THE DEMON versus SOLOMON GRUNDY

Christened On A Tuesday (DC)
Where: Solomon Grundy #2 When: June 2009
Why: Scott Kolins How: Scott Kolins

The Story So Far...
In the 19th century, Gotham City was home to a wicked soul named Cyrus Gold. With much blood on his hands, he was cursed in death to forever rise from his unmarked grave in Slaughter Swamp as the beast Solomon Grundy!

Caught in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, the shambling monster is forever drawn to new acts of evil as an unstoppable undead creature - until now?

A mysterious force has intervened to give Cyrus Gold seven days to end his curse and finally put his soul to rest! His former nemesis The Green Lantern is charged with aiding him in his quest, but as they soon find out, not everyone wants Solomon Grundy gone before The Blackest Night!

Infernal forces intend to keep Cyrus Gold's soul in turmoil - sending an agent to keep him from his mission. While Green Lantern struggles in the cursed marsh of Slaughter Swamp - The Demon, Etrigan attacks! Now Solomon Grundy must fight for his death - or be dragged to new depths by his newest nemesis!

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Solomon Grundy 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: The Demon 2 (Average)
Speed: The Demon 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Solomon Grundy 6 (Generator)
Agility: The Demon 3 (Acrobat)
Fighting: Draw 3 (Street Wise)
Energy: The Demon 3 (Explosive)


Can you say Round 2? It was almost a year ago when last we saw The Demon versus Solomon Grundy! It was a battle right out of Hell - waged on Devil's Night, to signal the impending return of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths!

In that particular showdown: The Demon was decreed the victor - even though the circumstances of the win were left open to continuation. For twelve months the ultimate fate of that fight has thus been left undecided - until now!

The beginning of their battle was a showcase of distinct advantages. Solomon Grundy demonstrated an obvious physical strength, allowing him to manhandle The Demon and turn chunks of the surrounding scenery into deadly weapons!

Etrigan took everything the powerhouse zombie was able to throw at him - practically relishing the pain! The Demon's resilience is an obvious asset in this case, but he's also able to give as good as he gets with little concern for himself or others! The fight ended when he sent Solomon Grundy (and himself) plummeting from a demolished bridge into the waters below!

The change in arena isn't an insignificant detail!

Solomon Grundy may be carrying the wear and tear of Round 1 into today's feature fight, but he does so into water - an environment more closely resembling the swamp from which he rose! He certainly looked at home splashing around in sewer water when he dealt an all mighty defeat to Killer Croc in Faces of Evil: Solomon Grundy #1!

Water probably shouldn't douse the deadly demonic flames spewed forth by Etrigan, but in traditional lore, water can at least be considered an unfriendly element to any spawn of Hell. That might be enough to slow The Demon down!

Grundy's no stranger to being water logged, but will a late night dip spell a comeback for the shambling monster once called Cyrus Gold?l Let's find out!

The Tape: The Demon Ranking: The Demon (#45)

What Went Down...

The carnage happening around them hardly matters as they plummet towards the water below! Solomon Grundy and The Demon: locked in battle - engulfed in flames!

Etrigan, in that way he does, asks prophetically if Grundy has ever died on a Tuesday. He has seven days to put the soul of Cyrus Gold to rest. A fools quest when The Demon is charged with waylaying it with a fresh death!

The fire is extinguished as the warring monsters smash into the water!

Solomon Grundy clutches at The Demon's cape as the hellspawn rides his foe into the darkness of the water. Bubbles toil as they thrash in trouble.

Etrigan plunges his clawed fist into the marshy bog of Solomon Grundy's chest. He expects to find a beating heart, but instead pulls away a fist of the muck that constitutes Grundy's endless form!

The zombie's eyes burn with intensity - something resembling a wry smile across his toothy grin. Undeterred, he returns the favour by ramming his own hulking fist through The Demon's trunk!

The impalement draws a lone, wailing shriek in a chorus of hellfire from the usually rhyming Demon! Perhaps it was agony - or something else?

Aggression turns to uncertainty as Solomon Grundy recognizes something changing at the end of his fist. Still attached to The Demon by the hole he made with his fist - Grundy is at ground zero as hellfire explodes from Etrigan's chest!

Bathed in the inferno, Solomon Grundy is reduced to a weighty charred corpse!

The zombie drifts silently into the dark abyss, his body bubbling as the hellfire engulfing it dissipates. Etrigan watches with demonic glee as his cargo slowly sinks. He swims to meet it, pulling the lifeless head from its burnt body.

