Category: Showcase Presents

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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.

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Showcase Presents: Batman and the Outsiders, Vol 1

<i>Showcase Presents</i>: Batman and the Outsiders, Vol 1
DC Showcase Presents: Batman and the Outsiders, Vol 1

By Mike W. Barr, Jim Aparo & various (DC Comics)
ISBN 10: 1-84576-669-5 ISBN 13: 978-1-84576-669-6

During the early 1980s the general trend of comics sales were in a downturn – although team-books were holding their own – and the major publishers were less concerned with experimentation than with consolidation. Many popular titles were augmented by spin-offs, a recurring tactic in publishing troughs.

Batman was the star of two and two half titles at the time, sharing World’s Finest Comics with Superman (until its cancellation in 1986) and with rotating guest-stars in The Brave and the Bold, as well as his regular spots in both Batman and Detective Comics. He was also a member of the Justice League of America. In July 1983 The Brave and the Bold was cancelled with issue #200 and in it was a preview of a new Bat-title. One month later Batman and the Outsiders debuted…

The basic premise was that the JLA was not fit for purpose; that too many problems were beyond their reach since they were hamstrung by international red tape and, by inference, too many laws. This volume collects issues #1-19, the first annual, that aforementioned preview and the New Teen Titans #37, which was the first part of a crossover between the two titles.

It all kicks off with a revolution in the European nation of Markovia (nebulously wedged into that vague bit between France, Belgium and Russia) and details a telling personal crisis when The Caped Crusader’s friend Lucius Fox goes missing in that war-torn country. As neither the US State Department nor his fellow superheroes will act, Batman takes matters into his own hands. He begins sniffing around only to discover that a number of other metahumans, some known to him and others new, are also sneaking about below the natives’ radar.

Markovia’s monarchy is threatened by an attempted coup, and is being countered by the King’s unorthodox hiring of Dr. Jace, a scientist who specialises in creating superpowers. When King Victor dies Prince Gregor is named successor whilst his brother Brion is charged with finding their sister Tara who has been missing since she underwent the Jace Process. To save his sister and his country, Brion submits to the same procedure. Meanwhile two more Americans are clandestinely entering the country…

Rex Mason, ‘Metamorpho’, is a chemical freak who can turn into any element, and he wants Jace to cure him, but Jefferson (‘Black Lightning’) Pierce is infiltrating as Batman’s ace-in-the-hole. Things go badly wrong when a ninja assassin kills the General Pierce is negotiating with, and he is blamed. Whilst attempting to rescue him Batman finds a young American girl in a bombed-out building who has fantastic light-based superpowers – and amnesia.

As Prince Brion emerges from Jace’s experimental chamber, the revolutionaries attack and not even his new gravity and volcano powers, plus the late arriving Metamorpho can stop them. Brion is shot dead and dumped in an unmarked grave whilst the Element Man joins Batman, who, encumbered by the girl, was also captured by the rebels. The heroes and Dr. Jace are the prisoners of the mysterious Baron Bedlam…

The second issue provides the mandatory origin and plans of the Baron, but while he’s talking the new heroes are mobilising. Like the legendary Antaeus, Brion (soon to be known as Geo-Force) is re-invigorated by contact with Earth and rises from his grave, whilst the girl (code-named Halo) is found by the ninja (‘Katana’) and together they invade the Baron’s HQ. Not to be outdone, the captive heroes break free and join forces with the newcomers to defeat the Baron, who now has powers of his own courtesy of the captive Jace.

As introductory stories goes this is above average, with plenty of threads laid for future development, and the tried and tested super-team formula (a few old and a few new heroes thrown together for a greater purpose) that worked so well with the ‘New X-Men’ and ‘New Teen Titans’ still proved an effective one. As always Barr is an adroit scripter and Jim Aparo, an artist who gave his all to a script, is in top form – and his skill is actually enhanced by the absence of colour in this bargain compendium.

Issue #3 began a long run of high-quality super-hero sagas with ‘Bitter Orange’ as the new team get acquainted and also stop a chemical terrorist with a hidden agenda. This is followed by that preview from The Brave and the Bold #200, a hostage crisis tale designed to tease, followed in turn by ‘One-Man Meltdown’ (Batman And The Outsiders #4) in which a radioactive villain from Batman’s past returns.

New Teen Titans #37 is reprinted next. ‘Light’s Out, Everyone!’ by Marv Wolfman, George Pérez and Romeo Tanghal is the first part of a cross-over tale wherein Dr. Light and his Fearsome Five kidnap Dr. Jace and the Titans and Outsiders must unite to rescue her. Concluding with ‘Psimon Says’ in BATO #5, its most notable feature is the reuniting of Brion with his sister Tara, the Titan known as Terra.

