I love DC Comics, especially Vixen.  Do you have any info on her?

Thanks for writing.  Here's some information.  Vixen
was supposed to have her own ongoing monthly title
beginning in 1978, but the series was cancelled before
it even began during the DC Implosion.  There were a
lot of books out there and DC wanted to downsize.
Vixen #1 was collected in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade
#2, though never published.  In 1981, Vixen first
officially appeared with Superman in Action Comics
#521, then again in DC Comics Presents #68.  In 1984,
she joined the Justice League of America, then
eventually joined Suicide Squad and the Ultramarines.

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Tax Center - File online, calculators, forms, and more
http://tax.yahoo.com

I started this group yesterday and would just like to welcome
everyone to take a look and see what it is all about.  If you have an
interest in any aspect of DC Comics, I would love to hear from you!

--- In dccomicscharacters@yahoogroups.com, "joelcerio"
<joelcerio@y...> wrote:
> I started this group yesterday and would just like to welcome
> everyone to take a look and see what it is all about.  If you have
an
> interest in any aspect of DC Comics, I would love to hear from you!

Fair enough, Joel, so I may as well acknowledge that I'm here out of
curiosity. I've been reading various DC titles since 1953 or so, with
Detective Chimp being an early favorite character (I was about six
when I saw him the first time). I remember the Brave and Bold try-out
issues for 'Justice League of America' quite well and I was a fan of
that series until the end of the first series. Didn't care for the
Bwa-ha-ha era and didn't like the JLA reboot. I know longer follow
the JLA as I think the current writer is horrible.

DC characters I'm fond of include, in no particular order: Hawkman
(any version, although I was most familiar with Katar Hol), Aquaman,
Martian Manhunter, Legion of Super Heroes (first as guest stars and
then in series in Adventure Comics, Action Comics, Superboy, and
their own title until the crisis, after which I stopped trying to
follow that group), Green Lantern (any version except Kyle
whateverhisnameis), Flash (any version), Suicide Squad (the series,
not the original group), Space Cabbie, Captain Comet, Atomic Knights,
Blackhawks (from Quality or DC, but not the trick costume era when
the Blue Knights all had idiotic costumes and code names), Sea
Devils, Viking Prince, Green Arrow and Speedy (up until the beard and
the personality graft from Hawkeye), Tommy Tomorrow, Johnny Quick,
Vigilante, Shining Knight, Doom Patrol (original series only), the
Atom (either version), Challengers of the Unknown, Star Hunters, Adam
Strange, Elongated Man, and quite a few others.

That will do for now,
Jon

Thanks for your message Jon.  DC Comics has a long and rich history,
filled with interesting and diverse characters, perhaps mirroring the
people who collect them.  Everyone has their own experience with
comics.  My background is a lot different from yours, but it is great
to hear different points of view.  I bought my first issue of Justice
League of America in 1984, as the original League was disbanding.  It
was an exciting time as I grew up with the Detroit-based Justice
League, featuring the new characters of Vixen, Steel, Gypsy, and
Vibe.  They proved unpopular and Vibe and Steel were ultimately
killed off.  I really loved all of the characters, though Vibe did
get on my nerves.  They just seemed like real people I could relate
to, which was more important to me than the fact that they were less
powerful than Superman and his contemporaries.  When that book was
cancelled, I stopped collecting comics for several years.  Today, I
still look for new appearances by Gypsy and Vixen.  While I no longer
collect a monthly title, there are several books that I am curious
about, including the new Aquaman and Green Arrow series.  I have had
a somewhat fleeting interest in Hawkman, whose history tends to
confuse me.  I do not like the new Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner)
either.  I would like to see Hal Jordan take over the ring again.   I
do like the new Flash, as well as the previous Barry Allen version.

Hi, everybody.  There are many new pictures as of yesterday, so take
a look.  I will try to add more on a regular basis.  Please feel free
to add pictures of your own favorite characters if you would like.

I've added a couple of new links also.

I've added even more pictures!  I will continue to do so
periodically, though probably not as much as the past couple of
days.  Be sure to look inside each folder as well as looking for new
folders.

Joel,

I have scans of a lot of complete old stories from DC (mostly from
the 40s and the early 50s). I could put one or two in the files
section, where they can be read, if you would like.

