u/Imok2814

Zatanna guest-stars in a multi book story where she searches for her father. This is part four of JLA: Zatanna's Search.

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Writer: Gardner Fox

Pencils: Gil Kane

Inks: Sid Greene

Letters: Gaspar Saladino

Cover: Gil Kane, Murphy Anderson & Ira Schnapp

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"The Other Side Of The World" - Hal hears of a pirate attacking Coast City so he heads out fast. The pirate is a formidable opponent as his weapons aren't affected by Hal's constructs. Eventually a strange portal opens up near where they are fighting. Hal is pulled in and runs into Zatanna Zatara. They've never met at this point, so she explains that she is on a journey to locate her missing father Giovanni Zatara and that she's been helped by two of GLs partners in the Justice League, Hawkman and The Atom. Despite all the help, every avenue has led to failure. Her mission here is to investigate the The land of Ys on The Other Side Of The World. It's only accessible through a portal of blue flame and makes its inhabitants immortal. Once Hal and Zatanna arrive in Ys, they are attacked by squadrons of soldiers. Zatanna's magic doesn't work here as The Warlock of Ys wants to steal her power for himself. She discovers that she can still use her magic by speaking the sentences backwards instead of the words, while Hal has a similar problem as he can only use his ring on his left hand instead of his right. With those two abilities in use they hold off the soldiers long enough to goad out the warlock. Zatanna's magic has stopped working and Hal's ring does not affect the warlock directly. A deal is offered where Hal gives up his ring to the warlock and he will tell Zatanna what happened to her father. The Warlock attempts to use the rings power to go to earth, but Zatanna secretly put a spell on the ring so the warlock cannot use it and further, if he tries he will be immobilized. The Warlock reveals that Zatara has come to this land but only to retrieve a crystal ball that allowed the warlock to teleport to earth. Zatara succeeded and teleported to parts unknown. The two heroes return to earth and part ways.

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Conclusion: I've never heard of this story arc before but I also haven't followed much of Zatanna's history. It appears this whole arc is her debut, with the final chapter ending with her joining the Justice League. She does find her father after all, with a stop in Detective Comics, meeting Elongated Man and finally in Justice League to complete her mission.

As such, this issue of GL does feel more like a Zatanna story over a GL story where he feels more like the guest star. Magic is also not my strong suit in comics, therefore I didn't enjoy this as much as I would normally. I know that's ironic considering Alan and his ties to magic but I put him in a slightly different category. The Warlock of Ys was a formidable villain as well but I don't believe the pirate at the beginning was ever resolved. Just left in Coast City, or he was brought to Ys as well and just disappeared. He was a plan set by the warlock anyway to drag GL to Ys but still.

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8/10

Star Sapphire rises again and Myrwhydden is discovered by a common criminal

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Writer: Gardner Fox

Penicls: Gil Kane

Inks: Sid Greene

Letters: Gaspar Saladino

Cover: Gil Kane, Murphy Anderson & Ira Schnapp

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"The Double Life Of Star Sapphire" - Carol Ferris is helping Green Lantern with a stunt during a performance for kids when the aircraft she's on is taken over by some force and the metal railings bind her. GL rushes into help and summons a doctor. The doctor sees to her at the hospital and reveals that's she's stable but asleep. That night, Carol wakes in a trance, muming about finding something. She drives to Ferris Air and uncovers the Star Sapphire gem. Hal walks in right after as this is his dressing room, surprised to find Carol pulled the gem out of his Lantern, where he his it. Carol becomes Star Sapphire again and takes off to find Green Lantern. Hal charges his ring and chases after her, finding her in a battle with some elemental forces. He goes to help her but is stopped by a Zamaron who explains this is a fight between Star Sapphires to prove who should truly be queen. The fight ends and Carol is the winner. The other SS, Dela Pharon is sent back to her home planet of Xanador. SS then turns to GL and proclaims they should marry but Hal reminds her that he has obligations to his sector. They leave the choice up to combat with SS coming out on top. They all head to Zamaron but just as the ceremony is about to begin, Hal reveals that this isn't Carol Ferris but really Dela Pharon and since the challenge was for him to wed Carol Ferris, the result is void. Dela Pharon tries to fight back but Hal traps her in a construct and revealing that he knows the truth because he took the time to go to Xanador and found Carol there believing she was Dela Pharon. The two Sapphire's are switched back and wakes up in the hospital with no memory of any events.

"Challenge Of The Coin Creatures" - Common crook Chuck Cullen is freed from prison and heads straight for the silver coins he buried years prior. When he retrieves the coins he find they are blank. All of a sudden the Roman images that were on the coins are standing in front of him as silver statues, but are mobile and willing to help him find more money. This garners the attention of GL who flies in to stop them but the silver beings are immune to his ring. In a last ditch effort, Hal switches his consciousness with a silver Roman soldier. He pretends to be that soldier, taking his own body and commanding the other solver beings to return to their creator. They all shrink into Hal's ring to find Myrwhydden the wizard. He built an instrument out of horns that are tuned to mimic his voice so he can still use incantations. Once Hal is able to confirm Myrwhydden's plan, he strikes as the silver soldier, punching out Myrwhydden and then using the ring to make Myrwhydden forget who he is completely.

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Conclusion: We return to Star Sapphires and the ever running back and forth between Hal and Carol. After going through the Golden Age and seeing the same nonsense with Alan and Molly, I now see this is a bigger trope than I realized. This is also the same story we got before essentially. Carol becomes a Star Sapphire, tries to trick Green Lantern into marrying her, fails and forgets it all. Rinse and repeat. At least Alan and Molly had a back and forth with crime.

Myrwhydden was a return I didn't expect so soon. It was brief, and really, barely felt like a return. The idea of the silver beings made from coin images is interesting and I wish was explored a but further. That side of it was held back by Myrwhydden and his spell to make them unaffected by the ring. Hopefully Myrwhydden's next appearance is bigger and/or better.

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6.5/10

Alright, we're back in the Silver Age! I've added JLA #21-22 to this only the showcase the first time Hal and Alan meet. I will not go full in depth on it and the synopsis will be incredibly short in comparison to the content of both issues, highlighting mostly the pairing of both GLs. I know it's breaking my own rules but I did want to get the whole story of the first meeting. Also, shout out to u/thehyruleef for helping me acquire a physical copy of GL #40! It's a prize, my friend and you are the best.

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Justice League Of America

Writer: Gardner Fox

Pencils: Mike Sekowsky

Inks: Bernie Sachs

Letters: Gaspar Saladino

Cover: Mike Sekowsky, Murphy Anderson, Ira Schnapp (#21 only)

"Crisis On Earth-One" & "Crisis On Earth-Two!" - The Justice League of America and the Justice Society of America are pulled into a team-up due to the evil team-up of The Icicle, The Wizard, The Fiddler, Chronos, Felix Faust and Dr. Alchemy. The villains met by accident after the Earth-Two villains shifted their molecules due to The Fiddler funding a new frequency using his fiddle. They stumbled into anhiesy being pulled by the Earth-One villains and decided they would all join forces to become The Crime Champions. They hatch a plan to capture the two Flashes and imprison them in a dimension between the two Earths. This prompts both Green Lanterns to work together on finding their speedy allies, but upon freeing them, activated a trap that captured every member of both heroic teams. E-1 Atom can't shrink out of his cage but figures the GLs can do it using their rings since their cages aren't designed to prevent that. It works and the two GLs work together freeing each hero from their cages. Now both teams unite as one, taking the fight directly the the Crime Champions and defeating them with ease before they could escape to Earth-Three.

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Green Lantern #40

Writer: John Broome

Pencils: Gil Kane

Inks: Sid Greene

Letters: Gaspar Saladino

Cover: Gil Kane & Murphy Anderson

"Secret Origin Of The Guardians" - On Earth-Two,Alan Scott and Doiby Dickles are attending a "Come as you were party" for all Gotham Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) employees. Alan, now the managing director, comes dressed as he did in the 40s when he was a radio announcer and his best friend Doiby, who is now a right hand man for Alan at the GBC, came as a taxi driver complete with Goitrude. After they leave for the night, reminiscing on good times, they see a meteor heading for Gotham City. Alan quickly changes and flies up to stop it but the meteor goes right through his ring beam. Meanwhile, Doiby was following close behind but got distracted and hit a tree. The tree cracks and starts to fall on Goitrude so Alan uses the ring to move Goitrude out of the way but his ring partially deflects and moves the tree as well. The duo are stunned by this new feat and Alan tells Doiby he needs to go to Earth-One to tell the other Green Lantern, Hal Jordan about this revelation, hoping the same meteor in his universe can disrupt Hal's weakness to yellow.