The Hammer...

Last time we needed careful deliberation to determine the winner of the fight via decision. This time the result is as plain as the look on Grundy's decapitated face: The Demon, Etrigan wins!

I've been eager to get back to this one, if only for completion's sake. The seven issues of Solomon Grundy pit him against a different foe for each day of the week, and if you paid attention to the cover at the start of this entry - you know Bizarro is the real marquee opponent of the second issue!

As much as I would've liked a decisive Etrigan win in the first issue (for purely selfish reasons), I do appreciate the way this eases the series into what is ultimately a seven issue gauntlet. I imagine in collected or digital formats, the pause goes mostly unnoticed. We aim to deal in original format here.

The more I come back to it, I find myself appreciating a lot about this series. By not rushing to contain The Demon to that first issue, Scott Kolins gets a chance to play his action big and rough at all the right times. It suits the monster comic tone of the story, and really gives him room to create atmospheric panels and some signature art. I'm not sure if it's the best work of his career, but it was a period where he seemed to be coming into his own (again).

Green Lantern shows up just as the fight is ending -- too late to serve in his role as guiding light to the soul of Cyrus Gold. I'm always happy to see the Golden Age heroes in contemporary action, GL especially. The fact that their existence has been so precarious in the last five to six years of DC Comics makes it all the sweeter to go back and read these issues. It isn't deep, but it's fun.

The classic, heroic Grundy nemesis will play a continuous role throughout the 2009 mini-series, which ties indirectly into the conspiracy of events that is and was Blackest Night.

I'm hoping over time we can work our way through each battle leading up to Blackest Night, when the action spills over into bannered issues of Superman/Batman. It was an interesting extension you might miss if you didn't know to look for it. We've got a long way to go before then, though!

I was hoping October might be the month to get a couple of Solomon Grundy feature fights on the books, but it looks like Secret Wars on Infinite Earths will be going to Hell for the next few weeks. Literally!

If you're really hungry for more Grundy, be sure to share this link and leave a comment below. In the mean time, you can get yourself the full story by using the Amazon purchase link provided! Doing so helps keep the secret wars infinite!

You can also find plenty more review and retrospective by following links throughout, or diving into the Secret Issue Index!

Winner: The Demon
#33 (+12) The Demon (Etrigan) [+1 kill]
#361 (-2) Solomon Grundy

THE DEMON versus SOLOMON GRUNDY
Born On A Monday (DC)
Where: Solomon Grundy #1 When: May 2009
Why: Scott Kolins How: Scott Kolins

The Story So Far...
Cyrus Gold lived a wicked life as a citizen of late 19th Century Gotham City. Cursed in death to forever rise from his unmarked grave within Slaughter Swamp - he becomes the mindless, shambling behemoth known as Solomon Grundy!

Born on a Monday some fifty years after his demise the undead Grundy emerged from the muck composed of its rotting contents for the very first time. The zombie-like Grundy was drawn to a new life of evil time and again, possessing super-human strength in his many deaths and rebirths. He is inevitably drawn into conflict with emerging heroes like The Green Lantern, whose magic might could not grapple with Grundy's grim, wood infused corpse!

It was fitting that the ring-wielding hero should be there to bare witness to the return not of Solomon Grundy - but Cyrus Gold - decades later! Something has intervened in the endless cycle, granting Gold a final 7 days to put his soul to rest! Summoned by The Phantom Stranger, Alan Scott must aid Cyrus in his quest to end the vicious curse of Solomon Grundy before The Darkest Night - but the Stranger isn't the only force taking an interest in this weird twist of fate...

Tale of the Tape...
Strength: Solomon Grundy 6 (Invincible)
Intelligence: The Demon 2 (Average)
Speed: The Demon 3 (Athlete)
Stamina: Solomon Grundy 6 (Generator)
Agility: The Demon 3 (Average)
Fighting: Draw 3 (Street Wise)
Energy: The Demon 3 (Explosive)

What an interesting match-up! Perfectly themed for Halloween, and a preview for the coming resurrection of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths: The Comic Book Fight Club! It's the first of many curious confrontations to come from Scott Kolins' now forgotten 2009 mini-series - a book I hoped to re-visit on the site since it was originally released!

