The Mule trailer, My Thoughts

Leo Sharp was a veteran of World War II. He fought in the Italian Campaign, earning a Bronze Star. He was also a horticulturist, a quite reknowned one. He even claimed he planted flowers at the White House during George H.W. Bush's presidency. But he was also the world's oldest drug mule, ferrying cocaine from the U.S./Mexico border to Detroit in his pickup truck. For ten years, he managed to evade authorities, until he was caught in a DEA sting. Sharp served a year in jail until he had to be released due to poor health, and he dies in 2016.

His story is being used as a basis for the upcoming film The Mule, which will be directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. So, let's take a look at the trailer for it!

Clint's got a lot of pecans.

That's a lot of cocaine. You bet that in the 80s, it would go quick.

I never had pecan pie. Is that good?

I bet hanging out with Clint Eastwood would be an interesting experience. At least you'd learn a lot about moviemaking.

Oh, that trooper's got a drug-detecting dog. Clint is in trouble...

Just driving along, quietly on the road. Totally not smuggling drugs to Detroit...nope. Am going to see the Cubs play at Wrigley, though!

Come to the Cartel Garage! Where we fix your car, and give you drugs that you gotta get to Detroit for us. You have no choice in the matter. Have a nice day.

That dude has a golden shotgun! Who does he think he is, Scaramanga's redneck cousin?!

This film makes me think of Breaking Bad in a way. Decent man forced to do bad things to survive. It seems like an interesting movie. I enjoyed Gran Torino, so I think I'll give this a shot.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 3 Trailer, My Thoughts

In 2006, Raven Software developed and Activision published a game called Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. The game allowed players to pick a team of four Marvel super-heroes to help fight a plot by Dr. Doom and the Masters of Evil for, what else, world domination. The game was originally released for most of the major gaming consoles at the time. It would be given a rather positive reception by critics.

In 2009, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 was published by Activision, although the game was made by different developers. Vicarious Visions developed the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ports, n-Space developed the Nintendo DS, Wii, and PlayStation 2 ports, and Savage Entertainment developed the PSP port. In 2016, the game got ported to the Xbox One, Windows, and PlayStation 4. Unlike the first game's original story, Ultimate Alliance 2's story was an adaptation of the Secret War and Civil War storylines. The game would not get as high a critical response as its predecessor, with the Nintendo, PS2, and PSP being given especially poor reception.

At The Game Awards this year, it was recently announced that Team Ninja has been given the honors of developing the third game in the series: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. The game will be published by Nintendo, so this version will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. And there's a trailer for it! Let's take a look!

Another day, another crisis thanks to the Guardians. Maybe you should just give up, Nebula.

And there they are. Meet the Black Order. From left to right, Corvus Glaive, Black Dwarf (renamed Cull Obsidian in Avengers: Infinity War), Proxima Midnight, Supergiant (she wasn't in the movie), and Ebony Maw. They're essentially Thanos's elite flunky squad. Fun fact: Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive are a married couple in the comics. Their honeymoon was quite bloody.

I like the game's look so far. Bright and colorful, perfect for superheroes.

I can't wait to play as the Guardians. I hope one of Star-Lord's attacks involve him dancing.

UNIBEEEEEEEEEAM!

It's fun watching Hulk wreck stuff. Hey, they got the Thunderclap!

Spider-Man! Everything is better with Spider-Man!

Ooh, fighting a giant Sandman! That is awesome!

Huh. Seeing the Sentinels and Wolverine was a surprise. I think it will be great to see Deadpool appear in this game, if only to get a laugh out of his complaining he can't drop F-bombs in this game. Wolverine beheading that Sentinel was cool.

I get the feeling we'll see Nebula team up with the Kree in the game.

Uh, Rocket? You're wasting bullets, man. Or laser bursts.

I get the feeling that will not ne all the heroes we get in this game. And I liked Spidey holding up the peace sign there.