After arriving, he tells Hal everything that's happened but when he goes to demonstrate, the ring won't move wood anymore. Hal tells Alan to ask his ring to show what happened from its perspective, a trick Hal has used before. Alan does so and the ring describes how the meteor isn't actually a meteor but is really Krona, a renegade guardian that was kicked out of the Oan order after he ran experiments to see the dawn of creation. He builds a macjine that allows to him view the moment, seeing a lone hand with a cosmic spiral in its palm before a lightning bolt strikes the machine and destroys it. Due to the superstition the Oans have that anyone who views the dawn of creation will cause the end of all things, they sent him hurtling through all the universes in an energy state as punishment, but it was still too late as Krona's actions led to evil rising throughout the universe. Over the millenia Krona eventually flew through Earth-Two, where he caught the attention of Alan. When Alan's ring beam touched the "meteor", Krona's consciousness was pulled into the ring. Hal realizes he needs to tell the Guardians this right away but they already know as they overheard Alan's ring. They are making their way to Earth to set up a temporary base until they find Krona and tell the two emerald warriors they need to combat the rising evil on Earth-One until their arrival. Alan and Hal get to work stopping all sorts of rising and destructive weather patterns (apparently evil ones). The Guardians arrive and Hal and Alan head straight to them.

Upon arrival, the Guardians tell Hal to remove his ring and uniform as Alan will be the new Green Lantern for his sector. Hal is shocked and defiant demanding a ring duel to see who can be the better ring slinger. What Hal doesn't know is when he and Alan were out stopping rogue weather, Krona pushed his way into Alan's body and expelled Alan's mind. Hal now fights Krona in Alan's body. Hal easily loses, but finds Alan's mind has entered his own. The pair now share Hal's body and are now able to combine their willpower to fight Krona, but with a bonus: Hal slips on Alan's ring. They head back in to fight Krona again and again Krona uses a yellow shield but the ring beam goes right through and together with their combined willpower are able to overcome Krona. The Guardians send Krona away as an energy form again but this on a path that won't intercept any planets. Alan goes back to his own Earth as Hal looks forward to the future.

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Conclusion: That opening adventure of both Justice teams was fun but not what I expected. I didn't know there was two groups of super villains coming together as well, as much as that makes sense. With that said, it was even cooler seeing the various villains working together. Something that people who have read more JLA and JSA stories would be more used to, but I'm not when it comes to the Golden and Silver ages. I also couldn't help but laugh when Alan mentioned his fond memories of fighting The Icicle in his prime. The two adventures they had against each other were really wild and fierce. I didn't imagine Alan would have any good memories about Icicle.

Now, the coup-de-grace, GL #40. First appearance of Krona and the hand of creation. I did not realize they both debuted here as well. I stayed away from the story of this issue as much as I coukd in anticipation for this. This was very full, but I'll admit I don't know if it really is or only feels that way because I spent so long reading Golden Age stories. Either way, this was a blast. Hal and Alan get along swimmingly, which is a far cry from how they act towards each other in The Brave And The Bold by Mark Waid and Barry Kitson. Also the fact that Doiby was involved was perfect. Letting us see where our heroes have ended up in real time was such a treat.

Okay, now, Krona. If you know Krona at all, you know how he was in this issue. It's the same Krona we always see and it works. The concept of a renegade Guardian is pretty big nowadays, I can't imagine what the reaction was back in 1965. Would it have the same weight as today? Also, the hand of creation is such a fascinating idea. This one issue of GL set the stage for the future of DC without even realizing it. That one simple idea has been pivotal and it almost feels like a footnote here compared to the rest of the story.

I'm looking forward to more Hal and Alan team-ups but also excited to get back to more campy Silver Age silliness.

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9.5/10

And now we've reached the end, my friend. The final issue of Golden Age Green Lantern. Green Lantern #88 is included as it contains an unpublished story from what would have been GL #39. I had a debate in my mind of I wanted to put that story in release order or an add-on to the Golden Age and I think this makes more sense.

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Green Lantern #38

Writer: Robert Kanigher (1st story), John Broome (2nd story)

Art: Alex Toth (1st story)

Pencils: Irwin Hasen (2nd story)

Inks: Frank Giacoia (2nd story)

Cover: Alex Toth

"The Murdered Clues" - Alan heads into his office to finish the Green Lantern radio script for the day when he finds all the furniture is missing except for his chair which has a rope around it and a knife stuck in the back. As puzzling as this is, he needs to get the show done so he holds off on solving that mystery for now. He later overhears a murder had taken place, so he heads over as GL. Jasper Blake, chairman of a dozen companies was killed after being stabbed in the back. His nephew, John, an artist, found the body and reported it and GL assures him he will find the killer. Later at the radio station, GL finds some thugs leaving his private office and begins to knock them senseless, even throwing furniture at them using the ring beam (how, if the furniture is made of wood?). He almost has them all when one thug hits him from behind, dazing him long enough for them to escape. GL then finds a copy of Shakespeare's The Tempest sitting on his desk with two bullet holes in it. He figures this is another clue but it's time for the radio show. GL has a guest woth him today, the captain of a ship called Stormy Weather. After the show starts, the sound man bangs his cymbals together for dramatic effect and the captain keels over. GL finds two bullet holes in his back, and a pistol nearby but no finger prints on the gun. Later, GL receives another clue: two models of hanging lamps, one yellow and one blue. However, GL has an appearance to keep at an orphanage so he puts the clues aside for now. At the orphanage, the kids spot a plane headed towards GL, which then throws a rope around his neck and pulls GL away. He is able to cut the rope with his ring, making a big knife construct. GL then heads straight for John Blake and accuses him of the murders. He gave himself away when he sent the two lanterns knowing that yellow and blue make green, a fact that would appeal to an artist. John calls for his thugs but GL makes quick work of them. John finally confesses in full, revealing that he wanted the bonds his uncle had, that were insured to the ship captain, as he needed money for his work.

"The Impossible Mr. Paradox" - it's a sad day for Alan at WXYZ as he needs to tell Clay Chalmers his brain teaser program about paradoxes is cancelled as the sponsor pulled his funding. Alan tries to get another business man, C.K. Nevins to fund it by bringing him into the station during the recording of the last show, where Clay tells a story of Achilles racing a tortoise but never being able to catch up after giving it a hundred yard head start due to the tortoise always moving 1/10th the distance Achilles does. Nevins says he likes the idea of the show but declines being a sponsor. Alan asks Doiby to follow Clay to see that he stays out of trouble after he left saying "there's only one thing left to do". Doubt follows him a good but but loses sight of him near Nevins factory. Doubt heads in an finds a heist taking place Led by a man called Mr. Paradox. His thugs tie up Doiby andkcm him in his own cab, which gives him the chance to signal GL with a rocket. GL arrives and chases Mr. Paradox but finds he can't catch him even though Paradox is only walking. Paradox escapes easily and Doiby arrives after untying himself. GL suspects Mr. Paradox is Clay Chalmers, so the duo head to Clay's home and finds Mr. Paradox and his gang. They go in to catch the gang but Paradox sprays them with knockout gas. They waken up trapped in glass bubbles, another paradoxical ruse from Mr. Paradox, but GL easily escapes using the ring to break the bubbles. They follow tire tracks all the way to train yard where they find Mr. Paradox and his gang breaking into shipment destined for Nevins company. GL is able to get close enough to Mr. Paradox and takes him down, only to reveal that he's actually Nevins, who is broke and wanted to steal from himself to claim insurance money. Clay Chalmers, however, had gone back home to Indiana and is happier there.

