed to mark him as cursed, and he's left to die and is raised by the lighthouse keeper (and where his orange and green was a prison uniform). Golden Age Aquaman is a human who has benefitted from lost science left by the extinct Atlanteans, and he apparently took up super-heroics in response to WW2, since he'd been an ocean explorer and scientist like his father before. He talks to and commands sea life, and he's far stronger than the average man, so some character traits established here have been retained. In other words, the character is recognizable, even if a lot of later trappings are absent, having not been established yet. No living Atlantis, no Mera, no Garth, none of the setting and supporting cast we're so used to today. But it's not a bad first story, and I hope the omnibus does get published at some point.
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andersonh1
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Re: Retro Comics are Awesome
And yet another Aquaman origin story:
The Legend of Aquaman
Special #1 (1989)
Keith Giffen, Robert Loren Fleming, Curt Swan
I wanted to re-read some of my older Aquaman comics since I've been enjoying the more recent ones. This particular special is the earliest I have, and represents (as far as I know) the first post-Crisis establishment of Aquaman's origin. I also have a series by Shaun McLaughlin that only lasted 13 issues, the Time and Tide mini-series by Peter David, and probably the first two years of the ongoing series he wrote, where Aquaman loses his hand and adopts the harpoon.
"Legend of Aquaman" begins with the infant left to die on Mercy Reef, but because he can breathe both air and water, he survives. When a shark starts to attack him, he commands it to go away and it does. The nameless boy who will become Aquaman spends maybe the first 15 years of his life in the sea, alone, naked, hunting for fish to survive. A chance encounter with a lighthouse keeper out setting fish traps leads to the boy being captured, but when the lighthouse keeper sees that the boy is weakening without water, he throws him back into the sea. The two ultimately get to know each other and the keeper, Arthur Curry, raises him as his son. Eventually the Atlanteans find the lighthouse and kill Curry one day while the boy is out at sea. Alone again he abandons the lighthouse and returns to the sea.
By chance he finds the city of Posideonis in Atlantis, and in these post-Crisis days, it's a rather quaint looking city under a giant glass dome. He's captured and put into "the Aquarium", the prison for hardened criminals, where his blond hair marks him as having the "curse of Kordax", one of the reasons he was left to die in the first place. HIs orange and green costume is established as a prison uniform which all the inmates wear. Arthur strikes up a friendship with fellow prisoner Vulko, who teaches him to speak Atlantean. Arthur has seen his mother, whose face is one of the few memories he has from early childhood, and he wants to learn the language so he can talk to her, so he remains in prison. But when he sees the funeral procession one day, he's done with it all and breaks out. It's at this point that he becomes a superhero and a founding member of the JLA.
The issue wraps up when he returns to Atlantis to find things have changed greatly. He's no longer a political prisoner, and he learns that he is the son of the former queen. The king abdicates in his favor, and though he doesn't want to be king, he accepts. From there he meets and marries Mera, the two have a son, and life is good until Arthur Jr. is killed and buried at Mercy Reef, and Aquaman abandons his life in despair, heading out to sea. Thus ends the issue.
A number of elements from other versions of the character's origin appear here, including Arthur as eventual king, early rejection by his own people, being raised by the lighthouse keeper, being caught between the surface and undersea worlds. It's well illustrated, though since I associate Curt Swan with 1960s and 1970s Superman, I tend to view the art as dated, but the man could draw well, no doubt about it. I'm not even sure how long this origin remains canon. I think Time and Tide will add to it and change some things about it, but we'll see when I get to that point.
Onwards to the next ongoing series, which was short-lived at 13 issues. I bought these back issues some years ago, but I've never read past the first two issues for whatever reason. Time to remedy that and review them as I go through the books before moving to Time and Tide and whatever issues of the Peter David Aquaman series that I have. And I will say that whatever gripes I have with the interior art, the Kevin Maguire covers are generally quite good.
Aquaman #1
December 1991
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
A Small World Incident
In a short prologue, the city of Poseidonis is attacked by submarines. The story switches to Aquaman (in his original costume, shoulder length hair, no beard) and recaps his history. His son is dead, his wife has left him, and he's alone. He uses this to convince a beached whale who has lost a child to go back to sea. The story cuts back and forth as the king wonders where Aquaman is, the dome over the city is shattered, and Aquaman helps Porm the dolphin free some other dolphins trapped in a net (unlike the New 52, here Aquaman still speaks to sea life). The country of Oumland has decided to annex Poesidonis after it supposedly attacked them, and debate over this development is going on in the UN and on television. There's a black man manipulating the situation in Oumland from behind the scenes, and of course my first guess is that it's Black Manta. We'll see.
As Aquaman talks to Porm about his loss, and loss in general, a messenger from Poesidonis locates him and he returns to help, breaking through the hull of the lead submarine and demanding answers. He attacks the troops out in the water and initially forces a general retreat, only to come across a wounded Vulko on the sea floor. A final torpedo explosion nearby disables Aquaman and the issue ends...
It's interesting how much I've become used to the art, coloring and storytelling conventions of modern Aquaman, to the point that I'm more critical of the less sophisticated early 90s art than is really fair. This writing and characterization is much more traditional of course, with Aquaman actually talking to whales and dolphins, and seen as the defender of Atlantis while King Thesily actually rules a city that is defenceless without Aquaman. It's a far cry from the Atlantean armies Orm leads in "Throne of Atlantis" that make the world afraid of the undersea kingdom. Here the two-bit nation of Oumland can take them on with little resistance. Aquaman himself is a character driven more by what he's lost (his wife, son and kingship) than a split loyalty between land and sea, so there's a different dynamic there, but it's still familiar enough to be recognizable. And I miss Mera's relationship with Aquaman as a fundamental character dynamic of the series, something that's entirely missing here since the two were not on good terms at this point.
The Legend of Aquaman
Special #1 (1989)
Keith Giffen, Robert Loren Fleming, Curt Swan
I wanted to re-read some of my older Aquaman comics since I've been enjoying the more recent ones. This particular special is the earliest I have, and represents (as far as I know) the first post-Crisis establishment of Aquaman's origin. I also have a series by Shaun McLaughlin that only lasted 13 issues, the Time and Tide mini-series by Peter David, and probably the first two years of the ongoing series he wrote, where Aquaman loses his hand and adopts the harpoon.