Well, this game looks like it will be a ton of fun! I can't wait to see what other characters will be appearing in the game. I hope Kamala Khan will be appearing.

Firestorm the Nuclear Man #1 (March 1978)

Firestorm. The Nuclear Man. Since 1978, this fiery fury had been bringing the heat to the bad guys. The people using the mantle may change, but there was always one constant: The Nuclear Man would always burn brightly. The character was rather unique for one thing: Firestorm was actually two people who would merge into one being. One was the body, and the other would take the form of a spectral head. The most iconic combination is high school/college student Ronnie Raymond and physicist Martin Stein. Over the years, other people would combine to form Firestorm, most notably Jason Rusch.

The character would go on to appear in various media outside of comics, mainly focusing on the Raymond/Stein combination. The character first appeared outside of comics in the final two incarnations of the long-running Superfriends cartoon series. He was intended to be the focus character of the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Greatest Story Never Told", but got changed to Booster Gold. Sadly, the creatives of that story could not come up with a story starring the character that they liked. I think he did appear in the comic tie-in, though. Incarnations of Firestorm would continue to appear in other cartoons and animated movies, as well as in the Arrowverse family of TV shows.

But how did the character get his start? Well, that's what we're going to look at here. Let's take a look at the beginnings of the original Firestorm in Firestorm the Nuclear Man #1!

The cover is pretty cool. It showcases the big unique gimmick of Firestorm: That the Nuclear Man is actually two people in one superpowered body. The cover promises an explosive first issue, and it's not kidding about that. You'll see what I mean. I also love seeing Firestorm fly out at the reader, and I have noticed there's something rather Kirby-esque about it. Maybe Al Milgrom was feeling the desire to channel his inner Jack Kirby when drawing this.

"Make Way for Firestorm!"
Writers: Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom
Artist: Al Milgrom
Inkers: Klaus Janson and Josef Rubinstein
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Executive Editor: Joe Orlando

The story begins with Firestorm flying through the sky.

He's feeling pretty good. He can fly, and he is just enjoying it so much. A two-page spread then is used to show off his powers as he is flying the friendly skies over New York City. He stops a car accident by turning a taxi into water with his power to alter atoms, flies right through a police helicopter to show his intangibility, and the like. A voice in his head reminds him of more serious matters they have to attend to. And that serious matter? One Eddie Earhart, the man who made Firestorm what he is today.

The scene then shifts to a classroom, presumably earlier in the day. A teacher asks when Charles I of England was beheaded. Ronnie Raymond thinks he's got this nailed, but his classmate and future Thinker Cliff Carmichael is quicker on the draw.

Carmichael gets his hand up first again with the next question. With the third question, a frustrated Ronnie yells he knows the answer, but is admonished for being rude.

At the cafeteria, Ronnie is having lunch with a girl named Doreen. Ronnie wonders why Cliff acts the way he does, but Doreen thinks he's just jealous. Ronnie can't see why Cliff would be jealous of him, as he is a "B- Average" student, but Cliff is a genius. Really, it's because Ronnie had a bit of a thing for Doreen, and Cliff makes him feel like an idiot. Cliff taunts Ronnie about his supposed stupidity. Ronnie angrily leaps up to confront the future Thinker, but accidentally causes his lunch to be spilled all over Doreen.

Cliff has some laughs about it, but Doreen thinks he's being a jerk. A depressed Ronnie decides to go take a walk on the school grounds. He was hoping that after all the constant moving thanks to his father's newspaper job, he could finally put down roots. But it does fell like nothing is going right for him lately. The principal, Dr. Wallace Hapgood, notices Ronnie walking around and figures maybe the kid could use a friendly ear.

Meanwhile, at the new experimental Hudson Nuclear Power Plant, we meet one Professor Martin Stein.

A Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Stein was the man who designed and built this plant. Fully automated and foolproof, it's the first plant of its kind. He notices the protesters outside on a screen, worried about the plant's safety. A bit ahead of its time, considering this comic did come out a year before the accident at Three Mile Island. However, Stein isn't worried about this plant becoming a prelude to it because of all the fail-safes he put in. He then gets a visitor.

The visitor's name is Danton Black, and he's got a bit of a beef with Stein. He claims that Stein stole his plans for the plant during his time as Stein's assistant, but Stein angrily denies it. Black has a representative of the Nuclear Regulations Council with him. The rep states that the Council will have to deny him permission to start the plant until they can investigate this. Stein is furious, claiming that he fired Black because he stole equipment from him.

As they leave, Stein goes into a panic. He fears that if the public learns that this plant was ordered to shut down, they'll believe it was due to a fault in the plant's design. And since people are a bit skittish about nuclear power, they'll fight to keep the plant closed...and all of Stein's work will be for nothing. Stein decides that he's not going to listen to the Council. The plant is going online tonight!

Back at the Raymond home, Ronnie is making himself some dinner when he gets a call from his father. He's working late, so he can't join his son for dinner. Ronnie is watching TV alone, when he sees news report about the protests at Stein's plant. They're led by a man named Edward "Eddie" Earhart. This gives Ronnie an idea. To prove to Doreen that he's not an idiot, he's going to join the protest. Uh, Ronnie? I don't think Doreen minds that you're not as smart as Cliff Carmichael. You could just work on improving your study habits. That would be more helpful. Doreen tries to convince him that this was a bad idea, but Ronnie hangs up and heads out. He arrives at Earhart's group's HQ.

Earhart has much darker plans than a simple protest. He doesn't just plan to keep the plant from activating, he wants to make sure the plant no longer exists. Earhart and his group, with Ronnie in tow, heads to the plant and sneaks inside. Ronnie understandably is not comfortable with this. Protesting is fine, but what Earhart plans to do is illegal. Ronnie refuses to go along with blowing up the plant, as it could kill someone. Earhart is understanding of this, and shows that he has considered Ronnie's point by giving him a Mighty Punch to the jaw.

Martin Stein is watching this from a screen, and goes to stop this. Because the plant has no guards. Because guards would TOTALLY not be needed in a situation like this.

Sheesh. Anyway, Stein also eats a Mighty Punch from Earhart. Earhart decides that he'd better get rid of these two. So he figures, "Hey, put them near the atomic pile. When we blow it up, it'll rid us of them, too!" Earhart and his men flee, as they have another plant to blow up. Ronnie slowly wakes up.

As this is going down, Danton Black arrives at the plant. He's snuck in to copy some plans from the plant's computers. He noticed that the plant had already had been broken into. Ronnie tries to get Stein out before the pile explodes, but...

Ronald Raymond and Martin Stein should be dead. But fate had other plans. Danton Black also ends up eating a blast of radiation from the explosion. Ronnie and Stein seem to merge together, forming a brand new being.

This new combined being discovers he can read the atomic structure of the broken wall. Not just that, he can alter the molecular structure of the air to repair the wall. He also discovers that he needs a pair of pants. Clearly. No problem! He makes himself a fancy new costume.

He also decides to call himself Firestorm, because that's what you get after a nuclear explosion. Okay. Ronnie then hears an odd voice in his head. It's Martin Stein, allowing the two to actually "meet" for the first time. Ronnie has general control over the combined body, as Stein was unconscious during the explosion. The first thing the two decide to do is get Eddie Earhart, as he's got plans to destroy an atomic plant in Jersey. But first, they have to test out their new powers. Unknown to either Ronnie or Martin, Danton Black is still in the plant's remains, and his body is starting to glow.

But that was all in the past. Let's go to the present. Firestorm is thrashing Eddie's gang. Which is not surprising as he can make himself transparent and can turn their weapons into cucumbers. Earhart hears police sirens, and panics. He's not going to be caught. After all the failures in his life, he's not going to suffer being taken by the police. He tries to use his explosives to kill himself, but Firestorm is able to absorb the blast while leaving Eddie unhurt.