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Green Lantern #88

Writer: Unknown, maybe John Broome?

Pencils: Carmine Infantino

Inks: Bernie Sachs

Cover: Neal Adams

"The Menace Of The Marching Toys" - Two boys arrive at WXYZ to claim a prize they won: a day out with GL. GL arrives with a bonus prize as a toy maker has sculpted two Green Lantern figurines for the boys. GL takes them to a circus for the afternoon but while there, a parade of automatic toys comes marching in and starts attacking the crowd and stealing their valuables. GL goes for the attack against the leader, Tin Soldier, but is taken down by a giant yo-yo. After he comes to, he takes the boys home and heads out again to search for Tin Soldier, only to discover the Miffsny jewelry store has already been robbed by the toy gang. GL gets on the radio after and reveals that Tin Soldier misses a valuable emerald once owned by Genghis Khan. There's is no emerald, however, as this is ruse played by GL and the police to catch Tin Solider in the act. It's pays off as the Tin Soldier returns to the store after midnight. Tin Soldier is able to escape again due to some exploding toys but GL is able to capture one and track the radio signal In Solider uses to control his robots. GL finds the Tin Soldier as he is getting ready to break into the Diamond Die Factory with a giant spinning top. GL gets knocked down by a fist in a jack-in-a-box and is then tied to the giant top. It's goes spinning down to the factory but luckily GL is able to reflect his ring beam off the skylight glass on the factory to cut his ropes. GL heads into the factory to stop Tin Soldier and after dodging one more toy trap, is able to get close enough to turn off the radio signal on Tin Soldier's belt. The robots go down and GL unmasks Tim Solider to reveal he was the toy maker all along. Later, GL visits the two boys to reassure them the Tin Solider will never commit a crime again as they proclaim GL is the best crime stopper ever.

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Conclusion: Okay there's a lot to unpack here. First, GL #38 is not only the final golden age appearance for GL and all supporting cast, but also the final story and appearance of Streak The Wonder Dog. He's next mentioned in JSA Classified #39 in 2005 where Alan reveals that Streak died at some point. Golden Age GL being cancelled seems to have been a surprise to the editors as well as #38 ends with the usual text box on the last page saying "Check out Green Lantern in every issue of Green Lantern comics!". GL #88 features two other stories written by John Broome that are reprinted Hal stories from Showcase #23 and Green Lantern #10. The only new story in this issue is Alan's which was written 23 years prior. Considering the book got cancelled after the following issue for six years, I wonder what the idea was here. The writer for the Alan story in GL #88 has not been confirmed but I think it's safe to assume it might be John Broome as he wrote many Alan stories in the Golden Age and wrote the other two stories featured in this issue.

Now for the stories. John Blake as the artist killer was a weird one, only for the giant paint palette he had in his home. Not sure what that was for and it's even functional. I can't stop thinking about it. Otherwise it's an interesting mystery but it does drive me nuts when the killer sends clues to the detective, like they want to be caught.

Mr. Paradox was also driving me nuts because I can't figure out how anything was really a paradox? There was even editor's notes describing the reality of the "Paradox" being shown. An interesting gimmick with much potential that I think fell flat. The Mystery of his identity was well done but that might be about it.

Finally, the toys. For a final, unpublished story, it's quite good. I feel they changed the script at the end a bit to make it a better send off for Alan on Earth-2. The reveal of the Yin Soldier didn't make a lot of sense. I don't understand why the toy maker wanted to steal things, especially in such a grandiose manner. Also, it's shown, when GL is strapped to the spinning top, that he is still stationary while it's spinning. That didn't make sense. It's at least refreshing that the crew wasn't just a bunch of thugs, keeping the toy gimmick with many robotic toys and traps.

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6/10 #38

8/10 #88

A forest trapper makes a jungle of Gotham City and a crook uses the truth to his advantage.

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Writer: John Broome (1st story), Robert Kanigher (2nd story)

Pencils: Irwin Hasen (1st story), Alex Toth (2nd story)

Inks: Frank Giacoia

Cover: Alex Toth

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"The Perils Of The Trapper" - GL is heard on the radio that crime never pays and justice will always prevail as the tool of crime will never be good enough. In the woods outside the city an animal trapper hears this and decides that's too finite, so he will go to the city and use his tools, the tools of the forest and see if those are good enough for justice to prevail over. The Trapper is highly effective, trapping a man depositing no eye at the bank with a fish hook right in front of a police man and taking him hostage. GL vows to catch The Trapper and runs afoul of him when Trapper strikes next at an armoured truck. He fell two street lamps to act as trees but was met by GL before he could act further. The pair of a great battle but GL is taken down by an axe handle that doubles as a boomerang. Trapper takes GL down into the sewers where Trapper has made a makeshift hideout in the fashion of a cave. He has thean he captured earlier there and tells both of them they will drown as GL csnt save them now. Luckily for Trapper and unfortunately GL, he has tied them up with wood fibre ropes. GL is first to go under and uses a combination of the current and concrete wall to eat at the ropes until he gets free. He emerges just in time to save the other captive. Having surprised Trapper, GL is able to capture him this time to prove that justice does indeed always prevail.

"Too Many Suspects" - A lone crook by the name of Del Lupin is freed from jail after a lengthy sentence. He was only put there after a truth serum administered by police forced him to confess and he now vows to never let that happen again. The next day a jewelry store is robbed at gunpoint and the police are perplexed as seven men, including Doiby, are all confessing. Since they can't convict them all due to inconclusive evidence, all of them are released. A crime wave begins with many bystanders confessing which pushes GL to work harder on solving this case. He canvasses the city from the sky, video recording everyone's movements but can't find any peculiar. That is until he goes over the mugshot of all the people that confessed, and finds one man is in every line up: Del Lupin. GL hatches a plan to draw him out by ck feasting on the radio that he has committed a robbery. Lupin hears this and wonders if someone is onto him and copying his act. He goes to the spot where GL is confessinf publicly, just to be sure, but as soon as GL spits Lupin, a chase begins. Lupin takes a hostage and heads to the roof of the building to hideout, leaving a smoke bomb in his wake to cover his tracks. GL knows exactly where they went and meets Lupin on the roof. Lupin shoots GL in the arm, just grazing him, but not with an ordinary bullet. This one released a gas that has GL going dizzy and seeing things. He sees himself throwing the hostage off the building towards him but regains his senses and realizes Lupins plan. He's used a variation of truth serum in gas form to make anyone present at his crimes see themselves committing the act instead. GL catches the hostage but Lupin slips and falls. GL is unable to save him as his other arm is not strong enough from the bullet graze.

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Conclusion: The Trapper is quite interesting but this is his only appearance, so we get what we get. After almost defeating GL for good, it would have been nice to see him return to give GL another challenge. After all, we have Kraven The Hunter for Spider-man, why not Tre Trapper for Green Lantern? It's a shame so many of these villains were left behind.

Lupins story, I want to say is a sad one, but he really did it to himself. The idea of truth serum has always been intriguing to me and if I remember right, it's not really a truth serum as it is more a suggestive liquid where the taker can more likely to do what you say. The concept of this has is even more intriguing though as we've seen variations of it later on, namely in Count Vertigo. Another character that could have done more, I think. Maybe if they took on a gimmick.

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8.5/10

Acting and logging: a deadly combination.

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Writer: John Broome

Pencils: Irwin Hasen

Inks: Bob Oksner (1st story), Frank Giacoia (2nd story)

Cover: Alex Toth

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"The Riddle Of The Red Domino" - GL has been moonlighting as an actor for the one year anniversary of a Stage show about a villain named Red Domino, where the villain fights GL. After the performance, GL gets word that a crook dressed as Red Domino has committed crimes during and around the times of the show. The commissioner believes it can only be Gene Marsh, the actor who plays Red Domino. GL doesn't believe and asks for sole time to investigate further, but first he needs to attend a meeting of The Analysts Club. Once there, a lecture by a Dr. Cypher takes place where he describes logical deduction, using Green Lantern and Alan Scott as examples after providing the evidence that neither man has been at a meeting at the same time. The club refuses to believe it so Cypher leaves, promising that he will prove it. GL leaves after, perplexed about how he can prove the opposite. He leaves Doiby so he can go take care of something and soon enough, Doiby spots Red Domino and his gang breaking into a theatre. He heads in to stop them but is attacked instead, luckily GL was in the area and spotted his cab so he flies in to help. Unfortunately, Red Domino is able to hit GL with a fire escape ladder and escape. The next day, Red Domino breaks into Alan's apartment and kidnaps him and Doiby. Later at The Analysts Club, Dr. Cypher returns to prove his theory as Alan Scott had been kidnapped so logically GL cannot attend. But then, from the back of the room, GL speaks up, claiming to have been there the whole time (he must be Sam Reich). Further more, he uses the ring to tear off Dr. Cypher's clothes to reveal a Red Domino costume. With the crook captured, GL reveals. To Doiby that Alan Scott was really Gene Marsh in disguise as a personal favour to GL.