Just a suggestion,
Jon

Hi, Jon.
That would be great!  I look forward to seeing them.



__________________________________________________
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Hi, everyone.  I re-organized the photos section.  Be sure to look
around.  Also, I would like to start up some polls and discussions.
If you have any ideas or specific interests, please let me know.  I
appreciate your input.  Thanks!

Hey Joel,

   The Pics in the photos section are amazing.  Its an amazing
collection, I hope everyone takes a look.  So many characters, and
art!!!  Thanks for all the hard work, I hope more people join and
this group takes off!!

I'm glad you enjoyed them.  I am constantly on the lookout for new
pictures plus better scans of existing images.  The photos section
continues to be a work in progress, as is everything else in this
group.  Unfortunately, due to space constraints I am unable to show all
the pictures I would like to.  If you want to see more, please visit
the links section.  I recently added some new ones and will continue to
do so as I find quality sites.  Hopefully, a poll will appear soon too.

Don't forget to visit your local comic book store on Saturday, May 3rd
to pick up your free comic book(s) on Free Comic Book Day!!!

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
dccomicscharacters group:

Who is your favorite Green Lantern?

   o Alan Scott
   o Hal Jordan
   o John Stewart
   o Guy Gardner
   o Kyle Rayner
   o Other


To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dccomicscharacters/surveys?id=677474

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

Hi, everybody.  I changed the look of the group and hope you all like
it.  We also have our very first poll.  Please feel free to offer up
your ideas for future polls.  As I mentioned before, this group is
still a work in progress.  In the future, I would like to generate
more discussions.  You are always welcome to start some of your own,
or you can just respond to any I throw out.  In addition, I have
added a few new pictures, so take another look around.  Thanks!

The story, from 'Batman Comics' #8 (1941), features one of Batman's
more outre encounters with unusual villains, namely Professor Radium.
I have no idea how the story will go over with this small, and
obviously, timid group. Feedback would be appreciated, and I might
add another golden age or perhaps atomic age DC story to the files
section. Frankly, it's a bit hard to tell if anyone here likes this
sort of thing, or if you would rather see something a bit more modern
(the very first Justice League of America story, from 'The Brave and
the Bold' #28 (1960), for example).

Take care,
Jon

In a message dated 06-May-03 02:52:03 Eastern Daylight Time,
jfglade@... writes:

>The story, from 'Batman Comics' #8 (1941), features one of Batman's
>more outre encounters with unusual villains, namely Professor Radium.
>I have no idea how the story will go over with this small, and
>obviously, timid group. Feedback would be appreciated, and I might
>add another golden age or perhaps atomic age DC story to the files
>section. Frankly, it's a bit hard to tell if anyone here likes this
>sort of thing, or if you would rather see something a bit more modern
>(the very first Justice League of America story, from 'The Brave and
>the Bold' #28 (1960), for example).
>
>Take care,
>Jon

Jon, are these actual scans of the old story you mention, or is this
newly done artwork?  Looks more like the latter to me.  Whichever,
the pages you uploaded to the files are fantastic.

Now, for another question to group members.  I have quite a few
stories with DC characters in them, primarily Batman family and
such.  Most of these stories involve transgender, mind control
and other non-mainstream concepts.  Would anyone like to see
me either add some to the files or post them in emails?

SteveZ

--- In dccomicscharacters@yahoogroups.com, szink22446@a... wrote:
> In a message dated 06-May-03 02:52:03 Eastern Daylight Time,
> jfglade@y... writes:
>
> >The story, from 'Batman Comics' #8 (1941), features one of
Batman's
> >more outre encounters with unusual villains, namely Professor
Radium.
> >I have no idea how the story will go over with this small, and
> >obviously, timid group. Feedback would be appreciated, and I might
> >add another golden age or perhaps atomic age DC story to the files
> >section. Frankly, it's a bit hard to tell if anyone here likes
this
> >sort of thing, or if you would rather see something a bit more
modern
> >(the very first Justice League of America story, from 'The Brave
and
> >the Bold' #28 (1960), for example).
> >
> >Take care,
> >Jon
>
> Jon, are these actual scans of the old story you mention, or is
this
> newly done artwork?  Looks more like the latter to me.  Whichever,
> the pages you uploaded to the files are fantastic.
>
> Now, for another question to group members.  I have quite a few
> stories with DC characters in them, primarily Batman family and
> such.  Most of these stories involve transgender, mind control
> and other non-mainstream concepts.  Would anyone like to see
> me either add some to the files or post them in emails?
>
> SteveZ

I picked those scans up off Alt Binaries Pictures Comics about two
years ago, Steve, and I suspect they were made from a Batman
Archives, given the gloss of the paper and the pristine condition of
the source material.

