Justice League #54

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!  This is a 15-PART!!!! miniseries.  I was just reading on the DC wiki that it also signals a move from a humorous book to a more serious book.  We are changing creative teams.  Boo-hoo, sob, cry.  But this might also explain the cover of issue 54, which looks like Blue Beetle and Ice have thrown away their costumes, and are walking into the night together.  

So, the new JLI leader takes over.  The first page shows Kurt in the office of the Ambassador of Bialya.  From this, I learn that apparently Captain Atom has done something in Bialya in the second part of this story arc.  We then see Kurt calling the JLE embassy and telling Sue that she should pack up Captain Atom's bags, so he'd be kicked to the curb when he got back from Bialya.  Meanwhile, in Bialya, Sumaan Harjavti, the brother of the deposed and murdered Rumaan, is plotting with Jack'o'lantern to take out the Queen Bee.  I am not sure if they are the ones plotting against Max in order to get the Justice League to take out the Queen or not, bu it seems as they are.  And then the plane carrying Captain Atom and Camus (a reporter?) out of Bialya explodes.  Since it is Captain Atom, the only people on that plane that I would be worried about are the pilots.

Kurt is on his way to the JLA headquarters, where everyone is worried he's going to clean house, like he did in London (Ralph and Atom both fired).  In fact, he fires Beetle and Ice.  I think Fire used her wiles to stay on.  Guy might have been fired, but didn't let Kurt get a word in.  Then Kurt brings in the Tasmanian Devil and Doctor Light.  Tasmanian Devil really doesn't like Guy.

And even more story...  Crimson Fox, Ralph, Camus and Captain Atom bring Beetle and Ice into a secret group to get the Queen Bee, and return to Max to power so that they can get rid of Kurt Heimlech.  

Again, I am impressed by how much story is told in one of these issues.  The new JLA would probably have taken 5 issues to this one.  I guess maybe it's a matter of liking the new art so much that one can sacrifice the speed of storytelling?  I don't know, but I like these so much better.

Justice League #53

First Part of "Break Downs." 

And I am noticing that the next issues are number 3 and number 5.  So I guess, once again, I will miss partial issues in a series.  Darn you, DC.  

I had already forgotten that Max was shot at the end of the last issue.  I was looking at this cover and wondering if it was Beetle in the hospital (after getting beat up by Max), but, no, Beetle is there.  I just thought Guy looked so broken up.  Everyone looks very sad.  And the doctor seems to be telling them someone is dead.  

We get a recap at the beginning of the issue.  Max Lord is shot while out with his current girlfriend.  He doesn't really seem to have been shot-shot, though, as there was no noise, and the bullets appeared from nowhere.  We also learn that Max was once married, to the current head of the Conglomerate (which may be the super-group that Booster left to join?).  I think she must have something to do with it!

So while Max is lying in the hospital, the UN is debating on whether to let the JLI keep their charter.  Since Max is dying, who could possibly run the JLI?  Since Max hasn't really been around, and since the JLI really doesn't seem to do much in the way of fighting super-villians, I think anyone could!

The JLI is standing around in the hospital, debating what to do.  Will Max be okay?  Should Guy be there?  (Since Max didn't have a chance to fire him, he hasn't left yet.)  Fire complains that she feels so helpless, not being out looking for the culprit.  Everyone goes in to see Max, who is in critical condition (and in a HUGE bed).  Booster and his boss (Max's ex wife) come in.  So now there are at least 9 people in this room, standing around the bed.  This is one huge hospital room!  And with all these people, Max's current girlfriend is nowhere to be seen.  Hmmmm.

Then, J'onn gets a call that the JLI is needed.  And Fire, who has just been complaining about not doing anything at the hospital, doesn't want to leave.  Argh.  But the whole JLA goes off to fight rescue people in a subway tunnel that collapsed.  

Once the JLA leaves, the JLA arrives.  The Justice League ANTARCTICA!  Well, they aren't JL-Antarctica anymore, they are just a bunch of second-rate villains.  But they should get to visit Max, too.  They like Max. Perhaps they should have come one at a time, as they really scare the guards and staff.  Eventually things work out, and J'onn puts "JL-Ant" in charge of guarding Max.  

At the same time, though, the UN is getting together to completely reform the JLI, under Kurt Heimlich.  I am not sure who this is.  

And, before I forget, there was a brief interlude with Manga Khan in this issue.  To me, it sounded like he might be after OMAC.  Hmmmm.

Justice League #52

The Fight of the Century!

It finally happens.  Guy vs. Beetle in the boxing ring.  Beetle is feeling a little fat, and decides to ask General Glory and Guy if he can work out with them.  Glory is all for it, but maybe Guy doesn't want to share.  In any case, he hits all Beetle's hot buttons -- Lardo, "physically fat," and more.  They go at each other, but Glory stops the fight by suggesting they go at it in the boxing ring.  

