Star Wars: Dark Times, Vol 1: The Path to Nowhere

Star Wars: Dark Times, Vol 1: The Path to Nowhere

By Welles Hartley, Mick Harrison, Douglas Wheatley & Ronda Pattison (Dark Horse Books)
ISBN13: 978-1-84576-470-8

The story begins in the aftermath of the evil Palpatine’s victory. Now Emperor, he begins to consolidate his power, both over the galaxy and more importantly over his new disciple Darth Vader. The new Sith Lord is still troubled by guilt and the emotions of his former life as Jedi Anakin Skywalker.

On New Plympto Jedi Master Dass Jennir has survived by joining forces with the Nosaurian Rebels he was fighting before the Old Republic’s Clone Warriors turned on all users of the Force. When the unstoppable Stormtroopers slaughter all the Rebel males and enslave the females and children, Jennir and a single survivor join a motley crew of merchants and attempt to rescue them, but the lengths to which they must go soon have the Jedi on the brink of abandoning his beliefs. And all the while Vader obeys orders and his own doubts begin to fade…

This dark and portentous drama set in the period immediately following the birth of the Empire examines the rise of evil throughout the galaxy but still maintains a taste of the swashbuckler with the introduction of Jennir and his mysterious allies. Nevertheless the bleak star is Darth Vader, and the superb artwork of Douglas Wheatley augmented by the paint and colours of Ronda Pattison perfectly capture the troubled nature of this sulphurous black monster. Also, their facility with non-humanoid characters is simply breathtaking.

Parts of this tale (collecting issues #1-5 of the comic book series Star Wars: Dark Times) have been adapted from the prose novel Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno.

© 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.

Showcase Presents Supergirl

Showcase Presents Supergirl
Showcase Presents Supergirl

By various (DC Comics)
ISBN13: 978-1-84576-810-2

Superhero comics don’t do sweet or charming anymore. The modern narrative focus concentrates on turmoil, angst and spectacle and although there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with that sometimes the palate just craves a different flavour.

Such was not always the case as this splendid black and white compendium of the early career of Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El of Argo City joyously proves. Also included and kicking off proceedings is the try-out story ‘The Three Magic Wishes’ written by Otto Binder and illustrated by Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye which originally appeared in Superman #123, August 1958. In this tale a mystic totem conjures up a young girl with super powers as one of three wishes Jimmy Olsen makes. Such was the reaction to the plucky heroine that within a year a new version was introduced to the Superman Family.

Action Comics #252 (May 1959) introduced Superman’s cousin Kara, who had been born on a city-sized fragment of Krypton, hurled intact into space when the planet exploded. Eventually Argo City turned to Kryptonite like the rest of the giant world’s debris, and her dying parents, observing Earth through their scopes sent their daughter to safety as they perished. Landing on Earth, she met Superman who created the identity of Linda Lee and hid her in an orphanage in small town Midvale whilst she learned of her new world and powers in secret and safety. This groundbreaking tale was also written by Binder and drawn by hugely under-rated Al Plastino.

Once the formula was established Supergirl became a regular feature in Action Comics (starting with #253 ‘The Secret of the Super-Orphan!’), a residency that lasted until 1969 when she graduated to the lead spot in Adventure Comics. At the orphanage she met a boy named Dick Wilson (eventually Malverne) who would become her Lois Lane, a recurring romantic entanglement who suspected that she had a secret. As a young girl, romance featured heavily in her thoughts and she met other potential boyfriends including alien heroes and even a Mer-boy from Atlantis.

Many of the early tales involved keeping her presence concealed, even when performing super-feats. Jim Mooney was selected as regular artist and Binder remained as chief scripter for most of the early run.

This gloriously economical chronological collection continues with Action #254’s ‘Supergirl’s Foster-Parents!’, an unscrupulous couple of con-artists easily foiled, after which she meets a mystery DC hero when ‘Supergirl Visits the 21st Century!’ (#255). Her secret is almost uncovered (‘The Great Supergirl Mirage!’) before she has her first guest-shot in ‘Jimmy Olsen, Supergirl’s Pal!’, written by Binder, and captivatingly illustrated by Curt Swan and George Klein (from Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #40, October 1959). In her Action appearance that month she granted ‘The Three Magic Wishes!’

