TFtember: Transformers#59

    "Skin Deep" the Transformers#59 (Mid. November 1989) with credits to Simon Furman (script), Jose Delbo (pencils), Dave Hunt (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Jim Massara (letters), and Don Daley (editor)

More Pretender shilling

Grimlock is back baby! He tries to kill Megatron but fails. The Decepticon laughs, did Ratchet really think this low level treachery would succeed? Not really, but then again Grimlock wasn't his main weapon...

Speaking of that, Starscream is wiping the floor with the Autobots and gathered Decepticons, so much so the factions call a truce and try to take down the newest Pretender. All hopes seems lost until Hot Rod manages to hit the right spot to weaken the Air Commander. The rest pile on and soon Starscream is back to his old cowardly self. 

Megatron is less than pleased at this but he's going to go all to pieces when he figures out Ratchet's real plan...

Great set up and even the toy advert is handled with care. 

TFtember: Kickback

Kickback 

Last Insecticon we'll look at this month. Starting out as a Diaclone Waruder Insect Robo Battas figure, this one went from robot to grasshopper. Since it was also a Battas figure, there was a small cockpit for a figure American audiences never saw. 

The filecard had him as a real nasty bit of work. Blackmail seems to be his reason for living, only befriends bots so he can dig dirt of them, holding it against them. 

As far as the comic go, Kickback was first introduced as a loyal warrior to Lord Staxus but he had no issues switching over to Megatron. He would mostly show up with the other Insecticons until he faded away, with #41 being his last appearance. 

The cartoon wasn't much better. Voiced by Clive Revill, he was mostly a thug. He wasn't much on blackmail but he could clone himself, so there's that. Like his Insecticon brethren, he had one main episode then slowly faded into the background. He was featured in the Movie, being crushed by Kup and possibly being turned into Sweep. He seemingly got better and showed up in a few episodes during the third season, but as Kickback so I guess it was a clone that got changed?

TFtember: Aerial Assault

"Aerial Assault", the Transformers, December 10, 1985

Not the most offensive episode set in the Middle East, if that means anything. 

This focuses on the Aerialbots as they run afoul of the Combaticons. One by one they are picked off and stripped of vital parts. The surviving bots happen across a young boy named Hassan who gives them the lowdown. To wit, the once peaceful country was ruled by Prince Jumal, until he was deposed by the traitor Ali, who not only seeks to strip the country of its wealth but he's also allied himself with Megatron!

Yup, seems the parts that are being stolen are to be the key parts to a new series of drone fighters Megatron is building. 

Also a giant purple griffin, because why not?

Yeah bit of mess. The Combaticons are here yet we don't have their origin (that would air next month in '86) so the familiarity everyone has is a bit confusing. Plus there is also the plot point that the Aerialbot's parts are also being used for cars which doesn't make sense even by 1980's cartoon logic. 

Tftember: Transformers#58

    "All the Familiar Faces!" the Transformers#58 (November 1989) with credits to Simon Furman (script), Jose Delbo (pencils), Dave Hunt (inks), Nelson Yomtov (colors), Jim Massara (letters), and Don Daley (editor)

Ratchet has been challenged by Megatron to bring Starscream back to life using the most advanced medical tech on Cybertron. He has taken the challenge, mostly due to his being threatened but also the sheer nature of the work. He also eyes the three Autobot bodies he brought with him from Earth...

While Prime fights the Decepticons on Earth, Ratchet finishes his work. Starscream lives! Sort of; his broken body has to be kept in a large outer shell to help the healing plus his mind has been reworked to be 100% loyal to Megatron. He's no fool after all. 

While Starscream begins his assualt on Earth, Megatron prepares to kill Ratchet but remember those Autobots he brought with him? Yeah, meet the Autobot Pretenders!

Decent and yes, this is yet another shilling the toy episode but it's handled well enough to build tension. 

TFtember: Jetfire

Jetfire 

Or Skyfire, if you prefer

A figure that in all likelyhood will NEVER be reissued. It began life as a VF-1S Super Valkyrie from Macross and it was made by Takatoku Toys. As best as I can tell the whole thing came about for two reasons. 1) Hasbro was in dire need of need toys for Series 2 2) Takatoku was in dire need of money thus they lent the molds to Hasbro. The figure is a real beauty, going from robot to jet to a 'guardian mode' which you'd be familiar with if you caught any episodes of Robotech.  

The filecard doesn't go in a whole of detail. He's the fastest and seems interested in science but there's nothing to suggest he's a proper scientist. He's also so high tech he can prone to mechanical failure. 

The comics painted a different picture. He started out as a Decepticon but also a mindless one. Yeah, he was built at the same time as the Constructicons but unlike them he had no personality. Thankfully Buster, when he briefly had Creation Matrix powers, and Bumblebee managed to alter Jetfire's programing and give him free will. He later would be used pretty much anytime the Autobots needed air support until he was blown up by Starscream, although later materiel suggested he was simply injured and not dead. 

The cartoon, where he was voiced by Gregg Berger, was a sort of blend of the comic and the filecard. In the show, Skyfire (can't seem to find a reason for the name change) was originally a scientist alongside Starscream. In fact they were the closest of chums but during a scouting mission to what would become Earth, Skyfire was lost in a storm and crashed, only being thawed out millions of years later. 

He would at first be a loyal Decepticon but after seeing how they acted he switched sides to the Autobots. He was then buried again but got thawed later. He also acted as their air support/taxi for the rest of the series. He was later seen being shot (but not overtly killed) in the episode "Dark Awakening". 

All told, disappointing waste of a character. Lots of potential, especially his past with Starscream but they barely did anything aside from using him as transport. 

Tftember: The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2

"The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2", the Transformers, November 26, 1985

Optimus has finished refurbishing the the old jets into new robots but since Megatron has the key there isn't much he can do. Alpha Trion has an alternative-namely he'll use up all his energy to power the computer and thus give the jets life. Before Prime can object the old fellow up and does that. He dies but that's enough to power in the computer to give the new jets life. 

The newly dubbed Aerialbots are impressive but Trion's ghost warns them that the Key of Vector Sigma will have strange effects on Earth. That doesn't bother the Aerialbots, who proceed to demonstrate their ability to form Superion is darn nice and an almost complete rout of the Decepticons. 

But can the Autobots get the key back before the Earth is destroyed?

Decent although the episode is a rather hard shill for the Stunticons and Aerialbots, the fight scenes keep things moving along. 

TFtember: Transformers#57

   "The Resurrection Gambit!" the Transformers#57 (October 1989) with credits to Simon Furman (script), Jose Delbo (pencils), Dave Hunt (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Jim Massara (letters), and Don Daley (editor)

Somehow, Megatron has come back. Ratchet is not having this, but Megatron skips over the details of resurrection and moves right into explaining his master plan. 

Back on Earth, Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots are having issues with the Decepticon Micromasters, which grow when Scorpinok arrives. Looks like Ratchet is on his own...

Rather not spoil this one but the story and possible return hinted at? Brillant work easily the best use of the trope. 

Tftember: Inferno

Inferno

So we're looking at a guy whose name has been both an Autobot and a Terrorcon. He started out a Diaclone and aside from the few safety requirements was pretty much the same as his Japanese version. 

The next figure in Generation one was an Action Master. Rather good with ball joints and came with the biggest dang gun in the entire line I think. There was also a European Classic line, with was the exact same as his American version.

The file card has him as a cowboy cop who plays by his own rules. Yup, he might stop fighting a forest fire to go fist fight with a Decepticon. He loves fighting fire and a fighting period. 

The comics were a different story. He didn't show up in the American comics until#78 and pretty much stayed in the background until the series ended. He did have a longer career in the UK comics, actually having action and doing things. 

The cartoon was voiced by Walker Edmiston. He didn't much aside from hosing things down and working with Red Alert in the background. He apparently dated Firestar, for whatever that's worth. 

Seriously, a guy who's whole deal is being in the background no matter the medium. That's almost impressive. 

TFtember: The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1

"The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1", the Transformers, November 25, 1985

In which we met the Stunticons for the first time

The Autobots are hauling some new super fuel back to base when the Decepticons attack! Thankfully there is a tunnel nearby and the jets are driven off. Megatron isn't happy. 

