CBR:Quickies Blue Beetle

I already reviewed his Secret Origin, now's the time to look into the Blue Beetle!Ted Kord's own on-going series from back in the late 80s!

Ted Kord always wanted something more out of his life.
Ted inherited the R&D Company KORD Inc. from his father, who preferred to retire to explore the world on a walkabout.

During his last year at the University of Chicago, Ted discovered his uncle Jarvis was actually redirecting some resources of the company to build dangerous machines and experiments on a private island. Ted brought this to the attention of his archeology teacher Dan Garrett...who turned out to actually be the masked vigilante Blue Beetle.
Jarvis was actually one of his villains.
Things turned out badly on Pago Island, Dan died...not before asking for Ted to carry on.

Ted promised continue fighting for what Dan stood for. He re-purposed the tech developed by Jarvis Kord into various gadgets, a flying hovercraft called The Bug and an arsenal to make a true Blue Beetle out of him, even powerless unlike Dan.
His dream to offer more to the world was his change to be a hero for real.

The Blue Beetle character is actually one of the oldest superheroes out there. He was created in the late 30s, around the same time of Batman or Superman actually.
Originally a masked man similar to the Green Hornet, he was then redesigned and reimagined several times at Fox Comics since his first appearance in 1939.
He was later acquired by Charlton Comics, alongside various other more successful attempts, which didn't rival DC or Marvel Comics, but almost.
It was Spider-Man's own co-creator Steve Ditko that later on modernized the concept with the introduction of Ted Kord, created the new design and was behind his first series. This Blue Beetle II really was a sort of Spider-man-like character, even Ted was introduced as a sort of Peter Park.
During the mid-80s, DC acquired Charlton's wide catalog of superheroes, and offered us this following series...

Comic title: Blue Beetle #1
Written by Len Wein
Art by Paris Cullins & Bruce D. Patterson
Format: Single issue

The Blue Beetle is finally back!
After a little retirement following some early adventures, Ted Kord is finally back under the Beetle's guise!

In this first issue, we find Ted trying to help out people during a fire when he's suddenly attacked by a terrorist, Firefist.
The following day, after a brief recap of how he came to live this "mystery man"-life, Ted goes to his daily duties back at Kord Omniversal Research and Development, a division of Kord Inc..
There we met his friends and scientist associates, Jeremiah Duncan and Melody Case. When Ted inherited his family's company he kept his old man's best friend around, Jeremiah. And his thing going on with Melody certainly helped keep her around too.
After accepting a job for S.T.A.R. Labs Ted ends up running into Firefist for another round!

Overall: What an opening!
The series starts out quickly, thankfully not wasting pages on yet another superhero origin story.
It is a direct continuation of Secret Origins to be precise.
The situation is quickly set up, the characters introduced, not yet defined enough for later development.
Ted Kord inherited his fortune and tech from his family, and the superhero duty from his late friend Dr. Dan Garrett. The tech he's been developing against his will and knowledge for his "evil" Uncle Jarvis - an old Blue Beetle villain, is being turned and redirected for good as Ted is a more gadget-y costumed vigilante than the magical Beetle Dan was.

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #2
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Bruce D. Patterson

Format: Single issue

And the adventures of Blue Beetle begins!~
In this issue we get some introduction to the cast of the book as well as a conclusion to last ish' Firefist's dilemma.

Ted's friend Murray Takamoto, head of Chicago's STAR Labs division hires Kord Inc. to work on some new dangerous material, called promethium.
Meanwhile Kord's very own secretary, Angie, has been stealing some scientific material from the office for her mysterious uncle.
That is when Blue Beetle is able to find out Firefist burning yet another building...

Overall: So it begins!
The series is very much built like old school super hero drama. No deep self-analysis like in its contemporary comics from the 80s. No metaphorical comparisons or mature subjects treated here. Just plain old fun super heroic action.
A hero against his own villain-of-the-week.
The book opened with this new fire-themed villain who gets confronted and defeated (?) in this second issue. Some exposition regarding his past, some resolution in the plot - and onto the next adventure!

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #3
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Bruce D. Patterson

Format: Single issue

While patrolling the city in his Bug, Blue Beetle catches some people harassing his ol' pal Jeremiah.
After that, an attack occurs at Kord Inc. The Madmen, a bunch of colored, crazy costumed super villains, are let lose in the building and start wrecking havoc....only to provide enough distraction for someone else to steal the promethium from the labs!
Meanwhile, Lt. Maxwell Fisher from the Chicago Police Department is starting to ask questions around, investigating th death of Dan Garrett.

Overall: a great issue, fast paced, with lots of plots and sub-plots happening all at the same time!
The book is only at its 3rd issue and it the series already found its rhythm and pacing.
The art is fun and dynamic (though I guess the chara design takes some getting used to) and the writing is great!
Also, love the Madmen, though they stay pretty mysterious in their first DC Comics appearance...

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #4
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Bruce D. Patterson

Format: Single issue

Doctor Alchemy, a Barry Allen!The Flash villain, steals the promethium from Kord Inc.!
Lt. Fisher thinks Ted Kord is hiding some facts regarding Garrett's death...but telling the truth would expose him and his mentor as both Blue Beetles!

Meanwhile, back on Pago Island, where Dan met his faith, Conrad Carapax a rival archaeologist, is trying to understand what was so important on that place that Dan had to risk his life over it...but something, deep beneath the island is slowly awakening...

Overall: another villain, another epic confrontation!
The use of an old forgotten, and underused Flash villain is a nice touch. This series will provide a nice mix of new original villains, old Blue Beetle ones and as this is "The Blue Beetle" in the DCU, some guest appearances by other heroes' foes too.
The episodes seem to always end on interesting cliffhangers, and this issue gets it perfectly right!

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #5
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Bruce D. Patterson

Format: Single issue

As the cover implies, this is the Blue Beetle/The Question confrontation fans of Charlton Comics have all been dreaming of!

In this issue we start off with Vic Sage aka The Question himself working on a case for World-Wide Broadcasting. Lately, he's been investigating the return of Blue Beetle who's been making several loud appearances all over the city.
Meanwhile Beetle is working on a case of his own, turf wars have been happening across town. Someone's been unifying several gangs under the same banner and the old mob family's not happy about it...

Overall: Ted's still trying to make peace with his old departed mentor. He's been trying to improve his Beetle tech and pro-action, to make the original BB proud.
This long awaited confrontation...is quickly defused. Both our heroes avoid the usual cliché hero-against-hero first meeting. They both see much better chance of success by joining forces.
It's a fun issue, well deserved spotlight to the Question who gets properly introduced, his personality, as Vic Sage and his vigilante persona as well.
Great classic art worth mentioning too! I always enjoy Cullins' pencils, but he took specially great care in having an intriguing and pulp-ysh Question in this issue.