Superman often came off rather poorly when dealing with women in those less enlightened days, always under the guise of “teaching a much needed lesson” or “testing” someone. When she plays with Krypto, ignoring his secrecy decree, the Man of Steel banishes the lonely young heroine to an asteroid in ‘Supergirl’s Farewell to Earth!’ but of course there’s method in the madness. ‘The Cave-Girl of Steel!’ sees her travel to the ancient past before her second guest appearance (in Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane #14, January 1960) ‘Lois Lane’s Secret Romance!’ Drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger, this is the first of many attempts by Supergirl to play cupid. Action #260 saw her join Superman in the lead feature ‘Mighty Maid!’ (by Binder and Al Plastino) as well as her own strip ‘The Girl Superbaby!’

The next issue introduced Streaky the Super-Cat in ‘Supergirl’s Super Pet!’ whilst ‘Supergirl’s Greatest Victory!’ delivered a salutary lesson in humility to the Girl of Steel. Swan and Klein got another shot at drawing the kid when ‘Superboy Meets Supergirl!’ (Superboy #80) whilst Action #263 presented ‘Supergirl’s Darkest Day!’, after which Jerry Siegel took over as ‘Supergirl Gets Adopted!’ a sad tale which ends with the lass back at the orphanage.

I’ve restrained myself so please do the same when I say that the next adventure isn’t what you think. ‘When Supergirl Revealed Herself!’ (Siegel and Mooney, Action #265) is another story about nearly finding a family, followed by ‘Jimmy Olsen, Orphan!’ (by Siegel, Swan and Klein, from Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #46), after which Streaky returns in ‘The World’s Mightiest Cat!’ (Action #266 by Siegel and Mooney). Binder, Swan and Klein produced ‘The Untold Story of Red Kryptonite!’ for Superman #139 and Supergirl met the Legion of Super Heroes in Action #267’s ‘The Three Super-Heroes!

In the next issue she meets ‘The Mystery Supergirl!’ before starring in a full length epic in Superman #140. Written by Binder and drawn by the great Wayne Boring ‘The Son of Bizarro!’, ‘The Orphan Bizarro!’ and ‘The Supergirl Bizarro!’ blends comedy and tragedy in another tale about broken families, a major theme in all these early stories of the Girl of Steel.

Action #269, by Siegel and Mooney, introduces Jerro the Mer-boy in ‘Supergirl’s First Romance!’ and the next issue once again finds her in Superman’s and her own feature. ‘The Old Man of Metropolis!’ (Binder, Swan and John Forte) is followed by ‘Supergirl’s Busiest Day!’ (Siegel and Mooney) with cameos from Batman and Robin, and Adventure Comics #278 by Siegel and Plastino, sees her revisit Superboy in ‘Supergirl in Smallville!

Streaky came back for ‘Supergirl’s Fortress of Solitude!’, scripted by Siegel, but Otto Binder wrote the next adventure starring ‘The Second Supergirl!’, an alternate world tale that was too big for one issue. A sequel, ‘The Supergirl of Two Worlds!’ appeared in Action #273 as did a novel piece of market research. ‘Pick a New Hairstyle for Linda (Supergirl) Lee!’ involved readers in the actual appearance of their heroine and gave the editors some valuable input into who was reading the series.

‘The Girl with Green Hair!’ was another girl-plays-cupid tale (from Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #51, by Binder, Swan and Klein) and in ‘Supergirl’s Three Time Trips!’ Siegel and Mooney demonstrate that history cannot be changed. Superman #144 featured ‘The Orphans of Space’ by the same author and Al Plastino, and then ‘Ma and Pa Kent Adopt Supergirl!’ in Action #275, by that man Siegel and Mr Mooney.

Veteran scripter Robert Bernstein joins Wayne Boring for the lead story in Action #276. ‘The War Between Supergirl and the Superman Emergency Squad!’ is followed by a return visit to the Legion of Super Heroes in ‘Supergirl’s Three Super Girl-Friends!’ and the next issue featured an animal epic in ‘The Battle of the Super-Pets!’