"Legend of Aquaman" begins with the infant left to die on Mercy Reef, but because he can breathe both air and water, he survives. When a shark starts to attack him, he commands it to go away and it does. The nameless boy who will become Aquaman spends maybe the first 15 years of his life in the sea, alone, naked, hunting for fish to survive. A chance encounter with a lighthouse keeper out setting fish traps leads to the boy being captured, but when the lighthouse keeper sees that the boy is weakening without water, he throws him back into the sea. The two ultimately get to know each other and the keeper, Arthur Curry, raises him as his son. Eventually the Atlanteans find the lighthouse and kill Curry one day while the boy is out at sea. Alone again he abandons the lighthouse and returns to the sea.
By chance he finds the city of Posideonis in Atlantis, and in these post-Crisis days, it's a rather quaint looking city under a giant glass dome. He's captured and put into "the Aquarium", the prison for hardened criminals, where his blond hair marks him as having the "curse of Kordax", one of the reasons he was left to die in the first place. HIs orange and green costume is established as a prison uniform which all the inmates wear. Arthur strikes up a friendship with fellow prisoner Vulko, who teaches him to speak Atlantean. Arthur has seen his mother, whose face is one of the few memories he has from early childhood, and he wants to learn the language so he can talk to her, so he remains in prison. But when he sees the funeral procession one day, he's done with it all and breaks out. It's at this point that he becomes a superhero and a founding member of the JLA.
The issue wraps up when he returns to Atlantis to find things have changed greatly. He's no longer a political prisoner, and he learns that he is the son of the former queen. The king abdicates in his favor, and though he doesn't want to be king, he accepts. From there he meets and marries Mera, the two have a son, and life is good until Arthur Jr. is killed and buried at Mercy Reef, and Aquaman abandons his life in despair, heading out to sea. Thus ends the issue.
A number of elements from other versions of the character's origin appear here, including Arthur as eventual king, early rejection by his own people, being raised by the lighthouse keeper, being caught between the surface and undersea worlds. It's well illustrated, though since I associate Curt Swan with 1960s and 1970s Superman, I tend to view the art as dated, but the man could draw well, no doubt about it. I'm not even sure how long this origin remains canon. I think Time and Tide will add to it and change some things about it, but we'll see when I get to that point.
Onwards to the next ongoing series, which was short-lived at 13 issues. I bought these back issues some years ago, but I've never read past the first two issues for whatever reason. Time to remedy that and review them as I go through the books before moving to Time and Tide and whatever issues of the Peter David Aquaman series that I have. And I will say that whatever gripes I have with the interior art, the Kevin Maguire covers are generally quite good.
Aquaman #1
December 1991
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
A Small World Incident
In a short prologue, the city of Poseidonis is attacked by submarines. The story switches to Aquaman (in his original costume, shoulder length hair, no beard) and recaps his history. His son is dead, his wife has left him, and he's alone. He uses this to convince a beached whale who has lost a child to go back to sea. The story cuts back and forth as the king wonders where Aquaman is, the dome over the city is shattered, and Aquaman helps Porm the dolphin free some other dolphins trapped in a net (unlike the New 52, here Aquaman still speaks to sea life). The country of Oumland has decided to annex Poesidonis after it supposedly attacked them, and debate over this development is going on in the UN and on television. There's a black man manipulating the situation in Oumland from behind the scenes, and of course my first guess is that it's Black Manta. We'll see.
As Aquaman talks to Porm about his loss, and loss in general, a messenger from Poesidonis locates him and he returns to help, breaking through the hull of the lead submarine and demanding answers. He attacks the troops out in the water and initially forces a general retreat, only to come across a wounded Vulko on the sea floor. A final torpedo explosion nearby disables Aquaman and the issue ends...
It's interesting how much I've become used to the art, coloring and storytelling conventions of modern Aquaman, to the point that I'm more critical of the less sophisticated early 90s art than is really fair. This writing and characterization is much more traditional of course, with Aquaman actually talking to whales and dolphins, and seen as the defender of Atlantis while King Thesily actually rules a city that is defenceless without Aquaman. It's a far cry from the Atlantean armies Orm leads in "Throne of Atlantis" that make the world afraid of the undersea kingdom. Here the two-bit nation of Oumland can take them on with little resistance. Aquaman himself is a character driven more by what he's lost (his wife, son and kingship) than a split loyalty between land and sea, so there's a different dynamic there, but it's still familiar enough to be recognizable. And I miss Mera's relationship with Aquaman as a fundamental character dynamic of the series, something that's entirely missing here since the two were not on good terms at this point.
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andersonh1
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Re: Retro Comics are Awesome
Aquaman #2
January 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
Both Sides of the Issue
One of the city's defenders throws herself in the path of the torpedo to save Aquaman's life. As he revives, the medical staff attempt to treat him, but he leaps back into action. He commands giant squd to attack the subs and then sends octopi after the divers. He forces a full retreat and follows the soldiers to Oumland. He attempts to talk, but is fired on and ends up fighting his way on to land. He's shot in the leg, but ultimately makes it to the prime minister and threatens him. On the way back to Poseidonis, he's attacked but fights off the attackers.Upon his return to the city, he finds that sharks are swarming the domeless city, and they refuse to obey his order to stop.
This is a reasonable action issue, but Aquaman continues to indulge in self-examination at the most inappropriate times, which will continue to happen. It's not well written, and the dialogue is often choppy and sounds nothing like any real person would say. I can see what McLaughlin is going for, but he can't make it work.
January 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
Both Sides of the Issue
One of the city's defenders throws herself in the path of the torpedo to save Aquaman's life. As he revives, the medical staff attempt to treat him, but he leaps back into action. He commands giant squd to attack the subs and then sends octopi after the divers. He forces a full retreat and follows the soldiers to Oumland. He attempts to talk, but is fired on and ends up fighting his way on to land. He's shot in the leg, but ultimately makes it to the prime minister and threatens him. On the way back to Poseidonis, he's attacked but fights off the attackers.Upon his return to the city, he finds that sharks are swarming the domeless city, and they refuse to obey his order to stop.
