When a Nova Prime Centurion finds himself dying, he passes his powers on to Earth teen Richard Rider. A surprisingly uninspired series debut from the team of Marv Wolfman, John Buscema and Joe Sinnott.
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John Targitt falls prey to Professor Death’s nerve gas, but ultimately assumes a new identity as the more powerful Man-Stalker. A confusing script undermines a tonal shift that is well served by stylish art from cartoonist Howard Nostrand.
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Separated into two (or maybe three?) forms, a cloned Luther Manning starts chronicling the adventures of Deathlok. A pair of confusing stories from Rich Buckler and Keith Pollard wrap up the character’s run in Astonishing Tales.
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Members of the Justice League somehow get pulled to Earth-Prime, where they come to the aid of that world’s first superhero. Logic leaps and other story execution problems hinder this outing by Gerry Conway and fill-in artist George Tuska.
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The entire might of the Justice League of America combines to stop a plot by their one-time sidekick and the villainous Key. The villains are the weak link to this tale written by Steve Englehart and drawn by longtime JLA penciler Dick Dillin.
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Still trying to return to his present, Spider-Man ends up in another dystopian future – Deathlok’s 1990 New York! Bill Mantlo brings his time-travel six-parter to a close with this serviceable done-in-one, drawn by the team of Sal Buscema and Mike Esposito.
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The fingerprints of Charles Dickens are all over this DC reprint digest, as the Victorian author’s classic tale serves as inspiration for more than one story. (Except for Jack Kirby’s Bronze Age Sandman adventure, of course, a story widely distributed for the first time in this issue.)
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When the relocation of ancient statues puts the Immortals of Cy-Tor at risk, the aliens are forced into action against Batman, Robin and Superman. A snoozy story from Bob Haney has its moments, but bland art from Curt Swan and Al Milgrom doesn’t help this dated affair.
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A “nebbish” named Leonard Tippit is tasked by the Watcher to stop a nuclear holocaust – by executing five innocent people! Hurried pacing and poor characterization make this one a tough read. From the team of Harlan Ellison, Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Dan Adkins.
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When villains from different universes team up, Superman and Captain Marvel require an assist from the extended Marvel Family. Writer Roy Thomas is having a great deal of fun here – perhaps more so than some readers – and receives strong art support from Rich Buckler and Dick Giordano.
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