The last five tales in this volume form an extended saga that took the Girl of Steel in totally new directions. On the eve of Superman announcing her existence to the world Supergirl lost her powers and resigned to a normal life was adopted by the childless Mr and Mrs. Danvers. But it was all a deadly plot by Lesla-Lar, an identical double from the Bottle City of Kandor who planned to replace Supergirl and conquer the Earth. This mini-epic (‘The Unknown Supergirl!’, ‘Supergirl’s Secret Enemy!’, ‘Trapped in Kandor!’, ‘The Secret of the Time Barrier!’ and ‘The Supergirl of Tomorrow!’) which ran in Action #278-282 repositioned the character for a more positive and effective role in the DC universe and hinted of a more dramatic and less paternalistic, parochial and even sexist future for the most powerful girl in the world.

But that’s a volume for another time…

© 1958-1964, 1967, 1969, 2006 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.

The Best of Star Trek

The Best of Star Trek

By Peter David, Tom Sutton & Ricardo Villagran (DC Comics)
ISBN: 978-1-563890-09-3

This book collects a sampling of favourites from DC’s 12 years of publishing Star Trek comics. The first tale is ‘Mortal Gods’ by Mike W. Barr, Tom Sutton and Sal Amendola (from issue #5, 1984) wherein a Starfleet officer survives a crash landing on a protected world and goes on to become a religious figure-head. Despite being an old, old plot the creative team have produced enough tweaks and nuances to make it a comfortable if not fresh read.

This is followed by ‘The Final Voyage’ which was the lead tale from the 1986 Annual (#2, written by Barr and illustrated by Dan Jurgens and Bob Smith). Set at the close of the original “Five Year Mission” it sees the homeward-bound USS Enterprise assaulted by Klingons who control the mind-bending abilities of the Talosians (see the TV episodes The Cage/The Menagerie).

Next up is the wonderfully comedic ‘Double Blind’ (issues #24-25 of the first DC comicbook series, March and April 1986) by Diane Duane, Tom Sutton and Ricardo Villagran. Set between the movies Star Trek: The Search for Spock and Star Trek: The Voyage Home it tells of an encounter between two of the most fearsome species in the cosmos – but all is not as it seems in this wickedly satirical romp. This is followed by the moving life story of Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott. ‘Retrospect’, by Peter David, Curt Swan and Villagran tells the bittersweet tale of Scotty’s career and the woman he lost in a clever series of flashbacks that will remind many of Christopher Nolan’s film Memento. This originally appeared in the 1988 Annual.

The volume concludes with ‘The Trial of James T. Kirk’ (#10-12, by Peter David, James Fry, Gordon Purcell and Arne Starr), another great tale, but one already covered in my review for the Titan Books edition of that name (see The Trial of James T. Kirk, ISBN: 1-94576-315-7 in our archive section).

These yarns are magical romps of fun and thrills that fully embrace and enhance the canonical Star Trek for the dedicated fan, provide spectacular comicbook adventure for followers of our art-form and most importantly, provide an important bridge between the insular world of fans and the wider mainstream. Stories like these about such famous characters can only bring more people into comics and isn’t that what we all want?

© 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 2001 Paramount Pictures. All rights reserved.

Hellblazer: Bloodlines

Hellblazer: Bloodlines

By Garth Ennis, William Simpson & various (Vertigo)
ISBN13: 978-1-84576-650-4

This volume collects the stories written by Garth Ennis following the landmark Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits (ISBN: 1-56389-150-6) and shows two sides to the urban wizard and ultimate anti-hero. As well as the jaded world-weary supernatural veteran, he shows a softer side. Whilst recovering from the demon-cured lung cancer that nearly killed him Constantine returns to his London haunts, and against all better judgements allows himself to fall in love with the formidable Irish lass Kit Ryan.