At the same time, Ice is sort-of regretting the time she has spent out partying with Fire.  They were out all night, and Fire loves it.  But Ice is feeling some pain.  Fire hears about the fight, and can't wait to see Beetle beat the heck out of Guy.  Ice has those inexplicable feelings for Guy, though, and doesn't really want to see the fight at all.  

And, to add another story to the mix, Kilowog and J'onn get "alien registration" papers.  They have to register as aliens, or get booted from the country, or maybe the planet.  I remember when I was a little girl, there used to be commercials on TV every January about aliens registering at the post office.  It was a little unsettling, before I learned that meant "not US citizen" aliens, instead of ALF aliens.

Finally, Batman arrives at the headquarters.  We don't know why he is there.  He is just extremely trepidatious about being there.  He compares it to being worse than facing the Joker.  Everyone asks him if he is there for the fight.  So he never actually gets around to explaining why he is there.

The fight starts, with the usual amount of trash talk.  Beetle gets in the first punches, but at the end of the round, Guy doesn't retreat to his corner, and instead attacks Beetle from behind.  He actually breaks a few ribs on Beetle, and does some other damage, but infuriates J'onn, who basically fires him from the League.  Guy says he won't leave  until Max tells him to leave. 

I kind of agree with Ice here.  Guy is very obnoxious, but no one looks at why he might be angry.  He responds to General Glory's discipline, and he's trying with Ice.  I'm not saying that the team should overlook this, but maybe Guy does need a friend.  And look at what Beetle did to Guy at the Ice Capades!  Really, that was a little mean, and Beetle had to know Guy would react badly.

Oh, and Max gets shot on the last page!

Justice League #51

Is that G'nort on the cover between J'onn and Kilowog?  

My Dinner with G'nort

It is!  G'nort seems strangely attracted to the JLA (or strangely attractive to the JLA writers).  G'nort decides to pop in for a visit, but finds no one at home.  J'onn is off to meditate, and everyone else is off on business.  He sends G'nort down to watch some TV.  Kilowog hears G'nort talking to General Glory's puppy, and comes in to see if he might want to go out on the town.  Kilowog must be very bored.  And while they are talking, we get a peek at Fire, who appears ready to go out on the town in one of her poorly chosen outfits.  During this run, I really never tire of picking on Fire's clothing choices.  Really, a red, white and blue bandeau with that green hair?  Fire needs a Project Rooftop makeover!

So Kilowog tells L'ron to tell J'onn that he and G'nort are going out on the town.  L'ron does.  J'onn realizes this is a mistake, and runs out to stop them.  He ends up going along, to keep them out of trouble.  First stop, men's clothing store.  J'onn wants them to look a little more normal.  That makes sense.  But nothing fits Kilowog, until G'nort uses his ring to fix up a suit.  And all the bills go to Max.  I bet Max loves that.

Back at headquarters, Booster comes to visit.  I miss Booster.  Isn't it about time for the next issue of the new JLI to come out?  When he hears that J'onn is out with G'nort and Kilowog, he is sure that they will all end up in jail.  And when Beetle wanders in, they agree it just a matter of time.  (I loved the little exchange between Beetle and Booster.  Come home, Booster!)

So, the evening out continues with a Broadway show.  J'onn, J'onn, J'onn, why in the world would you pick CATS as the show to see?  Not only is it a cliché, you have G'nort with you!  Indeed, G'nort reacts much as you might expect to the "cats" on the stage, and the three are ejected from the theater.  "Take them home, J'onn," you might be saying to yourself.  But no, J'onn is persuaded to take them to dinner at no less a place than Windows on the World (which was at the top of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, and was a truly impressive place to visit).  Unbeknownst to our heroes, the restaurant was also chosen by the man formerly known as Black Hand, as the location to celebrate his triumph over his "hero-phobia".  Black Hand was last seen when Guy took Ice on a date to one of his "dancing" establishments.  When our three heroes arrive, G'nort is forced to change his appearance, as "pets" are not allowed in the restaurant.  J'onn is already in his human guise.  They are seated, and G'nort and Kilowog talk J'onn into letting down their disguises for just one toast.  

But that is enough.  Black Hand sees J'onn and G'nort, and instantly loses control. He attacks, and ends up breaking through the glass and taking G'nort with him.  G'nort's ring is in J'onn's pocket (boy, that's a few apostrophes), so he can't fly.  Whoops.  Eventually, they are saved by J'onn, but the three do end up arrested.  They have to be bailed out by Beetle and Booster, who don't let them forget it!