So he has his troops steal different types of cars and trucks and with a little elbow grease they bring them to life, sort of. They don't have any personalities and that's bad apparently. Prime, learning about this, realizes the next step is going to the massive supercomputer Vector Sigma in order to implant personalities, despite this never being brought up before. 

Seriously, the Dinobots were built on Earth and so were the Constructicons (at least in one telling). 

Shockwave radios in, letting the Decepticons that while finding the computer was easy there's a component missing-the key! Which is in the possession of Alpha Trion. 

 When the Decepticons arrive back on Cybertron, Trion puts up a good fight but he's no match. The Decepticons get the key and quickly give the Stunticons personalities. They're all wild but they're willing to listen to Megatron at least. 

The Autobots arrive too late. They manage to save Trion but they fail to stop the Stunticons from becoming alive. Despairing, they notice some ancient rockets and jets buried in the rubble near the computer. If the Decepticons can increase their ranks, why not the Autobots?

Back on Earth, the Stunticons make their move, with a confused populace now convinced the Autobots have turned bad...

Decent; I mean, we've never seen Vector Sigma before and we won't see it again so the retcon is a bit muddled; plus the Stunticons are a bit bland aside from a generic 'rah, I'm a bad guy' moments. 

TFtember: Transformers#56

    "Back from the Dead" the Transformers#56 (September 1989) with credits to Simon Furman (script), Jose Delbo (pencils), Dave Hunt (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Jim Massara (letters), and Don Daley (editor)

Ratchet's been plagued by nightmares lately, although you can't fault the medic for that. Optimus Prime pops by for a pep talk and to insist Ratchet get some downtime. 

He doesn't get it as more Micromasters attack. A new group, claiming to be the Autobot Sports Car Patrol, help the Autobots out and offer Ratchet a lift back to Cybertron. Seeing this as a golden opportunity to get his friends fixed with a proper medical bay, Ratchet leaps at the chance...but things aren't what they seem...

Darn good. Furman makes the most of his first issue and brings back some old favorites. 

Tftember: Hook

Hook 

Back to the Constructicons, as we look at the heart (literally) of the team, Hook. The toy started out as a Diaclone Construction Vehicle Robot Number 3 Truck Crane. Basic but good, as he could also go from robot, to crane, to the upper torso of Devastator. His file card paints him as a perfectionist, capable of surgically working on both a microchip or a 20 ton girder with equal ease. He is also deeply unpopular with his fellows. 

That was pretty much it for the figures, aside from a gift set and the Euro reissue (where he became yellow for some reason) but there be more in later lines. 

The comic was pretty much identical to Bonecrusher's story arc. He showed up, was part of Devastator and that's about it. He made it to #41 before he just faded away to nothing. 

Neil Ross voiced him in the show. The show did him both good and dirty. Good, in that he had a decent presence and actually did things but it was always with the other Constructicons around him and as such he was done dirty in that he was never given the spotlight. He was given three separate origins so I guess that makes up for that? After the Movie's release, Hook was slowly regulated to the background and his perfectionist tendacies never really came up.  

comic/cartoon)

TFtember: Hoist Goes Hollywood

 "Hoist Goes Hollywood", the Transformers, Nov. 21 1985

Pretty self explanatory title.

Spike and Carly are enjoying a ride in the country inside Hoist when two cars speed past them. When one of the cars veers off a cliff, Hoist to the rescue! He snags the car and then gets yelled at by a director, as he just blew his shot.

However, a giant robot that can turn into a car? Ok, he can work with that, so the director invites the trio to the studio. At the same time, Dirge is transporting a mysterious object, or at least trying to; despite his best effort he ends up crash landing in a swamp set located at Major Pictures-the very same studio our heroes are going to!

The next day, Hoist arrives but the director gives him the brush-off. Gate crashers Tracks, Warpath, Sunstreaker, and Powerglide on the other hand? Them he loves and casts them in the film. Hoist might have dodged a bullet, as every scene the Autobots are in involve them crashing, being dressed up as silly aliens and being shot, or crashing again as the leads make out over them.

The Decepticons are busy however, as Dirge is recovered and the mysterious object. What is it? It's mysterious! Also Wheeljack built it (no idea how Dirge got it), so regardless of his intent it's probably going to explode. When Megatron switches it on, however, all it does is smoke. 

Megatron, when he finishes beating Starscream, is mortified when told some humans caught them on film so he orders them to steal all the footage. Will they succeed? Will Hoist get his big chance? Will Attack of the Alien Robots sweep the Oscars?

Hoist really gets his time to shine here and while it's a bit silly (did the studio have those masks on hand or did the Autobots sit in the makeup chair?) we do get some nice comedy and a new setting. Starscream gets the tar beaten out of him a lot though. 

TFtember: Transformers#55

   "The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!" the Transformers#55 (August 1989) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Jim Fern (pencils), Mike Gustovich (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Jim Massara (letters), and Don Daley (editor)

Picking up from last issue, Roadhandler has been invited to be on Cecila Santiago's talk show (she was introduced last issue, reporter who made friends with the Autobots). Roadhandler has a message for the people-he's a Micromaster. They aren't following the Autobots anymore and they're here to take a bite out of crime!

All of this (aliens acting as vigilantes, also they turn into small cars and trucks) fails to impress Jake "the Jackhammer" Jackson. He's the local wrestling champ and brother, if he wants to impress him, then he can drag his chassis in the ring, brother! Roadhandler accepts!

Only later does someone explain how pro wrestling works. Roadhandler is mortified but his honor is at stake! They met later at the gym and Jackson explains how to run the ropes without killing anyone. The match is a hit and soon Roadhandler is racking up victories left and right. 

Of course, while Roadhandler is imploring kids to train and eat their vitamins, the Decepticons have their own Micromasters and they figure Roadhandler would make an easy target; failing that they can always kill his fan club. 

Can Roadhandler save his fans or will be he forced to do the job?

This was Budiansky's final issue. A bit silly but he manages to juggle the plot, wrestling, and advertising new characters at the same time. 

TFtember: Hoist

Hoist  

More of a background guy, but he does his part well enough. Hoist started out as a retool of Trailbreaker, only with a tow truck instead of a camper. Whereas Trailbreaker was a Diaclone originally, Hoist technically doesn't count due to the retooling. 

Hoist' main function is maintenance, which raises a question about Ratchet. If an Autobot gets sick, do they need a doctor or a mechanic? Having both makes things a bit murky. The file card paints him as dedicated and jovial. 

He comes across less well in the comics. He first appeared in #14. He was shown as a stickler for maintenance but mostly stuck to the background before being blown up in #50. 

He fared better in the cartoon. Voiced by Michael Chain, he often acted as the Dr. Watson to Grapple's Holmes. He also drove Grapple around, which raises a lot of questions about scale that the show will never answer. He wasn't killed in the movie, which for a lot of characters is a major accomplishment in unto itself. 

TFtember: The Girl Who Loved Powerglide

"The Girl Who Loved Powerglide", the Transformers, Nov. 18, 1985

Or, the episode that raises WAY more questions than it answers

Here we met Astoria Carleton-Ritz, filthy rich and CEO of Hybrid Technologies. It's her birthday, but she isn't happy, mostly due to her being  stuck having to oversee the company. Her board of directors feel the exact same way, most of them grousing about having to essentially babysit a spoiled brat. 

Just then the Decepticons attack! Thankfully, Powerglide (Autobot who can fly) happens by. He manages to snag Astoria with a rope and fly her to safety. After some impressive dogfighting, he manages to lose the enemy jets and takes her back to Sparkplug's workshop. She rests while Optimus briefs Powerglide. It's also now pretty obvious Astoria isn't the brightest bulb, not even being sure what her company does. So what do the Decepticons want with her?

Powerglide doesn't know but he's ordered to take her back to the Ark. Pity that Astoria is quite hungry, so she gets him to make a detour to a nearby amusement park. Fine, he says, one meal then we go. 

She has her fill of hotdogs but now she wants to go on the Merry-Go-Round! Fine, he says, one turn on the round then we go.

Pity this detour is enough to let the Decepticons find them again. Powerglide isn't as lucky this time out and Astoria is kidnapped. Ratchet and Wheeljack drag him back to base for repairs.

