Tim, care to explain yourself, and why this column is late, to the people?
All me, unfortunately. I was sick, overwhelmed at work, and overwhelmed at home and, by the time I finally could give your masterful words their due diligence, it made more sense to simply bump the column back a week then rush it out or drop it into the netherworld we call the weekend.
Okay, fine. Do you at least have an amusing comic related story to make up for it?
Umm”¦hmm”¦maybe? The LGBT group at Princeton University has adopted Batwoman as their mascot. All their flyers around campus depict her, leg extended in mid-swing, under the tagline, “Batwoman came out and you can, too,” or something to that effect. Comics in the mainstream baby!
(New and Improved) Links to Previews
Also check our our DC Boards where we debate the validity of Booster’s appearances in 52 complain about how Stephanie Brown was treated and worry about the future of Firestorm.
My favorite blog Glyphs has tidbits on John Stewart and Steel as well as Kyle Baker!
Tim what are you linking this week?
I’m tempted to say “nothing” again, but I bet that would make you all sad. So, instead”¦hmm”¦let’s link this. The “this” in question is, of course, an apology from me to all of you.
What I Read Last Week
Jonah Hex #11 – Always fun to see Hex team up with another DC character. The play between Hex and Lazarus was fun to watch, but the tale was rather complex for this title. I did enjoy how it tied into both a previous issue of this title and established Hex continuity in regards to his final fate. Good issue.
Detective Comics #823 – Decent fill in art team. I dug the stuff between Robin and Ivy. I dug the Ivy’s fear at the end. I didn’t quite get the beast, but the beginning and end of this issue were good.
See, for me, Ivy’s fear at the end was the worst part of the issue. It was way predictable and I’ve seen it done with more finesse (I think even by Dini himself once or twice) in several other outlets. All in all, I thought it was a shockingly mediocre effort considering the quality of Dini’s previous two issues.
The Creeper #2 – Great Batman cameo. Axeman was equally funny. I love Justiniano and Wong’s art. They draw a great Creeper. I also like how Jack and the Creeper have a nice interplay. But I really liked how Yatz isn’t an angel and the guy who funded him wasn’t a devil. Good writing.
The Atom #3 – Kind of a creepy issue. I dug Giganta and the campus stuff more than the sewer stuff. I dig Byrne’s art on this title more than his Action Comics stuff.
And now he’s gone. The guy is given almost a year on Doom Patrol. Then, he gives us some of his best work in years and he’s gone in 3. Weird world.
Mystery in Space #1 – The Weird stuff was indeed weird, and tough to read through. But I enjoyed the Comet stuff. I’m on the fence about the story taking it’s title literally. But I do enjoy how they managed to remain pretty true to character of Comet.
Yeah, the Weird stuff was WAY too text heavy, but I’m still not completely giving up on it. Plus, I love Comet’s incredibly well drawn talking dog.
Nightwing #124 – Thank. God. It’s. Over.
Y the Last Man #49 – What the hell is Dr. Mann doing? She’s always working her own agenda. I’m glad that we’re finally getting some monkey action. And as much as I like them, I’d really like Yorick to have a normal dream for once.
Outsiders #40 – Great cover. Great explanation for where the clones came from. I also enjoyed how the mystery of who the benefactor was wasn’t drawn out. It’s odd how much more consistent this book is than it’s sister book Teen Titans.
OMAC #3 – I enjoyed this book. Not as much as I loathed Nightwing, but I dug it. I’m glad that Cyborg and Firestorm are still in play and that Brother Eye is still around. Oh and I dig the dialogue, it feels real.
The Exterminators #9 – This issue felt crazy rushed. Way too much was revealed this issue. We find out that AJ is reincarnated, Nils’ father hooked up with a nutty kook and a lot of information about Prof. Wolfe. Boo. This book was a slow burn, but this issue turned everything up to 11.
52 Week Eighteen – I completely dug Booster’s funeral. I also dug Ralph hooking up with Dr. Fate. And I loved Montoya’s self loathing and provoking Adam into his actions. Renee wants to die, it’s only a matter of time.
