Justice League of America #242 (1985)

Digging through the discount bins recently in my local comic shop unearthed an issue of Justice League of America with a cover I couldn't ignore. I've read more JLA from recent years, the team not even on my radar in the mid-eighties, though I was still reading comics as a young teenager. The roster interested me, some like Zatanna, Vixen, and J'onn J'onzz now familiar to me, and others such as Gypsy and Dale Gunn not as much. Also of interest was Steel and a pre-New 52 Vibe- neither of which I'd experienced.

Issue #242, "Battle Cry", finds two search parties of the JLA tracking the super-powered android Amazo in the Northwestern Canada. Unbeknownst to our heroes, the adaptive Amazo is the hunter in reality, using the powers of the JLA against them to attack with calamitous results!

Meanwhile, Aquaman searches for Mera, who left weeks ago, the loss of their son devastating the aquatic couple. tearing them apart. Finding her deep in the dark currents of the Atlantic, where they consummated their love years ago, the couple embrace, surfacing to talk out their differences in a tearful, heartfelt reunion...

After recovering from a brutal attack by Amazo earlier, Martian Manhunter and Dale Gunn regroup to pursue the android, certain their teammates would never break ranks and attack without them. They are unaware that Amazo caught the sperate parties by surprise, throwing them into a hole and entombing them with a boulder! You'll have to hunt down issue #243 to see if Aquaman returns to save them!

Of further note regarding this issue, a rather lengthy special preview of Mask is plopped right in the middle of this issue. Of interest to fans of this property most certainly, it left me wishing for more pages of JLA in what I initially thought was a thicker issue. Additioanlly, an advertisement for Crisis On Infinite Earths was tucked into the pages of this issue, which would change the landscape of DC Comics dramatically thereafter. I didn't read Crisis until around 2011, when I got back into comics after starting this blog, and began reading everything I could find in attempt to get back up to speed on what I'd missed in the years before.

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Recent Acquisitions...

*3 3/4" Marvel Universe Hercules, Jubilee, and Blastaar
A couple weeks ago I ran into three more Marvel Universe I've been on the look out for- the last few waves of Hasbro's MUs have been hard to come by in these parts, made even more frustrating by the restocking of some of the pegs with figures I got two years ago. Yes, I have an obscene number of these figures I haven't even opened yet, but c'mon. I was really looking for the Blastaar variant with translucent orange hands, but the regular will do for now. Like Psylocke, I finally scored the elusive and highly coveted Jubilee, and though I passed on Hercules initially, I finally came to my senses and picked up Nature Boy...

*Hot Wheels 1:50 scale 1980's Batmobile

I grabbed the 30's Batmobile from this 1:50 scale Hot Wheels series last fall, and while I'd liked to have found the 60's version, this 80's Batmobile is another great version. I have modest collection of the Dark Knight's famous car, and was really happy to add this beauty, based on the Super Friends Batmobile.

*DC Direct Series 1 JLA Green Lantern (John Stewart)

I am more and more fascinated by these Tim Bruckner sculpts based on Ed McGuinness' 90's JLA artwork. Thes figures don't have much in the way of articulation, but I'm a huge fan of their chunky, stylized sculpt, and of DC Direct figures in general. Their action figures draw a great deal of criticism, but variety is greater and more artful in general compared to Mattel and Hasbro's action figure lines. 

Having John in my JLA Lantern Corps also fills my heart with a warm, green glow! John was the hardest to get at a reasonable price, but after months of searching, I finally scored him for sixteen bucks shipped- quite the accomplishment considering he's still on the card.  I also found some other, larger DC Direct pieces- I'll talk more about those in the future...
                                                                                                                                       

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Hey, Mr. Postman!

I don't get a lot of toys in the mail lately, but this box came a couple days ago from Lange's Sports in Michigan. I've scored a lot of older DC Direct figures from their eBay store over the years for good prices with decent combined shipping.

I just finished reading Avengers: X-Sanction limited series (2012), and really like McGuinness' unique art- these really capture his style. They're chunky and fun! Also known for his work on Superman/Batman title, Marvel's The Hulk, and of course JLA: Classified, the latter of which I've not yet read. His figures are robust, body-builder types that some might describe as steroid-enhanced. They certainly aren't everyone's cup of tea, and I'll admit I'm not crazy about all the figures from this line and the Superman/Batman: Public enemies line from DC Direct that pay tribute to this artist's style. I am fond of this pair however, and wouldn't mind having the Superman, Hawkman, or John Stewart Green Lantern from this series. I have a Martian Manhunter from this series that I love!