Declaring himself fixed enough, Powerglide flies out to rescue her. And why do the Decepticons want Astoria so bad? Because of the energy formula her father gave her! The jokes on them, she answers, as he never told her. 

Turns out he did, sort of, via the locket she's wearing. Can she part with the item before Powerglide is shot down for good?

Shockingly good; Powerglide and Astoria make a rather cute couple. Pity she didn't show up any more. 

TFtember: Transformers#54

  "King Con!" the Transformers#54 (July 1989) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Jose Delbo (pencils), Danny Bulandi (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Jim Massara (letters), and Don Daley (editor)

Some hunters are on the prowl somewhere in New Jersey. They're hunting a monster, and they find one. Not the Jersey Devil, and not Bigfoot-nope, they stumble over Iguanus and he isn't happy. They manage to escape with their lives and a tale no one will take serious. 

On the Autobot side, Optimus is worried. Still mourning the Autobots lost in #50, he realizes they need more Autobots if they want to survive, so he puts out the call. He gets the Micromasters (now available at your finer retail stores kids!).

Optimus is underwhelmed by the tiny terrors but eh, you work with what you got. Two missions he has, 1) the sightings of Iguanus and possible Decepticon activity and 2) strange weather that has been plaguing New York and New Jersey. 

Turns out both items are connected. Yup, the Decepticons have set up shop in New Jersey and the weird weather is a result of their latest machine to gather energy; thus the Micromasters scramble and we get good character moments and everyone has a decent build up.

I mean, they do a hard sell on the Micromasters but they still establish them as characters.  

TFtember: Grimlock

Grimlock 

The Leader of the Dinobots, AKA the bad ass dude on the show. The toy was a real beaut, starting in life as a Diaclone Dinosaur Robo Tyrannosaurus. Gun, sword and a tiny pilot (in Japan anyway) all rolled up to make one mean mother of a toy. The figure was largely unchanged from his Japanese counterpart, save for a few paint details. The file card paints a study in contrasts; cares for the Autobot cause but hates weakness (especially humans), Dinobot commander but resents authority, aside from lack of speed has no weakness. 

Grimlock proved popular enough to be part of the Pretenders line (yet they did very little with his disguise being a human) and part of the Action Masters too. The latter being pretty basic but they did get the basic visual of the character down. 

The comic was pretty similar to the file card but goes in a darker direction. Seriously, gets named Autobot leader and half a panel later he's sporting a crown and issuing death to his enemies and boy, does he have enemies. Mostly people who disrespect him; pity that Grimlock has a very board definition of the concept of disrespect. He manages to stick around, usually being the hothead on the Autobots side. 

Grimlock was eventually humbled and even made it to the last issue

The cartoon was probably the most known version of the character. Voiced by Gregg Berger, here Grimlock was a monosyllabic destroyer, usually starting every line with "Me Grimlock". He was the wild card and the episodes that featured the Dinobots made it clear Grimlock was the smartest of the Dinobots, even if that doesn't mean a whole lot. A real nutty character but it is easy to see why he's in most versions of the show. It's also odd in the consistency. Comic, cartoon, and toyline takes on the character are nearly identical. Brash, a little dim, but willing to put everything aside to kick some metal ass. 

TFtember: The Search for Alpha Trion

 "The Search for Alpha Trion", the Transformers, Nov. 12, 1985

AKA the one with the ladies

Yeah, this episode sees the debut of the female Transformers. It seems a small group of them got left on Cybertron and they've been running a resistance ever since the Autobots left. They've just hit Shockwave's energon stash but in the process of the raid they get discovered. 

Shockwave manages to track down their hideout. Their leader Elita-One gets captured but the rest flee. Megatron calls up Optimus to boast about this, prompting the Autobot leader to rush to her rescue. Unseen by him, Powerglide, Ironhide, and Inferno follow.

Optimus is quickly dropped into a vat of acid but Elita-One uses her special power of time to rescue him, at the cost of her life. Prime gets her out of there and goes in search of Alpha Trion. 

Who's he? Alpha is the Autobot who made Elita-One (and also Optimus but he doesn't know that until the end of the episode) and thus might be able to reset her settings. 

The heroes arrive and the female Autobots are soon given a new hideout. 

Not bad, although it raises more questions than it answers. Ignoring the whole biology thing, if Elita-One and Optimus have the same creator, wouldn't that make them siblings? Like I said, weird. 

TFtember: Transformers#53

 "Recipe for Disaster!" the Transformers#53 (June 1989) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Jose Delbo (pencils), Dave Hunt (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Jade Moede (letters), and Don Daley (editor)

When we last left Landmine and Cloudburst, things were looking grim. The Mecannibals were about to chow down on our heroes. Getting cracked out of their Pretender shells gives them an idea and they quickly use a remote control on the shells to provide a distraction!

It's of little use and they are soon cornered again. The pair know when they're licked and give up but some seasoning would really them go down easier. Yeah, if the cannibals wouldn't mind letting them go and pick up some seasonings they would really give the meal some kick.

Shockingly, the cannibals agree to let them go, but they keep Berko as hostage (a human who had been flying around with Sky-Lynx). The pair flee to Femax, a world ruled by Amazon warriors. Tasked to prove their worth as warriors, Cloudburst does so with so much ease the First One declares him the perfect candidate for her mate. Cloudburst points out the issue that is going to cause. She takes it well, by which I mean she decapitates him. 

Landmine argues their case and does so well enough that the First One gives them the seasoning they need, plus Cloudburst's head too. 

More Decepticons show up but everything is resolved. 

Definitely some twists and turns in this one. 

TFtember: Grapple

Grapple 

Ok, now we're getting back into characters that were actually in the show/did things. This time we'll be looking at the Autobot's official architect. 

The toy started out as a Diaclone, sharing the same body as Inferno. He only had the one figure during Generation One but he went from a crane to a robot with (Japan only) spring loaded drills for hands. I wonder if they made it hard to type?

The file card paints an interesting figure. Back on Cybertron his work is considered art yet when one of his works is destroyed he falls into a depression. In vehicle mode he's prone to breakdowns. 

 

The comic was similar in terms of jobs. He also built Omega Supreme, apparently by himself. That's about it, mostly he was used as filler in group shots. 

The cartoon, where he was voiced by Peter Renaday, usually paired him up with Hoist. He actually had an episode devoted to him ("The Master Builders") where he opts to work with the Constructicons to try and make something useful. The rest of season two would limit him to background shots, although he was used in "Prime Target" as one of the captured Autobots. Captured in a trap he could easily escape from, so yeah. He later showed up in the Movie but he did survive so good for him. 

TFtember: Auto-Bop

  "Auto-Bop", the Transformers, Nov. 13 1985

The dancing episode

Raoul and his pals are just trying to earn some scratch via breakdancing. Pity they opted to dance near the Danitron disco, who send out some punks to run them off. Thankfully Blaster and Tracks happen by and rescue the teens.

The 'bots enter the disco and notice right away something is amiss. Among the usual teenagers, they spot a middle aged businessman, a woman in hair rollers, a garbage man, etc. 

Raoul and his pals are taking a train home when the conductor goes loopy and tries to crash the train. Hooking back up with the 'bots, Raoul and Tracks notice there's an active construction sit. By itself? Not odd. At one in the morning with the same crew they spotted in the disco? Now that might warrant another look.

Yeah, turns out it's a Decepticon trap. Overall good and Tracks does pretty good. The big reveal was a pinch telegraphed but a decent ride all things considered. 

TFtember: Transformers#52

 "Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner!" the Transformers#52 (May 1989) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Jose Delbo (pencils), Dave Hunt (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Manny Manos (letters), and Don Daley (editor)

Checking in with the rest of the Autobots, things are looking grim. Dozens are still downed with injuries so Optimus Prime sends out Autobot Pretenders Landmine and Cloudburst to snag some microchips from the Grand Central Space Station. 

They get to the station but things are looking even worse there. Seems the chip market is run by Powermasters Hi-Test and Throttle, neither being particularly loyal to the Autobot ideal. They do manage to lead the two to the missing Sky-Lynx. They find him hanging with the Mecannibals, aliens who just having strangers over for dinner. 

The Powermasters are ecstatic, because that's were Sky-Lynx-he's being had for dinner. Can our heroes rescue their friend? Will they be exposed? Will they stop panicking about being thrown into space long enough to realize they don't need to breathe oxygen?

