Synopsis "Throne of Atlantis Chapter Three: Friends and Enemies" (20-pages)
Previously: An unknown saboteur caused the USS Mabus to fire upon the sunken city of Atlantis. In response, the Atlanteans have enacted their War Plans – a set of responses that Aquaman wrote before abdicating the Throne in favour of his brother Orm. King Orm’s first counterattack against the USA was a massive tidal wave which hit Metropolis, Boston, and Gotham City. Aquaman knows that the next attack will destroy whichever of those cities was most heavily damaged. He tries to talk to Orm, but the Justice League gets in his way. Aquaman then stuns his colleagues by appearing to turn on Batman.
Previously in Justice League (vol. 2) #15 (Feb 2013): A sabotaged missile test caused a barrage of US Navy missiles to blitz the sunken city of Atlantis. The Atlanteans believed the attack to be deliberate and counter-attacked with a massive tidal wave directed at Gotham, Boston, and Metropolis. Aquaman, who was already in Gotham conferring with Batman, recognised the tidal wave as the first phase of the Atlantean War Plans he co-wrote before he abdicated the Atlantean Throne.
But as close as we are, Batman’s going for something different than I am. I’d rather good people trust me than bad people fear me.
Synopsis "Throne of Atlantis: Chapter One" (22-pages)
Previously in Aquaman (vol. 5) #14 (Jan 2013): Aquaman (Arthur) confronted his brother Orm, the King of Atlantis, over evidence that somebody from Atlantis had hired Black Manta to steal the Sceptre of the Dead King – a legendarily powerful artefact. Orm denied all knowledge of the theft and swore that he was not planning to attack the surface world. However, somebody has used the Sceptre to free the Trench, a hoard of flesh-eating aquatic humanoids which Aquaman had imprisoned.
The American Super Carrier USS Mabus is preparing to run a set of missile tests in the middle of the ocean. Everything appears to be going to plan until sirens tell the crew that someone gas taken control of the missiles’ countdown. The crew are bewildered as the missiles’ follow a trajectory towards the bottom of the ocean. Deep beneath the USS Mabus, Atlantean sentries look up to see the deadly barrage moments before is devastates their sunken city.
The Facebook page for Young Justice: Legacy has posted the box-art for the upcoming video game (shown above). This has been the first post-Young Justice weekend after the season two finale so it’s nice to see that the (now) ironically titled Young Justice: Legacy video game is still moving forward.
The last Queen of Atlantis had two sons – the elder Arthur (born to Thomas Curry, the surface man she truly loved) and the younger Orm (born as the result of an arranged marriage in Atlantis). Arthur discovered Atlantis through Vulko, an exile who had once served his mother and grandfather. King Orm then surrendered the Throne to his older half-brother, but Arthur could not settle in Atlantis or with the isolationist/aggressive ways of its people. He abdicated the Throne in favour of Orm and returned to the surface world.
Thomas Curry was killed by a treasure hunter that had been hired by Dr Stephen Shin, a scientist desperate to prove the existence of Atlantis. Arthur attempted to avenge himself on the treasure hunter, but unwittingly killed the man’s father. Arthur would become the superhero Aquaman while the treasure hunter’s son would become Black Manta, his most implacable foe. Arthur brought together a loose alliance of heroes called the “Others” to prevent Manta from stealing the six relics of the Dead King (the founder of Atlantis). However, it is as a member of another group — the Justice League — that he is more prominently known.
Recently, Aquaman prevented the Trench a tribe of flesh-eating deep-sea humanoids from raiding the surface world (Aquaman (vol. 5) #1-4). He entombed them in what appeared to be the remains of an ancient pre-cataclysm Atlantean craft and brought an artefact (the craft’s flight recorder) back to the surface. He then had to prevent a group of masked Atlantean sub-soldiers from stealing it (Aquaman (vol. 5) #5). Aquaman again clashed with Black Manta when the treasure hunter was hired to recover the powerful Sceptre of the Dead King (a seventh relic). Manta was captured, but the Sceptre made its way into unknown Atlantean hands (Aquaman (vol. 5) #7-12, 13). Aquaman must now discover who in Atlantis is moving against the surface world.
