Superboy #199
Published and © by DC, November 1973
Title: “The Gun That Mastered Men”
Synopsis: Tyr’s disembodied, robot hand returns to free its master – and takes over Superboy in the process!
Writer: Cary Bates
Artist: Dave Cockrum
Review: A sequel to Superboy #197 (see review), this lead feature is a slight but solid affair. Cary Bates’ story lacks the sophistication the Legion would later obtain, but the art of Dave Cockrum is pushing the franchise fast into the future.
•••
Title: “The Impossible Target!”
Synopsis: Bouncing Boy is captured by Orion the Hunter, a new villain seeking vengeance for his father’s death.
Writer: Cary Bates
Artist: Dave Cockrum
Review: This Bouncing Boy solo story could have been a good one, but it’s undermined by a ludicrous ending.
Grade (for the entire issue): B
Second opinion: “#199 was plagued by a boring villain, Tyr.” – Howard Stangroom, Comics Unlimited #39, September 1976 … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: Dave Cockrum’s redesigned Legion costumes continue to be winners.
Not-so-cool factor: While Cockrum deserves high praise for the heroes’ new threads, his villain designs aren’t as strong.
Notable: Star Boy gets a new costume. … The “Super Talk” letters page includes an LoC from future DC staffer Bob Rozakis.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “We’re prisoners of our own fortress!” – Braniac 5, twelfth-level intellect and master of the obvious
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Jan. 13, 2010.
