Happy 85th Birthday, Brenda Starr

Brenda Starr, Reporter first appeared in the Sunday section of the Chicago Tribune on June 30, 1940:

First Brenda Starr Comic Strip

Her last Sunday strip was on January 2, 2011:

Last Brenda Starr Comic Strip

Superhero Sunday: Superman: The World

Superman: The World: "The hero who inspired a generation, Superman, has always strived to protect not just Metropolis but the entire world. The Man of Tomorrow usually soars through the skies in Metropolis, but no matter where in the world a cry for help comes, Superman will always be there to save the day. Witness what makes Superman a global phenomenon as 15 countries tell tales that highlight what makes the Man of Steel the greatest superhero of all! Written by teams of top international talent, including Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks (U.S. storyline)!"

Cover of Superman: The World from DC Comics

 

Fantastic Friday Featuring Fantastic Four Pop-Tarts

I actually found a floor display of Fantastic Four: First Steps Pop-Tarts at the local Dillons last Saturday. I picked up a box of eight frosted strawberry because I wanted to try that first. The front of the box features artwork of the Fantastic Four based on the movie along with a Pop-Tart featuring the group's logo.

Front of Fantastic Four Pop-Tarts Box

The back of the box features five Pop-Tarts with different art that is supposed to be on them. There are supposed to be eight different designs, but I only found four in this box: H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot (twice), Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch (twice), Reed Richards aka Mister Fantastic (twice) and Ben Grimm aka the Thing (twice). I would have loved finding a Pop-Tart with Susan Storm aka the Invisible Woman on it.

Back of Fantastic Four PopTarts Box

The top flap of the box shows two Pop-Tarts with artwork. It also states that images were made with food coloring.

Top Flap of Fantastic Four Pop-Tarts Box

I was really disappointed with the images and the taste. Every Pop-Tart that I had featured blurry images. The strawberry flavor was very faint probably because the layer was so thin. I might try the blue raspberry ones just to see if I can get a Pop-Tart with the Invisible Woman on it. The other flavors are frosted s'mores and brown sugar cinnamon.

New History of the DC Universe #1

Out now is New History of the DC Universe #1 from DC Comics: "Learn the definitive history of the DC Universe! In celebration of 90 years of DC, super fan and writer Mark Waid turns back time to the very beginning of the DC Universe in a four-issue miniseries drawn by some of DC’s greatest artists and told by the newest chronicler of time, Barry Allen, the Flash! In our debut issue, Barry takes us from the very birth of the DC Universe to the rise of the Justice Society. The Golden Age of heroes begins here!"

Covers of New History of the DC Universe #1 from DC Comics

Just look at all the superheroes on the wraparound cover that includes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Unknown Soldier, Sandman, Wildcat, Green Lantern, Flash, Black Canary, Dr. Fate, Vigilante, Zatara, Aquaman, Spectre, Amazing-Man and Hawkgirl.

Superman on People Magazine

Superman is on the June 30, 2025 issue of People magazine (there is also an article about him inside):

Superman on People Magazine

 

Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1

DC Comics released Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 yesterday alnd here is the summery: "There will come a day when Krypto stands beside Superman, helping him fight off monsters, aliens, and supervillains — a day when this dog will save his adoptive world thanks to the incredible powers granted him by Earth's strange yellow sun. But he's not there yet. Today, Krypto is a normal puppy on Krypton, spending each happy, snoozy, endless day alongside his family: Jor-El, Lara, and baby Kal-El. But when a rocket test goes wrong, Krypto finds himself lost in space — and soon crash-landing, all alone, on a strange and alien world called Earth."

Cover of Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 from DC Comics

Women Wednesday: Wonder Woman #22

DC Comics released Wonder Woman #22 today with this summery: "The Mouse Man cometh! As the stage is set for our next tale, Diana tells their daughter the story of one of their greatest adventures together. The maniacal Mouse Man debuts looking to prove himself against the Amazon Princess and severely underestimates how powerful she and her allies truly are. Could his humiliating defeat have repercussions for Diana in the future?"