This Issue
In 1820, a square-sailed whaling ship called the Essex runs down and harpoons a blond-haired swimmer. The ship’s captain drags the swimmer on-board and shows the crew the man’s gills. The crew had earlier saved the swimmer’s wife, but they killed her after she refused to reward them “like a woman should”. The Captain kills the man, but the ship is suddenly surrounded by dozens of swimmers. They have unwittingly murdered the King and Queen of Atlantis.
So I needed to reference these, but I couldn’t get them all straight without creating a list. The numbering scheme I work to is based upon on-going series. Mini or limited series constitute a separate class of publication in my opinion.
Aquaman
There have been five on-going Aquaman series since his first Silver Age title plus with two solo-titled mini-series from the 1980s.
Silver Age -
Aquaman (vol. 1) – Silver/Bronze Age series. Starts 1962. Cancelled in 1971, but numbering is picked up for a 7-issue run in 1977-78.
Post-Crisis –
Aquaman (1986 mini) – the one with the blue suit
Aquaman (1988 mini) – Mera leaves
Aquaman (vol. 2) – Starts 1991. Written by Shaun McLaughlin.
Aquaman (vol. 3) – Starts 1994. Written by Peter David, Erik Larsen, and Dan Jurgens.
Aquaman (vol. 4) – Starts 2003. Initially written by Rick Veitch; numbering continues into Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis written by Kurt Busiek.
New 52 -
Aquaman (vol. 5) – Starts 2011. Written by Geoff Johns.
Batman
This one is simple. (Detective Comics VOL 2. still wrankles, but seems to be set.)
Golden/Silver Ages + Post- Crisis -
Detective Comics (vol. 1) and Batman (vol. 1) – Golden Age to present day. Begins 1940, ends with the pre-52 cancellation.
New 52 -
Detective Comics (vol. 2) and Batman (vol. 2) – The New 52-versions. Written by Tony Daniel and Scott Synder respectively.
Flash
The Flash has several different naming conventions depending on whom is the current Flash. Jay appears in “Flash Comics”, Barry in “The Flash”, Wally is simply “Flash”. However, Wally’s title was renamed “The Flash” later in its run and subsequent titles have more or less stuck to that convention so I’m counting them as iterations.
Golden Age -
Flash Comics – Golden Age Jay Garrick series. Ends in 1949.
Silver Age -
The Flash (vol. 1) – Silver Age Barry Allen series. Picks up numbering from the Flash Comics series, ends with the Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985.
Post-Crisis -
The Flash (vol. 2) – The Wally West series. Runs from the Crisis until 2006. Famous for runs by Mark Waid and Geoff Johns. For much of its run there was no “The” before the Flash, but for the latter half of its run “The” was added back to the logo.
Flash: The Fastest Man Alive – Bart Allen series, ends with the Final Crisis.
The Flash (vol. 3) – Wally West and family. Continues numbering from Wally’s original series.
Rebirth -
The Flash: Rebirth – 6-issue mini-series by Geoff Johns showing Barry Allen’s return to form.
The Flash (vol. 4) – Barry Allen, post-Final Crisis series. Runs up to Flashpoint.
New 52 -
The Flash (vol. 5) – The New-52 version written by Brian Buccellato.
Green Arrow
Ollie’s been in lots of places and has often co-starred with other characters so it this gets a bit messy.
Pre-Crisis -
Green Arrow (1983 mini-series) – First solo book in nearly 50 years.
Mike Grell era -
Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters (1987 mini-series) – start of the Mike Grell era.
Green Arrow (vol. 1) – Begins in 1988, lasts until 1998. Sees transition to Connor Hawke.
The “What the hell do we do with this character era”
Green Arrow (vol. 2) – Begins in 2001 with the Kevin Smith revamp, ends with the marriage event.
Green Arrow / Black Canary – Team-up series. Its numbering is carried over to…
Green Arrow (vol. 3) – Begins 2010, spins out of Blackest Night/Brightest Day.
New 52 -
Green Arrow (vol. 4) – The New-52 version.
Green Lantern
A fairly simple run is made more confusing by name changes and team-ups.
Golden Age -
Green Lantern (vol. 1) – Golden Age. Begins 1941, the adventures of Alan Scott.
