Because the original Marvel Comics incarnation of Battlestar Galactica started unevenly, many fans had given up or never even checked out the title by the time the June 1980 issue, Battlestar Galactica #16, arrived on the scene. And if so, boy, did they miss a gem.
This issue also reveals another piece of the puzzle about the Unknown War as it introduces Geiger readers to The Northerner, a Union soldier from a reality in which the South won the Civil War. The next issue promises his origin.
Much like Marvel Premiere or DC’s own long-running Showcase, 1st Issue Special was a launchpad for both new concepts as well as such characters as Dr. Fate getting a shot on their own. Although the series only ran 13 issues, 1st Issue Special #8 is standout as it’s the first appearance of writer-artist Mike Grell’s creation, The Warlord.
Jack Kirby gave Norrin Radd his context. Stan Lee’s words gave the character his soul. But John Buscema gave him his awesome, majestic power, and nowhere are the compelling visuals of this more on display that on the cover for Silver Surfer #4.
Both were spawned by the deaths of their families, and of course both used that as their impetus to fight crime. But where the Punisher decided to mete out deadly retribution, Batman went to the extreme the other direction, regularly sparing even criminals like the Joker (one of the two main villains in this story).
Partisan, while a very different story from Ennis and Epting, is a spiritual successor or sequel to Sara. Both deal with women swept up in circumstances beyond their control on the Soviet side of World War II, and both confront the brutality of war, the totalitarian nature of the state, and the price of hoping for a better future.
Following on the previous issue’s Hate Monger story, we get a smoldering, bluesy Christmas story that sees Fury try to spend the holiday with the beautiful Laura Brown. All that’s missing is a swanky jazz soundtrack. The quiet, romantic moment suddenly turns into an action adventure, and a great Christmas comic. It’s Christmas wrapping around a quiet epic spy vs. terrorist tale.
As the Grab-Bag subtitle suggests, this is not an issue themed by title. Rather, it was a mix of characters and stories. In addition to the Nick Fury adventure, the stories came from Amazing Spider-Man #24, Hero for Hire #7, Incredible Hulk #147, and Doctor Strange #180. This gave the reader a diverse line-up of top and secondary characters.
Written by Roy and Dann Thomas, Infinity, Inc. #30 is illustrated by Todd McFarlane and inked by Tony DeZuniga. Roy Thomas, of course, created the series (and in that era had the run of DC’s Golden Age heroes) and McFarlane was well on his way to becoming the Todd McFarlane we know today. Veteran artist DeZuniga was a good match for him on inks.
Locke & Key creator Joe Hill has this to say about writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips’ recent collaboration: “Reckless is an absolute rush: on the same level as golden age Travis McGee novels and the hardest-hitting Richard Stark stories. This one comes at you as fast as Steve McQueen in a souped-up Mustang and as hard as Charles Bronson with a baseball bat. You gotta have it.”