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #6
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Bruce D. Patterson

Format: Single issue

The "King of Crime" Don Vincent Perignon is not happy. Someone's been preparing a deadly alliance of the different Chicago gangs to attack him. A good thing, for his son at least who never wanted to inherit this family tradition.
Several layers of plots are slowly moving forward, Lt. Fisher's getting closer, Conrad is now trying to open up a cave under Pago Island where he thought hearing some sounds and Angie's still stealing stuff at Kord's.
Beetle and The Question arrive in the middle of a villain meeting where The Muse's been trying to group all the crime under one grasp...

Overall: Beetle finally has the occasion to show off his own gadgets and The Bug around, with a guest character alongside!
We finally get to see how fun a character BB really is, he tags along other characters quite easily. Ted's a great positive hero, his persona clicks quickly with partners. (hints of what would come with Booster years later?)

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #7
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Bruce D. Patterson

Format: Single issue

The conclusion of the "Gang War" storyline!
And what a shocker it is!
The Muse might look ridiculous with his silly colored costume, but he's still a dangerous threat nonetheless.
The war errupts amongst the criminals and the mob!
Will Ted and his newfound ally The Question be able to stop the madness??

Overall: A well thought and written ending to this storyline.
The ending reaches an epic climax amongst the chaos of this "war". A very strong and powerful conclusion.
Who would have knew such a light and fun book could have such intense stories?
Meanwhile, some secondary plots reach their own run in the background...

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #8
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Bruce D. Patterson

Format: Single issue

Ted's not the main character nor focus in this issue!
Instead, we are introduced and following this Ed Buckley guy.
It is his birthday, the "first day of his brand new life". Eddie's gonna find a new job at Kord Inc. and left his criminal past behind (he was in prison)...
But there's no more jobs available anymore...
One of his former pals and "colleague" tells him about that villain Calculator hiring some hands for a job...

Overall: Lemme just say it right away, I loved this issue!
Such an original and interesting plot for a superhero book! Finally, henchmen get their own swan song in this strangely realistic and serious take on what behind a thug for a supervillain would look like.
Poor Ed :(
This is a standalone issue, a must read!!

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #9
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins &Dell Barras

Format: Single issue

Superheroes are branded outlaws by the US authorities all across the States.
Ted's having one of those lousy days.
Meanwhile, Angie's uncle is finally ready to get out of the shadows. Kord's secretary's been stealing tech from the labs for quite a while...only so Chronos the time-thief might come back after his last defeat at the hands of The Atom back in Ivy Town. The thief his now let loose on Chicago, and guess who's gonna have to stop him?

In the other storylines we see a mysterious lady getting rescued by an helicopter in the middle of a sandstorm in California. Ted's having some troubles in his relationship with Mel. And back at Kord, Inc., Curt Calhoun's having some trouble finishing the Promethium alloy with a Titanium mix for Ted's friend at STAR Labs, Murray Takamoto. And just when Garrison Slate, founder of S.T.A.R., his coming down to Chicago to check on the company...
Oh, and did I mention Conrad Carapax' getting dangerously close to the secrets hidden deep beneath Pago Island?

Overall: This is a perfect example of a classic Spider-man-style cover!
The little crossover with the Legends storyline didn't detract the book much from his own on-going twists. It was rather well integrated, I don't even know nothing much from that story excepts that it results with the ban on capes.
Another action-filled, fun and intriguing issue of the Blue Beetle!

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #10
Written by Len Wein

Art by Chuck Patton & Dell Barras

Format: Single issue

The secret is out!
Angela Revere's uncle was the villain Chronos!
After getting her to a local hospital, Ted is forced to abruptly leave his friends Melody and Jeremiah behind to go after the nefarious villain.
After an accident, a girl that tried to steal from Mel is hurt and ends up in the hospital as well..only to be captured and kidnapped in front of her! What is going on here exactly?
Ted faces down Chronos in the street with a public dissing superheroes and throwing stuff at the poor azure avenger..

Overall: The end of the Chronos/Angie's uncle storyline....for now.
Lots of action here.
Melody and the people at Kord Inc. are starting to suspect something's odd going on with Ted, he just keeps disappearing on them.

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #11
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Dell Barras

Format: Single issue

After a kickass opening scene, Ted is back at the office!
Angie Revere happy to see her nightmare over.
After a quick confrontation with Lt. Fisher as Blue Beetle, imagine Ted's surprise to see him waiting for him at his own desk...
The detective is getting dangerously close to the truth...
Things seem to be working out again between Ted and Melody.
An accident in the labs cost Curt Calhoun's life... The promethium gets apparently bonded to his skin.
On the way to the hospital, the mysterious group of supervillains called The Hybrid attack and capture the man.
They seem to be working for the NY super-criminal only known as Mento.

Overall: Titans enemies attack Ted on his own home turf!
This issue seems to be mostly a big lead-in to the following one's crossover with The New Teen Titans!

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #12
Written by Len Wein & Joey Cavalieri

Art by Paris Cullins & Dell Barras

Format: Single issue

After getting a little 4th wall-breaking introductory page (the way Joe Kelly and Fabian Nicieza would give do for Deadpool later in the 90s) we're immediately thrown in the middle of the action!
The New Teen Titans are facing The Hybrid, with poor lil' ol' Blue Beetle caught in the middle.
Ted Kord only wants to help and save his friend Curt Calhoun! But that wasn't part of Mento's plan, the evil adoptive father of Beast Boy of the Titan's fame.
Meanwhile, Fisher decides to go explore Pago Island on his own.
And just when things can't seem to get better, it gets worse. Garrison Slate, head of STAR Labs arrives in town and ends firing Murray.
On Pago Island, Carapax enters the forgotten secret headquarters of Jarvis Kord...and finds something too much for a simple man to handle!

Overall: An action filled crossover issue with the Titans, self-contained on the pages of Blue Beetle!
Calhoun ends up transformed into another hybrid-creature.
A very nice issue all around, lots of story development, things are starting to pick up again.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #13
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins, Dell Barras & Pablo Marcos

Format: Single issue

Calhoun is no more, now there is only Prometheus!!
With the power of promethium at the tip of his fingers now, the poor Calhoun is forced to obey the mental controls of Mento against his own will!
Fisher rounds up some sailors for an expedition on Pago Island...where another drama is taking place!
Conrad Carapax is trying the various equipment he finds in the abandoned place. Tries on some strange helmet...and a strange machine awakens!!

Overall: The Blue Beetle and the Teen Titans stand together again!
While the Hybrid-storyline doesn't seem to go anywhere due to the crossover ending and that plot being carried over the Titans' book, things are looking up as far as next Beetle issues go.
Fisher coming up to the island is a great way to tie up that story.
The big action page-spreads look great! It's not George Perez, but Paris Cullins' trying to keep the Titans' action scenes filled and spread out.
The lower score's only due to the lackluster ending of this 2-issues arc.