This is a reasonable action issue, but Aquaman continues to indulge in self-examination at the most inappropriate times, which will continue to happen. It's not well written, and the dialogue is often choppy and sounds nothing like any real person would say. I can see what McLaughlin is going for, but he can't make it work.
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andersonh1
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Re: Retro Comics are Awesome
Aquaman #3
February 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
The World Around Them
The Kevin Maguire cover with Aquaman holding off a shark by its jaws is probably the best part of the issue. The sharks attack Poseidonis and a bunch of kids ask Aquaman why he can't command them to stop. He replies that he doesn't command, he suggests and cajoles, but can't make them do anything. Since when? The majority of the plot involves the genuine mermen (who have fish tails) of Tritonis, led by Lord Iqula, planning to forcibly protect Poseidonis. Aquaman, who tries to fend off the shark attack without killing the sharks, has to protect both the sharks and the people. The issue ends with Iqula's people approaching the city, who see them as invaders.
Aquaman #4
March 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
Tails & Legs
Aquaman dives right in to fight the Tritonians as Iqula makes his "we are here to protect you" speech. Iqula doesn't think much of Aquaman, insults his manhood and would like to defeat him in one on one combat to break the city's faith in him. Aquaman wins the fight in the end, and Iqula will turn out to be an honorable man as the series goes on.
King Thesily has a landline connection to the United Nations and plans to send Aquaman as UN ambassador for the city. Meanwhile the shadowy figure from issue 1, who is still not revealed but who is obviously Black Manta, sets out to sea. He heads to Tritonis and makes a bargain with King Firtf of that city. Iqula does not approve.
Aquaman #5
April 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
Best Friends
After fighting off a crazy man trying to kill him, Aquaman collapses from his many wounds and lack of rest as he reaches the UN, and he ends up in the hospital. The Titans contact him to let him know that Garth has been badly hurt. I had completely forgotten about the early 90s Troia costume and the Wildebeest storyline going on at the time, so this is a mild crossover with that book. Aquaman takes Garth to his own people for healing and returns to the UN, where he spends some time in conversation with the Martian Manhunter. He gives a press conference and expecting reasonable questions, is angered by the press (some things never change). And then Manta shows up to kill him, asking "how's the wife and kid?" Jonn and the newly arrived Iqula help him with Manta's hired help, while Aquaman goes after Manta himself, who has destroyed Mercy Reef, the grave of Aquaman's son.
Aquaman #6
May 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
The End of a Road
Manta attacks Poseidonis with Scarecrow's fear gas of all things. Even Manta has a moment to wonder why he's doing this, but decides that it's not his fault. He is "what the sea made him". With Iqula there to help defend the city, Aquaman pursues Black Manta. The story gives Manta an origin that I don't recall seeing before, and while I generally think the New 52 improved on a lot of things about Aquaman, this old origin is much better than the "Aquaman killed my father" motivation for Manta that Geoff Johns gave us.
Aquaman tries to kill Manta, but a few pointed remarks by Manta allow him to stab Arthur in the chest and escape, only to apparently have his suit punctured by fish and filling with water when he's well below the surface. Arthur is badly wounded, and someone dressed in the sea camoflauge blue Aquaman suit from the mid-80s is delighted to have finally found him.
So commenting on the first six issues, I can see why this series did not last long. The writing and the art are servicable at best, in my opinion. There's some good ready made drama with Aquaman's son dead, killed by Black Manta, and Mera having left him, and Arthur himself pulled between the surface and Atlantis. His emotional state is not healthy at all, and that's obvious. But the way in which this is explored is clumsily handled, with Aquaman pausing to reflect on what's going on at the most inopportune times, such as in the middle of the fight with Iqula. Some of the players in the story aren't easily identified. And while I can't say the art is poor, Hooper isn't much of a storyteller. He doesn't frame sequences well. There are some good things, such as Arthur's friendship with the Martian Manhunter, and Iqula's behavior towards Aquaman, who he now respects. Six issues in, and this run has been disappointing, but some plot threads it lays down are picked up by Peter David, so I'd like to have those in mind when I reach that series.
February 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
The World Around Them
The Kevin Maguire cover with Aquaman holding off a shark by its jaws is probably the best part of the issue. The sharks attack Poseidonis and a bunch of kids ask Aquaman why he can't command them to stop. He replies that he doesn't command, he suggests and cajoles, but can't make them do anything. Since when? The majority of the plot involves the genuine mermen (who have fish tails) of Tritonis, led by Lord Iqula, planning to forcibly protect Poseidonis. Aquaman, who tries to fend off the shark attack without killing the sharks, has to protect both the sharks and the people. The issue ends with Iqula's people approaching the city, who see them as invaders.
Aquaman #4
March 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
Tails & Legs
Aquaman dives right in to fight the Tritonians as Iqula makes his "we are here to protect you" speech. Iqula doesn't think much of Aquaman, insults his manhood and would like to defeat him in one on one combat to break the city's faith in him. Aquaman wins the fight in the end, and Iqula will turn out to be an honorable man as the series goes on.
King Thesily has a landline connection to the United Nations and plans to send Aquaman as UN ambassador for the city. Meanwhile the shadowy figure from issue 1, who is still not revealed but who is obviously Black Manta, sets out to sea. He heads to Tritonis and makes a bargain with King Firtf of that city. Iqula does not approve.
Aquaman #5
April 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
Best Friends
After fighting off a crazy man trying to kill him, Aquaman collapses from his many wounds and lack of rest as he reaches the UN, and he ends up in the hospital. The Titans contact him to let him know that Garth has been badly hurt. I had completely forgotten about the early 90s Troia costume and the Wildebeest storyline going on at the time, so this is a mild crossover with that book. Aquaman takes Garth to his own people for healing and returns to the UN, where he spends some time in conversation with the Martian Manhunter. He gives a press conference and expecting reasonable questions, is angered by the press (some things never change). And then Manta shows up to kill him, asking "how's the wife and kid?" Jonn and the newly arrived Iqula help him with Manta's hired help, while Aquaman goes after Manta himself, who has destroyed Mercy Reef, the grave of Aquaman's son.