I would like to see the scans you've mentioned. Presumably Joel would
too.

Take care,
Jon

In a message dated 07-May-03 03:38:15 Eastern Daylight Time,
jfglade@... writes:

>I picked those scans up off Alt Binaries Pictures Comics about
>two years ago, Steve, and I suspect they were made from a
>Batman Archives, given the gloss of the paper and the pristine
>condition of the source material.
>
>I would like to see the scans you've mentioned. Presumably
>Joel would too.
>
>Take care,
>Jon

I should have assumed your scans were from an archive book.
Thanks for letting me know.  If what you mean by 'the scans
I mentioned' has something to do with my question about
posting my fanfic story work, I don't know how you got the idea
my stuff was in visual form.  I have just written stories, but many
of my fans tell me my description of scenes and such is so good
they get the idea they're watching a movie or at least reading a
comic book as they're reading.

SteveZ

--- In dccomicscharacters@yahoogroups.com, szink22446@a... wrote:

> I should have assumed your scans were from an archive book.
> Thanks for letting me know.  If what you mean by 'the scans
> I mentioned' has something to do with my question about
> posting my fanfic story work, I don't know how you got the idea
> my stuff was in visual form.  I have just written stories, but many
> of my fans tell me my description of scenes and such is so good
> they get the idea they're watching a movie or at least reading a
> comic book as they're reading.
>
> SteveZ

Steve,

You used the word "stories" and I just assumed you had some scans of
unusual Batman Family comic book stories. Had you said "fanfic" I
would have understood you. That's what I get for making an
assumption. Certainly, I would be up for reading at least one of your
stories. I only check this club once in awhile but I will be back
sooner or later.

Take care,
Jon

Since an image of the Justice League that is sometimes derisively
called "Justice League Detroit" is being used as the group picture, I
may as well make a few comments on that group to see if I can start
some conversation.

First off, I think that particular grouping had some potential, and I
think Vixen and Gypsy are good solid characters. I'll also admit that
I could just never get used to Vibe, who had a decent power but a
rediculous persona; Vibe, I think, more than any other member of that
grouping is the main focus of why so many folks don't think highly of
the character choices for that version of the Justice League.

I think many JLA fans were not pleased to have the JLA stripped of
its more popular members and reduced down to Aquaman, Zatanna,
Elongated Man, and the Martian Manhunter, plus four unproven
characters. The Justice League had so long been described and
depicted as a gathering of the best and most effecient heroes, that
many thought the new group wasn't worthy of the name; part of that
would be a normal reaction to radical change, but some also felt that
they were seeing a misfired attempt to cash in on the then popularity
of the Teen Titans. Granted, there were three fairly young characters
introduced with "Justice League Detroit," but I think the experiment
was more of an attempt to recreate the radical lineup change
of 'Avengers' #16, or at least the attention that long ago Avengers
book received. Whatever the reason, the combining of preceived
Justice League lesser lights with three brand new characters and one
barely introduced character was a radical departure from anything
that had previously happened in 'Justice League of America'.

Personally, I never cared that much for Zatanna, although I never
really disliked the character either, and I don't really care for
many magical based characters (with a few exceptions). I did like
seeing J'onn J'onzz again, since he had been little used for over a
decade when the line-up changed. Aquaman is an old favorite of mine,
and I was rather sorry to see him elect to remain with the Justice
League and then depart not soon afterwards. I like Raplh Dibney, but
I'll admit he is a character for whom one has to acquire a taste and
I can see why he might irritate some people. I think those four were
picked for the new team because they weren't really being used
anywhere else, and possibly because they aren't really that
formidable, with the possible exception of the Martian Manhunter. If
there had to be a "new" Justice League which retained some members, I
would have liked to see Hawkman stay, but I'm sure other folks
probably would have rather seen Flash, Green Lantern, Batman, or even
Green Arrow stay on. No matter who was left on the team and who was
taken away, the change was bound to eliminate some fans of certain
characters, and at the time I don't think there were all that many
fans of Zatanna, Elongated Man, Aquaman, or J'onn J'onzz.

