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Legends of the DC Universe 80-Page
Giant 2
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Our story begins with the Challs flying below "the Russkies' radar" into Siberia. The time is the 1950s or early 1960s. The President has sent them to find out why the Russians scrapped their latest nuclear bomb test. Landing, they enter a cave, a back door to the bomb test site. They find a bomb all set to drop into a bottomless pit - but no one guarding it. Then Prof is jumped by a shadowy figure in a parka. Prof, "a bit preoccupied", flips the attacker to Rocky, who flattens the foe with one punch. Shucking the parka off their prisoner, they find out - "I hit a dame?" Ace recognizes Nastallia Vedunia, one of the KGB's top agents. She's also investigating "unbelievable accounts" of why the site is deserted. But the interrogation is interrupted by a wave of - trolls? |
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The Challengers are overwhelmed and captured. The trolls are commanded by Zarra, "blood of royal blood" who's been hiding underground and building an army - or at least recruiting some lost race of weirdos. Red notes, "Another girl? Not that I'm complaining, but aren't there any guys in Russia?" Using the bomb, Zarra will "rise and eradicate the Communist plague on the land". Nasty, a good Communist, objects - there'll never be an end to the battle between White and Red Russians, it seems. Zarra certainly has the Kirby-esque army to do it.  |
Red has been supplying the comic relief, complaining about the cold. "How does Cave Carson do it?" (Strange complaint for a famous mountaineer.) Red slips from his parka and leads the monsters on a merry chase. Ace uses the distraction to attack, but Zarra's "royal knout" (actually a whip) nails his neck. Then, a shot. "Nasty" Vedunia has shot Zarra out of the saddle.  Ace decides to disarm Nasty - or is he flirting? Meanwhile, the trolls have carried away Zarra's body - if she's indeed dead. One troll pushes the button to start the bomb countdown. Prof orders Ace to shoot the manual release and drop the bomb far underground. Ace and Nasty have to point their guns elsewhere and shoot. "Communism is all about working together," she notes. The bomb drops. Prof tries to explain what will happen, but Rocky interrupts by hoisting Prof under one arm and running. Rocky: "Write a book about it later, Prof! Even I know when that thing goes off, this place'll be one big atomic BBQ pit!" |
The boys run. Nasty "got away" while Ace wasn't looking. They duck the bomb blast and board their plane. Red is amazed the trolls chose to die with their leader, Zarra. Prof notes, "The ways of the heart are the greatest unknown. Wouldn't you agree, Ace?"  |
Comments Karl Kesel loves the Challengers, and sneaks them into stories wherever possible. And he has the grand vision and old-style smarts to make a charming, exciting, and fun story. This retro old-new tale sets the Challs back in their original time, the Dark Ages of the Cold War, and they're comfortable and able. But there's a differenece: in early tales, all the villains were men. By making the principle villains women, we get a more visually appealing story - and a chance for quick romance. Thanks, Karl! Read a review at Comic Book Resources. |