The first tale (originally printed in issues #47-48 of the monthly comicbook) is illustrated by William Simpson, Mike Hoffman and Stan Woch. ‘The Pub Where I Was Born’ and ‘Love Kills’ finds him a spectator to grisly spectral vengeance when his local pub is burned down; a traditional ghost story well told and a necessary prelude to the excellent Christmas offering ‘Lord of the Dance’. Drawn by Steve Dillon, this uncharacteristically joyous tale of Pagan Good Fellowship is a highpoint of the series and serves to whet the appetite for the controversial horror-fest that follows.

‘Remarkable Lives’ from issue #50, and illustrated by Simpson, sees the immortal King of Vampires attempt to suborn and intimidate Constantine. As usual the Hellblazer leaves intact with another immensely powerful creature furious, ashamed and determined to destroy him.

‘Royal Blood’ comes from issues #52-55, wherein Constantine takes on the entire English Establishment. When a prominent member of the Royal Family (well his ears certainly are) becomes the latest host-body for the cannibalistic demon that once possessed Jack the Ripper, all the assets of the ruling classes are called into play to fix the problem and avoid a scandal. John Constantine is no lackey of Privilege though, and his solutions are a double-edged sword. This scandalous, horrific and deeply satisfying shocker makes for a deliciously dark and powerfully political satire that completely reaffirms the character’s anti-establishment credentials.

The volume concludes with the opening shot in a long running battle between Constantine and the new ruler of Hell, The First of the Fallen. When he was dying of cancer, Constantine saved himself by selling his soul to three rival Lords of Hell. Since none would give way to the others, the only way to avoid Infernal War was to keep the wizard alive and jockey for later advantage. Constantine knew that eventually his time would be up and spent some time devising ways to cheat the Devils.

‘Guys and Dolls’ (issues #59-61, illustrated by Simpson, Mike Barreiro and Kim DeMulder) tells the tragic story of the succubus Chantinelle whose heretical affair with an Angel gives Constantine an opportunity to be a hero, spit in the faces of both Heaven and Hell and most importantly, bank a favour that will be of unprecedented value when his ultimate battle finally comes…

Hellblazer is a superb series about flawed heroism and desperate necessity, with a tragic everyman anti-hero compelled to do the right thing no matter what the cost, arrayed against the worst that the world can offer. It’s also the best horror drama in comics and worthy of your devoted attention.

© 1991, 1992, 1993, 2007 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.

The Adventures of Tintin, Volume 8

The Adventures of Tintin, Volume 8

By Hergé, translated by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper & Michael Turner (Egmont UK)
ISBN 13: 978-1-4052-2901-2

I’m going to break with format and discuss the last chapter first in this final collected volume of Hergé’s immortal classic. Tintin and Alph-Art was the story that the artist was working on at the time of his death, and reproduced at the end of this book are the sketches, layouts and translated scripts for the first two-thirds of the tale. In this fascinating raw form are incredible insights into the thoughts and working process of the creator as he crafted a mystery tale which gently lampooned modern art and its aficionados, and the growing trend of cults and new age mysticism. Even in this unshaped form it looks to be a wonderful yarn packed with social commentary, comedy and action, but will sadly remain tantalisingly incomplete.

Acting on his wishes his second wife (Fanny Vlaminck, whom he wed in 1977) closed Studio Hergé after he died on March 3rd 1983. He had been suffering from bone cancer for many years and finally passed due to complications arising from the anaemia it had caused. Since he had never wanted any other artist to draw the character, the 24th story simply ceased production. In 1986 the notes and sketches were published as they are seen here and the studio became the Hergé Foundation. In 1988 the periodical Tintin magazine ceased publication.

So the three epics here are the last full adventures from the master, although there was a book culled from the animated feature Tintin and the Lake of Sharks (directed by publisher Raymond Leblanc; the album is not strictly canonical and was produced by Greg a.k.a Michel Regnier, a friend of Hergé’s).

The Castafiore Emerald was quite a departure from the eerie and bleak thriller that preceded it (Tintin in Tibet: See Adventures of Tintin volume 7 – ISBN 13: 978-1-4052-2900-5). The resolution of that tale had seemed to purge much of the turmoil and trauma from the artist’s psyche. His production rate – but not quality – slowed to a leisurely crawl as he became a world traveller, visiting America, Taiwan and many other places he had featured in the globe-trotting exploits of his immortal boy reporter. Fans would wait fifteen years for these last three tales.