I give this one a: 1.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #14
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Dell Barras

Format: Single issue

Ted Kord returns to Pago Island!!
First time having to repair the Bug on-screen. (something that would happen quite often moving forward on the book)
Ted gets some upgrade to her at the Titans tower and heads back to Chicago. He will have to leave Prometheus to the Titans.
On his way home, Mel gets angry over his various disappearing acts. There's tons of work waiting for him on his desk!
Peter Parker I mean, Ted Kord (he's really starting to look like Pete, not just act like him) is forced to go on an unexpected trip back to Pago. Lt. Fisher's over there?? He's now awfully to close to the truth regarding Dan Garrett and Ted's secret origin.
Meanwhile, in the top-secret research center of Cornelius/Kreig in Nice, France, Doctor Klaus Cornelius is trying to get his hands back in his technology, the compound XD-3 more specifically. Which seems to be in the hands of Jeremiah Duncan - Kord Inc.'s very own top scientist!
Murray us offered a job back at Kord's, but he prefers to go on his own.

Overall: First up, great cover! Wow! I like it!
Second, this issue marks the arrival of Denny O'Neil as editor of the book...and he likes to have us know that. Breaking the 4th wall in the various info boxes and footprint all over the book :P
All around, it's a great paced issue. Tons of stuff happening. Paris Cullins' art at his best, still evolving his style over the run of the book.
It's been over a year since the book started, and things are going back to where they began. What his awaiting for Ted over there??

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #15
Written by Len Wein

Art by Ross Andru & Dell Barrass

Format: Single issue

Carapax's brain is trapped inside the body of a giant nigh-indestructible robot!
And his going rampage after our hero and Lt. Fisher!
And Fisher knows who the Beetle really is now? Things can't get more complicated for Ted...
Melody gets a new manager/assistant in the person of Randall Truman.
Duncan is kidnapped in the parking lot by a mysterious fellow in red..
The newly appointed Garrison Slate, head of S.T.A.R. takes upon the previous unfinished projects.
And Murray Takamoto, Ted's ol' pal, gets a job in Europe.
Blue Beetle manage to get rid of the giant red robot in the ocean.

Meanwhile a mysterious figure, called Overthrown (I kid' you not!) prepares to attack Kord Inc. on a vendetta against big industrialists...

Overall: Guest artist for this issue!
A very entertaining read for sure!
Action, humor, adventure, romance, intrigue, you name it!

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #16
Written by Len Wein

Art by Ross Andru& Danny Bulanadi

Format: Single issue

The Beetle is chasing some random ski masked-thug when the thug hurts an homeless man sleeping doorway.
The bad guy escapes but not without losing something important behind.
Blue Beetle asks around in the street, to see if he can catch that guy again. So does the villain who ends up killing people around, after the "bum" from the other day.
We get to see what was so important for Ski-mask...but certainly nothing worth killing other people for!

Overall: Another milestone for the series! After the "henchman issue", the "homeless issue".
And it was quite well written and thoughtful.
I'm glad we get to see homeless people that aren't either drunks or crazy people, but just genuinely "normal" people, simply living in the street because they don't have any alternative being jobless 'n' everything.
One of my favs!

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #17
Written by Len Wein

Art by Paris Cullins & Danny Bulanadi

Format: Single issue

And we're back to the traditional super heroes-vs-super villains format!
While something (or someone?) seems to be getting out from beneath the depths of the rubbles on Pago Island, Ted faces the wrath of Melody, meets the new assistant, Truman, and fights Overthrown on the premises of Kord Inc.!
Fisher works out an "agreement" between him and the Beetle. He handles Ted some cases and lets him continue as long as he respects his authority and this new partnership.
Meanwhile, in Nice on the French Riviera, Jeremiah is being held prisoner until he submits to Cornelius.
Garrison Slate discovers some very unethical experiments that have been entertained beneath STAR Labs Chicago...
Oh, and that something/someone I mentioned above? It seems that Dan Garrett's still alive and arrived at Chicago in front of Ted's apartment.

Overall: DUN DUN DUUUUN!!~
What a shocker!
What a tale!
What a character!
This was a pretty fun issue all around. But it was the cliffhanger at the end that got me.
Great issue.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #18
Written by Len Wein & RJM Lofficier

Art by Paris Cullins

Format: Single issue

Beetle Vs. Beetle!
Dan Garrett is back, alive and kickin'!
It seems that the magical scarab kept him alive all those years beneath the island! And the rumble after the fight with Carapax probably let him out finally.
Can Ted's smarts and tech best Dan's super powers, strength and speed?
The scarab tries to get to Ted...

..it turns out the scarab's never been an Egyptian artifact, but rather, an alien entity all along. And now it's finally awakened.
The scarab's controlling Dan's actions and has just found a new host in the form of Ted Kord. Finally Dan Garrett's awakens himself, and sees things through. He remembers everything and attempts to stop the scarab to save the life of his old friend..again.

Overall: This issue is full of "retcons"!
It retcons Dan's death, the scarab's mysterious origins, etc.
Besides that?
I loved the art on this issue!
Outstanding. The characters were lively and fun, the action great, the pacing perfect.
The new redesigned suit for Dan was neat too. Even if it only lasted an issue :P
The contrast between the two Golden age and Silver age hero was quite interesting too. Dan in all his muscled/flying mystery man-glory and Ted's usual self.
The issue is actually very reminiscent of an old Chartlon Comics issue which presented this very same fight. (only then, it was a robot in the form of Dan)
A must read for any Beetle fan, and superhero fans in general.

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #19
Written by Len Wein & RJM Lofficier

Art by Ross Andru & Danny Bulanadi

Format: Single issue

Millenium's coming! (another new DC event-crossover)
After last time's epic Dan Garrett-guest starring issue, we get a much simpler story for this one.
Ted discovers that a scientist from STAR's, Dr. Rose Beryl, who was an acquittance of Dan, used her labs to create herself a "son", the first of a species of super-humans they were illegally breeding beneath Chicago's ground...until the project got rejected.
She was supposedly dead..until new bodies sporting her specific DNA landed on the shore on a beach.
Melody can't take Ted's disappearances anymore. It was cute in the beginning, but now this is clearly losing interest in Kord Inc., she has to stop Ted...or find another solution.
Ted goes to the West Coast to find a lab where Dr. Beryl should be hiding....and finds over there a whole bunch of techno-sentients that capture him immediately.
It seems Rose Beryl didn't try creating super organics and decided to focus on super robotic creatures instead....as Doctor Animus!