This is CLASSIC JLI.  I love the funny issues best of all.  J'onn trying to cope with the madness.  Booster and Beetle together.  Even Fire's bad outfits.  

(This reminded me of the "My Dinner with Abed" episode of Community.  Not that they were in any way similar in story.  Watch it!)

Justice League #50

DOUBLE SIZED 50th issue!

Well, this issue wraps up the General Glory story line.  Predictably, the Evil Eye is destroyed by the JLA, and Schmidt (who is also the Evil Eye, a Nazi villian) confesses to having been a part of the set up to defame General Glory, all masterminded by the very man running the whole General Glory operation.  J. Newkirk Sharp did it for love; he wanted General Glory's girl. So he made it appear that General Glory was going insane, then had scientists wipe his memories.  Poor Louise died of a broken heart, so it was all for nothing.  So, that was the first story.  The second story was actually "The Last General Glory Story," which told of what Sharp did.  Then we go back to the JLA, where Lightray and Orion are quitting the League (that makes me happy, as I don't think they ever fit in), and Shilo, the new Mister Miracle, wants to join.   Max and Scott Free don't think he is ready.  

I did like the way Ernie told the General to stop with the exposition.  These guys really do talk to themselves a lot. Maybe General Glory took some classes at the Manga Khan correspondence school, too.  And I wonder how Ernie feels about being so old now, when General Glory appears to be the same age.  Would General Glory have aged if Sharp hadn't made him revert to human form?  Or is General Glory sort of like Captain Marvel?  For right now, all these questions remain unanswered. 

And finally, we get a really weird story about Guy visiting the offices of the comics company that puts out the JLA title in their universe, in order to get a job for the General Glory comic book artist.  I am sure this story must have had some inside meaning at the time, but I am not sure what!  It was written, pencilled, inked and all by Kyle Baker, who has won lots of awards for various comics, and this seems to have been pretty early in his career.  It did have an interesting "villian," Ktrrogarrx, who looks sort of like a giant purple dinosaur with little wings and heat vision.  Ktrrogarrx has his own reasons for wanting to destroy the Earth, which is is not sharing with us. 

I am glad the General Glory story is over, and I think the writers may be, too.  Or maybe had heard complaints, as the tagline on the first page is "At last, the concluding chapter to the seemingly endless General Glory saga!" 

Justice League of America #48

I am not being very consistent with the name of the comic.  But neither is DC.  Yes, it says "Justice League of America" on the cover, but they still have JLI listed in that little box where the barcode would go.  So, DC, what's the story.  I guess that would indicate that the JLA is, overall, a part of the JLI, which would also include the JLE.  That's a lot of JL.

It's the "last giant nazi robot" story.  Somewhere in South America, there is an underground rest-home of retired Nazi generals that just want to be left alone.  But not Herr Schmidt.  He still has a burning desire to destroy General Glory, and has come to get the others to agree to using a secret project -- Weapon H -- to crush him.  And, somewhere in Maryland, there is another old shadowy government operative that knows something about General Glory.  

Project H turns out to be a giant Nazi robot (that looks a lot like Hitler himself) that has been buried beneath Berlin.  When activated, JLE is called (but they are busy).  There are some great lines between Sue Dibney and various people regarding the giant robot.  

We finally get General Glory's orgin story.  I think his sidekick, Ernie, explains Guy's haircut. 

Long story short, JLA fights giant robot, beats it, and then figures out that somebody bad is after the General.   Oh, and he is arrested -- General Glory, I mean.

Justice League #47

So, the General Glory saga continues.  All five parts are in the JLI title, so I didn't have to pull any extra titles.  That is good.

As we start off, we learn what the rest of the gang was up to while Guy was at the comic book convention.  They were all off to observe Mr. Miracle perform in Washington Square park.  They are all observing from the Beetle craft, when it appears that the escape goes wrong.  Beetle picks up the safe, in which Mr. Miracle is supposedly trapped, with a big grappling hook, and they start to carry it back to the JLA headquarters.  But what do we see?  Scott Free and Oberon in the crowd, almost cursing Beetle's interference.

There are lots of Bwah-ha-has in this issue!  Beetle is having a roaring good time.  

While on the way back to headquarters, the safe, still dangling underneath the Beetle-mobile, opens, and Mr. Miracle falls out.  But it is not Scott Free!  It is someone else.  What could be going on?

Meanwhile, back at Headquarters, Guy is trying to convince J'onn that Captain General Glory should join the JLA.  No one knows him except as a comic book hero, but Guy insists he is the real thing.  And we also learn that Scott is training a replacement Mr. Miracle.  Hmmm, how does that work, I wonder?