Silver Age -
Green Lantern (vol. 2) – Silver Age. Begins 1960, the adventures of Hal Jordan. #76-87, 89 list Green Arrow as a co-headliner. Numbering continues over to…
The Green Lantern Corps (vol. 1) – continues number from Green Lantern (vol. 2).
Emerald Dawn / Kyle Rayner -
Green Lantern (vol. 3) – Begins 1990. Hal with the white-hair. Eventually becomes Kyle Rayner’s series.
Rebirth Era -
Green Lantern: Rebirth – 2004-2005 mini-series, the resurrection of Hal Jordan. The beginning of the Geoff Johns era.
Green Lantern (vol. 4) – The Geoff Johns series. Leds up to Blackest Night and then resets with the New 52.
Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) – Companion title to Green Lantern (vol. 4).
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors – Third regular GL title. Companion title to Green Lantern (vol. 4).
The New 52 -
Green Lantern (vol. 5) – The New-52 version.
Green Lantern Corps (vol. 3) – The New-52 version. Companion title to Green Lantern (vol. 5).
Green Lantern New Guardians – New-52 era replacement for Emerald Warriors. Companion title to Green Lantern (vol. 5).
Justice League
The League gains and loses its suffix multiple times, but there is a fairly direct line.
Silver Age -
Justice League of America (vol. 1) – The Silver Age, runs until the Legends cross-over. Replaced by Justice League (vol. 1)
JLI Era -
Justice League (vol. 1) – The post-Legends League. Title changes to Justice League International (vol. 1) with issue #7
Justice League International (vol. 1) – Continues numbering from Justice League (vol. 1). Becomes Justice League America with issue #26. Finally cancelled to make way for JLA.
Justice League International (vol. 2) – Picks up numbering from Justice League Europe. Cancelled to make way for JLA.
The Big Seven -
JLA – The Grant Morrison era. Cancelled with the Infinite Crisis.
Post-Infinite Crisis -
Justice League of America (vol. 2) – Launches with Brad Meltzer. Then written by Dwayne McDuffie and James Robinson. Cancelled with the Flashpoint event.
The New 52 -
Justice League (vol. 2) – The New-52 version of the League launched by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.
Justice League International (vol. 3) – The New-52 version. Written by Dan Jurgens. Cancelled after 12-issues.
Justice League of America (vol. 3) – The New-52 version. Launched by Geoff Johns and David Finch.
Superman
Almost as simple as Batman.
Golden/Silver Ages -
Action Comics (vol. 1) – Golden Age. Begins 1938, continues until 2011. Briefly Action Comics Weekly.
Superman (vol. 1) — Launched in the Golden Age renamed Adventures of Superman the 1980s. Reverts to its original name after the Infinite Crisis. Cancelled with the Flashpoint.
Post-Crisis -
Superman (vol. 2) – Launched in 1986 with the John Byrne reboot. Cancelled prior to the Infinite Crisis.
New 52 -
Action Comics (vol. 2) – The New-52 version, launched with Grant Morrison and Rags Morales.
Superman (vol. 3) – The New-52 version, launched by George Perez.
Wonder Woman
Some oddities with the number during the third run.
Golden/Silver Ages -
Wonder Woman (vol. 1) – Launches in the Golden Age runs until 1986.
Post-Crisis -
Wonder Woman (vol. 2) – The George Perez and co. reboot. Runs until the Infinite Crisis in 2006.
Wonder Woman (vol. 3) – Starts over with new numbering, but eventually reverts to a continuation of numbering from Vol 1 + Vol. 2. Cancelled with the Flashpoint.
Ain’t It Cool’s John Ary recently posted a video to YouTube with the title “Why Christian Bale is Bad for the Justice League”. This is a response to the rumour going around Warner Brothers is trying to get Chris Nolan to godfather the drifting Justice League movie.
Nolan I can see coming aboard in some Producer level capacity, but we’ll have to see whether that includes the rest of his entourage. Attached to that rumour is that Nolan would try to get Bale back again as Batman. Ary does a good job in undercutting that idea and I can’t say I disagree with anything he says.