It actually began with Faces of Evil: Solomon Grundy #1 - a gimmicky prelude issue that I did feature, which gives us a great example of Solomon Grundy's overwhelming strength! In that issue he does a number on Killer Croc like you wouldn't believe! It's the perfect example of what Grundy's fighting style is all about - raw power! Croc may be his only recorded win in the "Infinite Wars", but Grundy's relied on brute strength to hold his own against The Justice Society, as well as the combined might of Hawkman, Hawkgirl & Monolith! Not too shabby!

"The Demon" Etrigan brings a certain amount of muscle to the table, but I'm reluctant to consider his encounters with the likes of Wonder Woman [eg; The Demon #17] or Superman the standard. Perhaps that's my limited exposure talking, but I tend to think of him as scaling down. While he'll certainly be able to withstand the physical assault, I see his speed and agility as a means to out manoeuvre and counter strike against the raw power of Grundy. Throw in a little hellfire, sadomasochism, and those demonic claws - and you've got a recipe for one helluva fight! (Literally!)

For a more impartial measure, we always end this section with a comparison of Tape Measure stats and cumulative rankings. To my own surprise, The Demon far and away outranks Solomon Grundy - who only registers a paltry #333. When you consider there are 796 characters ranked, that's not so bad, but Grundy's such a personal favourite, I thought he'd rate better! Will he improve his standing? We find out next in What Went Down!

The Tape: The Demon Ranking: The Demon (#70)

What Went Down...
Left alone while The Green Lantern searches for the knife that killed him: Cyrus Gold is again the victim of Slaughter Swamp! Helpless, he's torn apart by alligators - only to reassemble himself as the mindless beast Solomon Grundy!

Who was it that taunted poor Cyrus with rhymes of fancy while he died an ignominious death? The Demon - Etrigan! Working in the commission of an infernal master, he slashes at Grundy from side to side with burning claws, issuing a painful reminder! "... I'm here to remind thee... the deal you struck -- was for -- ETERNITY!"
 

Regrouping, Grundy literally and figuratively smoulders as he sets eyes on his flaming foe. The mindless brute establishes his dislike for "fire face" and his intent to kill. A hulking right hand backs it up - sending The Demon hurtling through no less than three swamp trees!

Inspired, or simply opportunistic? Grundy rips another of the mighty woods from its nearby root, and brings it crushing down upon the charging Demon!

Etrigan is unphased by the blunt trauma! Cackling, he propels himself through the tree with a stream of hellfire - directly at his dumb-founded opponent! Rather than colliding, the pair become airborne, where The Demon is in total control. Clutching his prey, Etrigan steers them toward their destiny - a nearby bridge. "Your redemption will be denied! It matters not how Cyrus died!"

The pair make ground in the middle of traffic with a flaming explosion! Grundy recovers, tossing the wreckage aside and promising again to kill. Etrigan laughs wildly at the threat, blasting the twisted metal that flies toward him. Then, opening his fangs wide, he vomits the fury of the inferno directly at Solomon!

The monster lets loose a primal roar as he's engulfed in flame. Somewhere deep within, the spirit of Cyrus Gold grimly anticipates the inevitable end. The fuel soaked bridge explodes! Etrigan laughs all the way as he rides the flames down with all the rest - into the murky waters below...

 

The Hammer...
It was a battle straight out of Hell - but who won it?!

This is the section traditionally reserved for calling the winner, but there's no obvious victor in this one! The two combatants disappear somewhat ambiguously after Etrigan causes the bridge to collapse. It was a combative gambit, but it showed no clear advantage before issue's end. The Demon's laughing - but he laughs at agony!

Prior knowledge lets me know the fight resumes in the next issue -- but "Infinite Wars" bylaws demand a decision based on this issue's content alone!

There's a strong conservative argument for an "inconclusive" finish, but I think there's enough here to call a winner based on "Round 1" philosophy. As he douses Grundy with scorching hellfire - Etrigan is clearly ahead on points, and looking like the sure winner. Cyrus Gold's "No! No! No!" internal monologue even suggests another Solomon Grundy death - a premature call - but a resignation of defeat, none the less!

With formalities out of the way, we can use this section for its other purpose: general conversation, review and tangential thought! What am I thinking about right now? This time of year's always been fun for horror themed battles between demons and zombies, but this resurrection is actually a taste of what's to come in December! If you're a returning visitor - you might know the end of the year marks the 10th Anniversary of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths!

It's been a long time between drinks, but I'm ready to gulp down a big serve of superhero smackdown! I've already begun preparing some classic selections to celebrate the milestone -- pulling from a couple of the most requested fights of the past 10 years to make it extra special!