While all this is going on, General Glory's arch-nemesis is plotting to get him, and blows up his hideout.  While trying to put out the fire and rescue any squatters in the building, the JLA and General Glory run into a giant Nazi robot.  Do robots sell as many comic books as gorillas?  Do Nazis sell as many comic books as gorillas?  

Of course, the JLA prevails, but the nemesis escapes to fight another day (this is a five part series).  And the JLA ends up with a dog, and with a hero that can actually keep Guy Gardner in line (Yes, Sir!).

JLA #46

Well, a bit late today, but still posted.  We went to Mid-Ohio Comic Con today.  It was pretty good.  Not San Diego or C2E2 good, but we still managed to find lots to see and do.  I really think, though, that I have to start remembering the artists whose work I really like, as well as the writers, so when we go to the cons I can know who to look for.  But on to today's JLA.

This is part one of five.  I am going to make sure that all of the five are in the JLA series, and if they are not, I am going to pull the others.  I am tired of not getting the whole story!

After reading the first section, where one old man attacks another old man, I am assuming that Joe is General Glory, and Schmidt is an old Nazi nemesis.  Joe hits the road.  With my super-deductive power, I am going to bet that what he can't remember are the words that turn him into General Glory?  Back to the book...

Now I am discovering how appropriate this book is for today.  Guy goes to a comic book convention to buy the last known first issue of General Glory!  I love how he talks about the geeks in costume, "You'd never catch me dressing up..." and then bypasses paying by using this power ring.  Of course, he gets asked to autograph a copy of the JLI comic where he shares the cover with Lobo, before he got his own personality back.  He didn't like that!  And, it turns out, Guy is also an embezzler, as he "dips into" the JLA funds to buy General Glory #1.  Bad Guy!  

Of course, the old guy turns out to be General Glory, who just needed to see the comic book to know what the magic words were.  And Guy gets to meet his hero.  

JLA #45

The issue I have been waiting for..."A Fool in Love."  Guy kissing Ice right on the cover.  Although Ice seems a little surprised by it.  

We open with Fire returning from a shopping trip where she has again indulged her questionable taste in clothing.  But mainly, we open with Oberon talking to Max about quitting the League.  Since I thought he was principally Mr. Miracle's sidekick, I am surprised he is still there.

But the main story is Guy and Ice.  Apparently, they have been trying to date all along.  Ice really wants to see the good in Guy, but Guy just keeps picking things like cock-fighting as appropriate date venues.  Gah.  How can Ice take it?  But she'll try again, by picking the Ice Capists as a destination.  What, we can say Ice Capades?  Why not?  They still use Oreos for J'onn's favorite cookie (lately, they have been referred to as "Chocos").

No one can imagine Guy at the Ice Capades.  Yes, I will say it!  But does okay with skating bears and Andy the Aardvark.  No problems until, imagined by Beetle and orchestrated by Kilowog, Guy Gardner ON ICE is introduced.  A large, grinning,  ice skating Guy Gardner.  Who finishes his routine by losing his pants and displaying heart covered boxers.  Guy manages to hold it in, besides one frustrated growl, but he didn't say another word.  Until he gets home and his date is over (since he promised Ice that nothing would make him upset), and he finds the Guy costume in his bed.  THEN he starts ranting at at Guy and Kilowog.  And during this tirade, Oberon silently leaves the JLA headquarters, and the JLA behind...

Now, I have to go grab the next bunch for the long box...   Maybe I'll get some JLE, too.

JLA #44

Another good cover!  I really like Wally Tortolini!   Although he really didn't intend to be a villain.  Let's see if I can remember all the weapons he has...

Tuning Fork Gun from Sonar

Star Helmet Helmet from Brainstorm

Crowbar (of Crowbar?)

Sword of Cavalier

Power Stone of Black Rock

So Wally has won all these items, but doesn't know how to use them.  He starts playing around, and knocks a whole in his apartment wall.  He wants to get away before the cops come to arrest him, but walks right into the arms of ...  who?  Not the cops, not the FBI.  Someone wants the dirt Wally dug up on the JLA, and wants it bad.  Wally meets a cadre of "men in black" who will stop at nothing to get Wally's notebook. 

Wally is ready to surrender, when he figures out these aren't the cops.  He is going to go down fighting.  The news media starts reporting on the incident, saying that it is, in fact, a group of supervillains attacking, based on the weapons being used.  The villains, watching from "The Dark Side" bar, get angry.  They go to confront Wally.  The "men in black," seeing that there is more attention on them than they want, leave.  Wally "gives" the stuff back to the villains, just in time for the JLA to show up and capture them.  Poor villains.  Not really their fault this time.   Wally gets away again, but realizes that the notebook could cause problems, so he gives it to J'onn.  J'onn and Max decide it needs to be burned!  Burned and the ashes obliterated.  