I don't care very much for the bulk of the "Justice League Detroit"
stories, sad to say. The mystery of Gypsy went on far too long, too
much attention was spent on Vibe, and Aquaman was gone too soon. I
did like a few things about the series, namely the first story to
really concentrate on Vixen, but Gypsy became an endearing character
quickly, J'onn J'onzz came off well, Steel was better than I thought
he could be initially although I never cared for his backstory or the
depiction of Commander Steel as an embittered old man. Nothing much
new was done with Zatanna or the Elongated Man, which I think was a
missed opportunity.

I do think that the two stories that sent the "new" Justice League to
the "old" Justice League's headquarters were based on a decent idea,
but the "misunderstood monster" of those two stories underminded
those stories. When Batman returned to help train the "new" League
into a more effective group, I thought perhaps we would see more
intermingeling of the old and new groups, but the decision to give
that group the axe and launch yet another "new" Justice League cut
short the direction the book was taking.

That should be enough to garner a response, if anyone has any
interest in the subject.

For what it is worth,
Jon

I sent a message earlier before I started downloading a silver age
Hawkman story, but it looks like that message got lost. Should it pop
up after this message, ignore it. The story, "The Birds in the Gilded
Cage" is in the files section now. I'll probably take it and/or the
golden age Batman story down sooner or later and put something else
up. I don't want to hog all the space in the files section, or even
half of it, since others will (hopefully) eventually be using it.
Comments on the Hawkman story would be appreciated, but certainly
can't be required. I hope someone likes it.

Take care,
Jon

Enter your vote today!  A new poll has been created for the
dccomicscharacters group:

Out of curiosity, who is your favorite
all-time DC character. I know that
could be a tough choice, so there can
be more than one choice.

   o Superman
   o Batman
   o Flash (Barry Allen)
   o Flash (Jay Garrick)
   o Flash (Wally West)
   o Wonder Woman (original)
   o Wonder Woman (Hyppolyta)
   o Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
   o Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
   o Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner)
   o Red Tornado (Ma Hunkle)
   o Red Tornado (John Smith)
   o Robin/Nightwing
   o Aquaman
   o Martian Manhunter
   o Wildcat
   o Green Arrow
   o Atom (Ray Palmer)
   o Hawkman (Carter Hall)
   o Hawkman (Katar Hol)
   o Star Spangled Kid (Courtney)
   o Silver Age Superboy
   o Vixen
   o Gypsy
   o Other


To vote, please visit the following web page:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dccomicscharacters/surveys?id=699736

Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.

Thanks!

I probably won't bother to confirm when I've finished adding "The
Birds in the Gilded Cage" to the files, but it's probably safe to
assume I did finish putting up the scans. This isn't a great story
but it's not bad either, and I think it is fairly representative of a
lesser story from Gardner Fox written to fill out an issue; for some
reason, this was the cover story of this issue, although it was the
shorter of the two in that issue. It could have been written to match
the cover, since Julie Schwartz sometimes had the covers done in
advance and had writers come up with stories based on the covers, not
a current practice.

I've been a fan of Hawkman since I first laid eyes on him, and I
think he was a good member of the Justice League of America and
should have been included earlier than he was (the first mention of
Hawkman in the first JLA series, the original book dedicated to that
group, was in issue #4, but Green Arrow became the first new member
of the JLA in that issue instead of Hawkman, Adam Strange, or the
Atom, who were also mentioned in that issue), but it took awhile for
him to find a regular venue. I think the Justice League was a bit too
crowded by the time Hawkman joined (he became the tenth member) and
he tended to get lost in the shuffle of characters from time to time,
but there were some decent JLA stories featuring Hawkman, and
eventually Hawkgirl as well.

Enough history, and I'll discuss the original incarnation of the
Justice League some other time, if anyone is up for the subject.

I hope someone enjoys the Hawkman story, but I know that tastes are
subjective and it might be of no interest to anyone. Maybe I'll find
something more to someone's liking in the future.