"The Timberland Trail" - Alan is trying to get J.J. Lentil to find a new show about people making history, with the first guest being a woman logger named Sylvia Woods. The only problem is she can't make it due to an issue with her logging company. Alan heads out as GL to try and find her and get her to the station in time. When he arrives to the logging camp he finds Sylvia arguing with some workers, and one worker loyal to her attacking another. A rival logging company run by Big Lonvess has been sabotaging her operation and trying to poach some of her workers. GL breaks up the fight and heads out with Sylvia to fix any issues with the logging route. They come across a jam in the river used to transport logs with the only way to fix it is to blow it up with dynamite. Only short fuses are available so GL steps in to blow it, only just making it out after being temporarily blinded by a light in his eyes. After the explosion, logs flew up into the sky so GL had to dive under the water to get clear. He makes it back to Sylvia and the pair start for the camp, after narrowly escaping a log coming down a ramp at them. When they get to the top, they find that same fighting employee in a donnybrook with another worker. As they get closer they hear that the other worker is a spy for Lonvess and not only signaled Lonvess with a reflection in a mirror, blinding GL, but also was the one to send the log down the ramp to take down Sylvia and GL. GL captures the rogue worker and stops Lonvess. He gets Sylvia to the station just in time to finish the show and gets approval from Lentil to find it.

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Conclusion: Red Domino provides a nice challenge for Alan that I'm surprised hasn't been used more. How can he hide his double identity when both identities are targeted? The resolution of using Gene Marsh as a substitute seems good on paper, but if Gene is a smart man (yet I get the feeling he isn't), he would easily figure out the Alan and GL are the same. That leaves a difficult question for Alan to answer: Can he trust Gene Marsh? Only time can tell now. Or maybe it won't since there's two issues left.

The logging story was interesting and showcased another difficult problem for GL as he has to deal with tons of wood. Though, it seems it wasn't as big a problem as they made it out to be. The only real danger for him was when he blew up the jam on the river and even then he got out of it fairly easily. I'm just gonna say it, wood as a weakness is lame. It sounds like it could be good but I really don't think it was used to its full potential. This story was probably the last chance to really use it in a good manner and they kinda dropped the ball.

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7/10

The debut (and final appearance) of one of GLs most challenging villains and The Gambler bets big.

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Writer: John Broome (1st story), Lee Goldsmith (2nd story)

Art: Irwin Hasen

Cover: Joe Kubert

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"The Three-In-One Criminal" - A major heist has been undertaken by a man called Gamma. Gamma walked right into a museum, under the ropes guarding a valuable metal and walked right out, in front of a stunned crowd ans unharmed by the many bullets fired at him by a multitude of armed guards. This puzzling crime sweeps the city, reaching even the Analysts Club, where the chairman, Professor Allenby decides to visit Alan to let him k ow he may know who it is. At the last meeting, which Alan was not at, an actor in the club, Sam Pomery, theorized a perfect crime could be as beautiful as art. Other members argued with him but sure enough the next day Gamma pulled it off. Alan reassures Allenby that Green Lantern will catch this crook and later Alan heads out as GL to find Pomery. Upon visiting Pomery, he uses the ring as a lie detector and when Pomery says he isn't Gamma, the detector says he is both lying and telling the truth. Just then, Doiby sends a rocket signal, pulling GL away. Gamma is robbing a mansion at that very moment. GL heads in to stop him but surprisingly, any ring made construct fails to catch Gamma. GL does notice a peculiar heat radiating off his cane just before Gamme fires the bottom segment of the cane at GLs head, knocking him out.

After he comes to, he heads out, pondering the clues he's gathered so far and eventually comes to a conclusion. The next day GL heads to a meeting of the Analysts Club and accuses three people: Pomery, scientist Cal Whitman and explorer Kent Newson. Pomery lent his acting abilities to Newson while Whitman brought science into the act so brave Newson could pull off impossible heists and pay off his debts. With this revelation, Newson shows off his Gamme costume but then attacks and captures GL, Pomery and Whitman. He ties them to chairs that are connected to guns pointed at them but GL is able to help coach the three of them to safety. GL then goes after Gamma for good capturing him now that he knows all the tricks.

"Perfect Crimes For Sale" - The Gambler returns to Gotham City with a promise for all crooks who can afford it. Pay $25,000 and spin a wheel of chance. Whichevet number it falls upon corresponds to a crime that Gambler will ensure goes off without a problem. One man steps up to test it and is given the assurance that all alarms at Gotham National Bank will be deactivated. At the same time, Gambler sends a note to GL betting he will Rob the bank unopposed, so GL takes that challenge and heads there with police at the specified time. GL overheads one officer speaking about a bet and realizes he's actually the Gambler in disguise. But then even further realizes that's a Gambler mask and this man is just a normal crook. They head into the bank and finds that its been cleaned out.

Later, another crook spins the wheel and lands on the assurance that Gambler will eliminate GL for good. GL gets another note about a bet that he will be kidnapped while on air at the radio station. While on the air, in front of a live audience, some of the audience pull out guns and start firing, chasing GL out to Doiby's cab. Once inside, GL asks Doiby to take off but he loses his accent to reveal that he's actually Gambler. Gambler takes him to a hideout where he has constructed a giant roulette wheel. Every number is 13 except one and if number 13 is landed on, the wheel will explode. GL is placed inside a giant ball and left on spin on the wheel. Before it stops, GL walks in to the surprise of Gambler and his cronies. GL takes them down and then reveals that he was never in the ball as the GL they captured was Doiby in disguise.

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Conclusion: Gamma was an interesting one. Had me puzzled for a bit but the resolution, again, feels unearned. All the clues weren't there for the reader as Kent Newsom had not been mentioned before the reveal. Whitman was shown earlier but not that he is a scientist. It's all rather sudden. Fun to see Alan come up with the solve but it would be more fun if we could too.

The Gambler always seems to make for a good story. This is his last golden age appearance. I like that his mastery of disguise was brought back here. It was seemingly forgotten in the last few appearances. Once again, a giant object was brought in and I love the campiness of it but I can't help but wonder how they make this happen. It still happens today and it's always silly.

Three more to go and I'm looking forward to see how it ends but I do have a feeling it's abrupt.

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8.5/10

GL stomps out an insurance scam

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Writer: Robert Kanigher

Pencils: Lee Elias

Inks: Bob Oksner

Cover: Irwin Hasen

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"Situation Wanted" - GL ours a personals ad in the paper calling for any one to contact him if they need a job done. Any payment given will be sent to the Gotham Charity Hospital as it is in dire need of funding. After a while lot of nothing, GL finally gets a call from Groyd Insurance. The owner, Mr. Groyd, has been paying out lots of insurance money as accidents keep happening, and soon enough they will run out of money if any more large payments need to go through. Mr. Groyd first asks GL to keep an eye on a trapeze artist who has his legs insured for $100,000. If GL keeps him safe for the final performance that night, Groyd will give $20,000 to the charity. GL keeps watch with Doiby for the entire performance until the very end when one of the ropes break, caucing the performer to fall. GL only just makes it with his ring to save the man, after GL was tripped up by a saboteur. The next morning, GL returns to Groyd who gives him another job. A cargo ship is set to bring a large shipment of silver to the city so GL needs to ensure it arrives for another $20,000 to charity. GL and Doiby head to find the ship in disguise as sailors but end up discovering thieves in disguise as well. A fight breaks out and a hole is blown in the ship. GL is knocked out, leaving Doiby to try and wake him while the thieves escape on a life boat with the silver. GL wakes up in time to save the ship, and tows it to shore with the ring. Finally, Groyd has one last task for GL for another $20,000 to charity. GL needs to make sure a shipment of penicillin arrives by motorcycle. GL takes over driving but is caught up thieves who trap him on a rope tied over a drop. GL is able to use the ring to get the motorcycle back on land and stops the thieves, then gets the penicillin to its destination. He starts to piece together some clues and realizes there's only one way all of these incidents could happen in such a short time. He heads back Groyd and accuses his secretary of fraud, and after an investigation they find he's the leader of the gang that stoke the Silver and tried to take the penicillin, also the man who co-signed the trapeze artists policy as beneficiary. In recognition of solving the crime, Groyd gives another $25,000 to the charity hospital.