Beyond December, I have no plans - but I foresee more fun with big fights, back issues, and some of my favourite characters. Case in point: Solomon Grundy!

The entirety of the 2009 Solomon Grundy mini-series is told through fights like this one. In "The Tape", I already mentioned his Faces of Evil prelude clash with Killer Croc. It's a fairly simplistic romp throughout, but fans of unusual character combinations and conflicts have a lot to enjoy. It was also another interesting facet of the Blackest Night mega crossover: approaching it from a long trajectory, with a character whose ties with death created uncertainty, and anticipation. Once you know Black Lanterns are the reanimated dead - you can't help but wonder where an undead swamp-zombie will fall!

Scott Kolins is sole credit as writer-artist. Given its proximity to the Blackest Night event, and his involvement in the Faces of Evil issue, it's hard to shake a sense that Geoff Johns may've been a guiding light. That said, it's a very visual series, thrust forward by Kolins' big action, and a classic horror comic aesthetic. Kolins inks himself, which is always something I'm interested to see change, but he far exceeds some of the work that's led me to be very critical in the past!

In very recent years it's become en vogue to add colorists to the list of headline credits. Michael Atiyeh contributes a lot in Grundy - a book rich with mood and atmosphere. His colors may be a tad simple, but they never compete with the art's abundant blacks, and pop when they need to - such as Green Lantern's glowing ring energy, or Etrigan's hellfire!

The presence of true-blue Alan Scott (the golden age Green Lantern) is always a pleasure -- one we no longer have in today's DC Comics. Newer readers know Grundy for his battles with Batman, Superman, or various teams - but he's a Green Lantern original and it's fitting (and thrilling) for Scott to be here!

Etrigan is a fun choice for the first monster mash opponent, as well -- a suggestion by editor Alan Schlagman, according to a March 2009 Comics Bulletin interview. I'd love to know who Kolins' originally scripted "villain" was, but I haven't yet found out. Etrigan's here in service of infernal masters, so one assumes another demonic character was on the cards. The series frames Cyrus Gold's curse as a Faustian pact, tying it to the primordial battle between avatars of good and evil - heaven and earth. That also explains The Phantom Stranger's presence as an observer and quest master. They're the tips of big, broad strokes, but when you layer it over monster fights, the foreboding of Blackest Night, and the confusion of Cyrus Gold's murder - it's a series with layers!

Update: I thought I'd ask Mr. Kolins about his original plans for the issue, and he was kind enough to tell me the first opponent was going to be: Plasmus! An old 'voodoo lady' also had a part to play. That could've been a lot of fun, but I think Etrigan made for a great first issue marquee - especially on Halloween!

At the end of the day, the most joyous thing about the series is its existence! Whole could ever conceive of a 7 issue Solomon Grundy series, let alone a ten issue run (with tie-ins)?! Like the character itself, the book defies belief with its sheer will to endure! And endure - it will! Given the opportunity, I'm quite sure we'll return to the series sometime in the a future feature! Not in December, though!

December is the 10th Anniversary of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths and I'll be coming back for more blockbuster, main event super hero super fight action! I hope you'll be back to join me to celebrate the occasion! Happy Halloween, everybody!

Winner: The Demon

QUICK FIX DOUBLE FEATURE: Wander Woman
MONGUL versus JUSTICE LEAGUE
Infinite Crisis (DC)
Where: Infinite Crisis #1 When: December 2005
Why: Geoff Johns How: Phil Jiminez

Quick Fix...
Okay, so the lazy schedule has helped me quickly correct, but if I'm to impress the various important establishments like the BBC, and various other publishers of print and media hitting up this humble blog, I've got to hit the hard issues before they go stale.

If the feminist blogging community has been anything to go by lately, I actually probably have until about 2025 to catch this one, so maybe I'm getting in early. Alas; I'll endeavour to kill the joke no more, and get straight to the topic at hand -- Amazons Attack!

Haven't they just?
Readers of the on-going saga will know I'm still cash-strapped and months behind on comics, so Amazons Attack isn't exactly something I'm familiar with, but as it so happens, it was something I didn't have any particular interest in anyway, even in those long forgotten months where it was placed before my spending dollar. It just wasn't a story that jumped out at me, regardless of pretty covers of a sword-wielding Batman, and my relative ignorance.