Take care,
Jon

In a message dated 08-May-03 16:11:26 Eastern Daylight Time,
jfglade@... writes:

>Steve,
>
>You used the word "stories" and I just assumed you had some scans of
>unusual Batman Family comic book stories. Had you said "fanfic" I
>would have understood you. That's what I get for making an
>assumption. Certainly, I would be up for reading at least one of your
>stories. I only check this club once in awhile but I will be back
>sooner or later.
>
>Take care,
>Jon

Okay, I'll test post one of my mainstream stories (oops, fanfics)
which also has a non-mainstream version going side by side.
Since most of my story work has transgender themes, I doubt
very many members of this group would like them.  However,
I will post both versions of the story I mentioned and if I get any
feedback saying no problem, I will post more of my DCU fanfics.

SteveZ

This was written as a prequel to a three story Batgirl cliffhanger
for the Batgirl Bat Trap Homepage back in 1999.

*******************************************

The following story contains characters owned by DC Comics/Warner Bros.
It is written as a fanfic parody story not intended to affect any use
of actual story lines in published books.  The story is purely for fun,
with no profit to be made by the authors.  It is free to be archived on
any site wishing to do so, provided the authors are given proper credit.


During the run of the Batman TV show in the 1960's, Catwoman was
introduced as played by Julie Newmar, much to the glee of drooling
males in the viewing audience.  When they made the Batman movie after
the first season, Julie was not available.  Lee Ann Merriwether was
selected to play the villainess, and IMHO did a very creditable job.
For season two, Julie was back in all her glory.  When it came time to
film the third season which added Batgirl, Julie was otherwise occupied
again.  To play the role of the felonious feline this time, the throaty
Eartha Kitt was given the nod.  As a way to try and show readers just
how Catwoman was seen in three different forms in the run of the TV
series and the movie, I give you the story of...


The Three Faces of the Cat
by SteveZ and twof

Even with her claws digging and scraping, her hand lost its hold...and
with a caterwaul of terror, she plunged out of sight.  Ten heartbeats
later, they heard a SPLASH reverberating from far below.

"Catwoman!" shouted Robin.  "Can you hear me?  Catwoman!?"

"Catwoman!" came the echo.  "Can you hear me?  Catwoman!?"

"Greed is an overpowering emotion," said Batman as he coiled his Batrope.
He put his hand on the youngster's shoulder, and added, "Come on, Robin;
our job is done."

* * * * *

The swiftly flowing current of the underground river swept the body of
Selina Kyle toward the waterfall.  Within seconds, Catwoman's limp form
was once again falling, this time through the starlit darkness toward
the inky black ocean below.

Cold fresh air on her face revived the beautiful blonde woman.  With
cat-like agility, quick thinking and a lot of just plain good luck,
the black-clad villainess had survived the plummet in the cave.  As she
fell, Selina had tied the loot bag full of gold and jewels to her right
foot.  This had allowed her body to align itself vertically and break
the surface of the water feet first.  She had lost consciousness and
broken a few bones, but Catwoman had survived.

Once again she prepared herself for impact.  Like her namesake, she
hated the water, but despite those trepidations, Catwoman had trained
herself to be an excellent swimmer and diver.  Those skills were vital
to her chosen career, and were a necessity that she abided no matter
how much she abhorred the medium.  Selina felt confident that her
training, along with her superbly toned, Amazon-like body would see her
through this much shorter drop.  She took deeper and deeper breaths to
expand her lungs, then took one last big gulp of air before slipping
like an arrow into the salty ocean with her arms close to her sides and
her gorgeously curved body as straight as a nail.

KERSPLASH!!!!

This time, Catwoman remained conscious, but pain racked her battered
body.  She felt the loot bag beneath her touch bottom as her right foot
sank into the satchel.  It was now an anchor holding her to the sea bed.
Working with that one last big breath, she had to bend down and untie
the bag from her foot, secure it to her belt, and then somehow kick and
claw her way to the surface with her heavy treasure in tow.

She estimated that the surface and life-sustaining air were some
fifteen to twenty feet above her.  Driven by a combination of fear,
greed, anger and an undeniable instinct for survival, Selina did the
seemingly impossible.  Not only did her head burst forth into glorious
air, she still had the lucre!