I moved into a new apartment a few months ago so I haven’t had much time to blog. At the moment, everything seems to involve taking stuff out of boxes or putting stuff into boxes.
I’m still surprised by the amount of c**p that I’ve accumulated over the years (I’ve got enough random computer cables to rewire Norad).
I’m also coming across stuff like this:
I’ve obviously drawn it and it’s a map of some kind, but it took me ages to figure out what it was of.
It’s a map to the first level of the Ocean’s Batman: The Movie on the ZX Spectrum — the opening attack on ACE Chemicals. The red line must be the path the Batman takes. The green line is where Jack plunges into the vat of acid to become the Joker. Did anybody else ever do this as a kid, draw maps of computer game levels?
Ya know the really scary thing? That map is 24-years old. Which means that next year will be the 25th anniversary of Tim Burton and Michael Keaton’s Batman movie! Strewth, that will be a third of the the character’s entire history. An equivalent amount of time before 1989 was 1964, the year that Julius Schwartz took over the Batman franchise and started the drive which eventually brought him back into the shadows.
If anybody needs me I’ll be in my rocking chair on the front porch.
Gorillas, man, those were the days… All aster, no dis. We didn’t know how good we had it.
Synopsis "Gorilla Warfare" (20-pages)
Previously in Young Justice (vol. 2) #18 (Sept 2012): Batman’s analysis of the Team’s encounter with the Brain (“Alpha Male”) led him to conclude that the mastermind also had a laboratory concealed in the African jungle. The Team was dispatched to shut it down. They discovered that the Brain was specialized in the augmentation of gorillas and had turned the local gorilla troop into his own ape militia. They were able to easily ambush and capture the all of the Team except for Miss Martian who the gorillas deliberately concealed from the Brain.
Sept 27- Miss Martian finds herself surrounded by gorillas, the largest one them calls himself Grodd and demands that she help them. Another of the apes introduces himself as Solovar and reveals that he is the troop’s Alpha, its leader. He apologies for Grodd’s manner and begins to explain that their problems began with the arrival two years ago of an old female and a younger male human. They experimented on a gorilla called Mallah turning him into a genius and their loyal assistant. They then transplanted the woman’s brain into a gorilla body (the Ultra-Humanite) and the male’s brain into a life support jar (the Brain). The villains captured the rest of the local troop and set up a research post called “Gorilla City”.
My new favourite game is VHS roulette. I got rid of most of my old pre-recorded VHS cassettes a couple of years ago, but I’ve still got a core of long play tapes holding stuff that has never been repeated on TV and isn’t available on DVD disc. However, there is a lot of room on those old tapes and you’re never quite sure what you’ll find when you watch them through.
Best case in point is the tape I just tested. My VCR was finished so I needed a new one. I knew they’d be hard to find, but I didn’t realise how hard. I eventually found a 10 dollar second-hand one at a local cash generators. The lady behind the counter says that second-hand VCRs fly off their shelves. There is no profit margin on them, but they sell quickly. I assume that’s because, like me, people only want a cheap one to view a couple of legacy tapes.
So I got this VCR home and I plugged it in. I then rummaged for the first tape out of the cupboard. Would you believe it, it only happens to be an off air recording of the Justice League pilot from the 1990s. (I must do a post on that sometime. The VHS/PC capture gadget is on its way. )
The roulette part was the stuff around the JLA pilot. There was twenty seconds of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “Yesterday’s Enterprise” – which it had obviously been taped over – and after it was the second half of a gangster flick (of which I remember the first half being the interesting part). There was also a complete episode of something called Disinfo Nation featuring a drunk Grant Morrison shouting at a convention. A version of that with Spanish subtitles is available on YouTube -
Then finally there was an episode of WWF Heat (I’m blaming this one on my little brother) featuring a guest appearance by Samuel L Jackson as Shaft!?! That must date this to circa 2000, which ties in with Morrison talking about the end of the Invisibles in his interview.
This is something we just won’t have with digital video recorders. They’ll give us perfect reproductions of our shows, but space is limited so we’ll never allow the backlog of random detritus to build up. I wonder how much more TV from the 1980s and 1990s will be preserved due to VHS relics than stuff from later decades.