Never the less, the story has taken the internet by storm. Adding fuel to the fire was the daring act of writer Will Pfeiffer to throw to the open forum [on his blog], where he invited the wrath of disgruntled and satisfied readers alike.

There's also been a story floating around the blogosphere regarding the validity of the so-called "DC Trinity," in particular reference to Wonder Woman's claim to the position on the team. These two delicious morcels provide the perfect vehicle for us to make up for a gross lack of representation of the character, and do some chatting of our own with another of our fancy, fun-time double features!

The so-called Trinity converge on the wreckage of the Justice League satellite, destroyed recently with Martian Manhunter aboard. While there are no signs of J'onn J'onnz, another presence lurks in the shadows, listening in to the bitter descent amongst the highest ranks of the Justice League heirarchy.

Concerned about recent events involving Wonder Woman's brutal execution of the corrupted Maxwell Lord, Superman is soon distracted from the conversation by the otherwise inaudible sound of a heartbeat. His reaction proves too slow, suffering a slugging fist from the villains Mongul!

The monstrous alien swats Batman aside, but Wonder Woman is at the ready with sword in-hand. She slashes at the hulking beast, who gladly meets her blood letting with a blow that sends her shattering through the ruins of the satellite base. If it wasn't already destroyed, it soon would be!

Superman returns with a vengeance, heat-vision blaring, but again he finds himself swatted away by Mongul's fantastic strength. Looking for a different tactic, he hoists the ever-so human Batman off the ground by the neck.
Assessin Batman's suitability as donor for another skull for his throne, Mongul isn't prepared for a quick recovery by Superman.

Superman throws all of his Kryptonian strength into a blow that knocks Mongul's face around itself. He continues the ill tempered attack with a stressed combination of fists, unrestrained heat-vision, and fury!

With Mongul downed, Superman checks on the rattled Batman.
Wonder Woman proves less concerned with her fellows' well being, and more with the permanent solution to Mongul's terror. She dives with her sword in the axe-handle position, prepared to strike down the fallen villain once and for all.

Ever the boyscout, Superman intercepts the killer-blow, catching the sword before it can split Mongul's head like an overripe melon. Even Batman, whose dark justice more closely resembles Wonder Woman's warrior code, questions the warrior princesses' intentions.

While the trio debate their philosophies of justice, Mongul is able to barge through them, making an untimely escape, free to trouble them again in the future.

I've been hovering around the place making tongue-in-cheek references to a slightly cheesy harsh justice trinity of DC royals; Wonder Woman, Black Adam and Aquaman. As silly as it sounds, I'm actually hiding a deadly serious, if under developed, concept. A concept that would perhaps best fit in the Wonder Woman book itself, strangely enough.

It grabs on to some very recent reference points.
I love the implication of Darwyn Cooke's New Frontier work, that revels in Wonder Woman's supposed warrior origins in a retro-contemporary war-time situation. I love that, in the name of good, she gleefully takes part in the slaughter of men who have committed terrible evils. With such a vile situation, I even don't mind that there's a distinct feminist agenda there, that errs a little too narrow sighted for what I'd like of such a prominent superhero.

I also latch on to, of all things, the brief appearances in Brian Azzarello's Superman, which again played to Wonder Woman's strengths as a warrior, and cast her in a scenario closer to man-made suffering than giant snake-haired monsters, or simplified struggles of diplomacy.

I think about these characters; Black Adam and Aquaman.
Black Adam is a character we've talked about a lot this year, as one of the more high-profile anti-heroes at DC comics right now. I expressed concern about a potential return to over-simplified super villainy [Hawkman #24], and certainly this concept asks that you disregard that kind of tact in favour of holding on to his unwavering role as conquering dictator, first confirmed in Black Reign.

Neither he, nor Aquaman, have a book right now, with the latter having his title cancelled in an almost inevitable cyclical series of false-starts.
I look at the commonality of these characters as outsiders who have lived in societies far more advanced than our own, and yet, also somewhat ancient in their design. I consider the viability for these characters to break apart from the mold of the well established characters, to blaze a trail as not only characters depicting a diverse interpretation of justice, but also as a platform for interesting scenarios and world affairs.

As part of the "Trinity" Wonder Woman is either too sympathetic, like Superman, or too harsh, like Batman, albeit, a tad more lethal. As a character whose stage should be the world, I can't help but see untapped potential in a Wonder Woman who breaks away from the conceptually obscure hub of world activity - America - and extends herself, with a coalition of likeminded outsiders, to subscribe to a proactive course of their own warrior's justice. Not that the American hub wouldn't still be a regular touchstone, given the international interests of groups like Checkmate, and the Justice Society.