When the blithely unstoppable Bianca Castafiore imposes herself on Captain Haddock at Marlinspike Hall, complete with Operatic entourage and with reporters in hot pursuit she turns the place upside down, destroying the irascible mariner’s peace-of-mind. But when her fabulous jewels are stolen events take a surreal and particularly embarrassing turn before Tintin solves the case.

This tale is very like an Alfred Hitchcock sparkling thriller from the 1950s. Light, airy, even frothy, there are no real villains but plenty of action and comedy, and Herg̩ had plenty of opportunity to take pot-shots at the media, Society РHigh and low Рand even the growing phenomenon of Television itself. The tale was published in 1961. It would be five years until the next one.

Flight 714 To Sydney (1966) is a return to classic adventure. Whilst en route to Australia on the eponymous journey, Tintin, Captain Haddock and Professor Calculus are inveigled into joining the unconventional and somewhat unpleasant aviation tycoon Laszlo Carreidas on his personal supersonic prototype. But due to the type of coincidence that plagues heroes that plane has been targeted by the villainous Rastapopoulos whose gang hijack the aircraft and land it on a desolate island. After many dangers the prisoners escape and discover that the Island holds a fantastic ancient secret that dwarfs the threat of the villains and leads to a spectacular climax that no reader will ever forget.

Although full of Hergé’s trademark humour, this is primarily a suspenseful action thriller with science fiction roots as the author plays with the research that led to Erich von Däniken’s Chariots of the Gods. Once more the supernormal plays a large part but not as a malign force and this time science and rationality, not the supernatural, are the basis of the wonderment.

Tintin and the Picaros (1975) is in all ways the concluding adventure as many old characters and places from previous tales make one final appearance. A sequel to The Broken Ear (Adventures of Tintin volume 3 – ISBN13: 978-1-4052-2897-8) it finds Bianca Castafiore arrested for spying in San Theodoros with Tintin, Haddock and Calculus lured to her rescue.

Colonel Sponsz, last seen in The Calculus Affair (Adventures of Tintin volume 7 – ISBN13: 978-1-4052-2900-5) is the Bordurian Military Advisor to the Government of General Tapioca, and has used his position to exact revenge on the intrepid band who humiliated him. When the Tintin and company escape into the jungles during a murder attempt they reunite with their old comrade Alcazar, who leads a band of Picaro guerrillas dedicated to restoring him to power.

South American revolutions were all the rage in the 1970s – even Woody Allen made one the subject of a movie – and Hergé’s cast had been involved with this one on and off since 1935. With the welcome return of Doctor Ridgewell and the hysterical Arumbayas, and even the obnoxious insurance salesman Jolyon Wagg, they bring about the final downfall of Tapioca in a thrilling and bloodless coup during Carnival time, thanks to a comedy maguffin that turns out to be a brilliant piece of narrative misdirection by the author.

Sly, subtle, thrilling and warmly comforting this tale is the most fitting place to end the Adventures of Tintin, but only until you pick up another volume and read them again – as you indubitably will.

The Castafiore Emerald: artwork © 1963 by Editions Casterman, Paris & Tournai. Text © 1963 Egmont UK Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Flight 714 To Sydney: artwork © 1968 by Editions Casterman, Paris & Tournai.
Text © 1968 Egmont UK Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Tintin and the Picaros: artwork © 1976 by Editions Casterman, Paris & Tournai.
Text © 1976 Egmont UK Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Tintin and Alph-Art: artwork © 2004 by Editions Casterman, Paris & Tournai.
Text © 2004 Egmont UK Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Batman/Tarzan: Claws of the Catwoman

Batman/Tarzan: Claws of the Catwoman
Batman/Tarzan: Claws of the Catwoman

By Ron Marz & Igor Kordey (DC Comics/Dark Horse Books)
ISBN13: 978-1-5697-1466-9

I’m never particularly comfortable with the passion for cross-pollination that seems to obsess comics publishers. I admit that occasionally something greater than the sum of the originals does result, but usually the only outcome of jamming two different concepts into the same package is an uncomfortable and ill-fitting mess.