Meanwhile, in France, at the headquarters of The Dome (the super-heroic activity monitoring center based in Europe), they decided to save Jeremiah Duncan from the hands of Cornelius.

Overall: In case you don't know/understand what this Dome is, it will later become the much more popular Checkmate organization that appears throughout DC books, like in Chase for example.
I really dig Mike Mignola's cover for this issue!
A simple more "classic" issue, just what the book needed, cause next time things will get back in a roll for our hero!

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #20
Written by Len Wein & RJM Lofficier

Art by Ross Andru & Danny Bulanadi

Format: Single issue

Millennium week... this issue and the following ones!
Millennium was a Green Lantern-centric crossover that run through various books at the time, such as in Booster Gold or the JLI. To resume things quickly, various Manhunters robots were revealed to be hidden amongst our heroes to prevent them from helping The Guardians of the Universe's new evolved heroes.

The mysterious Overthrow is revealed to be Ted's own Manhunter. Not Lt. Fisher as he thought so in the pages of the event. (which are only alluded to here)
Meanwhile in Iran, Salima Baranizar is revealed to be one of the chosen by the Guardians. Beetle elects himself to get her at the Justice League HQ.
Things started promising, but Cornelius' own henchman Catalyst getting there to the local Kord Inc. Tehran building doesn't help Ted's discrete intrusion...

Overall: Not a full-blown victory for our hero who morns a loss at the end of this conflict.
A sad day for Blue Beetle, and more precisely, for the Guardians of the Universe too.
I'm not particularly a fan of this Catalyst guy... Guy can generate pharmaceutical proprieties through his skin? Why the silly costume then? Should he have his whole arms exposed then?
I'm also not a big fan of Millennium...even though's Blue Beetle probably gets the less plot-harming Manhunter. It's as if Len Wein knew this was coming a year in advance! Thanks to his dozen on-going storylines or so~

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #21
Written by Len Wein & RJM Lofficier

Art by Ross Andru & Danny Bulanadi

Format: Single issue

No Man Escapes the Manhunters!
Neither Ted, nor the reader~

Back from some JLI-related business, Ted his now accompanied by escape artist-extraordinary Mister Miracle!
Ted gets introduced to Randy Truman...who needs to once more escape in his own private office for a call.
Overthrow the Manhunter appears once again directly on the scene at Kord Inc.
Beetle and Miracle are planning a special device to reach the Earth's inner-crust, when a bunch of Manhunters appear out of nowhere!
Both our heroes escape a giant improvised last minute-death trap. And Ted's Manhunter is finally captured. Who was hiding beneath that mask?

Overall: Great second Millenium tie-in!
It was also the team-up issue I always expected to see on these pages. Though I'd have preferred to see Beetle paired with Booster instead. (their different personalities and background would have clashed instead of going so well with Miracle)
Miracle even suggests adding a seat on The Bug. (fans of the JLI will shed a tear~)
Lots of twists! The story takes some unexpected turns and Ted is left confused.
Also, a villain is coming back for a rematch, as will the last remaining issues of the run offer us.

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #22
Written by Len Wein & RJM Lofficier

Art by Ross Andru, Gil Kane & Danny Bulanadi

Format: Single issue

Chronos is back for revenge, with his craziest scheme yet!
While coming back to Chicago, Ted ends up in the past. It seems Chronos has captured the windy city under a giant time dome to bring the past back through a window of sort, mine the rich ground beneath the city a billion years ago for some technetium and get rich in the present after that with this long lost fossil fuel!
Yes, he's kinda crazy we all know that.
Ted battle some dinosaurs and other saurians, kicks the ass of this wannabe once more and leaves him behind with the jurassic-era monsters.

Overall: A fun "villain-of-the-week" episode. Old school.
The time displaced story wasn't explored much, but it was because the book was ending and Len Wein wanted offer a 2nd run through the series' villains.

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #23
Written by Len Wein

Art by Don Heck & Danny Bulanadi

Format: Single issue

The Madmen are back once more!
They escaped prison and are wrecking havoc around the city.
Ted gets hurt, but at least the villains are once more defeated.
After that, Ted goes back to his office to finally catch on some work...only to start having some hallucinations and seeing the Mad Men everywhere!
Ted has to run on Mel once more, despite his best.

Meanwhile Carapax is back!!
He has traveled across the whole Atlantic Ocean, by foot, undersea!!

Overall: A fun rematch, playing with the Mad Men, huh, madness.
And despite the book nearing its end, there's still various levels of plots and sub-plots.
Don Heck's pencils are gorgeous, fun and dynamic characters, great action scenes...

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Blue Beetle #24
Written by Len Wein

Art by Don Heck & Danny Bulanadi

Format: Single issue

It's the end of the run, as we know it! And I'll be fine...~

In this last issue of Ted Kord's Blue Beetle series, Ted comes back home only to find Thomas Kord, head of KORD Inc. back in his office. After playing globetrotter for a few years, he came back on Melody's demand to run the company again. But it was Ted who made the company into a major multi-national conglomerate!

Carapax finds the entrance to the Beetle's nest...and attacks KORD Inc!!
The Blue Beetle fights the creature ramping through the building at the peril of his life.
In the end, there won't be a KORD Inc. Chicago no more.
And The Bug gets destroyed one more time.

Overall: "Here it is -- possibly the Final fear-fraught solo saga ever to star..." Ted Kord!
It's as if they knew! -sigh-
A spectacular conclusion, that doesn't forget its on-going plots and try to tie them up the best possible.
Though I'd wish we could have spotted Jeremiah or Murray once more.
Kord will leave town for good. Some KORD Inc. buildings will be left around the world to explore in subsequent comics (such as KORD Inc. Gotham or KORD Inc. Hub City).
Get art, great action, epic conclusion.
Hey, it's only the beginning!~

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!


And that is all there is!
The Blue Beetle would later be seen mostly amongst the pages of the Justice League International.
He would later be part of a Charlton Comics-inspired mini-storyline called L.A.W. too.

And Ted would perish in the pages of yet another Crisis event - the same type that brought him in to begin with. ...and be replaced by another Blue Beetle legacy-carrying hero...but that is the tale for another time.

 

That's all for this time's Quickies!

VGR:Quickies Ports of Persia

As you've probably seen on the blog, I've reviewed most Prince of Persia games already. (and comics...and movies..)

But this isn't all of them yet.
During this long running franchises, most episodes have known various releases on several platforms. If most releases nowadays are pretty similar to one another it wasn't always the case "back in the ol' days".

For this occasion, I decided to make this new Quickies installement! 
To have a look at some iterations of the original Prince of Persia games by Jordan Mechner. As well as another bonus quick review.

Originally, the Prince looked like this! True story!