Cover of Wonder Woman #22 from DC Comics

Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 Ad

Here's the ad for Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 coming out June 18, 2025 from DC Comics. The mini-series will be five issues and based on the new Superman movie version of Krypto.

Ad for Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 from DC Comics

Gargoyles: Demona #1

Disney's Gargoyles: Demona #1 was released earlier this week. Here's the summery: "After kicking off with a special prologue story in Dynamite Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day issue #0, the long-awaited tale of Goliath’s former love and sworn enemy of the Manhattan Clan gets underway in earnest with a return to the Dark Ages and the aftermath of the destruction of Castle Wyvern! The year is 1093, and the now-immortal Demona has become a lonely and hunted creature. Bereft of both clan and home after her betrayal of Scotland’s king, she wanders south to Northumberland in search of a safe haven – only to find that her old nemesis, Canmore, is raiding the city. Canmore’s destruction is visited upon human and Gargoyle alike, and when she discovers the depths of his cruelty and the fate of her kind at his hands, Demona’s fury sets in motion a cycle of vengeance that will last for centuries – and may yet consume the entire world!"

Cover of Gargoyles: Demona #1 from Dynamite Entertainment

Batman and Robin #22

Etrigan the Demon guest stars in this week's Batman and Robin #22.

Cover of Batman and Robin #22 from DC Comics

 

Women Wednesday: Blood Tupe #1

Blood Type #1 dropped today from EC Comics. Here's the official summery: "When you’re a vampire, everybody sucks…sooner or later! Meet Ada, an immortal vampire whose misdeeds have landed her on the doorstep of an idyllic Caribbean resort…an island paradise teeming with wealthy tourists and superstitious locals—an ample food supply for the thirsty vamp looking to get away from it all! But as Ada stalks the boundaries of her new hunting ground, she’ll soon become embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse by moonlight…as an older, wiser, and entirely different kind of predator reveals its own carnal hunger for greed and power. Who will survive when a brand-new kind of Blood Type declares war on a cunning bloodsucker with nothing left to lose…and what will be left of them?!"

Cover of Blood Type #1 from EC Comics

Note: This issue is narrated by Grave-Digger.

Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #1

DC Comics teams up with Legendary Comics again with Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #1 that came out earlier this week. The cover features Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman with Godzilla and Kong in the background. What makes this interesting is the wedding of Barry Allen aka the Flash and Iris West. Only Clark Kent aka Superman, Bruce Wayne aka Batman and Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman are actually at the wedding while several members of the Justice League and Teen Titans watch from the Hall of Justice. Amanda Waller and her Suicide Squad are also in this issue and a giant King Shark fights Godzilla. There's more but I won't spoil it all here.

Cover of Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #1 from DC Comics and Legendary Comics

Women Wednesday: Red Sonja Attacks Mars #1-3 Cover Galleries

Red Sonja Attacks Mars #3 was released today from Dynamite Entertainment. Mars Attack is licensed from Topps. This series is a sequal to the five-issue Mars Attacks Red Sonja mini-series from 2020, which I admit that I haven't read yet. Here are the cover galleries to the first three issues:

Cover Gallery for Red Sonja Attacks Mars #1 from Dynamite

Cover Gallery for Red Sonja Attacks Mars #2 from Dynamite

Cover Gallery for Red Sonja Attacks Mars #3 from Dynamite

Morbius DVD

I picked up this Morbius dvd at the local Walmart's for five dollars last Tuesday. I finally watched it last night and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would considering all the negative reviews that I had read. Yes, it's a super vampire movie with more action than horror but still a fun ride. It was worth the five dollars just for the special features alone.