A few things I really liked in this issue:

 -- Star Trek references (Wally seems to think he is Captain Kirk.)

-- Wally thinking he should give up journalism to write comics.

-- All the "Bwahhahaha"

-- Spit takes in comics!

-- L-Ron!  Even a bit part.  Is L-Ron going to take the place of Oberon?

-- Never give your kid a weird name (Mortimer, Bito...)

-- "I can hurl starbolts!  I can move objects!  I...I forgot to turn it on."

-- The Cavalier looks a lot like Inigo Montoya.   

And, really, Fire has the WORST taste in clothing.  Good thing for her she doesn't really need a superhero costume anymore.

Justice League #43

I love the cover of this book.  I wish I had JLI playing cards!  It would be pretty cool.  I wonder that Blue Beetle gets to be a Jack, though.  One would think he and Booster would be Jokers.  And speaking of Booster, he isn't even in the League anymore, but he is still appearing in the little DC logo box.  I have noticed it rotates between Beetle and Booster, or Ice and Fire (and sometimes no one at all).  

So, the issue starts with Sonar robbing a bank.  He's finally figured out that having a bunch of money is better than not being a world conqueror.  But he can't catch a break.  The JLA shows up (because Max and J'onn want to see how well the new recruits fit in, and how Bea's powers are doing), and instead of catching Sonar, they create a minor disaster area and manage to burn up all the cash Sonar took.  Sonar gets away with the help of...  Wally Tortolini!  Yes, the intrepid free-lance reporter is back, and figures that helping Sonar might lead to a better story than the JLA one nobody wants. 

So while Beetle is dying of laughter at the idea of the whole JLA being beaten by Sonar, Sonar himself is taking Wally to "The Dark Side," a supervillian hangout where the villians can let down their hair and relax.  

I love the "Big Board" that tells where people are.  Dead, imprisoned, Insane, crisis of conscience...  and, we see later, in jail.  I guess you might want to know where everyone is.  The JLA should have one of these boards!

Also enjoyable, some of the conversations going on:  "I did too beat Superman! 

Wally and Sonar get into a poker game with some of the other villains, who apparently aren't very good at cards.  Wally wins everyone's super-gadgets.  Oh, nothing bad could result from that...

Justice League #42

Back to the JLA members, not Max.  Gypsy and Max are debating the status of Despero, who is currently a fetus in a jar.  Meanwhile, JLA is involved in a membership drive.  

I was excited to see the Will Payton Starman, who's catchphrase appears to be "Hey!".  (I first read Starman when James Robinson did a reboot.  I really loved that Starman.   Will Payton was before that.)  Guy "drafts" Will into the JLI.  Others being recruited are El Diablo, and Hawk and Dove.  But no one wants to join.  Can you blame them?  

But, Manga Khan is back!  And he has Scott Free, who was, indeed, replaced by a robot duplicate.  And now he has to explain to Barda where he was!  And Manga Khan trades L-Ron for the Despero fetus.  That probably isn't good.

Finally Orion and Lightray show up to join the JLI!

Justice League #41

This issue opens with Max explaining his power to bend minds to J'onn.  But, he tells J'onn, he's become more ethical and thoughtful since getting this power, and he'll use it wisely.  Except when he makes his chauffeur believe his name is really Rodolpho.  Max is a LIAR!

(And, no, A.H., I don't remember Invasion.  No one does.  And it never really happened, at least according to D.D.  If Invasion didn't happen, then Max could never have killed Beetle, because he wouldn't have had the powers.  Hmmmm.)

Then Max uses his powers to make a girl talk to him.  Yeah, morals.  Of course, he passes out on his way into his apartment with the girl (Wanda) and then has the most vivid dreams about fighting Lord Evil and various other villians, and then learning a lesson about misuse of power.  But I really expected Wanda to be dead in the bedroom when Max walked in.  I guess she still could be.  Or I thought she might have drugged Max.  

This was a really nice one-part story, tying in to the overall idea of Max gaining powers without having to have a lot of other stuff thrown in.  I wonder if they ever used any of Max's dream villians as real ones?  Lord Evil, Masked Robber, or Massivtron?  How come I always think of this stuff when I don't have access to the Internet?  (Okay, as I was posting, I looked up these villians.  Unfortunately, you can't really look up "Masked Robber" since he figures in too many real news stories.  Even "Masked Robber, DC" ends up with countless hits.  Washington DC must have a lot of masked robberies.)

There are TWO different comic strip ads in this book.  I was ready for Part IV of Capri Sun, but not Bonk's Adventures.  I think that must be an ad for a video game.  I don't remember it.