Aquaman #6
May 1992
Shaun McLaughlin, Ken Hooper
The End of a Road
Manta attacks Poseidonis with Scarecrow's fear gas of all things. Even Manta has a moment to wonder why he's doing this, but decides that it's not his fault. He is "what the sea made him". With Iqula there to help defend the city, Aquaman pursues Black Manta. The story gives Manta an origin that I don't recall seeing before, and while I generally think the New 52 improved on a lot of things about Aquaman, this old origin is much better than the "Aquaman killed my father" motivation for Manta that Geoff Johns gave us.
Aquaman tries to kill Manta, but a few pointed remarks by Manta allow him to stab Arthur in the chest and escape, only to apparently have his suit punctured by fish and filling with water when he's well below the surface. Arthur is badly wounded, and someone dressed in the sea camoflauge blue Aquaman suit from the mid-80s is delighted to have finally found him.
So commenting on the first six issues, I can see why this series did not last long. The writing and the art are servicable at best, in my opinion. There's some good ready made drama with Aquaman's son dead, killed by Black Manta, and Mera having left him, and Arthur himself pulled between the surface and Atlantis. His emotional state is not healthy at all, and that's obvious. But the way in which this is explored is clumsily handled, with Aquaman pausing to reflect on what's going on at the most inopportune times, such as in the middle of the fight with Iqula. Some of the players in the story aren't easily identified. And while I can't say the art is poor, Hooper isn't much of a storyteller. He doesn't frame sequences well. There are some good things, such as Arthur's friendship with the Martian Manhunter, and Iqula's behavior towards Aquaman, who he now respects. Six issues in, and this run has been disappointing, but some plot threads it lays down are picked up by Peter David, so I'd like to have those in mind when I reach that series.
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andersonh1
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Re: Retro Comics are Awesome
The overstock sale gave me plenty of more recent comic reading, but I still want to read all the way through 1960s Green Lantern. In browsing through the second Silver Age volume, it's interesting to see that Denny O'Neil wrote a few issues here and there, alternating with John Broome and Gardner Fox before he took over with Green Lantern/Green Arrow #76. My theory about the Guardians remaining friendly and reasonable up until that issue has been confirmed. In the 1960s, the Guardians of the Universe are good bosses. In the 1970s, they turn into jerks, but they're never out and out villains until Geoff Johns made them go off the deep end. I guess over the decades we're supposed to be seeing the downhill moral slide of once beneficent beings, even if the various writers and editors did not plan it that way.
Green Lantern #19
March 1963
The Defeat of Green Lantern!
Tomar-Re attempts to warn Hal that a cosmic storm may disrupt Hal's ring as it did Tomar's. But the storm won't allow the message to get through. Meanwhile on Earth, Sonar has been released from jail and plans to conquer the neighboring tiny country of Granaca, whose ruler writes to Green Lantern (care of Tom Kalmaku) for help. Hal takes on Sonar as Sonar defeats Granaca's army. Hal's ring malfunctions several times, but creates a bubble to protect him as Sonar is about to kill him. Sonar is captured, and Tomar-Re finally gets through, and between the two of them they work out that enough of Tomar's warning got through to influence Hal's subconcious to make the ring malfunction as a warning to him. The energy bubble (in a bit of an after the fact cheat) turns out to be a precaution Hal had set up in case his ring conked out during the fight.
The Trail of the Horse and Buggy Bandits!
An old lady attempting to phone the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals accidentally contacts Hal's ring while he's recharging it. I guess she has some tremendous willpower or something, though Hal figures at the end of the story that it was just a one in a million freak occurrence. The older lady is concerned about a horse not being given enough water. The horse is hitched to a covered wagon outside the bank. This is on a normal 1960s city street, keep in mind, so there's plenty of vehicle and foot traffic, but a horse drawn wagon stands out. It turns out to be crooks working an angle of course, making a slow getaway in the wagon while the police go looking for motor vehicles. Only a speeding car spooking the horse and overturning the wagon clues Hal in that it's the robbers. They hide in a barn, but even though it's yellow (sigh) Hal cleverly diverts a nearby river and flushes them out.
This seems like a story where the writer came up with a crazy idea ("old lady calls Green Lantern's ring with her telephone") and then came up with some sort of plot to support the high concept. Sometimes it works, but here it really doesn't.
Green Lantern #19
March 1963
The Defeat of Green Lantern!
Tomar-Re attempts to warn Hal that a cosmic storm may disrupt Hal's ring as it did Tomar's. But the storm won't allow the message to get through. Meanwhile on Earth, Sonar has been released from jail and plans to conquer the neighboring tiny country of Granaca, whose ruler writes to Green Lantern (care of Tom Kalmaku) for help. Hal takes on Sonar as Sonar defeats Granaca's army. Hal's ring malfunctions several times, but creates a bubble to protect him as Sonar is about to kill him. Sonar is captured, and Tomar-Re finally gets through, and between the two of them they work out that enough of Tomar's warning got through to influence Hal's subconcious to make the ring malfunction as a warning to him. The energy bubble (in a bit of an after the fact cheat) turns out to be a precaution Hal had set up in case his ring conked out during the fight.
The Trail of the Horse and Buggy Bandits!
An old lady attempting to phone the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals accidentally contacts Hal's ring while he's recharging it. I guess she has some tremendous willpower or something, though Hal figures at the end of the story that it was just a one in a million freak occurrence. The older lady is concerned about a horse not being given enough water. The horse is hitched to a covered wagon outside the bank. This is on a normal 1960s city street, keep in mind, so there's plenty of vehicle and foot traffic, but a horse drawn wagon stands out. It turns out to be crooks working an angle of course, making a slow getaway in the wagon while the police go looking for motor vehicles. Only a speeding car spooking the horse and overturning the wagon clues Hal in that it's the robbers. They hide in a barn, but even though it's yellow (sigh) Hal cleverly diverts a nearby river and flushes them out.
This seems like a story where the writer came up with a crazy idea ("old lady calls Green Lantern's ring with her telephone") and then came up with some sort of plot to support the high concept. Sometimes it works, but here it really doesn't.
