Story by Kelley Puckett
Art by Rick Burchett
Colored by Rick Taylor
So, what’s the story?
A criminal named Marty is about to steal the last piece of a treasure map that leads to the Great Pearl, when he is knocked out by some brass-knuckle wielding old ladies. While he’s out cold, Mastermind, the Perfessor, and Mr. Nice steal the map fragment instead. After conferring with his girlfriend Erica, Marty poses as a reporter to speak with the three map thieves, who managed to get caught and are locked up in jail. He tries to coax the location of the map from each, but instead gets “origin stories” from Mastermind and Mr. Nice. The Perfessor warns Marty he’s been played by Mastermind, sending Marty back to Mastermind for a confrontation. Turns out Mastermind lured Marty to the prison to get the map portions Marty had in his possession. Suddenly Erica arrives! She was using Marty, too. She steals the newly completed map, but before she can return to her helicopter (?), Marty takes the map and the ‘copter and sets out for upstate, where the Great Pearl is hidden. Mastermind bemoans his failed plot, when the Perfessor admits he knows the location. Our three intrepid crooks finish their breakout, and make for upstate, only to find a giant clam, in a cave, presumably growing a pearl that won’t be ready for years to come.
Wow. As great as the last issue was, this one took a nosedive. This was the third tale of Mastermind, the Perfessor, and Mr. Nice, and I really could not have cared less. I’m all for writers and artists finding ways to sneak in new characters, but this was really dull. And Batman wasn’t in it at all. (He pointlessly appears as a silhouette in the last panel, but that doesn’t count.) I don’t feel batman has to be present to make the story good, but it ought to be tied to Bats, his allies, or at least Gotham. I feel sort of bad for any kids who might have randomly bought this issue back in the day. It must have been a huge disappointment. (And a clam in a dry cave without water? Um, what?)
How’s the Art?
Rick Burchett takes on the pencils and inks both this time, and he does just fine. After inking Parobeck for so long, Burchett’s art fits in to the series seamlessly.
Any continuity issues?
No.
Anything of interest to customizers or cosplayers?
Just Mastermind, Perfessor, and Mr. Nice again, But I doubt that’s of interest to most folks.
Is this issue worth my precious time?
No.
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