Justice League #40

I am sure the cover is supposed to have us believing that Mr. Miracle is dead.  I even imagine that maybe the JLA thinks he is dead.  However, I don't see Barda in the crowd that is walking away on the front cover!

---->  NO BARDA  ---------------------------------------------------------------------->

We pick up right where the last issue left off.  Despero (love the UN flag cape, by the way) is still on the verge of killing Beetle.  J'onn once again arrives in the knick of time, maybe.  He is telling Despero not to kill beetle, and we see Despero squeeze (out of panel) and blood dripping.  Is the end for Beetle, as well?  Wait!  I suspect that the Martian Manhunter has planted these thoughts in Despero's mind.  Despero thinks he is killing the League, but is not really!  

(Drat, another Capri Sun ad.  I hate comic ads in comics.  They take me out of the story, thinking I should be reading them.   But this is an ongoing one.  From issue to issue...  This was part III.)

Indeed, Fire has died, and I suspect even more that J'onn has planted these thoughts/images in Despero's mind.  Despero thinks a little about his homeworld and his mother.  I need to find an origin story for this.  It sounds interesting.  Finally, Despero destroys earth and himself.  And, no, it was a dream.  J'onn employed the Martian technique of Mayavana, which may only be used once in a Martian's life.  Thank you, deus ex machina. 

Scott's funeral.  Hey, Barda is there.  Booster shows up, but just to recruit Gypsy.  Maybe not.  Beetle hits him.  Everyone is depressed.  Guy is trying to comfort Ice, and is very nice about it.  Could this be the beginning of Ice and Guy as a couple?  And then some stranger shows up at Scott's grave...his brother?   

And there is a JLA recruitment on!  

Justice League #39

We're back to J'onn and Gypsy.  J'onn says Gypsy means more to him than almost anyone else on Earth.  She reminds him of his long-dead wife.  Despero uses those feeling to make J'onn remember the awful times on Mars, when his family died.  It almost kills him, and Despero goes back to tormenting Gypsy.  He is just ready to kill her when Guy shows up!  He kicks Despero "from here to eternity."  But somehow I don't think that is really the case.  

In fact, Despero has landed in Long Island Sound, where Guy and the rest of the League catch up to him.  Despero proceeds to take out virtually all of the League and half of mid-town Manhattan (giving Beetle a nice compliment in the process).  It seems as though Despero has even killed Mr. Miracle.  But, the reader surmises, that wasn't really Mr. Miracle.  It was a robot Mr. Miracle.  That's why he was behaving oddly.  

And then, the ominous proclamation of J'onn:  to get rid of Despero, J'onn will have to DESTROY THE JUSTICE LEAGUE! What is J'onn up to?  I know he has some plan.  I just hope Gypsy doesn't get killed.  Save

Justice League #38

or "What happened to the garbage?"  

That's my title, not Giffen's.  The first five pages of this issue are a copy of the article written for SPY by the reporter who was snatching the JLA trash in previous issues.  And, boy, did he find trash!

He outs Ted as the Blue Beetle (insulting his name at the same time).  He reveals that Oberon is, probably, stealing letters from Barda to Scott.  Poor Guy was probably in a sanatarium for seven years.  He uncovered Fire's identity as Beatriz (from peroxide and green dye bottles!) and nothing on Ice.  And Booster Gold missed out on winning Publisher's Clearinghouse prizes.  

And then we find out that it isn't even printed in the magazine.  The publisher pulls the piece!  Who is responsible?  The "European Distributor," who just happens to be Crimson Fox of Justice League Europe.  Oops.

Then we flash back to the guy I thought looked like a red Martian.  But, in fact, it is actually Despero?  He goes after Steel (not familiar to me Steel...), and when Despero finds him dead, he kills every one else in the lab.  But Despero will find the JLA and KILL THEM (and we see a gas station where gas is $0.91 a gallon.  Remember that?).  

So, Despero is going after old members of the JLA.  Steel first, then Gypsy.  JLA gets an alert when Despero starts taking out Gypsy's whole town, after killing her Mom and Dad.  J'onn makes it just in time to stop Despero from killing Gypsy.  Oh, boy.  Action packed issue!  The writers could really pack story into a single issue back then.  

Sigh....

And a couple comments...  What is wrong with Mr. Miracle?  And is Booster forming another super hero team?  

Justice League #37

“Intruder Alert”

What could possible be invading Justice League Headquarters this time?
Beetle and Booster are still on clean up duty, and Booster is feeling a little put-out.  Excuse me, Booster, but you could be in JAIL, you know?  Accomplice to embezzlement?  Stealing funds from the UN-funded Justice League accounts has to be a crime.  