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Conclusion: This marks the end of superheroes in Comic Cavalcade. The book continues the following month with issue #30 but focusing on cartoon animals instead. Another tidbit I didn't realize is the Golden Age Star Sapphire is in this issue as well in The Flash story. This marks her final golden age appearance before being rebooted as the Carol Ferris version in the silver age Green Lantern. This golden age version makes a final appearance in Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave And The Bold #6, marking only three appearances in total and solidifying the camaraderie of The Flash and Green Lantern.

Now for the story, considering all the modern day nonsense with insurance companies, I'm finding it difficult to care about Groyd's problems. Insurance fraud is still a crime and makes it harder for everyone else but, shoot, I just can't find the sympathy.

GL still did a damn good job here and solving the mystery, so good in fact that I don't know how he did it. We went from three mini adventures to all of a sudden he knows who did it. I don't think the secretary was even shown before the end. The missions were simple and short which made the story feel bigger as they could do more, but the last one was just silly. I don't quite get how the thieves got the motorcycle on the rope all while GL was still on it and tied up. For a final story, it could have been better but also showcases how GL can do more for the city than just stopping crime.

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7/10

Green Lantern appears at conventions all over the city. Unfortunately not comic conventions.

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Writer: John Broome

Pencils: Irwin Hasen

Inks: Bob Oksner

Cover: Alex Toth

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"The Convention Crooks" - Alan and Doiby are at a retailers convention where prank toys are being demonstrated when all of a sudden someone turns on a large magnet that pulls everyone's valuables to it. Much to Alan and Doiby's surprise, a Tommy gun is pulled as well which signals this is a heist. Alan changes to GL and the two go after the crooks, but thanks to a bag full of gas dropping on GLs head, the crooks vanish into the crowd. GL and Doiby spend the next few days going to various conventions to catch them in the act again but every time is met with either no appearance or them escaping. With so many conventions happening around the city, the duo are left with a conundrum. That is, until Doiby bears on the radio that the mayor is considering cancelling the Frolic Fiesta, which is the biggest convention the city holds. The duo head straight to the city hall to ask the mayor not to cancel as its the best chance they have of catching the crooks. At the parade, GL and Doiby are in a building above when they see a giant float of GL go by and then the crooks attack a bank below. They get away after dropping a smoke bomb, leaving GL to hunt for them again. He figures the only way they coukd escape so quickly is to duck into a float, but which one? He figured it out after seeing his own float has a gun in the back pocket, a detail only crooks would add. He lefts the float to reveal the crooks lying in wait with a plane. The plane takes off with GL stuck to the wing, but GL is able to adjust the trajectory by causing a downdraft, forcing the plane to land. He arrests the crooks and saves the day.

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Conclusion: Well, this is it for All-American Comics (for now), as this is the final issue for one of DC's oldest comics. It starts up the following month as All-American Western with #103 showing only western themed stories and Johnny Thunder keeping his premiere position. GL also came in at a shorter page count with only 10 pages this time, something that hadn't happened since issue #30 of AAC.

As for the story, it was fun and classic. I don't mind this one being a simple crime story as it is Alan's last time in AAC so it feels like an homage of sorts. He's done so much for the city that it even ends with the city honouring bin with a float. However, a gun bring on the float is so campy lol. That part was silly and the ending did feel a bit rushed but it was only ten pages. I do with Irene Miller could have made even a cameo but I guess that ship had long sailed after many different creative teams and a near ten year absence.

Next is the final issue of Comic Cavalcade and then the final four issue of Green Lantern Quarterly. This is going to be a rough week.

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8/10

A Harlequin revelation and a rival hero?

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Writer: Robert Kanigher

Pencils: Irwin Hasen

Inks: Bob Oksner

Cover: Alex Toth

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"Harlequin's Secret Revealed" - Alan breaks the news on the radio that Harlequin has escaped prison yet again. Later that day, he heads out as GL to try and find her but ends up called over by a rocket signal from Doiby. A gang has shot up Goitrude so the duo head out to catch them. After catching up, the dynamic duo make quick work of the gang, except one gets away. GL chases after him but gets tripped up by Harlequin who then runs off with the gang member. GL heads then off at thr other end of the alley and takes them in. At the police station, GL is called into the chief's office and is met with a government agent who came to ask GL for his help with a secret mission. GL happily obliges but the agent then reveals he will be working with a partner, Agent H.S. Agent H.S. then walks in to reveal its actually Harlequin. Turns out Harlequin has been working undercover with the government the whole time to spy on the criminal underworld and help build a case against them. GL is apprehensive but agrees. They will operate as usual with GL catching Harlequin as she commits crimes but with the understanding that they are now a team.

"Green Lantern Vs. White Star" - Alan and Doiby are taking in a rodeo performance by "Cowboy" Jim Jonas. The duo are highly impressed to the point that Alan mentions he could be using those skills to fight crime if he wanted to. Jim Jonas overhears that and the next night Alan and Doiby learn of the existence of a new hero calling himself White Star, a cowboy themed crime fighter. GL receives a letter at WXYZ from White Star requesting his assistance to take down some crooks at a warehouse that night at 11pm. GL arrives a little late but finds nobody anyway. White Star arrives just after him and says the criminals must already be inside. GL uses his ring to make a hole in the wall and they head in to find no one. The crooks instead enter behind them and a fight breaks out. White Star starts goading GL into a competition which causes GL to get in the way of his lasso and then get knocked out by one of the crooks. He comes to later with the police telling him White Star claims he saved GLs life but the crooks got away,and White Star isn't there either. The next morning, a personal ad in the paper is calling for GL to come to the the gold refinery that night as a crime will take place, signed by White Star. GL heads there alone but comes across some thugs in trenchcoats. They attack GL until the ring beam blasts the coats away to discover they are the guards for the refinery. They say they were told by White Star that a crook will arrive dressed as GL but they had no clue he was the real one. They all head inside to find White Star working with a gang to steal gold bars. A great battle ensues but, once again, they all get done in by the lassos and White Star escapes again. However, GL has figured it out and the next day heads back to the rodeo to confront Jim Jonas. They have a lasso competition with GL coming out on top. Jonas reveals he pretended to fight crime to make GL help him break into places to steal things, but GL was too smart for him.

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Conclusion: Imma call this what it is. A retcon. We already saw how Molly became Harlequin and saw her commit crimes only to get GLs attention but now they tells us she was always an undercover agent? Unless it's more that she was confronted after the fact but this story doesn't seem that way. At this point the character only existed for a couple of years, that's way too short to be pulling stuff like this, especially when it really doesn't change status quo that much. GL and Harlequin will still be fighting each other in public. Just a weird choice.

White Star however is an interesting idea but I think a poor execution. His plan is very flawed. I see the idea but it wasn't quite there. Take the second one for example, how did he think the guards would last long against a real Green Lantern when they think he's a fake? Surely Joe Jonas would figure GL would make quick work of them and then enter the refinery to find him stealing stuff. Another weird choice.

This issue also marks the first time a full story features someone other than Green Lantern, with Streak getting his own tale as the second story. I did not read that one however. I did flip through it and if you like Streak, it seems you'll have a good time. I just don't care though and it may feature Alan Scott but more as a bit part and no GL costume to boot.