Firestorm gives Earhart a Mighty Punch, and flies off. A little payback from Ronnie Raymond. He flies off and heads to Manhattan. There, he catches sight of his reflection in a store window. He freaks out for some reason. Seriously, did Ronnie expect to not have changed in appearance at all after the explosion? Well, his freaking out triggers another transformation.

Ronnie and Martin split back into their normal selves. This leaves Ronnie wondering if this is permanent...or only temporary. Martin Stein is confused, as he has no memory of his time as Firestorm. Evidently, this can be presumed to be another effect of his being unconscious when Firestorm was created. The story ends with Ronnie helping Martin to his feet, and introducing himself as his friend.

This story was quite enjoyable. It's pretty obvious that Gerry Conway was trying to basically repeat the formula of the sadly late Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's work on Spider-Man. The average teenager with the alliterative name, the high school drama, all reminiscent of Spider-Man. I guess that's why I like this issue.

Firestorm's first solo series would not last very long, only about five issues. This was due to an event known as the "DC Implosion". In 1978, due to poor sales in the winter of 1977, DC cancelled 40 percent of its books and laid off some of its staff. Al Milgrom, who did the art for this comic, was one of the people who got axed. Firestorm's story would not end, though. Gerry Conway would bring the character into the Justice League title, where he was portrayed as the rookie hero learning the ropes of heroism from the best.

His sixth issue would be adapted into backup stories in the Flash's solo title [Issues #289-304 (September 1980 - December 1981)]. He also would get a second solo series: The Fury of Firestorm. This series would last from 1982 until 1990. Ronnie Raymond would get killed off in the Identity Crisis mini-series in 2004, and a third series would arrive that same year, focusing on a new Firestorm: Jason Rusch. That series would last for thirty issues, and Ronnie Raymond would return in the Blackest Night event.

With DC semi-rebooting its universe in the wake of Flashpoint in 2011, a fourth series was started that focused on Raymond and Rusch as Firestorm. This one lasted about twenty issues. If you want to read this issue yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2011 trade paperback Firestorm: The Nuclear Man. It collects Firestorm's original five-issue series, and it also has the sixth issue in its original form. It also has the backup tales from the Flash solo series.

Next time...well, this is it. After one whole year, it finally comes to an end. Next time, we take a look at the final issue of Crisis on Infinite Earths....

Avengers: Endgame Trailer, My Thoughts

In Avengers: Infinity War, we saw it happen. We saw Thanos accomplish a level of villainy that was rarely reached in the medium of film. Using the power of the Infinity Stones in his gauntlet, he was able to wipe out half of all life in the universe. So now, we deal with the aftermath. The Avengers are now heading to...the endgame.

That's right, the MCU's 22nd film will be called Avengers: Endgame. I have to admit, I was surprised by the name choice. I was personally hoping they'd go for "Infinity Crusade". Just fits nicely, you know? Anyway, here's the trailer for it!

Tony must've been in that spaceship for a long time if he's in that dire straits. And where'd Nebula go? Carol, I think you need to pick Tony up! He's cold, and there are space wolves after him.

Again, where's Nebula? She'd better be out getting some food, drinks...and oxygen tanks.

I love the little changes Marvel Studios does with their logo for each of the films.

Hey, Thanos made his armor into a scarecrow! Just like the comics!

What the heck is he growing? Is that space weed?

Cap in tears makes a lot of sense. Peggy died in Civil War, Bucky and Sam got dusted in Infinity War...oh God, Sharon got dusted too, didn't she?

Did Shuri get dusted, too?!

Thor is really regretting not going for the head.

Oh hey, Nebula? You have better brought food.

Hey, Hawkeye has become Ronin! Awesome! ...his family got dusted, didn't they?

Captain America back in his stealth suit. Neat.