I don't know how Amazon Attacks affected Wonder Woman or her outlook on the world. I don't know if she was part of the presumed invasion of Amazons on the world-of-man, or if she were revolted by it, (in that Superman-style turn).
I don't know if it really matters. It seems like Wonder Woman is crying out for a strong and certain characterization and course of direction, requiring simplicity, but intelligence, and this might just be the time for it.

It remains to be seen what Gail Simone will do with the character, but I can't say I'm really holding out hope. Short of a one-shot war on refridgerators, I can't see Simone bringing a lot that interests me to this particular character. Will a phoenix rise from the ashes? We shall see...

The Fix: 6 The Issue: 5.5
Winner: Superman/Wonder Woman

[Something I didn't get to mention was just how refreshing it is to see Batman out of his depth. All too often we see him swiftly counter-acting the presence of Superman-level aliens, which is fun, but a little too consistent. A refreshing take on the situation, in a charged gathering of the "Trinity".]

---

WONDER WOMAN versus ETRIGAN
The Region Beyond Part II: Beyond Redemption (DC)
Where: The Demon #17 When: November 1991
Why: Alan Grant How: Val Semeiks

Quick Fix...
It was a while ago now I had a brief online discussion with a man deserving of more recognition on a blog dedicated to superhero fisticuffs, and macho bravado. I of course refer to the one and only, Beau Smith; a man of certain and sure opinion, who had a major creative hand in the life of Guy Gardner as the editorially mandated - Warrior.

During that discussion I peddled a different theory about Wonder Woman. With Greg Rucka's "new" take on the diplomat in shoulder pads and a skirt, I was interested in taking that urban slant and turning it on it's side a little.

From the serious, to the silly, we arrive at this book. Something of an abberation in my collection, it came into my possession by means inadvertant, and has since sat lonely, waiting for just such an occasion as this.

My theory, at least for Wonder Woman's life among humans, was of confidence and liberation. It proposed an almost She-Hulk style sexuality, partially opening the floodgates to all things fanboys have pondered whilst staring at an Alex Ross Wonder Woman's thighs. Because, we already know Wonder Woman finds men attractive, but having been raised on an island exclusively inhabited by Amazonian women, I think it's fair to assume she'd be open-minded.

Actually, I think what takes it from being a little uncomfortable, and brings it back to being an interesting character trait is that she'd be very as matter-of-fact about it. You would have to imagine that there's a familiar bisexuality amongst a race living with women, but apparently also aroused by the presence and mysteyr of man.

I like the idea that the fact has never been explicitly addressed because, for the extremely liberal Wonder Woman, it just isn't an issue. In the same way I don't march around the streets declaring my heterosexuality, for Wonder Woman it would be such a non-issue, she wouldn't consider it. Of course, taking that slightly alien perspective, I also don't think she'd blush educating someone on any of the invoved practises, or anatomical implications of such a lifestyle.

Of course, that's not to say I want to recast Wonder Woman as some sort of lady-about-town tramp. Huh, figures you'd assume that, sperm bank.
No, see, we know Wonder Woman isn't some sort of floosy for the same reasons we know she is attracted to men: It's on the page!

Case-in-point, having been smelted by an evil villain, and cast into the Netherworld by an impishly passing Klarion the Witchboy, Wonder Woman finds herself the subject of the unwanted affections of The Demon - Etrigan!

Confused, Wonder Woman is taken surprise by an evil Banshee creature as a welcome to what appears to be Hell. She puts the creature down hard with an unrelenting fist, but she underestimates the hellspawn creature. It springs back up, launching at the warrior woman while she is distracted talking to Etrigan, who dangles from the ceiling wrapped in chains. [Long story!...]

Sensing Wonder Woman is pure-of-heart the Demon's host is compelled to go to her aid, but the demonic body is uncooperative with the brain's commands.
Wonder Woman suffers at the hands of The Banshee as it rips and tears at her flesh exposing a flowing trickle of crimson blood that finally awakens the Demon's simmering interests in an explosion of excitement.

Freed the Demon swiftly pounds The Banshee into submission, and leaps at Wonder Woman.

Compelled by the sweet smell of Wonder Woman's blood, the Demon does not stop there. With an excess of enthusiasm he snatches the Amazonian off her feet and passionately throws her to the wall, his demonic tongue wagging at the streams of blood across her face.