I still don’t believe that she’s bound for doom. Maybe I’m just fooling myself though.
Column time.
Wheeeeeeeeee!
Glen wishes the Carlton heroes more love.
I’ve become a big fan of the Charlton Action heroes, after reading some of the original material. The books have a different viewpoint, and give a different reading experience than their DC and Marvel counterparts. I think this is a big reason why they have been treated so terribly at DC. Anyway, to the questions:
Have you read any of the original material? Have you read the AC Comics versions of these characters? How about the pre Ditko Blue Beetle? What did you think of them if you have?
I’m very intrigued by your notion that the approach is why the characters aren’t in the limelight.
Unfortunately I’ve not read any of the original material. But that’s just my bias; I don’t really dig the Silver Age in general. The only Silver Age stuff that I’ve got period is the trade of Bizarro tales and I only got that because it’s uber Silver Age in it’s way over the top-ness. It’s the same reason I’m curious about the trade of imaginary Superman tales that I see at the comic shop every week.
Again it’s my bias in play. I’m really not that interested in stories that came out before I began reading comics. At this point I’m more interested in reading the tales that I missed out on when I was a kid because I had a limit that I could spend on comics. There are tons of covers that I remember passing by, and now I want to go back and pick them up and see if the tales were on par with the covers.
I will admit to being kind of interested in some of the Question’s adventures. Based on what I’ve heard those were some very groundbreaking stories.
Tim, where do you stand on old Charlton comics?
I’m sort of on the same side of this thing as you Mathan. I do wish they got more (or better) DC love as there are some inherently cool things about the characters. However, the idea of me hunting through back issues to find original Charlton Comics seems unlikely at best and, frankly, fills me with a sense of dread. I have a hard enough time filling in gaps in the recent comic past. Kicking it all Silver Age and obscure just isn’t in my character.
Ahh, it’s time for another installment of Glen and those nutty Nazis.
Has the Smiling Skull made any appearances in the DCU?
I’ve searched until my head was on the verge of exploding and I can’t really find any references to him actually appearing.
For those not in the know, the Smiling Skull was a nemesis of the one and only Judomaster. Rudolf Wolk was one of those nutty Nazi Germans. Clearly the Smiling Skull wasn’t going to get along with Judomaster, and not just because of the first syllable of his name. They both were very good at Judo, which was like the martial art at the time. Later he crossed paths with Sarge Steel.
I do wish that the guy would appear. I mean how cool does he sound? Skulls are kind of cool, but a skull that smiles is downright creepy. If the adage that a hero is only as good as his villains is true than Judomaster must have been the most amazing hero ever.
But we’re talking about Judomaster so clearly the adage isn’t true at all.
Somehow, with a name like “Smiling Skull” I was hoping for something, I don’t know”¦creepier?
Tim aren’t you kind intrigued by the Smiling Skull?
Yes”¦despite trying to be above all this sort of thing, yes I am.
DC! I DEMAND SMILING SKULL! NOW!!!!
Glen tried to make peace once. Just once.
Has a new Peacemaker (That would be III) made an appearance yet?
We’ve covered Peacemaker before. But it’s cool because I’m all about making peace;
From the 10/27/04 column;
Way back in the 7/18/03 column I wrote;
One Peacemaker popped up in JLI #65 as part of the Leaguebusters. Peacemaker III is a former doctor named Mitchell Black who got finagled into taking the Peacemaker mantle he now wishes he could relinquish.
Wow, apparently I was going for brevity. Well here’s a longer answer.
Christopher had two loving parents, Wolfgang Schmidt, an Austrian munitions manufacturer and Elizabeth Lewis an American author. When Chris was five, Wolfgang was exposed as a Nazi war criminal. His pop wasn’t too keen on the whole “public trial” thing so he killed himself, in front of his five year old son!
Elizabeth moved back to the United States, changed Chris’ name to “Smith” and tried to lead a normal life. But witnessing his father’s suicide left Chris understandably traumatized. So much so that his father would appear to him dressed in a full black Nazi SS uniform and push him to live up the Nazi legacy.