The original Prince of Persia, released on Macintosh and Dos systems, is regarded as a classic nowadays.
It launched a genre of more realistic platformers, sometimes referred to as "cinematic platformers".
Unlike Sonics and Marios it wasn't as surreal and was based around real physics. The acrobatic character of PoP was couldn't jump over enemies. Nor double jump. But he was able to grab ledges, roll under small passages, walk carefully to avoid setting off traps.

It was original designed by Jordan Mechner after a moderately successful Karateka.
Both titles were adapted over all of their current video game systems, countless ports. PoP even ported to this day on most consoles ever released.
Most of those ports were done by the small studio Brøderbund, who alongside Mechner took a great care keeping the games faithful and the experience similar. Yet using each system's specifics whenever the need arose.

The story is a classic now.
You play as the unnamed Prince, trying to get back to your Princess trapped by the evil Vizier.
The Prince gets thrown in the jail caves. The game is a journey, which has to take less than a real life-hour before it's too late and the sands of the giant hourglass ran off.
The directly sequel The Shadow and the Flame sees the Prince expelled from the palace and losing himself in the seas. Now wandering in another island, the Prince is castoff the palace, needs to fight back his inner demons (represented by an evil doppelganger), find his way back to the palace and clean up his name!
The sequel isn't as much puzzle/platforming oriented but a tad bit more combat focused, featuring lots of new various enemies often attacking in groups.

Now, let's dig into these games, shall we?

Title: Prince of Persia Collection
From Brøderbund Software

On PC
Type Sidescrolling platformer
Year 1999

This compilation runs on most modern computers easily.
Sometimes going by the name Prince of Persia Collection, Prince of Persia CD Collection, Prince of Persia: Collector's Edition or even Prince of Persia 1 & 2 (like mine). It was released on 1999, around the release of the 3rd game.
It contains the original Dos versions of both first games. Playing with the settings you can play the original Dos or VGA enabled versions. The music added later on by Brøderbund is available but you can also play it old school with the old chiptunes and no musical ambiance.
All the original levels are present.

Overall: Want to play the real original Prince of Persia games? This release is a must have!
Both games are fluid, fun and huge to explore. PoP2 looks more colorful and complex graphically, it even contains all its cutscenes and voices!
I said in my earlier review of PoP2 I didn't like it as much as the original, wasn't as perfect gameplay-wise, rushed, awful music and wasn't that well adjusted in its platforming sequences...but the original Dos version is far more suited to play.
Since this was released to promote PoP3D, it even contains a preview, making off (in an awfully small resolution quick time video) and a behind the scenes look at Prince of Persia 3D/Arabian Nights!

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Title: Prince of Persia
From Brøderbund Software

On SNES
Type Sidescrolling platformer
Year 1992

The SNES port of PoP1 was an enhanced version sporting all-new graphics.
It features 20 levels instead of the usual 13. Though some big edits were given to the level design.
It is also the only version were you're given 2 hours instead of the usual one hour to complete the game, making it a bit easier (even counting the extra levels).

Overall: I'm honestly not a big of this version, not because of its quality but because how different the whole game feels.
The music's good. (even if I admit I'm not a big fan of it)
There's some extra plot in this one. The graphics though are the part that suffer the most. It's just so dull and colourless..  I like the new ideas and design, adding wood here and there, putting more designs across the levels. (even splitting screens in 2 to add extra room to run around) But why's everything so brown and mushy? And the Prince looks like Vectorman, like he's composed of smaller parts/spherical objects to mimic the original game's motion capture while they designed new graphics.
Sidenote: It was censored in the US and Europe, thus my Japanese version (picture above)

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score! 

Title: Prince of Persia
From Brøderbund Software

On Megadrive
Type Sidescrolling platformer
Year 1993

Covered in the main Prince of Persia Review.

Overall: Not playing on the SEGA side against Nintendo above. But this version is a much better and faithful version of the original game.
Like the SNES, but featuring its own original art, it also uses enhanced graphics. It even contains 4 additional levels. (but here the original levels weren't cut down or edited)
The Pal release has its share of own differences, like new kinds of potions, some that can freeze time, others give you additional minutes to complete the game...

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Title: Prince of Persia
From Brøderbund Software/Titus Software

On SNES
Type Sidescrolling platformer
Year 1996

Covered in the main Prince of Persia 2 Review.


Overall: Missing some features as well as some levels (including the actual last level!), PoP2 may not have been as good as the original, but on the SNES it's a whole different level altogether!
I blame this on the co-developer, Titus.
The music is really annoying, enduring it through this longer sequel is one heckuva challenge, at least the game features a password system to help out!
The game seems to be on speed compared to the original Apple/Dos version.
Which is quite annoying to avoid some precise traps and segments...


I give this one a: 1.5 / 3 Score! 

Title: Prince of Persia
From Brøderbund Software/Microïds

On Megadrive
Type Sidescrolling platformer
Year 1996

Covered in the main Prince of Persia 2 Review.

Overall: Like I wrote in the original review, this one wasn't actually released originally. But the game was completed anyway!
The game contains its own share of problems though. If Sega prevented its release due to quality concerns (those were the days, right? :P) it's a miracle Nintendo didn't.
Anyway, the graphics are the same as the SNES port and similar to the PC version.
But the game is buggy (around traps, like the released SNES version), the controls aren't as precise as on the computer... Try it or skip it!

I give this one a: 1.5 / 3 Score! 

Title: Prince of Persia
From Brøderbund Software

On Master System
Type Sidescrolling platformer
Year 1992

When the home console systems starting picking up in the early 90s, Prince of Persia 1 was converted to almost all systems. If some, like the NES port, were simple copy/past of the original game with lower settings, other were proper adaptations by Brøderbund.

Overall: Strangely good for an 8-bit system.
It is a lot truer to the original game in colors compared to, say, the Atari or NES port.
The game feels also pretty right, the Prince moves well if a tad bit slower. The proper physics were well implemented for such a simple system. Most cutscenes were cut down though.
The Prince was given brown hair for a change! (due to the limited color palette no doubt)
I'd say, try it if you can!
A pretty good port given the circumstances.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score! 

Title: Prince of Persia
From Brøderbund Software/RIVERHILL SOFT 

On PC Engine
Type Sidescrolling platformer
Year 1991

CD format meant improved graphics and all-new music back then!
It's from this port that the Prince started sporting a turban and colored clothing (a green jacket!).

Overall: Pretty good. The controls feel different but the overall experience is still good.
It was based, from scratch, on the Macintosh release.
The music is pretty impressive and the new redone cutscenes look great! It evens features voice tracks!
It's the most Arabian Nights-ysh version of the game in my eyes.

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score! 


Title: Prince of Persia
From Brøderbund Software

On Mega-CD
Type Sidescrolling platformer
Year 1992

The Sega CD version, mostly an upgrade version of the PC Engine. Reusing all its assets as basis.

