Crisis on Earth Blog Crossover!

Well folks, its that time again! What time you ask? Why time for another Crisis on Earth Blog Crossover, of course!




This time, we're focusing on the 25th Anniversary of the Super Powers line of action figures from Kenner. Green Arrow was featured in the second wave of this series, pictured below:

Unfortunately, I don't own this figure, so I can't review it on the site (I do have a new fig though, look for it soon ((I promise)). I can however, review the mini comic that came with GA and the other figs in the series. In fact, that's the main focus of the current Crisis on Earth Blog Crossover! Green Arrow's comic also features The Flash and Martian Manhunter.

First, we have the cover:
As you can see, everyone's favorite Emerald Archer is battling Kalibak, another character featured in the Super Powers line. We're not really sure who drew or wrote these books, but the cover is certainly well done and very dynamic! Note: the line features a large number of the New Gods of Apokolips as villains. I can only assume this was because of their recent high profile gigs on Super Friends.

On the second page, the story gets started...sort of:

Before we get to the story, we get a mail in card to join the Kenner Super Powers fan club. which apparently got you a bunch of swag and discounts on DC comics for $3.50. Not bad! Anyway, the action starts off in Star City, where the Martian Manhunter is presenting Green Arrow with an award! Apparently, the emerald duo is tired of waiting, since The Flash is late (again), so they proceed with the ceremony:

but wait, The Flash is here after all! He was just outside parking the inevitable vehicle tie in...I mean Delta Probe One. :) We also learn that GA's award is made from a "Martian Power Gem." I have no idea where J'onn's been keeping that thing all these years...but its probably best not to ask! Unfortunately, the gem has drawn some unwanted attention:

Kalibak arrives in his Boulder Bomber (also a vehicle in the Super Powers line) to steal the power gem for himself! Of course, J'onn J'onzz, The Martian Manhunter, is having none of that, and tries to tip Kalibak and his vehicle over! Unfortunately:

Kalibak launches a flaming..arrow...thing at J'onn and due to his race's weakness to fire, he's down for the count! Its here that GA first gets into the fight, trying to use a Fire Extinguisher Arrow to douse the flames and let J'onn recover, but he's foiled by the Boulder Bomber! Next:



The Flash comes in with reinforcements! Its a battle of the product placements, folks! The Delta Probe and Boulder Bomber fight it out with their included accessories, until GA intervenes again!


Unfortunately, another of Kalibak's accessories destroys GA's arrows before he can fire! Fortunately, Ollie is pretty quick on the uptake, and turns the tables on Kalibak:
Apparently one blow to the head by a normal human being can knock Kalbak out cold. Good to know :) Anyway, the boys put Kalibak in another of the Delta Probes product features, and call it a day!

The mini comic was obviously an excuse for more product placement, but it was very well done regardless. It combines some of my favorite characters (GA, MM, and the New Gods) into a fun little package. I only wish I had a copy myself!

As part of the blog crossover, several of my fellow comic bloggers are also going over and reviewing the comics that came with their favorites characters. Please click on the links below and check it out!

• Aquaman Shrine- http://www.aquamanshrine.blogspot.com/
• Bat-Blog- http://www.tomztoyz.blogspot.com/
• Being Carter Hall- http://beingcarterhall.blogspot.com/
• SpeedForce- http://speedforce.org/
• Crimson Lightning- http://thefastestmanalive.blogspot.com/
• Love Dat Joker- http://lovedatjoker.livejournal.com/
• Justice League Detroit- http://justiceleaguedetroit.blogspot.com/
• Idol-Head of Diabolu - http://idol-head.blogspot.com/
• ... nurgh ... -http://nurgh.blogspot.com/
• Doom Patrol blog (Doug) - http://mygreatestadventure80.blogspot.com/
• Fortress of Baileytude- http://www.fortressofbaileytude.com/
• Firestorm Fan - http://firestormfan.com/
• Once Upon A Geek http://onceuponageek.com/

Action figure images courtesy of: cooltoyreview.com
Mini-Comic scans courtesy of the Irredeemable Shag

Good News/Bad News

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have good news and bad news. The good new is: I will have a lot more free time on my hands in the next few weeks. You'll probably see many more psts than you've been seeing in the past couple months.

The bad news: Your humble correspondent is now unemployed. Woo.