Ok, good intro for some characters but the Pretenders hard shell? I 'm sorry I just can't buy a three story tall human walking around other humans and not keeping any one fooled. 

Can our heroes escapce?

TFtember: Freezon

Freezon

Well, bit a first here. We have the first female Decepticon and the first journalist of the Transformers. 

Some backstory: Freezon and Natron came included with a slot racing set made by Tyco. Yeah, a toy made by another company. Slot racers were a bit neat. You have a car fitted for a race track and you race them around, usually with one of them crashing. 

Freezon the toy was a generic mustang (even if there seems to be some issue on which car she is) that popped open to reveal the robot inside. 

As far the bio goes, we get a unique one but slim. She's a gossip columnist for an intergalactic magazine. That raises some questions which at no point does anyone attempt to answer. 

TFtember: Prime Target

 "Prime Target", the Transformers, Nov. 14 1985

Or, the One Where Optimus Prime said "boobies"

We open with a proper crossover with GI Joe, as an Oktober Guard jet is speared by a submarine. The culprit is Lord Chumley, big game hunter and he's looking to nab the ultimate prize for his collection: The Head of Optimus Prime!

Chumley and his manservant Dinsmore capture several Autobots first. With world tensions reaching fever pitch, Chumley manages to capture several more before sending a message to Prime-his life for his friends. Prime is rather annoyed but Megatron (who's been spying on the conversation) is rather happy. The Decepticon sends Blitzwing and Astrotrain to check out Chumley's lair. They get captured rather quickly.  

Prime fights his way through Chumley's estate and manages to finds his friends. Chumley frees the two Decepticons to fight Prime but turns out you really can't trust someone called a Decepticon. 

Amusing plus we see Hector Ramirez the newscaster here. A rather nice rift on the Most Dangerous Game which has been done before but still rather neat here.   

TFtember: Transformers#51

"The Man in the Machine!" the Transformers#51 (April 1989) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Jose Delbo (pencils), Dave Hunt (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Bill Oakley (letters), and Don Daley (editor)

Spike's been having some rough nights. While he's glad his brother Buster is back, he's been plagued by increasingly horrible nightmares. He vows to do something about-while he's on a skiing vacation with his buddy Cliff he'll toss his headmaster control helmet away at the earliest opportunity.

He does so at a junkyard they pass on the way to the mountains but this doesn't quiet the nightmares. It also provides Decepticon trackers Carnivac and Snarler the scent to track him down. Which they do as Spike and Cliff try to enjoy the slops. 

Ditching the killer robots for a moment, Cliff relies on his few semesters of classes to try and help Spike, who realizes the nightmares aren't some hidden meaning fluff but rather Fortress Maximus calling for help. Falling asleep, Spike makes contact with the giant robot and summons him for help. 

Pretty decent and the action moves at a good pace.  

TFtember: Electric Train and Battle Set

Electric Train and Battle Set

Bringing this feature back, so this time out we look at one of the more unique items in the Transformers universe. First, this was made by Tyco and not Hasbro.

I always had a fondness for model trains but never the room. The set here features a train (of course), a mat, several Transformers figures and a few buildings. The train is the main feature, and it is a beau. Every car changes, although some are more advanced than others. The engine, for example, just has a panel that flips up, whereas the caboose changes into a Hawkjet. The coal tender just flips over to reveal a laser turret and the box car turns into a weapon center. Impressive, all things considered. 

The figures, with Autobots one color and Decepticons another, were basic and non-transforming. Nice but nothing amazing. The buildings were your basic cardboard but the set up was nice. 

Interesting idea but train sets were quickly fading as a child's toy by this point. Tyco went all in on licensed sets, ranging from Rambo to MASK. The Transformers one at least changed the playmat up a little bit. 

Odd but sometimes odd isn't so bad. 

Sliders: Or Why I Don't Write for TV

 Or, I am almost a hundred percent positive the Spoony One did this one. 

Been on a retro kick lately where I rediscovered the FOX sci-fi show Sliders. This you can mark this down as 'loved the idea, hated the show'. Young genius Quinn Mallory (Jerry O'Connell), Professor Maximillion Arturo (John Rhys-Davis), Quinn's best pal Wade Welles (Sabrina Lloyd) and soul singer Rembrandt "Cryin Man" Brown (Cleavant Derricks) go from world to world. Same planet, different dimensions. 

So, what was the problem? Given that it aired on FOX, I think the answer should be self-explanatory. One problem I had was the episodes tended to not just formulaic but lazy:

1. Group goes to different Earth. One thing changed everything (America still part of the UK, 60's never ended, etc.)

2. They hook up with local resistance group, attempt to change status quo

3. They leave

Plus they tended to be a bit blatant when ripping off a film, so yeah. So, what would I do?

Season 1: Quinn is working on what will become the sliding tech. He's close but he just can't get the final part finished-that's when Quinn shows up. Yeah, it's him; slicker and more professional looking but it's him. He gives Quinn what he calls the Timer before vanishing. Quinn invites his best friend and his favorite teacher over but during their first leap, singer Brown is sucked into the vortex with them. 

From there, each episode would be them just exploring. Arturo, however, is growing suspicious. he knew Quinn was smart but this smart? For the finale, Quinn comes clean but he insists it's ok. He did build it after all, right? But Arturo points out, if Quinn got it from someone else, who was the person who first invented the timer?

Season 2: The timer goes crazy. During this point, they end up on a world where Col. Rackman (Roger Daltry) becomes very much aware of the group and starts to chase them. They manage to fix the timer enough, but Rackman follows them.

Season 3: They get home but they find Rackman is busy merging with all his alternative selves. He's getting powerful and crazy. They try to save the other Rackmans, but who is the other Quinn working with him?

Season 4: Rackman and the other Quinn were working together the whole time. Why? Because the Multiverse is chaos and Rackman can't stand chaos. There will be order across all of time and space and if he has wipe out a few planets, eh. Broken eggs and such. Quinn was given the timer so they could map the Multiverse and see which Earths would be good fodder. 

Season 5: Our heroes strike back and stop Rackman for good. They retrace their steps and gather allies from the other Earths and finally stop the mad colonel for good. 

Upcoming work for 2024

 Ok, just wrapped up our look back at the rogues of comics. 

April-TFtember (in April)

May-WWF Superstars 

June-June Bugs 

July-return of the UWF, which is probably spill over into August. 

September-TFtember

October-Horror Countdown

November-Ninjavember

December-art jam 

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Javelin

Real name: Unrevealed 

First appearance: Green Lantern II#173 (February 1984)

Abilities: Olympic athlete, hand to hand combatant, custom javelins  

Worst act: Theft, attempted murder

Quote: "Now you vill suffer zer wrath of --the Javelin!" 

Created by: Len Wein (script), Dave Gibbons (pencils/letters), Anthony Tollin (colors)

And so we end another feature here at Geekademia. Much like the Golden Age Green Lantern we'll take a special look at another member of the Lantern's rogues. Tihis time out, we look at a fellow who isn't lacking for confidence-the Javelin. 

Funny, all this time I've been doing these and this is the first foe that was involved in the Crisis before the whole thing was revealed. The Javelin is hired by a congressman to steal a new engine from Ferris Aircraft. He gets it and then rebuilds it into a missile/really big javelin before launching it at the company's HQ. 

That would be the most competent he'd ever be as after that he tended to either get captured or dead.  

Yeah, dead. Joined the Suicide Squad and got killed, then again in 2005, then again in 2006. I mean, other people could have used the name but I'd like to think it's the same guy. Clearly getting exploded/shot/run over with visible sound effects but a year or two later he's back in business. 

All things considered, I do love this goofball. I mean, he throws pointed sticks at the most powerful weapon in the universe but his costume is mostly yellow. Not all of it, mind you, just most. He's such a 1960's villain you honestly wonder how he came about in the 80's. He even has a posse of dudes on sky cycles. Pretty sweet for a minor league player. 

Oh, and did I mention the rocket boots? He has rocket boots. This is a guy with rocket boots and pointed sticks and he goes to take on the Green Lantern. Epic confidence if nothing else.