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5/10

GL cheats to win at board games. Don't play with him.

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Writer: John Broome

Art: Irwin Hasen

Cover: Alex Toth

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"Crimes From A Cardboard Box" - A bank robbery has taken place where the crooks were not seen by the night watchman despite standing right in front of him, as seen on a security camera. The next day, Alan is pondering how this is possible when Doiby comes gone with his young cousin. They brought a new board game to play that he got at Dacy's department store. It's called Cops N' Robbers with one of the abilities the robbers has is to turn invisible using something called Abis Canis. It's a tree bark that, when burned, the smoke can make certain colours invisible. Alan races off to the department store to get to the bottom of this but ends up dealing with a gang of crooks stealing all the board games. He is able to cause a distraction and change to GL but an overzealous bystander wanting to help accidentally hits him on the head with her umbrella, knocking him out.

After he comes to, the store manager tells him that the board games were all made by a man named Homer Barnes. The manager gives GL the address they have on file but when GL arrives there, he finds it deserted. At the same time, the crooks from the store, arrive back at a hotel room where Homer Barnes waits. Homer is just a child that cold sup with fun games and builds them, however all the games have some wild solution for a criminal to successfully steal something. Homer has no clue the crooks are using his ideas to actually steal things, but thinks they are just financiers who help make his ideas come to life. Later that day, they go out again to rob another bank, using the Abis Canis trick again, as well as liquid nitrogen to freeze the vault door solid, until it cracks like glass. GLs ring is able to pick up the trail of the smoke so he heads down to catch the crooks. Unfortunately, he steps on the nitrogen canister and sprays himself. He wakes up in a giant crane machine but tricks the crooks as they try to grab him. He takes then down but still has no leads on Homer. Meanwhile Homer gives up making games as his friends have disappeared.

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Conclusion: It's come to this, GL getting bested by a mere child. I say that, but it's actually kind of funny as a resolution. This is something that will be haunting Alan for the rest of his life and he has no clue it was a false narrative. The crimes themselves were quite good and well thought out but I'm left wondering where and how these same crooks got a giant claw machine. Even more so that I'm pretty sure that claw is just a back hoe.

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8.5/10

Green Lantern becomes a gold Lantern. Not that one.

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Writer: Robert Kanigher

Art: Alex Toth

Cover: Irwin Hasen & Bob Oksner

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"The Treasure Of Plateau City" - Alan is asked to come to Plateau city to broadcast the 100 year anniversary of the city striking gold. The mayor has a slight ulterior motive as the city is near bankrupt and is hoping the publicity will bring tourism in to raise some money. Alan arrives the same day as a parade that will lead to the museum that has an exhibit of all the gold the town collected over the years. At the same time, a gang's plan goes into action. Someone ahead of the parade route runs over to the mayor's booth, where Alan is broadcasting from, and shouts out that he's found gold again while fixing a pothole in the road. The entire town hears it and they all run to the spot, disrupting the parade. Sensing something is off, Alan ducks away to change into GL. He heads towards the museum as it would now be deserted and finds the hired guards protecting it as they tell him nobody has entered the museum since the gold delivery the night before. Even still GL and the guards look around inside, passing some golden statues. All of a sudden the guards are knocked out and GL is next to be hit with a golden shovel. The gang painted themselves in gold and pretended to be part of the exhibit arriving the night before. GL was not knocked out (good ol' wood weakness) and fights back. The gang still get the upper hand when they spray him with gold gilt, encasing him as a gold block. The gang head out to the town, seeing no way they can fail now. They drop the block of GL onto the street to entice the crowd further but they end up caught in their own distraction when they come across the gold "found" in the street. GL breaks out of the gold block and finds the gang, trapping them this time and stopping them for good. Meanwhile, some diggers in town have kept looking for gold, and end up finding a spout of mineral water which GL says can bring back the wealth the city once had thanks to its health benefits.

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Conclusion: As unique as this was, it was also a fairly simple crime story. I'll give it to the gang here, it was a solid plan. If GL wasn't there they would have gotten away with it most likely. Now, I don't enough about gilt but would GL really get encased in solid gold like that? Not that it really slowed him down but still, it was weird. Otherwise a rather enjoyable little solo adventure for Alan. Rare at this point for him to have one without any partners.

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8/10

Knodar returns to wreak havoc on the wrong century

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Writer: John Broome

Art: Irwin Hasen

Cover: Alex Toth

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"Gotham's Golden Jubilee" - Alan is reporting about Gotham City's new future exhibit in honour of the Golden Jubilee of the city. In celebration, a contest is being held where a woman will sneak golden keys into people's pockets all around the city and whoever catches her and identifies her family will win a golden key to the city. This is all told by Ann Hunt, who is working with the city. After she leaves, Alan finds a golden key in his pocket which confirms to him that Ann is the mystery woman.

Meanwhile, in the 25th century, Knodar has become an exhibit of his own in a museum. Once the crowd has dispersed, he easily unlock his cell, as it is using old technology, and heads over to a display of the first time machine built in 2505 A.D. He plans. To go to the 23rd century to meet with a famous villain called the Black-Eyed Bandit. However, Knodar misses his stop by a mile and lands in the 20th century, conveniently in the future exhibit in Gotham. The first person he runs into is Ann after she sneaks a key into pocket but due to his history books, he thinks Ann is the Black-Eyed Bandit as they look very similar. Since Knodar claims to recognize her, Ann proclaims him the winner and they head to the prize key. Knodar walks right up and steals it ahead of the ceremony but is caught by GL and Doiby. Ann tries to help by hitting Knodar with the giant key but accidentally hits GL instead.

Knodar and Ann head to a gala for the jubilee where Knodar plans to steal as much as he can carry. At the same time, GL wakes up so he and Doiby get dressed for the gala (in futuristic clothes) to catch Knodar. However, Knodar uses a gun that controls metal to get the upper hand on GL and Doiby. He brings them to another future exhibit, this time in the form of a giant radio and ties them up, to be burned alive by the vacuum tubes inside. With things looking dire, Ann makes the move she's been waiting for. She grabs Knodar's metal gun and traps him, then helps free GL and Doiby. GL sends Knodar back to his time using the ring and now back in his own time, Knodar is left wondering why GL was in the 23rd century, concluding that there must be a Green Lantern in every century.

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Conclusion: Signalling the end of GL in All-American Comics, Alan was relegated to the back of the book starting in this issue. Brand new character, Johnny Thunder (the cowboy) debuts and takes center stage for the remaining issues. This also marks Knodar's final golden age appearance.

Despite that, this was fun. Another time traveling romp but almost an accidental one? Knodar not realizing he's missed the 23rd century and gone back to the 20th feels out of character. He's been to the 20th century enough times to be able to recognize it, especially if he's such a master of history like he claims, and how much does the 23rd century look like the 20th? It's closer to the 25th century than it is the 20th. Surely design and construction had evolved by then. Also, he didn't bag an eye at the radio, even proclaiming that it's just like the ones in the 23rd century. That big, too? I'm thinking he doesn't know as much as he thinks he does. Otherwise a good little adventure for GL and Devestatin' Doiby.

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8.5/10

Alan fights train robbers, mass robbers and even wedding robbers

Writer: John Broome (1st & 2nd stories), Robert Kanigher (3rd story)

Art & Cover: Irwin Hasen

"Crime Goes West" - Alan and Doiby head down south to interview a retirement home for old frontiersmen. Along they way they stop for gas but they are knocked out by a couple of robbers who need transportation to find the gold they buried in the area years prior. Alan and Doiby borrow a horse from the gas attendant and take off after the robbers, following them all the way to the retirement home. The duo get back into Goitrude while the robbers are making their way into the home, so Alan is able to change into GL. The duo start to chase the robbers off but GL ends up getting knocked out by the sign for the home falling on his head. The robbers head off with their gold after a retired prospector ended up digging it up so the frontiersmen decide to help out and reclaim their lost youth by forming a posse and chasing after them. After GL wakes, the duo follow the posse but when they find them GL uses his ring to make the two of them look like the posse al the retired frontiersmen don't lose their spirit. Together, they all capture the robbers and Alan and Doiby head home, feeling good that they helped make some retirees feel happy again.