Cover of Morbius DVD

 

Mr. Terrific: Year One #1

Out this week is Mr. Terrific: Year One #1 (2025) featuring the secret origin of summer's breakout superhero (he's in the upcoming Superman movie). Brilliant young inventor Michael Holt’s life was destined for greatness, yet everything screeched to a halt when his wife Paula and unborn son were killed in a car accident. The Holts once shared ambitious dreams of using their technology to help others, but after the tragedy, Michael retreats from society and sells Holt Industries to mysterious and craven tech billionaire Athena Prescott. The domino effect of Michael’s actions set off an explosive chain of events that take a not-so-ordinary man from the depths of despair to the heights of heroism. Meanwhile, in the present day, Mr. Terrific continues his research into what became of Darkseid after the events of the DC All-In Special (yeah, it would help if you have read this). He comes to realize that his past and the present might be inextricably linked.

Cover of Mr. Terrific: Year One #1 from DC Comics

Hot Wheels Batman 5-Pack 2024

Today was my lucky day for I found this Hot Wheels Batman 5-pack from 2024 at the local Dollar General. I have not seen this 5-pack at the local Walmart's, so I quickly grabbed this.  There are two batmobiles, two villain cars and a cop car. Here's the front featuring all five Hot Wheels die-cast cars:

Front of Hot Wheels Batman 5-Pack 2024

Here's the back featuring Batman reaching out for you:

Back of Hot Wheels Batman 5-Pack 2024

Mr. Freeze is represented by the Sir Ominous car with a bluish silver color. The Batman Batmobile has gold look to it. The photos below don't do the paint jobs justice.

Close up of Mr. Freeze (Sir Ominous) and The Batman Batmobile

The Penguin is represented by the Fast Felion car painted metalflake purple. The Gotham City Police car is painted metalflake gray '11 Dodge Charger R/T (to me it looks brownish).

Close-up of the Penguin (Fast Felion) and Gotham City Police ('11 Dodge Charger R/T)

Finally, there is the chrome Batmobile from 2019.

Close-up of Batmobile

Women Wednesday: Betty and Veronica Friends Forever: Spy Girls #1

The cover of Betty and Veronica Friends Forever: Spy Girls #1 features Betty, Veronica, Mad Doctor Doom, Chester and Medusa Doom. The first story is titled "Medusa Gone Wild" with Agent B and Agent V getting the drop on Medusa Doom after locking up her father, Mad Doctor Doom. This is a new story that introduces Medusa Doom. The second story is titled "Where the Action is..." features the agents tryuing to find a missing Archie. Next is a classic B.E.T.T.Y. as the Girl from R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. two part story titled "Playthings of Pearl" that finds her battling the Toymaker. Chester appears briefly in part one but ends up being a robot. Chester is usually Mad Doctor Doom's assistant, so it was odd to so little of them in this issue.

Cover of Betty and Veronica Friends Forever: Spy Girls #1 from Archie Comics

 

Goodnight Peter David

Sad news for Legendary Comic Creator Peter David Dies at 68. He wrote for comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His best known comic works include Aquaman for DC Comics in the 1990s and The Incredible Hulk for Marvel Comics starting in 2005.

Peter David (September 23, 1956 – May 24, 2025)

Superman Unlimited #1

The Summer of Superman continues this week with the release of Superman Unlimited #1. The cover features Superman, Lois Lane, Krypto, Jonathan Kent aka Superboy, Jimmy Olsen and Zod. The story is basically an excuse for a series of flashbacks. As a bonus, there is a preview of Supergirl #1.

Cover of Superman Unlimited #1 from DC Comics

 

Women Wednesday: Wonder Woman #21

Wonder Woman #21 dropped today from DC Comics. The legacy number is #821 for what it's worth. Oh yeah, Batman is also on the cover. As a bonus, there is a sneak peek at Mr. Terrific: Year One #1 coming out this month.

Cover of Wonder Woman #21 from DC Comics

Milk & Bone Presents Superman: A Friendship Unleashed #1

Did you know that if you buy a box of Milk & Bone dog treats that you can get a free comic book featuring Superman and Krypto? The small print calls it Milk & Bone Custom Comic (July 2025) but the cover suggests Milk & Bone Presents Superman: A Friendship Unleashed #1 (sounds better right?). Of course, it's basically a movie tie-in. Shame I don't have a dog anymore so the neighbor's dog will get them.