It was Wolfgang who, years later, told Chris to massacre a village in Vietnam. This lead to Chris being sentenced to 20 years in prison. But those cool Government folks gave Chris a chance. He would be let out early if he became a subject in “Project: Peacemaker.” It was some anti terrorism campaign, back before it was the trendy thing to do.
His pop pushed him to excel in the program. But the program ran out of money before he had finished his training. His mom had died years earlier, so he was kind of lost. He went back to Austria where he converted his pop’s munitions business into a household wares dynasty, all because he was tired of military. He then used his family fortune to found the Pax Institute (That TV network that shows that awesome Billy Ray Cyrus show?), and even made his own Project: Peacemaker.
His pop urged him to fight for peace. His goal was to wipe out those who stood in the way of peace. His campaign came to the attention of the US government, more specifically Valentina Vostok, the former Negative Woman. She reined him in and he began working with The Agency and later Checkmate.
He, like every other hero in Parador, died in Eclipso #13. But since he was crazy, he was happy to die.
Like I said earlier the second Peacemaker showed up on JLE #65.
The current Peacemaker is Mitchell Black. He’s just your average guy. Mitchell was a doctor. That was until he decided to perform a risky operation on a child, against the kid’s parent’s wishes. Needless to say the operation wasn’t successful. The kid died, Black lost his license.
The Pax Institute swept him up for Project Peacemaker. He’s the Peacemaker at the moment and doesn’t really dig the gig. If you really want to read about the guy read the L.A.W. miniseries. But I wouldn’t pick up book with Daron’s hands.
That’s three right there. So the guy who’s showing up in Blue Beetle right now would make the fourth Peacemaker. Sadly we’ve got little to go on with this new guy, but perhaps I’ll revisit this when I know more.
Tim, where do you stand on Peacemaker?
I stand firmly on the side of “eh” when it comes to Peacemaker with a complimentary opinion of “damn, that is some ugly costume.” Seriously, did they just set out to dress this man in the busiest set of duds ever conceived of by man or beast? That helmet alone”¦brrr. He makes a Rob Liefeld pouch-tastic hero look like the model of restraint in comparison.
Seriously, DC”¦what’s up with those clothes?
Glen is taking stock of DC’s financial acquisitions
Exactly which heroes did DC buy? I know that Mr. Jigsaw and E-man were retained by their creators, but how about the Fightin’ 5 or Ditko’s Liberty Belle? What exactly happened with Peter Cannon Thunderbolt?
DC’s got Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, the amazing Judomaster, Nightshade, Peacemaker, The Question, Sarge Steel and Son of Vulcan.
The Fightin’ 5 was purchased by a Canadian publisher and Ditko’s Liberty Belle has disappeared completely.
Peter Cannon Thunderbolt was owned by DC, who published the character in a 12 issue series. It didn’t really set the world on fire. After the book ended the character’s rights reverted back to its creator Peter Morisi. Since then Peter Cannon hasn’t done anything or made appearances.
Tim, are there any characters that you wish DC would buy?
Hmm”¦that’s a pretty good question. I guess, if I’m honest with you and the readers, I’d say no characters because I’m down with diversity. Comics are already, more or less, a two party system and I’d hate to encourage that further.
However, to stay in the spirit of the column and not undermine your transition, I’ll give my vote to Firebreather, the Phil Hester dragon character. I think he could be an interesting fit amongst DC’s teen characters as he is a.) not really a person or humanoid alien even and b.) not inspired by or the partner of an already established hero or villain. Plus, it’s a teen dragon. You can’t go wrong with a teen dragon.
I might throw another Hester creation, the Atheist, in there too. But that’s just because I wish the damn thing would come out more often and I’d hope the switch to DC would make that happen. Given All-Star Batman though, I guess that is hardly the given it once was.