Overall: This one's the one I like to call the "Prince of Persia: ANIME! Edition".
If the PC Engine version was more colorful this one's like a rainbow enhanced version of the previous one.
The Prince who was getting a lot more colorful in the previous iteration (green jacket, blue turban..) is now a fully Japanese anime character. And for good reason, the game features now (slightly) animated cutscenes!
And the worse part is that the boxart doesn't give any hint to its new direction at all.
The cutscenes are funny though. Even if out of place.
This is another one of those "on speed" versions. (like PoP2 on the SNES), even when running on 50 Hrz.
The music doesn't make good use of the Sega CD system that much...but it works in this cracked up ort.
The game itself is good, don't worry. But the over-saturation of colors and animesque Prince makes this one feel either really funny or pretty bad.

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score! 


Title: Prince of Persia: Rival Swords 
From Ubisoft Montreal

On Wii also available on PSP
Type Sidescrolling platformed
Year 2007

And finally, you probably didn't expect it, here's the alternate release of a modern Prince of Persia. (something that tends to happen less often these days.. we usually get completely different games, not alternate editions)

I've already did a review of Prince of Persia: Warrior Within here.

Overall: Rival Swords is an upgrade/new edition of Warrior Within which saw the conclusion to the Sands of Time series.
 Rival Swords tweaks some gameplay elements of the original Warrior Within. Mostly in-combat and related to the AI of the enemies. It also fixed and changed some gameplay details and added some zones (nothing that noticeable). Before the recent HD remastered release, it was seen as the definitive version of this game.
It was released on Wii and PSP.
The Wii version doesn't bring new changes from the overall look of the Gamecube version. It could look a bit cleaner I'd say.
Though it adds the brand new motion-sensing functionality. It's all gimmick, I know.
It may be annoying in the gameplay (since the game wasn't designed around it), but the combat gets easier (probably on purpose by Ubisoft) and the instant kills are finally easy to pull off.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!


And that is all for this time!
Of course, it's not all the versions of the original games nor all the current alterations of the recent episodes.

The original Prince of Persia as since its release been made available on almost virtually every system ever.
Phones, iPhones, Xbox, PS2, etc..
Often simple re-releases of the original game, other times remakes using the Sands of Time engine. (as the Xbox 360 port on the Xbox Live Arcade)
But most of those, besides the facelift, often uses the original game as basis and frame, keeping either the original level design of physics intact.

 

That's all for this time's Quickies!

CBR:Quickies Ambush Bug comics

Somehow, you've manage to go through Ambush Bug's first and second miniseries.
And for some reason, you didn't go insane and you're even asking for more of it?

Well, don't say I didn't warn you.
There you have it....

B-b-b-BUG-Time! Ambush Bug's amazing debut, in all it's non-canon beauty!

First of all...who is the Ambush Bug?

The Bug's true origins aren't certain... he's after all a funny humorous character, and thus, nothing's set in stone for the fanboys. Instead, the Bug likes to mock every aspect of "continuity" the nerds require to make sense out of comics. Any occasion he has to plays the reader, he takes.
But one origin seems to stick more so than the others...

It seems a long time ago, someone named Brum-El, from the planet Schwab, discovered his own planet was doomed...and so he made a spaceship to save what was the most important in his life...nooo! Not his ugly wife or annoying brat, but all of his favorite clothes.
Therefore, this man sent his clothes into outter space, hoping his lovely shirts and colorful set of pants would find a new home in another galaxy...only to find out his planet wasn't going to explode in the end.
Anyway, the clothes travelled across the stars, only to finally crash on our dear planet Earth, in the middle of the roof of the building where lived our hero, Irwin Schwab. Amongst the wardrobe, only a green pajama survived an encounter with a cosmic radioactive spider upon arrival in our solar system.
And after some adjustments, thus was born the Ambush Bug!

At least, that's what how he keeps saying it happened.

(by the by, another pieces of clothing survived, and it was an argyle sock which would later become the Bug's greatest nemesis, Argh!Yle!...but that is another story, for another time...)

And that is how the Ambush Bug should be remembered...as a very random guy who got powers for some reason and now spends is time either annoying Superman or deconstructing comics.

Originally created by Keith Giffen as a new (silly) foe for Superman, over the 80s, the Bug quickly outgrew his original intentions and was allowed to become his own character, even leaving some aspects of his early creation.
But this wasn't much a problem, since he was created around DC Comics' big "reboot", the so-called Crisis on Infinite Earths (which I already talked about plenty in my Batman: Year One review, why don't you check that out as well ;))
That is the reason why I decided to separate in the Quickies below both his comics released before the Crisis and after the Crisis. Just in case it might be useful to some of you guys and gals.

The classic Bug was a villain originally. Named after a type of insect, who decided to start wearing green jumpsuits and make evil deeds just because he had nothing better to do. He used to teleport thanks to robotic bugs he used, stored in his antennas. After annoying Superman for a while, he decided to become a force of good instead and started playing Super Hero (often using a cape/stealing Superman's).

Comic title: DC Comics Presents Superman #52
Written by Paul Kupperberg
Art by Keith Giffen & Sal Trapani

From Dec. 1982 
Format: Single issue from an on-going series

Not only is this book the first appearance of Ambush Bug, but it is also the first time the New Doom Patrol made themselves public and finally met Superman.
The story opens with a disturbance in Metropolis.. some uncontrollable energy is running loose on the streets of the city of tomorrow. Supes goes to investigate...
Meanwhile a person calling himself "Ambush Bug" announces himself to the world by simply killing a reporter live on TV!!
Supes clashes with this new Doom Patrol, which the Bug plays one against the other.
Supes finds how Ambush Bug was able to teleport himself around, using the circuitry in his costume and robo-bugs planted all over the city.
Ambush Bug gets arrested in the end.

Overall: Well... It certainly isn't the Bug we know today.
Here, he's only a thug using gimmicks (very hi-tech ones at that) to commit crimes and have fun.
In fact, he's closer to Deadpool, character-wise (which hadn't been created yet back then) than any other portrayal of the Bug we love.
Speaking of love, he even falls in love briefly with a Doom Patroller - which is quite acting far from his current self. (again, that seems a bit more Deadpool-ysh than Ambush Bug)
And -gasp- in the end he even gets unmasked. We're shown a man (Irwin?) who appears big, bald and muscled.
Oh and the fact he killed someone wouldn't stay "in-continuity" for long after that, what with all the DCU rewritten not long after that. But even his next appearances wouldn't mention it much as we're going to see.

I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score!