Thoroughly offended by the Demon's unsolicited advances, Wonder Woman has no choice but to throw her Amazonian super-strength into a well placed knee. Though powerful, the blow fails to rattle the Demon's cage, instead only enticing him further by his joy for massochism. Overwhlemed, Jason Blood, the demon Etrigan's host, can merely commentate the creature's actions, awaiting the opportunity to wrest control from the savage beast.

Giggling gleefully the Demon renews his advances, ignoring Wonder Woman's warnings to descend on her with his tongue wagging between massive pointed teeth.

He pins her to the ground, and through a veil of his own twisted sense of romance, begins to wail on her.
It is only the exertion of Jason Blood's will that finally stays the Demon, managing to utter the enchantment that returns him to form of man.

Like I said, I'm not so sure this is the kind of blunt, forward approach to Wonder Woman's romantic life I have in mind, but as something of a curiosity, I just had to throw it into the mix. I think it's fair to say it fits the previously discussed harsh justice, as pictured right.

Harsh, but fair.
Lord knows my knees would wander if I were being molested by a blood-thirsty demon. I don't care how helpful he may have been.

Y'know, despite some mature overtones, this story actually highlights another potentially interesting avenue for the Wonder Woman character, and that would be the young readers line. Like a Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman has struggled to find a strong, consistent characterization, and might even be there that she could begin to build a new franchise opportunity with more light hearted antics.

It's maybe hard to say exactly what's best for the Wonder Woman character, but lord knows it has to begin with some chances. Few characters are as guarded as Wonder Woman, and yeah, some of the things we've discussed here are pushing the mould a little, but maybe that's what's needed. It was testing stories like the Dark Knight Returns that helped reinvigorate Batman, and maybe it's time Wonder Woman got the same leeway to produce the same results.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some of the sleep I should've had when I wrote this thing. I'd like to think I didn't, but if it got incoherrent, you know why. I tend to maintain though, the uncompromising Wonder Woman is the one I'd like to see the most. A harsh figure of international justice.

The Fix: 3.5 The Issue: 4
Winner: Demon/Wonder Woman

[This wacky tale will have to wait for another day to get a better review. I'm going to count it as a double within a double, awarding a shared victory over The Banshee, and a tie between Demon and Wonder Woman themselves. A book that's got the adult shift of the eighties, it probably shouldn't have been in a bargain bag.]

JUSTICE LEAGUE versus DEMONS THREE
"Everybody Limbo!"
Where: Justice League Unlimited #14 When: December 2005
Why: Adam Beechen How: Carlo Barberi

The story so far...
Whenever an animated world finds itself in peril and the threat is too great for one hero, the collective forces of the Justice League are there to step in and save them!

When Wonder Woman starts checking herself out in the mirror, the League have cause for concern, but all is not as it seems! The Amazon warrior is possessed by the wandering spirit called - Deadman!

Deadman is in search of the League's help to combat the upstart menace of the demons three, but this isn't a job for Green Lantern or Flash. This special case calls for the collection of magically experienced heroes affectionately referred to as - the Trenchcoat Brigade!

Tale of the tape...
Generally the books derived from the animated series don't interest me. They tend to abstain from extended comic-related continuity, and are generally aimed at a younger audience, thus featuring simpler storylines. That said; this particular issue's solicitation piqued my interest, so I thought I'd at least give it a go.

Following the format of the Justice League Unlimited animated series, the issue features a rotating cast of DC JLU superheroes. Solicitations promised a Wonder Woman who was possessed by Deadman, and looking for help. While this is the opening premise, this only serves to collect an eclectic group of magicians and occultists.

While a casual fan of the TV series might be disappointed by the grouping of second and third tier characters, a more general DC comics fan probably gets a kick out of at least one of the 'trenchcoat brigade' characters.
Regardless of fandom, they are certainly a potent posse of supernatural superheroes: the Demon Etrigan, Zauriel, Doctor Fate, Zatanna, Deadman, Doctor Occult and the Phantom Stranger. Characters like Zatanna, Dr. Fate and Phantom Stranger have legitimate claims to being among the most powerful characters in their universe.

The antagonists of this story, 'the demons three', are alternatively quite weak. Disregarding the nature of the situation, you would have to consider this teaming to be little more than sheer overkill. This is probably attributed to the showcase nature of the series, but partially justified by the fact these three lesser demons are attempting a coup against both Heaven and Hell.