‘Death Warmed Over’ and ‘Cold Hands, Cold Heart’ tell the tale of The Cryonic Man, a villain who steals frozen body-parts and ‘The Hand That Rocks the Cradle’ is a sinister supernatural Christmas treat guest-starring possibly Aparo’s most fondly remembered character (most certainly for me) The Phantom Stranger. BATO #9 introduces a super-villain gang with ‘Enter: The Masters of Disaster!’ (the first half of a two-part tale) plus a back-up tale of Halo in ‘Battle For the Band’, written by Barr and illustrated by Bill Willingham and Mike DeCarlo. ‘The Execution of Black Lightning’ concludes the Masters of Disaster saga, and is illustrated by Steve Lightle and Sal Trapani.

Issue #11 begins ‘The Truth About Katana’ by exploring her past and the implications of her magic blade. ‘A Sword of Ancient Death!’ is by Barr and Aparo and continues with ‘To Love, Honour and Destroy’ which leads directly into #13’s impressive ‘In the Chill of the Night’, illustrated by Dan Day and Pablo Marcos, in which the desperate team must capture a dying and delusional Dark Knight.

The first Annual follows: ‘…Land Where Our Fathers Died…’ introduces a gang of ultra-patriots called the Force of July in a barbed epic written by Barr and illustrated by Jerome Moore, Alex Savuik, Jan Duursema and Rick Hoberg with Aparo on inks. This is followed by issue #14’s ‘Two by Two…’ with art by Willingham and Bill Anderson and #15’s ‘Going For the Gold’ (spectacularly illustrated by Trevor Von Eeden) a two-part thriller set at the 1984 Olympics.

‘The Truth About Halo’ begins and is inconclusively revealed in ‘…Goodbye…’ but the next two issues (#17-18) diverts to the desert for ‘We Are Dying, Egypt… Dying’ and ‘Who Wears the Crown of Ra?’ spotlighting Metamorpho, and the volume ends with another Christmas tale. ‘Who’s Afraid of the Big Red “S”?’ is a powerful tale of date-rape and sexual bullying, which pits Geo-Force against Superman and in many ways is the best story in this book.

Although probably not flashy enough to cross the Fan-Barrier into mainstream popularity, this is a competent and highly readable series re-presented in an inexpensive and accessible way. An open minded new reader could do lots worse than try this example “fights’n’tights” fiction.

© 1983, 1984, 1985, 2007 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.

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Showcase Presents: Batman Vol 2

Showcase Presents: Batman Vol 2 

By various (DC Comics)
ISBN 1-84576-661-X

No matter how much we might squeal and foam about it, to a huge portion of this planet’s population Batman is always going to be that “Zap!” “Pow!” caped boy scout and buffoon of the 1960s television show. It was just that popular and all-consuming.

Regrettably that has meant that the comic stories from Batman and Detective Comics published during that period have been similarly excoriated and maligned by most Batfans ever since. It is true that some tales were crafted with overtones of the “camp” fad, presumably to accommodate newer readers seduced by the arch silliness and coy irony of the show, but no editor of Julius Schwartz’s calibre would ever deviate far from the characterisation that had sustained the Batman for nearly thirty years, or the recent re-launch that had revitalised him enough for television to take an interest at all. Nor would such brilliant writers as John Broome, Bill Finger, Gardner Fox and Robert Kanigher ever produce work that didn’t resonate on all the Batman’s intricate levels just for a quick laugh and a cheap thrill.

This volume from the wonderfully cheap and cheerful ‘Showcase Presents…’ imprint re-presents all thirty-six Batman stories from September 1965 to December 1966 (which originally appeared in Batman #175-188 and Detective Comics #343-358) in beautiful, crisp black and white. The artists include such greats as Carmine Infantino, Sheldon Moldoff, Chic Stone, Joe Giella, Murphy Anderson and Sid Greene, as well as covers from Gil Kane and Joe Kubert supplementing the stunning and trend-setting, fine-line masterpieces of Infantino.

Most of the stories reflect the gentles times and stated editorial policy of spotlighting Batman’s reputation as “The World’s Greatest Detective”, so the colourful, psychotic costumed super-villains are in a minority, but there’s still the first two appearances of Poison Ivy and Blockbuster, as well as debuts for The Cluemaster and Doctor Tzin-Tzin, and second stringers such as The Bouncer, The Birdmaster, Monarch of Menace, and even the Flash’s nemesis The Weather Wizard.

The Riddler and the Joker (in possibly his most innocuous exploit ‘The Joker’s Original Robberies’) are included, and there are a couple of guest appearances from the super-stretchy Elongated Man (a sleuth in the manner of Nick “Thin Man” Charles, and the long running back-up feature in Detective Comics), in the tense thriller the ‘Secret War of the Phantom General’, and again in ‘Two Batmen Too Many!’ with the Atom thrown in for good measure.

The bulk of the stories here are thefts, capers, plots and schemes by world conquerors, heist men, would-be murderers and mad scientists, and I must say it is a joy to see these once-staples of comic books again. You can have too much psycho-killing, I say, and just how many alien races really, really want our poxy planet – or even our women?

And yes there are one or two dafter tales but overall this is a window to a simpler time but not simpler fare. These Batman adventures are tense, thrilling, engrossing and engaging, and I’d have no qualms giving these to my niece or my granny.

Stay tuned and become a Bat-fan.

© 2007 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.