DC Comics; September 1977
Cover by Neal Adams
Title: “How to Prevent a Flash”
Synopsis: A thrice-in-a-lifetime accident unleashes Ms. Flash on an unsuspecting world – much to the Flash’s chagrin!
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciler: Irv Novick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Review: This promising anthology kicks off with a stinker. Cary Bates’ story is built around massive coincidence and poor science, strangling any suspension of disbelief. The jarring, twist ending also doesn’t help. The art from Irv Novick and Frank McLaughlin is workmanlike, but does little to elevate this subpar tale.
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Title: “He Who Slaughters!”
Synopsis: An ancient warrior mistakes Green Lantern as his enemy. Will he recognize his error before it’s too late?
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciler: Joe Staton
Inker: Staton
Batteries running low, the antagonist has enough power to imprison Oa, combat Green Lanterns and collapse a black hole. What?
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Title: “A King Without a Sea!”
Synopsis: An Iranian oilman becomes a human sunburst and seeks to rekindle the Persian Empire by making an example of Aquaman.
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciler: Dick Dillin
Inker: Jack Abel
The silly just keeps coming: Stranded in a desert, Aquaman’s first concern, of course, is to … start a fire?
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Title: “The Telephone Tangle”
Synopsis: The Atom goes back in time to investigate a mix-up involving Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone prototype.
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciler: Steve Stiles
Inker: Bob McLeod
This illogical time travel tale offers poor characterization and more silly science, while the art fails to differentiate present and past.
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Title: “The Dead on Arrival Conspiracy”
Synopsis: A thwarted robbery and mysterious letter take Batman to the Swiss Alps to battle Kobra.
Writer: Martin Pasco
Penciler: Michael Netzer (as Mike Nasser)
Inker: Josef Rubinstein
This Batman vs. Korbra story is just alright, but above average Mike Nasser art provides a saving grace for this otherwise awful anthology.
Grade (for the entire issue): C
Cool factor: Neal Adams cover? Michael Nasser Batman? This one should have been a contender.
Not-so-cool factor: Too many stories undermined by silly science and logic flaws.
Notable: This issue also has a contents page illustrated by Jim Aparo. … According the “Five Star Super-Staffers” intro essay, the Batman story is a reworking of the never-published Kobra #8. … First Green Lantern story by future regular artist Joe Staton. … Includes a Marshall Rogers ad for the return of Mister Miracle.
Character quotable: “What really bugs you is super-speed competition from a woman!” – Ms. Flash, mistaken
Copyright ©2016 Off the Wahl Productions, all rights reserved. Each week, T. Andrew Wahl takes a look at a Bronze Age Fantastic First. For more reviews like this one, check out Wahl’s website, SequentialReaction.com.