Looks like the Avengers have one last desperate plan. Hope it works.

And of course, after the heaviness of this trailer, we need some comic relief. And count on Scott Lang to provide it. And we get a big hint there was a time skip.

I LOVED this trailer. I loved that it focused on the original six Avengers. It's kind of appropriate after all they've been through, they're the ones who could help bring down Thanos. They came together when the Chitauri invaded, and they'll be back when the world needs avenging for Thanos's madness. Between this and Captain Marvel, we're seeing the end of one era of he MCU...and the dawn of a new one. I cannot wait.

Tekken 7 Negan Gameplay Trailer, My Thoughts

Back in August, I looked at the trailer for Tekken 7's Season Pass 2. Among the new characters in the game would be one Negan from the Image comic book/TV series The Walking Dead. I noted that he was an unusual choice for a fighter in this game as Negan is not really a martial artist. He's just a ruthless killer with a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. Anyway, the guy has his own gameplay trailer out, so for my 570th blog entry, let's take a look!

I think the credits here are supposed to be done in the style of The Walking Dead. I never really watched the show, so...yeah.

"Hey, Negan! Come on, man! We're all cold and there are wolves after us! Let's get this over with"

I...don't really recognize a lot of these characters. I gotta play more Tekken.

Well, your trailer is the only one out here with a bathroom, Negan. Don't be a jerk and let other people use it!

Heh heh, that's for being a jerk, Negan.

I bet Negan never got to take a tiger to the face from Kazumi Mishima. But then again, I can imagine a lot of things in the Tekken world would blow even his crazy mind.

I think this is meant to be an homage to his debut in the Walking Dead series.

Ouch.

Heh heh. Vampire bat.

Huh. They got Jeffrey Dean Morgan to voice Negan in the game. That's pretty neat.

I'm no expert on fighting game mechanics or anything like that, but it does seem like Negan's style is just beat the tar out of everyone with his bat Lucille. It fits him. It is kind of interesting to see a character in a game like this. I still think he'd be a better fit for Mortal Kombat there, though. Gore and cursing, and all that. However, as I said before, as a crazy crossover, I love it. I hope we see more crazy game crossovers like this.

Captain Marvel Trailer #2, My Thoughts

Back in September, I gave my thoughts on the first trailer for the MCU's upcoming 21st movie, Captain Marvel, the first MCU movie with a female lead. Well, we got a second trailer out for this upcoming adventure debuting Carol Danvers, the woman who is believed to be the MCU's one hope against Thanos! Let's take a look!

All aboard the subway train! Choo choo!

THIS WAS WHY! THIS WAS WHY CAROL PUNCHED THAT OLD LADY!

I'm guessing Carol was able to somehow naturally sense Skrulls.

I'm also guessing the Kree won't quite be "the good guys" here either, based on what I know about them from the comics.

Gotta admit, the Starforce look awesome.

Hmmm, I get the idea that here, Carol gets her powers (and half-Kree biology) from experimentation. A bit different than the comics' original origin for Carol getting empowered. Maybe that's why she may have memory issues?

Yeah, Carol's had her brain screwed with.

It's weird seeing Nick Fury with both of his eyes.

Of course she can fly it, Nick! She's Carol friggin' Danvers!

Proto-Quinjet!

BINARY! NOD TO BINARY!

HOLY COW, CAROL WRECKING STUFF IN SPACE.

Aww, that kitty is so cute. Fury and the kitty is the best.

This was freakin' awesome! I am so hyped for this movie! Bring March on! I can't wait to see Carol be the Boss of Space!

Justice League of America #184 (November 1980)

Back in July, I reviewed Justice League of America #183 (October 1980). In it, members of Earth-1's Justice League and Earth-2's Justice Society teamed up with the heroic New Gods known as Mister Miracle, Orion, and Big Barda in an attempt to stop the revival of the evil New God Darkseid. The issue ended with them epically failing. This was notably the last complete issue longtime Justice League artist Dick Dillin penciled before his death.

