BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Detective Comics #493

BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Detective Comics #493

DC; August 1980
Cover by Jim Aparo

Title: “Riddles in the Dark”
Synopsis: An escape by the Riddler takes the Batman to Houston, where he teams up with the Vigilante’s nephew, the Swashbuckler.

Writer: Cary Burkett
Penciler: Don Newton
Inker: Dan Adkins

Review: DC’s Dollar Comics usually offer some hidden treasures, but this issue is particularly barren. This lead feature is the best, but Cary Burkett’s story is just serviceable. Don Newton’s art features some elegant rendering, but his odd layout choices can make the story flow hard to follow.

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Title: “The Face of Humanity!”
Synopsis: The Red Tornado discovers crime on the streets of Gotham City – and somehow ends up in church.

Writer: J.M. DeMatteis
Penciler: José Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella

Review: Black grandmother as matriarch. Black man as OG villain. J.M. DeMatteis’ script does little to rise above its stereotypes.

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Title: “The Man in Black Wears Green!”
Synopsis: Someone is following Robin – and that someone seems to be working for the Wayne Foundation.

Writer: Jack C. Harris
Penciler: Charlie Nicholas
Inker: Vince Colletta

Review: A pedestrian story, with pedestrian art. It’s hard to see what editor Paul Levitz saw in this one.

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Title: “The 18-Wheel Contract”
Synopsis: The owner of a trucking company hires the Human Target to take the place of her murdered brother.

Writer: Len Wein
Penciler: Dick Giordano
Inker: Steve Mitchell

Review: The book’s second best feature, with decent Dick Giordano art. But Len Wein’s story struggles to maintain suspension of disbelief.

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Title: “Flames of Fear!”
Synopsis: Against the backdrop of some political shenanigans, Batgirl must save a little girl from a fire.

Writer: Cary Burkett
Penciler: José Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella

Review: Another story with little intrigue. This book really needs a good villain or two to spice things up.

Grade (for the whole issue): C

Cool factor: Hmm. The Jim Aparo cover, maybe? (But even that has all the heroes grinning like goofs.)
Not-so-cool factor: For a Dollar Comic, this issue has far too much uncool.

Character quotable: “I would strongly suggest that you gentlemen return what you have just illegally appropriated!” – The Red Tornado, master of street talk.

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