Furiously treading water with her chin just barely out of it, Catwoman
quickly assessed her situation.  Light pollution from Gotham City
provided enough illumination for her to tell that she'd been flung out
not far from the rocky shoreline.  High cliffs met the waves for as far
as she could see into the night.  Catwoman realized, that in her present
condition, even she could not swim very far with the cargo she was
hauling.  Selina decided to hide the treasure as best she could among
the rocks.

To avoid being battered by waves as she worked to hide her loot,
Catwoman stroked a bit more than absolutely necessary to arrive at a
spot that was in a lee to the waves, and only had to contend with some
raging eddies.  She carefully made her way to what she thought would be
a likely spot, and hoisted herself out of the water with her arms.  As
soon as she tried to put any weight on her legs, they collapsed.  Selina
carefully turned and put her fanny on top of a good sized boulder, and
spread out a few of the rocks from a sitting position.  She hefted her
loot, and then tucked the bag tightly among the stones.  Even if the
tide rose or fell substantially, the treasure would be safe.  Catwoman
got the feeling that she knew what the pirates in days of yore must
have gone through to hide their own treasures on more tropical shores.
She looked around while clinging to a rock to try and get her bearings.

Selina realized that this stretch of ocean was not too far from the
pier that held Ye Olde Benbow Taverne, a notorious waterfront hangout
for Gotham City's criminal element.  With the favorable current, she
might just be able to make it near there.  If she could, it would be
much more likely that Catwoman would find someone who would help her
(for money, of course!) rather than turn her over to the police.

Pushing away from the rocks with the strength she still had in her
arms, Catwoman got out past the eddies and started slowly stroking
toward her destination.  The salty sea was very cold, which deadened
her muscles but also kept her shockingly alert.  She needed to get back
out of the water soon, before hypothermia set in.

As time passed, the adrenaline rush attained during her escape from
Batman and Robin subsided.  Selina Kyle then realized that she was far
more seriously injured than she'd first assumed.  A gash on her forehead
just above her mask was bleeding profusely, which brought up the
thought, 'I hope there are no sharks in the area!'  Her right ankle felt
like it might be shattered, while at least one bone in her other leg
appeared to be fractured.  Each breath now caused a sharp pain in
Catwoman's chest, perhaps an indication of cracked or broken ribs.

Catwoman smiled, 'I guess I'll find out if this cat really does have
nine lives!'  Into the night she swam, getting closer and closer to her
goal, determined to survive.  When she finally got to the base of the
ladder, she had to practically haul herself up by her hands, since she
could only just barely brace herself with her right leg.  By the time
she made it to the top, Selina was too exhausted to go inside for help.
She crawled a few feet, then collapsed against the side of a car.

* * * * *

Foo Yung stumbled out of Ye Olde Benbow Taverne.  The first signs of the
impending dawn were appearing on the horizon.  It was long past the
legal closing time for Gotham City drinking establishments, but the
proprietors of this place cared little for laws and regulations.

Foo Yung was not his real name.  He was not even vaguely Asian-American.
It was the name given to him by his new boss.  After all the time he had
spent in the Metropolis prison system, a new name was a small price to
pay to work for the smartest villain in the world.

The henchman picked his way unsteadily along the wharf, toward where he
was pretty sure he had left his car.  Years of drinking had given him
some tolerance to alcohol, and though he wobbled, he knew where he was
going.  "Ahh, there you are!" he said aloud, in a bit of a slur.  He
found his old junker on the pier, near a ladder that led down to the
waters below.

He walked around to the front of his car.  Foo Yung had parked so as to
leave about two feet between his car and the edge of the dock; plenty
of room to wander a bit once he got the car moving without worrying
about going over the side.  Suddenly, he noticed that some sort of dark
but shiny object was piled up against the driver's side door.  "What the
heck?!" Foo Yung blurted.

It was a woman!  A woman with long, wet, blonde hair...dressed in a
costume that every lowlife in Gotham City would recognize in a
heartbeat!  Catwoman was leaning against the side of his car!

"Catwoman?!" Foo Yung asked, amazed at his discovery.  Getting no reply,
he observed that she had passed out.  Even in his inebriated condition,
the hood could tell that Catwoman didn't get that way from the same
source he had; she was in pretty bad shape, with a lot of caked blood
over a gash in her forehead.  Lord only knew what else was wrong with
her.  He decided to lay her on the back seat of his car, and take the
Feline Felon to his boss.  'He'll know what to do!' Foo Yung reasoned.