Ollie Watch: July 8th, 2009

Hey guys, bet you thought I'd disappeared again! Anyway, big news in the Green Arrow world this week:


Green Arrow/Black Canary #22: The citizens of Star City are still deaf following Discord's attack. Will Black Canary be able to defeat a man who can cancel out any sound? Meanwhile, Green Arrow continues to fight off the advances of Cupid, his insane stalker.

This issue begins the split between the Green Arrow and Black Canary titles. GA will still be the star of the book, drawn by none other than Bill Sienkiewicz! Black Canary will still be in the book, but as a back up feature, similar to the Booster Gold/Blue Beetle setup. The Black Canary feature will be written by Josef Rubenstein.

Speedy, do we have to have another "discussion"?

Speedy, this is strike two. First, you doodle in the sand while a super villain tries to impale me with a spear, and now this!


Oh Speedy, its no wonder you got yourself addicted to heroin the moment you were out of adult supervision.

Panels from World's Finest #50, page 18. Image courtesy of Comics Make No Sense.

Return from Hiatus: Con Repot: Atlanta Comic Convention

Hey guys, hiatus over! I find myself with a bit more free time these days, so the Arrowcave is back!

Every 3 or 4 months, Atlanta hosts the Atlanta Comic Convention. Its a small con, only the ballroom at a hotel, but there are usually deals a plenty to go around. I got a ton of stuff, so let's get started!

Firestorm: Just a few issues this time. The Fury of Firestorm 30,33, 63, 65, 85, 88, and 89 found their way into my bag.

Namor: Filled in some more of my Namor collection, with Namor vol. 2 34, 46, and annual 1.

ROM Spaceknight: More ROM! Issues 19, 28, and 74

Moon Knight: Issues 19 (twice, sigh) and 21 of Marc Spector, Moon Knight.

Legion of Superheroes: Issues 269, 275, 300, 310, and annual 2 of the original series. Also issue 51 of Legionaires, post reboot.

Vigilante: I found almost every issue of the 80's Baxter paper run of Vigilante out of a quarter bin. I now own issues 2-13, 16, 17, 21, 22, 25, 27-50 and annual 2. That's almost the entire series! I've heard great things about this series, ad now I can see for myself.

For some comedy, I also picked up a few issues of 'Mazing Man. Specifically issues 1-9 and the special.

To fill in some of my Mike Grell collection we turn to the Book Nook, a used bookstore near the con. There, in the 50 cent bin, I found most of the second Jon Sable: Freelance run. I got issues 1-4, 6, 8-17, and 20-22.

Aquaman: Just one ish this time, issue 8 of the 91 series.

I also picked up a few random issues of Green Lantern, Alpha Flight, Avengers, Secret Society of Super Villains, Ambush Bug, and finally, the last issue of the Beta Ray Bill Stormbreaker miniseries.

Good times, good times! I also got to hang out with my friend Scott Gardner of the Two True Freaks podcast. Its always nice to attend the con with a friend!

EDIT TO ADD: I forgot something! I also found Essential volumes for 4 dollars! I ended up with Essential Fantastic Four vol. 1-3, Essential Marvel Two-In-One vol. 2 and Essential Amazing Spider-Man vol 7. Wooo!

Speedy, please pay attention...

In another tidbit from our friends over at Comics make No Sense, we have Green Arrow and Speedy fighting the Blue Lancer, only...



...Speedy doesn't really seem to be doing much fighting. I can imagine how this conversation went:

"Speedy, you go around and try to shoot him from behind, that shield is.... "

"Seriously Speedy, I could use some help here, this guy is throwing all manner of spears at me."

"Speedy, stop doodling in the sand and actually help me!"

"This is because I ran off and let you get addicted to heroin, isn't it?

FCBD Part 1: Teen Titans print!

Hey everyone! I know I said I was going on hiatus, but I found myself with some extra time this weekend, and wanted to report on Free Comic Book Day!

I'll elaborate on my purchases tomorrow, but for now I wanted to show you a print I picked up at Galactic Quest in Lawrenceville, GA. The artist, inker Nathaniel Massengil, was there at the store doing a signing!

I picked it up because of the cool Speedy there in the corner, but the more i look at it, the more I like it over all! I specially like the giant Aqualad in the upper left corner. Go Garth!