So I think this tale – originally a 4-issue miniseries – is a welcome example of success, and I’ll even offer a possible explanation for why.

When Finnegan Dent, Great White Hunter, returns to Gotham City with artefacts from a lost city he has discovered in Africa, his sponsor and backer is delighted. But Bruce Wayne has reason to change his mind when he meets John Clayton, the English Lord known alternatively as Greystoke or Tarzan of the Apes. The two quickly discover they have a mutual interest in Justice and their own particular jungles, so when the feline Princess Khefretari tries to steal back the looted treasures of her very-much thriving civilisation she catapults the heroes into a frantic chase and dire battle against a ruthless monomaniac.

This tale invokes all the basic drives of both characters without ever getting bogged down in continuity or trivia. It is first and foremost an action adventure, full of emotional punches delivered with relentless rapidity. There are good guys and bad guys, no extraneous fripperies and plenty of cliffhanger moments before virtue triumphs and evil is punished.

In Claws of the Catwoman you need only have the most meagre grounding in either character to enjoy this simple thriller – and you will.

Text and illustrations © 1999, 2000 Dark Horse Comics, Inc., DC Comics, Inc. & Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hearts and Minds – A Vietnam Love Story

Hearts and Minds - A Vietnam Love Story

By Doug Murray & Russ Heath (Marvel/Epic Comics)
ISBN: 0-87135-699-6

This simple tale tells of a half-caste French/Vietnamese peasant girl whose husband is killed by proselytizing Viet Cong Guerrillas, but who finds a kind of love with a green American College drop-out trapped in The Draft and sent to kill Commies for Uncle Sam. Of course it doesn’t end well…

1965: Despite himself Lieutenant Jim Brett is fitting in. He has an aptitude for the soldier’s life and has found his One True Love in the Officers Brothel. The half-white Nhi is overjoyed to have been purchased by the handsome young Lieutenant and looks forward to her new life in America as Mrs. Brett. But when the Viet Cong stage a successful assault on the city of Hue she discovers that her husband is still alive and now a fanatical Guerrilla leader. Just then the frantic Brett bursts into the house…

The examination of the greater conflict through a doomed romance is both subtle and evocative, and the hyper-precise drawing and bright happy colours of the artwork savagely underpin the oppressive brutality and doomed futility of the tale. Hearts and Minds is an anti-war tale with all the punch and poignancy of an artillery round, favouring no side whilst counting the human cost and yet still managing to balance blazing action with passionate intensity.

Concerned parents should note that if this is a novel for adults with graphic nudity and violence.

© 1990 Doug Murray & Russ Heath. All Rights Reserved.

El Diablo

El Diablo

By Brian Azzarello & Danijel Zezelj (Vertigo)
ISBN: 978-1-4012-1625-2

This Vertigo interpretation of the classic DC Western avenger dates from a 2001 4-issue miniseries, and is an early precursor to the superb Loveless (for which see Loveless: A Kin Of Homecoming ISBN: 1-84576-337-8 and Thicker Than Blackwater ISBN: 1-84576-453-6). Moses Stone is a gunman turned sheriff in the frontier town of Bollas Raton. His awesome reputation, as much as his actions, serves to keep the town peaceful, and he’s perfectly content not shooting anybody.

Then one night the awesome and terrifying El Diablo comes to town and exacts a gruesome vengeance on a band of outlaws yet inexplicably refuses to kill Stone when he tries to halt the carnage. Unable to understand or let it lie, sheriff and posse trail the vigilante to the town of Halo, New Mexico where the bloodshed continues and a ghastly secret is revealed.

Although a deep, brooding mystery with supernatural overtones, fans of the original western avenger (created by Robert Kanigher and Gray Morrow for Weird Western Tales in 1970) will be disappointed to find that tragic Lazarus Lane – brutalised by thieves, struck by lightning and only able to wake from his permanent coma at the behest of an Indian Shaman – is all but absent from this darkly philosophical drama. There’s an awful lot of talking and suspense-building but thanks to the moody graphics of Danijel Zezelj the tension and horror remain intense and when the action comes it is powerful.