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andersonh1
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Re: Retro Comics are Awesome
I think my choice of retro-reading material was unconciously influenced by Memorial Day.
All Star Comics #11
June-July 1942
The Justice Society Joins the War on Japan!
As chairman of the Justice Society, Hawkman has called a meeting. As the various members arrive, he wonders how he's going to break the news to them that he's leaving the JSA to enlist. The membership at this time consists of Hawkman, Sandman, Atom, Doctor Fate, Doctor Midnite, Starman, Johnny Thunder and the Spectre. As they arrive, each one is thinking pretty much the same thing as Hawkman, so when he "breaks the ice" and announces that he's enlisting, everyone is relieved. All of them are joining the army except for Johnny Thunder, who is joining the navy. The Spectre bemoans the fact that he's a ghost and cant' enlist, and of course Dr. Midnite is blind.
Chapter 1 - Hawkman
Carter Hall/Hawman is assigned to Interceptor Coast Command, where he studies and trains to become a pilot. He's so skilled after all his time flying as Hawkman that he passes on the first try, with his instructor noting "I didn't have to teach him anything!" Carter apparently didn't talk to Shiera about his decision, or ask her what she was going to do, because he's surprised when she turns up in uniform as well. As they discuss her deployment, Carter notices a "Diana Prince" listed as being on the same ship, and wonders if that's the Wonder Woman the JSA has learned of.
Carter sees Shiera on her way as she boards ship and heads out to sea. Not long after, a Japanese fleet attacks the west coast, and Carter's unit is called in to defend. Several planes are destroyed, so Carter changes into his Hawkman costume and informs his commanding officer "I'm the Hawkman, I'm part of your squadron. Can I borrow this sub-machine gun, sir?" The commander is delighted (I love the earnest simplicity of these old comics) so Hawkman goes into action with the airplane squadron, shooting down bombers as his small size makes him a difficult target for the Japanese. Returning to the city, he helps organize the movement of civilians into shelters, helps fight off invading Japanese troops, and grabs a few bombs and drops them on Japanese carriers before the squadron takes over. He then learns that the Major wants him to go check on the convoy that just left (with Shiera on board) to be sure they weren't attacked.
Now obviously it wouldn't be too hard for anyone to figure out who Hawkman really was just by checking to see which members of the unit were unaccounted for, but as we'll see in the next few chapters, they don't really try to do that.
The convoy is fine, and Shiera has become friends with Diana Prince. Shiera is not Hawkgirl full time at this point, but it's still novel to see two of DC's few women superheroes becoming friends. It is amusing that when Diana scolds Shiera for mooning over Carter and then showing such interest in Hawkman and tells her to make up her mind, Shiera just tells Diana that they're the same person. So much for protecting Carter's secret identity!
Chapter 2 - Wonder Woman
As is often the case, the individual chapters follow a formula. When the ship arrives in the Phillipines, Diana is assigned to the ambulance corps, but when the Japanese attack, she goes into action as Wonder Woman and rounds up the entire attacking force. The Marines vote her an honorary member of their unit.
Chapter 3 - The Sandman
Wesley Dodds ends up learning artillery. One deployed, he is turned down when he volunteers for guard duty, but heads out anyway as the Sandman. He takes a two-man submarine and wreaks havoc with a Japanese aircraft carrier, and just like Carter Hall, his secret id is protected by his unit commander when he returns to base.
Chapter 4 - The Atom
Al Pratt ends up in the tank corps, and asks for and gets the most dangerous assignment, helping turn back a Japanese attack at Kota Bharu. He takes action as the Atom when his unit is cut off, and though he doesn't have super strength, he somehow manages to flip tanks and shove them into other tanks, and generally break up the attack. Al is promoted to sergeant.
Chapter 5 - Doctor Fate
Kent Nelson ends up in the Parachute Troops. On the way down to assist a Marine division, Kent is forced to assume his Doctor Fate identity and taken on some machine gunners who would otherwise kill most of the parachute troops. Dr. Fate is wearing his half mask by this point, so his nostrils, mouth and jaw can be seen. I prefer the original full helmet look myself.
Chapter 6 - Dr. Midnite
Dr. Charles McNider is close to confessing to Myra Mason that though he's blind, he can see in the dark with his special lenses, because he can't stand to be kept out of the war when his friends and comrades are fighting. But a research scientist who was mortally wounded in a bombing raid on a research hospital in the Pacific specifically requested McNider to take over his work. And just like all his other JSA compatriots, McNider has to switch to his Dr. Mid-Nite persona to deal with an enemy attack.
Chapter 7 - Starman
Ted Knight drops the sick hypochondriac act and becomes a pilot in the Air Force, flying a bomber. He's forced to take on an aerial attack as Starman, inspiring his friend in the Air Force to "man up" and fight, when the man had been too afraid. The story avoids calling him any sort of coward, and indeed, Ted reflects that the man isn't as bad as he usually acts.
Chapter 8 - Johnny Thunder
As usual, Johnny does one dumb thing after another once he's in the navy and onboard ship, but he manages to uncover a sabotage plot entirely by accident.
Chapter 9 - Conclusion
The top army commanders are all arguing about which JSA member in a unit under his command is the best, but their commander has had enough. The JSA are too good, showing up all the men, so for the duration of the war, they're out of the military service and will instead be renamed the Justice Battalion, continuing to act as costumed superheroes, taking care of top missions as the Army assigns them.
This is one of my favorite issues of this series, even if it is pure World War 2 propaganda. I enjoy seeing the various JSA members out of costume for so much of the story. Characterization is always minimal in these old stories, but we get a bit more than usual, particularly with Starman. And though it's not remotely realistic, I love the esprit de corps as both the men and the commander of each man's unit cheers on the hero in their midst and protects their secret ID. The story follows the standard formula of having the team together for the opening and closing chapters, with solo adventures in between, and this story has one of the best uses of that formula as the military assigns the various men to different theaters of the war. It's good to see Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman get to know each other
All Star Comics #11
June-July 1942
The Justice Society Joins the War on Japan!