Cover of Milk & Bone Presents Superman: A Friendship Unleashed #1 from DC Comics

Cool ad for the Milk & Bone box featuring Krypto:

Ad for Milk & Bone featuring Krypto

Women Wednesday: Supergirl #1

Ho hum, DC Comics released a new Supergirl #1 today. But wait, Krypto also appears along with a brief appearance by Streaky.

Cover of Supergirl #1 from DC Comics

Official Superman Trailer

Oh yeah, the official Superman trailer dropped today:

Black Canary: Best of the Best #4-6

Happy Mother's Day and we continue with a look at the Black Canary: Best of the Best mini-series from DC Comics. Issue four has a great cover featuring Dinah Lance aka Black Canary kissing Oliver Queen aka Green Arrow. The issue starts with Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern talking and having a beer with Oliver. The fight between Lady Shiva and Black Canary continues with round four. Ted Grant aka Wildcat is taken away in an ambulance after being beaten by Lady Shiva. There is a flashback with him introducing a young Dinah to Oliver in his gym and it did not go smoothly. In another flashback, Dinah is having shots with her mom as they talk about Ollie.

Cover of Black Canary: Best of the Best #4 from DC Comics

Both Black Canaries are in their costumes on the cover of issue five. This issue starts off with a flashback of the mother in a hospital bed with her daughter sitting nearby in a chair. In the present, found five of the battle between Lady Shiva and Black Canary starts. Flashback to both Black Canaries in costumes talking after taking down a purse snatcher. There are some great flashback scenes at the hospital. The first being Dinah and Ollie hugging in the waiting room. The second shows her hugging her mom in the hospital room.

Cover of Black Canary: Best of the Best #5 from DC Comics

The sixth and final issue of Black Canary: Best of the Best mini-series starts with Vandal Savage visiting the young Dinah in the hospital. She tells him that her mother is dying. They talk about his cure for her and how she has to take a dive in the sixth round. The fight between Lady Shiva and Black Canary continue with the former pulling the blonde wig off the latter. There is a flashback of young Dinah talking to herself and losing it. The end of the fight is epic but so is the aftermath.

Cover of Black Canary: Best of the Best #6 from DC Comics

Black Canary: Best of the Best #1-3

DC Comics released Black Canary: Best of the Best in November 2024. The following ad was in that issue and promised Lady Shiva vs. Black Canary.

Ad for Black Canary: Best of the Best from DC Comics

Lady Shiva does start fighting Black Canary in the first issue. What surprised me the most was that the original Black Canary also appears.

Cover of Black Canary: Best of the Best #1 from DC Comics

Issue two continues the fight between Lady Shiva and Black Canary with flashbacks of the latter being trained by her mother. There are also flashbacks of a young Dinah when her mother was active as Black Canary. We also get to see her dad, Larry Lance, who is a cop.

Cover of Black Canary: Best of the Best #2 from DC Comics

Issue three opens with Ted Grant aka Wildcat being interviewed ringside. He has also been in Black Canary's fight with Lady Shiva. Batman pops up in a flashback and becomes Dinah's sparring partner. Green Arrow and Vandal Savage appears in another flashback. In the present day, Ted Grant attacks Lady Shiva in the ring when Black Canary goes down.

Cover of Black Canary: Best of the Best #3 from DC Comics

Space Quest #1 Cover Gallery

Space Ghost and Jonny Quest team up in a new mini-series from Dynamite Entertainment. Space Quest #1 was released this week and is set in 1965. If you're a fan of the Hanna-Barbera cartoons, then this is a must for you.

Cover Gallery Page 1 for Space Quest #1 from Dynamite Entertainment

Cover Gallery Page 2 for Space Quest #1 from Dynamite Entertainment

Goodnight Jackson "Butch" Guice

Sad news according to An ‘X-Men' Legend Has Died: Jackson Guice Was 63. He co-created Apocalypse for Marvel and Resurrection Man for DC Comics. The artist also did work for several independent comic companies.

