JLA vs. Teen Titans poster

Here is a... busy poster. It's one of these deals where you're to go into overload from the abundance of heroes present, and that (if available) said heroes are pitted up against mentor/sidekick, power equal.
I wasn't crazy about the miniseries, nor am I in love with the poster. I'm over (was then) scores of heroes facing off against one another artwork (although I occasionally enjoy the prospect of the Atom drubbing that Marvel bug) and this is not my favorite from Phil Jimenez.

But I suppose it serves/served it's purpose.

"But where's the Atom, Damian?"

Need help tracking Ray down? Wait no longer!


As you can see, Ray has been streaking across the poster, leaving little Atom logo's in his place. I've also taken the liberty of arrowing out two other celebrities:
The Martian Manhunter - Whom has been the topic of discussion at several sites the past week or so and since you just can't get your fill of the Manhunter, take a trip on over to Frank and/or Mike Netzer's site, to see what's new there. As you can see, J'Onn is right under the Atom. BFF! He's got his cape all closed up there, definitely something going on. Perhaps he's not wearing his red x underneath, the little minx...
Aquaman - As we can see there (assuming you can find him even with super helpful arrow!), he's about to shove his hook up Garth's nose.

DC 100 SUPER SPECTACULAR PAGES: The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus!

Don't give me that.

Fine. This cover doesn't exactly induce warm fuzzy feelings and a sense of joy. But maybe that's because you haven't read it...

For if you had, you'd know that this thing is all over the frickin place, and is in fact a bondafide Christmas miracle. And look at that cast of characters on the front there! And plenty are missing!

Bats and Supes meet with a costumed Claus for charity. A splosion goes off, our heroes save the kids, faux Claus goes down like a sack of toys.
They find a key and a letter beside his body.
The message: find the door this key opens or a city block will be destroyed.

That's the spirit!

All sorts of fools get involved in this one, except for The Atom, Flash, Elongated Man, and Aquaman who would prefer to "do their own thing."

This is the type of issue where the JLA seems like an incompetent bunch. Aside from the Phantom Stranger that is, who saves the day.

The Christmas miracle? Red Tornado learns the true meaning of Christmas, and nabs himself a brand spanking new suit! He hasn't taken it off since.

Way to go Reddy!

So it's not the fun and sweet DC Christmas message I was going to put up originally (not that I had many options), but for various reasons it's what I decided on. Besides, Ray's mom was Jewish and I'm a Christmas boy. So we met halfway.

And put up a cover featuring a sploded Santa Claus? Whatever!

Happy Holidays to all that have been stopping by and dropping off comments, emails, and just reading!
To those who haven't been, enjoy your Ant-Man blogs you dirty rat bastards!

I seriously do appreciate it though, and maybe DC will pick things up in the Atom merchandise department so I can make it to next Christmas!

JLA #27

Great expectations...


I had set myself up a bit with this one. I've been having more and more discussions lately as to why Ray Palmer was never A-listed, and why he won't be included in any kind of JLA movie (I've still got that pilot!). Aside of course from maybe Plas and himself fixing a microwave in the back or something...
Anyway, it's pretty obvious: He doesn't bludgeon baddies with his fists or lift vans and motor homes. And he's not all dark and brooding and such.
It made me think of this JLA issue, with that great cover. All of the JLA's finest (and then some) strewn about, and Amazo standing there with supes's torn cape in hand, pointing at someone and demanding how they are going to stop him.
I knew who they was. And so do you. Why it's The Atom of course! Ray Palmer, back in action after he semi-retired.

The issue starts off with The Flash and the resident GL paying Dr. Palmer a visit and asking him to drop the academia and re-join the JLA. He declines, of course. Wants nothing to do with it. Meanwhile, an upgraded Amazo tears through a not-so-prepared Justice League. This guy has got all the powers of the current JLA incarnation, and he's mightily wielding them! Unable to stop him, the reserves are called in to hit this s.o.b. with everything they've got.
Problem is, Amazo is such a sweet piece of technology, he can upgrade to include the powers of each new JLAer!

With every single member beaten and down for the count, enter The Atom. Here's what I had been waiting for. Palmer is going to show up, brains at the ready... but using brawn! He'll launch himself at Amazo and the two will duke it out for the remainder until Ray pounds his brains in! Literally!

Wrong. The Atom figures out that with Amazo taking on every power the JLA can throw at him, if chairman of the board Superman disbands the whole operation, then our bad guy will be left powerless.

The Atom tells Superman this.

Supermans shouts "The JLA is officially disbanded!"

Amazo is defeated.

That's it.

I just wanted Ray to work off some steam (or maybe it was me), but I got this instead. He ends the issue as the Justice League's part-time science consultant. Ugh.

Come on Ray, dishing out advice and hot tips never got anyone on school supplies!