As chairman of the Justice Society, Hawkman has called a meeting. As the various members arrive, he wonders how he's going to break the news to them that he's leaving the JSA to enlist. The membership at this time consists of Hawkman, Sandman, Atom, Doctor Fate, Doctor Midnite, Starman, Johnny Thunder and the Spectre. As they arrive, each one is thinking pretty much the same thing as Hawkman, so when he "breaks the ice" and announces that he's enlisting, everyone is relieved. All of them are joining the army except for Johnny Thunder, who is joining the navy. The Spectre bemoans the fact that he's a ghost and cant' enlist, and of course Dr. Midnite is blind.
Chapter 1 - Hawkman
Carter Hall/Hawman is assigned to Interceptor Coast Command, where he studies and trains to become a pilot. He's so skilled after all his time flying as Hawkman that he passes on the first try, with his instructor noting "I didn't have to teach him anything!" Carter apparently didn't talk to Shiera about his decision, or ask her what she was going to do, because he's surprised when she turns up in uniform as well. As they discuss her deployment, Carter notices a "Diana Prince" listed as being on the same ship, and wonders if that's the Wonder Woman the JSA has learned of.
Carter sees Shiera on her way as she boards ship and heads out to sea. Not long after, a Japanese fleet attacks the west coast, and Carter's unit is called in to defend. Several planes are destroyed, so Carter changes into his Hawkman costume and informs his commanding officer "I'm the Hawkman, I'm part of your squadron. Can I borrow this sub-machine gun, sir?" The commander is delighted (I love the earnest simplicity of these old comics) so Hawkman goes into action with the airplane squadron, shooting down bombers as his small size makes him a difficult target for the Japanese. Returning to the city, he helps organize the movement of civilians into shelters, helps fight off invading Japanese troops, and grabs a few bombs and drops them on Japanese carriers before the squadron takes over. He then learns that the Major wants him to go check on the convoy that just left (with Shiera on board) to be sure they weren't attacked.
Now obviously it wouldn't be too hard for anyone to figure out who Hawkman really was just by checking to see which members of the unit were unaccounted for, but as we'll see in the next few chapters, they don't really try to do that.
The convoy is fine, and Shiera has become friends with Diana Prince. Shiera is not Hawkgirl full time at this point, but it's still novel to see two of DC's few women superheroes becoming friends. It is amusing that when Diana scolds Shiera for mooning over Carter and then showing such interest in Hawkman and tells her to make up her mind, Shiera just tells Diana that they're the same person. So much for protecting Carter's secret identity!
Chapter 2 - Wonder Woman
As is often the case, the individual chapters follow a formula. When the ship arrives in the Phillipines, Diana is assigned to the ambulance corps, but when the Japanese attack, she goes into action as Wonder Woman and rounds up the entire attacking force. The Marines vote her an honorary member of their unit.
Chapter 3 - The Sandman
Wesley Dodds ends up learning artillery. One deployed, he is turned down when he volunteers for guard duty, but heads out anyway as the Sandman. He takes a two-man submarine and wreaks havoc with a Japanese aircraft carrier, and just like Carter Hall, his secret id is protected by his unit commander when he returns to base.
Chapter 4 - The Atom
Al Pratt ends up in the tank corps, and asks for and gets the most dangerous assignment, helping turn back a Japanese attack at Kota Bharu. He takes action as the Atom when his unit is cut off, and though he doesn't have super strength, he somehow manages to flip tanks and shove them into other tanks, and generally break up the attack. Al is promoted to sergeant.
Chapter 5 - Doctor Fate
Kent Nelson ends up in the Parachute Troops. On the way down to assist a Marine division, Kent is forced to assume his Doctor Fate identity and taken on some machine gunners who would otherwise kill most of the parachute troops. Dr. Fate is wearing his half mask by this point, so his nostrils, mouth and jaw can be seen. I prefer the original full helmet look myself.
Chapter 6 - Dr. Midnite
Dr. Charles McNider is close to confessing to Myra Mason that though he's blind, he can see in the dark with his special lenses, because he can't stand to be kept out of the war when his friends and comrades are fighting. But a research scientist who was mortally wounded in a bombing raid on a research hospital in the Pacific specifically requested McNider to take over his work. And just like all his other JSA compatriots, McNider has to switch to his Dr. Mid-Nite persona to deal with an enemy attack.
Chapter 7 - Starman
Ted Knight drops the sick hypochondriac act and becomes a pilot in the Air Force, flying a bomber. He's forced to take on an aerial attack as Starman, inspiring his friend in the Air Force to "man up" and fight, when the man had been too afraid. The story avoids calling him any sort of coward, and indeed, Ted reflects that the man isn't as bad as he usually acts.
Chapter 8 - Johnny Thunder
As usual, Johnny does one dumb thing after another once he's in the navy and onboard ship, but he manages to uncover a sabotage plot entirely by accident.
Chapter 9 - Conclusion
The top army commanders are all arguing about which JSA member in a unit under his command is the best, but their commander has had enough. The JSA are too good, showing up all the men, so for the duration of the war, they're out of the military service and will instead be renamed the Justice Battalion, continuing to act as costumed superheroes, taking care of top missions as the Army assigns them.
This is one of my favorite issues of this series, even if it is pure World War 2 propaganda. I enjoy seeing the various JSA members out of costume for so much of the story. Characterization is always minimal in these old stories, but we get a bit more than usual, particularly with Starman. And though it's not remotely realistic, I love the esprit de corps as both the men and the commander of each man's unit cheers on the hero in their midst and protects their secret ID. The story follows the standard formula of having the team together for the opening and closing chapters, with solo adventures in between, and this story has one of the best uses of that formula as the military assigns the various men to different theaters of the war. It's good to see Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman get to know each other
-
andersonh1
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Re: Retro Comics are Awesome
Back to Golden Age Green Arrow:
More Fun Comics #87
January 1943
The Case of the Confident Crooks
Green Arrow and Speedy have rounded up many of the worst crooks in the city, but GA is still not happy. The mastermind is still on the loose. Attempts to interrogate the captured men go nowhere, as they are strangely confident and refuse to talk. The crime boss, Jagin, has promised to get all his hirelings out of jail and they believe it. GA and Speedy foil a breakout attempt as one group of thugs is taken to the courthouse, but then the men catch a break and run to where Jagin was supposed to pick them up, only to be machine-gunned to death as Jagin double-crosses and silences them. Other crooks try to escape, believing Jagin is keeping his word, only to die as they too are double-crossed.