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Rocket Robbers

Real names: Springy, the rest unrevealed

First appearance: Green Lantern II#15 2/2 (September 1962)

Abilities: Basic safecracking, timing 

Worst act: Theft

Quote: "Turning my bullets into soap bubbles!?" 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

In hindsight, a gang based around rockets would be a natural fit for the Green Lantern. Rather surprised it took this long, although they need a more peppy image (yes, yet another gang of dudes in suits). 

A fairly basic yarn. Hal delivers some parts to Cape Canaveral and stays to check out the rocket launches. He bops over to Rocket City and finds it under siege. Seems every time a rocket gets launched, the Rocket Robbers strike, since every single man, woman, and child in town loves rockets so much they can't tear their eyes away. 

Even when they're being robbed

Of course, Hal WOULD easily stop them, but he can't use his ring; seems he charged twenty-four hours ago and hasn't done so since, so he isn't going to even check-his ring is out of juice...until he finds out it isn't and easily mops up the crooks. 

Yeah, Hal forgot to factor in time. The robbers are fairly generic but no reason why they can't be used again today.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Mr. Blackstreet

Real name: Blackstreet (although I imagine his first name would be Sidney)

First appearance: Green Lantern II#14 2/2 (July 1962)

Abilities: Basic auto repair 

Worst act: Kidnapping, theft

Quote: "You're young, Mr. Jordan, so of course you wouldn't recall that most fabulous crime of the year 1912--the theft of the archduke's blue diamond, the greatest stone of its kind in history! Ah yes, what a stone there two thieves..." 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Get ready, as it's time for another wacky Jordan brother episode! This time out, Hal kicks things off when he can't find his fraternity ring, so naturally he decides (at a suggestion of Thomas) that he'll just turn his power ring into a duplicate of his school ring. Who's going to know?

While out hunting, both Hal and Jim get poison ivy and, cue the trumpets, their rings get switched at the doctor's office! Sue Williams, even more convinced that Jim is the Green Lantern, takes this time to break into Jim's home and, maddened with glee, she finds proof! Yup, if Jim isn't the Green Lantern then how come he has a green lantern?

Jim, more patiently that most at this point, explains that lantern came off a 1904 Bercedes Menz. She isn't convinced, but after Jim fools around and somehow the power ring listens to him! He flies! At least until he crashes into the ceiling and knocks himself out. She takes her leave now fully convinced Jim was the Green Lantern the whole time. 

Feel I missed out not putting a Jordan Owned Count this time out. 

The Mr. Blackstreet's goons break in and take both Jim and the lamp. When Jim wakes up, Blackstreet explains; seems that in 1912 a thief stole a precious gem and hid it in an archduke's car-the same car Jim's lantern came from. Blackstreet has spent years but he has finally put the car together and so the gem will be his!

Hal thankfully gets his ring back and manages to take down the car thieves but Sue is now convinced, more than ever, that Jim is the Green Lantern and isn't telling her. 

Blackstreet isn't a horrible character, but he feels out of place here. I could see his scam doing better in Gotham or maybe Star City. Of course I would be remiss if I failed to mention the obvious references to noted actor Sydney Greenstreet. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Spectarns

Real names: Unrevealed 

First appearance: Green Lantern II#13 (June 1962)

Abilities: Mind control

Worst act: Attempted world conquering 

Quote: "We have already proved that we can handle Green Lantern! He will be no obstacle to us in our forthcoming miltary action!" 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

An alien invasion, and this one is sort of Hal's fault. As the Green Lantern, he's rushing to get back to Earth to meet Carol for a date when wouldn't you know it, he crash lands on the planet Spectar (head first too). It's in the same orbit as Earth but in a different dimension. Seems Hal was going so fast he broke every barrier and landed on it. They are a friendly people though and wish he well on his journey.

At least until he leaves, then they drop the whole polite thing and reveal what they want-to rule over Earth! And thanks to their newest agent, they will!

Yup, Hal went and got himself Manchurian Canidated. Thomas is the first one to notice things are off and goes with Hal on his vacation, where he happens to run into equally vacationing Barry Allen and his gal pal Iris West. 

Can the Flash help figure things out?

Interesting twist I'll give it that. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: 3 Safe Crackers

Real names: Frankie, Danny, unrevealed

First appearance: Green Lantern II#12 2/2 (April 1962)

Abilities: Cracking safes

Worst act: Theft, destruction of property  

Quote: "Frankie--look!! That's funny--I'm shoutin'--but I can't hear my own voice!" 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Basic story; to wit Hal is stumped at work. He goes on a date with Carol when inspiration strikes. Hurrying back to Ferris Aircraft, he is struck deaf. 

Yup, whole area is completely devoid of sound. How? Seems our titular safe crackers have a special drill that somehow sucks up all the sound around everything. That seems a bit more hazardous than it would be worth-what if the police were sneaking up on you?

In any event Hal easily smacks them down and calls it a night. Thomas starts keeping a Green Lantern scrapbook starting in this story. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Ferenc Aldebaran

Real name: Ferenc Aldebaran

First appearance: Green Lantern II#12 1/2 (April 1962)

Abilities: Inventor, slight of hand 

Worst act: Brainwashing, attempted insurrection 

Quote: "As you must know, Mr. Solar Director, my powers are not inconsiderable! And I have come to place them at your service--to help quell this rebellion!" 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Remember the Solar Council? Yeah, they have yet another problem, so they kidnap Hal and implant false memories in his head. It seems a group of generals have betrayed the government and set up a rebel faction. Calling themselves the Junta, they have been trying to destroy things for a while.

Puzzling over things in his office, when a wandering magician bursts through his door and doing card tricks! Is this a common problem in the future?

It turns out, none of the generals can explain why they turned renegade, but all of them recall meeting Ferenc. Yeah, it turns out our simple traveling magician hypnotized the generals and bent them to his will. He tries to brainwash Hal but can't (insert pun here) but Hal counter by turning his statue (yeah, giant statue of Green Lantern got erected after last time) alive and having it smack the guy around.

Thus Hal is sent back to the 20th Century with no memory of the last few hours and metal in his hair, a fact he is oddly unconcerned with. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Ralph and Bandy

 Real names: Ralph, Bandy

First appearance: Green Lantern II#11 2/2 (March 1962)

Abilities: Breaking into things

Worst act: Robbery

Quote: "Huh? I can see why! He hasn't got his power ring!!" 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Bit silly; the first yarn in this issue featured Sinestro so we'll focus on the backup. Hal has a hot date with Carol Ferris, but wouldn't you know it, he lost his ring!

Yeah, while stopping at a florist, the Power Ring slipped out of his pocket, where a small child picks it up. The kid then promptly falls into a pit and somehow lacks the will to escape. Hal leaves the date and searches the ring, but he finds Ralph and Bandy instead. Thankfully the kid chucks the ring to him, and the tides are quickly turned. 

Ok, with soap opera shenanigans aplenty but Hal doesn't come across as the best here.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Sonar

Real name: Bito Wladon

First appearance: Green Lantern II#14 1/2 (July 1962)

Abilities: Inventor 

Worst act: Attempted murder

Quote: "Since my country is about to become world-famous, I must be dressed when I appear in America! This outfit looks rather regal--just what I want--in keeping with the future status of Modora!" 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

As this is the 22nd, today is the day we take a look back at a favorite member of the hero's rogues. In the steps of Two-Face, Lex Luthor, the Cheetah, Sportsmaster/Solomon Grundy, the Shade, the Mad Mod, and Captain Boomerang, we welcome a member of the Silver Age Green Lantern's rogues-the master of nuclear sonics-Sonar!

So, what is Sonar's deal? It seems he started as a simple watchmaker's apprentice and a patriot. Living in the tiny European backwater of Modora, Bito's heart swelled with pride at his nation. Much to his anger, however, is the fact that the rest of the world refuses to see his land's greatness. 

So naturally he masters (and possibly creates) the field of nucleo-sonics. All his has to do is steal the materials and soon the whole world will be forced to see his genius!

So Green Lantern is on the hunt for a stamp. Yeah, Thomas is a keen stamp collector and what he pines for more than anything else, is a Modoran stamp. Well, that's all Hal needs to hear so he suits up and pops over to the tiny nation, but wouldn't you know, Modora doesn't uses stamps. 

Why would they? Everyone knows where everyone lives. Why should they write a letter? During the quest for a stamp, Hal learns of Sonar's plans and soon stops him. 