* * * * *

Selina Kyle awoke to find herself in a nice, dry, soft bed.  Without
moving her head, through half-shut eyes, Catwoman looked around.  She
was in a spotlessly clean room in which ovals seemed to be the dominant
decor theme.  Everything Selina could see was either white or yellow.
Then she spotted an egg-shaped door opening, and the answer she'd been
assuming was confirmed.  She had only heard of him recently, and seen
only two pictures of him, but the debonair figure with a shiny bald
dome in the lab coat she saw could be none other than Egghead!

There was no longer any need for subterfuge, so as Egghead came closer
to her bed, Selina opened her eyes as if awakening.  She tried to shift
her position in the bed, but found that she was restrained.  Before she
could utter a word of shock or question her condition, Egghead picked
up a chart from the end of her bed and said, "Good afternoon to you,
Catwoman.  I hope you slept well after I treated your wounds, set your
broken bones, wrapped your chest and bandaged your face this morning."

"Did you say afternoon, Egghead?  The last thing I can remember was just
barely making it up the ladder next to Benbow's, just before dawn."
Then Selina's catty guile kicked in, and her face flushed just a bit.
She may have further need of Egghead's aid, and buttering him up
couldn't hurt.  "I'm sorry, Egghead.  Thank you so very much for fixing
me up.  I hardly know you, and yet you seem to have gone through a lot
of trouble for me."

"For a beautiful woman such as you, my dear, I would go to eggstra
lengths to make you healthy.  One of my able-bodied assistants found you
piled up against the side of his car just outside Benbow's, and even in
his not-so-able condition he recognized you and had enough sense to
bring you here to me."  Egghead then looked down at his chart before
looking back up into Selina's eyes.

"As far as fixing you up goes, however, I believe that I have some bad
news for you, Catwoman.  You will mend in time, but you pretty
thoroughly took out both of your legs, what with a disjointed ankle on
your right leg and a fractured tibia on your left.  One rib was actually
broken, without piercing the lung, while three others are heavily
bruised.  There was a bit of a concussion behind the gash on your
forehead, and even your arms are showing signs of a bad pounding.  I
must say, it was incredibly lucky for you to be escaping from whatever
situation you'd found yourself in via water, and not land.  You would
have been crawling on your belly, dragging both legs behind you, if
you'd been on the ground.  It would seem that you are going to be a
special guest of mine for at least the next six months."

"SIX MONTHS?!" Selina almost screamed.  "I can't stay inactive for six
months.  I've almost got Batman just where I want him right now, and if
I don't keep at it, he'll run roughshod over any of our fellow
criminals, especially the newer and less-experienced ones."  Selina
suddenly blushed, and lowered her eyes a bit.  "No offense, Egghead, I
wasn't including you in that new group; I know you can handle yourself
in any situation."  She was actually working on assumption, because she
really knew next to nothing about Egghead's abilities.

What he told her next made Selina know that she'd assumed correctly.

"Well, that's not eggsactly a problem, Catwoman.  The body that is
bandaged and braced and set in casts on that bed is what will be laid
up for six months.  How would you like to get out of that heavily
injured body and into a perfectly healthy one to continue your work?"
Egghead raised an eyebrow, and saw Selina's mouth form a nice egg shape
as her jaw dropped.

"What?  How...?" was all she could get out.

"There is a device which I perfected two years ago that I lovingly call
my Psyche Eggschange Machine.  I'll have you know that I wasn't
originally in this rather dashing body; after putting together my
machine, I tested it on two of my yeggs, then put my own mind into this
body and did away with the poor fool who was left with my short and fat
body.  I can put you into any body you desire, providing it is someone
we can get our hands on and bring here to my lab."

"You would do that for me, Egghead?  There has to be some kind of
catttch," Selina purred.

Egghead put a very dignified, business-like look on his face, then
answered, "I wouldn't try to restrain you in your activities, or make
you do anything for me that you wouldn't want to, but I do require
copious compensation for my work."

Without a hint of sarcasm, Egghead continued, "Call the work I did this
morning the help any fellow criminal would give to another in need, but
before I put you into another body to go back out into the world, I
want $500,000 in whatever form you can manage to give it to me."