GA and Speedy decide to take drastic measures to find the boss, so they help one of the crooks escape and follow him, only to watch him die, while they're overpowered and tossed into an old oil tanker to suffocate to death (why didn't Jagin just shoot them too?). GA starts a fire, which uses up the oxygen and buckles the tanker so he and Speedy can escape. I don't quite think that would work, but I guess we have to have one requisite death trap per story. This time, GA and Speedy procure prison uniforms as disguises, break a ton of crooks out of prison at the same time. Jagin can't kill them all and makes a run for it via train, but some archery by Green Arrow causes another train to switch tracks, and Jagin dies when he runs for it and is hit while on the train tracks. Green Arrow explains what he was doing to the angry police, and relations with the police are repaired. GA's convict cap is placed in the trophy case.
More Fun Comics #88
February 1943
The Mystery of the Mathematical Master
This story gives us the first appearance of Green Arrow's first recurring villains: Professor Million, a mathematics professor at James College. As the story opens, a wealthy patron of the college promises $50,000 towards a new mathematics building, if the college can provide a matching sum. The dean protests that it's impossible, but those are the terms. Back in his office, Professor Million despairs and then notes a headline where crooks escape with $83,000 dollars.
Money! Everywhere... just for the taking! If thieves steal for the sake of evil, why couldn't I, for a good cause? What am I saying? But I could do it! With my knowledge of mathematics, I could commit enough perfect crimes to get that money! And I will!!!
Having determined to turn to crime, Professor Million hires some crooks, insists on no killing, and lays out a precise plan to rob a bank, taking all the variables into account as if it's nothing more than a mathematical problem. The crooks discuss whether or not he's crazy, and decide that he's a smart guy, and they'll clean up if they stick with him. Million warned them to only take $30,000 because more would take longer, and it turns out he was right as the greedy crooks take longer than intended, giving Green Arrow and Speedy time to arrive and partially foil the robbery. But most of the crooks escape with most of the loot. It's hilarious to see Professor Million divide it all up by percentages and wonder if he should take out social security as well. GA and Speedy foil a second robbery attempts, but Professor Million has gone along and holds them at gunpoint. He insists on no killing, and that the crooks just hide the two, but they can't resist the attempt to finish off Green Arrow, and after tying him and Speedy up, they toss them in the storm sewer where they grip the ladder with their teeth, trying not to be dragged away by the current and killed. I'm not kidding. Professor Million has, however, realized that his hired thugs couldn't resist the chance to kill the Green Arrow, and he pulls them from the storm drain. He asks for Green Arrow's word of honor (and the precise wording here is important) that he won't inform the police or enter John Crystal's house where the next robbery will take place in exchange for "parole" and Green Arrow agrees, because Million saved his life. Naturally, as was always going to happen sooner or later, the crooks turn on Professor Million and insist they're taking everything, not just the small percentage he planned. Green Arrow, meantime, technically keeps his promise not to call the police or enter Crystal's house, but he switches building numbers before the crooks arrive so they try to rob the fencing school next door, and he and Speedy bust up the gang.
The story ends with Million explaining why he turned to crime and Green Arrow promising him the reward money for turning the men in if he'll return the stolen money and go straight. The mathematics building is built and Green Arrow is happy that he and Speedy saved a man from a life of crime. But the final panel is Professor Million thinking about how dull life is now, and how exciting his days of crime were....
Professor Million is the only recurring villain for Green Arrow until Bullseye turns up three years down the road, so we'll see him again multiple times.
More Fun Comics #87
January 1943
The Case of the Confident Crooks
Green Arrow and Speedy have rounded up many of the worst crooks in the city, but GA is still not happy. The mastermind is still on the loose. Attempts to interrogate the captured men go nowhere, as they are strangely confident and refuse to talk. The crime boss, Jagin, has promised to get all his hirelings out of jail and they believe it. GA and Speedy foil a breakout attempt as one group of thugs is taken to the courthouse, but then the men catch a break and run to where Jagin was supposed to pick them up, only to be machine-gunned to death as Jagin double-crosses and silences them. Other crooks try to escape, believing Jagin is keeping his word, only to die as they too are double-crossed.
GA and Speedy decide to take drastic measures to find the boss, so they help one of the crooks escape and follow him, only to watch him die, while they're overpowered and tossed into an old oil tanker to suffocate to death (why didn't Jagin just shoot them too?). GA starts a fire, which uses up the oxygen and buckles the tanker so he and Speedy can escape. I don't quite think that would work, but I guess we have to have one requisite death trap per story. This time, GA and Speedy procure prison uniforms as disguises, break a ton of crooks out of prison at the same time. Jagin can't kill them all and makes a run for it via train, but some archery by Green Arrow causes another train to switch tracks, and Jagin dies when he runs for it and is hit while on the train tracks. Green Arrow explains what he was doing to the angry police, and relations with the police are repaired. GA's convict cap is placed in the trophy case.
More Fun Comics #88
February 1943
The Mystery of the Mathematical Master
This story gives us the first appearance of Green Arrow's first recurring villains: Professor Million, a mathematics professor at James College. As the story opens, a wealthy patron of the college promises $50,000 towards a new mathematics building, if the college can provide a matching sum. The dean protests that it's impossible, but those are the terms. Back in his office, Professor Million despairs and then notes a headline where crooks escape with $83,000 dollars.
Money! Everywhere... just for the taking! If thieves steal for the sake of evil, why couldn't I, for a good cause? What am I saying? But I could do it! With my knowledge of mathematics, I could commit enough perfect crimes to get that money! And I will!!!
