From: douga@yang.earlham.edu (Doug Atkinson) Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.misc Subject: The Annotated Ambush Bug Message-ID: <1993Jun8.011233.23813@yang.earlham.edu> Date: 8 Jun 93 06:12:33 GMT Organization: D is for lots of things Lines: 210 I felt the need for some stress relief, so I present... THE ANNOTATED AMBUSH BUG compiled by Doug Atkinson (douga@yang.earlham.edu) Disclaimer: Ambush Bug and all associated characters are copyright 1993, DC Comics, Inc. This annotation is copyright 1993 Doug Atkinson, and may be freely distributed provided it is not altered in any way. DC Comics Presents #52 December, 1982 "Negative Woman Goes Berserk!" Not yet collected in any other form Writer: Paul Kupperberg Penciller: Keith Giffen Inker: Sal Trapani Letterer: Ben Oda Colorist: Gene D'Angelo Editor: Julius Schwartz Page 1, panel 1: This is Superman (first appearance: ACTION COMICS #1). Page 4, panel 2: This is Clark Kent, Superman's ssecret identity. Panel 3: Notice the time on the clock. Panel 8: This is the first known appearance of this district attorney. Panel 9: First appearance of Ambush Bug's bugs. Page 5, panel 4: First complete appearance of Ambush Bug. Panel 7: Notice the TV screens, which will become important symbols in WATCHMEN. Page 8, panel 5: The yellow balloon might be Pac-Man. Panel 6: It's not clear why Lois calls Jimmy her "co-anchor." Page 9, panel 2: The balloon is Cerebus the Aardvark, although he should be colored grey, not brown. Page 10, panel 3: Studio 54 was a famous disco; can anyone provide more details so I don't have to bother? The balloon is Cutter from ELFQUEST. Page 11, panel 1: The balloon being destroyed is Judge Dredd, of 2000 AD fame. Panel 5: Ironically, the post-Crisis Jimmy Olsen was a _Planet_ photographer. Page 14, panel 5: Cliff was not the only survivor of the DP; the Chief and Negative Man survived as well. NOTE: The astute reader may have noticed a considerable difference between this issue's AB and later incarnations. It must be remembered that a) Kupperberg never wrote him again, and later writers felt no urge to remain true to his vision, and b) this story is pre-Crisis. DC Comics Presents #59 July 1983 "Ambush Bug II" Story & breakdowns: Keith Giffen Additional dialogue: Paul Levitz Finishes: Kurt Shaffenberger Letterer: Ben Oda Colorist: Carl Gafford Editor: Julius Schwartz A note on Interlac: The Interlac in this issue does not match with later uses; at least two letters are shown that are not used in the standard alphabet. This issue's motif is how annoying Ambush Bug can be at times. Page 2, panel 1: This is Ambush Bug's first known case of breaking the fourth wall. Page 4, panel 1: The upside-down rocket ship is actually the old HQ of the Legion of Super-Heroes, given to the Legion of Substitute-Heroes after it was wrecked by the Fatal Five. Page 5, panel 4: Given that Infectious Lass is known for infecting people with diseases, her lack of a social life at this point is not surprising. Page 7, panel 4: Fire Lad breathes fire, but has bad allergies. Page 8, panel 1: Stone Boy's people can turn themselves into stone to hibernate, but can't move in that form. Page 17, panel 3: The birthday cake looks familiar (from a cover of SUPERBOY) but I can't place it. Anyone? Page 18, panels 1-3: In the background are giant-sized reproductions of Green and Red Kryptonite. Action Comics #560 October 1984 "Ambush Bug" (second story) Plotter/penciller: Keith Giffen Dialogue: Robert Loren Fleming Inker: Bob Oksner Colorist: Anthony Tollin Letterer: John Costanza Editor: Julius Schwartz Note: This issue, or one of the other ACTIONs that I don't have, marks the first time the AB creative crew is gathered together. Some of them (Giffen, Fleming) remain on AB for his career to date, and all of them go on to work on the limited series. This issue's motif is Clearasil. Page 1, panel 2: This is the only time we have seen Ambush Bug with his sleeves rolled up. Panel 5: This is Clark Kent, Superman's secret identity. Page 2, panel 13: Clearasil is an acne medication. Amazingly, Irwin is on the right track here. Page 3, panel 3: The "costume party" line is a cliche of costumed heroes. Page 4: This story is only partially accurate, as we will see later. He did not build the suit, or the bugs, but he was raised by a television. Irwin Schwab is, indeed, his real name. Page 5, panel 9: "Superman [?] Earth Age[?]." Page 6, panel 4: Does Denton look like a blonde Mel Brooks to anyone else, or am I hallucinating? (It's clearer in later issues.) Panel 5: Mark David Chapman killed ex-Beatle John Lennon. John Hinckley, Jr. attempted to assassinate then-President Reagan. Ted Bundy was a mass murderer who has since been executed. Panel 7: James Cagney is an actor, noted for his "tough-guy" image. Page 7, panel 11: This is reminiscent of the multiple rapist Rorschach left on the police department steps, with a note attached, on hearing of the Keene act. Page 8: This entire page is filled with references to Frank Miller's RONIN series. DC Comics Presents #81 May 1985 "All This and Kobra, Too!" Plotter/penciller: Keith Giffen Dialoguer: Robert Loren Fleming Inker: Bob Oksner Colorist: Anthony Tollin Letterer: Bill Pearson Editor: Julius Schwartz Page 1, panel 2: He means "fore," actually. Page 2, panel 4: Like "Ford," "Mercedes Benz" is a make of car. Page 4, panel 1: Notice the damage to the "S" on the sign, symbolic foreshadowing of Superman's fate in this story? Or of his death at the hands of Doomsday? Panel 2: "Mr. Trevino" is professional golfer Lee Trevino, who exists in the real world. Page 5, panel 5: This is the exterior of Superman's Fortress of Solitude. Page 6, panel 1: Superman's X-ray vision can't see through lead. Panel 9: This is, of course, Superman's origin. Page 10, panel 1: Paul Levitz was, at this point, writer of Legion of Super-Heroes. Page 11, panel 5: Irwin has concluded that Kobra is really Lex Luthor. Panel 8: Ma and Pa Kent are Superman's adoptive parents. Page 15, panel 9: Remember, Ambush Bug was raised by a TV set. Page 21, panel 1: Actually, fire is the weakness of the Martian Manhunter. Wood is the original Green Lantern's weakness, and yellow is the weakness of all the other GLs. --Doug