RED SKY AT NIGHT...BATMAN'S DELIGHT!

DETECTIVE COMICS #555
COVER PRICE - $.75
COVER DATE - OCT 85
WRITER - JASON TODD
PENCILER - GENE COLAN AND BOB SMITH

My comprehensive trip through DC COMICS uber-event, CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS has taken me to Gotham. In a stroke of editorial genius, DC decided to credit the character of Jason Todd as the writer of the issue. Most likely because he has a running commentary throughout in the form of a journal entry. Or simply because Doug Moench, the actual writer, was embarrassed about his effort here. Doubtful, because this bad-ass issue rocked the house! It seems that two of Central City's biggest rogues, Mirror Master and Captain Boomerang, have set their sites on Batman's home turf as well as a priceless jade necklace being exhibited at the Gotham Museum. The Dynamic Duo skillfully employ the help of the surly GCPD Detective Harvey Bullock to thwart the baddies and save the necklace. This book features the legendary artwork of Master Illustrator Gene Colan as well as an enjoyable Green Arrow back-up story.

WHAT'S THIS GOT TO DO WITH CRISIS?

Apparently, the epic cosmic battle of matter vs anti-matter has the atmospheric affect of turning Earth's skies red. Even the night sky is red. Bullock is moved to compare the sky'e unusual color to the rubies from the film GUNGA DIN. Interesting, as Bullock himself admits, "even though it was filmed in black an' white."

AND THE CRISIS CONTINUES....

ALL STAR SQUADRON #51
COVER PRICE - $.75
COVER DATE - NOV 85
WRITER - ROY THOMAS
PENCILER - MIKE CLARK & ARVELL JONES

We remain on Earth 2 for my detailed analysis of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS. In this issue the ALL STAR SQUADRON goes up against one of my all-time favorite comic villains...Mr. Mind! He was originally a FAWCETT COMICS character and was created by Otto Binder and C. C. Beck in 1943. As you might expect Mr. Mind gained notoriety going up against FAWCETT hero Captain Marvel. But here, he's got his sights set on Earth 2's ALL STARS. This issue of ALL STAR SQUADRON is WHY I READ COMICS! Mr. Mind has built a MINDTRIPPER machine and travels the universe like an obseesed TWILIGHT fan in an effort to meet his favorite Earthling radio star, Charlie McCarthy. Poor Mr. Mind soon discovers the awful truth, mainly that Charlie McCarthy is actually a wooden dummy controlled by, the other guy from the show, Edgar Bergen. The pain felt upon this discovery is too much for Mr. Mind to bear. He devises a plan to assemble a MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL and destroy his second favorite Earth celebrities...THE ALL STAR SQUADRON. The issue ends during a classic ALL STARS vs MONSTER SOCIETY puch-up.

WHAT'S THIS GOT TO DO WITH CRISIS?
During Mr. Mind's epic journey from his homeworld to Earth, he witnesses the inter-dimensional flight of Harbinger and Firebrand continued from the previous issue. Mr. Mind even remarks how "impressive" these females appear. Impressive for mammals...of couse. It is Harbinger's energy trail that ultimately leads Mr. Mind to Earth. But it is the last page that is most CRISIS-tastic! We see a trio of ALL STARS find themselves lost after trying to follow Firebrand through a dimensional barrier. Liberty Belle, Johnny Quick and Green Lantern are suddenly greeted by a surly Captain Marvel. But stay tuned, I have a feeling we'll find out why Shazam is acting so "emotional" soon.

DIONYSUS WEPT ARTIST NOMINATED FOR THE RUSS MANNING AWARD

It is with great excitement that I learned my friend and collaborator on DIONYSUS WEPT, Marc Borstel, has been nominated for a prestigious MANNING AWARD. THE RUSS MANNING AWARD is an award presented to a comic book artist whose first professional work appeared within the previous two years. It was named after the famous American comic book artist Russ Manning. The winner is chosen from a list of nominees picked by judges from the West Coast Comics Club and Comic-Con International, and is given at the Eisner Award ceremony. Marc was nominated based on the stunning work he did for THE MISADVENTURES OF CLARK AND JEFFERSON published by APE ENTERTAINMENT. Art Adams, one of my artistic idols, won the MANNING way back in '86. For Marc to be included with a name like that must be incredibly flattering.

I'm truly fortunate to have met Marc in person during NYCC '09. And we have plans to put NYCC '10 in a headlock and punch it in the teeth this October. Marc's work on DIONYSUS WEPT is STUNNING! The feedback I've been getting from publishers is overwhelming. Stay tuned in the coming days for an exciting announcement regarding the publication of DIONYSUS WEPT. Hopefully, I will be able to include the quote "Illustrated by MANNING AWARD WINNER Marc Borstel" on the front cover. Good Luck Marc!