We’re almost at the end of the Dial H relaunch: this is the last batch, after which the finale will get its proper review.
New Adventures of Superboy #45 (1983)
by E.Nelson Bridwell & Bob Rozakis
pencils by Howard Bender
Last issue Nick (Chris and Vicki’s classmate) discovered his friends can turn into superheroes. And since he was kidnapped by The Master, he’s the only one who knows what he looks like.
The kids take Nick to the attic where they discovered the dials, figuring out there must be SOME connection since Nick has been able to draw the heroes they transform into BEFORE they do.
Because of this, they’re able to see the creator of the H-Dials himself: The Wizard.
If this sounds like a monumental revelation… don’t worry, it’s not going to stick.
This is one of the most embarrassingly awkward attempts at exposition I’ve seen in a while.
Because not only the kids are watching The Wizard and saying out loud what he’s thinking, but they’re also technically watching The Master watching The Wizard.
And they’re witnessing The Master catch The Wizard by surprise, wearing a power armor.
The fact that we’re only seeing this fight scene through the commentary of bystanders is already bad enough, but it’s also terrible commentary.
Granted the ones giving the commentary are supposed to be two 14 year olds, but Rozakis (who is credited for “words”) seems to be aiming at a Stan Lee impression… and completely missing the mark.
Aaaaaand The Wizard dies.
The Master was after the H-Dials, but he can’t get them because The Wizard’s ghost (!!!) puts them away.
While it would’ve been hilarious if The Master couldn’t find the chest just because it was moved a little further away, the solution is kind of clever: only the kids are able to see it, it’s invisible to everyone else.
And so we close this issue with the teaser of more Master reveals.
This series is such a mess that a couple of pages are printed out of order, something they have to apologize for in later issues.
New Adventures of Superboy #46 (1983)
by E.Nelson Bridwell & Bob Rozakis
pencils by Howard Bender
But enough about The Master, Nick wants to see new superheroes!
This SOMEHOW gives Nick a clear picture on where to find the plot The Master.
So now Chris is Sound Lantern and Vicki is Pink Lantern.
Also: The Master’s headquarters are in the most stereotypical cave EVER.
A bunch of supervillains created by The Master are waiting for them.
“Hitpin” or Marvel’s Diablo: who wore it better?
I might have been too hasty calling Vicki’s transformation Pink Lantern.
Apparently her definition of “traps” is so vague that it includes invisible force fields around herself?
I would like to say that the kids defeat the villains thanks to teamwork, but…
…in truth, these villains just suck.
New Adventures of Superboy #47 (1983)
by E.Nelson Bridwell & Bob Rozakis
pencils by Howard Bender
Were all these designed as villains? Or are we dumping all the creations for the last issues?
The issue is about the kids fighting those villains while attempting to survive their terrible dialogue.
To be fair, this issue has some of the best action scenes of the relaunch. None of them are GREAT, mind you, but they’re at least competent.
But eventually the 1 hour time limit comes up, and the kids are now captured by The Master.
New Adventures of Superboy #48 (1983)
by E.Nelson Bridwell & Bob Rozakis
pencils by Howard Bender
Don’t worry, Nick hasn’t been evil this whole time: that would require him to grow a personality.
He’s just mind-controlled.
The Master takes Vicki’s dial…
…but get ready for the greatest twist of this series: CHRIS GETS A GOOD IDEA!!!
He can’t use his dial for the next hour, but Nick… already free from mind control for no reason… doesn’t share this limitation.
Because of his STILL UNEXPLAINED connection to the dial, Nick can even choose who he transforms into!!!
So he quickly cycles through FOUR different heroes.
Yeah is because “The Shifter” has some kind of specific power that allows this, but he has completely different looks, names and powers… I’m still counting these as separate transformations.
He ends up setting fire to The Master’s headquarters (!!!) and all three kids escape.
Too bad they don’t take Vicki’s dial back.
However Nick suddenly has a revelation on The Master…
…his REAL headquarters are beneath the comic book shop that was destroyed issues ago!
Also: he’s completely unable to figure out how Vicki’s dial works.
Just in case you cared about the civilian lives of the kids: Chris and Vicki are still not a couple anymore, but she does like Nick.
The kids end up prisoners of The Master, FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A 8-PAGE STORY.
And The Master is revealed to be… the comic book shop’s owner? The character so minor I don’t even recall if he showed up for more than one story?
Well, not exactly. The mystery will be revealed next issue.
Historical significance: 1/10
If this was the actual origin of the H-Dials, it would be SO much higher… but without spoiling anything from next issue, don’t trust The Wizard too much.
Silver Age-ness: 7/10
I mean, just look at that cave alone.
Does it stand the test of time?: 2/10
I’m feeling generous: some of the action in #46 isn’t that bad, some of the powers are creative, and at least SOMETHING IS FINALLY
HAPPENING.
Having said that… boy are those issues a chore to get through. The kids continue to be blank slates… well not exactly. Vicki and Nick are blank slates, Chris is just annoying.
There HAD to be a better way to show the origin of the Master/Wizard feud than a commentary from the kids, right? Plus did they REALLY need to fall into The Master’s hands twice in a row like that? Not to mention that Vicki losing her dial is not given ANY weight whatsoever!
If she doesn’t care about losing the thing, why should the readers?
Dial K for King transformations: 75
Dial V for Vicki transformations: 70
Dial R for Robby Reed identities: 51
Dial N for Nick identities: 4
Dial M for Master transformations: 1
Chris and Vick only have 1 new trasformation in these four issues, but Nick gets four to himself in just one.
Interesting letters: hey I want to read about The Terrible Typist now!