Considering I was covering the start of a later JLA/JSA team-up last week, why not follow up on that July entry this week? Darkseid is back, and we got the great George Perez taking over alongside Frank McLaughlin to make the pretty pictures a comic needs, so let's take a look at Justice League #184!

The cover is pretty cool. It's a Perez/Giordano piece, depicting a roaring Darkseid with the heroes of the JLA, JSA, and the New Gods floating around him. It is kind of funny as it looks like they're all charging in to fight him, but don't see that his giant head is right behind him. I can also imagine that's the face he makes when he finds out that comfy chair he was eyeing on eBay was bought at the last second before the auction ended.

The story begins with the return of Darkseid.

Orion goes down to engage Icicle, Fiddler, and the Shade. The Shade puts up a dark energy barrier to try and stop the heroes, but Orion barrels through like a hot knife through butter, screaming that nothing stops the Astro-Force. Shade blasts the New Gods' resident Dog of War, but Firestorm turns his cane into a pogo stick. He then turns a girder into a pot of water, so the Shade's day ends up all wet. Yeah, bad joke. Sorry about that.

The Icicle freezes up Firestorm's leg, but ends up eating fists from Orion and Power Girl. The Fiddler has had enough of his villainous compatriots' failures, and decides to unleash his true power. You see, the Fiddler is a bit of a magician, who channels his power through his namesake instrument. He uses it to mentally torment the three heroes with his dark song. The heroes are overcome, and the Fiddler gets back to work reviving Darkseid.

Back in Granny Goodness's orphanage, Superman, Wonder Woman, the New Genesian girl they rescued are trying to find their way out. The girl, Petal, appears to be leading them somewhere. Barda is unsure, as even though she grew up in the orphanage herself, even the Apokoliptian powerhouse herself doesn't know the entire layout. Superman looks around with his X-Ray vision, and finds something that shocks him.

He's found a resistance movement working underneath the orphanage...and they're all children. One in particular is a little redheaded girl named Crimson, who could easily be Red Sonja's daughter, waves her sword at the heroes. She is especially freaked out about Barda, as she used to lead the Female Furies. Barda admits she did, but she's not on Darkseid's...well, side anymore. She had met Scott Free, and their romance opened her eyes as to the monster he was.

Crimson is confused by the concept of love. Barda explains that love is why Crimson fears for her comrades' safety, why she's happy they're with her. It's a need and desire to care for others...and to be cared about just as much. The Apokoliptian child's eyes tear up, but denies that she feels or needs love. Barda tells her everyone needs love...and the girl leaps up and gives Barda a big hug. Aww.

With that, the resistance fighters invite the heroes to have some food. Another resistance member, a balding boy named Playto, tells the heroes he knows why they're there. He just knows stuff. Barda realizes he's what's called a "multi-cog", a mutant with various mental abilities, like telepathy and precognition. Using those powers, Playto is able to fill the heroes in on how Fiddler, Icicle, and Shade ended up on Apokolips.

Back on their native Earth-2, the three had teamed up to commit some petty theft. Fiddler sees himself as the leader of this nascent Injustice Society, but this infuriates Icicle, as the cold criminal was the one who came up with the idea of the team-up in the first place. The two of them fight, so the Shade decides to make off with the loot. But then, a convenient earthquake erupts, knocking the three villains around. They hear a voice, roaring that he can offer them more than just the proceeds from mere bank robberies.

Yes, Darkseid had been dead (as established last issue), but he was still able to extend his consciousness to Earth-2, such is the power of the God of Tyranny. Despite this, he still needed human tools. Yes, even though he could literally create a new body out of the ground. I'm assuming he needed help restoring his original body because he could access his full power, or something like that. The three villains tried to fight, but he trounced them. He managed to force them to swear fealty to him. He gave them some instructions, and then vanished.