I love this guy. For appearances, he showed up here and a few more times next year but then he wouldn't appear again until 1976. He made a few more appearances in the 1970's then he vanished again until 1985.

As far as his visual, there is something about the vaguely military uniform that helps make him stand out, plus he is rocking a cape. Few people can pull that off. 

But what of his motivation? He wants his country to be respected, so he picks a fight with Hal Jordan. Understandable and at the end of his first issue he's even happy that he lost. Why not? People know of his home now and that's all he wants. Rare to see a silver age villain get the win first time out. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Hank

Real name: Hank

First appearance: Green Lantern II#10 2/2 (Jan. 1962)

Abilities: Inventor 

Worst act: Robbery

Quote: "Into the bank boys!" 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Murphy Anderson (inks)

Technically the villains here would be two gangs of three, but I got tired of saying 3 Crooks or 2 robbers. The main point here is the origin for Green Lantern's oath (even though later stories would suggest this oath was created by the guardians)

Hal, shortly after getting the ring, first encounters a gang of robbers lead by Hank. They plan to rob a bank using what would now be considered a flashbang. This includes Hal, but his ring function as a radar, thus letting him capture the three robbers. 

Shortly thereafter, another gang is on the run and take refuge in a cave. Using his ring to light the way, Hal coats the crooks into a special paint that makes hiding in the dark impossible. 

Yeah, a nice little jaunt even if later stories would make this impossible. Hank is fairly flat character but he does help establish Hal as the Green Lantern.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Robots of the Miniature World

 Real names: Not Applicable 

First appearance: Green Lantern II#10 1/2 (Jan. 1962)

Abilities: Various 

Worst act: Staging a coup

Quote: "That Human--is our enemy! We must fight him--" 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Odd, even when compared to the previous entries. Hal is taking down some smugglers when a woman pleads with him from within his ring. 

Stumped, Hal talks to the ring directly and it tells him. To wit, a scientist named Blanding shrunk himself and his family down to the atomic level to escape all violence. Blanding also built a ton of robots to make the atomic world livable, but before you can say 'Jack Robinson', the robots all go evil and decide to subjugate all that dwell within the atomic landscape. 

 Hal naturally manages to stop and bring the Blandings back to the real world. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: 2 Crooks

Real names: Punchy and Looie (Louie?)

First appearance: Green Lantern II#9 2/2 (Nov./Dec. 1961)

Abilities: Regular strength and violence  

Worst act: Kidnapping

Quote: "You're a regular Groucho the Question-Asker, ain't you? Better Shaddup!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

I was tempted to make Sue Williams the villain here, but that seemed a bit silly. 

The main story here are Hal's brothers. Older sibling Jack and younger bro Jim have asked Hal over for an important task. To wit, Jack is running for Coast City DA and they need Hal's help to hand out flyers. In walks Sue Williams, ace gal reporter. She is hunting for the secret identity of the Green Lantern she KNOWS who he is-Jim Jordan!

Naturally she is going to prove this, mostly by either basely accusing him or flinging herself off of balconies. Thankfully Hal is nearby in all cases to save her, but all this does is convince her even more of Jim being the hero. 

When the two crooks kidnapped Jack, she is naturally put out at Jim's reluctance to leap forward and heroically bounce the bullets off his impervious force field. Hal easily follows the crooks and rescues his brother. Sue kisses him with some indelible lipstick, but wouldn't you know it, when she sees Jim the next day he has a bandage over his chin. Cut himself shaving is a poor excuse, she smugly thinks to herself.

What was it about reporters back in the day?

Bring on the Bad Guys: The Packer Gang

Real names: Unrevealed 

First appearance: Green Lantern II#9 1/2 (Nov./Dec. 1961)

Abilities: Capable of robbing freight trains 

Worst act: Robbery

Quote: "Green Lantern!?"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Murphy Anderson (inks)

Bit a cheat, as the Packer Gang is mostly one and done in the first two pages. No, the real villain of this yarn is Sinestro, who comes back with a proper Power Ring but we already talked about him. 

The Packer Gang seems awful small for a gang (3 guys) and while robbing trains is not good, seems odd that Green Lantern would concern himself with such small fry. Maybe if they were stealing stuff meant for Ferris Aircraft? In any event, they show up and Hal easily smacks them down. His power ring starts losing juice, but that's part of Sinestro's master plan. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Zegors

Real name: Zegors

First appearance: Green Lantern II#8 (Sep./Oct. 1961)

Abilities: Eye beams

Worst act: Shrinking people 

Quote: N/A

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Odd man, just odd. 

Hal just straight up gets kidnapped. It seems in the year 5700 AD, the Earth is imperiled! Giant salamanders, who have been living up the ground for ages, are finally matured their power and now they are shrinking people left and right. 

So naturally the only thing to do kidnap the Green Lantern and brainwash him into thinking he's a space jockey named Pol Manning. They also give him a girlfriend, Iona Vane, secretary to the High Council of Star City.

Not creepy at all, no...

Regardless of this nonsense Hal manages to free all the folks and stop the lizards. Just a story that raises more questions. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: 3 Hi-jackers

Real names: Unrevealed 

First appearance: Green Lantern II#7 2/2 (July/Aug. 1961)

Abilities: Carrying guns

Worst act: Attempted hijacking 

Quote: "Look! Green Lantern slammed into that seat--"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

I suppose the real villain here would be Hal. Yeah, seems Hal has a weird dream where his friend Tom gets turned into a bird via his power ring. The ring hears these thoughts and figures, 'eh, why not?' so Tom awakes to find himself a seagull.

And wouldn't you know, Tom's girlfriend Terga is coming to town! No sooner does Hal get on her plane than 3 dudes opt to hijack it! Hal tries to be a hero but sadly gets a bump on the head (by flying straight into a seat that was straight in front of him) so thus he is out cold. 

Thankfully Tom is able to bust through the plane's glass and wake Hal up. 

Pretty bland, all things considered and honestly we could have done without them. We already had Tom being turned into a bird. Isn't that dramatic enough?

Bring on the Bad Guys: Sinestro

Real name: Thaal Sinestro

First appearance: Green Lantern II#7 1/2 (July/Aug. 1961)

Abilities: Yellow Power Ring

Worst act: Murder, attempted conquest of galaxy

Quote: "Silence! Or all of you will get the same treatment! I am Green Lantern--no one can tell me what to do!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Tempted to have this guy on the 22nd, but I found a better candidate. Hal (in this continuity) first encounters Sinestro when a town he was visiting vanishes. The Guardian of the Galaxy kidnap him, again, and explain Sinestro's deal. 

Seems he used to be a Green Lantern, and a darn good one too until he went full fascist and took over his home world. The Guardians, stepping up for once, stripped him of his powers and banished him to the world of Qward. You know, that place filled with guys who make crazy weapons and who all hate you?

Seems the Weaponers aren't bothered by Thaal's faux pas so they hook him up with a Yellow Power Ring, which is exactly the same as the Green Lantern's Power Ring only its yellow, i.e. the only thing that the Green Lantern's are vulnerable to; good plan guys. 

Hal manages to outwit both the Weaponers and Sinestro, which doesn't speak of either group really, especially since Hal uses the old 'move the clock forward' bit. 

As a concept, I rather like the Training Day approach. Good cop gone bad is an easy story to sell and it hit harder if Hal and Thaal are friends first then enemies. Easy to see why he's hung around to the present day though. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Phantoms of Aku

Real names: Ibr, Kadmun

First appearance: Green Lantern II#6 (May/June 1961)

Abilities: Mental force

Worst act: Assault 

Quote: "The beings from whose minds we spring will never stop trying to control us--until we destroy them!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

More Forbidden Planet type foes this time out. On the planet Aku, the world is in peril! The inhabitants found the secret to immortality. They just sleep and let machines take care of all their needs. 

Also, as they sleep their bodies create mental phantom versions of themselves to run the place. Ibr in particular is rather angry and seems to be composed of the real Ibr's dark side, so much so he plots to destroy the sleeping Akuians. 

Wouldn't that make that suicide of some sort?