Comic title: DC Comics Presents Superman #59
Written by Keith Giffen & Paul Levitz
Art by Keith Giffen & Kurt Schaffenberger

From July 1983 
Format: Single issue from an on-going series

This story starts with Superman flying, as most Superman comics do. Supes is actually traveling through time to go help some future heroes with some Crisis...when the Bug decides to "hijack" him.
Both our heroes end up in the 30th Century.
Superman decides he can't keep Ambush Bug around and so has to leave him under the care of the local heroes. By some coincidence, the Legion aren't available at the time, so the Legion Of Substitute Heroes will have to.
A.B. gets lose and quickly starts wrecking havoc as usual...

Overall: Only his second appearance, and Giffen already gets behind the writing duties for his newly created "villain".
This time around the Bug is less of an actual threat and much more inoffensive. He's more of a loony mischief by now already.
The issue is very fun. Keith Giffen'd love for underrated characters truly shows in these page, he seems to be having a blast with these so-called substitute heroes.
The Bug makes a fool out of this "Legion", Superman, etc.. He even steals for the first time Superman cape (which would turn into a running joke over his next appearances).
A great fun issue, we start seeing a more familiar attitude within the A.B.

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Supergirl #16
Written by Paul Kupperberg
Art by Carmine Infantino & Bob Oksner

From Feb. 1984
Format: Single issue from an on-going series

This one's actually a filler issue from the Supergirl title..but an appearance's an appearance for our Bug!
Ambush Bug arrives in Chicago, Illinois, well decided to change profession. You see, he's already tired of playing super villain, the gig's not that secure afterall. Now he's going to become a super hero, it seemed lik a good idea at the time.
Meanwhile, instruments are being stolen all over the East Coast. Supergirl is on the case, she goes to investigate this strange mystery, also wishing to help out her musician boyfriend.
When A.B. finds her, for some reason he mistakes her for Superman... The Bug thinks she's actually his "good pal" Superman, brainwashed and turned into a girl against his will for some reason - it doesn't get more random than.
The Bug will have to be the one to help out his ol' buddy, ol' pal if he wants Superman to be saved from his situation.
His help ends up causing problems all over the city. Both end up finding the missing instruments and the villains in their skirmish.
Supergal defeats the Bug easily, using the same technique Superman used the first time.



Overall: One of those very rare times the Bug hasn't been written under Ketih Giffen supervision. At least it's from the writer who brought him into the DC Universe in the first place, Paul Kupperberg.
The Bug is starting to become a real pain in the a** for all Kryptonians.
Fun, simple enough story and it's great to see him bug the rest of the DCU, to establish him outside Superman's supporting cast of characters.
The art is pretty lovely too.
Suddenly, near the end of the book, the Bug shows one of his rare facets, a serious moment..almost creepy. What are his real goals, what's his game anyway, is he acting loony on purpose?
...Thankfully this sideplot wouldn't ever be explored anymore, at least.
Seriously, I wouldn't have liked if he ended up being another of these super serious super villains. There's like a bazillion of them already!
The Bug gets captured, send to jail one more time. It was so easy to prevent this classic Ambush Bug from teleporting since he was using circuitry he had to use on his costume...


I give this one a: 2 / 3 Score! 

Comic title: Action Comics #560 
Superman story written by Paul Kupperberg
Superman story drawn by Alex Saviuk & Dave Hunt

Ambush Bug story written by Keith Giffen & Rob Fleming
Ambush Bug story drawn by Keith Giffen& Bob Oksner

From Oct. 1984 
Format: Single issue from an on-going series

This is it! Finally, the Bug gets his own story in a back-up story on the Action Comics title.
The first story here's actually a classic Superman story.
A guy escapes prison, wants to have revenge on the system. He starts destroying buildings, the police, the tribunal... Superman tries to stop this new super villain..but for some reason starts getting amnesic at the same time. He's it because of his powers? Being near the guy? Why?? In the end Superman finds the actual true reason to why, beats the bad guy. Happy ending!
In the second story, the Ambush Bug decides to become legit. He opens up an agency "A.Bug Enterprise - Super-heroism is our speciality!". Clark Kent comes by to check on the Bug, to see if he's actually preparing a new scheme. But the Bug easily sees trhough "Superman's silly disguise", make a fool out of Supes once again, get his cape out and plays around with poor middle-mannered reporter Clark Kent.
And also, A.B.'s secret origin is finally revealed!!
In this new origin, he reveals himself as Irwin Schwab actually. A middle-aged man, raised by solid-state television. He decides to become a villain for fun, makes a costume and builds a teleportation device (no less!).

Overall: The Superman main feature is pretty classic, even by Superman comics standards. Nothing much really.
The Ambush Bug back-up is great!
Giffen plays with the comic format, be it in sequences, panels, shots..
There's lots of big close-ups, no gutters between panels so even though it's kinda "suffocating", Ambush Bug seems to be jumping all over the place - classic Giffen!
It still is the "Pre-Crisis" Bug, but we're getting near our current Bug already. He even breaks the 4th wall for the first time (mentioning Keith Giffen behind the weird camera angles).
Ambush Bug becomes crazier and a whole less threatening for the better good.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Action Comics #563 
Ambush Bug story by Keith Giffen, Rob Fleming & Bob Oksner
Superman story by E. Nelson Bridwell, Alex Saviuk, Dennis Jensen
Jimmy Olsen story by Craig Boldman, Howard Bender & Pablo Marcos

From Jan. 1985 
Format: Single issue from an on-going series

It's a "3 Fun-filled stories!" issue as the title let us know!
Ambush Bug's actually the lead feature this time.
The Bug is trying to fix some of his Bug devices that allows him to teleport usually...when it blows up in his face. His suit turns black (which allows him to mock Secret Wars' Spider-man black symbiotic suit on various occasions). Irwin finds out he can now naturally teleport finally! He goes around the city, disguised as a crazy horse since he can't show up his destroyed burnt costume. Oh, and he tells a new origin story to Superman. Now his costume comes from the planet Schwab. It was going to explode, a man decided to send away his clothes to save them, instead of his annoying brat or his despicable wife... The rocketship gets bitten by a cosmic radioactive spider.. Lands on Earth, crashes on a roof... Irwing gets the costume and becomes the Ambush Bug since he had nothing better to do at the time!
The second story sees Mr. Mxyzptlk wanting to enter the media business. He starts annoying people at the Galaxy Building (the Daily Planet's building during the 80s). He puts a curse so no one can say/write things backwards. Superman is able to trick him thanks to a "Bizarro" twist in the end.
And the last tale is called "Jimmy Olsen... Blob!"
It's sort of a retelling of an earlier Silver Age story. Jimmy wants to use his elastic super powers to help someone..but ends up all messed up like a huge monstrous blob. It's a pretty silly story, kind of idiot, but fun nonetheless.