Having determined to turn to crime, Professor Million hires some crooks, insists on no killing, and lays out a precise plan to rob a bank, taking all the variables into account as if it's nothing more than a mathematical problem. The crooks discuss whether or not he's crazy, and decide that he's a smart guy, and they'll clean up if they stick with him. Million warned them to only take $30,000 because more would take longer, and it turns out he was right as the greedy crooks take longer than intended, giving Green Arrow and Speedy time to arrive and partially foil the robbery. But most of the crooks escape with most of the loot. It's hilarious to see Professor Million divide it all up by percentages and wonder if he should take out social security as well. GA and Speedy foil a second robbery attempts, but Professor Million has gone along and holds them at gunpoint. He insists on no killing, and that the crooks just hide the two, but they can't resist the attempt to finish off Green Arrow, and after tying him and Speedy up, they toss them in the storm sewer where they grip the ladder with their teeth, trying not to be dragged away by the current and killed. I'm not kidding. Professor Million has, however, realized that his hired thugs couldn't resist the chance to kill the Green Arrow, and he pulls them from the storm drain. He asks for Green Arrow's word of honor (and the precise wording here is important) that he won't inform the police or enter John Crystal's house where the next robbery will take place in exchange for "parole" and Green Arrow agrees, because Million saved his life. Naturally, as was always going to happen sooner or later, the crooks turn on Professor Million and insist they're taking everything, not just the small percentage he planned. Green Arrow, meantime, technically keeps his promise not to call the police or enter Crystal's house, but he switches building numbers before the crooks arrive so they try to rob the fencing school next door, and he and Speedy bust up the gang.
The story ends with Million explaining why he turned to crime and Green Arrow promising him the reward money for turning the men in if he'll return the stolen money and go straight. The mathematics building is built and Green Arrow is happy that he and Speedy saved a man from a life of crime. But the final panel is Professor Million thinking about how dull life is now, and how exciting his days of crime were....
Professor Million is the only recurring villain for Green Arrow until Bullseye turns up three years down the road, so we'll see him again multiple times.
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andersonh1
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Re: Retro Comics are Awesome
World's Finest Comics #9
Spring 1943
Death Is the Prize
Green Arrow loses his favorite bow during a chase with Louie's gang, and not only does the gang escape, but when Green Arrow goes back for the bow, it's gone as well. An ad appears in the paper the next day noting that the bow has been found, and that Green Arrow can come to an address to collect. You'd think GA would suspect a trap, but no, he even goes without Speedy. Of course it's Louie's gang that have found the bow and think to trap Green Arrow, but in a fun twist, a bunch of what you might today call cosplayers show up to claim the bow as a souvenir, one too fat to be GA, one too tall and thin, but one guy is close enough to Oliver Queen's appearance that the crooks aren't sure, and have the four of them shoot to determine who is the best archer. Roy finally comes looking for Oliver, but when the double accidentally makes a seemingly impossible shot, the crooks decide he's the real deal, hit him over the head, and dump him in the bay to drown. GA and Speedy rescue him and finally take out Louie's gang.
More Fun Comics #90
April 1943
Yours Truly, Doom!
A story of blackmail and extortion gives us an effective opponent for Green Arrow. Oliver and Roy are out fishing when they see a suspicious character in a hate, cape, swim trunks and facemask running from a nearby mansion. Switching to their costumes, they attempt to capture him, only for the man to fight them off and dive into the bay. He does not resurface, and when GA and Speedy go to the mansion to investigate, they learn that four millionaires (one of whom is named Tom Wayne... no relation) have been given a note with a demand to deliver $25,000, or watch their home destroyed by explosion. The note is signed "Doom". Not Doctor Doom, just Doom.
And it happens. At sunrise, the house is demolished by an explosion.The next millionaire, Foster, decides to give in and pay the money, but when GA and Speedy follow him and go after Doom in the water, they learn his mask is a breathing apparatus, and they can't outlast him under water. And then Foster's home is destroyed anyway, because "he was too slow in paying". Tom Wayne is not intimidated and insists that he will not pay, no matter what. Long story short, after a few more encounters with Doom, who is a tough and determined fighter and easily equal to the task of fighting off GA and Speedy, Green Arrow figures out that Tom Wayne is the culprit, using an underwater tunnel from his pool to the river. He was secretly the head of a realty company trying to buy all the land in the area because the government wanted it for a shipyard.
Spring 1943
Death Is the Prize
Green Arrow loses his favorite bow during a chase with Louie's gang, and not only does the gang escape, but when Green Arrow goes back for the bow, it's gone as well. An ad appears in the paper the next day noting that the bow has been found, and that Green Arrow can come to an address to collect. You'd think GA would suspect a trap, but no, he even goes without Speedy. Of course it's Louie's gang that have found the bow and think to trap Green Arrow, but in a fun twist, a bunch of what you might today call cosplayers show up to claim the bow as a souvenir, one too fat to be GA, one too tall and thin, but one guy is close enough to Oliver Queen's appearance that the crooks aren't sure, and have the four of them shoot to determine who is the best archer. Roy finally comes looking for Oliver, but when the double accidentally makes a seemingly impossible shot, the crooks decide he's the real deal, hit him over the head, and dump him in the bay to drown. GA and Speedy rescue him and finally take out Louie's gang.
More Fun Comics #90
April 1943
Yours Truly, Doom!
A story of blackmail and extortion gives us an effective opponent for Green Arrow. Oliver and Roy are out fishing when they see a suspicious character in a hate, cape, swim trunks and facemask running from a nearby mansion. Switching to their costumes, they attempt to capture him, only for the man to fight them off and dive into the bay. He does not resurface, and when GA and Speedy go to the mansion to investigate, they learn that four millionaires (one of whom is named Tom Wayne... no relation) have been given a note with a demand to deliver $25,000, or watch their home destroyed by explosion. The note is signed "Doom". Not Doctor Doom, just Doom.
And it happens. At sunrise, the house is demolished by an explosion.The next millionaire, Foster, decides to give in and pay the money, but when GA and Speedy follow him and go after Doom in the water, they learn his mask is a breathing apparatus, and they can't outlast him under water. And then Foster's home is destroyed anyway, because "he was too slow in paying". Tom Wayne is not intimidated and insists that he will not pay, no matter what. Long story short, after a few more encounters with Doom, who is a tough and determined fighter and easily equal to the task of fighting off GA and Speedy, Green Arrow figures out that Tom Wayne is the culprit, using an underwater tunnel from his pool to the river. He was secretly the head of a realty company trying to buy all the land in the area because the government wanted it for a shipyard.