* Visit the DC Direct Action Figure Archive!

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Graphic Novels Haul

I popped by V-Stock last Tuesday night and caught a buy-one-get-one-free sale on used graphic novels! So with the top price of these used books going for about $12.99, I scored all six of these (two of which are beautiful hardback editions) for just a hair over forty bucks:

JLA: Second Coming (DC Comics, 2009)  Red Tornado, the Justice League's resident android, discovers the culprit behind his recent malfunctions and the ensuing confrontation leads to a massive battle between the JLA and one of their oldest adversaries. Meanwhile, Vixen and Animal Man struggle with their own super-abilities and challenge a deadly being who warps the histories of every JLA member. It's DC's heaviest hitters as you've never seen them before! (source: Amazon)
JLA: Sanctuary (DC Comics, 2009)  In this volume, the Justice League of America must turn themselves over to the U.S. government and be sent to a prison planet after losing a battle with the Suicide Squad. What old foe will they have to rely on off-world in order to earn the salvation of the Earth's villains? (source: Amazon)

JLA: The Tornado's Path (DC Comics, 2007)  Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman decide to re-form the Justice League and must choose the new roster of members. A new villain appears during their selection process, and he's just one of the many sinister forces gathering to bring an end to the league. (source: DCComics.Com)

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (DC Comics, 2005)  A tale of loyalty and unlikely friendship featuring two of the most recognizable and popular super-heroes on the planet, SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES pairs the Man of Steel with the Dark Knight. The iconic super-heroes unite when longtime Superman enemy Lex Luthor, now president of the United States, accuses Superman of a horrible act against mankind, and assembles a top-secret team of powerhouse heroes to bring Superman in — dead or alive. But after the Dark Knight Detective proves Luthor's accusations to be baseless, the "World's Finest" duo prepares to topple the corrupt president's reign once and for all.  (source: Amazon)

JSA: Black Vengeance (DC Comics, 2006)   The Spectre, without a human host, is running rampant, meting out a brutal form of justice encouraged by the new Eclipso! Plus, Atom Smasher seeks forgiveness, Degaton's plan to destroy the JSA is thwarted, and more! (source: DCComics.com)

Guardians of the Galaxy: Legacy  (Marvel Comics, 2009) Marvel's sci-fi heroes unite to protect the cosmos! Back-to-back Annihilation wars have weakened the boundaries of our universe. Dark gods and monsters are seeping through the cracks, reigning horror upon those still reeling from the recent calamities. In the face of terror, who stands to defend a desperate universe? Star-Lord and his squad of butt-kickers - the modern day Guardians of the Galaxy! (source: Amazon)

I've eagerly burned through a couple of these already, and really enjoyed them- I love team stories!
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Hasbro JLA Figures

Now let's take a closer look at these Hasbro JLA figures JBoy sent me in his generous and much apprectiated care package yesterday. These figures originated from the Total Justice figure line made by Kenner, cut short after the third wave but revived by Hasbro with repaints/repackaging as The JLA line at the end of the 90's. These are all "five point gang" toys with pretty limited articulation by today's standards, but a lot of character. They are made for play and FUN, like toys should be!

*Martian Manhunter

*The Flash

*Superman Red & Superman Blue

*Zauriel

*Steel

Again, Thanks JBoy- I had a lot of fun taking pictures of these toys- their highly stylized anatomy combined with their bright colors make for a FUN subject! I have to say: of all of these, Flash is my favorite! Yes, I'm really into Martian Manhunter, but I like Flash's gold boots- call me disco  :D

Hey, Mr. Postman!

Ran into my lean, blond Post-lady at the door today, dressed in her shorts for the warm weather ;D  So delightful to chat with....

*Series 6 Justice League Armored Batman! I have had my eye on this guy for awhile now, and was certain I would never see him again for the paltry sum of $12.99 (price included shipping). Not bad. This got a rather nebulous review at OAFE.Net, that pointed out some good things about the figure, then unceremoniously dismissed it at the very end- what's up Yo Go Re? Didja like it or not?! Anyway, it had not got past me that artist Alex Ross was tipping his hat to the 60's television Batmoblie. Really cool...

*JLA: Year One (DC, 1999) Saranga made a  reference to this book in relation to Smallville character origins over at New readers...start here! blog, so when I found it at under five bucks how could I not try it? I am really into the whole "superhero team" graphic novel now, particularly The League. Some good reading for this evening!