Catwoman could think of lots of other uses for Captain Manx's treasure,
but if what she had planned paid off, giving Egghead a small portion of
it would be like spreading kitty litter.  "How would you like to have
what could be worth well over $500,000 in gold and jewels, Egghead?  I
have a bit of a treasure that I found, which is how I got into this
condition.  A portion of it is yours, if you can get me out of here!"

The chart was set on the side of the bed, then Egghead walked over and
sat in the chair next to Catwoman's head.  "How could you question my
wanting treasure, my dear?  If you were to hand me cash, I'd have
$500,000 to go spend or invest.  Jewels and precious metals present so
many opportunities for appreciation.  I will be very happy to take an
appropriate amount of treasure from you in payment.  I presume you have
this loot hidden somewhere?"

"The treasure is safely ensconced, Egghead.  If you'll trust me to bring
your payment once I can move again, you'll have your riches within a
day.  I'd tell you where to go find it so that you could get your
payment before the transfer, but I think you and I both know why I'd
like to keep its location a secret."

"Indeed I do, Catwoman.  As soon as you decide whose body you'd like to
occupy, I'll send my yeggs out to grab her.  Your word is good for me."

Selina smiled, looking for all the world like the Cheshire Cat.  "Give
me a bit of time to think on that, Egghead.  I want the new Catwoman to
be someone special, not just any, uh, body.  No matter who I become,
though, I've kind of taken a liking to this figure of my own over the
years.  I want you to work with whoever we put in this body, and make it
possible for me to switch back...eventually."

Once again, one of Egghead's eyebrows lifted.  "So you'd want to return
to this body once it is healthy again, eh?  That is a bit of a surprise,
but should not be a problem.  It may increase the cost of our
transaction, you realize."

"No problem, Egghead, no problem.  With plans that are being laid this
very moment, any payment you could possibly want will be yours for the
asking.  Now, give a lady some time to herself, would you, dear?"

Egghead patted Catwoman's shoulder gently, then said while rising, "You
have all the time in the world, Catwoman.  Just press the button near
your right hand to call us when you're ready."  Egghead took the
clipboard off the bed and rehung it on the end, then went back from
whence he'd come.

Selina spent a bit over an hour going over in her mind who a logical
candidate would be for her to become.  Movie and TV stars would be out
of the question, because of the familiarity of their faces.  Then she
started to think of female athletes, since she wanted a body that was
in good condition.  None she could think of excited her, though.  Her
eyes closed ever so briefly before they sprang back open with so much
life and vigor showing that no one would have believed this was a
heavily injured woman.  She pressed the button with a passion.

Moments later, Egghead came back into the room, a bit too casually for
Selina's excitement.  "You've thought of a person who appeals to you,
Catwoman?"

"It struck me at the oddest moment, Egghead!  Rich, a body to die for,
physically fit thanks to all the work she did as Miss America three
years ago, and good looking without having a face everyone would know
the moment they saw it.  Get Lisa Carson!  She lives right here in
Gotham City.  I'll have the body of my dreams when you do."

"A very nice choice, Catwoman, very nice.  I see you aren't shy on
brains yourself, in making a decision of that magnitude in such a wise
manner.  Miss Carson will be meeting you in no time!"

Egghead went back out into the lab, and gathered Foo Yung, Benedict and
Roll to his side.  He gave them explicit instructions on how to get at
Miss Carson, who was scheduled to be speaking at an afternoon social at
the Gotham Convention Center.  They were told to be sure and let her
finish her speech, then take her away when she started to head for the
exit.  Egghead himself would be watching from nearby in the convention
hall, and would step in to help only if needed.

* * * * *

continued in part 2

Personally, I hated the new JLA group that came following Crisis.
I was really glad when the regular team members started getting
back together again in the late 80s.

I for one have always loved Zatanna.  To each his (or her) own.

SteveZ

I only had time just now to look at the first splash page of that
Hawkman and Hawkgirl story.  I do hope you'll leave that in the
files for at least a week.  I hope to have time Sunday or Monday,
my weekend, to check out the whole story.

SteveZ

I did vote in the poll, for two characters and other.  My top choices
don't appear in the poll - Catwoman, Lois Lane, Batgirl and Star
Sapphire.  Again, just personal preferences, mind you.

SteveZ