"The Criminal Nobody Knew" - Alan and Doiby hear about a wave of organized crime bigger than they ever saw before. Multiple heists had been done using different thugs each time. GL and Doiby head out looking for clues but come up with nothing, until Doiby reveals that all the heist locations are all owned by the Samson Corporation. GL pays a visit to the reclusive Ceo, J.B. Samson, only to find they are a woman (Not a problem but this is important to the plot). Samson says she knows nothing about why her locations are being targeted and demands GL leaves. He does so, and on the way back, notices a group of thugs heading into a building. He heads them off inside and stops a major heist but is met by the elusive mastermind of these heists 'Mr. Big'. Mr. Big catches GL with an exploding cigarette. Shortly after, Doiby is dropping a fare off at an employment agency when he overhears her say she is J.B. Samson looking for the owner, Lefty Simmons. Doubt follows her in after he realizes this is the ceo that GL was supposed to visit but stumbles into a room full of thugs. As it turns out, this employment agency is a front for organized crime, offering jobs to thugs as a crew, all planned by Mr. Big. Lefty is the owner and liason for Mr. Big. The thugs take down Doiby easily and he wakes up later, tied to a moving target in a shooting gallery with GL beside him. Right before the thugs starting shooting, Mr. Big walks in and demands they release the duo as he has other plans for GL, but Lefty walks in and demands they ignore Mr. Big as he has no say in what goes on there. This gives GL the time needed to free them and they go in for a fight. They are able to take down the thugs as GL unmasks Mr. Big to reveals he is actually J.B. Samson. Lefty is actually her brother, who is jealous that she took on the family business while he got pushed out, but Samson says he was pushed out due to his intense lifestyle. The real Mr. Big is really Lefty, who made up the character to make his heist plans sound bigger and specifically targeted Samson Corporation and J.B. borrowed the name to get in close to Lefty to try to stop him.

"The Harlequin's Leap Year" - Alan and Molly are leaving a wedding they were at together, discussing marriage yet again, when the brides bouquet lands in Alan's hands. He throws it down in annoyance which breaks a vial hidden amongst the flowers. This releases some smoke, allowing some thugs to attack the bride and groom in order to take their jewelry. Alan and Molly both slip away to change into their alter-egos and end up meeting each other before fighting together to stop the theives. The thugs get chased off, so GL turns his attention to Harlequin who exercises her right to propose as it's a leap year. GL refuses but Harlequin doubles down saying she will be at City Hall the next night at 6:30 waiting for him to arrive. The news travels around the city with everyone placing bets on if GL will show up. GL spends the next day on the other side of the city from City Hall, to prove he won't show up and comes across a heist. At the same time, Harlequin is breaking up the same heist as the gang inside are trying to steal diamond rings. Harlequin figured it'll be a great present for GL when they get married. GL spots Harlequin taking off so he chases her but this allows the gang to take them both down. Harlequin wakes up tied to unicorn statues at the top of a clock tower. She meets the mastermind behind these heist, who reveals that they will impale each other once the clock reaches the hour. Harlequin tries over and over to wake up GL but he only stirs right before the hour is hit. She figures if there's ever a time to do it, it's now, so she asks him to marry her but his answer is drowned out by the bong of the bell, right as he uses the ring to free them both. They head down and capture the gang, revealing the gang boss is actually the bridesmaid from the wedding, but neither of them say anything about recognizing her for fear of revealing their identity to each other. GL ends up taking Harlequin to jail as well and visits her later as Alan, giving her a paper with GLs answer on it. It reads "This is a fine time to ask me!".

Conclusion: The old west story was kinda cool. Makes toy feel good by the end as our heroes helped bring the left back into some old frontiersmen. It's also might be the first time we see Alan use the ring to completely change his appearance. It might have happened once during the war but I don't remember for sure. It was fun seeing the frontiersmen using all sorts of old tricks during the gunfight with the robbers. Lots of trickery in this one.

Mr. Big was very interesting. Not the first time an employment agency was used as a front for crime but this was definitely a more interesting use. A lot of this story was rehashed ideas but together they work near flawlessly. J.B. Samson ending up being Lefty's sister was a nice twist I didn't see coming, even more so that Alan ended up on a date with J.B. (going by June) afterwards, because how the hell did that happen? He only met her as GL. No way she just decides to go on a date with a random man she's never met. Weird way to leave it.

Finally, The Harlequin and GL, once again making a dynamic team. I can't wait to see them get together for real. But at this point I'm wondering if it happens in GL comics or JSA comics., either way, you can tell Kanigher is moving them in that direction. Also interesting that Harlequin actually ended up in prison by the end with no escape shown like previous times. I wonder if that'll be a thing or they just hand wave it away.

9/10

Streak fights a bobcat and an eagle! Also, GL does something.

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Writer: John Broome

Art & Cover: Alex Toth

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"Nest Of Terror" - Alan and Streak go for a fishing trip north of the city. After arriving, Alan hires a guide to take him through the forest for fishing spots. The guide, Smitty, takes him to a sports with a fast current but she warns Alan of the beaver's dam upstream that could break and flood them with water. Alan goes under a nearby water fall but shortly after the dam breaks, sending water down the water fall towards Smitty and Streak. GL emerges and saves them then flies up to see what broke the dam. He finds man that broke down the dam to get rid of them so he could search for a stolen $2 million. While GL fights him, Streak hears another danger coming and starts to fight off a bobcat. GL gets knocked out by an axe handle and wakes up a minute later to find the man took off with Smitty. Streak follows his scent all the way up a mountain to an eagles next where they find Smitty and a bank note wrapper. An eagle returns to the next and attacks them but Streak bites back and they both fall off the nest. GL saves Streak and blasts the eagle away. GL grabs Smitty and they all head to the prison outside Gotham City where an inamte that has been jailed for 50 years is said to be the one that hid the stolen $2 million right before his arrest. When they arrive however, they find that he has been murdered. Streak catches the scent of the man from the forest and starts barking at a guard. The guard says it must be his pet cat. But GL knows Streak better than that. They follow him from the prison to a building where he starts digging at the foundation. After capturing him, GL lifts the building with his ring to find the missing $2 million.

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Conclusion: Another Streak story. Didn't hate it but you really see the overtaking of the character. GL was more of a backseat passenger in this one, or at least shotgun. Streak even provides the narration throughout. It was interesting but not always what I'm looking for in a GL comic. Can you imagine if Hal had a pet that took center stage in a bunch of stories?

Lastly, I keep forgetting to me tion Alex Toth's pencils. They are fantastic and really make GL look like a powerful being.

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7/10

The Fool brings new meaning to April Fool's Day.

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Writer: John Broome

Art: Alex Toth

Cover: Alex Toth & Harry Lampert

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"The April Fool's Day Crimes" - It's April Fool's Day in the city and Alan reads about a painting stolen the night prior by the Little Lippy Gang. As the story goes, they hid out in a hat cleaning shop and then disappeared. Doiby realizes that shop is where he gets his hat cleaning and rushes out to find his derby. After retrieving his dery, Doiby has a run in with the Little Lippy Gang, when they hijack his cab and force him to drive to the pier. He signals for GL, and when GL arrives, the gang take off with GL following them. Doiby gets bavk in the cab and finds The Fool in the back seat, as he grabs Doiby's derby and flies off in his modified toy plane. Doubt meets back up with GL who has also lost the Little Lippy Gang, so they head to the police station to file a report and find clues. They end up finding Fool stealing a sergeant's cap. Once again Fool escapes after GL ends up running into the Little Lippy Gang. The sergeant reveals he had his cap cleaning in the same shop Doiby's derby was, so duo go to ask the shop clerk for any info and he tells there was a silk top hat on the same shelf as the cap and derby, but he has no info on the owner. GL gets an idea and they duo head to an opera that night. As it turns out, pretty much everyone with a top hat is in attendance and sure enough, they catch Fool in the middle of stealing one top hat in particular. They give chase to the auditorium but end up smashing into a painted wall. They wake up tied to the curtain, as The Fool reveals that they will be crushed when the curtain rises. Since he's got them done for, The Fool reveals he stole all three hats for a reason, which is exactly what GL needed to hear. He busts free just as the curtain is rising and catches the Fool. At the police station, GL reveals that the Little Lippy Gang cut the stolen painting into three parts and his them in the lining of all three hats. However, when he ours the three pieces together, all it shows is a message from the Fool saying 'April Fool!', until GL uses his ring to view underneath the message to reveal the painting is still there. The Fool ends up in prison once more, as GL left a piece foolscap in Fool's cap saying 'April Fool's Fool!'