This must be when Booster starts doing product endorsements.  He needs money and he so desperately doesn’t want to be a joke.  (Hey, at least he’s not Aquaman.)   Booster goes off to meet with Claire Montgomery...maybe a publicist?  Which leads to Booster coming back to headquarters and QUITTING!  Poor Beetle.  Will he lose his best friend?

As for the B and C stories -- or maybe Booster was the B story?  Remember the alley behind the building?  We find out that the mysterious figure seen previously is actually a reporter, out to dig dirt (literally, garbage) on the JL members.  When Guy goes to investigate noises, he accidentally lets a cat into the building.  The cat (maybe more than a cat?) finds its’ way into Fire’s bedroom, where she is getting dressed, and she once again starts a fire in her room.  Guy goes to investigate and gets attacked by the cat.  He wants to do some vile things to the cat, but Fire prevents it.  Meanwhile, the sprinklers are soaking the building, AGAIN.  Fire really needs to learn to control those new powers.

And what is with the space creature partway through the book?  He looks like a red Martian.  I don’t remember red Martians.  Green and white, yes, but not red.  I guess I will find out.

Before I Forget... JL #36

Justice League of America # 36
G’nort by G’nortwest

I thought G’nort should have an apostrophe!  In the previous appearance by G’nort, the dog-like Green Lantern, there was no apostrophe.  In this issue, there is.  The presence of the apostrophe, to me, changes the pronounciation!  G’nort implies the G is NOT silent.  Gah-nort.  That’s my last word on the subject...

Lots of good things in this issue.  “The Manga Khan School of Melodrama” being my favorite.  I would like to take a correspondence course from there!  I am sure the “Scarlet Skier” must be a satire of another superbeing...maybe the Silver Surfer?  No one believes in him, poor Skier.  And really, how much of a dweeb villian do you have to be to have G’nort as your arch-nemesis?  Suffice it to say, G’nort (sort of) saves the day, and rides off into the sunset with (sort of) with his new partner.

I just love saying "G'nort".  

Justice League #33 and #34

Two comics again today...making up for last week. 

Justice League America #34

"Island Life"

Major Disaster and Big Sir are living in a flea bag apartment, not doing much of anything besides complaining about being poor (and Big Sir is apparently learning to count cards) when Major D comes across an ad for CLUB JLI.  Yes, the resort on KooeyKooeyKooey is opened for business with hotel, casino, and spa.  But apparently Max doesn't know anything about it.  In fact, Max realizes that Booster and Beetle have, basically, embezzled the start-up funding from the JLA.  

Major Disaster decides that he and Big Sir can fund their plans for world domination by counting cards and winning at the casino.  (Why go to the JLI casino for that?  Wouldn't any casino do?)  Of course, Beetle doesn't recognize them when they arrive, and welcomes them in.  So, they head to the casino, and start betting with a dollar.  Now, even if Big Sir knows what the cards are, I don't see how that guarantees him so many winning hands.  Not at black jack.  Maybe poker.  But he is obviously playing Black Jack, and getting 21s.  I just don't understand how.  Big Sir ends up breaking the bank, when Aquaman appears.  

Evacuate now, he says.  The island is unstable, he says.  And sure enough, before the evacuation can get underway, the island wakes up, dislodges itself and starts to move.  Yes, the island is alive.  Big Sir and Major Disaster lose all the money they just won when it floats off into the ocean (kids, let this be a lesson.  Always get the wire transfer, not the cash.  And why didn't they have to pay taxes?).  

Justice League #35

Well, Booster and Beetle have really messed this up!  The island of KooeyKooeyKooey has drifted (or ran) away, destroying the resort and, especially damaging, the JLA transporter tubes.  No one can escape the island, but no one can get there either.  And apparently Max, Oberon, Ice and Huntress were on their way when the tubes were destroyed.  Now they are marooned in the ocean somewhere.  What to do?  Force a sick Ice to make an ice berg so they don’t have to float in the water.  Of course, Ice is the one that is injured.  She is the only one with real powers.  Stung by jelly fish, she is barely managing to hang on.  The JLA communicators apparently can’t handle being dunked in water, and then sharks show up.  Things go from bad to worse when Max tells Huntress that he “coerced” her into joining.  He is forced to then “coerce” her into forgetting that he said that!

In the meantime, the tourists are getting restless.  Not the natives.  The chief, who talks to the island, expected something like that would happen, and “goes with the flow.”  But the tourists!  They want their luggage, or to go home, or some food.  What can save the island?  Major Disaster, Aquaman and some whales!  Go Aquaman!  They manage to anchor the island on a volcano.  At this point, somewhat portentiously, Booster worries that Max may shot him through the head over this.  Beetle say "Max'd never do that."  Poor, poor Beetle.  Max will do exactly that later.  But for now, Aquaman rescues the stranded JLA members.  Guy arrives in the nick of time to rush Ice off to a hospital.  