Jackson "Butch" Guice (June 27, 1961 – May 1, 2025)

Science Fiction Sunday: Happy Star Wars Day 2025

Here's a neat collectible for science fiction fans wanting to celebrate Star Wars Day:

Purchase Star Wars Darth Vader May The Force Be With You Pin at SuperHeroStuff!

Superhero Saturday: Killer Kobra: The Hunt Begins

When I first saw the cover for Killer Kobra: The Hunt Begins #1, I thought DC Comics was rebooting their super villainous Kobra group. Instead, Zenoscope Entertainment is introducing a new "shadowy vigilante that strikes with the fury of a thousand venoms." Basically, he's a monster hunter that uses the cobra school of kung fu.

The issue actually starts with a group of college students hiking in the Ozarks during their Spring Break. They are attacked and killed by a Bigfoot. The issue then switches to Philadepia (yes, that's how they spell it), where Killer Kobra out of costume is sparring with a talking mongoose named Chopstick. He looks at a photo of his parents before getting a call about the Bigfoot attack. The action shifts to a mysterious man ordering a mysterious woman agent to bring in or eliminate Kobra and Chopstick. We switch back to the hero and his animal sidekick who finds trouble in a roadhouse in the Ozarks. He easily wins the fight with his mastery of Cobra Kung Fu but is chased off by the bar owner with a rifle. The pair make their way to the campsite but is attacked by the Bigfoot. Killer Kobra, now in full costume, does his fancy martial arts moves against the huge creature, who retreats. He and Chopsticks chases the monster in the woods in a comical chase scene before the issue literally ends on a cliffhanger.

This was a pretty good first issue and I love the running gag with Chopsticks being mistaken for a ferret. I highly recommend reading Killer Kobra: The Hunt Begins #1 if you like a little humor with your martial arts superhero.

Cover of Killer Kobra: The Hunt Begins #1 from Zenescope Entertainment

 

Archie is Mr. Justice #1-3 Cover Galleries

If you haven't been reading Archie is Mr. Justice series, then you should. Each issue spotlights the different relationships that being a superhero brings. The first issue focuses on Jughead and Archie's relationship. There is also a cool alternative cover paying homage to the very first Superman cover on DC Comics' Action Comics #1.

Cover Gallery from Archie is Mr. Justice #1

Archie is Mr. Justice #2 focuses on Veronica becoming Visionary and there is a cool alternative cover that pays homage to DC Comics' Crisis on Infinite Earths #17 (death of Supergirl).

Cover Gallery from Archie is Mr. Justice #2

The third issues focuses on Betty's relationship with Archie as Mr. Justice. There is also a cool alternative cover paying homage to Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man #50.

Cover Gallery from Archie is Mr. Justice #3

The next issue is going to be spotlighting Reggie as Kid Wicked and will be the final issue of this mini series from Archie Comics.

Women Wednesday: Power Girl #20

DC Comics released Power Girl #20 (2025) today and it's the final issue of that series. Karen Starr has triumphantly returned to Metropolis. But there’s a problem… the person using that alias isn’t Power Girl! Paige can’t just stand by as this new Karen gets involved in ventures and schemes she would never dream of. It’s up to her to expose this imposter before they ruin her reputation for good!

Cover of Power Girl #20 from DC Comics

Hoppy Easter Elvira Style

Wishing everyone a safe and Hoppy Easter today.

Hoppy Easter Elvira Style

 

Hot Wheels Batman: Arkham Asylum Batmobile 2025

I was surprised to find this Hot Wheels Batman: Arkham Asylum Batmobile 2025 at the local Dillons store this morning. It has a metalflake dark gold paint job and blue tinted windows.

Hot Wheels Batman: Arkham Asylum Batmobile 2025

Close up of Hot Wheels Batman: Arkham Asylum Batmobile 2025