Glen wishes to know the secret of ancient Chinese art
Would you explain Judomaster to me? Thomas Jagger, a character in Checkmate is apparently the grandson of the original, there is a female version of the character on the cover of Birds of Prey in November, I think there was another version of the character running around for a while some time in the ’90’s. Plus if LAW is still in continuity, he’d been in Nanda Parjat for over 50 years, so where did these descendents come from? If LAW isn’t in continuity, what happened to Tiger, the kid sidekick? Which version was broken by Bane? Did that version die? What’s going on here?
If I don’t mention it, you don’t think anyone will notice I’m reusing an image from two weeks ago, do you?
Judomaster? Good gravy! Why did DC buy these characters?
Because of the rich cultural history they represented.
Right. I meant, “Judomaster; hooray!”
Where to start? I’ve got it! How about by bashing L.A.W.?
There’s really only one way L.A.W. could have been any worse is if it had been written by Bruce Jones with art by Rob Liefeld. I mean I could state if L.A.W. was actually in continuity, but c’mon I’ve read Jones’ run on both Nightwing and Vigilante, Austen’s run on Action Comics and the complete Titans run; don’t you think I’ve suffered enough?
However I’ve consulted with experts who say that L.A.W. is continuity but should not under any circumstances be read.
The second Judomaster appeared in Justice League Quarterly #14. But he made very little impact in the DCU and sported a different costume.
So judging by the costume of guy who was broken by Bane in Infinite Crisis I’m having to say that he’s the original Judomaster.
Now for the question of descendants.
I’ll go out on a limb and say that the Judomaster from the 90’s wasn’t related to the original. I’ll even put money on the notion that the female version isn’t related to the original (I’m guessing it’s a Wildcat I/Wildcat II type relationship going on.)
As for Thomas Jagger, well that’s difficult to answer but not impossible. Y’see I’m going to be using two relatively recent examples to explain just how it may have happened.
I’m guessing that a guy named “Judomaster” had some pretty smooth moves with the ladies, in the 1940’s. So I’d imagine that he had his fair share of “quality time” with the ladies. Now, suppose Judomaster pulled an “Iron Munro” and had a child that he didn’t know about (similar to how Munro unknowingly fathered Kate Spencer’s father.) I’d also bet that Thomas Jagger attended the same high school as Anissa Pierce.
So since Black Lightning and Iron Munro both had children that they or we didn’t know about, it’s equally possible that Judomaster did too.
Tim, how to you feel about the rectonning of children?
My parents always told me that children ruin everything and this is just further proof that they’re right.
Carl P. questions the nature of Fate
To give you more of reason to answer these questions, here’s an actual DC trivia query. I’ve recently been getting into back issues for JSA from the very start of the series. I’ve read the first arc or so and thought Hector bursting on the scene as Dr. Fate was great. But you and Tim, especially Tim, have been down on Fate in the past. How did Hector go from that great moment to being so dumped on by you guys?
Well I was kind of indifferent on the guy. I think that I dug the concept of Hector (the child of Hawkman and Hawkgirl reborn as the product of Hawk & Dove to inherit the mantle of Dr. Fate) more than the reality; a guy who plays the rookie role and doesn’t really amount to much.
I mean, I’ll admit to believing the hype about Hector. It was cool to see that he had so many ties to DC continuity. And as a concept he worked well and tied everything up neatly. He really did fit well. The whole Lords of Order and Chaos theme worked with both Hawk & Dove and Dr. Fate. It was way cool. But the concept was never really fully realized.
Here’s a guy who could finally make Dr. Fate interesting to me, but I think that the various writers dropped the ball. He was a pawn for Nabu. Yawn. Even his mini was mundane.
Sure, I was disappointing in almost every way, but come on! Check this “wing” span. Hell, even Michael Jordan is jealous of it.
He floundered as a character. He longed for his wife and when he finally got her, nothing really happened. Then they died. It was kind of a letdown.
Here was a modern age character with ties to the Golden Age (Hawkman & Hawkgirl) the Silver Age (Hawk & Dove) and even the future (his nemesis was Mordru, destined to be a thorn in the side of the Legion of Super-Heroes). With a resume like that, you really expect a character to do wonders. Yet he failed.
Tim, why are you so down on Dr. Fate?
