
The cover and title--“Teenage Biker Mega-Death!”--both have a cheeky charm, but don’t be fooled. I’d call this the darkest story of Giffen and DeMatteis’ run, more so than the funeral episode, Blue Beetle’s mind imploding, or even the Despero stuff. Warning for death, violence, body horror, and a sense of crushing hopelessness I normally associate with election night 2016.
( Even the first time I read this, I was like…‘‘JESUS.’’ )
The Healing Power of Spank Banks: JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #29 (JLI 35)
10 December 2025 21:18
(From two issues back.)
When we last left the Blue Beetle, his prognosis was grim: the Queen Bee has programmed his mind to attack not only Max Lord but also itself. He's comatose and circling the drain. Without the Bee, he’s just a “-tle”! Only two things can save him: an old man he’s sort of met before and his own horniness.
( But not for the old man. )
Absolute Batman #15
10 December 2025 07:15
"It keeps revisiting this idea of who this clown was and what did he do, getting darker and darker. It asks, ‘What is a clown?’ ‘What does he love about clowns?’ It starts with, Oh he loves clowns because they’re funny and they make us laugh and then it goes to, ‘Maybe he loves clowns because they mock us.’ They’re a pantomime of our own buffoonery. In mythology, a clown is the only one who survives everything and laughs at us as we die." -- Scott Snyder
( Scans under the cut... )
Fantastic Four (2025) #6 [Legacy #732]
9 December 2025 18:28
Government oversight led by Maria Hill? Run away, run away!
( Read more... )
Also, the most HORRIFYING picture of Mr. Fantastic ever:
( Read more... )
Red Hair, White Hair, Blue Fare: JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #28 (JLI 34)
8 December 2025 00:21
Was Guy Gardner mellowing or not? Since his return to his original personality in issue #18, he’d been sending mixed signals (#19, #23, #26, #27, Wonder Woman #26, Invasion #3).
( Which itself is a classic asshole move, so add that to the mix. )
Beetle + Bee = Zombie Ant: JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #26-27 (JLI 33)
6 December 2025 09:19
Warning for psychological horror. This isn’t Black Swan or anything, but there’s some scary mind-control stuff, and the penultimate page shown here has an image that stayed with me for a few days. Also some mild misogyny.
The series title shifts from “Justice League International” to “Justice League America” (no “of”) to distinguish its team from Justice League Europe.
The story starts with that American team avoiding the ringing phone like a bunch of Zoomers.
( Don’t fret, fellas, I’m sure the Atom didn’t REALLY need to reach you guys anyway. )