Thankfully Hal is here to save the day. He also creates multiple delicates of himself, which from what we've seen are fully alive beings, but I guess they don't count? The story lurches from Forbidden Planet to more Romeo and Juliet but a happy ending all around, even if Carol is convinced that Hal is a spy. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Hector Hammond

Real name: Hector Hammond 

First appearance: Green Lantern II#5 (Mar./April 1961)

Abilities: (at the time) being darn lucky

Worst act: Theft, kidnapping 

Quote: "Yes! It's my own invention--a house that can rise above the clouds to fine weather anytime I wish! At the turn of a switch!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Of all the foes we've seen so far, Hector Hammond was the biggest one (aside from the Weaponers, although I'd say he had more impact). 

We'll be ignoring his turn as the giant headed genius and focusing on his first appearance in Green Lantern. He's like the 1960's techbro. He's out in the woods one day when he finds a meteorite that's mutating the local plant life. 

So he figures he'll kidnap some local eggheads and expose them to the weird radiation. This makes them all super geniuses, instead of dead. He then takes credit for all their work and passes their inventions off as his own. 

The fact that a man in 1961 is passing off a flying house as a 'tinkering hobby' is either very clever or very dumb; hadn't quite figured that out yet. 

Somehow Hammond has only become more relevant and I can see how he works as a villain. He claims to have all this genius but he's an empty suit, he only gets by on sheer dumb luck and the work of others. It's almost a pity they altered him so much later on, I think this version of the character would work just fine for a reoccurring foe. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: 3 Thieves

Real names: Woozy, Chip

First appearance: Green Lantern II#4 2/2 (Jan./Feb. 1961)

Abilities: Bluffing 

Worst act: Theft 

Quote: "I found I could make it, Carol--so I just opened the throttle on my green beam--and here I am! But don't let me interrupt things!"

Created by: John Broome (script), John Broome/Mike Sekowsky/Ross Andru/Carmine Infantino (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

The Weaponers are once again the foes in the first story. Here, we have a rather convoluted yarn. Hal crashes a party, despite Green Lantern being the one invited. Woozy; however, and along with his two pals, shows up as the Green Lantern.

Hal quickly figures it out. He actually does very little, as Carol is the one to unmask Woozy. Woozy then asks the guest for their valuables so he can go around the world with them. The guests, shockingly, agree. Once everyone puts their cash and such on a table, Chip and the other guy cut the power and split. 

Hal finally leaps into action and easily catches the trio. A bit silly, and if a few parlor tricks is all it takes to convince someone you're outer space cop, well, I guess things really were simpler back in the 60's. 

Bring on the Bd Guys: Chiller-Diller

Real name: N/A

First appearance: Green Lantern II#3 2/2 (Nov./Dec. 1960)

Abilities: Giant 

Worst act: Mayhem 

Quote: "Strange...I know I'm a 'Chiller-Diller' but what that means...or what I'm supposed to do...I don't know! But this place is full of odd-looking creatures! "

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Skipping the first story in this issue, as it features the return of the Weaponers. Here, we see Hal facing a real dilemma-head trauma. 

Yeah, while being pressured by Carol to marry him (it's a Leap Year thing), Hal opts to creature a monster to run amuck and fight thus giving him an excuse to leave. It's only when a child's toy plane knocks him out that things so screwy. Children's toys back in 1960 being made of solid lead apparently. 

Interesting, I mean the monster doesn't seem awful. The fact that the ring can create fully sentient creatures is something that might warrant a serious conversation at some point. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Duke Danfield

 Real names: Duke Danfield 

First appearance: Green Lantern II#2 2/2 (Sept./Oct. 1960)

Abilities: Claim jumping 

Worst act: Murder, access to yellow color clothing in a short notice 

Quote: "...That's why I'm going to play a game of freeze-out with him! Weeper, there'd a water spray can in our plane! Bring it to me..."

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

The main focus of this story is the first appearance of Tom Kalmaku, better known as a vaguely racist slur. TLDR version: Some years ago, Tom's dad and his partner struck it rich in the wilds of the Yukon. Tom's dad returned home to die whereas his partner seems to have vanished. 

Hal realizes a problem when he sees disguised men beat the tar out of Tom; seems Tom inherited his father's love of maps but not the map itself. It's not a problem, as Hal is able to scan Tom's brain and see what Tom couldn't quite recall. 

Yeah, Duke is just a nickel and dime level crook, hiding out and learning where some treasure is buried before the owners find it isn't the win you think.

Hal getting an adult sidekick who knows who he is, which is a twist for the time, is also the biggest thing about the issue but Tom is no Jimmy Olson

Bring on the Bad Guys: Weaponers of Qward

Real names: Unrevealed 

First appearance: Green Lantern II#2 1/2 (Sept./Oct. 1960)

Abilities: Crafting weapons 

Worst act: Being tyrants, murder

Quote: "Surrender--or perish!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Ah, now here we finally have a foe that makes an impact and also isn't some generic dude in a suit. 

First we gets introduced to Qward, an alien world that happens to exist in the same spot as Earth but just in a different space time level. Telle-Teg, refugee from the world, comes to Earth and begs Hal for help. He and his followers wish to leave their world and be settled somewhere else as the Weaponers are cruel and vicious leaders. 

The Weaponers have followed him though and here we get a foe that Hal actually has trouble facing. Telle-Teg even dies, although Hal manages to get the rest of Teg's followers to another planet. They aren't even stopped at the end of the story.

 Good build up even if the Weaponers themselves a bit on the thin side for characterization. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Puppet-Master

 Real name: Unrevealed

First appearance: Green Lantern II#1 2/2 (July/Aug. 1960)

Abilities: Being able to control people

Worst act: Robbery, attempted murder 

Quote: "Green Lantern escaped me! But I must get rid of him! He's interfering with my criminal operations!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Well, the cover is a lie. Hal is menaced by a giant clown but the real bad guy is a scientist dressed in a yellow jumpsuit. 

Basically Hal finds out about this when a two-bit hood named Biffy tries to rob a bank and this gets him dragged into a mess when he notices a rash of similar robberies in which the crooks didn't seem aware of what they were doing. 

While in a charity parade, a giant clown puppet tries to shoot Hal with a giant gun, but it turns out the puppet was being controlled by a hypnotized operator. 

An average tale. We have next to nothing on this guy aside from wanting to make himself rich. His jumpsuit might pose a problem but Hal overcomes it with no issue.  

Funny enough, the Puppet-Master would also be the first foe Hal fights a second time when he goes up against the Justice League. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Dryg

 Real name: Dryg

First appearance: Green Lantern II#1 1/2 (July/Aug. 1960)

Abilities: Mental energy, being a giant  

Worst act: Attempted murder 

Quote: N/A

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Murphy Anderson (inks)

So we see Hal in his own series, and it opens with a recap about his getting the power ring. We also see the Guardians of the Galaxy for the first time and they want to know if the deceased Abin Sur picked the right guy.

Very similar to the yarn in Showcase I#23, Hal is sent to a planet populated by yellow cavemen, who are being attacked by a brown giant. Since the giant isn't yellow, Hal has no issue luring him to the artic region of the planet and freezing him in a giant block of ice. 

Not bad, but more rehashing of what we've seen before, which was the style at the time so I can't get too worked up over that. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Blob creature

Real name: Not applicable 

First appearance: Showcase I#24 2/2 (Jan./Feb. 1960)

Abilities: Shooting yellow beams from eyes

Worst act: Attempted murder 

Quote: "Now at last...thanks to you...I am no longer a menace...to myself...or world..."

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Most of the story is taken up by a dream sequence of Carrol, convinced that Hal and Green Lantern are the same person. A car wreck knocks her out, leaving Hal free to investigate. What does he find? 

Seems some scientists were messing around with cosmic radiation, as you do, and accidently created a giant monster. The text refers to it as a blob, but it sports a vague chicken like head. The blob easily smacks Hal away but after a point he figures out that a creature that is apparently feeding off of radiation, so why not cut it off from its' feed source?

Which works great and causes the blob to shrink into a puddle. 

Ok, and we do see some quick thinking on Hal's part. The 'Carrol is convinced Hal is GL' is already starting to wear out it's welcome

Bring on the Bad Guys: 3 Spies

 Real names: Unrevealed, Moster

First appearance: Showcase I#24 1/2 (Jan./Feb. 1960)

Abilities: Espionage, being smarter than Hal Jordon

Worst act: Theft, espionage 

Quote: "When the missile blasts off, the explosion will utterly destroy our enemy Green Lantern! Count down Moster!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

More soap opera; to wit Carol Ferris is convinced Green Lantern is going to propose to her when he rushes off to save someone drowning. 

