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.