He is the physical representation of missed potential. I appreciate the idea (in theory) of one of the most powerful sorcerers on the planet being undone by his own naivety, lack of self esteem, inability to act like an adult, or whatever you’d like to label it.
In practice though, it just amounted to some bizarre bit about Gemworld, a newly resurrected wife who proceeded to do little more than appear on panel occasionally, and a mountaintop death of nearly non-existent proportions. Hector was, by turns, tentative, boorish, shockingly inept, tunnel visional, selfish and stupid. Moreover, he managed to do all of these in the least interesting manner possible.
Most writers will tell you it is very hard to write “magical” characters well because of the power issues and ever shifting rules. In the case of Dr. Fate, I think personality was a far deadlier Achilles Heel.
Is Carl P. dissing my family?
Also, the Jared Stevens Fate gets a mention from you guys from time to time, usually in ridicule. What was his tenure as Fate like and is there any character you guys think is more laughable.
Jared “I’m related to Tim” Stevens’ tenure was both regrettable and forgettable. It was regrettable because it was a clear attempt to try to make the concept of Dr. Fate “cool.” Jared was almost stereotypically “Gen X.”
It was forgettable because nothing of note really happened. The youth-ified Alan Scott (Sentinel, as he was called at the time) occasionally appeared.
I guess I can kind of appreciate the notion of trying to get a “Barry Allen/Hal Jordan” for a new generation, but it failed miserably.
In terms of characters that I think are more laughable, there are varying degrees. Jared Stevens is an excellent punchline because most comic fans know who he is. He’s one of those characters that was a failed experiment.
Gunfire is laughable in a different way; he’s lame and was exposed as lame in another comic. Gunfire is a much more universal fanyboy punchline. Personally I’m doing my best to put Judomaster on the list, because, while he’s not as well known, his name speaks volumes.
Basically Jared Stevens elicits groans and makes you think “what a lame revamp”, while Gunfire elicits giggles and makes you think “what a lame character.”
Tim, which characters do you put on par with your cousin, Jared Stevens?
Most of my go-to “he’s so lame, he’s as lame as”¦” characters are actually Marvel related (personal favorite: Sleepwalker). I am a product of my early comic reading history. Sorry.
On the DC side, though, I do enjoy me a good Gunfire joke. G’nort usually pretty good for a laugh, especially since, for some reason, several people like him. Aquaman is a most excellent source of humor, both with comic and non-comic fans. Captain Marvel Jr. (CM3 or”¦whatever) makes me giggle because not only is he the worst sort of comic redundancy, but every version of his name is all sorts of suck. I’m also a big fan of King Tut and/or Eggman because referencing the 60’s Batman TV show is the height of comic related insults.
Soak1313 is always in Crisis
I get Crisis on Infinite Earths, but what was the series Crisis on Multiple Earths?
Crisis on Multiple Earths is a collection of the JSA/JLA team ups that occurred on a nearly annual basis during the Silver Age. They’d usual fall under the title of Crisis on Earth (Fill in the Blank). Since the tales involved the heroes from one Earth visiting another earth the threats were usually pretty big.
So to capitalize on the popularity of the Crisis brand DC has been repacking those tales in trades called Crisis on Multiple Earths.
I don’t know about you Tim, but I’m all crisis-ed out.
Me too, ol’ chum, me too.
Matt loves exclamation points. Strange visitors? Not so much
I just picked up “Our Worlds at… WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” (exclamations points added for… EMPHASIS!!!!!!!) because it was cheap and ALOT of comics!
Anyways reading it spurred me to several questions that I now mercilessly direct towards you: What the heck is the deal with Strange Visitor? That was pretty wack!
Is it just me, or does DC have a serious obsession with putting women in Superman’s costumes? I think maybe a dozen or so women have rocked the s-shield or some version of it since Crisis.
Heroes sacrifice themselves all time. What’s so wack about that?
I mean she was really one entity composed of two beings; Kismet and Sharon Vance. She was stuck by lightning; the two merged together and became electromagnet energy that was housed in one of Superman’s old containment suits.