By any assessment, I think it's safe to say the Justice Leaguers are a shoe-in to win this, regardless of what problematic spin is put on the story. Where Deathstroke may have had argument to disarm a collection of top superheroes, the Demons three have very little going for them.

What went down...
As Deadman leads the group through mystic means toward their clogged destination, Etrigan's rhyming calls his allegiance into question for the already testy Zauriel. Demon retaliates to the angel's accusations with a belch of flames, but Zatanna is able to difuse the situation as the team reach Limbo.

The trapped denizens of Limbo cry out for help from the coloured costumes ones, as they scour the jaded courtyard for the demonic culprits.

Dr. Fate discovers the bricked up portals to Heaven and Hell, and declares to magic to be more complicated than expected. The backward speaking Zatanna scoffs Fate's claims of difficulty, but before she can utter her mystic backward command, pink infernal hands clasp around her face - the hands of Ghast!

Deadman warns the rest of the team to beware his companions, Abnegazar and Rath, but it's too late. Phantom Stranger and Dr. Occult are surprised from behind by Rath, who frys them with hellacious, crackling energy blasts.

Dr. Fate remains strong, calling Abnegazar out to face his fate!
Unfortunately for Dr. Fate and Nabu, the binding spells that make the Demons three masters of Limbo, also grant them superior power in their domain. Fate is felled by powerful eye beams from the pink demon.

Deadman does his best to fist fight one of the demons, but sadly his powers are relatively useless against the more versatile Rath. He reaches his hand through Deadman, and then incapacitates him with a powerful burst of energy.

Zauriel realises their apparent overconfidence in approaching the weaker demons, and calls for Etrigans help as the last men standing. Demon blurts flames at the angel, revealing himself as a double agent for the possessors of Limbo.
"I see brains were not given/To all but just some... How do you think/they knew we would come?"

The heroes are mystically bound, while Zatanna remains muzzled by the demons. They reveal their intentions to rip her incredible powers out of her, to claim them as their own. Using the souls of those trapped in Limbo, and the heroes themselves, the demons believe power strong enough to rebel against both Heaven and Hell will be theirs.

The Demon offers himself up as a wise choice for ripping Zatanna's power from her throat, brandishing clawed fingers.
Zauriel cries Etrigan's name in curse, as the Demon pulls his arm back to finish the job.

To the surprise of all, Etrigan instead rakes the fingers keeping Zatanna's mouth closed, revealing a second layer to his deception! Demon directs Zatanna to use her power to free their captive colleagues, setting the team up for a prepared strike against the foes.

The demons boast superior power in their realm, but Doctor Occult is glad to point out that although they outweigh any of them individually, the combined might of all their magicks is more than enough for them.

The powers of order, the afterlife, pure magic, mystery, heaven, the underworld, and the mystic symbol of the seven are too much for the upstarts. As their remains are replaced by smoke, the doorways to Heaven and Hell are again open to be travelled.
With that, the unlikely hero of the day, Etrigan, departs down the tunnel to the Underworld, but not before teaching Zauriel a lesson in his deceptive nature.

"Darkness shall rule/and make no mistake/but today's not that day/that power to take. Understand this/and you'll understand me. There are more things in heaven and Earth/than are dreamt of in your philosophy..."

The hammer...
Apologies to those who stopped by Friday looking for this week's update. I once again fell a little behind, being quite busy and a little unwell.

With their quite literally combined efforts, we can crown the Trenchcoat brigade entire, as victors in this particular battle.
Despite having a rather PC take on the story, and avoiding flat-out terms like Hell; this is still a surprisingly grim tale. Not to say darkness is the measure of a good story, but themes dealing with the afterlife damned to be trapped - in a comic that can't say Hell - is a pretty gutsy move, if you ask me.

As I mentioned, it was the solicitation for this issue that caught my eye.
I have to say I was a little disappointed that it focused on Deadman possessing Wonder Woman, neglecting to mention that the Justice League regulars would not be featured.

I find it difficult to be any more critical than that, as this is really just a book that is what it is. It hides very little beyond the surface, serving as a vehicle for an interesting group of Justice League heroes, often not featured prominently.
That said, it still served up a pretty fun read which I hope reflects the overall approach to the [formerly known as] Johnny DC line.

The Fight: 2 The Issue: 3.5

NEXT: The burglar, Catwoman versus the assassin, Elektra!