And that's how we ended up here. Superman points out that they're still unsure what Darkseid's bigger plan. Maybe he just is bored with being dead, Clark. Crimson reveals that there is a bigger plan, but her resistance has no idea what it is. But Granny Goodness might, being one of Darkseid's Elite and all. Crimson is reluctant to lead the heroes to her, but Barda is able to convince her by telling her this may be the only hope they have of freedom from the nightmare they are in. The plea works, and Crimson leads the way.

Elsewhere on Apokolips, Dr. Fate is using a bit of magic to put some of Darkseid's soldiers in their place. Green Lantern went to investigate one of the towers, and he hasn't come back. Dr. Fate and Oberon go to investigate. Hopefully, Hal Jordan is alright. But it leads Oberon to wonder. The prisoner in this tower must be important to need such heavy guard. But who would be such an important prisoner that a whole barracks of guards would be dedicated to them? They fly in and find their answer.

Izaya. The Highfather. Essentially Darkseid's heroic counterpart. Hal is trying to free the New God with his ring, as he is in pain. However, Hal's attempts to free the New God with his ring aren't working. Dr. Fate takes over trying to free him so Hal can rest. Oberon notes that Green Lantern seemed rather hellbent on freeing Izaya. Hal explains it's because Izaya reminds him of the Guardians of the Universe, being father figures to the test pilot. This is hilarious in hindsight as more recent portrayals of the Guardians tend to show them as rather arrogant, manipulative, and coldhearted.

Dr. Fate is able to free Highfather. His bonds didn't just restrain him, they weakened his life force, so he's going to need to recover. He is able to sense Darkseid returning. They have to get to Armagedda, and fast!

In Darkseid's former palace, the Huntress and Batman are scaling a wall. It's a bit disappointing as it's not done on the style of the 60s TV show. I just had another thought. The Huntress is the daughter of an alternate universe's Batman. I can imagine the Earth-1 Batman must find it a bit awkward at times. Scott Summers and Jean Grey welcome you to the club, pal. Anyway, the two are infiltrating the palace. Mister Miracle has gone off ahead on his own. Huntress understandably is concerned, as who knows what traps may still be active in the palace. Batman reminds her that he knows the palace, and their route is because they don't know the dangers. Their route is the safe one.

Mister Miracle finds only two guards, and easily dispatches them. He heads to the main planetary computer control system, nearby the throne room. Gotta give it to Darkseid, he kept up with the times. He notices some activity in the room. When he peeks in, he gets shocked by what he finds.

Batman and Huntress arrive at the throne room, and a shaken Scott Free has something to show them. He just discovered why Darkseid recruited the villains. As Crimson said to Superman, Wonder Woman, and Big Barda, there is a bigger plan. What is that plan? The machine that is restoring Darkseid to life can also be used to transport things between worlds, like the machine that allowed the JLA and JSA to have their annual team-ups. So, Darkseid is going to visit Earth-2, right? Well, kind of.

He plans to send Apokolips to Earth-2. And if he does, Earth-2 will be destroyed. I'm guessing that Apokolips will be appearing right where Earth-2 is. And since two objects cannot exist in the exact same place at the exact same time...

Yeah. It'll be The Day Earth-2 went Kablooie.

This issue was...rather enjoyable. I have to admit, I got some great amusement from Hal Jordan talking about the Guardians of the Universe as father figures. As I said earlier, modern comics, especially under Geoff Johns, tend to portray the Guardians of the Universe more as out of touch, arrogant, and manipulative. The moments with Barda and Crimson are rather heartwarming, as they remind of the importance of love, especially in a place as loveless as Apokolips. George Perez, again, brings the greatness. I enjoyed this issue, and if you want to read it yourself, it can be found in the 2010 trade paperback Crisis on Multiple Earths Volume 5.

Next time, we take a look at the birth of the man, the myth, the legend, the...nuclear powered fury...