So, to make it all up, Booster and Beetle have to provide maid service in the JLA headquarters.  Excuse me?  Maid service?  They embezzled funds, used JLA resources (Kilowog) in a private investment scheme, stranded tourists, and were probably ignoring customs laws.  And they get sentenced to MAID SERVICE?  Something’s wrong there.  

As is something wrong in the alley behind the JLA.  Maybe we’ll learn more about that later.  I hope we haven't see the last of KooeyKooeyKooey.

Comic a Day Catch-Up #3...

Justice League America #31

Guest Starring -- Justice League Europe!

 Which is why this title is no longer JLI -- because there is a separate title for the "International" part.  I am not sure I like that.  Plus, the story crosses over into the JLE, and I am not reading that concurrently.  But maybe I should be.  

Dr. Fate is featured on this cover, and the writers/artists seem to love playing with the fact that Dr. Fate is, apparently, a woman.  It looks like she is winking on the cover.  Or the mask is winking.  I guess I don't understand the Dr. Fate character.  Maybe we need a Dr. Fate 101.  Well, if Dr. Fate shows up in the New 52 continuity, maybe I will ask Mark.  Or did Dr. Fate show up already?  

Anyway, this issue starts off with the Spectre and the Grey Man wandering around a village that seems to be deserted and destroyed.  Spectre doesn't know why he was drawn there, and the Grey Man won't tell him.  

Meanwhile, Beetle and Mr. Miracle are working on getting the JLA shuttle fixed while Booster complains about the JLA comic strip, and Fire has designed new, slutty, costumes for herself and Ice.  Well, Ice, compared to Starfire now, these costumes are not slutty.  I'm not sure about the fur leg warmers though.   Somehow the two get locked in their room (Really, the security system doesn't recognize them in their new costumes?  Who designed that?  Don't they ever wear "civvies"?), and when Fate accidently lands on the roof and falls through, Fire starts the room on fire, and burns up everything except the new costumes.  HOW CONVENIENT!

So Fate is there to join up, and so we have the Huntress and Fate as new members.  

Guy is on monitor duty playing video games, when Batman comes in and yells at him.  It turns out that someone is trying to get through to the Justice League!  A real call for help!  Oh, it was Sue Dibny (maybe she is alive again in the New 52.  Probably not, until DD changes his mind again).  Everyone piles into the newly repaired and tuned up shuttle, and takes off for Europe.  Except it doesn't look like it is everyone.  I see Fire, Ice, Dr. Fate, Guy Batman, John, Booster and Mr. Miracle.  But no Huntress.  Maybe she is there but hiding in the shadows.  

They eventually get where they are going, which appears to be a small European hamlet, bombarded by shells.  What is going on?  Classic cliff-hangar ending.

Once again, I am struck by how much story is in an issue of the older comics.  Comparing this to the JLI #2 I just read (New 52, nDCU), it is a novel!   

Here's what happened in JLI #2:  The new team goes out to fight a giant robot and gets beat and retreats.  

Justice League America #32

(The Teasdale Imperative, Part Three)

Okay, I missed part two, since it was in JLE.  I can still, mostly, figure out what is going on.  There is a mad scientist in the Balkans somewhere, using a secret chemical compound to turn regular people into vampire zombies.  The JLA and the JLE have teamed up to try to stop it, but are exposed to the gas and have to abandon the UN troops, who are now turning into the vampire zombies.  Beetle, true to form, wants to call in the Titans instead of dealing with it.  I know he is just joking, right, Ted?  After all, if you didn't want to be fighting bad guys, why would you be dressed up as Blue Beetle?  Nobody is forcing you!  You don't have an alien scarab integrated into YOUR body!

So, mad scientist is being encouraged by the Grey Man, who wants everyone dead so that he can get their "Soulstuff."  Remember the Grey Man from a bunch of issues ago?  This is a different Grey Man.  

We have a bit of a serious moment as Scott Free reflects on how Earth is becoming like Apokolips.  He just wants to be at home with Barda.  Power Girl accidently insults him at this point, by implying that he should be used to the chaos and death.  Scott's a little touchy about that!

So we find out that Stagg Industries is behind the mad scientist.  Mr. Stagg funded the research, then tried to kill the our mad scientist.  I am not sure why he tried to kill him?  Stagg would own any developments anyway.  If you were a power hungry industrialist, why kill someone who is amoral enough to make you a secret vampire virus and test it on humans?  Keep him around!  

So, anyway, the mad scientist is going to try to attack the Stagg Industries plant to take over the world.  The combined Justice League is going to try to stop them.  The Lords of Order want nothing to do with it.  What will happen?  What!!!!!