Hal, meanwhile, discovers the top secret aircraft plans he was supposed to turn over to the Army are missing! Using his power ring, Hal probes his own mind and manages to see an odd fellow bumping into his at lunch. From there Green Lantern tracks the fellow down to a local amusement park. 

Basic and honestly flat. The spies barely have any names and their plans all hinge on Hal being a goof. This might be the first time Hal gets hit in the head and knocked out, by a plain guy in a suit. A yellow roller coaster train goes off the track but thankfully the underside isn't yellow because of course it wasn't.

Bring on the Bad Guys: Invisible Destroyer

Real name: N/A

First appearance: Showcase I#23 2/2 (Nov./Dec.1959)

Abilities: Being invisible 

Worst act: Theft, attempted murder

Quote: "I feed on radiation! Each dose that I absorb makes me more powerful! Soon I will be the most powerful being on Earth!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

Odd that an invisible man would insist on wearing a full outfit with a cape. Kind of defeats the point of being invisible, doesn't it?

But yeah, it seems that Dr. Phillips and his imagination (plus all that radiation) caused him to create a being. A being that feeds on radiation and if he has to denotate a nuke to get a bit to eat? That's what he'll do. 

An odd villain, with some shades of Forbidden Planet thrown in for good measure. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Yellow birds

Real names: N/A

First appearance: Showcase I#23 1/2 (Nov./Dec. 1959)

Abilities: Being giant birds

Worst act: Attempted murder 

Quote: "Kreeeeeeeeeee!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

More soap than space opera here. We also learn that Hal Jordan lives in Coast City. 

Basically, Hal learns that Carol is gaga over the Green Lantern and he sneaks himself an invite by saying how close he and GL are. The catch? She wants Hal AND the Green Lantern to show up. 

What is he to do? Mostly ignore all that as he gets a summons from his lantern. Yeah, he takes the ring he takes the orders too, and his job this time is to investigate an emergency on Venus. Hal pops over and what does he finds? Giant yellow pterodactyls trying to eat up some blue cave folk. Hal would save them...but his ring is powerless against yellow!

So he traps them in a cave via a ring created hawk. 

A bit silly and yeah, there is tension about his weakness but then he just ignores it. The birds could just as easily been any other color and the story wouldn't be changed that much. Also, how did the blue cave folk get their message out in the first place?

Oh, and if you're wondering about the party, Hal just flies in as the Green Lantern and says Hal is a good buddy of his but he couldn't make it. Carol doesn't seem too upset over that. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: Dr. Parris

Real name: Parris

First appearance: Showcase I#22 3/3 (Sept./Oct. 1959)

Abilities: Nuclear scientist 

Worst act: Attempted treason, destruction of government property 

Quote: "Green Lantern! I've been half-expecting you!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

And so we reach the last story of the first appearance of Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern. Hal, as the Green Lantern, gets invited to a charity ball that happens so often in comics. While he's kissing on Carol Ferris, he spots a missile streaking towards the city! A yellow missile!

That for some reason has a red nosecone. 

That's all he needs, thankfully, and thus the city is saved. He finds it isn't a nuke so then it must have been aiming for something specific! The government building that houses their hydrogen info, that must be it!

Using his ring to tell him pretty much everything, Hal finds the doc who (despite Hal only being the Green Lantern for a fairly short time) apparently was waiting for him? He easily captures him and drops him off with the military. 

So, all in all a fairly weak run. More of a science fiction bent than Alan Scott but Hal is fairly flat as a character, although Broome and Kane seem to be ramping up the soap opera elements a fair bit, what with Hal chasing after Carol and her turning him down. 

Seriously, the whole 'town almost blown to bit' gets glossed over fairly quickly so Hal can get cussed out by Carol for kissing with his eyes open. 

Bring on the Bad Guys: 3 Saboteurs

 Real names: Unrevealed 

First appearance: Showcase I#22 2/3 (Sep/Oct. 1959)

Abilities: Using machines to lock plane controls to force them to crash. 

Worst act: Sabotaging test planes 

Quote: "I can't understand it! Our radiation-sender brought the plane down--but it didn't crash!"

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), and Joe Giella (inks)

So, here we go with a return of an old favorite. This year we'll be taking a look back at the Silver Age Green Lantern himself, Hal Jordan.

The first story is the origin for Hal Jordan and sets up the series, this second story has him in action for the first time. Going with a more science fiction theme, this story established that the Green Lanterns were a galaxy wide police force. To wit, Lantern Abin Sur crash lands on Earth and the best candidate to replace him is a test pilot named Hal Jordan. 

So, with the second story, Hal (after flirting with his boss's daughter Carol) sees an experimental jet, the Flaming Spear, in distress. 

First he saves the jet, then using his ring to follow the radiation trail, finds the saboteurs. This would also set the standard for the series too. They smack him with a lamp, which just happens to be yellow (the ring's only weakness, as opposed to Alan Scott's vulnerability to wood). They escape in a car, which is painted yellow!

Thankfully Jordan creates a series of ice picks and pops their unpainted tires. Yeah, Jordan can't stop anything yellow but thankfully there's one part that isn't painted. 

Updates for 2024, part 1

 Ok, so 2023 sucked pretty hard. Slight update and here's what to expect to see this Spring.

Jan.: Basic updates and odds and sods.

Feb.: Bring on the Bad Guys-Silver Age Green Lantern 

March: More general stuff

April: TFtember (In April).

Transformers/G.I. Joe II-or why I don't design toylines

 Well, not many cared last time but eh, my blog right? So, judging from last year the Soundwave/Zartan set was right, with Ravage/Zarana being included. Now I hear rumors of Optimus Prime/Hawk (as the MOBAT), so why not do it again? Simple guesses that's all.

Seaspray/Cutter (WHALE)

Rewind/Flash (HAL laser cannon)

Eject/Rock N Roll (FLAK cannon)

Steeljaw/Grand Slam(JUMP jet pack)

Fortress Maximus/Keel-Haul & Shipwreck (USS Flagg)

Trypticon/Hooded Cobra Commander, Cobra Trooper, Cobra Officer (Cobra Missile Command)

Camshaft/Zap (PAC Rat-missile launcher)

Downshift/Grunt (PAC Rat-machine gun)

Overdrive/Blowtorch (PAC Rat-flame thrower)

Cliffjumper/Roadblock (Whirlwind anti-aircraft)

Frenzy/Ripper (Chameleon water bike) 

Rumble/Major Bludd (Cobra SNAKE armor)

Bluestreak/Snow Job (Polar Battle Bear)

Re-writing the Book: Friar Ferguson

 Bringing this back for the new year. 

So, Mike Shaw had an ok career. He started out strong in Canada and the NWA (even went up against Ric Flair for the world title) but when he went up north, well, that's when things went wrong. 

His first character for McMahon was Friar Ferguson who lasted all of one match, which he won but allegedly the local church raised concerns and thus Shaw got a new gimmick (which we will get to later).

So, a friar eh? I mean, heck, can the average person even tell you what a friar does? I had to look it up myself. Why should we care? Is he a heel or face? What and why is a friar doing in a pro wrestling ring? He seemed sort of heelish in his one match. So what would I do?

I'd say tweener then go with the audience reaction. Friars, at least going by some medieval popular culture were seen as more partiers than holy men what with the beer making and all plus the bawdy songs about them sleeping with married women and nuns. Why not play that up? Friar goes out and just unleashes hell on his opponent, then takes the guy's boots. "Penance brother! Perhaps if ye were walk as the poor do, thou shall learn humility!" Then his robe/jacket, and maybe his wallet. Got to feed the poor, you know. 

He might even come down to the ring munching on a chicken leg and washing it down with a tankard of beer. 

So what then? I don't see him as world champ, much less the IC. I see him wanting the titles though, again, "gold! Gold for the poor!" If he goes full heel, maybe throw in with the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase? Or maybe just annoy the man for donations. In any event, a midcarder at best. 

 

WWE VS the World XVI

 Bringing this one back, per tradition. Rules as always, pick your faves and results in two weeks.