The star is a force but not a presence in El Diablo, but the tale of Moses Stone is nonetheless a gripping mystery-thriller that will chill and intrigue all but the most devoutly traditional cowboy fans.

© 2001, 2008 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.

Batman: Digital Justice

Batman: Digital Justice
Batman: Digital Justice

By Pepe Moreno, with dialogue by Doug Murray (DC Comics)
ISBN13: 978-1-9302-8987-4

It’s hard to credit now but not so long ago computers were a really big deal in comics. Not like today when digital colours, lettering and even drawing enhancement packages are part and parcel of the daily process of production, but simply for being the newest sort of pencil in town. Along with such products as Shatter from First Comics, and Marvel’s Iron Man: Crash (I’ll get to them another day), DC entered the market with a tale from Spanish wunderkind Pepe Moreno and their biggest gun, then riding high on the coattails of the Tim Burton Movie. So from the safe perspective of a few decades distance let’s take a look at Batman: Digital Justice.

Pepe Moreno moved America in 1977, briefly worked for Jim Warren’s Creepy, Eerie and Vampirella titles and gravitated to Heavy Metal where his short, uncompromising post-punk strips (collected in the album Zeppelin) caught the attention of Epic Illustrated editor Archie Goodwin. Generation Zero led to the graphic novels Rebel, Joe’s Air Force and Gene Kong. His growing fascination with technology led him into animation (Tiger Sharks, Thunder Cats and Silver Hawks) and eventually back to comics with this futuristic Bat-thriller.

The mid-21st Century: Gotham City has become Megatropolis, a sprawling, corrupt dystopia. Jim Gordon, honest cop and grandson of the Police Commissioner who worked with The Batman, loves his job but knows that something is very wrong with his city. The graft seems to go all the way to the top and even the ubiquitous flying robotic enforcers get more respect than the flesh and blood Force.

When his partner Lena is murdered he discovers that a computer program/virus based on the Joker’s brain patterns is the de facto ruler of the city. He adopts the identity and tactics of the fabled Caped Crusader but is still outmatched until the long-dormant Bat-Computer awakes and takes him under its digitised wing. Now with a new Robin and Catwoman he is ready for a final confrontation with The Batman’s greatest foe…

By our standards the artwork is pretty clunky, although I recall being quite impressed with it at the time, yet the real problem here is the story. This is a terribly ordinary premise that depended too much on the novelty of delivery rather than strong plot or characters, and doesn’t stand up well to the tests of time. This didn’t stop much of that premise resurfacing in the animated feature Batman Beyond: The Return of the Joker though.

© 1990 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Vol 3: Days of Fear, Nights of Anger

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Vol 3: Days of Fear, Nights of Anger

By John Jackson Miller, Dustin Weaver, Brian Ching & Harvey Tolibao (Dark Horse Books)
ISBN13: 978-1-84576-740-2

Apprentice Jedi Zayne Carrick was framed for a hideous crime by his own teachers, whose visions of the future saw him as a threat to The Republic. On the run from both his ex-masters and the honest authorities the young hero has taken up with a gang of outlaws and outcasts that include an unscrupulous con-man named Gryph, a rogue Mandalorian warrior, Camper, a seemingly senile technical wizard and the hot-and-feisty Bad-Girl Jarael.

In this volume (reprinting issues #13-18 of the comic book series Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic) the first tale finds the gang trapped on a rural planet in the direct path of a genocidal Mandalorian invasion fleet whilst the next tale – which ends the book on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to wait or be frustrated – sees Jarael take Camper to his homeworld in a desperate attempt to stave off his increasing dementia. Once there she discovers just why he fled in the first place, and in no way coincidentally, a monstrous threat to the entire galaxy.

Magnificently illustrated, these rip-roaring tales of heroic outlawry and derring-do are the perfect antidote to cold, dark, dull winters and a splendid example of a licensed comic done right.

© 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.