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Conclusion: The final appearance of The Fool. It was well done and satisfying. What better way to go out then on April Fool's Day? Though, it does lend to what I said last time about the gimmick being hard to follow through on. There wasn't much in the way of foolish antics this time, compared to other appearances. His tools and weapons (a water pistol with vinegar, a party blower with a lead tip, etc.) are foolish, but stealing the three hats was more purposeful than random, especially when working with a gang. Despite that, ending his career in prison with GL getting him back with the same gag was a nice touch. A shame we don't see him again, but not all characters last forever. I wish he had more staying power because I came to enjoy his appearances. Finally, I don't know if the irony was noticed or on purpose or what, but the idea of foolscap (paper), being in the Fool's cap is too good to ignore.

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8.5/10

Sportsmaster tries to end all sports. Weird.

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Writer: Robert Kanigher

Art & Cover: Alex Toth

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"The End Of Sports" - Alan is at a meeting of the Gotham City Athletic Club when a discussion starts about a big hockey game that night. The debate about the winner rings on until a newer member named Corck chimes in that neither team will win as it'll be a tie. The game begins that night and it's fast paced with a tie game right up to the last minute. Just as one team is about to score a winning goal, the puck explodes which prompts Alan to change to GL. He flies down to the ice where the doctor says the players need a hospital immediately. GL flies them all there then goes off to figure out what happened. Along the way he watches a college basketball team go through the same ordeal with the ball exploding and over the next few days, sporting events all over the city are dealing with exploding equipment. Finally, GL receives a letter offering a challenge to come to the Gotham Stadium tomorrow for a sports duel. As GL arrives the next day, he is met by none other than Sportsmaster, who survived his great fall in their last encounter. Using the money he stole last time, Sportsmaster started a Crime Syndicate (noooo.....) of Sports (whew!). The challenge to GL is if he can best Sportsmaster in a series of events that all include beating world records. Sportsmaster, of course, cheats with gimmicked equipment and gives GL faulty ones. A vaulting pole that blew up, a tossing hammer with an electrical grip and hurdles that burst into flame. GL overcomes all. The obstacles and beats Sportsmaster at every event, right up until the final one. An underwater wrestling match where the winner has to come to the surface to win. GL just about gets the upper hand on Sportsmaster after decking him in the face so hard his ring left an imprint. After GL resurfaces, he goes back down to retrieve Sportsmaster but finds he escaped using an vent at the bottom of the pool. Afterwards, GL is being congratulated by everyone at the stadium when Corck arrives, claiming he'd been kidnapped by the Crime Syndicate of Sports. GL notices they imprint of the ring on his jaw and uses the ring beam to tear off his clothes to reveal Sportsmaster costume. "Corck" really Crock, is arrested and sports are saved once again!

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Conclusion: Okay, the return of Sportsmaster isn't a surprise as we know he didn't die. It was bound to happen eventually. The biggest pull for me from this one is the Crime Syndicate of Sports. Apparently it's a thing but Sportsmaster is the only member shown or even mentioned. What is the purpose of a whole syndicate just to fight sports? And for that matter, why does Sportsmaster want to end sports? It's his whole thing. That was it for things that confused me, the rest was actually much fun. The events between Sportsmaster and GL were well done and raised the stakes quite a bit. Though, I guess one last thing that's irks me is how the hell Alan beat the hammer toss record while throwing himself with the hammer. That was a bit out there for me.

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8.5/10

The Juggler, The Harlequin and a Dam. So close to a three ring circus.

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Writer: John Broome

Art & Cover: Irwin Hasen

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"The Case Of The Astonishing Juggler" - A rich socialite, Winnie King, is hosting a sorry at her father's mansion and tried to get Green Lantern to attend as it would he the talk of the town. However, Alan Scott was also invited so he attends with Doiby as a guest. To further push for GL, Winnie asks one of the hired performers, a juggler, to pretend to steal something so GL is forced to come. What Winnie doesn't know is this juggler was already planning a heist. The plan goes ahead and her father's safe is robbed. Alan comes nack as GL but the Juggler is prepared. His juggling pins double weapons, complete with hidden feature and compartments, but in the end, he hits GL in the head, knocking him out temporarily. Juggler takes off with Winnie as ransom, followed by GL and Doiby. Unfortunately, GL falls into a trap so he and Doiby are captured as well. All three are chained to a giant slot machine and if the wheels hit jackpot, which is all three of them in a row, the TNT inside will explode. They hit the jackpot but GL is able to protect them using the ring beam. GL takes off after Juggler, finding him at an event and is able to capture him this time.

"The Case Of The Conscience Fund" - Harlequin returns to action in the city but this time instead of stealing, she is trying to give back. The Treasury building in Capitol City (remember that place?) has a department called the Conscience Fund where they receive hundreds of letters from people confessing to small money infringements they committed years prior. One agent receives a letter from Harlequin about return all her stolen loot and nearly falls out of his chair. The news breaks and Alan doesn't believe it, but Molly is determined to prove it to him. They meet again later (unknowingly) in costume, as Harlequin arrives outside the Treasury with life like robotic mannequins that look like her. GL decides to help her if this is legit as he figures a show like this is bound to attract some shady people. He was right on the money as a mob boss named Pindo tries to steal Harlequin's stolen goods. The pair are taken unawares by the gang and Pindo takes control of the mannequins. He walks them off the roof of a building holding GL and Harlequin but GL is able to grab a weather vane using the ring and cuts their ropes. He takes the gang to jail and tries to take Harlequin there as well but she escapes.

"The King Of The Dam Builders" - Alan is on location for the radio at the unveiling of the Corado Dam built by Ben Barton's construction company. It's been a problematic construction as Alan learns during an interview with Ben. The town below has been against it after a worker unfortunately fell off a scaffold to their death. Despite the tragedy, Ben kept the work going. He received many death threats but still persevered. Finally the dam was finished and just as they river is allowed to flow towards it, an explosion rocks the middle of it. Ben is devestated and tries to jump off but Alan quickly changes into GL (leaving Doiby on the mic for the radio broadcast) and saves Ben. He then holds the dam together so the crew and repair the giant hole woth new concrete. GL asks him after if he has any clue who could have done this and Ben tells about a local political boss called Jim Noone. GL goes to pay Noone a visit only to find that he's already kidnapped Ben's son. GL rescues him but is knocked out by Noone's cronies. The head over to the dam and chain the three of them to the dry dam. GL wakes up in time to free them just as water comes rushing in after Ben blew it up himself to save his sons life. GL repairs the dam again and rounds up Noone and his cronies. The dam is left to operate and the town is better for it.

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Conclusion: The Juggler seems an interesting villain but I imagine a one trick pony. There are no more appearances for The Juggler and, honestly, I get it. How many times can you pull a heist by juggling? Though I guess you can do it with a giant slot machine.

The Harlequin's return was nice, but ending with arresting her, while that does make sense as she keeps escaping prison, feels a bit off. She was trying to do some good here and only got bit back. More foreshadowing of a face turn maybe? And where did Molly get such advanced robots? How much does she get paid at that radio station?

The Dam story was a classic John Broome corruption story. Not much to wrote home about, it was fairly cut and dry except how did GL hold the Dam together long enough for a crew to mix and pour new concrete and also let it set all while water is rushing in? That's the only part that was a bit much for me.

For an issue written entirely by John Broome, you get what you'd expect at this point from 1940s Broome: fairly simple stories.

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7/10

But what is the significance of MOR? Obviously More than meets the eye is teasing more Transformer appearances but I don't get the three letters in a different font.