And she sacrificed herself, like any hero would do. I don’t know where the wackness comes into play.
Oh, wait, we’re talking about Super titles. I can see where wackness would come into play.
Tim, I hope you dig Our Worlds At War because we’ve got some more coming our way.
I actually never even read it. That won’t be a problem, right?
Matt brings up a column (and Didio) favorite
Whatever happened to Kid Lobo?!
Basically he was a weak clone who was losing his vision. He ended up getting zapped by Darkseid and teleported into the headquarters of the Justice Legion T, way, way in the future.
Wow, that was pretty quick and painless, wasn’t it Tim?
Way painless. Especially when compared with reading stories featuring Kid Lobo.
Ooooooooooooooooooo! Yeah, you heard me, Peter David! I went there! What now! What NOW!!!
Man, did Young Justice suck or what?
God, I love being an insufferable jerk.
Matt is on orange alert
Whatever happened to Lena Luthor?!
We covered it not too long ago. Note how it exposes how my degree in English is vulnerable to science based attacks:
Have you ever heard the saying “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”? (By “saying”, you do mean “law of nature” or “Newton’s Third Law”, right?) Well I think this is a case of that.
Y’see Grant Morrison has apparently reintroduced the “Bat-baby” into continuity. Well since it’s a well known fact that only one pop culture comic book icon can have a child at a time, the inclusion of Bat’s kid means that Lex’s kid has been wiped from continuity.
Oh, you didn’t buy that?
Well how about the idea that Lex’s appearance in Justice League of America #0 features a couple typos. It’s supposed to read; “She was my daughter!”
Didn’t work either? Well then let’s pretend that Chuck Cunningham is indeed babysitting the youngest Luthor.
And for the record I’m sure that Superman: End of the Century is still in continuity, except for all the parts concerning Lena.
Tim, you’re sure it’s a scientific law and not a saying? Can’t it be both?
Yes, I’m sure.
No, no it can’t.
Apparently, Matt has it out for a kindly Midwestern family
What’s the deal with the Kents? They clearly aren’t dead…
Nah, they’re fine and enjoying a nice rhubarb pie. Man, my aunt makes the best strawberry rhubarb pie. It’s remarkable.
But back to your question. The Kents are alive. But for how long? In Justice League of America #0 we saw a glimpse at a future where Bats and Wondy comfort Kal upon the death of Pa Kent. Plus when Tim’s Best Friendâ„¢ Geoff Johns and Richard Donner take over the adventures of a certain Kryptonian, rumor has it that Pa’s a dead man.
So they may have survived OWAW, but I’m guessing that Pa’s days are numbered.
Tim, how do you think that Pa’s going to die?
Given my understanding of elderly marriages, as gleamed from watching my grandparents, I can only assume that Ma will nag him to death. Or, in a process I’m not entirely clear on, Clark’s inability to provide Pa (or Ma for that matter) a grandchild will kill him. Like I said, I don’t know how that works, but my grandparents are constantly moaning about my lack of children “being the death of them” so I assume it’s legit.
Matt should never ever try to use the word “sweet” as an adjective again
What happened to Steel’s sawheet~! Aegis armour!?
Oh that armor? The one with amazing powers that slowly erase John’s soul? Now anyone will tell you that that’s not something that you want to wear. It also made him a bit more violent than usual.
Basically John was injured, realized what the suit was doing, and decided to retire from the hero thing. Fortunately for us, he came out of retirement for Infinite Crisis and is now starring in 52.
Tim, you’re still reading 52, aren’t you really worried about Animal Man right now?
I sort of am, but I won’t acknowledge it. If I don’t acknowledge it, it is not real. That’s my rule.
And that’s why my pet hamster, that I had in sixth grade, is still alive and well playing on his wheel at my parents’ home.
Sadly, I’m tired, so the column must end.
Thanks again for reading, and don’t forget to send in your questions. Or you can post your questions and comments on our swell-tastic thread!
Also, here’s my question to you this week; how do you think Pa Kent will die?
“Your wedding figurines I’d melt so I could drink them in.”
