Each Monday this year I'll be taking a look back at a random comic, prestige format issue, graphic novel or collection of reprints from amongst my 3,000 or so comics that date from 1962 to 2003 - I figured anything in the last ten years would be too recent to hark back to.
The comics are chosen completely at random and apart from a four week lead-in period, even I don't know what I'll be looking at in the weeks to come!
JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #37 - April 1990
Happier times for the Justice League when Giffen and DeMatteis were writing their adventures, making them fun and entertaining along with occasionally serious and exciting.
Following the disaster that was Blue Beetle and Booster Gold's attempt to turn Kooey Kooey Kooey into a floating casino, the hapless heroes find themselves on kitchen cleaning duties, much to Booster's disgust. On top of that, we get an old foe preparing to return, a reporter digging around their garbage for their secrets, and the arrival of a new villain that manages to sneak into the embassy. It startles Fire causing her to flame on in her room which sets off the sprinklers. Thankfully, Guy Gardner's on hand to tackle it:
Yep, it's the first appearance of the cat that would end up becoming Power Girl's pet after Gardner throws it in the transporter tubes and sends it over to Justice League Europe.
Humour's mixed with drama, though, as the issue ends with Booster quitting the League, having had enough of their slapstick approach.
Can you imagine any version of today's League having this sort of issue? One where nothing huge happens? One where the characters actually get on and like each other (except for Booster throwing a hissy fit and quitting?) Where something funny happens?
No? Sadly, neither can I.
I miss this kind of comics so bad. Part of why I am loving the new Deadpool. Just pretty mindless fun.
ReplyDeleteThat's probably why I've never gotten around to getting into Deadpool. Because as a loner, he's just so random. He needs context. And I don't mean Cable.
DeleteYeah, there's generally a dearth of just fun comics - like I said, can you imagine an issue of Justice League where something like this happens? Where characters just have fun?
DeleteAnd Deadpool I only know from the stuff I read on the net; I've never read an issue.
His new series involves dead Presidents and the ghost of Ben Franklin.
ReplyDeleteGiffen or DeMatteis?
Deleteyeah, fun comics are few and far between. chew is pretty good, if you haven't read it already.
ReplyDeleteHeard good things about Chew but haven't read it; maybe something to pick up as a collection?
DeleteLoved this review I have this run of JLA comics and you have inspired me to check out the run again thanks Gary.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Rob - it's definitely one of my favourite runs on any comic.
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