Overall: Keith Giffen's trying to change his character over the years, for the better.
Now he's clearly a comical character.
He's using Ambush Bug to mock (gently) Superman, for fun. Now he's starting using A.B. to have fun with concepts in comics. Like the onomatopoeias which are usually "silent passive" characters in comics. But here, the Bug actually sees and plays with them.
WHOOOOSH "Hey you letterer! is whoooosh" the only sound effect you know??"
Irwin even gets a brand new face under his mask.
The other 2 Superman tales are maybe less funny than intended, probably because the Bug raises our expectations right from the start of the issue. Mxyzptlk ends up looking less loony and threatening than usual thanks to the randomness of Ambush Bug who comes off a lot more off the wall in the previous pages.
Good concept in Mxyzptlk story, but kinda same ol', same ol' to past Mxyzptlk stories. (boy, do I love copy/pasting his name a lot more than actually saying it)
The Jimmy Olsen feature is maybe better. Silly, like I said, but entertaining enough.
Good book overall.

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score! 

Comic title: Action Comics #565 
Superman story written by Mort Todd
Superman story drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger
Ambush Bug story written by Keith Giffen & Rob Fleming
Ambush Bug story drawn by Keith Giffen& Bob Oksner

From Mar. 1985 
Format: Single issue from an on-going series

In the "Wizard City Warrior", bad guys find the hidden city of Kandor Wizard City, another piece from Krypton Supes had hidden somewhere on Earth. They're able to activate some gimmicks which sets up on destroying the planet. "The warrior" challenges Superman for the sake of the world. In the end, Supes is able to get the upper hand thanks to his pals Jimmy Olsen and Lana Lang.
The rest of the book is given to Ambush Bug.
I can't call this a "back-up feature" since it actually takes more than half of the issue. The Bug allows Keith Giffen to explore comics and have fun with fake ads, posters, mock-up covers and other parodies in "$ellout".
It's actually more random concepts one after the other to sells us, and the DC editors, on the idea of a whole mini-series Mr. Bug would like to have.
The ravin' lunatic tries to get guest stars to appear in his debut miniseries, with no luck...

Overall: The Bug was being featured in Superman books pretty regularly, heh?
Supes story is pretty corny, even by mid-80s comics standards. (a catapult!!!)
But the artwork was kinda amazing. It even reminded me of classic Golden Age comic book art in some way.
Ambush Bug's pretty in line with his current beloved self.
He mocks Superman Silver Age tales (which would get retconned out a short while after that thanks to the Crisis). He mocks Supergirl and her love for an horse, Batman, Wonder Woman,...
There's plenty o' parodies and disguised tributes in such little pages. (including a lovely Kirby homage/parody)
Very good A' Bug..pages. (I can't call this a "story"...)

I give this one a: 2.5 / 3 Score! 

Comic title: DC Comics Presents Superman #81 
Written by Keith Giffen & Rob Fleming
Art by Keith Giffen & Bob Oksner

From May 1985 
Format: Single issue from an on-going series

The Ambush Bug is back in Superman's team-up on-going.
"Ambush Bug ruins a Superman comic". That's how this issue could have been named!
Ambush Bug is first seen fooling around as usual, now on a golf course.
After discovering a mysterious gem, he decides to offer it to Superman so he'll forgive him for all his previous guest-appearances.
But in truth, the crystal turns out to be actually Red Kryptonite!!
(which tends to have random effects on Superman physiology)
It makes Ambush and Superman swap bodies for some reason!
And all this at the same time the evil Kobra wants to plot his revenge on the Man of Steel!!
Ambush Bug ends up threating Kobra's safety seriously (not that he intended to..) and destroys most of the East Coast of Metropolis by accident.
Meanwhile, Superman is stuck in Ambush Bug's body. He discovers himself an urge to watch awful TV serials, a huge craving for large Pizzas and all the while he's trapped in his own Fortress of Solitude against his will..only to finally be able to use Bug's random teleportation powers..randomly.

Overall: The First "canon" appearance of Ambush Bug!...in a story Superman purists won't even call canon ever.
The all-new Bug has a more comical physique, we would never get to see him reveal his face anymore.
He's still sort of a villain in a way - he clearly annoys Superman and his a menace to all who surround him. (which would result in Ambush Bug's friendship with the New God Darkseid in future comics)
But a good guy at heart now.
This Bug wouldn't even kill a guy on National TV just to grab attention, no-how!
Scrap that, he actually never killed anyone since:
a) it isn't in continuity anymore
b) it was JUST INK! Nobody died actually, think about it! :'3
Anyway, fantastic parodic fun issue. Playing with the villain Kobra in a role he's never seen before.
This issue was also used to promote A.B. own mini-series launched around that same time.
A must read!

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!

Comic title: Secret Origins #48 
Ambush Bug segment by Keith Giffen, Rob Fleming & Bob Lewis

Stanley and his Monster segment by Phil Foglio & Keith Wilson
Rex the Wonder Dog segment by Gerard Jones, Paris Cullins & Gary Martin
Trigger Twins segment by Gerard William Messner Loebs & Trevor Von Eeden

From April 1990
Format: Single issue from an on-going series

Another Secret Origins book!
This one's overall subject seems to be obscure and underrated characters populating the DCU.
Will Ambush Bug finally get a definitive origin story??
...
Naah! Instead we get is usual screwing around.
The Bug gets various non-serious origins and since he's refusing and trying to escape them all ends up getting a stereotypical take (cowabunga!), for that time at least.
After that, we get some other origins retold for the Post-Crisis DCU.
Stanley, a kid, befriends a monster who was just expelled from hell from being too nice. Silver Age-ysh.
"The Birth of Rex, the Wonder Dog". A secret super soldier program from the US Army tests its super-serum on a dog...the scientist in charge of the program is killed by a nazi... Now, Rex, the Wonder Dog, will forever be a one of a kind of dog...
Finally, the Tale of the Trigger Twins closes the book. A story taking place in the old west, about two brothers who'll end up using this pseudonym and become reputed bounty hunters.


Overall: Ambush Bug is his typical-self. Random, playing with comic book concepts and such. Making fun of it (and DC's editorial needs for these re-organized clear background stories in their modern day publications).
Keith Giffen at his best!
Stanley and his monster is a bit silly..but nice. Love the cartoony art here!
Rex is a fantastic parody of Marvel's Captain America. Very fun riff on that classic Golden Age comic origin story.
And finally, the western story taking place in the ol' days of the DCU. Pretty good actually.
I even hope Palmiotti & Grey will use the twins in their current Jonah Hex title, would love to see more of these two.
A very good bunch of Secret Origins!

I give this one a: 3 / 3 Score!


And thus, that is all of Ambush Bug non-self titled comic book issues.
'Hope you'll find some you might like or even helped you on these.

The Ambush Bug will be back in nothing special!~

Winners don't use drugs.

 

That's all for this time's Quickies!