The Shadow and his crew take to the seas to thwart an assassination plot by the mercenary General Sodom. Frank Robbins steps in for Michael W. Kaluta, joining Denny O’Neil to deliver a surprisingly good period adventure.
READBatman fakes Bruce Wayne’s death and adopts the mob persona Matches Malone in preparation for battle with Ra’s al Ghul. Solid art but silly stories, from creators including Denny O’Neil, Irv Novick and Dick Giordano.
READIs it a mummy’s curse or a complex case of murder? You guessed it: Only the Shadow knows! This issue features a prescient story from Denny O’Neil and masterful art from a perfectly paired Frank Robbins.
READThe fingerprints of Charles Dickens are all over this DC reprint digest, as the Victorian author’s classic tale serves as inspiration for more than one story. (Except for Jack Kirby’s Bronze Age Sandman adventure, of course, a story widely distributed for the first time in this issue.)
READTopo the octopus runs off with Aquababy; Aquaman pursues, but winds up battling Starro the Conqueror instead. Weak villains bring down the story, written by David Michelinie, but the art by Jim Aparo is strong. (The J’onn J’onzz backup feature, drawn by Mike Netzer and Terry Austin, is pretty, too.)
READThe Weather Wizard steals an experimental “vibrojector” to use against the Flash, but ends up battling Aquaman instead. David Michelinie comes onboard as writer, but Jim Aparo’s art (as well as Mike Netzer and Terry Austin’s art on the J’onn J’onzz backup feature) is the real draw here.
READAquaman must stop the Marine Marauder, a “lowly marine biologist” who uses air-breathing sea creatures to steal swine-flu vaccine. Steve Skeates story is pretty silly, but Jim Aparo’s art is excellent as usual. Throw in a well-drawn backup story by Mike Nasser and Terry Austin (written by Denny O'Neil) and this is one to pick up for the art.
READBad science and other silliness undermine what should have been a promising superhero anthology. Only the Neal Adams cover and some above-average Batman art from Michael (Nasser) Netzer save this one from being a total stinker.
READThe Shadow and his associates follow clues to thwart the robbery of worn-out currency making its way back to Washington, D.C. While perhaps not as strong as its reputation, this revival debut by Denny O’Neil and Michael W. Kaluta is certainly enjoyable.
READA certain bright star in the sky helps several DC universe characters successfully navigate Christmas Eve adventures. This collection of short tales is pretty solid throughout, with a young Frank Miller’s first-ever outing on Batman being the best present in the pile.
READ